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Science News Archive May 2021 - Page 14


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.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalNature Plants·DateMay 21, 2021

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.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateMay 20, 2021
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.

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.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 20, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceDuke University·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateMay 20, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateMay 20, 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.

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.

SourceSETI Institute·JournalIcarus·DateMay 20, 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.

Alkali metal cation effects on electrocatalytic CO2 reduction with iron porphyrins

Research team from Shaanxi Normal University investigates the effect of alkaline metal cations on electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction using Fe porphyrins. The results show that adding Na+ and K+ ions significantly improves catalytic activity, with K+ enhancing currents more effectively.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateMay 20, 2021

New findings help in protecting divertor without degrading core plasma

Researchers achieved stable partial energy detachment and suppressed material sputtering using Ar and Ne seeding. The study provides a feasible experiment program for maintaining steady-state plasma under high-power long-pulse conditions.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalCell·DateMay 20, 2021
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCommunications Biology·DateMay 20, 2021
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.

The viruses in our genes: When activated, they damage brain development

Researchers have demonstrated that HERV activation can impair brain development, leading to altered cortical neuron function and structure. This finding has important clinical implications, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 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.

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.

SourceIMBA- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalCell·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Nursing·DateMay 20, 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.

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.

SourceArizona State University·JournalBioEssays·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceYale University·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateMay 20, 2021
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.

Stress from 2016 US presidential election associated with increase in cardiac events

A study found that exposure to the 2016 US presidential election was associated with an increase in potentially life-threatening cardiac events. The research, conducted in North Carolina, showed a 77% rise in the risk of arrhythmias during the election period compared to control periods.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 20, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

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.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceUppsala University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 20, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·DateMay 20, 2021

New AI-based tool can find rare cell populations in large single-cell datasets

Researchers developed an AI-based tool called SCMER to identify rare groups of biologically important cells from single-cell datasets. The tool was applied to analyze several published datasets, revealing new genes and proteins involved in tumor development and drug resistance.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Computational Science·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 20, 2021
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.

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.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 20, 2021

Coronavirus transmission in Queens drove the first wave of New York city's pandemic

A new study analyzed over 800 coronavirus genetic samples to trace the path of the virus as it traveled across New York City during its deadly first wave. The research identified Queens and Brooklyn as major hubs of COVID-19 spread, with Queens playing a more significant role in viral transmission.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 20, 2021

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.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalCell·DateMay 20, 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.