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Science News Archive March 2021


Page 7 of 53

Optogenetics: Light regulates an enzyme

Researchers have developed a novel light sensor from two algae's rhodopsins that can produce the signaling molecule cGMP in response to UV or violet light, and inhibit its production with blue or green light. This breakthrough advances optogenetics by providing new tools for studying nerve cell function and other physiological processes.

Your neighborhood may influence your COVID-19 risk

Researchers found clusters of COVID-19 cases and deaths in low-income, predominantly minority neighborhoods across Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia. The study highlights the impact of social determinants of health on COVID-19 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.

How cells transport molecules with 'active carpets'

A new theoretical framework has broad implications for active surfaces, such as biofilms and mechanisms for pathogen clearance. The researchers developed a model that predicts the transport of molecules inside cells or close to active surfaces.

SARS-CoV-2 positivity in asymptomatic-screened dental patients

A study published in the Journal of Dental Research found SARS-CoV-2 positivity among asymptomatic-screened dental patients, with a 0.5% test positivity rate over 13 weeks. The COVID-19 positivity rate in this patient group mirrored the underlying community prevalence at the time.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Activity is good. Varied activity is better

A study by researchers at the University of Basel reveals that varied physical activity is associated with improved mental health and well-being. The study found that individuals who engaged in more varied movement patterns reported better subjective well-being, but no significant impact on symptoms of mental illness.

How does nature renew itself?

Researchers are studying the complex relationships within an ecosystem to understand how nature regenerates itself. The team will focus on key processes like predator-prey relationships and tree-pollinator interactions to measure the complexity in the resurgent ecosystem.

Beetle outbreak impacts vary across Colorado forests

A recent study found that beetle outbreaks have impacted around 40% of Colorado's forests, but the effects vary greatly due to differences in forest structures and species composition. Most affected areas still have mature trees capable of regenerating seeds.

More exercise, fewer screens: New Australian guidelines for kids in OSHC

The new guidelines aim to address growing concerns of children's sedentary behaviour and promote energetic play while limiting screen use. The guidelines recommend a 3:1 ratio of exercise to sedentary time and suggest that OSHC centres should schedule at least 2-3 hours of physical activities per day.

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.

Political beliefs shape whether we notice social inequality

A new study from Northwestern University found that individuals' ideological beliefs about equality significantly impact their perception of social inequality. Egalitarians are more likely to notice disparities affecting disadvantaged groups, while anti-egalitarians are more tolerant of inequality between groups.

Detecting for carpal tunnel syndrome with a smartphone game

Researchers developed a smartphone game to screen for carpal tunnel syndrome using machine learning and anomaly detection. The game analyzes thumb movements and estimates the possibility of the disease with high accuracy, outperforming physical examinations by expert orthopedic surgeons.

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.

EHRA 2021: envisioning the future treatment of heart rhythm disorders

The EHRA Congress explores the latest practice-changing research in heart rhythm disorders, with a focus on digital technologies, arrhythmias, and cardiac devices. Season of birth affects health, weight loss after atrial fibrillation treatment can stop arrhythmia, and remote monitoring promotes patient empowerment.

Study looks at impacts of COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold on fishers in Fiji

A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society addresses the impacts of COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold on Indo-Fijian small-scale fishers. The research highlights the need to prioritize vulnerable groups in economic recovery efforts, as they are disproportionately affected by the pandemic and natural disasters.

Getting on top of rural Asia's blood pressure

A low-cost hypertension management intervention was shown to be cost-effective and scalable for rural communities in low- and middle-income countries. The study found that scaling up the program could save governments $10.70 per participant treated, with costs decreasing over time.

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.

Astronomy and Landscape in the city of Caral, the oldest city in the Americas

A study published in Latin American Antiquity reveals that the Supe Culture's pyramidal buildings in Caral, Peru, were aligned with lunar cycles and topographic features, indicating a sophisticated understanding of astronomy and landscape by ancient inhabitants. The researchers found that the buildings' orientations coincide with the m...

Type of glaucoma linked to increased risk of cognitive impairment

Research published in British Journal of Ophthalmology found that normal-tension glaucoma is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and possibly dementia. The study suggests that the disease pathways for normal-tension glaucoma may be similar to those for dementia.

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.

Scientists use nanotechnology to detect bone-healing stem cells

Researchers at the University of Southampton developed a new technique using gold nanoparticles to detect and enrich skeletal stem cells. The method is simpler, quicker, and up to 50-500 times more effective than existing methods, offering promising areas for bone disease treatment.

