Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive March 2021


Page 21 of 53

Maintaining body weight won't save colorectal cancer survivors

Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center found that maintaining a stable body weight does not guarantee muscle mass and increases the risk of premature death among colorectal cancer survivors. Women are particularly vulnerable to losing muscle mass, with one in five women experiencing significant changes.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

New antibiotic clears multi-drug resistant gonorrhea in mice in single dose

A new antibiotic compound targets a molecular pathway found in bacteria but not humans, clearing infection of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea in mice with a single oral dose. The research team developed the compound through iterative optimization and testing, demonstrating its potential as a single-dose therapy for gonorrhea.

Starving tumors by blocking glutamine uptake

Researchers have identified a small molecule drug candidate that targets the uptake of glutamine in cancer cells, slowing the growth of melanoma and other cancers. The study, published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, offers an exciting new therapeutic approach for treating tumors addicted to glutamine.

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.

Tropical species are moving northward in U.S. as winters warm

As US winters warm, tropical plants and animals are expanding their ranges northward, altering ecosystems and posing risks to human health. The study found that insects, fish, reptiles, and mammals are among the species adapting to warmer temperatures, while others may be less welcome, such as invasive Burmese pythons.

Particulates are more dangerous than previously thought

A recent study at the Paul Scherrer Institute has revealed that airborne particulate matter can generate additional oxygen radicals, which can cause oxidative stress and damage lung tissue. The formation of these radicals is triggered by the interaction of iron and organic compounds under typical weather conditions.

How RNA editing affects the immune system

Researchers have discovered that ADAR1 can bind to multiple forms of RNA, leading to the misregulation of the immune response in cancer. This finding has implications for the development of new therapies targeting ADAR1's role in cancer regulation and other diseases.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Adults in Canada report adverse childhood experiences

Nearly two-thirds of Canadian adults aged 45-85 reported adverse childhood experiences, including physical abuse, intimate partner violence, and emotional abuse. The research found that exposure to these experiences varied by demographic factors, such as age, sex, education, and socioeconomic status.

Endocrine disruptors threatens semen quality

Researchers found that men exposed to endocrine disruptors in utero are twice as likely to have low semen volume and sperm count. Exposure to pesticides, phthalates, and heavy metals is associated with poorer sperm quality.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Looking at optical Fano resonances under a new light

Researchers Adam Overvig and Andrea Alù show that strict periodicity is not required for Fano resonances, enabling novel properties in metasurfaces. They demonstrate a nonperiodic metasurface with perfect reflection and phase conjugation, opening up new applications in optics and beyond.

Building tough 3D nanomaterials with DNA

Columbia Engineers use DNA nanotechnology to design nanoparticle-based 3D materials that can withstand extreme conditions. The new fabrication process results in robust and fully engineered nanoscale frameworks with a broad range of applications.

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.

Vaccination by inhalation

MIT researchers develop a vaccination strategy that creates an army of T cells ready at the respiratory tract's mucosal surfaces, boosting immune responses. The approach uses albumin proteins to ferry vaccines across mucosal barriers, offering a quicker response to viral invaders and potential treatment for lung cancer.

Health declining in Gen X and Gen Y, national study shows

Recent generations show a worrying decline in health compared to previous generations, with poorer physical health, higher levels of unhealthy behaviors, and more depression and anxiety. The researchers found that measures of physical health have worsened from the Baby Boomer generation through Gen X and Gen Y.

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.

Increasing neurodiversity within organisations can boost skill base

Research from Cranfield University reveals that organisations can tap into the unique skills of neurodiverse employees, but fear of stereotyping holds them back. The study found that stereotype threat is a major barrier to hiring and retaining neurodiverse staff, highlighting the need for companies to create more inclusive workplaces.

The hidden machinery of a photosynthetic giant revealed

Researchers have developed a new extraction method to isolate monomeric photosystem I (PSI), revealing its atomic structure and providing insights into the energy transfer process. The discovery may enable uphill energy transfer and improve our understanding of photosynthesis.

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.

Animal model opens way to test Alzheimer's disease therapies

Researchers have developed a new animal model of early-stage Alzheimer's disease in rhesus macaques, which could enable better testing of new treatments. The model replicates the spread of misfolded tau proteins through brain circuits, similar to human disease progression.

Common, serious gut disorder is under- and often misdiagnosed

A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital highlights rumination syndrome, a behavioral problem where patients regurgitate food into their mouths while eating. The condition is often confused with other gastrointestinal disorders, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Melting glaciers contribute to Alaska earthquakes

Researchers found that ice loss near Glacier Bay National Park has influenced earthquake timing and location with a magnitude of 5.0 or greater since the past century. This study links expanding mantle movement with large earthquakes across Southeast Alaska, where glaciers have been melting for over 200 years.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Discovery of a 'winged' shark in the Cretaceous seas

The discovery of Aquilolamna milarcae sheds light on the evolution of oceanic animals and reveals a new facet of sharks' evolutionary history. The species is characterized by extremely long pectoral fins reminiscent of wings, feeding on plankton.

Organic crystals' ice-forming superpowers

Researchers discover that organic molecules, commonly found in aerosols, can facilitate ice crystal formation in clouds. They also investigate a memory effect where second-round ice formation is more effective than the first, revealing crevices in the nucleant surface can hold onto small amounts of ice.

How bushfire smoke traveled around the world

A study found that Australian fires created a spreading stratospheric haze, peaking in January to March and persisting through July. The particles were transported by mid-latitude cyclone belts and weather patterns, eventually settling around the entire hemisphere.

SFU lab one step closer to understanding how life started on Earth

Scientists have isolated a genetic clue in the form of an RNA polymerase enzyme that offers new insights into the origins of life. The discovery provides evidence for the RNA World Hypothesis, suggesting that self-replicating RNA molecules were capable of driving chemical reactions essential for life.

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.

Living for today: Exposure to disaster may cause impatience in children

A recent study from Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that children who experienced housing loss during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake are more likely to prioritize short-term gratification over long-term rewards. The study analyzed data collected in 2012-2014 on 3- to 5-year-old survivors of the disaster.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

What is the probability of ships becoming beset in ice in Arctic waters?

Statisticians have calculated the probability of ships becoming beset in ice along the Northern Sea Route, supporting safer maritime transport planning and oil spill prevention. The study's results also benefit authorities regulating maritime traffic by providing a foundation for statutes and legislation.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Babies pay attention with down payment from immature brain region

Research using fMRI scans reveals that babies under a year old use areas of their frontal cortex to focus attention, previously thought to be immature. This discovery sheds light on the neural origins of attention in infants, potentially informing early childhood education and neurodevelopmental disorder research.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

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.

Cellular Chinese whispers

Research on E. coli bacteria reveals that higher translation error rates lead to increased phenotypic variability at the single-cell level, affecting cell length and division time. However, population-level growth parameters show inconsistent correlations with mistranslation levels, highlighting the need for further investigation.

Demonstrating the world's fastest spintronics p-bit

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a nanosecond operation technology for the spintronics-based probabilistic bit, enabling faster computation speeds and accuracy. The device, with an in-plane magnetic easy axis, achieves 100 times faster relaxation times than previous records.