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Science News Archive January 2022


Page 4 of 34

Schools and the pandemic: Simulation model allows for safe operation

Researchers developed a school simulation model that shows how the virus spreads in different settings and calculates the effectiveness of measures against its spread. The model reveals that elementary and lower secondary schools can keep reproduction rates below 1 with classroom ventilation, wearing masks, and class size reduction.

Social determinants of health associated with increased rates of obesity

A new study found a strong association between social determinants of health and obesity rates, with higher SDOH burden leading to increased obesity prevalence. The study analyzed data from nearly 165,000 adults in the US and found that middle-aged and non-Hispanic Black adults were more likely to be overweight or obese.

BU study: infant deaths from RSV are much higher than previously known

A new BU study found that nearly one in ten infant deaths under 6 months old were caused by RSV, with two-thirds occurring outside of hospitals. The virus was primarily concentrated in infants under 3 months old, and preventative measures such as maternal vaccinations could effectively reduce mortality rates.

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.

National identification promotes compliance with Corona rules

A global study of over 50,000 people found that national identity is a strong predictor of support for public health policies during the pandemic. Those who identify more strongly with their nation are more willing to accept restrictions and support policy measures.

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.

Altered gene expression and cell interactions involved in COPD

A study by Baylor College of Medicine, Yale University and others found altered gene expression and cell interactions in epithelial, endothelial and macrophage cells in COPD. The research provides new insights into cellular injury and inflammation in the disease.

In search of (un)desired side effects

Researchers develop a method called Cell Painting that uses morphological profiling to detect side effects of substances on cells, enabling the identification of tubulin-modulating compounds. The study reveals over 1% of tested substances have this effect, including previously unknown reference substances.

Another pandemic challenge for nurses: Sleep problems

A recent study found that more than half of nurses experienced difficulty sleeping during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with reduced sleep increasing odds of anxiety and depression. The researchers urge employers to address work stress and provide support for mental healthcare.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Strong bonding - a long-term commitment or many brief relationships?

Researchers at Uppsala University found that DNA-binding proteins often bind to similar sequences before finding their target, contradicting previous assumptions about gene regulation. This discovery explains how these proteins can rapidly adapt to changing environments without getting stuck on specific sequences.

Scientists make a new type of optical device using alumina

Researchers from Kavli Institute and University of Minnesota create new optical element using alumina, improving telescope performance in studying cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. The innovation reduces reflections by fifty-fold, allowing for more efficient instruments to study the Big Bang and universe's evolution.

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.

Uncontrolled blood pressure is sending more people to the hospital

Hospitalizations for hypertensive crises more than doubled between 2002 and 2014, despite reports of overall progress in blood pressure control. The study found that women had similar hospital mortality rates to men, but with a higher risk of dying during a hypertensive crisis.

Coral skeleton formation rate determines resilience to acidifying oceans

Researchers found that coral species with faster skeletal crystallization rates are more resilient to ocean acidification. A team of UW-Madison students contributed to the analysis and were co-authors on the study. The findings have significant implications for developing mitigation strategies against ocean acidification.

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.

Zika vaccine shows promising results in preclinical studies

A Zika virus vaccine candidate has been shown to prevent fetal malformations and detect maternal antibodies in pregnant animals. The vaccine has demonstrated high levels of protection against Zika infection in both mice and marmosets, with over 90% effectiveness observed.

Cryptocurrencies – a return to money being a commodity?

The cryptocurrency market is maturing, with cryptocurrencies showing correlations with traditional markets, including the US stock market and commodity markets. This suggests that the market is becoming more like a commodity market, similar to gold or silver.

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.

Climate change in the Early Holocene

Researchers found that a large Early Holocene cemetery in Northern Russia was used for only one to two centuries and reveals human stress caused by a global cooling event. The team believes the creation of the cemetery shows a social response to climate change, with abundant grave offerings indicating complex social systems.

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.