Working long hours may increase odds of second heart attack

A prospective cohort study found that patients who work more than 55 hours per week are at a twofold increased risk of having a second heart attack. Long working hours were associated with higher job strain and poorer lifestyle risk factors, particularly among men and younger workers.

SETAC Europe 31st annual meeting

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Europe hosts its 31st annual meeting, discussing pressing environmental topics such as climate change, microplastics, and biodiversity. The four-day conference will showcase over 1,200 presentations across 72 topics, including keynote addresses from prominent scientists.

Another Martini for better simulations

The Martini forcefield offers fast but accurate coarse-grained simulations for soft matter systems, such as lipid membranes and proteins. The new version has been recalibrated with more reference data, enhancing its accuracy and usability in materials science and biophysics research.

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.

Tires turned into graphene that makes stronger concrete

Researchers at Rice University have developed a process to convert waste rubber tires into graphene, which can strengthen concrete and reduce carbon emissions. The new material has shown significant gains in compressive strength when blended with Portland cement.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

New computational models to understand colon cancer

The study identified several cellular pathways that change when a tumor becomes aggressive, and developed a simple system to model their effect. The model integrated different types of experimental data, including transcription factors, to predict which targets are important for colorectal cancer aggressiveness.

Depression affects visual perception

Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that depression alters the way the brain processes visual information, with depressed individuals perceiving contrast as stronger. The study used two visual tests to compare brain function in patients with depression to those without.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Lowder evaluating Recovery Works treatment program

A study is evaluating Recovery Works, a Indiana program focusing on pre-incarceration diversion and post-incarceration re-entry services to reduce recidivism by 20%. The research aims to assess the impact of services on health-related outcomes and recidivism rates among low-level offenders.

Method offers inexpensive imaging at the scale of virus particles

Researchers at MIT have developed a technique for imaging biological samples with accuracy of 10 nanometers using an ordinary light microscope. The new hydrogel-based approach improves upon previous versions, enabling high-resolution images without expensive equipment.

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.

Akane Sano wins NSF CAREER Award

Akane Sano, a Rice University electrical and computer engineer, has developed software to detect and predict emotional stress in people through data from wearable and mobile technologies. Her $550,000 NSF CAREER Award will support the development of algorithms to interpret data on personal health.

FDA approvals strengthen Octapharma USA pediatric critical care product portfolio

The FDA has approved supplements to biological license applications for Octaplas and fibryga, strengthening Octapharma USA's pediatric critical care product portfolio. The new labels provide results from post-marketing studies evaluating the products' efficacy, safety, and tolerability in newborns through age 20. Fibryga's indication i...

Study shows survival mechanism for cells under stress

A new study reveals that human and mouse cancer cells use specific mechanisms to survive heat shock and regain their original function. The research, published in Molecular Cell, identified key genes involved in the process, including those related to autophagy and RNA processing.

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.

Mapping policy for how the EU can reduce its impact on tropical deforestation

Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology identified two promising policy options: requiring importers to carry out due diligence and supporting multi-stakeholder forums. These measures can help reduce deforestation while being politically feasible, with careful design and combination with targeted aid necessary for success.

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.

Plants remember drought

Plants recall drought conditions through GABA signalling, affecting leaf pore width for water conservation. This unique mechanism allows drought-tolerant plants to survive longer without water.

Protein rewires metabolism to block cancer cell death, may allow cancer spread

A study from the University of Notre Dame found that a specific protein called SGK1 promotes survival and increases the likelihood of cancer spreading by blocking cell death. This discovery may have implications for understanding how cancer cells adapt to new environments, such as the brain, where breast cancer can metastasize.

Intentional youth firearm injuries linked to sociodemographic factors

A study by Children's National Hospital found that sociodemographic factors related to intent of injury by firearm may help guide policy and inform tailored interventions. The study identified distinct risk profiles for individuals aged 21 and younger with firearm injuries, including unintentional and self-harm cases.

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.

Black hole seeds key to galaxies behemoths

A newly discovered 'Goldilocks' black hole, approximately 55,000 times the sun's mass, provides insight into how supermassive black holes form and grow. The finding may indicate that these behemoths have ancient relics as seeds, potentially leading to a greater understanding of the universe.

Decoding smell

Scientists have discovered that the brain perceives odor mixtures as a new identity, rather than a combination of individual odors. This finding supports the pattern theory of sensory encoding, which suggests that multiple neurons are activated simultaneously to create a population code for each smell.