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Science News Archive April 2022


Page 1 of 37

David Knowles wins NSF CAREER Award

Assistant professor David Knowles at Columbia University wins a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to develop a new framework and tools for analyzing alternative splicing in diseases such as ALS and cancer. The project aims to create more accurate algorithms for single-cell and long-read RNA-seq analysis.

What do jelly and sand have in common?

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University found that falling beds of sand and melting gelatin exhibit similar destabilization behavior, characterized by fingering instabilities and fluidized interface regions. This study provides insights into the macroscopic physical behavior of granular materials and gels under gravity.

José McFaline-Figueroa wins NSF CAREER Award

José McFaline-Figueroa, a genomicist at Columbia University, has received a three-year NSF CAREER Award to investigate how cancer cells respond to anti-cancer therapy. His research aims to understand the molecular changes induced in aggressive cancer cells after exposure to treatment and how these changes alter response to treatment.

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.

New cardiac defibrillator much safer for patients: Study

A new type of cardiac defibrillator implanted under the skin has been found to significantly reduce patient complications, including lead-related complications and blood clotting. The subcutaneous ICD has shown promising results with an average age of patients included in the study ranging from 18 to 60 years old.

Improving water solubility of polyphenols by adding amino acids

Researchers enhance water solubility and antioxidant properties of quercetin through 'co-amorphization' with amino acids. The study found improved solubility and radical formation, indicating potential for developing more effective supplements and medicines to prevent diseases like diabetes.

James Anderson receives NSF CAREER award

James Anderson, assistant professor of electrical engineering at Columbia University, has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award for his work on developing randomized algorithms for the analysis and control of large-scale cyber-physical systems. His goal is to provide robust, reliable, and secure autonomy to large-sc...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How a soil microbe could rev up artificial photosynthesis

A team of researchers discovered a soil microbe's enzyme that performs carbon fixation 20 times faster than plant enzymes. The enzyme consists of pairs of molecules working in sync to get the job done faster. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient artificial photosynthesis and produce fuels, fertilizers, and other products.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Pitt research helps explain how Ritalin sharpens attention

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that methylphenidate improves visual task performance when specific groups of neurons fire independently. The study sheds light on how Ritalin affects neural activity, which may lead to new treatments for age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

Perovskite solar cells: Properties still remain enigmatic

Researchers have tested experimentally two common hypotheses about the transport properties in perovskites, eliminating them as possible explanations for superior charge transport. Measurements by Maryam Sajedi did not show a giant Rashba effect or a postulated increase in effective mass for CsPbBr3 and MAPbBr3 samples.

Breakthrough in treatment for Dupuytren’s disease

Researchers at the University of Oxford have demonstrated the efficacy of adalimumab in treating early-stage Dupuytren's disease. The trial found that patients receiving adalimumab experienced softening and reduction in size of treated nodules, with sustained effects up to nine months after treatment.

Future wearable health tech could measure gases released from skin

A new study suggests that a wearable sensor can detect the gases released from a person's skin to monitor biomarkers related to metabolic disorders. The technology has the potential to track long-term changes in metabolic rates and could also be used to detect signs of liver disease.

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.

How genome organization influences cell fate

A team of researchers at UC Riverside has discovered that a protein complex called CAF-1 controls genome organization to maintain lineage fidelity in blood stem cells. The study found that CAF-1 keeps specific genomic sites compacted and inaccessible to transcription factors, ensuring the expression of lineage-specific genes.

New model for antibacterial mechanism: toxic misinformation

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered an aberrant protein that mimics the action of aminoglycoside antibiotics, which could help scientists understand how those drugs kill bacterial cells. The newly identified protein could lead to the development of new inhibitors to target bacterial growth.

Unlocking a cure for carbon monoxide poisoning

Researchers at the University of California - Santa Cruz have made a breakthrough in developing an antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning. A novel treatment has been shown to rescue CO-poisoned red blood cells and rapidly clear the gas from the blood, offering new hope for victims.

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.

CLAIM final meeting: Paving the way towards plastic-free European waters

The EU's CLAIM project successfully contributed to reducing plastic litter and microplastics in European seas through innovative technologies and methodological approaches. The project's findings have paved the way for policy change and increased awareness of the importance of plastic-free seas.

Breakthrough in how buildings can promote health and well-being

A comprehensive review of 40 years of published studies on the benefits of Maharishi Vastu architecture reveals its potential as a tool for promoting mental and physical health. The findings support the growing recognition that building design plays a key role in both causing and preventing humanity's health challenges.

