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Science News Archive November 2021


Page 37 of 40

History of insect invasions offer insight into the future

A recent USDA study analyzed two centuries of alien species discoveries to estimate the rate of new insect arrivals and potential future invasions. The research found that efforts to reduce biological hitchhiking on live plant imports have been successful, but a significant number of Hemiptera insects remain undetected.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New study examines long-term benefit of ‘two-midnight rule’

A new Health Affairs study found that the Medicare Two-Midnight Rule hastened a shift from inpatient to observation stays, but ultimately led to stabilization of both types of stays. The authors suggest weighing the rule's continued benefit against its substantial administrative burden on hospitals.

NREL researchers point toward energy efficiency instead of long-term storage

Researchers found that incorporating energy efficiency measures can minimize long-duration storage, reducing the need for renewable resources. By optimizing mix of renewables, oversized generation capacities, and energy efficiency investments, achieving 100% renewable energy becomes more achievable and cost-effective.

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.

Not silent yet; the shifting sounds of spring

A new study reveals that spring soundscape acoustic diversity and intensity are declining due to changes in bird communities. The research suggests that reductions in natural soundscapes may be the primary mechanism through which population declines impact humans.

Enhanced therapeutic foods improve cognition in malnourished children

Severely malnourished children who consumed ready-to-use therapeutic food fortified with DHA showed significant improvement in gross and fine motor abilities, language proficiencies, and social skills. The findings suggest that reducing omega-6 fatty acid levels can also aid neurological development.

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.

When building rapport, sometimes less is more

Research from the University of Georgia found that using verbal commonalities alone was more effective in building rapport than combining it with nonverbal mirroring. Participants were willing to discuss personal topics when interviewer used verbal commonalities, but not when combined with mirroring.

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.

Late bombardment of the Moon revealed

Scientists from the University of Münster used precise isotope measurements to determine that the Moon's heavy bombardment 3.9 billion years ago was caused by continuous impacts of leftover asteroids from the main phase of Earth's formation. The study rules out a sudden increase in impact rate due to outer solar system bodies.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Towards self-restoring electronic devices with long DNA molecules

Researchers from Tokyo Tech have developed a long DNA molecule-based junction that shows remarkable conductivity and self-restoring ability under electrical failure. The 'zipper' configuration allows for high electron transport and reveals delocalized ς-electrons moving freely within the molecule.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Researchers quantify the role of the pandemic in the 2020 US Elections

A team of researchers led by Maurizio Porfiri found that counties with fewer COVID-19 cases voted more for Joe Biden than Donald Trump. The study used a spatial data modeling approach to analyze county-level data and determine the influence of epidemiological and economic processes on voting behavior.

Motorways shape the sociology of cities

Researchers found that motorway connections lead to a 42% increase in wealthy households but only a 5% increase in lower-income households. This results in higher land prices and urban sprawl, disproportionately affecting those with modest incomes.

Mapping the complexity of T cells to improve immunotherapy

Researchers are developing a transformative technology called Multiscale Intelligent Convergence (MusIC) to map the complexity of T cells and identify attributes essential for patient benefit. The goal is to create more reliable biomanufacturing of T cell infusion products and engineering potent immune cells.

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.

Research shows mass production can make customised PPE for healthcare workers

A team of researchers has successfully designed and manufactured customised respiratory protection for healthcare workers using digital facial capture. The technology, developed by the University of Birmingham and King's College London, provides a comfortable close-fitting seal suitable for nearly 90% of face shapes and sizes.

Mongooses give bullies the cold shoulder, scientists find

Wild dwarf mongooses have sufficient cognitive ability to monitor vocal cues about aggressive interactions and remember who the bullies are. After a conflict, subordinate group members groom with each other more than usual and ignore perceived aggressors.

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.

Prostate cancer urine test identifies good prognosis patients

A new pilot study reveals a prostate cancer urine test can identify men with intermediate-risk disease, allowing them to opt for active surveillance instead of immediate treatment. The test assesses the amount of aggressive cancer in the prostate without needing a biopsy.

