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Science News Archive March 2021 - Page 46


Page 46 of 53

Speeding up commercialization of electric vehicles

A team of researchers at POSTECH has successfully developed a high-energy-density cathode material that can stably maintain charge and discharge for over 500 cycles without the expensive and toxic Co metal. This breakthrough enables long-distance electric vehicle travel.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateMar 4, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Extreme-scale computing and AI forecast a promising future for fusion power

The DOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory has predicted a far larger and less damaging heat-load width for the full-power operation of ITER, contradicting previous estimates. The new formula produces a forecast that is over six-times wider than those developed by simple extrapolation.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateMar 4, 2021

Metallic state of Ag nanoclusters in oxidative dispersion identified in situ

Researchers have identified the metallic state of Ag nanoclusters during oxidative dispersion, revealing a transitional state at high temperatures. The study used in situ imaging methods to demonstrate the dynamic dispersion and redispersion of supported metal catalysts.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 4, 2021

Legal wildlife trade needs monitoring to reduce risk of a new pandemic

A new study by Oxford Brookes University warns that the legal wildlife trade poses a significant risk of spreading zoonotic diseases, with many diseases originating in animals. The researchers emphasize that monitoring the legal trade is crucial to prevent future pandemics.

SourceOxford Brookes University·JournalTrends in Parasitology·DateMar 4, 2021

Thin explosive films provide snapshot of how detonations start

The study used thin films of PETN, grown on different surfaces, to determine how surface cleanliness affects film properties. The research team also developed a specialized setup to visualize shock waves using schlieren imaging, which revealed that gaps around the size of a human hair could stop detonations from continuing.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 4, 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.

Engineered safety switch curbs severe side effects of CAR-T immunotherapy

Researchers used an experimental safety switch to curb treatment side effects in a patient with refractory acute B-cell leukemia, achieving a significant reduction in toxicities. The study demonstrates potential for expanded use of CAR-T immunotherapy paired with the safety switch.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalBlood·DateMar 4, 2021

Citizen science study captures 2.2M wildlife images in NC

A large-scale citizen science project in NC captured over 2.2 million wildlife photos, increasing verified mammal records by a factor of five. The project trained 580 volunteers to take candid animal photos and gathered data on wildlife abundance, reproduction, and behavior.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateMar 4, 2021

Scientists explore the action mechanism of a new antibiotic

Scientists have discovered a natural inhibitor of topoisomerases II that can combat fluoroquinolone-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Nybomycin, a 'reverse antibiotic,' blocks the gyrase enzyme, rendering it effective against strains previously resistant to other antibiotics.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateMar 4, 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.

Field study shows icing can cost wind turbines up to 80% of power production

A recent field study conducted by Iowa State University researchers found that wind turbine icing can have a significant impact on power production, with losses reaching up to 80%. The study, which analyzed data from a Chinese wind farm, showed that icing conditions can disrupt blade aerodynamics and lead to reduced energy output.

SourceIowa State University·JournalRenewable Energy·DateMar 4, 2021

Preventing injuries and improving recovery with micro-Doppler radars

Researchers at Penn State developed micro-Doppler radars that can accurately classify human gait patterns with greater than 90% accuracy. This technology has the potential to prevent falls and disabilities, detect Parkinson's and dementia, diagnose concussions, and identify musculoskeletal injury risk factors.

SourcePenn State·JournalGait & Posture·DateMar 4, 2021

Large number of COVID-19 survivors will experience cognitive complications

A research review found that COVID-19 survivors experience a range of neuropsychiatric problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. In the short term, patients reported impaired attention and memory issues, while in the long term, affective disorders and fatigue became prevalent.

SourceOxford Brookes University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMar 4, 2021

Twistoptics--A new way to control optical nonlinearity

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new technique to control optical nonlinearity in 2D materials. The twistoptics approach enables giant nonlinear optical responses in small volumes, leading to compact laser systems and potential applications in quantum computing, spectroscopy,...

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 4, 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.

