Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive September 2021


Page 4 of 40

AI-driven dynamic face mask adapts to exercise, pollution levels

Researchers developed a dynamic respirator that modulates pore size in response to changing conditions like exercise and air pollution. The device features an AI-powered system that adjusts filtration characteristics wirelessly, providing improved breathability and comfort.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

The best way to evaluate ESL texts for reading effort

Researchers found that newer formulas considering lexical sophistication, syntactic complexity, and cohesion predict ESL reading effort more accurately than traditional formulas. Eye-tracking data revealed that longer fixations, shorter movements, skipped words, and regressions indicate higher reading difficulty.

"Is that a bacon sandwich?" - Fruit flies react to smells while asleep

Researchers tracked fruit flies' ability to interpret information while asleep, discovering a specific brain region involved in processing salient smells. The study used defined fly brains to analyze neural connections, finding that aversive odors woke the flies up more often than attractive ones.

Team rewires a behavioral circuit in the worm using hydra parts

A team of researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory has developed a system called HySyn, which uses neuropeptides from Hydra to synthetically reconnect neural circuits in the C. elegans brain. This allows for the creation of an artificial synapse that rewires a behavioral circuit, enabling the worm to communicate more effectively.

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.

Designing ‘smart’ security for smart devices

Researchers aim to create a flexible security feature that learns from past cyberattacks and requires minimal human intervention. They'll collaborate with device developers to share solutions and improve future responses to attacks.

EMS ketamine use on agitated patients on cocaine increases intubation 5.75-fold

A new study published in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine found that prehospital ketamine administration for excited delirium with concomitant cocaine intoxication significantly increases the risk of subsequent emergency department intubation. The study's findings suggest that cocaine may deplete excitatory neurotransmitters, leading ...

Study shows trust is still at heart of NHS Covid app reluctance

A new study found that trust and understanding hindered adoption of the NHS App, with BAME participants having particularly negative views. Despite high compliance rates, older adults were less likely to download the app, while those who deleted it cited concerns over tracking and effectiveness.

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.

Hydropower and wind may replace oil and gas in Russia

Researchers believe that wind and hydropower are the most promising renewable energy sources in Russia, with suitable areas for installation identified. However, the transition to these energy sources has been slow due to reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

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.

Exoskeleton research demonstrates the importance of training

Researchers at Stanford University found that exoskeletons work best when users are given time to learn how to use the device, with customized control improving performance by around half. Participants who received optimized training saw significant reductions in energy expenditure, with benefits persisting even after they became experts.

Researchers use classical music to make protein songs more pleasant to listen to

By analyzing pitch, length, octaves, chords, dynamics, and main theme of four pieces from the mid-1800s Romantic era of classical music, researchers created protein songs with improved musicality. The study found that using a specific music style guided the structure of proteins to produce more pleasant melodies and harmonies.

Visible passion wins investors over more than pitch content

A study published in Academy of Management Discoveries found that visual information, including body language and facial expressions, plays a crucial role in investor decision-making. Researchers played silent videos of entrepreneurial pitches to expert investors and novices, who correctly identified the original winners. The study sug...

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.

Expanding the genetic code with quadruplet codons

Researchers have developed a quadruplet codon system that could encode 256 distinct amino acids, allowing for the creation of proteins with tailored characteristics. The system uses tRNAs to translate information from DNA and RNA into amino acid building blocks, with promising results in translating segments of a protein.

Licking a Tootsie Roll® sensor to monitor health

A team of researchers has developed a low-cost and low-waste device that uses Tootsie Roll candy as an electrode to monitor ovulation status or kidney health. The sensor works by detecting changes in salt levels in saliva, with preliminary tests showing promising results.

Diabetes divide widens between rich and poor in Scotland

A new study reveals marked socio-economic inequalities in Scotland's type 2 diabetes prevalence, with the gap widening over time. Women in the most deprived areas are almost 2.5 times more likely to have type 2 diabetes than those in the least deprived areas.

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.

