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Science News Archive May 2021


Page 22 of 47

Some RNA molecules have unexpected sugar coating

Researchers found glycoRNAs, sugar-coated RNAs, decorating the surface of mammalian cells, interacting with other molecules. This discovery upends the current understanding of how cells handle RNAs and glycans, opening a possible role for glycoRNAs in immune disease.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Lipid droplets help protect kidney cells from damage

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered how lipid droplets in kidney cells help prevent damage from excess dietary fats. The study found that lipid droplets act as a safe haven for storing excess fats, and boosting the ATGL enzyme can repair damage caused by a high-fat diet.

Collective intelligence can be predicted and quantified, new study finds

Researchers used meta-analytic methods to evaluate data from 22 studies involving 5,349 individuals in 1,356 groups, finding strong support for a general factor of collective intelligence. Group collaboration processes were twice as important for predicting CI than individual skill, and group composition, including female proportion an...

New evidence of how and when the Milky Way came together

Using new methods in astronomy, researchers have identified the most precise ages of red giant stars in the galaxy, shedding light on the timing of the early Milky Way's formation. The study suggests that the merger with the satellite galaxy Gaia-Enceladus occurred around 10 billion years ago.

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.

Indigenous co-management essential for protecting, restoring Bears Ears region

A new study evaluates ecological legacies, archaeo-ecosystem restoration and Indigenous co-management practices in the Bears Ears region. The research found that dense concentrations of archaeological features had a higher diversity of culturally significant plant species, indicating people left behind plants as a living legacy.

Dating the stars -- Scientist provide most accurate picture yet

Researchers have dated the oldest stars in our galaxy with unprecedented precision by combining data from their oscillations with information about their chemical composition. The team found that these ancient stars were originally part of a satellite galaxy called Gaia-Enceladus, which collided with the Milky Way early in its history.

Four Maryland engineers receive CAREER awards

University of Maryland faculty members Shelby Bensi, Gregg Duncan, Katrina Groth, and Katharina Maisel have received CAREER grants for their innovative research in hazard assessment, gene therapy, risk assessment, and immunotherapy. Their work aims to advance the fields of civil engineering, bioengineering, and mechanical engineering.

Permafrost carbon feedbacks threaten global climate goals

A new paper suggests that current carbon budgets fail to account for permafrost thawing and Arctic feedback loops, exacerbating warming and potentially triggering an exponential increase in emissions. Global leaders are urged to incorporate the latest science into climate models and update risk assessments to meet climate goals.

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.

Research reveals potential treatment to prevent obesity-driven liver damage

A team of scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has discovered a promising new approach to preventing obesity-driven liver damage. By controlling a subgroup of immune system cells that trigger non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), researchers have identified a potential treatment target.

Hidden diversity

A new study describes four previously undiscovered species of sponges collected from popular dive spots in Southern California, highlighting their unique characteristics and genetic differences. The discovery sheds light on the vast diversity of marine life that remains to be explored and studied.

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.

Immigration enforcement policies and migrant attitudes

A randomized survey experiment found heightened awareness of immigration detention fosters beliefs that the US immigration system lacks procedural and outcome fairness. Individuals' intentions to migrate were not influenced by heightened awareness of immigration detention or nonjudicial removals.

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.

Bird data from Ethiopia fills in baseline data gaps

Researchers assess Ethiopian bird species through six years' worth of bird banding efforts, finding high species richness near lower elevations and six new species at higher elevations. The study establishes baseline observations for tropical birds in East Africa.

A path to aggressive breast cancer

Breast cancer researchers followed the progression of cancer in an animal model and found a path that transforms slow-growing ER+/HER2+ cancer into fast-growing ER-/HER2+ cancer. The study suggests different treatments may be needed for each subtype, depending on the path the cells follow.

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.

Stanford study reveals new biomolecule

GlycoRNA is a small ribbon of ribonucleic acid (RNA) with sugar molecules, appearing ubiquitously in and on cells. Its discovery suggests the existence of unknown biomolecular pathways and associations with autoimmune diseases.

Climate policies, transition risk, and financial stability

A new study explores how banks' expectations about climate-related risks affect the low-carbon transition. The researchers developed a model to assess the transmission channels of two main policies: a carbon tax and a green supporting factor.

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.

