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Science News Archive October 2021 - Page 12


Page 12 of 40

Racial, ethnic disparities in COVID-19 hospitalizations, outcomes

A study of over 143,000 patients found significant racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 outcomes, with minorities more likely to be hospitalized or die from the virus. American Indian or Alaska Native, Latino, Black, Asian, or Pacific Islander individuals had higher rates of severe illness compared to white individuals.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 21, 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.

Researchers develop catalyst for stable reduction of carbon dioxide

The researchers developed a catalyst that achieves high selectivity and stability in the reduction of CO2 to formic acid. The catalyst, containing indium sulfide and zinc, demonstrates excellent catalytic stability even at industrial current density for extended periods.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 21, 2021

Permanent Twitter ban of extremist influencers can detoxify social media

A Rutgers-led study found that banning right-wing extremists from Twitter significantly reduces the spread of anti-social ideas and conspiracy theories. Removing these individuals from social media platforms leads to a nearly 92% decline in tweets referencing them, as well as a 90% decrease in new users tweeting about them.

SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·DateOct 21, 2021

New study provides robust evidence that COVID-19 is a seasonal infection

A new study by ISGlobal provides robust evidence that COVID-19 is a seasonal infection linked to low temperatures and humidity. The research team found a negative relationship between the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 and both temperature and humidity at the global scale.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Computational Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 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.

TEDDY study compares characteristics of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before and after age 6

The study analyzed data from 8,502 genetically high-risk children and found that half developed type 1 diabetes before age 6, while the other half developed it between ages 6 and 12. The findings suggest a different form of type 1 diabetes emerges in children as they grow older.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalDiabetologia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 2021

The next big thing: How do scientists bring hydrogen fuel cells from laboratory to public life?

Researchers at USTC have successfully synthesized small-sized Pt intermetallic nanoparticle catalysts with ultralow Pt loading and high mass activity. These catalysts exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction reaction in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, potentially decreasing the cost of fuel cells.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalScience·DateOct 21, 2021

How staphylococci protect themselves against antibiotics

Researchers at the University of Bonn discovered a novel resistance mechanism in Staphylococcus aureus, which protects the bacteria from vancomycin. By binding vancomycin to its cell wall, the strain prevents the antibiotic from reaching the membrane and killing the bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

new chiral nanostructures to extend the material platform​

A research team developed a new material platform by transferring chirality from molecular to microscale through self-assembly. The resulting chiral nanomaterials exhibit broad optical activity in the short-wave infrared region, enabling applications such as infrared neural stimulation and imaging.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalACS Nano·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 21, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

US gun violence increased 30 percent during COVID-19 pandemic

A new study found that US gun violence increased by 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 28 states experiencing significantly higher numbers of shootings. The researchers attribute this increase to added stress, worry, and fear, as well as increased access to firearms.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 21, 2021

Measuring financial and digital literacy in vulnerable populations

A new approach to measuring financial and digital literacy is proposed by a team of researchers led by Angela Lyons. The study finds that while promoting literacy is important, it may not be enough to ensure resilience, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and those living in poverty.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalEmerging Markets Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 2021

New, promising opportunities for treating skin fibrosis

Scientists have shown that applying an electric field to the skin affects collagen pathways, temporarily reducing production and increasing degradation. This opens new therapeutic perspectives for the topical treatment of skin fibrosis characterized by excessive collagen deposition.

SourceCNRS·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateOct 21, 2021
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.

Cystic fibrosis patients may see personalized treatments emerge from “drug screening in a dish,” stem cell research finds

Stem cell researchers have developed a new method to identify and develop personalized therapies for Cystic Fibrosis patients with rare mutations. By growing precursor lung cells from patients' own blood, they can screen for new drugs and validate responses in mature airway cells.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateOct 21, 2021

New study helps in finally breaking the “silence” on the brain network

A recent study used gene-targeting drugs to suppress areas of the brain and then imaged brain activity, revealing how this affects other complex operational networks. The research team found that silencing specific brain regions can cause stimulatory and inhibitory changes in brain activity, which can be identified using fMRI.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalNeuron·DateOct 21, 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.

