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Science News Archive October 2021


Page 25 of 40

How to force photons to never bounce back

Researchers at EPFL have created a topological insulator that allows microwave photons to survive unprecedented levels of disorder and obstacles. This discovery holds great promise for advances in science and technology, particularly in the development of next-generation communication systems and photonic processors.

LLU study identifies uptick in mammogram cancellations from early pandemic

A Loma Linda University Health research study found that mammogram cancellations increased during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic before decreasing to pre-pandemic levels. The study's findings could help breast cancer surgeons prepare for a potential surge of patients presenting with more advanced stages of breast cancer.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Harvard researchers use dyes to store data

A Harvard research team has created a new method of storing digital information using mixtures of fluorescent dyes, which can potentially store data for thousands of years or more. The technique uses inkjet printing and fluorescence microscopy to encode and decode binary messages in the dye molecules.

How many people get 'long COVID?' More than half, researchers find

According to a study by Penn State researchers, more than half of the 236 million people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 worldwide since December 2019 will experience post-COVID symptoms, also known as 'long COVID', up to six months after recovery. The research team found that adults and children can experience various adverse he...

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.

Study: Heartburn drugs may have unexpected benefits on gum disease

A recent University at Buffalo study found that patients using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for heartburn had smaller probing depths in their gums, indicating less severe gum disease. The researchers suggest that PPIs' side effects may be linked to reduced periodontitis severity.

Climate model shows that Venus could never have had oceans

A new climate model challenges the idea that Venus ever had oceans, suggesting high surface temperatures and limited solar radiation prevented ocean formation. The research team found that clouds on night-side Venus would actually maintain high temperatures through a greenhouse effect, further supporting this conclusion.

Johns Hopkins pioneers method to examine how immunotherapy changes tumors

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a non-invasive optical probe to understand the complex changes in tumors after immunotherapy. Using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning, they identified key features that indicate how tumors respond to treatment, showing promising results for predicting patient response.

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.

Making data visualizations more accessible

A new study by MIT researchers has found that blind and sighted readers have sharply different takes on what content is most useful to include in a chart caption. The study created a four-level framework for evaluating charts, which could help develop more effective tools for automatically generating captions and alternative text.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, access among Black, Latinx communities

A study finds that community-informed insights can inform health care strategies to maximize vaccine acceptance in communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Vaccination rates were found to be lower among Black and Latinx populations compared to other demographics, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Physicists lead world's most precise measurement of neutron lifetime

Researchers at Indiana University have made the world's most precise measurement of a neutron's lifetime, improving upon previous measurements by more than two-fold. The study provides new insights into the nature of the universe, including the possibility of dark matter and the formation of atomic nuclei.

Catching malaria evolution in the act

Scientists have developed a technique to sequence individual malaria parasites' genomes, allowing for the detection of new mutations. These mutations are often targeting a gene family controlling transcription in malaria, suggesting potential avenues for developing more effective treatments and vaccines.

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.

Tackling the collateral damage from antibiotics

Researchers from EMBL Heidelberg and University of Tübingen discovered that certain antibiotics, like tetracyclines and macrolides, can kill specific gut microbes. Combining antibiotics with non-antibiotic drugs may reduce collateral damage by preserving antibiotic activity against pathogens.

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.

Leprosy confirmed in wild chimpanzees

Researchers have confirmed cases of leprosy in two unconnected West African populations of chimpanzees, in Guinea-Bissau and Ivory Coast. The strains identified are different and rare among humans. Long-term health monitoring is needed to establish the scale and possible effects of leprosy on critically endangered western chimpanzees.

Surface chemistry reveals corrosive secrets

A new technique reveals the role of cations in surface chemistry, shedding light on environmental issues like rust and pollution. The study uses surface analysis to understand the initial stages of iron corrosion, which can help monitor carbon dioxide capture, water quality, and infrastructure management.

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.

Estimated pulse wave velocity predicts severe Covid

Researchers have discovered that estimated pulse wave velocity is an effective tool to refine risk stratification of hospitalized patients with Covid-19. The study found that the addition of ePWV to clinical predictive markers improved prognostic value for in-hospital mortality.

