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Science News Archive March 2021


Page 17 of 53

Income drives the economy, not prices

As consumers become richer, they spend more on services like health and education, while spending less on agriculture and manufactured goods. The study reveals that income and preferences play a larger role than productivity in shaping the sectoral composition of the economy.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Cholesterol accumulation contributes to genetic movement disorder

Researchers at Greenwood Genetic Center have identified cholesterol accumulation as a key contributor to the symptoms of genetic movement disorders, including seizures and balance issues. The study provides new hope for treatments targeting cholesterol accumulation, such as the drug 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, which showed signi...

Prostate cancer uses metabolic switch to thrive after hormone therapy

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center identified a key reason hormone therapies fail and proposed a new treatment strategy directly targeting the cancer's fuel source, glutamine. By inhibiting glutamine utilization, tumor growth is successfully inhibited in studies using prostate cancer cell lines and animal models.

A simple laser for quantum-like classical light

Researchers have developed a method to create arbitrary dimensional quantum-like classical light directly from a laser, enabling the control of high-dimensional classically entangled states. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for applications in quantum metrology, error correction, and optical communication.

Agricultural biodiversity:

Farmers prioritize government and agricultural sector information, while scientists value scientific information. Female farmers and those using organic farming methods rate biodiversity as more important than others. The study highlights knowledge gaps between research, agriculture, and policy practice.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

More primary care physicians could mean gains in life expectancy, fewer deaths

A new study suggests that increasing primary care physicians by one per 1,500 residents in critical-shortage regions could boost life expectancy by an average of 56 days and prevent over 7,000 deaths annually. This analysis is based on data from 3,400 regions, highlighting the need to incentivize doctors to practice in underserved areas.

Making plastics production more energy efficient

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method for producing propylene, a key component of plastics, that uses less energy. The technique, which involves the use of two catalysts, produces yields up to 30% higher than traditional methods, making it a promising solution for more energy-efficient plastics production.

Focusing on the unhealthy brain to speed drug discovery

A new toolkit developed by researchers at the University of Houston, in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, enables rapid drug development for brain diseases and injuries. The toolkit uses high-resolution imaging to analyze unhealthy brain tissue, revealing multiple biological processes at once.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

First closeups of how a lithium-metal electrode ages

Lithium-metal batteries, used in next-gen electronics and electric vehicles, suffer from calendar aging, losing charge even when turned off. The nature of the battery electrolyte significantly impacts aging, with different electrolytes causing varying levels of corrosion and efficiency loss.

Finding high-Q resonant modes in a dielectric nanocavity

A research team developed a straightforward method to find high-Q modes in single dielectric nanocavities. They discovered high-Q modes using Mie mode engineering and avoided crossing, resulting in improved photonic device performance and applications.

Having a single personal doctor may sometimes lead to unnecessary tests

A study by the University of Florida found that male patients with a single general physician were more likely to receive a prostate cancer screening test during a period when it was not recommended. The trust between doctor and patient is strong, but physicians must practice evidence-based care.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

New genetic links found to rare eye disease

Scientists have discovered over a dozen gene variants causing the rare eye disease MacTel, which leads to progressive retinal degeneration. The study identifies PHGDH as a key enzyme essential for serine production, whose partial loss contributes to MacTel's development.

Modifying an implant: Dental implant biomaterials

The use of dental implants for tooth replacement requires careful consideration of biomaterials, which must integrate into the body while minimizing negative immune responses. Researchers have compared titanium and zirconia, highlighting the importance of surface modification processes and coatings in optimizing implant performance.

Nanobiomaterial boosts neuronal growth in mice with spinal cord injuries

Researchers used layered double hydroxide (LDH) to inhibit inflammatory environments surrounding spinal cord injuries, accelerating neuron regeneration and neural circuit reconstruction in mice. LDH promotes the activation of channels for neuron excitation and induction of action potential, improving locomotive behavior.

Scientists reveal regenerative treatment path for diabetic foot ulcers

Researchers discovered a powerful approach for treating diabetic foot ulcers by targeting a gene that controls tissue growth and regeneration. The new treatment has shown promising results in animal models and human skin equivalents, and may hold potential for repairing internal organs.

The dirt on crop insurance

Researchers found that considering soil organic matter improves water retention, mitigating crop yield losses from drought. Including this data in insurance premiums could reduce liabilities by 36% while increasing corn yields by 35 bushels per acre.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

New porous material promising for making renewable energy from water

Researchers at Linköping University have developed nanoporous cubic silicon carbide that efficiently traps and harvests sunlight to split water into hydrogen gas. The material's high charge-separation efficiency boosts water splitting efficiency, making it a promising approach for producing renewable energy.

