Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive May 2021 - Page 31


Page 31 of 47

Ancient gut microbiomes may offer clues to modern diseases

Scientists have discovered dramatic differences in gut microbiomes between ancient North American peoples and modern industrialized populations. The analysis of human paleofeces from dry caves reveals novel species of microbes and higher numbers of transposases, which may help microbes adapt to changing environments.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalNature·DateMay 12, 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.

10 years after obesity surgery: How did life turn out?

Patients who underwent bariatric surgery ten years ago reported that their eating habits and appetite remained affected, with reduced cravings for unhealthy foods. However, they also described struggling to manage their lives, including supporting overweight children, due to ongoing guilt and self-blame.

SourceLund University·JournalSurgery for Obesity and Related Diseases·DateMay 12, 2021

Quantum machine learning hits a limit

A new theorem limits the use of quantum machine learning to learn processes like black holes, highlighting its fundamental limits. However, most physical processes are structured enough that they don't resemble random ones, making the impact less severe.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 12, 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.

COVID-19 vaccine does not damage the placenta in pregnancy

A new Northwestern Medicine study of placentas from vaccinated patients found no evidence of injury, supporting the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy. The study adds to growing evidence that vaccination can protect fetuses without increasing harm.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateMay 11, 2021

UQ research finds new way to reduce scarring

Researchers at University of Queensland develop gene therapy to block scar formation by targeting SOX9 gene, promising benefits for burn patients and others with significant scarring. The study uses siRNA technology to reduce scarring in animal models, paving the way for potential human treatment.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 11, 2021

Tiny, wireless, injectable chips use ultrasound to monitor body processes

Researchers created a tiny, wireless chip that uses ultrasound to monitor body processes, enabling the development of miniaturized implantable medical devices. The team achieved volumetric efficiency with their design, paving the way for chips that can be injected into the body and communicate wirelessly.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 11, 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.

Electromagnetic levitation whips nanomaterials into shape

By vaporizing metals within a magnetic field, UC Riverside engineers direct the reassembly of metal atoms into consistent shapes and surfaces. The approach enables manipulation of particle assembly, producing string-like aggregates or globular clusters with tunable properties.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMay 11, 2021

Novel circuitry solves a myriad of computationally intensive problems with minimum energy

Researchers created a design for an electronic hardware system that directly replicates network architectures, solving complex puzzles rapidly and with minimal power consumption. This new approach uses race logic to encode and process information as time signals, reducing the need for bit flips and thus energy expenditure.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalACM Journal on Emerging Technologies in Computing Systems·DateMay 11, 2021
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.

Rules of the road: the navigational 'strategies' of bacteria in motion

Researchers at McGill University studied bacterial movement through microfluidic environments to understand their navigational 'strategies'. The findings have implications for diagnosing infectious diseases, developing devices for genomics and bio computation, and maintaining human health.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 11, 2021

Most frequently asked questions in rheumatology clinics answered

The Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology has developed consensus recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in adult patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The guidelines address concerns about vaccine efficacy and safety, as well as considerations for immunosuppressed patients.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalJournal of Clinical Rheumatology and Immunology·DateMay 11, 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.

Better treatment for miscarriage patients is more cost effective than standard NHS treatment

A new study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that a combined drug treatment for missed miscarriage is more effective and cheaper than current standard medication. The treatment, combining mifepristone and misoprostol, was on average £182 cheaper per successfully managed miscarriage.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateMay 11, 2021

History of giants in the gene: Scientists use DNA to trace the origins of giant viruses

A recent study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution reveals that the DNA replication machinery of Mimivirus, a giant virus, is ancient and evolved over time. The research suggests that Mimiviral genes related to DNA replication are subject to purifying selection, indicating their essential role in the organism's survival.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateMay 11, 2021

Southern African dinosaur had irregular growth

A new study found that Massospondylus carinatus, a medium-sized southern African dinosaur, had growth variations from year to year. The dinosaur's growth directly responded to environmental conditions, with significant increases in good years and minimal growth in bad years.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalBiology Letters·DateMay 11, 2021

Scientists will protect the "Smart City" from cyber threats

Researchers from Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University developed a methodology for assessing cyber risks in Smart City infrastructure. The new approach analyzes asset types, threats, and risk values using a quantitative approach, demonstrating superiority over existing methods.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·DateMay 11, 2021

Extreme weather affecting UK agriculture -- But adapting to changing climate a challenge for many farmers, study shows

A new study reveals that many UK farmers are not prioritizing adapting to the effects of climate change due to uncertainty and focus on short-term profitability. However, innovative practices such as improving soil health and adopting risk-spreading strategies can help build resilience within farming businesses.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalClimate Risk Management·DateMay 11, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research outlines a critical driver in an immune cell's defense against melanoma

Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute discovered that nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) plays a key role in how immune cells fight melanoma tumors. The study found that disrupting the NAMPT pathway impairs antitumor function, and novel therapies targeting this pathway may lead to improved outcomes for patients.

SourceHuntsman Cancer Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 11, 2021

Protecting local water has global benefits

A new paper found that cleaning local lakes and waterbodies can slow climate change and save trillions of dollars by reducing methane emissions. The study estimated the costs of global climate change due to eutrophication from 2015 to 2050 to be as much as $81 trillion.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 11, 2021

Zoo YouTube videos prioritize entertainment over education

A new study found that zoo YouTube videos focus disproportionately on mammals, with only 3% of content dedicated to conservation. However, the study also notes an increase in conservation-focused videos in recent years, highlighting the potential for social media to support global conservation education.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens·DateMay 11, 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.

