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Science News Archive May 2021


Page 14 of 47

New mechanism to control tomato ripening discovered

A research group has identified a genetic mechanism called CHLORAD that regulates tomato ripening by promoting carotenoid production and altering chloroplast transformation. Activated CHLORAD systems produce tomatoes with more lycopene, leading to higher nutritional quality and attractive color.

Taking more steps daily may lead to a longer life

Preliminary research suggests that taking more daily steps can lead to a longer life, even if it's done in short spurts or as part of regular activities. The study found that women who took 2,000 additional steps per day during bouts had further benefits for longevity.

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.

Condensing by turning toward the crowd

A new mechanism of condensation has been discovered in self-propelled particles, where they turn and move toward dense regions to accumulate. This finding challenges the traditional understanding of condensation, which relies on attractive forces between molecules.

Surveillance turns up new coronavirus threat to humans

Researchers have identified a new canine-like coronavirus found in Malaysian pneumonia cases, indicating potential for animal-to-human transmission. The discovery highlights the need for better surveillance to detect novel coronaviruses and mitigate public health threats.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Antioxidant protein inside the cell worsens inflammation outside

A new study suggests that DJ-1 protein, which protects against free radicals inside cells, worsens inflammation outside the cell, leading to exacerbated pathologies in ischemic stroke. The researchers identified DJ-1 as a previously unknown inflammatogenic DAMP that may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

Opening up possibilities with open-top optofluidic device

The co-planar optoelectrowetting device allows for individualized and parallel droplet actuation, increasing microfluidic input/output system integration configurations while achieving faster droplet speeds. The open-top design enables easier access to droplets from above, improving the performance of the device.

Ultra-sensitive light detector gives self-driving tech a jolt

Researchers have developed a new, pixel-sized light detector that can accurately amplify weak signals in real-time, giving autonomous vehicles a fuller picture of their surroundings. This breakthrough increases sensitivity and consistency, making it ideal for lidar receivers and applications in robotics, surveillance, and terrain mapping.

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.

Self-organizing human heart organoids

Researchers have successfully grown sesame-seed-sized heart models using human pluripotent stem cells, which spontaneously self-organize into a hollow chamber without experimental scaffolds. The cardioids' wall-like tissue contracts rhythmically to squeeze liquid around the inside cavity, mimicking natural development.

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.

Rare 4000 year comets can cause meteor showers on Earth

Researchers at the SETI Institute have detected rare meteor showers caused by 4000-year-old comets. The Cameras for Allsky Meteor Surveillance project uses low-light video security cameras to measure meteors' trajectories and orbits, revealing nine parent bodies of previously unknown meteor showers.

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.

Newly identified antibody can be targeted by HIV vaccines

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a new type of anti-glycan antibody that can neutralize HIV by targeting its sugar coating. This breakthrough points to a novel vaccine strategy that could also be used against SARS-CoV-2 and fungal pathogens.

Global study of glacier debris shows impact on melt rate

A large-scale research project assessed Earth's 92,033 debris-covered glaciers and found that debris substantially reduces glacier mass loss. This discovery will improve risk assessment for communities near these glaciers, which can lead to glacial lake formation and potential flood hazards.

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.

Understanding light-activated proteins in order to improve them

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have discovered a universal functional mechanism of channelrhodopsins, which determines their efficiency as an optogenetic tool. This finding will help tailor more efficient optogenetic tools in the future by blocking inefficient pathways.

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.

Oncotarget: The comprehensive genomic profiling test, GEM ExTra®

The GEM ExTra test uses whole exome sequencing and RNA sequencing to detect actionable mutations in patients with advanced solid tumors. It has been validated through clinical utilization and provides clinically actionable information to guide patient management decisions.

Special issue on the COVID-19 pandemic

The special issue explores various aspects of risk sciences and resilience analytics to guide decision-making and operations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Papers cover topics such as risk perception, human health and infection risk, and risk management strategies.

