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Science News Archive March 2021


Page 26 of 53

Scientists create model of an early human embryo from skin cells

An international team of scientists has generated a model of a human embryo from skin cells, called iBlastoids, which can be used to study the biology of early human embryos in the laboratory. The breakthrough allows for extensive study into causes of very early miscarriage and effects of toxins and drugs on early development.

Nurse work environment influences stroke outcomes

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that hospitals with better nurse work environments have lower odds of 7-day and 30-day readmissions and shorter lengths of stay for ischemic stroke patients. This suggests that a positive work environment can lead to improved post-stroke care outcomes.

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.

Socioeconomic factors play key role in COVID-19 impact on Blacks, Hispanics

A new study reveals how socioeconomic factors contribute to the increased odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 among Black and Hispanic Americans. The researchers found that median income was the largest proportion of COVID-19 positive tests, with population density and household size also playing a role.

Electromagnetic fields hinder spread of breast cancer, study shows

A recent study published in Bioelectricity found that electromagnetic fields can hinder the spread of breast cancer cells, slowing their metabolism and potentially stopping them from moving. Researchers believe this approach may be useful in fighting highly metastatic cancers.

It's snowing plastic

A new technique developed by McGill University scientists can detect ultra-trace quantities of plastics in various environmental samples, including snow, water, and soil. The technique allows for more accurate analysis of micro- and nano-plastics, shedding light on the widespread impact of plastic pollution on human health.

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 quantum algorithm surpasses the QPE norm

Researchers at Osaka City University have developed a new quantum algorithm, BxB, which calculates energy differences directly to predict electronic states of atoms and molecules with chemical precision. The algorithm achieves this with half the number of qubits required by the existing Quantum Phase Estimation (QPE) method.

Losing rivers

Researchers found nearly two-thirds of wells have water levels below nearest stream, indicating rivers are leaking into aquifers. The phenomenon, exacerbated by human activity, may worsen in decades, with some rivers potentially disappearing, impacting downstream communities and ecosystems.

Identifying cells to better understand healthy and diseased behavior

Researchers have developed a graphical model to identify cells in the brain, overcoming a major neuroscience bottleneck. The approach uses relationships among cells to define their identity and outperforms traditional methods in identifying cells, especially with imperfect data.

Heart health problems in your 20s may affect thinking skills decades later

A new study published in Neurology suggests that health problems like high blood pressure and obesity in one's 20s can lead to cognitive decline decades later. Researchers analyzed data from over 15,000 participants and found that cardiovascular risk factors were strongly associated with thinking skills decline.

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.

The impact of childhood trauma on performance-enhancing substance use

A study of over 14,000 U.S. young adults found that adverse childhood experiences, such as physical and sexual abuse, predict greater performance-enhancing substance use. The likelihood of using anabolic-androgenic steroids increased nine times among men and six times among women who experienced sexual abuse.

Observed in vivo the collective movement of nanorobots

Scientists have observed the collective movement of nanorobots in living mice, mirroring patterns found in nature. The nanorobots, powered by urease, induce fluid flows and display homogeneous distribution within the bladder.

Indirect surpassing CO2 utilization in membrane-free CO2 battery

A recent study has unveiled a novel membrane-free CO2 battery that can produce hydrogen and electricity while sequestering carbon dioxide emissions. The new battery exhibits high faradaic efficiency of 92.0% and offers significant benefits for sustainable human life.

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.

Nanotech scientists create world's smallest origami bird

Researchers at Cornell University have created a micron-sized self-folding origami bird using shape memory actuators. The device can fold itself into 3D configurations within 100 milliseconds and holds its shape even after the voltage is removed.

'We marry disorder with order'

Researchers at Leipzig University have developed a new model that enables precise determination of the features in complex pore networks, revealing potential applications in drug release, sensor technology and energy storage.

Arctic was once lush and green, could be again, new research shows

Scientists analyzed ancient lake sediment in the Arctic Ocean and found evidence of a shrub native to northern Canadian ecosystems that was once widespread. The findings may provide insight into the potential future of the Arctic's vegetation as it warms due to climate change, with implications for thawing permafrost and sea level rise.

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.

Artificial light affects plant pollination even during the daytime

Researchers found that artificial light at night reduces diurnal insect visits to plants that were illuminated during the nighttime. Beetles increased their visits instead. The study's findings highlight the indirect ecological effects of light pollution and call for further research to mitigate its impact.

Magnetism meets topology on a superconductor's surface

Researchers studying an iron-based high-temperature superconductor discovered that an energy band gap opens at the intersection of two allowed energy bands on the material's surface. This unexpected electronic behavior could lead to breakthroughs in quantum computing and dissipationless electronic devices.

Genetic discovery gives insight into causes of eye disease

A genetic defect has been identified as a key factor in the development of MacTel, an eye disease that can lead to vision loss and blindness. The discovery provides new insights into the condition and may enable clinicians to better diagnose and treat it.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Can crops become more efficient?

Researchers at Michigan State University are exploring the impact of climate change on plants' efficiency, focusing on photorespiration, a process that reduces plant productivity. By understanding this phenomenon better, they hope to develop new breeding techniques and improve crop yields.

