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Science News Archive September 2021 - Page 40


Page 40 of 40

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers develop tools to measure skeletal muscle function in patients with mitochondrial disease

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have created a new outcome measure called 'Mitochondrial Myopathy-Composite Assessment Tool' (MM-COAST) to monitor disease severity in patients with mitochondrial disease. The tool evaluates key aspects of disease, including muscle weakness, fatigue, and exercise capacity, providing in...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJCSM Clinical Reports·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2021

Rice physicists find 'magnon' origins in 2D magnet

Researchers found that spin-orbit coupling induces asymmetric interactions between electrons in chromium triiodide, affecting its topological excitations. This discovery could exist in other 2D van der Waals magnets and has implications for spintronics.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Comparing seniors who relocate long-distance shows where you live affects your longevity

Researchers found that seniors moving from low-mortality areas to high-mortality areas experience a significant decrease in life expectancy. On the other hand, urban areas on the East and West Coasts have positive effects on longevity for seniors, while Midwestern metro areas score well. The study also identified parts of the deep Sout...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateSep 1, 2021
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.

Ultrafast electronic control of magnetic anisotropy by mid-infrared light

A team of researchers from Osaka University and international partners used intense mid-infrared laser pulses to alter magnetic anisotropy in a weak ferromagnet. They found that electronic excitation, rather than lattice heating, was responsible for the ultrafast change, enabling faster spintronics devices. This breakthrough has signif...

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

School day structure could benefit children’s health

A study of rural schoolchildren found that behaviors leading to obesity decreased on school days compared to non-school days, while activity levels increased. The researchers recommend structured programs or schedules for children on non-school days to combat obesogenic behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalChildhood Obesity·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2021

Sieving ions with a polymer membrane

Researchers at KAUST have developed a novel polymer membrane that can precisely separate ions, opening up new possibilities for technologies like water purification, mineral extraction, and energy storage. The membranes' precise control over pore size and uniformity makes them ideal for applications such as removing ions from seawater ...

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 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.

New therapies possible after finding immune cell changes in WM

Researchers discovered that cancer-associated mutations in blood progenitor cells lead to distinct changes in both cancer and non-cancer immune cells in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. This finding has potential implications for origins and therapy of the disease, suggesting a new approach to immune therapies.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalBlood Cancer Discovery·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2021

Higher-order topological bound states in the continuum

The study reveals that corner states can be embedded into bulk states while being decoupled, forming bound states in the continuum. This discovery extends conventional topological BICs into higher-order cases, enabling robust and localized states in bulk spectra.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateSep 1, 2021

Cleveland Clinic research proves feasibility of new cancer treatment approach

Researchers from Cleveland Clinic have published results showing that Temporally Feathered Radiation Therapy (TFRT) is a safe and feasible approach to reduce toxicity in radiation treatment. The technique optimizes radiation delivery time to improve normal tissue recovery, potentially improving patient quality of life.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalRadiotherapy and Oncology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2021

DGIST develops artificial intelligence technology for detecting objects based on aerial photographs via industry-academia collaboration

Prof. Jae Youn Hwang's team developed an AI neural network module that can accurately extract buildings from aerial images for remote sensing. This technology can significantly improve the performance of extracting buildings from various aerial image domains.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021
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.

New articles for Geosphere posted online in August

A new study on Haleakala volcano's crater and great valleys proposes a landslide hypothesis to explain the formation of these features. The researchers suggest that a giant landslide on the volcano's northeastern flank displaced the surface, creating the valleys and crater. Another article presents detrital zircon research on Sierra Ne...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateSep 1, 2021

Is “patient activation measure” relevant for adults on dialysis?

A study found that PAM scores were associated with lower health literacy and higher levels of depression and anxiety, but not with missed dialysis sessions or weight gain. The measurement may be picking up on other issues known to interfere with engaged care.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 1, 2021

Deadwood in the global carbon cycle

The study reveals that climate change affects the rate of decomposition and insect contributions to deadwood, releasing approximately 10.9 giga-tons of carbon worldwide annually

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021
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.

