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Science News Archive September 2021


Page 14 of 40

Continental growth is not a continuous process

Researchers found that continents have always been rich in silica, contradicting previous models. Continental growth occurred in six major periods every 500-700 million years over the past 3.7 billion years.

Can a sexual assault jeopardize a woman's brain health?

A new study suggests that traumatic experiences like sexual assault are associated with indicators of cerebrovascular risk, potentially leading to dementia and stroke. Women who experienced trauma had greater white matter hyperintensities, a marker for brain small vessel disease.

DNA sensor quickly determines whether viruses are infectious

A new DNA sensor can detect both the presence and infectivity of viruses in minutes, providing a significant improvement over current methods that only detect genetic material. This breakthrough could aid in tracking and containing viral outbreaks, as well as understanding mechanisms of infection.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New therapies offer hope for minimizing hair loss in midlife women

Common hair loss patterns in women include progressive ponytail thinning, increased scalp visibility, and easy sunburn. New therapies such as platelet-rich plasma injections offer promise for stimulating hair growth and minimizing thinning, while treatments like minoxidil and finasteride may also be effective.

Intermittent fasting can help manage metabolic disease

Researchers explore science behind time-restricted eating, finding it improves sleep quality and reduces obesity, diabetes, and heart disease risk. By aligning daily habits with internal rhythms, intermittent fasting can optimize health and reduce chronic disease burden.

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.

Setting global targets could cut impact of diabetes in developing countries

A new global study found that setting targets for treating diabetes patients with cholesterol or blood pressure medication can significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes. Achieving these targets could save up to 6% of healthy lifetime lost to diabetes over 10 years, mainly due to reduced cardiovascular conditions.

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.

Telehealth may help smokers in rural prisons quit tobacco smoking

A Rutgers University study suggests that video conferencing with tobacco treatment specialists can aid smokers in rural prisons in quitting tobacco smoking. The study also found that providing nicotine replacement therapy patches was effective in aiding the cessation process.

River research reveals scale of macroplastic pollution

New research from the University of Leicester shows that macroplastics travel much slower through river systems than previously believed, remaining in place for significant periods. The study suggests existing estimates of riverine plastic flux to the ocean may have been overestimated, highlighting the need for further research.

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.

Maya rulers put their personal stamp on monumental complexes

Researchers found that Maya rulers altered their cities' structures and alignments to reflect their own desires and authority. Many temples were built on top of existing ones or abandoned altogether, shifting the focus from community ritual to ruler-centric politics.

Living donor liver transplants: Better outcomes for children

Children who receive living donor liver tissue for transplants have nearly twice the survival rate and reduced risk of organ rejection compared to those receiving deceased donor livers. Living donation also shortens wait times for pediatric patients.

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.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities Persist in Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility

A new study finds that racial/ethnic minorities remain less likely to be eligible for lung cancer screening under the revised guidelines, highlighting the need for more nuanced risk models. Incorporating social determinants of health and family history could help address disparities in lung cancer screening eligibility.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Discovery of a universal system for transporting nucleic acids into cells

A team of researchers from IOCB Prague has discovered a new type of nanoparticles capable of safely transporting various types of nucleic acids used for therapeutic purposes into cells. The universal nature of their system sets it apart from existing solutions, allowing for efficient transport of mRNA and other RNA molecules into cells.

Eating less fat may save your hair

A recent study published in Nature found that a high-fat diet or genetic obesity can deplete hair follicle stem cells, leading to hair thinning and loss. The researchers discovered that inflammation signals block hair follicle regeneration, ultimately resulting in loss of hair follicles.

Developmental biology: Factors of cell division

Researchers at LMU Biocenter have discovered that PCMD-1 is an essential functional bridge between centrioles and the surrounding matrix, ensuring proper spindle pole integrity. This finding highlights the critical role of protein interactions in maintaining cell division accuracy and preventing diseases such as cancer.

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.

In a COVID crisis, triage standards may worsen racial disparities in treatment

Two Yale-led studies found that Black patients admitted with COVID-19 tend to have higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores than white patients, which can lead to unequal access to treatment resources. This disparity could result in disproportionate steering of scarce healthcare supplies towards other groups.

Researchers study recurrent neural network structure in the brain

Scientists discovered that recurrent neural networks (RNNs) play a crucial role in the frontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, expressive language, and voluntary movement. The research also found that RNNs are more complex than previously thought, with a unidirectional structure.

