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Science News Archive November 2021 - Page 10


Page 10 of 40

Aspirin is linked with increased risk of heart failure

A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that aspirin use is associated with a 26% raised risk of heart failure in individuals with at least one predisposing factor for the condition. This includes factors such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalESC Heart Failure·DateNov 22, 2021

Logistical Herculean tasks

A team of researchers developed a sophisticated study design to investigate the effects of climate change and land use on species diversity. The design allowed for the selection of 179 study sites across Bavaria, taking into account various factors such as habitat size, distance to other habitats, and land use patterns.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateNov 22, 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.

Gold-based cancer therapy could face competition from other substances

Researchers have discovered that certain molecules inhibiting thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) have a more specific effect than gold-based therapy auranofin. TRi-1 and TRi-2 compounds show promise as anticancer drugs, with higher specificity in their inhibition of TrxR.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalRedox Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Before geoengineering, some fundamental chemistry

A new study suggests that atmospheric conditions in the stratosphere pose a challenge to generating sulfuric acid, a crucial component of a proposed geoengineering strategy to mitigate climate change. Researchers found that solar radiation causes HOSO2 to quickly photolyse, breaking it down into harmful sulfur dioxide, which may reduce...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 22, 2021

Activation of a key protein that allows glioblastoma cells to complete apoptosis

Researchers have discovered a substance derived from the cotton plant, gossypol, which enhances the activity of DFF40/CAD, allowing glioblastoma cells to complete apoptosis. This breakthrough treatment shows promise in promoting cell death and may provide new tools for developing effective strategies against this incurable disease.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalCancers·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 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.

DNA replication under the microscope

Cryo-EM study reveals details of DNA repair mechanism translesion synthesis (TLS), allowing cells to survive with mutations. Key protein complex Pol K - PCNA interaction modulated by ubiquitination facilitates recruitment of TLS polymerase to damage sites.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 22, 2021

Fighting blood diseases with artificial intelligence

The Helmholtz Munich researchers developed a neural network that outperforms previous machine learning algorithms for cell classification in terms of accuracy and generalizability. The database consists of over 170,000 single-cell images from more than 900 patients with various blood diseases.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalBlood·DateNov 22, 2021

COVID-19 testing kits also can measure oral microbiome in saliva

A Rutgers study found that COVID-19 saliva testing kits with a preservative can accurately measure the oral microbiome, which may lead to new treatments for lung health in people with COVID-19. The study collected saliva samples from participants and compared their ability to measure microbes before and after COVID-19 infection.

SourceRutgers University·Journalnpj Biofilms and Microbiomes·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

What it takes to eat a poisonous butterfly

Researchers found monarch-like genetic mutations in four organisms that eat monarchs, including the black-headed grosbeak and eastern deer mouse. These mutations help these predators tolerate the toxic milkweed toxins stored in the butterflies' bodies.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 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.

New device modulates visible light—without dimming it—with the smallest footprint and lowest power consumption

Researchers at Columbia University have developed a compact and power-efficient phase modulator that can control the phase of visible light waves. This breakthrough enables large-scale integration of devices for applications such as chip-scale LIDAR, AR/VR goggles, and quantum information processing chips.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 22, 2021

Using short-acting opioids in the hospital could improve care for patients experiencing opioid withdrawal without pain

Experts suggest expanding treatment options for hospital patients with opioid withdrawal symptoms, potentially allowing more individualized and patient-centered care. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the efficacy of short-acting opioids in this context.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 22, 2021

Wearable device can detect and reverse opioid overdose

A wearable device has been developed to detect and reverse opioid overdoses by injecting naloxone, a lifesaving antidote. The device, which senses when a person stops breathing and moving, has shown promising results in clinical trials.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 22, 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.

Closing in on a new test for Schistosomiasis

Researchers have made progress towards a new diagnostic test for schistosomiasis, which could help interrupt transmission and eventually eliminate the disease. The test targets proteins produced by the parasite and can detect even low-intensity infections.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

900-mile mantle pipeline connects Galápagos to Panama

Scientists have discovered a 900-mile mantle pipeline stretching from the Gal ªgapos Hotspot to Central America, suggesting that hotspots are not fixed in place. This new finding transforms our understanding of geologic processes occurring beneath the Earth's surface.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 22, 2021

Search for safer pain relief advances with new compounds

Scientists at Scripps Research have created new compounds that activate opioid receptors without inducing tolerance, allowing for sustained pain relief. These 'biased agonists' also avoid respiratory suppression and constipation, making them a promising alternative to traditional opioids.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 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.

