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Science News Archive November 2021 - Page 7


Page 7 of 40

Protein communities: protein "villages" serving cells

Researchers have discovered protein communities, like villages, serving cells by combining protein localization and inter-protein interactions. This breakthrough reveals new functions of proteins involved in ribosome production, essential for cell survival and disease prevention.

SourceUniversité libre de Bruxelles·JournalNature·DateNov 24, 2021

Those that game together, stay together

Researchers analyzed historical data on games played by 25 cultures and found that cooperative games are more common in socially hierarchical cultures, while competitive games are prevalent in cultures with internal conflicts. The study suggests that games may mimic real-world behavior and help learn group norms.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 24, 2021

Plants’ reaction to stress

Plants form cytoplasmic complexes called stress granules as a defense mechanism to promote cell survival. A recent study identified TSN protein as a crucial scaffolding protein that recruits plant-specific components, including SnRK1 kinase, to stress granules.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateNov 24, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Social media firms can tackle wildlife trade

Researchers examined social media posts promoting live bird sales from West Africa, finding 83 species for sale, including endangered parrots. Social media platforms must work with wildlife experts to detect harmful content, as algorithms alone are not enough.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalConservation Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 24, 2021

A seemingly unattainable energy transition

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by exciting an unattainable energy transition in an artificial atom using laser light. The radiative Auger process allowed them to stimulate electrons to emit energy and transfer it to another electron, achieving a seemingly impossible transition.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 24, 2021

Extreme heat may affect young and middle-aged adults more than the elderly

A new study found that days of extreme heat were associated with a higher risk of emergency department visits among adults aged 18-64, compared to adults over 75. Younger adults and middle-aged individuals faced the highest risk, particularly those between 45-54 years old.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateNov 24, 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.

Shifting colors for on-chip photonics

On-chip frequency shifters in the gigahertz range enable precise color shifting for high-speed optical communication. This innovation has significant implications for the development of quantum computers and future network infrastructure.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature·DateNov 24, 2021

Mental health of Italian health care workers during COVID-19

A study of 2,800 Italian healthcare workers found a significant decrease in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 14 months after the COVID-19 pandemic began. The study suggests that healthcare workers have begun to recover from the emotional toll of working during the pandemic.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 24, 2021

Study: Exercising at the start of fast can help people reach ketosis 3.5 hours faster

A new study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that exercising intensely at the start of a fast can maximize health benefits by speeding up the transition to ketosis. Participants who exercised reached ketosis on average three and a half hours earlier, producing 43% more B-hydroxybutyrate.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 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.

UCLA astronomers discover more than 300 possible new exoplanets

The discovery of hundreds of new exoplanets is a significant advance in understanding how planets form and orbits evolve. A notable finding includes a planetary system with two gas giant planets, each roughly the size of Saturn, located unusually close to their host star.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateNov 24, 2021

Important genetic predispositions for acute myeloid leukemia discovered

A large-scale international study identified two common genetic alterations in the KMT5B and HLA-DQB1 genes as significant risk factors for developing AML. Inherited genetic variants increase the risk of developing the disease, with a strong immune system providing protection.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 24, 2021

Almost all asylum-seeking children and parents who had been forced to separate at the US-Mexico border were subsequently diagnosed with PTSD, depressive and/or anxiety disorders, even after reunification

Forced family separation on the US-Mexico border led to a high incidence of PTSD, depressive, and anxiety disorders in asylum-seeking children and parents. Reunification did not alleviate these symptoms, highlighting the need for continued support and intervention.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 24, 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.

How far away is help? Researchers map access to HIV care

A new study published in PLOS Global Public Health has mapped the distance to HIV care services in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting that 7 million people live more than 10 minutes away and 3 million people live more than 30 minutes away. The research aims to develop cost-effective policies for HIV interventions in underserved areas.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 24, 2021

Extremely hot days linked to higher risk of emergency hospital visits

A large study found that extremely hot days are associated with a higher risk of emergency department visits for various health conditions. The study suggests that adults of all ages are at increased risk of heat-related health effects, and the risk is more pronounced in certain geographic regions, age groups, and socioeconomic statuses.

SourceBMJ Group·TypeObservational study·DateNov 24, 2021

Prostate cancer organoids open path to precision oncology

Researchers have developed a prostate cancer organoid that can mimic the patient-specific microenvironment, opening up new avenues for targeted treatments. The study reveals that extracellular matrix regulates EZH2 activity and efficacy of inhibitors, as well as identifies potential new therapeutic targets like DRD2.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 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.