Brain stimulation evoking sense of touch improves control of robotic arm

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh developed a brain-computer interface that uses brain stimulation to evoke tactile sensations, improving control of a robotic arm. The study found that supplementing vision with artificial tactile perception cut the time spent grasping and transferring objects in half.

Cardioids -- heartbeat, heartbreak and recovery in a dish

Researchers developed cardioids, human self-organizing cardiac organoids that recapitulate heart chamber formation and function. The model reveals how signaling and transcription factors control cardioid chamber formation and triggers an in vivo-like accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins after injury.

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.

Weight cycling linked to increased sleep problems in women

Women with a history of weight cycling experience shorter sleep duration, poorer sleep quality, and increased risk of insomnia. The study also found that weight cycling is associated with an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious health problem linked to heart disease and stroke.

Challenging the standard model of cancer

Researchers propose a new atavistic model of cancer, suggesting that ancient genes and reversions to ancestral forms are responsible for cancer's ability to survive and proliferate. The Serial Atavism Model challenges the conventional standard model of cancer, offering a novel perspective on the disease.

Sheltering people with COVID-19 experiencing homelessness curbs spread

A new study developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin provides a method for public health planning authorities to calculate the number of COVID-19 isolation beds needed for people experiencing homelessness. The study helps cities ensure they have sufficient resources to protect populations in future disease outbreaks.

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.

Molecule enlists patient's immune system to combat HIV

A new study finds that adding a small molecule can rip away the cloak shielding HIV-infected immune system cells, making them susceptible to patient's own antibodies. Researchers hope this breakthrough may one day eliminate the need for long-term antiretroviral treatments.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Solid-state batteries line up for better performance

Researchers at the University of Illinois have made significant breakthroughs in solid-state battery technology by controlling atomic alignment of materials to improve cathode-solid electrolyte interface stability. This enables more efficient charging and discharging cycles, leading to increased energy density and improved cycle life.

Why are some Covid-19 vaccines working better for men than women?

Research by MSU's Morteza Mahmoudi suggests that Covid-19 vaccines developed with nanomedicine may have different efficacies for men and women due to sex-based differences. The study highlights the importance of considering sex in vaccine development and research, particularly in using nanomedicines.

Less forest, more species

A team from Alfred Wegener Institute discovered that treeless areas have more species than mountain forests due to climate change. The study's findings suggest that broader habitats lead to a wider range of settings for diverse flora and fauna.

Influence of anesthetics of neonatal rat brain

Researchers investigated anesthetics' influence on neonatal rat brains, using optical intrinsic signal imaging and non-invasive monitoring. Urethane was found to alter cortical rhythms dose-dependently, while isoflurane showed limited effects.

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.

The entire genome from Peştera Muierii 1 sequenced

Researchers sequenced the entire genome from Peştera Muierii 1, a woman who lived in Romania 35,000 years ago. The study found high genetic diversity, suggesting that the greatest loss of genetic diversity occurred during the last Ice Age, rather than during the out of Africa migration.

Worrying about your heart increases risk for mental health disorders

A study by University of Houston researchers found that heart-focused anxiety is a significant predictor of depression and overall anxiety among Latinx young adults with previous trauma. This population often somaticizes mental health problems, making treatment more challenging.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Timing of exposure to secondhand smoke, ADHD symptoms in children

A Chinese study found a strong association between exposure to secondhand smoke and ADHD symptoms in school-age children. The researchers assessed prenatal, early postnatal or current exposure and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among 1,044 children.

Experimental drug makes radiation therapy more effective, less damaging

A new study led by UT Southwestern scientists shows that an experimental drug, avasopasem manganese (AVA), enhances radiation's capacity to kill tumors while protecting healthy tissue from collateral damage. The findings could provide a much-needed boost to radiation treatments used against various tumor types.

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.

New single-cell analysis tool links immune cells to kidney cancer recurrence

A new single-cell analysis tool identifies a unique sub-population of macrophages in kidney tumors associated with disease recurrence. The tool, called meta-VIPER, builds on previous techniques to accurately detect gene activity in individual cells, revealing potential targets for treatment and improving clinical outcomes.