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.

Controlling mirror images

Researchers have developed a method to control the rotational states of chiral molecules, allowing for specific separation of enantiomers. By irradiating chiral molecules with UV radiation and microwaves, the team has gained more control over which 'hand' is in which state.

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.

Cedars-Sinai April research highlights

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have developed an AI tool that accurately predicts pancreatic cancer patients based on CT scan images. Lowering blood cholesterol has also been shown to slow the growth of prostate cancer by enhancing immune cell action. Additionally, a new study found that an ultrasound probe plugged into a smartphone can b...

Can computers write product reviews with a human touch?

Researchers from Dartmouth College used artificial intelligence to draft wine and beer reviews, finding agreement between human and machine-generated reviews. The team also developed a system to write review syntheses, aggregating elements from existing reviews to provide limited but relevant information about products.

Light-infused particles go the distance in organic semiconductors

A team led by Andrew Musser at Cornell University has developed a method to tune the speed of polaritons, hybrid particles that combine light and molecules, allowing for increased range and potential applications in efficient solar cells, sensors, and LEDs. This breakthrough could lead to more controlled energy transfer and improved de...

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.

Revealing the secret language of dark matter

A new SISSA study proposes the existence of 'non-minimal coupling' in dark matter, which modifies its gravitational influence on standard matter. This new property could be the key to deciphering the dialogue between dark matter and standard matter.

OHIO researcher looks into little known ‘purging disorder’

Researchers at Ohio University investigated the differences between purging disorder and bulimia nervosa, finding that while both conditions involve self-induced vomiting, purging disorder is characterized by a lack of binge eating episodes. The study suggests that purging disorder requires specific treatments that target its unique sy...

Biomedical polymers: Synthesis, properties, and applications

Biomedical polymers show great potential in treating various diseases through targeted drug delivery and precise diagnostics. Recent advances have led to the development of intelligent polymeric carriers that can respond to external or intrinsic signals for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

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.

CDI scientist Dartois co-authors major update on global TB fight

New anti-tuberculosis treatment strategies and drug development have made progress, but big challenges remain, including latent TB and the COVID-19 pandemic impact. The authors see promise in prioritizing drug combinations and accelerating approval of shorter treatment regimens.

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.

New studies show special mental health risks for certain groups of new doctors

Two new studies found that surgical interns and LGBTQ physicians-in-training experience higher rates of depression than their peers. Surgical interns who identified as female or had a history of adverse childhood experiences were also at increased risk. The studies add to the growing body of knowledge about mental health concerns in me...

Changing climate impacts biodiversity in protected areas globally

Research highlights the need for strategic conservation plans to protect at-risk species as they shift their ranges due to climate change. Climate conditions are expected to change in over a quarter of global protected areas under a scenario of 2°C warming, posing physical and non-physical barriers to species migration.

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.

New strategies for engineering stable articular cartilage

Researchers have discovered that treating bone marrow stem cells with GREM1 protein can suppress hypertrophic differentiation and slow down matrix degradation in engineered cartilage tissue. This approach has potential for developing viable cartilage tissues, but may not completely eliminate degeneration.

A new mutation behind synucleinopathies

Researchers discovered a novel mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene that causes severe Lewy body pathology, revealing distinct mechanisms of neurodegeneration. The E83Q mutation influences alpha-synuclein's structure and aggregation properties, leading to increased pathology formation and toxicity.

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.

Research finally answers what Bronze Age daggers were used for

Researchers have found that Bronze Age daggers were used to process animal carcasses, including slaughtering livestock and butchering carcasses. The discovery was made using a new method that extracted organic residues from the daggers, revealing micro-residues of collagen and associated bone, muscle, and tendon fibres.

Skeptics of welfare schemes don’t increase with more immigrants

A recent study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found little evidence to suggest that diversity or antipathy towards ethnic others affects attitudes towards equity or public action aimed at reducing inequalities. People who are already skeptical of immigrants do not increase in skepticism about welfare schemes, but rat...

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.

A single course of antibiotics affects the gut microbiota of infants

A recent study found that a single course of antibiotics disrupts the balance of gut bacteria and fungi in infants, leading to increased competition for space. This disruption can result in long-term adverse effects on human health, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea and chronic inflammatory diseases.

New approach may help clear hurdle to large-scale quantum computing

A Harvard-led team created a new method for processing quantum information that allows for the dynamic change of atoms' layout during computation, expanding capabilities and enabling self-correction of errors. This approach uses entanglement to connect atoms remotely and can process exponentially large amounts of information.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.