The fitter you are the better you burn fat - new research

New research from the University of Bath found that females who are physically fitter burn fat more efficiently when exercising compared to males. The study analyzed factors influencing body fat burning during endurance sports and explored molecular mechanisms behind sex differences in fuel use.

Image release: Cosmic lens reveals faint radio galaxy

A team of astronomers used a natural cosmic lens to magnify the light from a distant radio galaxy, detected for the first time using the VLA. The discovery provides valuable insights into star formation in low-mass galaxies at early universe ages.

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.

New study points to novel drug target for treating COVID-19

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic Florida have identified a novel mechanism that leads to MDA5 activation during virus infection, and found that inhibiting the PLpro enzyme may help strengthen the human immune response against SARS-CoV-2. This could potentially lead to new anti-COVID-19 therapeutics targeting the PLpro enzyme.

The city formula

Urban scaling laws, observed in cities worldwide, can be explained by the spatial geometry of a city. Researchers mapped building heights and assigned dots to people living in buildings to determine fractal dimensions, revealing a constant sublinear scaling exponent that determines city growth rates.

Three-dimensional disadvantage

Researchers found that people searching for objects in 3D image stacks are less successful than those searching for the same in single 2D images. This is due to a bottleneck in human vision and cognition, where humans under-explore 3D search areas and rely on peripheral visual processing.

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.

UNIST student startups grabbing the world's attention!

UNIST-based student startups have garnered international recognition for their groundbreaking achievements in the smart healthcare sector and online education. The companies have won significant awards, including KRW 150 million in prize money, and have attracted substantial investments, generating over 71.4 billion KRW in revenues.

Study shows how varying climate conditions impact vulnerable species

A new study published in Polar Biology found that Arctic foxes adapt to changing food sources due to climate change, relying on larger prey during rodent 'bust' years. The research provides insights into the feeding ecology of Arctic foxes and potential impacts of changes in food abundance across space and time.

Does shielding the vulnerable from COVID19 work?

A Swansea University research project aims to assess the evidence on shielding vulnerable people from COVID-19. The study will examine how shielding affected deaths, hospital admissions, and quality-of-life in Wales.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

UC-led research looks at alternative to treat eye diseases

Researchers are developing an ocular drug delivery system based on RNA nanotechnology to deliver therapeutics into the eye without requiring eye injections. This method aims to create a reservoir for medications to treat diseases over time, reducing adverse effects and increasing treatment efficiency.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

BIDMC researchers model a safe new normal

BIDMC researchers developed a Business Risk Index based on anonymized cell-phone data to quantify potential COVID-19 transmission risk in establishments. The index accounted for foot traffic density and visit length, providing a more precise description of human interactions and risk.

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.

The bald truth - altered cell divisions cause hair thinning

Aging leads to hair follicles adopting atypical senescent type of asymmetric cell division, resulting in the generation of aberrantly differentiating cells. This disruption causes stem cell exhaustion and loss, ultimately leading to hair thinning and hair loss.

Crying human tear glands grown in the lab

Scientists have successfully grown miniature human tear glands in a lab, allowing them to study how cells produce tears and what goes wrong. The model has promise for identifying new treatments for patients with tear gland disorders, such as dry eye disease.

Army, Air Force fund research to pursue quantum computing

Researchers have made a breakthrough in developing passive quantum error correction, which could enable the creation of fault-tolerant quantum computers. The technology has the potential to revolutionize various fields, including artificial intelligence, materials science, and biochemical engineering.

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.

How hummingbirds hum

Researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology used a high-speed camera and 2176 microphones to measure the precise origin of the hummingbird's sound. The team found that the wing's pressure difference generates the hum, which is essential for lift-off and hovering.

What sparked life on Earth? Perhaps bolts from the blue

A new study suggests that lightning strikes provided sparks of life for early Earth, unlocking phosphorus to create biomolecules. The researchers estimated that 0.1 to 1 quintillion lightning strikes occurred over a billion years, providing usable phosphorus.

Sleep troubles may complicate the grieving process

A new study by University of Arizona researcher Mary-Frances O'Connor found that people with persistent sleep challenges before losing someone are at higher risk for developing complicated grief. Complicated grief is characterized by an intense and persistent yearning for the lost loved one, disrupting daily functioning.

Consumption of added sugar doubles fat production

Even moderate amounts of sugar increase fat synthesis in the liver, leading to a longer period of overactive fat production. Fructose and sucrose are found to have particularly detrimental effects, doubling fat production beyond food intake.

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.

Spontaneous superconducting currents in Sr2RuO4

Researchers have found spontaneous electrical currents in Sr2RuO4, a rare form of superconductivity that can't be switched off. The study used muon implantation to detect these currents, which appear when the material becomes superconducting.

More precise diagnoses made possible with whole genome sequencing

A study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden analyzed the results of whole genome sequencing for over 3,200 patients with rare diseases, resulting in molecular diagnoses for 1,287 patients. The researchers found pathogenic mutations in over 750 genes and discovered 17 novel disease genes.

Standing out from the crowd

A study by researchers from the Universities of Göttingen and Groningen found that companies' investors significantly impact the uniqueness of their chosen strategies. Dedicated investors, such as pension funds, can resolve the 'uniqueness paradox' by recognizing the value of unique strategies for long-term corporate development.