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Science News Archive May 2021


Page 45 of 47

Study reveals the gateway to conscious awareness

A new study from Michigan Medicine researchers identifies the anterior insular cortex as a key area in the brain that acts as a filter, allowing only the most important sensory information to enter conscious awareness. This gate-like structure regulates brain network transitions and plays a crucial role in conscious access.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Insights from color-blind octopus help fight human sight loss

Researchers developed a novel medical device using octopus vision technology to assess macular pigment levels, enabling optometrists to provide preventative advice to patients. The technology can screen people from 5-95 years of age for low macular pigments, a strong risk factor for macular degeneration.

Staying down on the farm

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology modeled dynamic instability in tractor operation, revealing that self-excited oscillations can arise when the tractor pushes against the ground. The model showed that power hop can occur based on draft load, soil, and tire conditions.

Researchers identify protein "signature" of severe COVID-19

A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has identified a consistent protein signature in patients with severe COVID-19. The study found that this signature is associated with an immune response, but also with older patients who have chronic diseases and weakened immune systems.

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.

The secret life of bee signals can communicate colony health

Researchers monitored honeybee hives to study their electrostatic field (ESF) data, revealing communication patterns and impact of pesticides on bee health. The findings indicate that weakened communications can signal colony stress and damage from environmental pollutants.

Investigating the role of Brd4 in diet-induced obesity

Researchers discovered that Brd4 plays a crucial role in diet-induced obesity by modulating lipid metabolism. In mice lacking Brd4, high-fat diets did not lead to obesity, indicating an alternative energy source was used instead of sugar.

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.

UMD team demonstrates swarm of photons that somersault in lockstep

Researchers at the University of Maryland have demonstrated a swarm of photons that somersault in lockstep, pointing their spin perpendicular to their direction of propagation. This surprising result has potential applications in nonlinear optics and free-space optical communications.

Observation of antichiral edge states in a circuit lattice

Scientists have directly observed and measured the novel phenomenon of antichiral edge states in a circuit lattice. The results demonstrate that these edge states exhibit counter-propagating bulk states, opening new avenues for exploring the properties of antichiral edge states.

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.

Climate action potential in waste incineration plants

Researchers at ETH Zurich calculate that waste incineration plants in Europe have a significant potential for negative emissions through bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). If fully exploited, BECCS could reduce European CO2 emissions by 200 million tonnes per year.

We CARE: a joint initiative by PCR and Stent - Save a Life!

We CARE aims to empower stakeholders to provide effective and timely cardiac care through knowledge, education, and training. The joint initiative seeks to restore patients' faith in pursuing timely medical treatment, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

Our immune systems blanket the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with antibodies

A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has discovered that most SARS-CoV-2 antibodies target areas outside the receptor-binding domain, neutralizing the virus in cell cultures. This finding provides a promising lead for designing next-generation vaccines against variants and future coronaviruses.

Researchers advance 3D printing to aid tissue replacement

A team of researchers developed a unique scaffolding material for engineered tissues that can be fine-tuned to mimic natural tissue properties. This allows for the creation of customized replacement skin, cartilage, or other tissue for patients, with potential applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Tiny plastic particles in the environment

Scientists are concerned about the potential harmful effects of nanoplastics on ecosystems, but knowledge gaps hinder understanding of their risks. Research is needed to develop analytical methods and study interactions between nanoparticles and biological systems.

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.

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.

Mangroves and seagrasses absorb microplastics

A recent study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that mangroves and seagrasses capture higher concentrations of microplastics than control sites. The study's lead researcher notes that the accumulation of microplastics in these ecosystems may have negative impacts on animal and plant life.

Empowering citizens for successful energy transitions

A new IIASA-led study investigates the potential of polycentric governance in facilitating citizen participation in energy transition. The research found that providing citizens with options to make choices about services affecting their communities increases trust in decision makers, while also increasing awareness and willingness to ...

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.

Baek receives funding for NAQFC community emission testbed

Research Scientist Bok Haeng Baek is collaborating with other institutions on a project addressing anthropogenic emission updates and wildfires. The team will use the National Air Quality Forecast Capability Community Emission Testbed to solve these problems, incorporating NOAA satellite remote sensing and data sources.

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.

Need to vent? Turn to real-life support, not social media

A study by Michigan State University found that excessive social media use can lead to poor mental health due to limited real-life social support. The research suggests that people who engage in too much social media use often receive less social support in their daily lives, which can negatively impact their mental well-being.

Applying UV light to common disinfectants makes them safer to use

A new study from the University of Waterloo discovered that UVC light can neutralize benzalkonium chloride (BAK), a common ingredient in disinfectants, making them safer for humans and the environment. The treatment reduces BAK's toxicity and minimizes its harmful effects on skin and eyes.

Housing subsidies reduce health care costs for vulnerable veterans

Veterans who received temporary financial assistance for housing had fewer hospital visits and an average reduction in health care costs of $2,800 over two years compared to those who did not receive the benefit. This model could help better serve homeless Americans, including non-veterans.

Previously unrecognized tsunami hazard identified in coastal cities

Researchers discovered overlooked tsunami hazards linked to undersea strike-slip faults, especially in areas like the San Francisco Bay and Izmit Bay. The study highlights the need to reassess tsunami hazard ratings for underwater strike-slip faults traversing narrow bays worldwide.

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.

Volunteer firefighters have higher levels of 'forever chemicals'

A Rutgers University study found that volunteer firefighters have higher levels of 'forever chemicals' in their bodies than the general public. The chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are linked to numerous health conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Plastic pollution in the deep sea: A geological perspective

Research highlights the persistence of plastic waste in deep-sea environments, with potential implications for marine life and the sedimentary record. The study suggests that plastics can survive for thousands of years in ocean trenches, posing a significant challenge to mitigation efforts.

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.

Thermal resilience of Red Sea corals

The study found that Red Sea corals can withstand temperatures up to 32°C without major gene expression changes, but 34.5°C is above the lethal limit for some species. The corals' resilient gene expression enhances their chances of survival in a warming world.

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.

At the heart of globalization

The new Käte Hamburger International Research Center will study globalization from the dynamics of 'dis:connectivity', considering opposing forces, diversions, and loss of connectivity. Researchers hope to develop a practice-based understanding of globalization combining scholarly approaches with aesthetic points of view.

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 humans first traversed Australia by 'superhighways'

Researchers created detailed maps of prehistoric human migration to Australia, identifying 'superhighways' that aligned with earliest known archaeological sites. The approach could help forecast modern-day human migration and inform the search for undiscovered archaeological sites.

UTEP study examines movement in children with autism

A UTEP study published in Perceptual and Motor Skills found that children with autism exhibit highly individualized responses to live animation biofeedback when learning motor skills. The results suggest that each child with autism requires tailored instruction to overcome their unique motor learning characteristics.