Burnout in resident doctors is common; study found unionization doesn’t help

A Northwestern University study found that unionizing resident doctors does not reduce burnout, but provides additional benefits such as more vacation time and housing stipends. The study suggests that improving resident wellness requires a program-by-program approach, with implementing wellness toolkits being a promising solution.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 1, 2021

Study reveals confusing mishmash of newborn bathing practices at US hospitals

A nationwide survey of US hospitals found a wide variety of approaches to newborn skincare, including the timing of the first bath. The researchers urge the formulation of more consistent guidelines built on hard evidence to improve care for babies born in US nurseries and mother-baby units.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalHospital Pediatrics·DateSep 1, 2021

Hidden bacterial hairs power nature’s ‘electric grid’

Researchers at Yale University discovered that bacteria use hidden protein filaments called pili to pump out nanowires, which are the basis of nature's electrical grid. This finding opens up new possibilities for generating electricity, creating biofuels, and developing self-healing electronics.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateSep 1, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Double vaccination halves risk of Long COVID

Researchers at King's College London found that double vaccination significantly reduces the risk of Long COVID, with a 49% lower likelihood of contracting the virus. Fully vaccinated individuals also experience milder symptoms, fewer hospitalizations, and a lower burden of acute symptoms.

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateSep 1, 2021

Immunotherapy for HPV+ head and neck cancer: Awakening the force within

A new study found that immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective against HPV-positive head and neck cancers, with a potential therapeutic vaccination approach also being explored. Researchers discovered tumor-specific CD8 T cells in tumors from patients, which could provide a proliferative burst in response to PD-1 blockade.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2021

Adding foreign atoms to graphene does wonders to boost its properties!

Researchers from South Korea have developed a method to add metal oxides to graphene, enhancing its physical and chemical properties. This creates composite structures with unique characteristics, suitable for energy storage and flexible devices. The study's findings pave the way for biocompatible, durable, eco-friendly materials.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalNano Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

How ant teeth cut like a scalpel

A recent study reveals that ants, worms, spiders, and other tiny creatures have a built-in set of tools that maximize cutting efficiency thanks to the arrangement of individual atoms of zinc. This biomaterial allows animals to use less force, making their smaller muscles spend less energy.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 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.

Fingertip advanced glycation end products and psychotic symptoms among adolescents

A study of 277 drug-naive adolescents found a link between fingertip advanced glycation end products and the trajectory of psychotic symptoms. Baseline levels of these compounds predicted the risk of persistent psychotic symptoms, suggesting their involvement in the pathophysiology of early psychosis.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science·JournalSchizophrenia·DateSep 1, 2021

Light-induced shape shifting of MXenes

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have discovered that MXenes can be switched repeatedly between a flat and a rippled shape by applying femtosecond laser pulses. This discovery could lead to improved energy storage capacity, enhanced catalytic or antibiotic activity, and new applications in sensing and active plasmonic devices.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 1, 2021

Uppsala researchers solve long-standing biological search problem

A team of Uppsala researchers has discovered the solution to finding a matching DNA template in the cell's busy interior, solving a 50-year-old puzzle. They use a CRISPR-based technique and microscopy to image the homologous recombination process, revealing that the search is reduced from three to two dimensions.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 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.

COVID-19 transmission at school rare for children with disabilities

Weekly saliva tests contributed to low transmission rates among students, teachers, and staff at schools serving children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Safety protocols, including masking and social distancing, helped maintain low transmission rates.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 1, 2021

How much wildfire smoke is infiltrating our homes?

Researchers found that residents in San Francisco and Los Angeles reduced PM2.5 particulate matter by half indoors on smoky days, despite outdoor levels remaining three times higher. Newer homes with central air conditioning performed better at keeping wildfire smoke out.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Step by step to the end product through enzyme catalysis

The team designed a cascade for flow catalysis to convert glucose into trehalose in two steps using immobilised enzymes. They aim to optimise the process by improving substrate materials and making it more cost-efficient through recycling UTP.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Palm tree disease in Florida transmitted by traveling bug from Jamaica

A study found that palm phytoplasmas in Florida were transmitted by the American palm cixiid bug, originating from Jamaica. The research revealed a network of movement across the Caribbean basin, with distinct groups of insects found in different countries.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPhytoFrontiers™·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021
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.

New Geology articles published online ahead of print in August

Researchers have discovered a molecular biomarker for the end-Permian plant extinction in South China, revealing synchronous extinction among continental and marine organisms. A study in Namibia reveals a preserved fjord-network morphology, allowing reconstruction of paleo-ice thicknesses and glacial dynamics.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateSep 1, 2021

Early COVID-19 shutdowns helped St. Louis area avoid thousands of deaths

Researchers analyzed epidemiological models to examine the impact of delayed public health orders in St. Louis, finding that a two-week delay could have resulted in nearly sevenfold more deaths by June 15. The study highlights the importance of early and coordinated implementation of local public health policies.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2021
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.