Fly ash and Yangtze River carbon export

A study reveals that fly ash accounts for 37-72% of fossilized particulate organic carbon flux in the Yangtze River basin. The results suggest anthropogenic carbon cycling can match the pace of geological cycles through various mechanisms.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Insulin is necessary for repairing olfactory neurons

Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center found that insulin is essential for maturing and regenerating olfactory sensory neurons after injury. Insulin promotes regeneration of OSNs, even in nondiabetic mice, indicating a new therapy option for treating smell loss.

Alcohol problems severely undertreated

A recent study found that only 6% of people with alcohol use disorder receive treatment, despite most having access to healthcare. The researchers suggest that primary care doctors may not feel comfortable addressing drinking issues due to lack of training, leading to a gap in treatment.

Slow research to understand fast change

The LTER Network's 40 years of careful science reveals the connections between ecosystems, allowing researchers to anticipate and adapt to changes. The network's team-oriented approach and collaborative research facilitate solving complex environmental problems.

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.

Machine learning (AI) accurately predicts cardiac arrest risk

Researchers developed a machine learning model that accurately predicted cardiac arrest risk by combining timing and weather data. The results showed that Sundays, Mondays, public holidays, winter, and low temperatures were associated with higher risks of cardiac arrest.

Pirfenidone reduces scar tissue in patients with heart failure

Early-phase trial found pirfenidone significantly reduced a marker of heart muscle scarring compared to placebo in patients with preserved ejection fraction. The study suggests that fibrosis is an effective treatment target and could lead to personalized approaches to prevent or reverse scarring.

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.

Resistance of African forests to El Niño

Researchers analyzed carbon loss and gain in African tropical forests between 1984 and 2017, finding no significant increase in tree mortality despite extreme climate conditions. Intact forests continued to grow biomass and remain a carbon sink, suggesting they may be more resilient to climate extremes.

Quasicrystal from first nuclear detonation

Researchers identified a unique icosahedral quasicrystal in a red trinitite sample from the Trinity test, the first nuclear bomb detonation. The discovery reveals that similar thermodynamic conditions may produce other quasicrystals.

Archaeologists teach computers to sort ancient pottery

Researchers at Northern Arizona University developed a computerized method that uses machine learning to analyze visual information, allowing for rapid sorting of thousands of pottery fragments. The system achieved accuracy comparable to human experts and provided a visual record of its thought process.

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.

Researchers reveal new tool to help prevent suicide

Researchers at Swansea and Cardiff universities have developed the Risk of Suicide Protocol (RoSP), a guide for health professionals to identify individuals at risk of taking their own lives. The protocol assesses 20 key aspects of a person's life, enabling clinicians to formulate problems and develop safety plans to help those in need.

The brain networks underlying imagination

Researchers found that two brain subnetworks are responsible for constructing and evaluating imagined scenarios, with the ventral network focused on vividness and the dorsal network on valence. This discovery sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying imagination.

Uzuner receives funding for economic impact analysis

Ozlem Uzuner and her team will analyze the economic impact of potentially malignant incidental findings in radiology reports. They aim to optimize health outcomes by identifying correct follow-up recommendations, studying tumor information, and creating an incidentaloma database.

Physical activity may help to close the wealth gap in school attainment

A study of over 4,000 children in England found that physical activity supports academic attainment and helps close the achievement gap between wealthy and less-advantaged pupils. Engaging in sports like swimming or ball sports promotes self-regulation, leading to better emotional control and academic progress.

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.

Alcohol may have immediate effect on atrial fibrillation risk, events

A new study found that consuming even one glass of wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverage increases the chance of an episode of atrial fibrillation occurring within four hours. The study tracked objective, real-time alcohol consumption and heart rhythm disturbance using wearable sensors and blood tests.

Climate and nutrient effects on a California current

Climate-driven ocean acidification and deoxygenation impact the California Current, leading to increased phytoplankton biomass and subsurface respiration rates. This eutrophication can reduce oxygen concentrations and pH levels, with potential effects on fisheries and aquatic ecosystems.

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.

Linguistic and biological diversity linked

Researchers found that Indigenous languages overlap with 8,200 species ranges in African UNESCO sites, suggesting a strong connection between cultural and biodiversity preservation. The study suggests engaging Indigenous people in governance to redesign management strategies and conserve localities.

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.