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Science News Archive December 2021


Page 8 of 33

Identifying fake voice recordings

A new study has generated a massive dataset of artificial voice recordings, revealing subtle differences in high frequencies between real and fake files. The researchers developed algorithms that can distinguish between deepfakes and real speech, providing a starting point for other researchers to improve detection methods.

Policy analyses severely underestimate impact of air pollution on racial minorities

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University estimates that current regulatory analyses of air pollution significantly understate mortality costs among racial minorities. The study found that using race- and ethnicity-specific data increases premature mortality estimates related to PM2.5 from pollution exposure, with a $100 billion annual...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Ostrich eggshell beads reveal 50,000-year-old social network across Africa

Researchers have uncovered a 50,000-year-old social network spanning eastern and southern Africa, driven by changing rainfall patterns and climate change. The study, using ostrich eggshell beads, found nearly identical bead characteristics between 50,000 and 33,000 years ago, indicating a long-distance connection.

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.

Digital silver lining seen in failed COVID-19 drug trial

A clinical trial found that remote monitoring of medication's potential arrhythmic side effects is feasible and safe for patients with mild COVID-19. The study used handheld devices to transmit digital ECGs, suggesting a potential expansion of clinical research to broader populations and reducing participants' burdens.

Microbe sneaks past tomato defense system, advances evolutionary battle

A new study reveals that Xanthomonas euvesicatoria has evolved to evade the immune system of tomato plants by changing a single amino acid in its flagellin proteins. This finding poses significant challenges for breeding disease-resistant tomato varieties, forcing farmers to rely on fungicides and copper treatments.

Traditional medicinal plant relieves malaria symptoms

Researchers from Ethiopia and Germany identified a traditional African medicinal plant that alleviates malaria symptoms in infected mice. The plant extract's active compound, anemonin, shows promise in treating the disease.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Deadliest period in Earth’s history was also the stinkiest

A new UC Riverside-led study reveals that tiny microbes belching toxic gas helped cause and prolong the biggest mass extinction in Earth's history. The heat accelerated microbes' metabolisms, creating a deadly cycle of hydrogen sulfide production.

Shellac for printed circuits

Scientists have created a versatile carbon-loaded shellac ink suitable for disposable printed electronics. The ink achieves high electrical conductivity while maintaining stability and biodegradability. Its practical applications include conductive tracks and sensor elements in sustainable devices.

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.

MIT engineers test an idea for a new hovering rover

The MIT team developed a levitating rover design using ion thrusters, capable of producing enough repulsive force to hover on the moon and larger asteroids. The concept uses tiny ion beams to charge up the vehicle and boost its natural surface charge.

Dietary supplement use by individuals living with and beyond cancer

A study found that one in five cancer survivors mistakenly believed taking vitamins could reduce the risk of cancer return. Those who thought supplements reduced recurrence were three times more likely to take them. Healthcare professionals must advise patients on safe dietary supplement use.

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.

Plant scientists find recipe for anti-cancer compound in herbs

Researchers at Purdue University have identified a new pathway for producing the anti-cancer compound thymohydroquinone, found in plants like thyme and oregano. By understanding this process, plant scientists can engineer plants to produce higher levels of beneficial compounds or synthesize them in microorganisms.

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.

Himalayan glaciers melting at ‘exceptional rate’

The study reveals Himalayan glaciers are shrinking far more rapidly than glaciers in other parts of the world, losing around 40% of their area and massive amounts of ice. The accelerating melting threatens the water supply of millions of people in Asia.

Shoots and roots respond differently to climate change

A new study reveals that climate change causes a mismatch between above- and belowground plant phenology, with woody plants responding more strongly to warming in their roots. This finding highlights the importance of plant root phenology and its impact on ecosystem functioning.

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.

Could life be making its own habitable environment in the clouds of Venus?

Scientists suggest that possible lifeforms in Venus' clouds are producing ammonia, which neutralizes sulfuric acid and increases the pH of the clouds. This process makes the environment more tolerable to live in, despite being extremely acidic. The study proposes a biological origin for the ammonia, rather than non-biological sources.

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.

PPPL unravels a puzzle to speed the development of fusion energy

Researchers at PPPL develop an algorithm to solve the complex equation describing free electron motion in tokamaks, enabling accurate simulations and better control of plasma. This breakthrough provides a rigorous mathematical proof and expands the capabilities of the Computational Sciences Department.

How the female brain responds to genital touch

Research found the female genital field's location varies among women and is thicker with more frequent sex. The somatosensory cortex devotes space to detecting touch, and the region's structure alters in relation to use.

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.

School uniforms don’t improve child behavior, study finds

A new national study found that school uniforms have no effect on young students' behavior or attendance. However, students who attended schools with uniform requirements reported lower levels of 'school belonging'. The study's findings suggest that fashion and self-expression may play a role in students' sense of belonging.

Wearable biosensors can help people with complex health conditions

A recent University of Waterloo study shows that wearable biosensors can provide insight into patterns of health-related behaviour and disease symptoms, enabling remote monitoring of people with complex health conditions. The study found that participants were willing to wear multi-sensor devices for extended periods, highlighting the ...

Years later, restored wetlands remain a shadow of their old selves

Despite over 200 restored wetlands in Denmark, botanical diversity remains low, with only 9.5 species per four square meters found in the studied areas. High nutrient input from agriculture continues to affect plant species dispersal and immigration, making it a significant barrier to increased biodiversity.

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.

Affordable genome sequencing for pathogen analysis to help tackle global epidemics

The study developed a new strategy to sequence thousands of bacterial isolates with collaborators from economically-challenged countries, aiming to make genomic data more accessible. The 10,000 Salmonella genomes research consortium sequenced and analysed 10,000 Salmonella genomes from Africa and Latin America, strengthening global res...

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The language of holography: Problems and hints for solving them

The article examines the inconsistencies in holography's language and its evolution across diverse communities. The pioneers created a useful and accurate language, but much of it has been lost over time. A layman can describe a hologram as a window that transforms light into a different wave, enabling viewing of a 3D image.

Drinking in Mexico by Whites and Hispanics on California’s Border

A new study by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation found that those living near the border, Hispanic, and regular drinkers are more prone to heavy drinking in Mexico. Exposure to riskier environments increases heavy drinking, alcohol intoxication, and related problems like aggression and injuries.

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.

Medicinal cannabis oil found effective for treating autism

Researchers at Tel Aviv University successfully treated autism in animal models with medical cannabis oil, improving behavioral and biochemical parameters. The treatment showed significant improvement in compulsive and anxious behaviors, and a decrease in the concentration of the arousing neurotransmitter glutamate.