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Science News Archive September 2021


Page 31 of 40

Flies in a VR world reveal how vision affects locomotion

Researchers used fruit flies in a virtual reality setting to show that vision influences body movements by tuning postural adjustments as a preventative measure. Without vision, the limb control systems respond to balance and posture perturbations, but when vision is available, the behavioral goal of walking straight takes precedence.

Soft components for the next generation of soft robotics

Researchers developed electrically-driven soft valves to control hydraulic soft actuators, enabling faster and more powerful control of macro- and small-scale hydraulic actuators. The breakthrough allows for unprecedented motion control of soft robots with internal volume ranging from hundreds of microliters to tens of milliliters.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Novel AR film developed to maximize the transmission of infrared light

A research team from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science has developed a novel antireflective (AR) film using sol-gel technology, maximizing the transmission of infrared light on a CdSe substrate. The film shows excellent high and low temperature resistance, reducing reflectivity by up to 27% in a wide band.

‘MRI’ scan reveals spectacular ice age landscapes beneath the North Sea

Scientists have imaged fine-scale landforms within ancient glacial channels in the North Sea, revealing how water moved through the channels and even how ice stagnated and melted away. The findings provide clues to how ice sheets react to a warming climate and offer insights into future changes in ice sheet behavior.

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.

New opportunities for light-powered battery and fuel cell design

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have discovered that ultraviolet light can modulate oxide ion transport in a perovskite crystal at room temperature. This enables the enhancement of future battery and fuel cell functionality by increasing energy storage and output efficiency.

Aptasensors helpful in detection of mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites of fungi that contaminate agricultural products, posing severe health risks. Aptasensors utilize aptamers to specifically detect mycotoxins with high sensitivity and specificity, allowing for fast and reliable detection in field settings.

Republicans less likely to accept ACA subsidies to purchase health insurance

A new study found that Republicans are less likely to use ACA subsidies for health insurance, resulting in an average annual loss of $800 compared to Democrats. The study suggests that political polarization may lead individuals to avoid full utilization of federal programs intended to make healthcare more affordable.

How plants can respond to threats

Researchers discovered a central component of plant threat detection, MSL10, which registers pressure changes and sends warning signals to adjacent leaves. This finding supports the link between electrical and hydraulic signalling in plants.

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.

Surprise: the Milky Way is not homogeneous

New research reveals that the Milky Way's environment is not evenly mixed with metals and dust, contrary to previous models. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.

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.

The growing threat of wildfires in America

A study by Matthew Auer highlights the need for community-led wildfire protection plans to address growing threats, particularly among low-income households. These plans can provide educational resources, fire-resistant home construction, and access to funding.

Environmental conditions of early humans in Europe

A recent study reconstructed environmental conditions in Europe during early human occupation, revealing a range of climates and vegetation types. The research suggests that early humans preferred sites with mild climates and wooded environments, but later phases saw absences from areas with severe conditions.

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.

Packages to simplify deep renovation of buildings

A European project developed standard solutions for energy refurbishment, considering various climate zones. These packages include prefabricated façades, decentralized ventilation systems, and smart ceiling fans to reduce energy consumption and improve comfort. Pilot sites showed significant savings and improvements in tenant well-being.

Opportunities and limits of AI in climate modelling

The article explores the potential of AI in improving climate modeling by proposing a hybrid approach combining classical and machine learning methods. Researchers found that AI can help improve forecasts, but limitations include computational resource requirements and uncertainties in predictions.

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.

Many popular nutrition apps lack behavior change content features

Top-performing diet and nutrition apps often track dietary intake, anthropometrics, and physical activity but lack behavior change features. A new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that premium versions offered more features than free ones, but these did not significantly impact app ratings or user engagement.

Water in bedrock is sustaining trees across country

Researchers found that trees are tapping into bedrock for water, a phenomenon previously thought to be rare. The study, led by Erica McCormick at UT Austin, suggests that bedrock is a significant source of water for trees, with rock moisture outdoing soil as a water source in many cases.

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.

How confined protons migrate

Protons seem to migrate faster than other ions in free aqueous solutions, but individual protons do not really move. In confined spaces, protons get stuck in an oscillatory state due to confinement effects and acid concentration.

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.

Goldstein studying culturally endorsed parental lies

Thalia Goldstein is investigating how parents deceive their children about culturally iconic figures like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Her research aims to understand the tension between moral development and broad dishonesty in parenting.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Experience Yellowstone’s geysers ‘in concert’

Scientists at Anglia Ruskin University have created a new way to experience Yellowstone's geysers through classical music. By sonifying the physical characteristics of the geothermal landscape, they've turned vibrations into melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. The result is an evolving musical representation of the earth, water, and steam.

Long-distance relationships for endangered corals

Researchers successfully used cryopreserved sperm to fertilize coral eggs from hundreds of miles away, demonstrating the reproductive compatibility of distant coral colonies. The technique, known as assisted gene flow, has potential as a conservation tool for endangered corals and could accelerate their adaptation to climate change.

Recipe for success: Reputations start from inner circles​

A recent research on electric dance music DJs found that those with a distinct genre identity and network positions combining brokerage and cohesion tend to have higher social standing. The study analyzed playlist data from 815 DJs and found that focused musical identity is correlated with social standing among EDM DJs.

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.

Stem cell model for early human embryo development

Researchers at KAUST have developed an in vitro model of early human embryogenesis using extended pluripotent stem cells, overcoming ethical concerns. The model, called EPS-blastoids, is a faithful representation of the earliest moments of human development and holds promise for studying developmental defects and regenerative medicine.

Diet may affect risk and severity of COVID-19

A recent study found that individuals with healthy plant-based diets had a 9% lower risk of developing COVID-19 and a 41% lower risk of severe disease. The study also highlighted the importance of addressing social determinants of health and improving access to healthy foods.

Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on breastfeeding

Two studies published in Breastfeeding Medicine found that COVID-19 vaccination results in minimal disruption of lactation and no adverse impact on the breastfed child. Researchers surveyed over 4,400 breastfeeding mothers and reported only a small percentage experienced negative impacts post-vaccination.

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.

A gene that controls the severity of colon cancer

Researchers found that the gene TCF-1 regulates specific Treg cells, leading to more severe and inflammatory colon cancers. Without TCF-1, these cells become activated and gain a gut-homing feature, resulting in harsher cancer outcomes.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Exposure to traffic noise linked to higher dementia risk

A study from Denmark found that long-term exposure to road traffic and railway noise is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. The researchers estimate that up to 1,216 cases of dementia in 2017 could be attributed to these noise exposures.

HIV linked with increased risk of sudden cardiac death

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people living with HIV are at a higher risk of sudden cardiac death compared to those without the virus. The study analyzed data from over 144,000 veterans and found that 26% of those who died from sudden cardiac death had HIV.

Antioxidant drug reverses process responsible for heart attacks and strokes

A new antioxidant drug, cysteamine, has been found to reverse atherosclerosis by reducing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. This process reduces inflammation, damage, and clot formation, ultimately lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Cysteamine was shown to decrease plaque size by up to 56% in mice with atherosclerosis.

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.

Hand pollination of crops is of major importance

Researchers from Göttingen and Hohenheim found hand pollination used worldwide for 20 crops, including apples and vanillas. The method can reduce losses and improve crop quality, but also brings challenges due to labor intensity and cost.