Giant leap taken in fighting antibiotic resistance

Researchers have made a giant leap in fighting antibiotic resistance by using supercomputers to redesign existing antibiotics. The new approach shows that the redesigned antibiotic is up to 56 times more active than two existing antibiotics on the World Health Organisation's list, and potentially effective against three top-ranked bact...

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.

Social motivation in voles differs by species and sex

A study reveals that prairie voles are highly motivated by social interactions with familiar animals, while meadow voles tolerate friends and family but lack strong motivation. Oxytocin receptor density is associated with individual variation in social behavior.

Imaging speeds lifesaving care to stroke victims

A new imaging technique can identify stroke patients with slow-growing ischemic cores, who are most likely to benefit from late thrombectomy. The study found that patients with symmetric collateral patterns had slower core growth and were more treatable.

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.

Abnormal brain changes over time with bipolar disorder

Longitudinal study reveals cortical thinning in people with bipolar disorder, especially those with more manic episodes. The findings suggest that bipolar disorder may be a neuroprogressive disorder, worsened by the progression of symptoms.

Marine microbes more effective reducing methane than expected

A new study reveals that marine microbes are able to consume more methane from sediments than anticipated, preventing its release into the ocean and subsequent environmental consequences. This discovery suggests that these microbes play a crucial role in suppressing methane emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Researcher traces concept of taste in literature to 16th century

A researcher has traced the concept of taste in literature to the 16th century, highlighting Francis Bacon's 1597 aphorism that influenced the development of aesthetic discrimination. The study utilized Early English Books Online and found language patterns that shifted over time, ultimately leading to the modern meaning of taste.

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.

A commonly found parasite could treat certain types of cancer, say scientists

Researchers found that Toxoplasma gondii, a commonly found parasite, can 'tame' the parasite to induce inflammatory responses and make tumours more responsive to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. This approach has shown promise in treating melanoma, Lewis lung carcinoma, and colon adenocarcinoma in mouse models.

Urgent need for vaccine to prevent deadly Group B streptococcus

A new report highlights the alarming global impact of Group B streptococcus, which can lead to up to 150,000 infant deaths annually. Maternal vaccination is seen as a cost-effective solution to reduce this toll, with significant health benefits in all regions.

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.

Coronavirus: Minimal transmission risk when playing football

A study by the Universities of Basel and Saarland found almost no risk of coronavirus infection in football players, contradicting previous assumptions about team contact risks. The research team collected data from over 1,300 cases and concluded that outdoor sports with minimal physical contact pose a very low risk of infection.

Oncotarget: Decreasing DNA repair and genomic instability

Research found that Pim kinase inhibitor co-treatment decreases alternative non-homologous end-joining DNA repair and genomic instability induced by topoisomerase 2 inhibitors in AML cells with FLT3-ITD. This approach may enhance chemotherapy drug induction of DNA DSBs and apoptosis.

Clogged flow: Cancer cells impair blood flow in metastatic lymph nodes

Researchers found that tumors with few micro-blood vessels are associated with defective perfusion, impacting the efficiency of systemic chemotherapy. This study highlights the importance of improving diagnostic imaging equipment to better detect lymph node metastasis and curb cancer-related mortality.

Prior poor mental health is associated with higher COVID-19 infection rates

A nationwide US population-level study found that prior poor mental health at the county level had a positive and significant association with COVID-19 infection rates. Areas with greater vulnerability in poor mental health prior to the pandemic had a greater burden of COVID-19. The study used aggregated survey data from 2,839 US count...

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.

UTSW study finds potential strategy for fighting obesity

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a method to safely replicate the weight-loss benefits of a plant compound, celastrol. By deleting a specific protein in brain cells, they were able to mimic the effects of celastrol, resulting in mice losing 7% of their body weight without experiencing harmful side effects.

They'll lead the robots out

Researchers at Nicolaus Copernicus University developed an algorithm to help robots avoid dead ends by predicting obstacles and using augmented reality. This innovation significantly improves the efficiency of mobile robots.