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Science News Archive October 2021


Page 17 of 40

scAAVengr hunt for viruses to cure blindness

A novel computational platform called scAAVengr uses single-cell RNA sequencing to quickly evaluate viral vectors for delivering gene therapies to the retina with maximum efficiency and precision. This approach saves time and resources by identifying suitable candidates that can deliver therapy to affected parts of the retina accurately.

Excess risk of self-injury linked to autism

A new study found that people with autism spectrum disorder are at a substantially increased risk of self-injury and suicide, with odds over three times higher than in non-autistic individuals. The study identified 31 studies showing statistically significant positive associations between ASD and self-harm.

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.

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.

Targeting cancer at the nanoscale

Scientists at Osaka University developed a novel system for targeted cancer radiation therapy using gold nanoparticles labeled with astatine-211. The nanoparticles are highly toxic to cancer cells while remaining localized, minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Brain activation in sleeping toddlers shows memory for words

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have discovered brain activation in sleeping two-year-olds when played words they had previously learned. The study found activation in the hippocampus and anterior medial temporal lobe, indicating that these regions are crucial for laying down initial memories for words.

Common medications alter flu virus activity

Researchers have identified several commonly prescribed medications that can affect the flu virus's interaction with host cells. Some of these medications amplify the virus's effect, while others dampen it, depending on their target in the cells. Further research is needed to understand the consequences of these interactions for patients.

Flexible sensor-integrated RFA needle leads to smarter medical treatment

Researchers developed a thin polymeric sensor platform on an RFA needle to monitor temperature and pressure in real time, detecting steam pops and accelerating ablation processes. The integrated sensors may provide valuable information for safer surgical procedures and more effective medical treatments.

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.

Aerial scanning can help protect food crops against devastating disease

Researchers at Swansea University and international partners use aerial scanning to detect infectious plant diseases caused by Xylella fastidiosa before symptoms appear. The method achieves up to 92% accuracy in detecting the pathogen and could help reduce global economic losses and environmental damage.

Genomic study revealing among diverse populations with inherited retinal disease

A genomic study revealed causative gene variants for inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) in diverse populations, with significant findings for Mexican, Pakistani, and European American participants. The study identified new gene variants and mutations contributing to IRDs, shedding light on disease variation and presentation.

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.

Road impacts on ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa

A new study reveals that road development in sub-Saharan Africa has negative impacts on biodiversity, both inside and outside protected areas. The researchers found that roads act as barriers to movement, facilitate access to previously inaccessible land, and contribute to urbanization, logging, and cropland expansion.

UC professor provides insight on disaster preparedness

A study by University of Cincinnati professor Michael J. Fry found that a single large warehouse would be the most cost-efficient approach for disaster relief supplies, but a single location is vulnerable to destruction. The research suggests cooperation between government and relief organizations can improve response effectiveness.

New cancer treatment may reawaken the immune system

Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to treat cancer by combining chemotherapy, tumor injury, and immunotherapy. In mouse studies, the treatment eliminated tumors completely in nearly half of the mice and showed promise against various types of cancer.

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.

COVID-19 vaccination strategies: When is one dose better than two?

Researchers found that vaccinating more people with a single dose can be beneficial when the vaccine waning rate is low, slowing the spread of the virus. The 'prime first' strategy prioritizes speed over double doses under supply constraints, offering an alternative to traditional vaccination protocols.

Bacteria, fungi interact far more often than previously thought

Researchers uncovered a remarkable diversity of bacteria associated with fungi, detected in 88% of examined fungal isolates, shedding light on the complexity of the fungal bacteriome. This discovery opens up possibilities for studying bacterial-fungal interactions and their impact on ecosystem functioning and climate change.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

AI helping to quantify enzyme activity

Researchers used AI to predict Michaelis constants from substrate and enzyme structures, achieving accuracy comparable to experimental values. This breakthrough enables computers to estimate enzyme activity in seconds without experimentation.

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.

Large study shows regular millet consumption can combat anemia

A large-scale study shows that regular millet consumption can improve hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels, reducing iron deficiency anemia. The research found that millets increased hemoglobin levels by up to 13.2% and serum ferritin by an average of 54.7%.

How quickly does the climate recover?

Research finds climate stabilized due to increased rock weathering and erosion, which converts CO2 into insoluble carbonate; this process took 20,000-50,000 years. Lithium isotope analysis supports theory, showing increased weathering and erosion during Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.

More than 99.9% of studies agree: Humans caused climate change

A recent survey of 88,125 climate-related studies found that 99.9% support human-caused climate change, with only four skeptical papers out of 3,000 examined. The study's findings provide strong evidence for the reality of human influence on climate, allaying any remaining doubt.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Virtual job interviews infected by COVID-19 worries, new study finds

A new study from the University of Toronto found that virtual job interviews during COVID-19 increased anxiety in candidates, leading to reduced performance. Organizations can improve candidate experience and fairness by designing platforms that minimize anxiety, suggests lead researcher Julie McCarthy.

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.

Scientists develop sperm cells from primate stem cells

Researchers have made a breakthrough in spermatogonial stem cell research, successfully generating functional sperm cells using primate embryonic stem cells. The study, published in Fertility and Sterility Science, shows promise for future clinical therapies to treat male infertility.

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.

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.

NREL, mines insight could lead to better silicon solar panels

Researchers at NREL and Colorado School of Mines used electron paramagnetic resonance to pinpoint the source of light-induced degradation in silicon solar cells. They discovered a distinct defect signature that disappears when applying regeneration process to cure LID, suggesting not all atomic changes lead to efficiency drop.

New model points to solution to global blood shortage

A new mathematical model suggests that patients with anemia can be effectively treated with transfusions of blood substitutes, which are more readily available than real blood. This approach could reduce the negative effects of blood transfusion and lower costs.

Chang’E-5 mission sheds light on the evolution of the moon

The study provides evidence that lunar volcanic activity persisted for a longer period than previously thought, extending the duration of geological processes on the Moon. The samples also reveal that the Moon's interior was still evolving at around 2 billion years ago.

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.

Pakistan’s amphibians need more research efforts and better protection

The study reports 21 species of Pakistan's amphibians, highlighting the need for conservation strategies to control populations and address human-caused threats. Researchers propose an inclusive wildlife conservation approach incorporating poorly documented taxa like amphibians to maintain ecosystem health.