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

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

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.

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

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.