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Science News for January 21, 2022


Finding a link between emissions taxes and R&D investments

A new study finds a strong link between emissions taxes and increased R&D investments in high-polluting industries with knowledge spillovers. Manufacturers significantly boost R&D spending to adopt cleaner technologies and improve production efficiency without necessarily slowing economic growth.

SourceIowa State University·JournalReview of Financial Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 21, 2022

Trastuzumab with chemoradiation and surgery does not improve outcomes for esophageal cancer patients, trial highlights future research opportunities

The NRG-RTOG 1010 clinical trial found that adding trastuzumab to chemoradiation and surgery did not improve disease-free survival for HER2-positive esophageal adenocarcinoma patients. Despite this, the study highlights future research opportunities to explore combining trastuzumab with other HER2-targeting agents.

SourceNRG Oncology·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

New neutron-based method helps keep underwater pipelines open

Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed a new neutron-based method to detect clogs in underwater pipelines non-destructively. This approach uses prompt gamma neutron activation analysis to measure hydrogen concentration, allowing for the detection of blockages and hydrate formation.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNondestructive Testing And Evaluation·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022

Granddaughters and great-granddaughters of men who start to smoke before puberty, have more body fat than expected, research shows

A new study by University of Bristol researchers found increased body fat in females whose grandfathers or great-grandfathers started smoking before puberty. This study extends previous findings on paternal smoking and its effects on sons, now exploring the impact on daughters across multiple generations.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

Scientists build ‘valves’ in DNA to shape biological information flows

Researchers at the University of Bristol have created new DNA parts that can shape the flow of cellular processes along DNA. This technology allows for the rapid assembly and testing of thousands of DNA parts in parallel, unlocking new tools for building sustainable biotechnologies.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 21, 2022

From coil to globule

Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry have observed the coil-to-globule transition in hydrogels for the first time, showing how temperature changes trigger a sudden collapse of polymer chains. This discovery has implications for smart materials and their applications in fields like medicine and engineering.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science·DateJan 21, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Breakthrough COVID-19 infections spur strong antibody responses

A recent study found that individuals vaccinated three times or those who were vaccinated after an earlier COVID-19 infection had comparable neutralizing antibody activity to those with a breakthrough case. The study suggests that repeated exposure to SARS-CoV-2 antigens enhances the quality of antibody responses.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022

Gender bias in lab groups not rooted in personal preference

A study by Cornell researchers found that men and women's preferences for engagement and leadership are remarkably similar. The team suggests that instructors can play a larger role in ensuring more equity in lab groups, which could correct the well-documented disparities in physics labs.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review Physics Education Research·DateJan 21, 2022

Innovative drug delivery system offers hope for treating genetic diseases

Researchers developed a new drug delivery system using engineered DNA-free virus-like particles (eVLPs) to package and deliver therapeutic levels of gene-editing proteins. eVLPs enabled safer in vivo delivery with comparable or higher efficiencies, overcoming multiple structural limits to potency.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

MU study identifies mutations specific to Omicron variant

Researchers at the University of Missouri identified 46 specific mutations in the Omicron variant that enable it to evade pre-existing antibodies. These mutations are particularly prevalent in the region where antibodies bind to the virus, making them a key target for future antiviral treatments.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Autoimmunity·DateJan 21, 2022

Children’s Hospital Colorado study explores methods to help reduce injury following successful post-concussion return-to-play

A Children's Hospital Colorado study explores a neuromuscular training intervention to reduce injury risk in athletes returning from sports-related concussions. The research found that athletes who completed the 8-week training program had a significantly lower risk of time-loss injuries compared to those who did not participate.

SourceChildren's Hospital Colorado·JournalThe American Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

In visual memory, size matters

A Bar-Ilan University study found that participants remembered large images 1.5 times more than small ones, regardless of detail or resolution. This phenomenon may affect screen quality and learning on smartphones, suggesting larger screens could be better for studying.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2022

Harnessing noise in optical computing for AI

A team at the University of Washington has created an optical computing system that not only reduces noise but also utilizes it to improve creative output. The system uses a Generative Adversarial Network and demonstrates the viability of this technology at a large scale.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 21, 2022

Research finds patients and providers differ in opinions about immediate access to medical records

A recent survey found that while most clinicians and patients agree that transparency is essential, providers are concerned about added stress for patients due to complex reports. Patients want providers to contact them within 24 hours of abnormal results, but clinicians struggle with managing time and navigating data.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe American Journal of Surgery·TypeSurvey·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

Consistent asteroid showers rock previous thinking on Mars craters

Researchers have confirmed that the frequency of asteroid collisions forming impact craters on Mars has been consistent over the past 600 million years. The study used a crater detection algorithm to analyze more than 500 large Martian craters and found no significant variation in asteroid collision frequencies.

SourceCurtin University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

What we know and don’t know about interventions to address gender-related barriers to girls’ education

The review identified several promising approaches to address financial barriers, lack of academic support, and school-related gender-based violence. However, evidence gaps remain for many other interventions, including those targeting child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and menstrual health supplies.