Pancreatic cancer ‘priming’ may make chemotherapy more effective

Researchers have discovered a new approach to prime the tumor environment to make chemotherapy more effective for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. By reducing stiffness and density of connective tissue, cancer spread was reduced by up to 50%. The study paves the way for a clinical trial to assess the therapy approach's effectiveness.

Roster of care team photos, roles improved patient recognition, experience

Researchers found that providing patients with a clinician team roster increased recognition of each clinician's name and face, with an average increase of 4.57 out of 5 on a five-point Likert scale. This improvement was particularly notable during the COVID-19 pandemic when universal masking made facial recognition more challenging.

Two new species of large predatory dinosaur discovered on Isle of Wight

Scientists have discovered two new species of spinosaurid dinosaurs on the Isle of Wight, providing significant insights into the UK's spinosaurid population. The newly found fossils, including Ceratosuchops and Riparovenator, measure around nine meters in length and suggest a diverse ecosystem with multiple predators.

US Army backs ‘sleeping cap’ to help brains take out the trash

Researchers at Rice University and the US Army are developing a portable skullcap that analyzes cerebrospinal fluid flow during sleep to clear metabolic waste. The goal is to noninvasively measure and modulate brain health in soldiers, potentially treating sleep disorders in real time.

AI improves precision in breast cancer diagnosis

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet developed an AI-based tool to improve breast cancer diagnosis and predict recurrence risk. The method divides patients with grade 2 tumours into high-risk and low-risk sub-groups, enabling personalized treatment.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Clover growth in Mars-like soils boosted by bacterial symbiosis

Researchers found that clover grown with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Martian regolith experienced significant 75% more root and shoot growth compared to uninoculated plants. However, the regolith showed no excess production of nitrogen compounds, suggesting a potential role for these microbes in terraforming Mars soils.

Photonic chip is key to nurturing quantum computers

A team of researchers at Bristol's Quantum Engineering and Technology Labs has developed a silicon photonic chip that can protect quantum bits from errors using photons. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of more powerful quantum computers by reducing the fragility of qubits.

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.

50 years of failure in UK drug policy must end

Lord Simon Woolley argues that UK drug laws are designed to be a tool of systemic racism and fail black communities. He calls for a root-and-branch review of the law to consider alternative approaches, including decriminalization and legal regulation of non-medical drug supplies.

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.

How our unique brain takes shape during mid-pregnancy

Researchers found increased retinoic acid levels in the prefrontal cortex during mid-pregnancy, leading to the development of unique brain properties. The study suggests a link between RA, CBLN2 gene expression and human-specific cognitive abilities.

Zebrafish predict the future to avoid virtual danger

Researchers discovered zebrafish neurons that monitor prediction errors to efficiently avoid danger, creating a 'hazard map' in the brain. This study sheds light on brain circuits shared across vertebrates, including humans.

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.

Science backs nature as key to children’s health

A massive review of nearly 300 studies found strong associations between greenspaces near homes and schools and improved physical activity and mental health outcomes in kids. Exposure to nature, particularly for disadvantaged populations, offers greater health benefits by counteracting poverty's toxic effects.

Circular economy is not the panacea many had hoped for

A team of researchers from Lund University critiques the circular economy, highlighting inconsistencies and hidden assumptions in its supposed benefits. They propose a more modest approach to circularity, focusing on concrete problems rather than presenting it as a panacea.

Wiggling worms suggest link between vitamin B12 and Alzheimer's

Researchers found that vitamin B12 supplementation improved movement in worms with Alzheimer's-like symptoms, suggesting a potential link between diet and disease progression. The team also discovered that vitamin B12 relies on an enzyme called methionine synthase to work, and its effects are limited to those with dietary deficiencies.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Oncotarget: Treating unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Ablative radioembolization has been found to have a high response rate and promising survival in patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The study also showed that the treatment is well-tolerated, with median overall survival not reached at 30 months.

Rare cancer of immune cells linked to gene mutations in bone marrow and smoking

A genetic analysis reveals that a rare type of blood cancer affecting immune T cells may be caused by exposure to smoking and aging-related mutations in blood precursor cells. The study found a potential link between the development of these tumours and second-hand smoke, suggesting cessation may prevent their occurrence.