Change in COVID-19 mortality in patients with cancer during pandemic

A registry-based study of 2,600 patients in six European countries reveals a significant increase in COVID-19 mortality among cancer patients during the pandemic. The study suggests that cancer patients are at higher risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateNov 24, 2021

Psychedelics show promise in treating mental illness

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs using psychedelics to treat mental illnesses such as addiction, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Studies have found that these substances can induce profound effects on perception, behavior, and gene expression, with long-lasting epigenomic changes detected in mice.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 24, 2021

Biomedical engineers find neural activity during rest is highly organized

Biomedical engineers found that individual neurons fire in seconds-long, coordinated cascades during rest, triggering activity across the brain. This organized pattern of activity may be linked to arousal and memory systems, with implications for understanding cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 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.

For the first time, DNA and proteins sensed by de novo-designed nanopore

Researchers in Japan have designed the first de novo-designed peptides that can form artificial nanopores to identify and enable single molecule-sorting of genetic material in a lipid membrane. The peptides can detect specific molecules, including DNA, and have the potential to mimic natural proteins' ability to detect specific proteins.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 24, 2021

UK study suggests COVID-19 became much more lethal in late 2020

A new statistical analysis supports the notion that COVID-19 became more lethal in the UK in late 2020, with increased lethality attributed to factors beyond just the alpha variant of the virus. The study used Bayesian inference to draw stronger conclusions from weekly data on cases and deaths.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 24, 2021

No surge in travel during regional lockdowns, study finds

A new study from Athabasca University found that regional lockdowns in Ontario did not result in spikes of people traveling to neighboring regions to access services. The analysis of cellphone data showed no change in movement from areas targeted by restrictions to other areas.

SourceAthabasca University·JournalHealth & Place·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 24, 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.

Astronomers discover ancient brown dwarf with lithium deposits intact

Researchers detect lithium in brown dwarfs for the first time, providing new constraints on thermonuclear burning masses. The discovery of Reid 1B, a 41Jupiter-mass object with 13,000 times more lithium than Earth's surface, sheds light on the behavior of these substellar objects.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeNews article·DateNov 24, 2021

Robots good for gender equity, not so good for stability/fertility of marriage: study

A recent study found that robots negatively impact marriage stability and fertility, while improving gender pay equity. The research revealed that exposure to industrial robots worsens men's economic stature and reduces their ability to form long-term commitments, but boosts women's earnings and increases their labor force participation.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Human Resources·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 24, 2021

Experimental compound counters diabetic complications

A new experimental compound, RAGE229, reduces type 1 and type 2 diabetes complications by countering cell death, inflammation, and organ damage. The compound blocks the ability of a protein called RAGE to pass on inflammatory signals that injure the heart and kidneys in diabetes.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 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.

Unveiling the hidden cellular logistics of memory storage in neurons

University of Michigan scientists found that RNAs associated with an understudied cell compartment in hippocampal neurons vary greatly between sleeping and sleep-deprived mice after learning. These changes are present almost exclusively on ribosomes associated with neuronal cell membranes, suggesting a novel mechanism for memory storage.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

Collapse of ancient Liangzhu culture caused by climate change

Researchers found evidence that a period of extremely high precipitation between 4345 and 4324 years ago was caused by anomalously intense monsoon rains. The massive flooding destroyed the sophisticated dams and canals, leading to the collapse of the city.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 24, 2021

New ultrahard diamond glass synthesized

Researchers have synthesized a new form of carbon glass with three-dimensional bonds, the hardest known glass material. The discovery has potential for mass production and opens up new possibilities in devices and electronics.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 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.

How the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis secretes and trafficks its only known exotoxin

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered the mechanism of secretion and trafficking of Mycobacterium tuberculosis' toxin TNT, which kills over 1 million people annually. The ESX-4 type VII secretion system plays a crucial role in transporting TNT across cell membranes.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

Daughter’s rare disorder makes supporting TGen on giving Tuesday an obvious choice for her mom

A sixth-grader with a rare disorder, Emma, was diagnosed through TGen's genetic sequencing, providing validation to her family. The diagnosis led to awareness of the disorder and hope for treatments, thanks to TGen's Center for Rare Childhood Disorders.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·JournalJournal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus·TypeCase study·DateNov 24, 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.

