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Monoclonal antibody "cocktail" blocks COVID-19 variants: Study

A monoclonal antibody 'cocktail' developed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center effectively neutralizes all known COVID-19 variants. The treatment, comprising two antibodies isolated from previously infected individuals, targets sites on the spike protein other than the highly mutable E484K residue.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 5, 2021

Rapid 3D printing method moves toward 3D-printed organs

A new rapid 3D printing method developed by University at Buffalo engineers has the potential to create life-sized human tissue and organs in just minutes, rather than hours. The technique uses hydrogels and stereolithography to print cells with embedded blood vessel networks, a key step towards producing functional 3D-printed organs.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateMar 5, 2021
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.

Assessing patients' kidney health may help predict their risk of cardiovascular disease

Measures of kidney function, such as the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate, may improve estimates of future cardiovascular disease risk. The addition of these non-traditional risk factors could refine stratification and predict cardiovascular disease more accurately.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 4, 2021

Higher income predicts feelings such as pride and confidence

Research by American Psychological Association found that higher income predicts more positive self-regard emotions such as confidence, pride and determination, while lower income is associated with negative emotions like sadness and fear. The study analyzed data from over 1.6 million people across 162 countries.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalEmotion·DateMar 4, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nature: new compound for male contraceptive pill

Researchers at The Lundquist Institute have discovered a new compound called triptonide, which exhibits ideal male contraceptive effects in pre-clinical studies. Triptonide can be purified from a Chinese herb or produced through chemical synthesis and induces altered sperm with minimal motility, leading to male infertility in 3-4 weeks.

SourceThe Lundquist Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 3, 2021

Mental health treatment rate rose early in pandemic

A study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found a significant increase in mental health treatment visits, particularly for substance use and anxiety, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This rise is attributed to the challenges posed by shelter-in-place orders and the shift to virtual care.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateMar 3, 2021

Solving the biochemical conundrum at the dawn of life on Earth

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill develop collaborative strategy to test hypothesis on how tiny chemicals formed basic biochemistry four billion years ago. They aim to enhance understanding of cellular processes to detect new disease treatment strategies and inspire life outside Earth.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·DateMar 2, 2021
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.

Education, interest in alternative medicine associated with believing misinformation

A study by the American Psychological Association found that individuals with lower education levels and those who have a positive attitude towards alternative medicine are more susceptible to believing misinformation on healthcare topics. The researchers also discovered that people who fell for misinformation on one topic were more li...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalHealth Psychology·DateMar 1, 2021

NIH awards UC San Diego $33 million for five COVID-19 diagnostic projects

The NIH has awarded UC San Diego $33 million over four years for five COVID-19 diagnostic projects, including RADx-UP and RADx-rad initiatives. These efforts focus on managing data centers, expanding testing in disadvantaged communities, and developing innovative approaches to address gaps in COVID-19 testing.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateFeb 25, 2021

What's ahead for people with disabilities in the post-pandemic workplace?

As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, experts emphasize the need for vocational rehabilitation to prioritize access to technology and home-based employment for individuals with disabilities. This shift is crucial in preparing them for the new global workplace, where many jobs have transitioned to remote work.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Vocational Rehabilitation·DateFeb 25, 2021

Perceived discrimination makes black females more likely than males to exercise, eat healthy

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that black women and girls are more likely to engage in exercise and eat healthy when faced with discrimination. The study suggests that optimism plays a role in this positive response, contrasting with avoidant coping strategies seen in less optimistic individuals.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalHealth Psychology·DateFeb 25, 2021
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.

Daily emails about chemicals in tobacco lead some smokers to consider quitting

A new study found that daily emails about tobacco chemicals and health risks increased smokers' desire to quit by almost 10%. The messages, combined with graphic images, were sufficient to stimulate quit intentions. Researchers believe this innovative strategy can inform the FDA's educational campaigns.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 24, 2021

You've got to move it, move it

Researchers found that light-intensity physical activity, such as gardening or walking, may protect mobility in older women. Women who spent the most time performing light-intensity activities had a 46% lower risk of mobility loss compared to those with lower levels of physical activity.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 23, 2021

Post-transplant mortality among veterans enrolled in the VA and Medicare

A study found that veterans receiving all post-kidney transplant care within the VA have a lower risk of death compared to those receiving care through Medicare. The study suggests that high-quality care within the VA may contribute to better outcomes.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 18, 2021
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.

