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Science News Archive February 2022


Page 6 of 40

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

$2.8 million NIH grant funds research into fatal movement disorders

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal neurodegenerative movement disorder with no effective treatments, progressing rapidly and impairing critical physiological functions. The researchers will investigate how misfolded protein aggregates contribute to disease pathogenesis using the NIH grant.

Sex pays off

Research shows that asexual reproduction in stick insects, such as parthenogenesis, reduces genetic variability and slows down adaptation to environmental changes. This negatively impacts the speed of adaptation and genetic diversity in these insects.

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.

How the immune system responds to tissue damage can aid cancer spread

A study published in Nature Cancer has found that tissue damage caused by radiation can facilitate the spread of cancer, with neutrophils playing a key role. The researchers used mice to test the effect of high doses of radiation on healthy lung tissue and found that secondary tumours formed more easily in damaged lungs.

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.

Rebooting evolution

Scientists have developed a new computational tool that mimics the processes of natural selection, producing proteins for medicinal and household uses. This innovation reduces the time required for laboratory evolution from months or years to just days.

Surprise small-cell lung cancer discovery suggests new treatment

Researchers at UVA Cancer Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the EP300 gene and its role in small-cell lung cancer. The study found that the gene makes a protein with properties that can both foster and prevent tumor formation, providing a new potential target for treatment.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Interaction with lung cells transforms asbestos particles

The study reveals that asbestos minerals undergo changes that resemble self-defense when internalized by human lung cells. These changes include the formation of an iron-rich layer on the minerals, which may be a mechanism to protect the cell from toxicity.

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.

Association between COVID-19 vaccine, sudden hearing loss

A study of 2.6 million patients in Israel suggests a possible association between the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The effect size is very small, indicating that further research is needed to confirm this potential link.

HSE University researchers discover what happens on the bright side of the moon

Researchers from HSE University have developed a mathematical model that explains the levitation of charged dust particles over the sunlit lunar surface for almost any latitude. The study takes into account the Earth's magnetotail and its impact on particle movement, leading to vertical oscillation and eventual levitation.

Student’s device enables researchers to easily track elusive insects

Researchers have developed a low-cost device to track insect activity, providing insights into their circadian rhythms and behavior. The portable pLAM device can monitor nocturnal species that were previously difficult to track, enabling scientists to study their habits and predict how environmental changes impact them.

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.

A new dimension in Stem Cell Signaling

Researchers around Christian Schröter and Luis Morelli have discovered that ERK activity pulses every six to seven minutes in living stem cells, encoding differentiation information. This intermittent oscillation is believed to be a morse code-like mechanism that helps stem cells make decisions about fate.

Unravelling the mysteries around type-2 diabetes

Researchers at the University of Leeds identify step-by-step changes in human islet amyloid polypeptide as it transforms into a toxic substance linked to type-2 diabetes. They also discover two compounds that can control the process, offering potential starting points for new treatments.

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.

Scientists uncover a new approach for treating aggressive cancer

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a new therapeutic approach using a small-molecule inhibitor of the chromatin-modulatory enzyme EZH2 to target aggressive cancer cells. The treatment also targets cMyc, a prominent cancer-causing factor, and shows profound tumor killing effects.

Breaking the black box of catalytic reactions

Scientists have gained a new understanding of the atomic level interactions in complex catalysis, enabling more efficient and sustainable chemical production. Researchers used x-ray spectroscopy, machine learning analysis, and first principles calculations to model reactions and identify active site structures.

Genomic regulatory map of the zebrafish

Researchers created a comprehensive genomic regulatory map of a 24-hour-old zebrafish embryo, identifying millions of regulatory segments that control gene transcription. The study used single-cell technologies and machine learning algorithms to analyze genome data from over 23,000 nuclei.

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.

A potential antiviral for SARS and SARS-like coronaviruses

A UC Riverside-led study has identified a potential antiviral therapy for SARS and SARS-like coronaviruses by targeting the papain-like protease enzyme. The research reveals that subgroup 2b PLpros selectively target specific host immune pathways, making them a promising target for future coronavirus therapeutics.

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.

New work examines importance of early life factors in pubertal development

A nationwide multi-cohort study found that male children who gained weight or grew faster in the first five years of life entered puberty at a younger age. Female children with faster weight gains during infancy and early childhood also started their periods earlier, suggesting sex-specific associations between early growth and puberta...

Dual functions of the Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 2 Cytokine

The IL-1RL2 cytokine has been implicated in the development of inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and IBD, while also promoting the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Its role in controlling infection, including COVID-19 pathology, highlights its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions.

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.

Tiny probes could sail to outer planets with the help of low-power lasers

Researchers calculate that low-power lasers on Earth could launch and maneuver small probes equipped with silicon or boron nitride sails, propelling them to much faster speeds than rocket engines. The lasers could propel tiny sailed probes on interplanetary or interstellar missions without requiring large amounts of fuel.

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.

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.

Agriculture: Global cropland could be almost halved

A study suggests that increased agricultural efficiency could save up to half of current global cropland, leading to reduced prices and increased production. The research found largest land saving potentials in regions with high pressure on land, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Latin America.

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.

Diet, malaria, and substance use linked to Pacific preterm births

A new Curtin University study found diet, malaria, substance use, and inadequate antenatal care services are associated with one in 10 preterm births in the Pacific Island region. The research highlights the need for improved health promotion interventions during pregnancy.

Being near pollinator habitat linked to larger soybean size

Researchers found that soybean plants adjacent to pollinator habitats produce larger seeds due to increased bee visitation. The presence of pollinators also influences the bee communities in soybean fields, with bees leaving for outside flowers less likely.

Reducing carbon emissions of C&D waste in building refurbishment

Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provide valuable insights on managing C&D waste and reducing carbon emissions in building refurbishment projects. By upcycling generated waste, carbon emissions can be significantly reduced, with a potential reduction of around 40% compared to traditional practices.

Drug companies invest in R&D-wide artificial intelligence

Pharmaceutical firms are working towards using machine learning to analyze vast stores of data, developing models that evolve and improve as the data are processed. However, experts agree that a fully functional end-to-end approach is still a ways off due to biology's complexity.

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.

Colossal black holes locked in dance at heart of galaxy

Researchers have found evidence for two supermassive black holes orbiting each other every two years, with masses hundreds of millions times larger than our sun. The quasar's radio-light brightness exhibits sinusoidal variations due to the pair's motion, providing a nearly perfect light curve.

Basis for next-gen bioprocesses

Researchers at TUM have successfully produced succinic acid using the marine bacterium Vibrio natriegens, which has rapid growth and substrate uptake rates. The team is now working to optimize the process for industrial-scale production using renewable raw materials.