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Science News Archive May 2021 - Page 6


Page 6 of 47

Myocarditis in big ten athletes with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection

A study of 1,597 Big Ten athletes revealed a notable increase in the detection of myocarditis following COVID-19 infection, highlighting the importance of cardiac screening. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging proved to be an effective tool for identifying this condition, a leading cause of sudden death in competitive athletes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateMay 27, 2021

UTSA researchers among collaborative improving computer vision for AI

Researchers from UTSA, UCF, AFRL, and SRI International have developed a new method that improves how artificial intelligence learns to see. By adding noise to multiple layers of a neural network, the team creates more robust representations of images recognized by AI, leading to better explanations for AI decisions.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·DateMay 27, 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.

Cell mechanics research is making chemotherapy friendlier

Researchers found that certain drugs can alter cell mechanical properties without reducing effectiveness, allowing for lower doses. The study used atomic force microscopy to measure cell rigidity and actin filament activity, enabling precise determination of optimal drug concentrations.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalNanoscale·DateMay 27, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Quantification of the internal OH- effects in upconversion nanocrystals

Scientists have developed a method to quantify internal OH- impurities in upconversion nanocrystals, revealing an exponential relation between luminescence intensity and OH- content. This discovery enriches our understanding of the quenching mechanism and paves the way for highly efficient lanthanide-doped materials.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMay 26, 2021

A new 'gold standard' compound for generating electricity from heat

Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a single compound that functions as an efficient thermoelectric generator, producing power from waste heat. The compound's unique property allows it to carry both positive and negative charges independently, generating electricity without moving parts.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateMay 26, 2021

Better understanding membranes

Experts from the University of Goettingen and Hereon have developed new research strategies for polymer membranes, promising relatively inexpensive production and strong separation selectivity. Computer simulations will play a crucial role in understanding these systems.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon·JournalChemical Reviews·DateMay 26, 2021

Studies reveal that social isolation and quarantine throughout the COVID-19 pandemic may have a detrimental impact on physical and mental health of people living with pre-existing conditions

Two studies found that social isolation and quarantine can cause significant psychological and/or physical distress on individuals with diabetes and hypocortisolism. These effects include increased anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, weight gain, and decreased physical activity.

SourceEuropean Society of Endocrinology·DateMay 26, 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.

Mobility data reveals universal law of visitation in cities

Scientists discovered a scaling law governing urban visitor numbers based on travel distance and frequency, with surprising implications for city planning and pandemic prevention. The law predicts equal energy allocation to travel regardless of distance or frequency, optimizing trip choices.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalNature·DateMay 26, 2021

Keeping more ammonium in soil could decrease pollution, boost crops

A new study published in PNAS proposes using a blend of nitrate and ammonium to reduce nitrogen pollution and increase food production. The researchers argue that this approach can bind to soil, reducing the risk of leaching into waterways and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 26, 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.

Finnish biodiversity information management inspires globally

The Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (FinBIF) is a unique, one-stop-shop for all types of biodiversity data, serving cutting-edge research, public administration, business, and civil society. FinBIF has over 39 million observations of 40,000 species in its portal.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalScientific Data·DateMay 26, 2021

Mitigating emissions in the livestock production sector

A new study finds that emission intensity per unit of animal protein produced from the livestock sector has decreased globally over the past two decades due to greater production efficiency. However, regional differences in emission intensities remain and are influenced by factors such as diet, grazing intensity, climate, and manure ma...

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalAGU Advances·DateMay 26, 2021

Memory details fade over time, with only the main gist preserved

Researchers found that memories become less vivid with age, but retain meaningful semantic elements. Frequent recalling boosts 'gistification' of memories, making them more concept-based. The study has implications for understanding post-traumatic stress disorder and eyewitness testimony.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 26, 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.

Amazon indigenous group's lifestyle may hold a key to slowing down aging

A study found that the Tsimane indigenous people have slower brain atrophy than Westerners, suggesting their physically active lifestyle and high-fiber diet may hold the key to slowing down aging. The researchers enrolled 746 Tsimane adults in their study and compared their brain volumes with those in three industrialized populations.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateMay 26, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Good bacteria can temper chemotherapy side effects

A Northwestern University study found that specific types of gut bacteria can protect other good bacteria from cancer treatments. By metabolizing chemotherapy drugs, these protective bacteria can temper short- and long-term side effects of treatment, potentially leading to new dietary supplements or probiotics.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalmSphere·DateMay 26, 2021

Widespread coral-algae symbioses endured historical climate changes

Researchers found that coral species Pocillopora maintain close relationships with specific algae genera Cladocopium despite intense climate fluctuations over the last 1.5 million years. This resilience may enable them to adapt to modern ocean warming, at least in the coming decades.

SourcePenn State·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateMay 26, 2021

Oncotarget: Creation of a new class of radiosensitizers for glioblastoma

Researchers identify a new class of mibefradil-based DNA repair inhibitors, which could be further advanced into pre-clinical testing and eventually clinical trials for glioblastoma radiosensitization. The compounds retain potency as DNA repair inhibitors while demonstrating reduced hERG and CYP450 enzyme inhibition.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateMay 26, 2021
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.

Aquaculture turns biodiversity into uniformity along the coast of China

A new study found that aquaculture and fisheries have led to the loss of biodiversity along China's 18,000 km long coastline, with commercially exploited species dominating all regions. The study discovered that the uniformity of bivalve species is largely due to human activities, including intensive fishing practices.

SourceRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateMay 26, 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.