Explainable AI for decoding genome biology

An interdisciplinary team of biologists and computational researchers designed a neural network named BPNet that can interpret regulatory code by predicting transcription factor binding from DNA sequences with unprecedented accuracy. The model revealed novel insights, including a rule governing the binding of the well-studied transcrip...

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 18, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Answer quickly to be believed

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that response speed is an important cue on which people base their sincerity inferences. Participants rated delayed responses as less sincere than immediate ones, regardless of the question's seriousness.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateFeb 16, 2021

HIV research yields potential drug target

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have identified a human protein called SAMHD1 that can recognize and respond to the HIV virus. This recognition mechanism may lead to a new approach for treating HIV/AIDS by targeting the protein with a specific drug.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021

Radiative cooling and solar heating from one system, no electricity needed

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a novel radiative cooling system that can efficiently cool buildings using solar power. The system, comprising two mirrors, absorbs sunlight and reflects heat into the sky, achieving record-breaking temperature reductions in both laboratory and outdoor tests.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateFeb 8, 2021
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.

Emory MVA COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective in animal models

The Emory MVA COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in mice and monkeys, inducing strong neutralizing antibodies and killer CD8 T cells. The vaccine's multi-layered approach also prevents lung inflammation and is adaptable to address disease variants.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalImmunity·DateFeb 4, 2021
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.

Research highlights the need to incorporate nutritional counseling in cancer treatment

Research reveals that American adult cancer survivors often face barriers to healthy eating, with significant disparities observed across sociodemographic factors. A Mediterranean-style diet may reduce overall cancer risk for women, but not for men, highlighting the importance of personalized nutrition interventions in cancer care.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateFeb 3, 2021

The benefits of reading outdoors

Researchers at State University of New York College of Optometry discovered that visual contrast increases when reading outdoors, making it easier to see letters and improving eyesight. This finding has significant implications for basic research, eye clinics, and architectural design.

SourceState University of New York College of Optometry·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 2, 2021

Current issue articles forGeosphereposted online in January

Researchers study feldspar recycling in Yosemite National Park's Tuolumne intrusive complex to understand incremental growth processes. A new model predicts relationships between hanging-wall extension, fault slip, and fault dip for the Ragged Mountain Fault in Alaska.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateJan 29, 2021
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.

Micro-brewing goes more micro

A PhD student has discovered a way to conduct micro-brewing experiments using only a single barley seed in a 1.5 millilitre tube, reducing the need for large-scale brewing operations. This method could speed up the quality testing of newly-bred barley varieties and potentially lead to new styles of beer.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 27, 2021

Findings may help close door on COVID-19

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered the coronavirus's 'Achilles' heel', a proofreading enzyme called nsp14-ExoN. This enzyme regulates RNA recombination and can be targeted to block viral replication, potentially leading to new treatments for COVID-19.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 27, 2021

Challenges in COVID-19 vaccination

The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina hosts an international virtual panel discussion on COVID-19 vaccination challenges. Experts will address issues like equitable global allocation and vaccine effectiveness. The event aims to promote scientific dialogue among the international community.

SourceLeopoldina·DateJan 27, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

IU researchers discover how breast cancer cells hide from immune attack

Breast cancer cells can evade immune attacks by increasing the level of protein MAL2 on their surface, leading to enhanced tumor growth. Targeting this action could improve immunotherapy for patients. Researchers identified MAL2 as a key protein and found that inhibiting it can almost completely stop tumor growth.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 27, 2021

Vaccine produces long-lasting anti-tumor response in patients with melanoma

Researchers found that a personalized cancer vaccine, NeoVax, stimulates a durable immune response in patients with melanoma. The study demonstrated the staying power of the immune response, which remained effective nearly four years after vaccination and expanded to recognize other proteins on tumor cells.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 21, 2021

Stanford study reveals immune driver of brain aging

A Stanford study reveals that chronic inflammation driven by myeloid cells is the main driver of brain aging. The researchers found that blocking a specific hormone-receptor interaction in these cells can restore youthful metabolism and calm down inflammation, potentially reversing age-related cognitive decline.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature·DateJan 20, 2021

