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Science News Archive November 2021 - Page 37


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.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 3, 2021

Machine learning can provide strong predictive accuracy for identifying adolescents that have experienced suicidal thoughts and behavior

A new machine learning-based algorithm has been developed to identify adolescents who have experienced suicidal thoughts and behavior. The algorithm, applied to a large dataset of survey responses from over 179,000 high school students in Utah, shows high accuracy in predicting individual adolescents at risk.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 3, 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.

Chemo helps breast cancer cells get their ‘foot in the door’ to the lungs

Researchers in mice found that chemotherapy enhances cancer's spread by making blood vessel walls more receptive, allowing cancer cells to latch on. The study shows how a chemo drug like cyclophosphamide alters non-cancer cells' properties, facilitating the cancer cells' attachment and progression.

SourceOhio State University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalHealth Affairs·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalRenewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability·DateNov 2, 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.

Revising a generalized spin current theory for the magnetoelectric effect in multiferroics

The team of researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a generalized spin current theory that accounts for various multiferroic scenarios and provides a transparent toy model for electric polarization. The study demonstrates how the new theory can effectively rationalize the properties of multiferroic materials.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 2, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

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.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalCommunication Studies·DateNov 2, 2021

Poverty in unmarried-parent families: A fresh perspective from Pusan National University

Researchers at Pusan National University and Columbia University reanalyzed poverty estimates in unmarried parent families using the 'Supplemental Poverty Measure' (SPM), accounting for specific criteria. The analysis revealed significant drops in poverty rates over time, particularly for single-mother families.

SourcePusan National University·JournalPopulation Research and Policy Review·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 2, 2021

CABI study assesses the capacity and responsiveness of Kenya’s national invasive species system

A CABI-led study developed a framework for assessing the performance and responsiveness of an invasive species system in Kenya. The approach enabled identifying opportunities and challenges from various actor perspectives, highlighting the need for better financing, leadership, and coordination to effectively manage invasive species.

SourceCABI·JournalCABI Agriculture and Bioscience·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 2, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Movement of plankton between tropical marine ecosystems drives “sweet spots” for fishing

A new analysis reveals that plankton-eating fish play a central role in driving local spikes of extreme biological productivity in tropical coral reefs. These 'sweet spots' concentrate abundant fish production, making them optimal for fishing. The study's findings hold significance for the future of tropical reef fisheries as coral ree...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2021

Tel Aviv University researchers have discovered a mechanism that helps plants cope with water shortages

Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered a central mechanism in plants that helps them deal with drought conditions and water shortages. They found that the ABA signal molecule is stored in inactive state in leaves and released under desired conditions, allowing plants to rapidly respond to changing environmental conditions.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 2, 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.

Study identifies specific drugs that can prevent disease-causing activity of key immune cells

A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers has identified specific drugs that can selectively block the polarization of M2-type macrophages, which exacerbate diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration. The findings suggest that these drugs could be repurposed for new therapies to influence disease outcomes.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 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.

Scientists build on AI modelling to understand more about protein-sugar structures

Scientists have developed a software that adds missing sugar components to protein models created with AlphaFold, enabling more accurate structural predictions. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize workflows in biology, allowing scientists to understand proteins and their mutations faster than ever.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalThe European Physical Journal Special Topics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalThe Economic Journal·TypeNews article·DateNov 2, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateNov 2, 2021

Better models of atmospheric ‘detergent’ can help predict climate change

Researchers used computer simulations to predict the presence of hydroxyl radicals, which clean pollutants from the atmosphere. The study showed that traditional models had widely varying forecasts due to uncertainties in gas emissions, and that better models can aid in combating climate change.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournaleLife·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalLife·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 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.

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...

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2021

The influence collective risks have on the acceptance of social norms is being analysed

A study by UC3M researchers found that higher collective risks lead to stronger social norms and increased punishment for non-compliance. However, as perceived risk decreases, compliance with these norms also drops. The study, published in Nature Communications, provides evidence on how collective risks impact social behavior.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateNov 2, 2021

Tulane University study uses artificial intelligence to detect colorectal cancer

A Tulane University study successfully leverages artificial intelligence to identify and diagnose colorectal cancer with a performance comparable to, if not better than, highly experienced pathologists. The AI-powered program achieves an average accuracy of .98 in accurately identifying colorectal cancer from tissue scans.

SourceTulane University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateNov 2, 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.

Samples of paraffinic oils from Western Siberia studied at Kazan University

Researchers analyzed samples of paraffinic oils from the western Siberian Basin, Russia, to understand their characteristics. The study found that these oils are primarily composed of saturated hydrocarbons and have low sulfur content.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalJournal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2021

Tokyo researchers take a look beneath the skin of surfactant onions

Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science used microscopy to examine surfactant onion layers, discovering they contain defects. Their findings are crucial for designing effective therapeutic carrier systems.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

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.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalTextual Cultures·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 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.

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.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceTohoku University·JournalClinical & Experimental Metastasis·DateNov 2, 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.

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...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2021

C4 bioenergy grass: Working towards higher productivity under fluctuating light

A recent study found that C4 bioenergy grass species outperform C3 species in assimilating carbon during fluctuating light conditions. This discovery could lead to increased productivity and reduced dependence on fossil fuels through targeted plant breeding programs.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalGCB Bioenergy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·DateNov 2, 2021

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.

SourceNicolaus Copernicus University in Torun·JournalEnergies·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 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.