Community 'voice' should guide expanding African cities

Urban populations across Africa are forecasted to triple by 2050, resulting in significant environmental changes. Including local community voices in early planning stages can help reduce the impact of climate-related events and promote more inclusive urban climate policies.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Different diseases - common metabolic pathways

A study of over 11,000 participants found that certain metabolic processes are associated with up to 14 diseases. The researchers identified key factors influencing human metabolism and developed a web application to make their results publicly available.

Insomnia, disrupted sleep, and burnout linked to higher odds of severe COVID-19

An international study found that insomnia, disrupted sleep, and daily burnout are linked to a heightened risk of not only becoming infected with coronavirus but also having more severe disease and a longer recovery period. The study also revealed that every extra hour of sleep at night was associated with 12% lower odds of infection.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Deep seafloor nutrient vital in global food chain

Iron, a micronutrient crucial for phytoplankton, is being released from deep ocean sediments, providing a new source of nutrition for drifting marine organisms. This finding challenges previous expectations and has significant implications for studying the ocean carbon cycle and managing the marine environment.

Healthy sleep may rely on long-overlooked brain cells

A recent study published in eLife reveals that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, can independently promote longer or deeper sleep in mice by manipulating slow-wave activity. The findings suggest that targeting astrocytes could lead to new insights into sleep disorders and brain diseases linked to sleep disturbances.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Incidental findings in brain MRIs of children

A study investigated incidental findings in brain MRIs of children, revealing significant rates that could affect diagnoses and treatments. The research highlights the importance of thorough image review and reporting.

Ending tuberculosis is a race against time and drug resistance

The TB burden in Europe is decreasing, with a 19% overall decline from 2015-2019. However, drug resistance remains a major concern, and the COVID-19 pandemic may stall or cause setbacks in the fight against TB. Treatment outcomes are suboptimal, with only 77% of patients successfully completing treatment in 2019.

Association of age with SARS-CoV-2 antibody response

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the quantity and quality of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies differ significantly among children, adolescents, and young adults. The research has important implications for understanding the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines and informing public health strategies.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Severe mental illness linked to higher death rate after heart attack

Researchers found that people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression are more likely to die within 30 days and one year after a heart attack. The study highlights chronic health inequalities faced by those with serious mental illness and calls for urgent action to address disparities.

Planting the seed for DNA nanoconstructs that grow to the micron scale

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute develop programmable DNA self-assembly strategy for ultrasensitive diagnostic biomarker detection and scalable fabrication of micrometer-sized structures. The 'crisscross polymerization' approach enables robust nucleation control and growth to large sizes.

Early warning system for intensive care units

A team of researchers led by Professor Alexander Meyer has created an early warning system for intensive care units (ICUs) using big data and artificial intelligence. The system predicts postoperative bleeding and acute kidney injury with high accuracy, allowing timely interventions to save lives.

Fourth generation of e-cigarettes is not harmless

A UC Riverside study analyzed fourth-generation electronic cigarette pod atomizer design features, identifying toxic elements such as nickel, chromium, and iron. The findings suggest that these elements may accumulate in the environment and contribute to chemical pollution, highlighting the need for further research on e-cigarette safety.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Investigational AstraZeneca vaccine prevents COVID-19

The AstraZeneca vaccine demonstrated high vaccine efficacy of 78.9% against symptomatic COVID-19 disease, including severe disease or hospitalization. The vaccine also showed no increased risk of thrombotic events or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis among vaccinated participants.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Plan for globally safer food

The Global Harmonization Initiative aims to establish a legislative framework for recognized food safety professionals, promoting formal requirements for education, registration, and professional bodies. This move seeks to enhance food safety practices globally by setting standards for roles in managing food safety.

Goodbye large neural probes

A team of researchers developed an ultrasmall needle-electrode technology called 'STACK' that enables high-quality brain recordings in mice with a high signal-to-noise ratio. The device offers improved biocompatibility and minimized tissue damage, making it suitable for long-term and safe chronic recordings.

Study reveals plunge in lithium-ion battery costs

A recent study reveals a 97% decline in lithium-ion battery costs over the last three decades, driven by rapid growth of electric vehicles and renewable energy. This rate of improvement is comparable to that of solar photovoltaic panels.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

The bacteria that look after us and their protective weapons

Researchers at the University of Seville are studying the Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) in bacteria like Pseudomonas putida to develop biocontrol agents for sustainable agriculture. The T6SS is a molecular weapon that allows bacteria to quickly eliminate competitors and protect plants from diseases.

Big breakthrough for 'massless' energy storage

The new battery has an energy density of 24 Wh/kg, ten times higher than previous prototypes, and a stiffness of 25 GPa. This breakthrough paves the way for 'massless' energy storage in vehicles and consumer electronics.

Teaching AI what's fair

A team led by Michigan State University's Pang-Ning Tan is working to make artificial intelligence algorithms more fair and aware of their potential biases. They're developing a definition of fairness that considers perspectives from groups of people, rather than just individual outcomes.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.