Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 20, 2021


'Hunger hormone' ghrelin affects monetary decision making

A new study reveals that higher ghrelin levels in healthy females predict a greater preference for smaller immediate monetary rewards over larger delayed financial rewards. This indicates more impulsive choices, contradicting previous research findings in rodents suggesting a similar effect.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateMar 20, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Semaglutide reduces excess body fat in people with obesity

Semaglutide treatment leads to reduced excess body fat and increased lean body mass in adults with obesity. The medication has the potential to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke by improving body composition. The STEP 1 trial found that semaglutide significantly improved body weight loss and reduced visceral fat.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateMar 20, 2021
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.

Genetic evidence suggests men can develop PCOS-like condition

A study published in The Endocrine Society's annual meeting found that genetic risk factors for PCOS are associated with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and male-pattern baldness in men. This suggests that at least some cases of PCOS may be caused by biological mechanisms common to both men and women.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateMar 20, 2021

Lifestyle program improves fertility for women with obesity, infertility

A lifestyle intervention targeting women with obesity and infertility significantly improves pregnancy rates, especially spontaneous pregnancies. The Fit-For-Fertility program shows promise as a cost-effective alternative to fertility treatments, with a live-birth rate 14.2 percentage points higher than the control group.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateMar 20, 2021
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Pain differs: Researchers unveil distinct neural circuits

A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals the discrete thalamocortical circuits underlying chronic pain and depressive symptoms. The researchers found that a specific pathway from the parafascicular thalamic nucleus to the anterior cingulate cortex mediates depression-associated pain sensitization.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 20, 2021

Real "doodles of light" in real-time mark leap for holograms at home

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a simplified algorithm to convert freely drawn lines into holograms on standard desktop CPUs. The new method reduces computational cost and power consumption, allowing for real-time conversion of writing into holographic images.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 20, 2021

Deluge of DNA changes drives progression of fatal melanomas

Researchers tracked DNA changes in melanoma samples to understand how the disease progresses and develops resistance to treatment. The study revealed chaotic genetic changes that contribute to aggressive disease growth and treatment resistance, offering potential targets for new therapies.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 20, 2021
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Obesity raises type 2 diabetes risk in women with PCOS

A recent study presented at ENDO 2021 found that women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) who are obese have a more than three-fold increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes during their lifetime. The risk was not observed in normal-weight women with PCOS.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateMar 20, 2021

Sleep disturbances may contribute to weight gain in menopause

Research suggests that sleep disturbances during menopause may contribute to changes in the body that increase the risk of weight gain and related diseases. The study found that poor sleep reduced fat utilization, increasing the likelihood of fat storage and subsequent weight gain.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateMar 20, 2021
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.

COVID-19 can cause atypical thyroid inflammation

Researchers investigating COVID-19's impact on the thyroid gland found atypical inflammation in 1/3 of patients after 3 months, raising concerns about potential long-term damage. The study aims to determine if this inflammation triggers permanent thyroid dysfunction.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateMar 20, 2021
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.

An easy way to reduce socioeconomic disparities

Researchers found that nudges can reduce socioeconomic disparities by facilitating selection of welfare-enhancing options, particularly for low-SES consumers. The study generalized its findings across multiple types of nudges and decision contexts.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateMar 20, 2021

Four UNIST laboratories, selected as excellent safety management laboratories!

Four UNIST Central Research Facilities laboratories received 'Excellent Safety Management Laboratory' certification from the Ministry of Science and ICT. The certificate system aims to establish autonomous safety culture and standard model in university labs, following comprehensive evaluation based on 29 items.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·DateMar 20, 2021