Crowding, climate change, and the case for social distancing among trees

A new study reveals that trees benefit from having more space, reducing competition and helping them recover from fire damage. By alleviating stress caused by neighbors competing for limited water resources, trees can fend off beetle attacks and heal after fire, increasing their chances of survival.

Geoff Wehmeyer wins CAREER Award

Geoff Wehmeyer has been awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to deepen understanding of nanoscale heat transfer and improve device performance. He will use scanning transmission electron microscopy nano-thermometry experiments to better understand interfacial heat transport.

Curtailed sleep may alter how intense exercise stresses the heart

A new study found that curtailed sleep increases the release of troponin after exercise, a biomarker linked to cardiovascular disease. While regular exercise counters adverse effects of sleep loss on metabolism, curtailed sleep may increase the risk of heart injury during strenuous exercise.

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.

Queering environmental justice

The article highlights the disproportionate impact of environmental exposures on the LGBTQ+ community due to social and economic inequalities. The authors recommend implementing a system to collect sexual orientation data and incorporating LGBTQ+ issues into environmental justice research.

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.

Heartburn helps bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment

Scientists discovered that surviving bacteria share a common feature: they accumulate acid in their cells, shutting down protein synthesis. This leads to increased survival and can be exploited to develop new antimicrobial treatments.

Change in hearing loss during pandemic

A recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, also known as sudden deafness, in Israel.

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.

Better education needed about oral sex disease risk, poll of young people shows

A new poll shows that most teens and young adults know it's possible to catch or spread a sexually transmitted infection by having unprotected oral sex, but over half underestimate the level of that risk. Young people also call for more education about the risks of oral sex and normalization of protection through popular culture.

Metabolic adaptation delays time to reach weight-loss goals

A recent study published by The Obesity Society found that metabolic adaptation after weight loss increases the time necessary to achieve weight-loss goals in premenopausal women. The study, which included 65 participants, revealed a significant delay in achieving weight-loss goals due to metabolic adaptation.

Geographic disparities in treatment of curable breast cancer

Researchers investigated geographic disparities in initial breast cancer care, finding significant regional variations and unequal distribution of resources. The study suggests that both patient-level factors and regional characteristics contribute to these disparities, affecting treatment outcomes.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

New method and model address blindspot towards uncommon species in mixed samples

Researchers at the Earlham Institute developed a new approach to analyze metagenomic samples, combining advanced sampling techniques with mathematical models, to reveal crucial details of low-abundance species. This method, called adaptive sampling, offers a potential solution to enrich species of interest in metagenomic samples.

Where did that sound come from?

The MIT team developed a computer model that can perform sound localization tasks as well as humans, and adapts to real-world environments. The model uses convolutional neural networks and was trained on over 400 sounds, including human voices and animal sounds.

Most older adults support steps to reduce firearm injury risk, study shows

A national survey of over 2,000 adults aged 50-80 found that most support steps to reduce firearm injury risk, including safety counseling and background checks. The study highlights opportunities to help older adults recognize and address risks in their homes, particularly for those living with children or experiencing cognitive decline.

Tiny materials lead to a big advance in quantum computing

Researchers at MIT have developed ultrathin superconducting qubits using hexagonal boron nitride, enabling smaller devices with reduced interference. The material's defect-free structure reduces cross-talk, paving the way for thousands of qubits in a device.

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.

Rural air pollution may be as hazardous as urban, study finds

Researchers found that rural areas have similar levels of oxidative potential as urban areas, challenging the misconception that air pollution is more toxic in urban settings. The study also showed that summertime agricultural activity can produce PM2.5 particles that are just as toxic as those from urban settings.

A mathematical secret of lizard camouflage

A multidisciplinary team at UNIGE has developed a simple mathematical equation to explain the complex distribution of scales in ocellated lizards. This discovery contributes to a better understanding of skin color pattern evolution and provides an optimal pattern for animal survival.

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.