HKUST's meta-analysis shows SARS-CoV-2 variants unlikely to affect T cell responses

A recent study by HKUST scientists analyzed data from over 850 recovered COVID-19 patients and found that most T cell epitopes targeted upon natural infection are unaffected by current SARS-CoV-2 variants. This suggests that T cell responses may be relatively robust, assuming vaccine responses mimic those of natural infection.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateMay 26, 2021

How independent were the US and British vaccine advisory committees?

A recent investigation by The BMJ found that vaccine advisory committees in the US and UK have different disclosure standards, leaving the public uncertain about experts' industry ties. Experts on these committees rarely disclose conflicts of interest, despite significant financial payments from pharmaceutical companies.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 26, 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.

Research identifies climate-change refugia in dry-forest region

Researchers have identified climate-change refugia in a dry-forest region of Brazil's Peruaçu Caves National Park. The study used tree ring analysis and satellite images to confirm the existence of these areas, which are relatively buffered from climate change, offering high probability of conservation success.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateMay 26, 2021

Why a vacation seems like it will end as soon as it begins

Researchers found that people anticipate positive events, such as vacations, as being both farther away and shorter in duration than negative or neutral events. This phenomenon can lead to a feeling that the vacation will end as soon as it begins, making people less likely to plan specific events during their time off.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateMay 26, 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.

New findings on benign adrenal tumors could improve care

Researchers have identified specific cortisol production levels linked to increased mortality risk in patients with benign adrenal tumors. This breakthrough enables healthcare providers to concentrate efforts on high-risk patients and optimize public healthcare resources.

SourceLund University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 26, 2021

Wireless broadband connectivity enhanced by a new communication design

Researchers have developed a new communication design that improves broadband wireless connectivity in the terahertz band, mitigating signal delay and achieving multi-Gbps speeds over short distances. The design uses multiple antennas and beamforming techniques to compensate for propagation losses and accurately estimate channels.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalIEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications·DateMay 26, 2021

To sting or not to sting?

Researchers study individual bees' decision to sting based on alarm pheromone concentration, revealing a 'stopping effect' at high concentrations. The study suggests environmental factors drove the evolution of pheromone-based communication in honeybees' defensive behaviour.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalBMC Biology·DateMay 26, 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.

Dive bombing killer flies are so fast they lose steering control

Researchers at University of Cambridge found that Killer flies can reach accelerations of over 3g when diving to catch prey, but struggle to correct course due to high speeds. The study reveals the unique flight dynamics of these insects, which beat their wings like powered flight to achieve impressive aerobatic maneuvers.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateMay 26, 2021

Similar states of activity identified in supermassive and stellar mass black holes

The study reveals that supermassive black holes exhibit accretion states similar to those seen in stellar mass black holes, with properties including thermal emission by the plasma disc and intense radio emission. This new understanding helps clarify the activity cycles of supermassive black holes in galaxy centers.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 26, 2021

Unveiling what governs crystal growth

Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory and universities reveal alternating step kinetics during gallium nitride crystal growth, challenging conventional wisdom. The study uses advanced X-ray scattering techniques to monitor the rate of growth on the crystal surface steps.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 26, 2021
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Warm ice may fracture differently than cold ice

Researchers at Aalto University discovered that warm ice behaves differently than previously studied cold ice, with no significant viscoelastic recovery. The team's findings suggest that warmer conditions are increasingly expected to affect infrastructure engineering in frigid regions.

SourceAalto University·JournalThe Cryosphere·DateMay 26, 2021

Immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth improves survival of pre-term babies

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth significantly improves survival rates for pre-term babies with a very low birth weight. Continuous Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) reduced mortality by 25% and lowered the risk of low body temperature or bacterial blood poisoning.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 26, 2021

Transforming our understanding of deep learning

A team of UK scientists aims to improve understanding of Deep Learning algorithms' decision-making process, making them more trustworthy. The project will combine theory, modeling, data, and computation to unlock the next generation of deep learning.

SourceUniversity of Bath·DateMay 26, 2021

Can racial identity protect black teens from racism-related stress? It's complicated

A recent study found that racial identity can influence the way Black adolescents experience anticipatory stress about racism. While high private regard was associated with less psychological stress, high centrality scores were linked to worse anticipatory stress across the board. The researchers also discovered that higher public rega...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Orthopsychiatry·DateMay 26, 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.

Global cardiovascular organizations release joint opinion on achieving the 'tobacco endgame'

Four leading cardiovascular organizations urge governments to implement the World Health Organization's MPOWER framework to reduce tobacco use. The joint opinion outlines comprehensive strategies, including lowering nicotine concentrations in combustible tobacco products and enforcing strong systems and premarket assessments of all tob...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 26, 2021

Conquering COVID-19 with antivirals

Creating an oral antiviral has the potential to fully eradicate COVID-19 by allowing early treatment, preventing hospitalizations and fatalities. However, progress in antiviral development has been slow compared to vaccine development, highlighting the need for continued research.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 26, 2021

Opiate overdoses linked to poor mental health

A national study by University of Cincinnati researchers has identified 25 geographic hot spots for fatal opioid overdoses and linked them to poor mental health. White males aged 25-29 are most at risk, followed by white males aged 30-34, with a correlation between fatal overdoses and mental distress increasing the relative risk by 39%

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 26, 2021

People who eat a plant-based dinner could reduce their risk of heart disease by ten percent

A nationwide study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that eating a plant-based dinner can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. The study, which analyzed data from over 27,000 U.S. adults, discovered that individuals who consumed more whole carbohydrates and unsaturated ...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 26, 2021