Salk scientists reveal most commonly mutated gene in all cancers

Researchers at the Salk Institute combined genomic and epidemiological data to reveal that some widespread beliefs about cancer-causing genes are incorrect. For example, KRAS is found to be involved in only about 11% of all cancers, not 25% as previously thought. This study could help guide genetic research for more effective treatments.

Holey metalens!

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences developed a metasurface using ultra-deep holes to focus light to a single spot, achieving a record-breaking aspect ratio of nearly 30:1. This breakthrough enables the creation of large achromatic metalenses with diverse color control capabilities.

Hormone widely used as an autism treatment shows no benefit

A multicenter study found that oxytocin, a hormone used as an autism treatment, had no significant impact on social skills among children with autism. The study of 290 children aged 3-17 showed that oxytocin was safe but ineffective in boosting social abilities.

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.

Improvements in microscopy home in on biology’s elusive details

Researchers at Arizona State University have refined cryogenic electron microscopy to produce more accurate structures of biological samples. The new method uses a statistical approach to model transitory structures, which can play a vital role in biological processes.

Study: Women are underrepresented in stroke clinical trials

A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that women are underrepresented in stroke clinical trials, with a participation-to-prevalence ratio of 0.84. This disparity may limit the applicability of trial results to the general population and affect access to new therapies.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Mutated cells drive out early tumours from the oesophagus

Researchers discovered that mutant clones in the normal human oesophagus outcompete and eliminate emerging tumours, preventing them from growing. This study sheds light on how cancer develops and could lead to new ways to prevent early tumours from becoming cancers.

Primates’ ancestors may have left trees to survive asteroid

A recent study suggests that primates and marsupials were among the few tree-dwelling mammals that survived an asteroid impact 66 million years ago. The researchers used computer models and fossil records to find that most surviving mammals did not rely on trees, but some arboreal species may have been versatile enough to adapt.

How the Sun’s magnetic forces arrange gas particles

A research team from Göttingen University observed magnetic forces arranging gas particles in solar prominences, with charged particles moving at speeds of up to 42 km/s. This phenomenon is significant for understanding astrophysical processes, including star and planet formation.

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.

First evidence of microtubules’ mechanosensitive behavior

A research team led by Associate Professor Akira Kakugo of Hokkaido University has provided direct evidence that microtubules function as mechanosensors, slowing down kinesin movement when bent. This phenomenon is attributed to enhanced interaction energy between kinesin and deformed microtubule structural units.

Over a thousand cosmic explosions in 47 days detected by FAST

A team led by Prof. LI Di and Dr. WANG Pei detected 1,652 independent bursts of Fast Radio Burst (FRB) 121102 within 47 days using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). The characteristic energy and energy distribution of FRBs were determined for the first time.

New cell treatment could combat ageing

Researchers have identified a new method for clearing senescent cells using an antibody treatment, which could transform treatments for ageing and related conditions. The treatment targets specific membrane markers on senescent cells, effectively eliminating them and slowing age-related degeneration.

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.

Living near oil and gas wells increases air pollution exposure

A Stanford University study found higher levels of air pollutants within 2.5 miles of oil and gas wells, likely worsening negative health outcomes for nearby residents. The research reveals that wells emit toxic particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ozone, posing a risk to residents' health.

Choosing the 'best' embryo in IVF

Researchers found that selecting the embryo with the lowest predicted risk score reduces disease risk more effectively than eliminating high-scoring embryos. However, polygenic embryo screening offers no guarantees about a baby's health and has limited effectiveness depending on factors like ancestry and age.

Seeking the star stuff that made us

Two independent research groups unveil new measurements to explain the birth of half the universe's elements. One group uses laboratory techniques to hunt for 'astromers,' while the other compares heavy elements in stars to better understand their origin.

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.

Discovery of universal adversarial attacks for quantum classifiers

Researchers have proved the existence of universal adversarial examples that can deceive multiple quantum classifiers. The study also reveals the universality aspect of adversarial attacks for quantum machine learning systems, providing valuable insights for future applications.