SourcePopulation Council·JournalCampbell Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

More than a third of care home residents in England caught Covid-19 in early waves of pandemic

A UK study found that over a third of care home residents and a quarter of staff in England showed evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first two waves of the pandemic. The study also revealed that antibodies against the virus became undetectable in half of the population within eight months.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

How robots learn to hike

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new control technology that enables ANYmal, a quadrupedal robot, to combine visual perception of its environment with proprioception-based sensing. This allows the robot to tackle rough terrain faster and more efficiently.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

These scientists are racing to beat Omicron

Researchers are working tirelessly to develop vaccines against the Omicron variant, a crucial step in combating the pandemic. By understanding the biology of Omicron, scientists hope to create effective treatments and boosters to protect against future pandemics.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateJan 21, 2022

COVID virus linked with headaches, altered mental status in hospitalized kids

A new study found that hospitalized children who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were more likely to develop neurological symptoms, including headache and altered mental status. The research also showed that these symptoms were more common in kids with MIS-C, a condition characterized by fever, inflammation, and organ dysfunction.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalPediatric Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

Using ice to boil water: Researcher makes heat transfer discovery that expands on 18th century principle

Researchers found that levitating ice requires a significantly higher temperature threshold than liquid water, with the meltwater layer creating a temperature differential that consumes most of the surface's heat. This results in a larger temperature window for boiling, leading to better heat transfer compared to using a liquid alone.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateJan 21, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Rusting iron can be its own worst enemy

Researchers at Rice University found that iron itself plays a role in its own corrosion when exposed to supercritical CO2 and trace amounts of water. Thin layers of 2D materials like graphene can serve as a barrier to prevent corrosion.

SourceRice University·JournalMatter·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 21, 2022

Social media use tied to poor physical health

A study by University at Buffalo researchers found a correlation between excessive social media use and higher levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of chronic inflammation. Participants who used social media excessively also reported more frequent visits to doctors and health centers for illness treatment.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022

Rapid eye movement sleep helps protect against predator attack: Study

Researchers found that REM sleep has specific properties allowing rapid arousal in response to predatory stimuli. The medial subthalamic nucleus (mSTN) plays a key role in this process, producing a lowered arousal threshold during REM sleep for detecting predator threats.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNeuron·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

Bid to discover how immune systems recognise fungal invaders

The four-year programme will investigate the chemical signatures that trigger immunity in fungal infections, which kill an estimated 1.6 million people worldwide annually. By understanding these signatures and how fungi disguise them, researchers hope to uncover the origins of antifungal immunity.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·DateJan 21, 2022

Exploring fish flow from fisheries to supper

Researchers developed unprecedented insights into the natural and commercial flow of fish, highlighting the importance of inclusive approaches to fisheries management and conservation. The study's findings indicate a strong connection between larval dispersal and catch distribution in Hawaii, emphasizing the need for community-based ma...

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 21, 2022

Germanium halides serve as ideal precursors to synthesize high-quality perovskite nanocrystals

A research group from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics used non-toxic GeX4 as precursors to synthesize Pb-free and Pb-based PNCs with improved optoelectronic quality. They attributed this success to better control over halide ion release, resulting in regular crystal surfaces with fewer point defects.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNano Letters·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 21, 2022

AI light-field camera reads 3D facial expressions​

A joint research team at KAIST developed a technique for facial expression detection using near-infrared light-field cameras and AI technology. The resulting NIR-based light-field camera (NIR-LFC) acquired high-quality 3D reconstruction images of facial expressions regardless of lighting conditions.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022

Into the vortex

Researchers at Texas Tech University use supercomputers to analyze the dynamics of vortices and turbulence, finding that reconnection can lead to the formation of new structures. The study aims to improve fuel efficiency for cars and develop energy-saving aircraft designs.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

Investigation identifies recurring diagnostic pitfalls and points to ways that uncovering pitfalls can help improve medical diagnosis

A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital investigated diagnostic pitfalls in primary care, identifying patterns of errors and creating a taxonomy of generic types. The findings highlight disease-specific and generic cross-cutting pitfalls that clinicians can use to inform educational and quality improvement efforts.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

Vaccine hesitance dropped faster among Blacks, study finds

A new study found that Black Americans who were initially hesitant about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine warmed up to the idea as the pandemic wore on and viewed vaccines as necessary for protection. The research highlights the importance of addressing access barriers, not just distrust or skepticism.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

Researchers led by UCLA Health call for more work to address overlooked issues affecting women with Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers identified gaps in care and treatment for women with Parkinson's Disease, highlighting the need for personalized medicine and psychosocial support. The study calls for increased attention to sex and gender differences in PD management.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalMovement Disorders·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 21, 2022

New guidelines on pelvic girdle pain in the postpartum period – Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy presents evidence-based recommendations

Postpartum pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a complex condition requiring a multidisciplinary care approach. The new clinical practice guideline presents evidence-based recommendations for physical therapy management, including a hybrid diagnostic model and classification system.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Womenʼs Health Physical Therapy·DateJan 21, 2022

Study | Civic engagement does not improve well-being

Researchers from Germany and UK found that civic engagement has little impact on well-being, despite common assumptions. Non-political engagement in old age showed a small positive effect on life satisfaction, but other benefits were limited.

SourceUniversity of Vechta·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 21, 2022

Mange outbreak decimated a wild vicuña population in Argentina

A study published in PLOS ONE found that a mange outbreak in San Guillermo National Park, Argentina decimated the wild vicuña and guanaco populations, with nearly three-quarters of the animals lost between 2017-18. The authors suggest domestic llamas introduced to the site may have triggered the outbreak.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

Sidewinding young stellar jets spied by Gemini South

Astronomers have captured detailed images of sinuous stellar jets emanating from young stars, suggesting that their sidewinding appearances are caused by gravitational attraction from companion stars. The observations were made using the Gemini South telescope's adaptive optics system.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Late-life exercise shows rejuvenating effects on cellular level

A study published in Aging Cell found that late-life exercise can reverse skeletal muscle epigenetic aging in mice, making them appear 8 weeks younger than sedentary mice of the same age. The researchers used a weighted exercise wheel to stimulate muscle growth and reduce DNA methylation, a biological process linked to aging.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalAging Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022