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Science News Archive May 2021


Page 8 of 47

Deep oceans dissolve the rocky shell of water-ice planets

New experiments show that water selectively leaches magnesium from typical rock minerals under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. This process could produce chemical gradients in the early history of water-rich sub-Neptune exo-planets, potentially preserving tracks of initial interactions between water and rocky material.

The path to more human-like robot object manipulation skills

According to a review article in Science Robotics, researchers are making progress in learned robot manipulation, which enables robots to adapt to changing stimuli. The authors propose nine promising areas for future exploration, including representation learning, modular design, and task/skill customization.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Researchers examine record-shattering 2020 trans-Atlantic dust storm

A massive Saharan African dust plume traveled across the Atlantic in June 2020, affecting Caribbean and Gulf Coast states. Researchers used satellite data to understand the mechanism behind the phenomenon, which could occur more frequently due to climate change, posing health risks and disrupting transportation systems.

What is the true cost to companies of IT security?

Researchers at the University of Göttingen are developing a method to assess IT security measures and their costs for businesses. The ProBITS project aims to evaluate the business process effects of IT security measures, taking into account operational impacts on employee productivity and flexibility.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Coronavirus testing made quick and easy

The new test combines electrochemical biosensors with engineered protein constructs to detect coronaviruses with high precision. It can be used on unprocessed blood or saliva samples, making it a game-changer for containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

Otago study aids understanding of invisible but mighty particles

Tiny charged electrons and protons have been studied by University of Otago scientists in a Geophysical Research Letters publication. By analyzing data from GPS satellites, the researchers found that EMIC waves can cause changes in the number of particles in Earth's radiation belts, affecting satellite orbits and atmospheric chemistry.

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.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Resetting the biological clock by flipping a switch

Researchers from the University of Groningen and Nagoya University developed a compound that can elongate the 24-hour cycle and be activated or deactivated using light. The study shows that it is possible to change the 24-hour cycle in cells or tissues to a 28-hour cycle, providing a new approach to analyzing the circadian clock system.

Racemases: The hunt for drugs to neutralise these critical enzymes

Scientists from the University of Bath explore racemases, critical enzymes linked to cancers and other life-threatening diseases, and propose strategies for finding drugs that neutralize them. Lab experiments show promising outcomes in targeting these enzymes, with potential applications in treating various diseases.

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.

Grass replaces plastic in take-away food packaging

A new project aims to develop a sustainable alternative to disposable plastics in take-away food packaging using upcycled grass fibres. Replacing plastic with bio-based packaging can reduce carbon emissions from production by approximately 210,000 tonnes CO2 annually.

Maximizing cancer survival, minimizing treatment side effects with AI

Researchers developed an AI system to guide oncologists in treating head and neck cancer patients, considering treatment efficacy and potential future decisions. The system analyzes real patient data to provide personalized recommendations and maximize survival outcomes while minimizing chemotherapy and radiation side effects.

Scientists to present new findings on atoms, molecules, and optics

Researchers will discuss fundamental questions and applied technologies in physics, including dark matter, quantum information science, and ultrafast physics. New findings on creating unusual non-local interactions and detecting COVID-19 biomarkers with ultrasensitivity will also be presented.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

How army ants' iconic mass raids evolved

Researchers found that army ant mass raids originated from group raiding behavior in smaller colonies, with a massive increase in colony size correlating to the evolution of mass raids. The study uses custom computer vision software to track individual ants and analyze their behavior.

Silver attacks bacteria, gets 'consumed'

Researchers found silver nanoparticles' shape transformed from triangles to circles after interacting with E. coli cells, affecting their optical properties. The study suggests silver is 'consumed' by the bacteria without impacting its antibacterial properties.

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.

Newly discovered enzymes are not heavy metal fans

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have identified two metal-independent carbonic anhydrase enzymes that improve our knowledge of the global carbon cycle. These enzymes may play a crucial role in CO2 metabolism, particularly in metal-poor environments.

AI spots neurons better than human experts

A new AI-powered algorithm, WeakGCSeg, accurately detects and tracks ganglion cells in the retina, surpassing human expertise. This technology enables early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases like glaucoma, improving treatment options.

Food scraps get a bold new life

Researchers at The University of Tokyo have developed a new method to recycle discarded fruit and vegetable scraps into strong construction materials. The process uses vacuum-dried, pulverized food scraps, such as seaweed and cabbage leaves, and produces materials that are at least as strong as concrete.

Is deference to supernatural beings present in infancy?

Researchers at the University of Oxford discovered that infants aged 12-16 months exhibit a tendency to attribute social dominance to individuals with supernatural powers. In experiments, infants expected characters using counterintuitive methods to win rewards, suggesting they perceive these abilities as superior.

Press (re)play to remember - How the brain strengthens memories during sleep

Scientists have discovered that slow oscillations and sleep spindles play a crucial role in memory formation and consolidation, with the precise combination of these patterns creating windows for reactivation of previously learned information. This process helps solidify memories in long-term stores and improves recall.

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.

Geology helps map kidney stone formation from tiny to troublesome

Researchers map kidney stone formation from tiny to troublesome, revealing microspherules merge to form larger crystals, and stones undergo multiple cycles of partial dissolution and growth. The new classification scheme and GeoBioCell device aim to accelerate research, diagnostic testing, and individualized treatment targets.

Made in the shade or fun in the sun

Phytochromes help plants detect light direction, intensity, and duration, as well as temperature, allowing them to adapt to various environments. The study fully characterized the phytochrome family in Arabidopsis thaliana and found surprising differences between isoforms.

Road verges provide opportunity for wildflowers, bees and trees

Researchers estimate that UK road verges, covering 1.2% of land in Great Britain, can be managed for nature by reducing frequent mowing and planting trees. This approach could create better habitats for pollinators, capture carbon, and contribute to the UK government's tree-planting ambitions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Researchers seek deeper understanding on how cells in the body operate

A team of researchers at Texas A&M University used experimental cellular evolution to study how cells respond to controlled mechanical properties. They found that cellular mechanosensing is not optimal but a tradeoff, and that cells can evolve under selection pressure from biomaterials of controlled stiffness.

Superoxide produced in the cochlea of inner ears causes acquired hearing loss

Researchers discovered that superoxide-producing cells in the inner ear cochlea increase with aging, noise damage, and ototoxic drugs, leading to age-related, noise-induced, and drug-induced hearing loss. Suppressing superoxide production or using Nox3 inhibitors may lead to new treatments for acquired hearing loss.

New study shows how to boost muscle regeneration and rebuild tissue

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals clues about molecular changes underlying muscle loss tied to aging. The researchers found that using molecular compounds increased the regeneration of muscle cells in mice by activating precursors of muscle cells, called myogenic progenitors.

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.

Decreased testing could lead to surge in sexually transmitted infections

A study by Penn State and Quest Diagnostics researchers found a 63% decrease in STI testing for men and 59% for women during the early months of the pandemic. This may lead to an increase in future STI cases, potentially resulting in adverse health outcomes such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

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.