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Science News Archive September 2021


Page 11 of 40

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.

Diversity matters

Researchers found that high biodiversity enhances ecosystem functions by 20%, with environmental heterogeneity significantly boosting this positive impact. Species richness was more important for ecosystem functioning than species turnover in African ecosystems along Mount Kilimanjaro's elevational gradient.

Life support cooked up from lunar rocks

Engineers have successfully extracted water and oxygen from lunar soil using a two-step process, which could support future human exploration of the Moon. The system uses a mineral mixture that mimics lunar soil and produces gases through electrolysis, making it scalable and self-sustained.

Ageing the unageable: UEA researchers develop new way to age lobsters

Scientists at UEA have identified a way to determine the age of lobsters using DNA. The method is based on quantifying DNA changes that accumulate with age within a lobster. This breakthrough could help manage lobster fisheries more sustainably by providing accurate estimates of lobster ages.

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.

An estrogen receptor that promotes cancer also causes drug resistance

UCSF researchers found that Erα plays a crucial role in overcoming innate anti-cancer mechanisms and developing resistance to treatment. Inhibiting Erα RNA-binding activity restored tamoxifen's potency against breast cancer tumors, making the cells more sensitive to stress and apoptosis.

Future fertility of obese boys may be protected by early weight loss

A study found that early weight loss in obese boys can improve reproductive function and reverse alterations in Leydig cell function, which could help prevent future fertility problems. The research suggests that managing childhood obesity may be necessary to prevent reproductive issues and lower the risk of other diseases.

Effect of micellization studied for inhibition of hydrate formation

Researchers from Kazan Federal University discovered that micelle-forming polyurethane inhibitors can effectively inhibit hydrate formation. The study found that the presence of surface-active properties and ability to form micelles can hinder hydrate formation, providing a new mechanism for gas storage and flow assurance.

Mapping words to colors

A team of researchers developed an algorithm that infers the communicative needs of different linguistic communities regarding colors. The study found that warm hues like reds and yellows have a higher demand for language, while less prominent colors are underrepresented.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Holding algorithms responsible in public policy

A team of researchers, led by University of Houston associate professor Ryan Kennedy, has received a $750,000 NSF grant to create an algorithm-accountability benchmark. The project aims to establish general ways of analyzing algorithms and studying their impact on public policy decisions.

A call for research on food insecurity among migrants on the move

Food insecurity among migrants on the move is a pressing issue, with limited scientific literature documenting its prevalence and severity. A new study proposes a definition of migrants in active mobility and recommends interdisciplinary actions to inform policy and strategies guaranteeing access to food.

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.

Eliminating beef cattle pregnancy loss with CRISPR/Cas9 technology

A Texas A&M AgriLife Research project aims to eliminate beef cattle pregnancy loss using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The researchers are studying the role of glycoproteins in embryo loss, with a focus on gene knockout technology, and aim to develop management strategies to prevent reproductive inefficiency in the beef industry.

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.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

How robots can tell how clean is ‘clean’

SUTD researchers develop sensor that assigns dirt score to areas based on visual and tactile analysis, allowing for more efficient exploration of complex spaces. The sensor is integrated with a smart algorithm that directs the robot to focus on areas with high dirt probability.

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.

Improving gender diversity in leadership by ‘opting-out’ of the default

Researchers found that women were less likely to participate in leadership selection under the 'opt-in' mechanism, but this gap disappeared when competitiveness was removed. The 'opt-out' mechanism effectively eliminates gender gaps and helps employees avoid stress associated with negotiating for leadership roles.

Peering into the Moon's shadows with AI

A machine learning algorithm called HORUS has improved the resolution of images of lunar shadowed regions, allowing scientists to better understand the geology and potential hazards. The algorithm achieved a resolution of about 1-2 meters per pixel, revealing small geological structures such as boulders and mini-craters.

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.

Hopkins Med news update

Researchers discovered that new mutations in the BRAF gene can lead to gliomas growing back after treatment, suggesting personalized approaches to therapy. The study also explored potential impacts of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation.

Fiber-tip polymer clamped-beam probe for high-sensitivity nanoforce measurements

A novel fiber-tip-polymer clamped-beam probe micro-force sensor was developed using femtosecond-laser-induced two-photon polymerization technique. The sensor exhibited an ultrahigh force sensitivity of 1.51 nm/μN and a detection limit of 54.9 nN, opening avenues for high-precision biomedical and material science examination.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Therapy using dual immune system cells effectively controls neuroblastoma

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UNC School of Medicine developed a dual-threat CAR-T immunotherapy that effectively controls neuroblastoma in animal models. The new therapy targets two antigens on cancer cells, restricting tumor regrowth and preventing evasion by immune cells.

Polarisation optics for biomedical and clinical applications

Polarisation optics offers sensitive sub-cellular structure analysis and compatible imaging/sensing for in vivo applications. The Stokes-Mueller formalism and Mueller matrix describe polarisation states, enabling various measurement approaches and information extraction techniques.

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.

Antibody-producing b cells may be "predestined" for their fates

A study by Weill Cornell Medicine identified Oct2 as the key determinant of B-cell humoral immune response, suggesting that the destiny of antibody-producing cells is predetermined. This discovery may lead to new insights into tissue development and cancer development.

Are too many Phase III cancer clinical trials set up to fail?

A recent study published in JNCCN found that four out of five cancer therapies tested in Phase III trials did not achieve clinically-meaningful benefits in prolonging survival. The researchers analyzed 362 industry-sponsored trials and found that 87% were either false-positive or true-negative for meeting overall survival goals.

Brought into line

Researchers from FAU and TU Darmstadt have developed a method to control electron pulses over long distances using 'alternating phase focusing', which can be used to guide electrons in three dimensions. The technology has the potential to miniaturize particle accelerators, making them more efficient and powerful.

Phosphatidylglycerol-DNA complex shown as a stable structure

Researchers reveal stable phosphatidylglycerol-DNA complex formation with strong van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions. The complex's structural parameters are determined, providing insight into the differences between DNA-phospholipid interaction and fatty acid binding.

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.

Cloud-spotting on a distant exoplanet

Clouds have been detected on the distant exoplanet WASP-127b, and their altitude has been measured for the first time. The observations reveal that water vapor is present at lower levels but screened by clouds opaque to visible light, while sodium is found in an unexpected place.

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.

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.

First observation of energy-difference conservation in optical domain

A research team at POSTECH observes synchronized oscillations of optical intensity and symmetry-breaking transitions at an exceptional point. They also discover energy-difference conservation for the first time in the optical domain using APT symmetry platforms based on nonlinear four-wave-mixing.

Scientists ID sterol essential for oil accumulation in plants

A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified a key component of the assembly line responsible for oil droplet formation. The study suggests new ways to engineer plant tissues for increased oil accumulation, which could lead to sustainable oils for biofuels and other commodity products.

Serum biomarker of fibrosis predicts kidney function decline

A serum biomarker, polyubiquitinated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), was associated with a four-fold higher risk of kidney function decline. This modified form of PTEN was linked to severity of lesions in kidney structure, indicating early manifestations of diabetic kidney disease.

New avenue for study of diseases like multiple sclerosis

Scientists at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago discovered a surprising link between growth factor receptor PDGFRA and hypomyelination in mouse models. The study suggests that blocking this receptor could be a novel strategy to treat myelination disorders like multiple sclerosis.

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.