Can't solve a riddle? The answer might lie in knowing what doesn't work

A new study from the University of Washington reveals that people's brains have parallel learning systems for avoiding bad options and finding good ones. The research suggests that being able to 'turn down the volume' on irrelevant signals is critical to complex problem-solving.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalCognitive Science·DateMar 4, 2021

Misinformation, polarization impeding environmental protection efforts

A study published in FACETS highlights how misinformation and polarization are eroding conservation efforts worldwide. Researchers found examples of good intentions leading to harm, such as the case of Huemul deer in Patagonia National Park, Chile, where removing domestic livestock led to a decline in deer population.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalFACETS·DateMar 4, 2021

Assessing patients' kidney health may help predict their risk of cardiovascular disease

Measures of kidney function, such as the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate, may improve estimates of future cardiovascular disease risk. The addition of these non-traditional risk factors could refine stratification and predict cardiovascular disease more accurately.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 4, 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.

Apparent Atlantic warming cycle likely an artifact of climate forcing

A team of climate scientists has found that the apparent 'Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation' is likely an artifact of climate forcing, specifically from greenhouse gases. Volcanic eruptions in past centuries caused initial cooling and a slow recovery, resulting in a roughly 60-year oscillation.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateMar 4, 2021

COVID-19 lockdown linked to uptick in tobacco use

During the COVID-19 lockdown, pandemic-related anxiety and irregular routines were major drivers of increased nicotine and tobacco use. The study highlights the need for better support for quit attempts and harm reduction policies to address this uptick in tobacco use.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalInternational Journal of Drug Policy·DateMar 4, 2021

Equitably allocating COVID-19 vaccine

A new study examined COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a large national sample of sexual and gender minority men and transgender women, finding that medical mistrust, social concern, and race were significantly associated with decreased vaccine acceptance. Healthcare provider recommendations and altruistic attitudes were found to be po...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalVaccines·DateMar 4, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

MAROON-X embarks on its exoplanet quest

The team has determined the mass of a rocky planet around the nearby star Gliese 486 using MAROON-X's spectrometer. The exoplanet, called Gliese 486 b, is roughly three times the mass of Earth and has a similar density.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalScience·DateMar 4, 2021

Terahertz waves from electrons oscillating in liquid water

Researchers at Max Born Institute observe terahertz radiation from electrons localized in liquid water, displaying a frequency between 0.2 and 1.5 THz. The emission persists for up to 40 ps, with surprisingly weak damping, allowing for potential manipulation.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 4, 2021

New AI tool can revolutionise microscopy

A new AI tool developed at the University of Gothenburg uses deep learning to analyse microscope images, extracting more details and information than traditional methods. The tool, called Deep Track 2.0, simplifies data generation and allows for real-time analysis and customised information retrieval.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateMar 4, 2021

Protein discovery could help enable eco-friendly fungicides

Researchers at UC Riverside identified proteins that bind to small RNAs, loading them into extracellular vesicles and enhancing the delivery of gene-silencing RNAs. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient disease control and aid human therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Plants·DateMar 4, 2021

Quick to smile - study shows speed of expression offers vital visual cues

A recent study published in Emotion found that people tend to produce happy and angry expressions more rapidly, while sad expressions are produced more slowly. The ability to form judgements about people's facial expressions has close links with the speeds at which those expressions are produced.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalEmotion·DateMar 4, 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.

The negative effects of powerful political connections

Local governments' ties with powerful congressional members result in a decrease in stewardship over public resources, contradicting prior studies. This finding highlights the negative effects of political connections on governance and public resource management.

SourceSingapore Management University·JournalJournal of Accounting Research·DateMar 4, 2021

County where people live may predict some cardiovascular death by race, ethnicity

A study found that county-level factors, such as demographics and socioeconomic conditions, significantly impact cardiovascular disease death rates among different racial and ethnic groups. Black adults had the highest average death rate, while socioeconomic concerns explained much of the variation in death rates among this population.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateMar 3, 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.