Bat study reveals secrets of the social brain

Researchers measured brain activity of freely interacting Egyptian fruit bats to understand how they process group communication. They found that 'friendlier' bats induced higher correlations across the brains of group members, suggesting a connection between social behavior and neural activity.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

Disability among adults in US

A recent study using survey data estimates the proportion of US adults with a disability, revealing significant disparities in health and well-being. The research also sheds light on the prevalence of disabilities among different age groups and populations.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 21, 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.

Tribocatalysis: challenges and perspectives

Researchers have been exploring tribocatalysis as an alternative clean energy technology. The process converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through the triboelectric effect, with potential applications in material synthesis and energy conversion. Further research is needed to fully develop this promising field.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateOct 21, 2021

Shape-shifting materials with infinite possibilities

Researchers created a shape-shifting material that can morph into any stable shape, enabling independent control of geometry and mechanics. The totimorphic structural materials have the potential to be used in robotics, biotechnology, architecture, and other applications.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2021

Science snapshots from Berkeley Lab

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have successfully engineered microbes to produce novel chemicals and developed a new technique for studying enzyme reactions in real-time. This breakthrough could lead to the production of sustainable fuels, pharmaceuticals, and renewable plastics.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

Lower airways are distinct in cystic fibrosis even at younger ages

Researchers found a higher burden of infection, more inflammation, and lower diversity of microorganisms in children with cystic fibrosis compared to disease controls. This divergence was noted as early as toddlerhood, suggesting potential for earlier treatment and prevention of severe lung disease.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 21, 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.

AI tool pairs protein pathways with clinical side effects, patient comorbidities to suggest targeted Covid-19 treatments

A new AI tool pairs protein pathways with clinical side effects and patient comorbidities to suggest targeted Covid-19 treatments. The tool, MOATAI-VIR, predicts 24 out of 26 major clinical manifestations of Covid-19 and their underlying disease-protein-pathway relationships.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 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.

Targeted drug shows activity against brain metastases in kidney cancer

A targeted drug, cabozantinib, has shown activity against brain metastases from kidney cancer, achieving a 50% response rate. The drug's ability to reach the brain through the blood-brain barrier offers a promising systemic option for patients with poor life expectancy and intervention tolerability.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateOct 21, 2021

Survey of US dentists shows high rate of opioid prescriptions despite knowledge of effective alternatives

A survey of US dentists found that an overwhelming majority believe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-acetaminophen combinations are as effective or more effective in managing dental pain as opioids. However, nearly half still prescribe opioids, highlighting a disconnect between their knowledge and prescribing habits.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of the American Dental Association·TypeSurvey·DateOct 21, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Study offers snapshot of celebs’ social media influence on COVID-19 info

A study published in the Atlantic Journal of Communication analyzed Instagram posts from 20 celebrity influencers about COVID-19 between March and May 2020. The researchers found that celebrities initially modeled guidance from health experts, normalizing suggested behaviors such as staying home and practicing hand hygiene.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalAtlantic Journal of Communication·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine gets strong response in some with weak immunity

A recent study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines induced detectable antibodies in 99% of patients with bowel disease, regardless of their immunocompromising therapies. Researchers also noted a correlation between the antibody response and effective immunity in the community.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

How to make a better polymer

A team of researchers at UMass Amherst has developed a method to count the number of strength-enabling entanglements in glassy polymers, which can be used to create stronger, more cost-effective materials. By combining computer simulations with experimental processes, they found that not every entanglement contributes to the polymer's ...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 21, 2021

Artificial intelligence spots anomalies in medical images

Researchers have trained a neural network to detect anomalies in medical images, adapting it to the nature of medical imaging and achieving better results. The new method uses weakly supervised training and can spot small-scale anomalies, accelerating the work of histopathologists and radiologists.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalIEEE Access·DateOct 21, 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.

Supernova: A glowing DNA enzyme

Researchers at IOCB Prague have created a glowing DNA enzyme called Supernova, which catalyzes a chemiluminescent reaction. This breakthrough uses artificial evolution to identify light-producing deoxyribozymes in a vast library of DNA molecules, opening up new possibilities for point-of-care assays and high-throughput screens.

SourceInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

Neuroscientists see how practice really does make perfect

Researchers at Duke University used new tools to monitor neurons and analyze machine learning data to see how zebra finches practice their courtship calls. They found that a neurotransmitter called noradrenaline shuts down variability in the song, making it more precise when performed under pressure.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 2021

Understanding consumer perceptions of sustainability in the dairy industry

Consumer definitions of sustainability differ from industry definitions, affecting perception and purchase intent. Consumer perspectives consider multiple factors like packaging, animal welfare, organic status, and grass-fed systems, with some associating terms like 'organic' with healthier practices.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateOct 21, 2021

Hidden costs of global illegal wildlife trade

The global illegal wildlife trade has a substantial impact on biodiversity loss, human health, and ecosystems. The trade results in estimated costs of $162.7 billion annually and contributes to the extinction of native species.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalBiological Conservation·TypeContent analysis·DateOct 21, 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.

Quantum enhanced convolutional neural networks for NISQ computers

This work proposes a hybrid quantum-classical convolutional neural network that leverages the power of quantum computing to enhance machine learning. The quantum feature map allows for a much larger feature space exploration, potentially leading to higher learning accuracy.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Physics Mechanics and Astronomy·DateOct 21, 2021

Crisis pregnancy centers may be hurting public health efforts

New research from the University of Georgia reveals that crisis pregnancy centers offering STI and HIV services are not meeting quality care standards. Many CPCs fail to offer comprehensive testing, treatment, or referrals, despite advertising as medical facilities.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalSexually Transmitted Diseases·DateOct 21, 2021

Fingerprinting proteins with force

Researchers develop DNA Nanoswitch Calipers to measure distances within single molecules using force, enabling the identification of single proteins in samples. This technique creates a unique 'fingerprint' that can be used to identify known molecules or infer structural information about unknown ones.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Prozac pegged as potential 1st treatment for leading cause of blindness

Researchers at UVA Health System found that fluoxetine, an antidepressant commonly known as Prozac, shows promise against age-related macular degeneration. Patients taking fluoxetine were less likely to develop dry AMD, a condition affecting nearly 200 million people worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2021

New online tool helps keep college campuses smoke and tobacco free

A recent study confirms the effectiveness of Tobacco Tracker in shaping college attitudes and behaviors towards smoke and tobacco-free (STF) policies. The online tool resulted in doubled awareness, tripled use, and increased support for STF policies on two California public universities.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

How asteroid, comet strikes may have delayed evolution of the atmosphere

Researchers found asteroid and comet collisions occurred more frequently than thought, potentially delaying oxygen accumulation in the atmosphere. The study suggests that these impacts may have created an 'oxygen sink' that reduced atmospheric oxygen levels.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 21, 2021

Chip-based optical tweezers levitate nanoparticles in a vacuum

Researchers created tiny chip-based optical tweezers that can be used to optically levitate nanoparticles in a vacuum, reducing the footprint of traditional optical traps. The new design enables precise sensing applications and has potential uses for studying near-surface forces and quantum processes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateOct 21, 2021

Fat cells found to play a central role in cognitive decline and neurodegeneration

A new study published in iScience reveals that fat cells play a central role in cognitive decline and neurodegeneration by controlling the systemic response to brain function. Targeting fat cells may improve outcomes for neurodegenerative disorders, according to researchers at Marshall University.

SourceMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine·JournaliScience·DateOct 21, 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.

SwRI-led team produces a new Earth bombardment model

A new model by a SwRI-led team applies geologic evidence to understand how oxygen levels in the Earth's atmosphere evolved. The results indicate that large impacts may have contributed to the scarcity of oxygen, delaying its oxidation.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 21, 2021

Fungal outbreak in marine mammals began on land

A study explores how human activities on land can affect aquatic animals, specifically the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii. The research found that terrestrial hotspots were likely where spores settled before infecting marine mammals in the Salish Sea.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalDiseases of Aquatic Organisms·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 2021