High-speed propeller star is fastest spinning white dwarf

Astronomers have detected a white dwarf star that spins at an incredible rate of once every 25 seconds, completing one rotation faster than Earth. The star is thought to be the size of the Earth but massive enough to pull material from its companion star, creating a magnetic propeller system.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters·DateNov 22, 2021

Fundamental particles modelled in beam of light

Researchers have successfully created an experimental model of a skyrmion particle in a beam of light, providing a real system to demonstrate the behavior of this elusive type of fundamental particle. The study reveals the intricate structure and topological properties of skyrmions, which can be distorted but not broken.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

COVID gets airborne

UC San Diego researchers developed a computer model to understand how viruses travel through the air, shedding new light on airborne COVID-19 transmission. The model simulates aerosol behavior and helps explain why SARS-CoV-2 is highly transmissible through the air.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 22, 2021

Ultrathin solar cells get a boost

Researchers have achieved a new benchmark in designing atomically thin solar cells made of semiconducting perovskites. Sunlight effectively shrinks the space between atomic layers, improving photovoltaic efficiency by up to 18%. This breakthrough addresses stability concerns and offers significant implications for studying excited stat...

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Model suggests extending annual mammography screening past age 75 may be cost-effective for some healthy older women

A modeling study found that annual mammography screening beyond age 75 may provide little to no benefit in terms of lives saved, while increasing costs and potential harms from overdiagnosis. Biennial screening up to age 80 is more cost-effective but yields a small number of deaths averted.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 22, 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.

Allergic inflammation and experimental skin cancer risk

A recent study at Tampere University discovered that the expression of an allergy-related receptor chain for proinflammatory IL-13 cytokine protects against experimental skin cancer. The absence of this receptor led to increased regulatory T cells and a suppressed immune response, allowing cancer cells to grow and form tumors.

SourceTampere University·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateNov 22, 2021

In-depth study of the biodiversity of the fungus causing olive tree Anthracnose

A recent study has identified 18 species of the fungus associated with olive tree anthracnose, including the most widespread in Spain, Greece, Tunisia, Portugal, and California. The research found significant differences in virulence among species and geographic regions, paving the way for more effective control methods.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalJournal of Fungi·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

'Mantle wind' blows through slab window beneath Panama

Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have discovered a 900-mile-long mantle conduit beneath Panama, which allows hot material to travel laterally through the shallow mantle. This 'mantle wind' helps explain why plume-derived volcanic material appears in central America despite the absence of active volcanoes.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Digital teaching: Opportunity or challenge?

Digital teaching provides flexible learning options and allows lecturers to reuse recorded material. However, it poses challenges such as maintaining student engagement and requiring stable internet connections.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalPsychologische Rundschau·DateNov 22, 2021

Requests for anti-racism classroom curricula increased following recent police brutality events

A study found a significant increase in requests for anti-racism books and materials following police brutality events and BLM protests, particularly among teachers of younger students. The demand for inclusive curriculum materials also rose sharply, with over $3.4 million worth of books acquired for half a million students.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManagement Science·DateNov 22, 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.

Deep learning reveals how proteins interact

A new study uses deep learning to build three-dimensional models of protein interactions in eukaryotes, revealing hundreds of previously unknown complexes. This research has significant implications for understanding cellular processes and developing new medications for various health disorders.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 22, 2021

Study digs up roles bacteria play in global carbon cycle

Researchers at Cornell University developed a novel method to track microbes and understand their role in processing soil carbon. The study found that different types of bacteria have varying strategies for assimilating carbon, categorized into guilds based on their access to food.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 22, 2021

Multiple concussions can disrupt brain connectivity in teens

Research using fMRI technology reveals disruption in default mode network of adolescents and young adults with multiple concussions. The study found no difference in connectivity for those who experienced one or two concussions, but a disruption in the third group.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateNov 22, 2021

The reasons behind lithium-ion batteries’ rapid cost decline

A new study found that research and development on chemistry and materials science were key factors behind the significant cost decline of lithium-ion batteries. The analysis revealed that over 50% of the cost reduction came from R&D activities, with chemistry and materials research being the primary contributors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateNov 22, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Association of poverty with firearm-related death among youth

A recent study of nearly 68,000 firearm-related deaths among US youth ages 5-24 found a significant association between county-level poverty concentration and mortality rates. The analysis revealed that areas with higher levels of poverty had significantly higher firearm-related death rates.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateNov 22, 2021

How people understand other people

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that people combine different strategies to comprehend others, with mindreading playing a crucial role in building and maintaining long-term relationships. This approach suggests that social cognition should not be viewed as competing strategies, but rather as interacting and flexible methods.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalErkenntnis·DateNov 22, 2021

Ultrathin solar cells get a boost

Researchers discovered that sunlight contracts the space between atomic layers in 2D perovskites, improving photovoltaic efficiency and stability. The new material shows a threefold increase in electron conduction and is less prone to degradation.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 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.