Prehistoric killing machine exposed

A new study reveals that the Anteosaurus, a 260-million-year-old predator, was capable of outrunning and tracking down its prey effectively due to its specialized nervous system and fine-tuned sensory organs. The research found that the animal's brain and balance organs were optimized for hunting swiftly and striking fast.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalActa Palaeontologica Polonica·DateMar 3, 2021

Researchers introduce a new generation of tiny, agile drones

Researchers at MIT have developed a new generation of tiny, agile drones that can operate in cramped spaces and withstand collisions. The drones use soft actuators to mimic insect flight, allowing them to flap their wings nearly 500 times per second and navigate complex environments with high agility.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Robotics·DateMar 3, 2021

SARS-CoV-2 immunization passports: A ticket to normal life?

The introduction of immunization passports may help countries reopen and revitalize their economies while reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. To implement these passports effectively, governments must establish secure digital immunization records and ensure adherence to international standards.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMar 3, 2021
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.

Diversity of fish species supply endangered killer whale diet throughout the year

A new analysis shows that Southern Resident killer whales prey on a variety of fish species throughout the year, including Chinook, steelhead, chum, and coho salmon. The researchers found that the whales' diet becomes less diverse during lean times, highlighting the need for strategies to support their food supply.

SourceNOAA Fisheries West Coast Region·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 3, 2021

New long-term study affirms contact lens wear as healthy option for children

A six-year study found minimal impact on physiological response in children wearing daily disposable soft contact lenses, affirming their safety for correcting myopia and slowing its progression. The research also highlights the importance of lens fit, material, and patient habits in ensuring successful wear.

SourceMcDougall Communications·JournalContact Lens and Anterior Eye·DateMar 3, 2021
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.

Mobile app helps young adults talk with friends about risky drug, alcohol use

A smartphone app called Harbor teaches young adults how to support their peers who engage in risky substance use behaviors. The app provides prompts and feedback to help users have a supportive conversation without being confrontational or enabling.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateMar 3, 2021

University students with special educational needs highlight the benefits of e-assessment

A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that students with disabilities accept e-authentication systems but express concerns about technical issues. Key factors influencing acceptance include student familiarity with technology, additional effort required, and perceived intrusiveness.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalInternational Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education·DateMar 3, 2021

Origin of childhood cancer malignant rhabdoid tumour discovered

Researchers have discovered that malignant rhabdoid tumour (MRT) arises from developmental cells in the neural crest whose maturation is blocked by a genetic defect. The study identified two drugs that could be used to overcome this block and resume normal development, bringing hope for new treatments.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 3, 2021

When should patients with dementia receive palliative care?

A recent analysis found a lack of consensus regarding palliative care referral in dementia patients, highlighting the need for standardized criteria. Specialist palliative care can optimize quality of life and provide relief from symptoms, but its application varies widely.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateMar 3, 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.

How 'green' are environmentally friendly fireworks?

Researchers estimated emissions from environmentally friendly fireworks and found they produce a much smaller plume with 15-65% PM2.5 reduction. However, peak concentrations exceed WHO guidelines, suggesting restrictions on usage.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 3, 2021

Reading the physics hiding in data

A multidisciplinary team of scientists has developed a new way to detect phase transitions in raw data by analyzing its intrinsic dimension, a statistical property that reveals collective properties of partition functions. This method is agnostic and does not require prior knowledge of the system's parameters.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMar 3, 2021
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 battle against hard-to-treat fungal infections

Fungal infections are rare but deadly, with limited treatment options due to resistance. Developing new antifungals is challenging due to biological similarities between humans and fungi.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMar 3, 2021

Scientists discover how microorganisms evolve cooperative behaviors

Researchers from Institute for Systems Biology uncover evidence that mutations generate positive genetic interactions among rare microbial individuals, increasing cooperativity and enabling their persistence. The study also reveals parallel evolution underlying the co-evolution of two organisms in a mutualistic community.

SourceInstitute for Systems Biology·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateMar 3, 2021
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.

Utah researchers illuminate potential precursors of blood cancers

Utah researchers identify mutation hotspots and find that approximately 2% of healthy participants had the same mutations as cancer patients. This study provides new insights into the development of blood cancers and may help identify people at risk.

SourceHuntsman Cancer Institute·JournalBlood Cancer Discovery·DateMar 3, 2021