Tempera painting probed on the molecular scale

Researchers studied 15th century tempera recipes to understand the mixture's properties on a molecular scale. They found that the combination of egg-yolk and clay-based pigment creates a network that improves paint flow and covering properties.

SourceCNRS·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

Sun compass on demand

Researchers from the University of Würzburg discovered that monarch butterflies process sun information as a compass during migration, but only when flying actively. The butterfly's brain represents the heading direction relative to the sun in a similar way to a compass.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

New findings on bacteria that increase risk of pancreatic cancer

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that certain bacteria from the digestive system can cause damage to pancreatic cells, increasing the risk of malignant tumours. The study suggests that antibiotics could prevent this damage, offering a potential prophylactic intervention.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalGut Microbes·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

Living walls can reduce heat lost from buildings by over 30%

A study at the University of Plymouth found that retrofitting an existing building with a green wall reduced heat loss by 31.4%. The study suggests that living walls can provide significant energy savings and help reduce carbon emissions in existing buildings.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalBuilding and Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 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.

Immune cell receptor and ligand regulation: A therapeutic avenue for inflammatory diseases

A study by Tokyo University of Science researchers identifies a novel regulatory axis targeting dendritic cell activity, suppressing autoimmune disease symptoms and bone loss. They discovered DCIR binds to glycoproteins on macrophages and osteoclasts, reducing inflammation and immune responses.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

Scientists successfully manipulate a single skyrmion at room temperature

Researchers have successfully manipulated a single skyrmion, a tiny magnetic vortex, at room temperature using pulses of electric current. The team used Lorentz transmission electron microscopy to track the motion of the skyrmion and control its direction with ultrafast pulses of electricity.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

A new topological magnet with colossal angular magnetoresistance

Researchers discovered a new topological magnet that can induce a billion-fold change in resistance by rotating the magnetic field angle. This phenomenon, called colossal angular magnetoresistance, enables efficient detection of electronic spin states and opens up new opportunities for spin-electronic applications.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

Common medication hindering lung cancer treatment

Research found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may reduce the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. PPI use was associated with worse survival rates and a significant decrease in the benefit of immune therapy treatment.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·TypeObservational study·DateNov 24, 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.

Endangered deer's prion gene could protect it from chronic wasting disease

Researchers found two prion gene variants in Père David's deer that may reduce susceptibility to CWD. The genetic variants were surprising given the population's small founder size and conserved prion protein gene. Studies are needed to confirm whether these variants provide protection against CWD.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalConservation Genetics·DateNov 24, 2021

Robots in Europe vote for the radical right

A recent study by Bocconi University professors reveals that individuals exposed to automation are more likely to support radical-right parties. The researchers found a strong correlation between automation exposure and poorer economic conditions, lower job satisfaction, and increased support for the radical right.

SourceBocconi University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2021

Antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus reduces risk of post-treatment liver cancer progression, study shows

A cohort study of 165 patients with hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma found that treating the virus with direct-acting antivirals reduces tumor progression and metastasis. The study showed a 72% reduction in tumor progression and an 88% reduction in risk of death from HCC.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalJournal of Viral Hepatitis·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

Sinking after earthquakes

A new dataset from Canterbury earthquakes provides over 15,000 case histories for liquefaction, significantly augmenting model training and testing. The dataset enhances hazard assessments and improves engineering solutions in earthquake recovery, benefiting society as a whole.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·DateNov 24, 2021

Using the principle behind coffee ring effect in quantum dot arrays

Researchers at POSTECH develop a new method for arranging quantum dots, resulting in display panels with improved resolution. The technique uses the coffee ring effect to assemble QDs in specific areas, reducing manufacturing costs and increasing brightness.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 24, 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.

Electrons set the stage for neutrino experiments

A team of nuclear physicists used electron studies to validate neutrino-nucleus interaction models, highlighting the need for updates to achieve accurate results in upcoming neutrino experiments. The study utilized an electron-scattering version of GENIE, a theoretical simulation used in neutrino research.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

Morning exposure to deep red light improves declining eyesight

Researchers found that three minutes of morning exposure to 670nm deep red light improved color contrast vision by 17% and the effects lasted for at least a week. The study built on previous findings that daily longwave deep red light exposure boosts energy-producing mitochondria cells in the retina.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateNov 24, 2021