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Science News Archive March 2021 - Page 7


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.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalBMC Biology·DateMar 29, 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.

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.

SourceDrexel University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 29, 2021

Partisan media, news consumption, and political opinions

A study found that exposure to partisan news increased knowledge of recent events but decreased trust in mainstream media. Increased browsing on homepage websites was also observed.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 29, 2021

Mummified parrots point to trade in the ancient Atacama desert

Researchers found scarlet macaws and Amazon parrots transported from over 300 miles away, eating the same diet as agriculturalists. Mummified birds were often eviscerated and mummified with their mouths open or wings spread in flight.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 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.

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.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateMar 29, 2021

Scientists create simple synthetic cell that grows and divides normally

Researchers have identified seven genes essential for normal cell division, allowing a synthetic cell to grow and divide uniformly. This breakthrough aims to engineer synthetic cells for various applications, including drug production, disease detection, and computing.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalCell·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalBMC Psychiatry·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceTechnische Universitat Darmstadt·DateMar 29, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceColorado State University·JournalRemote Sensing·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalJMIR mhealth and uhealth·DateMar 29, 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.

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.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Policy·DateMar 29, 2021
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

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.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateMar 29, 2021

Machine learning helps spot gait problems in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Researchers integrated gait data and machine learning to monitor and predict MS-related gait issues, detecting differences in gait patterns between participants. The study identified a butterfly diagram feature associated with critical neurological functions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateMar 29, 2021

'DIY' type one diabetes treatment demands clearer guidelines for patient benefit

Experts at the University of Birmingham argue that patients with type one diabetes need clear professional guidance to use 'Do-It-Yourself' artificial pancreas systems. The lack of legal, regulatory, or ethical guidance for clinicians has led to doctors being cautious about discussing DIY APS with patients.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalMedical Law International·DateMar 29, 2021

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...

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalLatin American Antiquity·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology·DateMar 29, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalACS Nano·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceSociety of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 29, 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.

String theory solves mystery about how particles behave outside a black hole photon sphere

Researchers have solved a long-standing mystery about how particles behave outside a black hole's photon sphere using string theory. The study finds that string theory resolves singularities caused by tidal effects on nearby strings, supporting the idea of extended objects like strings as degrees of freedom in quantum gravity.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalPhysical Review D·DateMar 29, 2021

Monkeys experience the visual world the same way people do

Researchers found that monkeys exhibit same patterns as humans in learning from consciously experienced and subliminally presented visual cues. This suggests that monkeys possess two levels of processing, one of which is conscious.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceRice University·JournalCarbon·DateMar 29, 2021
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.

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.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalGenome Biology·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience·DateMar 29, 2021
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.

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.

SourceGeorge Mason University·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 29, 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.

When parole, probation officers choose empathy, returns to jail decline

A new University of California, Berkeley study finds that nonjudgmental empathy training for court-appointed supervision officers can lead to a 13% decrease in recidivism among their clients. The findings are significant given the US criminal justice system's high rates of recidivism.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceRice University·DateMar 29, 2021
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.

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.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMar 29, 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.

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.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalOne Earth·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 29, 2021

Coastal lupine faces specific extinction threat from climate change

Researchers found that climate change poses a significant extinction threat to Tidestrom's lupine, a plant with only seven known populations. A 1°C temperature increase is projected to reduce individual plants by 90%, with local extinction likely for one population.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalEcosphere·DateMar 29, 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.

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.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 29, 2021

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.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 29, 2021