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Science News Archive March 2021 - Page 40


Page 40 of 53

Researchers modify air quality models to reflect polluted reality in Latin America

Computational air quality models have been adapted to better understand pollution challenges in Latin America, providing valuable insights for governments and authorities. The models can help identify the most cost-effective ways of achieving air quality improvements in cities like Bogotá.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateMar 9, 2021

Microscopic wormholes possible in theory

Researchers develop theoretical model suggesting microscopic wormholes could be traversable without exotic matter, using Dirac field to describe probability density function of particles. The model proposes that certain elementary particles like electrons and electromagnetic waves could traverse tiny tunnels in spacetime.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 9, 2021
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.

Breaking the warp barrier for faster-than-light travel

Researcher Dr. Erik Lentz discovered a new class of hyper-fast 'solitons' that can enable travel at any speed without requiring exotic matter with negative energy density. The equations used in this research would allow space travel to Proxima Centauri and back within years, compared to current rocket technology's 50,000-year journey.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·DateMar 9, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

In a leap for battery research, machine learning gets scientific smarts

Researchers combined machine learning with physics and chemistry to discover a process that shortens lithium-ion battery lifetimes, overturning long-held assumptions. The approach could dramatically accelerate the development of sturdier batteries for electric vehicles.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 8, 2021

Reduced heat leakage improves wearable health device

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a flexible thermoelectric generator that converts body heat into electrical energy with improved efficiency. The device achieves significant reductions in heat leakage, resulting in higher output power density figures compared to previous versions.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·Journalnpj Flexible Electronics·DateMar 8, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Nanoenzymes designed with a unique combination of structure and functions

Researchers at the UAB have designed minimalist biostructures that imitate natural enzymes, carrying out two differentiated and reversibly regulated activities. These peptides can be used to create 'intelligent' nanomaterials with tailor-made combinations of catalytic functions for practical applications.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalACS Catalysis·DateMar 8, 2021

Research foresees an end to deregulated competitive public transport

A new study published in Transport Policy predicts the end of deregulated competitive public transport in the UK due to reduced ridership following COVID-19 social distancing measures. The paper argues that this crisis presents an opportunity to create a more inclusive, environmentally considerate, and efficient transportation system.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalTransport Policy·DateMar 8, 2021

Opinions and attitudes can last when they are based on emotion

A new study reveals that attitudes based on feelings and emotions can stand the test of time, challenging the conventional wisdom that opinions based on hard facts are more stable. The researchers conducted seven independent studies involving over 20,000 participants to test the role of emotion in forming long-lasting attitudes.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 8, 2021
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.

Six research teams win Carbon Hub funding

Rice University's Carbon Hub has awarded seed grants to six research projects aiming to transform the oil and gas sector into a leading provider of clean hydrogen energy and solid carbon products. The selected teams will investigate various applications, including cement reinforced with carbon fibers, urban smog reduction, and replacin...

SourceRice University·DateMar 8, 2021

Irrigation management key for bioenergy production to mitigate climate change

A new study reveals that bioenergy production without sustainable irrigation management could double global water stress by the end of the century. However, implementing sustainable water management measures can halve this increase, but poses significant tradeoffs and challenges.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Hospital-based violence intervention program engages vulnerable populations

A hospital-based violence intervention program effectively engages vulnerable populations by addressing specific client needs. The study highlights the complexities of program attrition and altering life courses for victims of violence, emphasizing the need for targeted strategies to address upstream factors of community violence.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateMar 8, 2021

ACS Nano special edition highlights innovations at KAIST

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has been featured in a special virtual issue of ACS Nano, highlighting its collective intelligence and technological innovation. The issue showcases KAIST's vision of becoming a global value-creative leading university and its progress over the last 50 years.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalACS Nano·DateMar 8, 2021

Allelica's polygenic risk score data published inCirculation

A recent study published in Circulation shows that combining genetic risk with LDL cholesterol levels can accurately predict heart attack risk. The study reveals that individuals with a high polygenic predisposition for heart attack, regardless of their LDL level, are at increased risk.

SourceHalsin Partners·JournalCirculation·DateMar 8, 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.

Water temperature key to schistosomiasis risk and prevention strategies

A new study found that the transmission risk for schistosomiasis peaks when water warms to 21.7 degrees centigrade, increasing with climate change. Implementing snail control measures can reduce transmission but raises peak transmission risk to 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2021

Tracing malaria's ecology using blood samples from birds

Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 1,000 bird species to understand malaria ecology. They found that the strains of malaria present in a local area don't always align with the types of birds living there, instead being influenced by weather patterns such as rainfall.

SourceField Museum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2021

Northern Hemisphere summers may last nearly half the year by 2100

By 2100, winters are predicted to be shorter than two months and transitional seasons even shorter in the Northern Hemisphere. This shift could exacerbate environmental and health risks such as phenological changes and agricultural disruptions.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 8, 2021

Classification of an ancient spore-producing tree

A fossil plant with complete anatomical preservation from a 298-million-year-old ash deposit has enabled evolutionary classification of the Noeggerathiales order. Paratingia wuhaia, a small woody tree, belongs to the progymnosperm lineage and produces spores.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2021
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.