Canada’s nitrogen footprint shows great regional variation

A study by McGill University reveals significant regional variation in Canada's nitrogen footprint, with Ontario and Quebec contributing the most. The research highlights the importance of understanding local drivers of nitrogen pollution to develop targeted solutions.

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.

CU researchers awarded NIH grant for new center to study autoimmune diseases

A new center will be established at CU Anschutz Medical Campus to investigate rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis, with the goal of identifying new treatments and preventing disease. The center will combine resources from over 40 researchers and provide funding for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

40 simple steps to reduce deaths from critical illness

A new study by Karolinska Institutet outlines a baseline bundle of care interventions that could save millions of lives globally. The Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) concept describes life-saving practices with low complexity and cost, benefiting critically ill patients.

Transforming science communication through the power of film

The Science Communication Lab has received a 3-year NSF grant to create new films and virtual workshops about novel breakthroughs and techniques in science. The lab aims to expand its work across filmmaking and education to reach broad and diverse audiences, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Antibiotic levels measurable in breath for first time

A team of engineers and biotechnologists has developed a biosensor that measures antibiotic levels in breath, mirroring blood concentrations. This breakthrough enables on-site, personalized dosing to minimize resistant bacteria strains.

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.

Japanese Knotweed extract could cut cancer risk of processed meat

Researchers have developed a new type of red meat that replaces nitrite with natural alternatives from plants and fruits, including Japanese Knotweed. The results showed significantly lower levels of nitrite content in participants' faeces compared to conventionally processed red meat.

Treating polycystic ovary syndrome costs $8 billion a year in US alone

A new study estimates that treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) costs the US $8 billion a year, primarily due to long-term metabolic health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The analysis also found pregnancy-related costs contribute significantly to the total burden.

Simulated microgravity system created to experiment with materials

Researchers at the University of Barcelona have developed a simulated microgravity system that simulates conditions found in space, allowing for the study of 2D crystalline molecular structures. The system enables the growth of unique materials with unprecedented effects on orientation, compactness and generation.

Elephants benefit from having older siblings, especially sisters

A study of semi-captive Asian elephants found that calves raised with older sisters had higher long-term survival rates and reproduced earlier than those without a sibling. In contrast, male elephants raised with older sisters experienced lower survival but increased body weight.

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.

NJIT expert trains robots to use their hands, earns NSF CAREER grant

Cong Wang aims to develop a two-fingered robot that can perform everyday tasks with precision manipulation, using artificial intelligence and crowdsourcing. The robot will be taught by human volunteers through the Amazon Mechanical Turk system, with the goal of creating a physically intelligent being.

NIAID scientists find a key to hepatitis C entry into cells

Researchers identify structure and interaction between HCV E2 protein and CD81 receptor, revealing acidic conditions enhance binding and facilitate cell entry. This discovery provides new leads for developing an HCV vaccine by targeting specific antibodies against the virus.

"Ultra-potent” antibody against COVID-19 variants isolated

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center technology has led to the discovery of an 'ultra-potent' monoclonal antibody that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. The antibody's unique characteristics make it a valuable addition to therapeutic candidates.

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.

Study: Catheter-based valve replacement helps more heart patients

A new study published in JAMA shows that minimally invasive aortic valve replacement can help patients with a wide range of heart conditions, offering a new hope for those affected by aortic dissections and aneurysms. The procedure, pioneered at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, has been shown to be effective in treating complex cases.

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.

From amateur to expert

Researchers used mice to demonstrate that acquired knowledge is stored in early visual areas of the brain, highlighting the widespread storage of semantic memories. The study showed that part of category knowledge is already present in the visual cortex.

Scholars Gain New Data on Heavy Exotic Hadrons

Researchers have measured the energy dependence of e+e- -> B-anti-B, B-anti-B* and B*-anti-B* reactions in a new energy range, providing insight into exotic Upsilon mesons. The data was collected by the Belle experiment and has the potential to shed light on the structure of highly excited states.

New technique boosts cryo-electron microscopy clarity, safety

Researchers have developed a new method for preparing cryo-electron microscopy samples using liquid nitrogen, which cools at rates roughly 50 times slower than ethane. This results in sharper images with reduced beam-induced motion and simplified workflows.

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.