COVID-19: An innovative candidate vaccine shows efficacy in preclinical models

A novel COVID-19 vaccine candidate demonstrates high efficacy in preclinical models by stimulating the immune system and inducing a robust neutralizing antibody response. The vaccine protects against reinfection and provides better protection than natural immunity, making it a potential supplement to existing vaccines.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

A single gene can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle

A UNIGE team has identified the Nf1 gene as essential for regulating the sleep-wake cycles of Drosophila. This discovery could help explain symptoms of neurofibromatosis, including sleep disturbance, and may provide new insights into the circadian rhythm.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateSep 1, 2021

Marginal land available for bioenergy crops much scarcer than previously estimated

A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment suggests that bioenergy crops can be produced on economically marginal land. The research team estimated that 1.4-2.2 million hectares in the rainfed region are suitable for bioenergy crop production on such land.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2021

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: COVID-19 vaccines are effective at reducing severe illness and hospitalisation, new UK study confirms

A large-scale UK study confirms that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing severe illness and hospitalisation. The study found that people who received one or two vaccine doses had lower odds of severe disease or hospitalisation than unvaccinated individuals, with a significant reduction in long COVID cases.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2021

Human health may be at risk from long-term exposure to air pollution below current air quality standards and guidelines

A study published in The BMJ found that long-term exposure to air pollution below current standards is associated with higher mortality rates. Researchers analyzed data from eight European groups and found that even at low concentrations, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and black carbon were linked to increased natural deaths.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 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.

Geologists propose theory about a famous asteroid

Researchers suggest that Vesta's large troughs were formed by rocks cracking apart due to the planet's weak gravity, contradicting a leading hypothesis. The study uses crater counting methods to explore the relative age of the basins and troughs, indicating they share a similar age.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalIcarus·DateSep 1, 2021

Do genetics control who our friends are? It seems so with mice

Researchers found that genetically similar mice prefer each other's company, while PDE11 mutant mice show no preference for familiar friends. This discovery may indicate a biological basis for human social choices and improve healthcare outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Coastal grape growers can use less water during drought

A recent study published in Frontiers in Plant Science found that coastal grape growers in California can reduce irrigation levels by up to 50% during droughts without affecting crop yields or flavor profile. This reduction also leads to a decrease in water footprint and improved water use efficiency.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 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.

Prehistoric climate change repeatedly channelled human migrations across Arabia

Research in Saudi Arabia reveals multiple pulses of increased rainfall transformed the arid region into a hospitable route for human population movements. The discovery of thousands of stone tools shows changing human culture over time, documenting transition from Lower Palaeolithic Acheulean to Middle Palaeolithic technologies.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature·DateSep 1, 2021

Family of proteins offers promise as ischemic stroke treatment, preclinical trial finds

A preclinical trial has found that boosting a naturally occurring protein family may reduce damage from ischemic strokes. The study, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, discovered that administering supplemental IAIP after an ischemic stroke reduced the size of the damaged area and improved functional recovery.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 1, 2021

Warming Atlantic drives right whales towards extinction

A Cornell-University of South Carolina-led report warns that warming oceans are driving North Atlantic right whales towards extinction. The calving rate has declined by 26% since 2010, with the population now estimated at just 356 whales.

SourceCornell University·JournalOceanography·DateSep 1, 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.

Cao receives Young Investigator Award from American Chemical Society

Pengfei Cao, a polymer chemist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been recognized for his significant contributions in polymeric materials science. He is the first ORNL scientist to win the award, which honors early-career emerging leaders who have made notable contributions within seven years of beginning their independent careers.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·DateSep 1, 2021

Exposure to persistent environmental toxins in everyday products may increase diabetes risk in Latina adolescents

A new USC study found a link between 'forever chemicals' and changes in glucose metabolism in Latina girls, potentially increasing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers measured the impact of PFAS on glucose metabolism over time among adolescents and young adults.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 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.

Food insecurity during college years linked to lower graduation rate

A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that nearly 15% of college students were food-insecure. These students were 43% less likely to graduate from college and 61% less likely to attain a graduate or professional degree compared to non-food-insecure peers.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalPublic Health Nutrition·DateSep 1, 2021