BU researchers identify basic mechanisms that regulate HIV expression

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine identified novel transcription factors that influence HIV expression and provided insight into cellular networks controlling activation and repression. Understanding these mechanisms may help target the latent reservoir of virus, allowing for potential treatment advancements.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2021

New collaborative care model improves access to mental health care

Penn Medicine's collaborative care program, Penn Integrated Care (PIC), integrates mental health professionals into primary care settings. A new study suggests that this approach is effective and efficient in meeting the needs of patients with various mental health conditions.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 8, 2021

Greater tobacco use linked to higher levels of inflammation in HIV-positive people

A UMass Amherst study found a positive linear relationship between tobacco smoking intensity and duration with inflammation in HIV-positive individuals. The researchers suggest that people living with HIV would benefit from quitting or reducing smoking to lower inflammation levels, which are linked to increased disease risk.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalAIDS and Behavior·DateMar 8, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New discovery explains antihypertensive properties of green and black tea

A new study from the University of California, Irvine shows that compounds in both green and black tea relax blood vessels by activating ion channel proteins in the blood vessel wall. The discovery helps explain the antihypertensive properties of tea and could lead to the design of new blood pressure-lowering medications.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalCellular Physiology and Biochemistry·DateMar 8, 2021

Early solar system asteroid

Researchers found a 4.565 billion-year-old meteorite with an andesite crust, unlike known asteroids, suggesting andesitic crusts may have been common in early protoplanets.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Virtual avatar coaching with community context for adult-child dyads

A new study published in Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that virtual reality avatar-based coaching programs can spark dialogue about dietary habits and behavior among children and adults. The program showed promise to increase access and extend the reach of nutrition education for lower-income kids and families.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMar 8, 2021

For teens, outdoor recreation during the pandemic linked to improved well-being

A North Carolina State University study finds that outdoor play and nature-based activities helped buffer negative mental health impacts of the pandemic for adolescents. The research highlights the importance of access to outdoor recreation opportunities for teenagers' well-being.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateMar 8, 2021

New method could democratize deep learning-enhanced microscopy

A new method developed by Salk researchers enables scientists to improve microscope image quality using artificial intelligence and artificially degraded images. The 'crappifier' tool can help democratize microscopy, making it accessible to those without powerful microscopes.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 8, 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.

Legume trees key to supporting tropical forest growth

Researchers found that legume trees can alter their soils' microbiome to increase access to nutrients and support surrounding tree growth. This process involves accelerating mineral weathering processes, releasing vital nutrients for the trees.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 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.

Sea otters maintain remnants of healthy kelp forest amid sea urchin barrens

A study found that sea otters in Monterey Bay are maintaining patches of healthy kelp forest despite a decline in overall kelp forests along the California coast due to an outbreak of sea urchins. Sea otters increase their consumption of urchins in the remaining kelp patches, but ignore those in barren areas with low nutritional value.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2021

Oceans were stressed preceding abrupt, prehistoric global warming

Researchers analyzed fossilized shells to reconstruct Earth's climate during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a period of abrupt global warming and ocean acidification. The study found that foraminifera consumed less alkalinity from seawater to buffer increasing ocean acidity.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalGeology·DateMar 8, 2021

Assessing regulatory fairness through machine learning

A new study by Stanford researchers examines how machine learning techniques influence which communities are targeted for compliance efforts, revealing key elements of algorithmic design that impact environmental justice. The analysis highlights the need for explicit decision-making in environmental federalism.

SourceStanford University·DateMar 8, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

No more sitting in the dark?

A new study found that self-paced physical and cognitive activity after a concussion does not hasten or prolong recovery in children and teens. Increased daily step count was associated with early symptom resolution, but the association was not statistically significant.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation·DateMar 8, 2021

Predator and prey behavior in Pacific kelp forests

A study explores how a drastic reduction in kelp forests led to shifts in sea otter and sea urchin behavior, restructuring mechanisms that control the ecosystem. Following the decline, sea otters increased their consumption of energetically profitable urchins, enhancing kelp patch resistance to overgrazing.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2021

UCLA-led study reveals 'hidden costs' of being Black in the US

A new UCLA-led study finds that Black men face high levels of discriminatory indignities on a nearly daily basis, regardless of income level. The study's results indicate that structural barriers limit the benefits of economic achievements for Black men, increasing the risk of adverse physical and mental health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateMar 8, 2021
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.

Life expectancy falling for adults without a bachelor's degree

A new study found that life expectancy in adulthood has been declining for Americans without a college degree since 2010. Meanwhile, racial gaps have narrowed, with Black Americans with a bachelor's degree now having more expected years to live than those without a degree.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2021

Financial pollution in the US health system

Exorbitant healthcare spending depletes population resources, harming vulnerable groups through increased insurance premiums and taxes. The authors propose reducing financial pollution by learning from environmental pollution policy approaches.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateMar 8, 2021

Study of coronavirus variants predicts virus evolving to escape current vaccines

A recent study predicts that COVID-19 variants from the UK and South Africa may reduce vaccine effectiveness and increase the likelihood of reinfections. The study found that antibodies from Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were less effective against these variants, causing a reduction in protective efficacy.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature·DateMar 8, 2021

Helping people understand glaucoma with a mobile app

A new mobile app, Glaucoma in Perspective, provides glaucoma education in a simple, visual format to help patients and their families understand the potential impact of the condition on their lives. The app covers topics such as visual field tests, eye pressure management, and treatment options.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·DateMar 8, 2021

Finding key to low-cost, fast production of solid-state batteries for EVs

A new manufacturing process developed by Georgia Tech researchers allows for the mass production of solid-state batteries using nonflammable ceramic electrolytes. This breakthrough could lead to lighter, safer, and more energy-dense batteries, potentially reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 8, 2021
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.