Science News for March 27, 2022

Nano-opto-electro-mechanical systems using van der Waals heterostructures as a platform

Researchers developed a universal method to fabricate van der Waals heterostructures into nano-opto-electro-mechanical systems. The team demonstrated various functionalities, including nano-mechanical resonators, vacuum channel diodes, and ultra-fast thermo-radiators.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMar 27, 2022

New genetic tools improve potential rescue of Victoria’s endangered state bird

Scientists have deciphered the helmeted honeyeater's genome and created a genetic map to guide advanced genetic rescue methods. The new tools allow for precise breeding decisions, reducing inbreeding and its negative impact on population health.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 27, 2022

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.

Ultracompact Meta-imagers for Arbitrary All-optical Convolution

Researchers have developed a new type of meta-imager that enables arbitrary all-optical convolution for AI and image processing. The meta-imager combines a metalens with a complex-amplitude modulator to perform convolutional operations in parallel, at the speed of light.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMar 27, 2022

A strategy for efficient p-doping in Al-rich AlGaN

Researchers create a desorption-tailoring strategy to realize efficient p-doping in Al-rich AlGaN, achieving a high hole concentration of 8.1×10^18 cm^-3 at room temperature. The approach also enables vertical miniband transport of holes, satisfying device requirements.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMar 27, 2022

Disease severity linked to N protein of SARS-CoV-2

A multicenter study found mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 N protein associated with increased viral loads and severe disease symptoms. The changes enabled the virus to hijack host cell translation machinery, leading to a life-threatening cytokine storm.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2022

First study to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on life expectancies around the world reports two years lost

A new study reports a 0.92-year decline in global life expectancy from 2019 to 2020, the first since 1950, due to COVID-19. Life expectancy stabilized by 2021 but was still two years lower than expected.

SourcePopulation Council·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateMar 27, 2022

Ageing gratefully: Older people summon more positivity in response to distress

A study found that older people are more positively reactive to emotional stimuli and better at reframing negative experiences into positives. Despite a decline in basal negative affect with age, participants were able to extract more positivity from given negative situations.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2022

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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