Sun developing machine learning workforce for Earth science studies

George Mason University's Ziheng Sun is building a machine learning workforce for Earth science studies through training and curriculum development. The project aims to address the lack of systematic learning materials for Earth science students, providing them with modern technologies like deep learning and cloud computing.

SourceGeorge Mason University·DateNov 22, 2021

Are political parties getting in the way of our health?

Historical state-level analysis finds that increased party competition leads to higher spending on infrastructure, human capital, literacy, earnings, and longevity. States with more party competition tend to have lower infant mortality, higher life expectancy, and greater social well-being.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 22, 2021

Novel Lyme vaccine shows promise

Researchers developed a novel vaccine using mRNA technology that prompts a quick response to components of tick saliva, limiting infection. The vaccine offers broad-based protection against other tick-borne diseases and can be used in conjunction with traditional vaccines.

SourceYale University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 22, 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.

Not all patients with type 2 diabetes receive appropriate care to prevent cardiovascular diseases

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that patients with type 2 diabetes often do not receive adequate cholesterol-lowering treatment, despite guidelines recommending statin prescriptions for elevated LDL-C levels. Women tend to have higher average LDL-C levels and receive less statin treatment than men.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 22, 2021

Taking it easy as you get older? Wrong.

Research from Harvard University reveals that physical activity later in life shifts energy towards mechanisms that extend health, reducing chronic illnesses. The study highlights the importance of staying physically active as we age to allocate energy to physiological processes that slow down deterioration.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 22, 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.

Snow cover critical for revegetation following forest fires

Research by University of Nevada, Reno and Oregon State University found that adequate snowpack is crucial for revegetation following forest fires. The study showed that climate change has led to a decline in snowpack, which will negatively impact post-wildfire vegetation recovery.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·JournalBiogeosciences·DateNov 22, 2021

How sugar-loving microbes could help power future cars

Researchers genetically engineer E. coli microbes to convert glucose into olefins, a type of hydrocarbon found in gasoline, using a two-step process with a catalyst. This method has potential to advance green energy technology and create sustainable biofuels.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalNature Chemistry·DateNov 22, 2021

Using the law to advance public health equity: JPHMP presents update on public health interventions to address disparities related to structural racism

A special article in JPHMP presents a pathway for public health departments and practitioners to incorporate law into efforts to advance equity in health outcomes. The article highlights the illustrative case of Coal Run, where residents filed a civil rights complaint and ultimately received water services after decades of denial.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Public Health Management and Practice·DateNov 22, 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.

AI helps to correct distortions in in vivo photoacoustic images of humans

Researchers developed an AI method to correct speed of sound aberrations in photoacoustic images, resulting in improved image quality and resolution. The technique reduced streak artifacts by up to 5% and increased signal-to-noise ratio by about 25 decibels.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Image Processing·DateNov 22, 2021

Alaska scientist reveals cause of lost magnetism at meteorite site

A University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist has discovered a method for detecting and defining meteorite impact sites that have lost their craters. Gunther Kletetschka found that plasma created at the moment of impact altered the behavior of electrons in rocks' atoms, leading to minimal magnetism.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 22, 2021

Ending market exclusivity for statins saves US $12 billion and individuals nearly $1,000 annually

A recent study from George Mason University found that introducing generic statin medications can reduce prices by up to 95% when six or more generic competitors exist. The study reveals average annual cost savings per individual of $211.9 for out-of-pocket, translating to an $11.9 billion savings for the US.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 22, 2021

GeSnOI mid-infrared laser technology

Researchers developed a GeSn-on-insulator (GeSnOI) technology for high-performance GeSn lasers, tackling interface defects, strain engineering, thermal management, and optical confinement. This leads to improved laser properties, including lower threshold, higher maximum lasing temperature, and stronger lasing intensity.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateNov 22, 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis finding may lead to new inflammation blockers

Researchers have linked T cell dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis to a metabolic deficiency, suggesting a new therapeutic strategy. The study found that supplying the amino acid aspartate may provide a solution by repairing mitochondrial defects and suppressing TNF production.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature Immunology·DateNov 22, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Warnings may reduce hate speech on Twitter, new study finds

A new study by New York University's Center for Social Media and Politics found that warning users of the potential consequences of their use of hate speech can decrease their subsequent posting of hateful language for a week. Researchers examined the impact of issuing warnings to users who had been suspended for posting tweets with ha...

SourceNew York University·JournalPerspectives on Politics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Exposure to harmless coronaviruses boosts SARS-CoV-2 immunity

Previous antibody responses to harmless coronaviruses contribute to SARS-CoV-2 immunity, reducing infection severity and hospitalization rates. Researchers found that people with strong immune responses to other human coronaviruses have some protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021