Sexual harassment claims by less feminine women perceived as less credible

A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that women who deviate from traditional femininity are perceived as less credible and their claims of sexual harassment are viewed as less valid. This bias can prevent non-stereotypical women from accessing legal protections, leaving them vulnerable to further vic...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 14, 2021
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 niche for the eye

Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research have discovered a signaling pathway that regulates the secretion of proteins important for maintaining eye structure, including the ciliary body. This finding holds promise for early detection and treatment of degenerative eye conditions such as glaucoma.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 13, 2021

Fetal-maternal discordance in APOL1 genotype contributes to preeclampsia risk

Research identifies fetal APOL1 kidney risk alleles as contributing factors for preeclampsia in African-American mothers, while maternal-fetal genotype discordance is also linked to this risk. The study suggests a connection between APOL1 genetic variants and preeclampsia, particularly among mothers of African ancestry.

SourceNational Kidney Foundation·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateJan 12, 2021
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.

Can a mother's stress impact children's disease development?

A University of Cincinnati study has found that a mother's stress levels can affect her child's DNA and increase the risk of developing diseases such as asthma, obesity, and autism. The research suggests that maternal stress can alter physiological states in the fetus, leading to adverse health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 11, 2021

Cracking the code of a shapeshifting protein

Scientists discovered molecular basis for how shapeshifting immune system protein XCL1 evolved, outlining principles for designing metamorphic proteins as transformers. These principles can be used to develop biosensors, build nanoscale machines, and even create therapeutics.

SourceMedical College of Wisconsin·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2021
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.

Botulism breakthrough? Taming botulinum toxin to deliver therapeutics

A new treatment approach and delivery vehicle has been developed to reverse botulism paralysis in mice, showing promise for treating other neurological disorders. The therapy uses a detoxified botulinum toxin as a delivery vehicle for a mini-antibody derived from camels.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 8, 2021

Gum disease-causing bacteria borrow growth molecules from neighbors to thrive

A new study reveals that periodontitis-causing bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis borrows growth molecules from harmless Veillonella parvula, enabling its replication and causing gum disease. The relationship is one-directional, with V. parvula receiving no obvious benefit from sharing its growth molecules.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateJan 5, 2021
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.

Journal article reviews century of data showing COVID-19 likely to impact the brain

A century of data suggests SARS-CoV-2's expected long-term effects on the brain and nervous system will have chronic consequences on quality of life and independence. The study, funded by the Alzheimer's Association, aims to understand how COVID-19 increases risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and psychiatric conditions.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·DateJan 5, 2021

Trophoblast motility in a gelatin hydrogel

Researchers developed a multidimensional model of trophoblast motility using a functionalized gelatin hydrogel. The study revealed that EGF and TGF-beta1 play critical roles in modulating trophoblast motility, providing insights into implantation mechanisms during normal and complex pregnancies.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTissue Engineering·DateDec 23, 2020
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.

Chest pain risk assessment may reduce treatment disparities

A standardized tool for assessing chest pain risk was associated with comparable care for high-risk women, while low- and intermediate-risk women received consistent care with guidelines. Despite less care, women had fewer reports of heart attacks or death within 30 days compared to men.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateDec 23, 2020

Gene pathway linked to schizophrenia identified through stem cell engineering

Researchers at UTHealth have discovered a gene signaling pathway linked to schizophrenia using human-induced pluripotent stem cells. The PI3K/GSK3 pathway was found to be dysregulated in neurons from patients with schizophrenia, with SGK1 inhibitor being associated with the condition.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateDec 21, 2020

California lockdown suppressed excess pandemic deaths

Researchers found that while lockdowns lowered excess deaths for many Californians, they had little impact on Latino residents and those without a high school degree. These groups faced increased risk due to crowded living conditions and essential work, leading to higher excess death rates during the pandemic.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateDec 21, 2020
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.

Air pollution linked to higher rates of kidney disease

Exposure to fine particulate air pollution is associated with a greater likelihood of chronic kidney disease. The risk is stronger in urban areas, males, younger adults, and those without comorbid diseases. Air pollution levels can be estimated using satellite-based information.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 17, 2020

Researchers discover brain pattern that could improve mental health disorder diagnosis

A unique brain pattern that shifts tryptophan metabolism from serotonin production to neurotoxicity has been identified in individuals with major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. This finding holds promise for developing new diagnostic tests and targeted treatments for these conditions.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateDec 17, 2020