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Science News for October 3, 2021


Electricity consumption reveals proactive community response to COVID-19 progression

A new study by NUS researchers found a strong positive correlation between household peak electricity consumption and newly reported COVID-19 cases in Singapore. This suggests that the local community reacted proactively by limiting risk factors, even before government mandates were implemented.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 3, 2021

Intestinal drug shown to boost memory and cognition

Researchers found that an existing drug, prucalopride, can improve cognitive function by enhancing activity in brain areas related to memory. In a study of 44 healthy volunteers, those taking prucalopride performed better on a memory test and showed increased activity in the hippocampus and right angular gyrus.

SourceEuropean College of Neuropsychopharmacology·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2021

Airborne antennas to address EMF concerns

Researchers propose a solution using tethered unmanned aerial vehicles (TUAVs) to receive signals while minimizing uplink exposure. The system uses low-power 'green antennas' that only receive signals and do not radiate EMF, offering increased data transfer speeds.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 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.

Sandwich-style construction: Towards ultra-low-energy exciton electronics

Australian researchers have made a significant step towards ultra-low energy electronics by demonstrating the dissipationless flow of exciton polaritons at room temperature. The breakthrough involves placing a semiconductor material between two mirrors, allowing the excitons to propagate without losing energy.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2021