Transferability of surface-functionalized metallic nanoparticles

The review explores recent strategies in surface functionalization, their specific biomedical applications, and comparative toxicities with non-functionalized metallic nanoparticles. It discusses the challenges for metallic NPs to undergo human clinical trials due to their aggregation and toxic nature.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalBIO Integration·DateMay 11, 2021

New marine sulfur cycle model after the Snowball Earth glaciation

Researchers propose novel sulfur cycle model incorporating volatile organosulfur compounds to explain global occurrence of superheavy pyrite. The Cryogenian interglacial interval saw sulfidic oceans with pervasive VOSC generation, leading to vertical isotopic gradients and superheavy pyrite precipitation.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMay 11, 2021

Gene editing expands to new types of immune cells

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have adapted CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit human monocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays key roles in the immune system. The study shows the potential utility of gene editing for understanding how the human immune system fights viruses and microbes.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 11, 2021

Box fan air cleaner greatly reduces virus transmission

A low-cost box fan air cleaner can greatly decrease airborne virus particles in public school classrooms by drawing in contaminated air and filtering out clean air. Placing the air cleaner near an HUV or other ventilation unit is most effective in reducing aerosol spread.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMay 11, 2021
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.

Many people could reduce their 'feeding window' by three hours

A study from the University of Surrey found that 67% of UK adults are overweight or obese, with time-restricted feeding showing potential to combat obesity. More than 400 participants believed they could reduce their 'feeding window' by three hours if associated health benefits were clear.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAppetite·DateMay 11, 2021

Microorganisms to transform CO2 into sustainable fuel

A team of researchers aims to increase microorganism's ability to convert CO2 into methane for efficient production of sustainable fuel. The ReMeSh project will examine bio-electrochemical systems and accelerate electron transfer to microbes.

SourceAarhus University·DateMay 11, 2021

Study of 1.5 million British people shows BMI cut offs for obesity and diabetes risk do not work for non-white populations

A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that BMI cut-offs used by the World Health Organization and UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are not suitable for adults from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. The research, which included over 1.5 million people, shows that these groups...

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateMay 11, 2021

Simulating sneezes and coughs to show how COVID-19 spreads

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories used advanced computer simulations to study the spread of COVID-19 through droplets in the air. Their findings show that protective measures like masks and social distancing are crucial in reducing transmission. The studies also revealed that even with face coverings, smaller particles can pe...

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalAtomization and Sprays·DateMay 11, 2021
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.

Focus on outliers creates flawed snap judgments

Researchers found that participants overestimated minority groups and looked more often at these groups, even in quick visual scans. This bias occurs regardless of social context and is driven by a fundamental feature of human perception

SourceDuke University·JournalCognition·DateMay 11, 2021

Shared medical appointments help patients with prediabetes

Patients who attended shared medical appointments lost more weight over 24 months compared to those receiving usual care. Additionally, they showed better outcomes in managing chronic conditions such as high blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 11, 2021

Best practices to prevent the federal government from blowing its technology budget

Researchers found that moving baseline targets is a key driver of increasing budgets for federal government technology programs. However, componentizing programs into smaller work units and increasing competency in program management can result in significant cost savings.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateMay 11, 2021

NSU researcher part of team to sequence the genome of the leopard

A recent study led by NSU researcher sequenced the leopard genome, showing distinct genetic patterns between African and Asian populations. The analysis suggests that all African leopards should be considered a single subspecies due to abundant gene flow across Africa.

SourceNova Southeastern University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 11, 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.

Low-dose, four-drug combo blocks cancer spread in mice

A new four-drug combination treatment has shown promise in preventing cancer metastasis without triggering drug resistance. The treatment targets multiple pathways to suppress cancer cell spread and may help identify patients who would benefit from such therapy.

SourceeLife·DateMay 11, 2021

A scanning quantum sensing microscope with nanoscale electric-field imaging

Researchers developed a scanning quantum sensing microscope that maps local electric fields with a spatial resolution of ~10 nm and sensitivity close to an elementary charge. The technique allows for reversible control of single NV's charge states, enabling the purification of NV's electrostatic environment.

SourcePeking University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 11, 2021
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 how PIF proteins regulate cytokinesis

PIF proteins play organ-specific roles in regulating cell division in apical hooks and cotyledons, but not in hypocotyls. Cytokinesis is involved in the apical hook opening, and PIF proteins directly bind to the promoter of BUB3.1, a key regulator of microtubule reorganization during cytokinesis.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 11, 2021

Study: Researchers use eel-like protein to control brain

Scientists have discovered a way to control brain circuits using a protein called parapinopsin, found in lamprey. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for mood disorders and unwanted behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateMay 11, 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.

A comprehensive map of the SARS-CoV-2 genome

MIT researchers have generated the most accurate gene annotation of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, confirming six new protein-coding genes and discovering a rare gene-within-a-gene. The study also analyzed over 1,800 mutations, revealing regions that may help the virus evade the immune system.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 11, 2021
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.

Using contrast MRI after a heart attack could increase survival

Researchers discovered that manganese-enhanced MRI scans provide more accurate details of heart function than traditional methods, potentially increasing survival chances. The study suggests that early detection within the first few hours of a heart attack can optimize treatment regimes and regulate cardiac muscle changes.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAdvanced Science·DateMay 11, 2021

For the brain, timing is everything

A Columbia Engineering/UCLA team discovers phase precession in the human brain, allowing neurons to signal information through precise timing. This finding has implications for understanding brain function and creating brain-machine interfaces.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalCell·DateMay 11, 2021