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Science News Archive April 2022


Page 22 of 37

Mutations across animal kingdom shed new light on ageing

Researchers found that different animal species, including humans, mice, giraffes, and tigers, accumulate similar numbers of genetic changes over their lifetime. The study supports the theory that somatic mutations play a role in ageing, with longer lifespan species experiencing slower mutation rates.

Nintedanib found effective for gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Researchers at Hefei Institutes of Physical Science found nintedanib inhibits GIST cell proliferation through KIT signaling pathway. Nintedanib also overcomes resistance caused by extracellular signal-regulated kinase reactivation and upregulation of fibroblast growth factor activity.

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.

COVID-19 therapy: Better in combination than alone

Researchers at Charité, MDC, and FU Berlin have studied the mechanisms of action of antibody and dexamethasone treatments for COVID-19. They found that combination therapy is more effective in reducing viral activity and inflammation in lung tissue, suggesting a potential game-changer in treating severe cases.

Disparities remain in end-of-life care in New Jersey

Researchers at Rutgers University found disparities in palliative care and hospice referrals among minority patient groups, highlighting the need for standardized policies to improve access. The studies revealed that language barriers, economic status, and cultural differences contribute to these gaps in care.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Busy mothers did less breastfeeding in 19th century Netherlands

A study found that mothers in a 19th century Dutch village had low rates of breastfeeding, likely due to their busy work schedules and easy access to cow's milk. Researchers analyzed the remains of 277 individuals and found little evidence of breastfeeding, surprising given the community's cultural associations with breastfeeding.

New approach enhances muscle recovery in aged mice

Researchers have developed a new method to recover muscle mass in aged mice by injecting pericyte-derived extracellular vesicles into the muscles after disuse. This approach has shown promise in recovering skeletal muscle fiber size and remodeling the extracellular matrix, which supports muscle structure and growth.

How to compete with robots

A study from EPFL and the University of Lausanne developed a method to calculate which jobs are at risk of being automated by robots. The team created an algorithm that predicts the risk of automation for hundreds of jobs and suggests alternative careers with minimal retraining requirements.

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.

Web surfing that feels instantaneous, even though it’s not

A speed-of-light internet project aims to reduce network latency by routing data through the US, responding 10-100 times faster than current networks. If deployed, it could give 85% of Americans near-real time connectivity, revolutionizing online experiences.

Breaking news from the dawn of the universe

Astronomers identify GNz7q, a dusty compact object with properties of both galaxies and quasars, born 750 million years after Big Bang. The discovery provides new insights into the rapid growth of supermassive black holes in early universe.

Better coaching needed to prevent burnout among video gaming pros

A study by University of Waterloo researchers identified areas such as player fatigue, mental stress, and peak performance conditions that require in-depth research to improve coaching and player performance. Professional esports players often practice for 12-14 hours a day, six days a week, leading to burnout and physical injuries.

How do I sound? Do you like my voice?

A study by the University of Cincinnati suggests that transgender and gender diverse people can benefit from better-designed smartphone apps offering voice and communication training software. The app features identified as most critical include feedback, accountability, automated goal setting, and non-interactive elements like videos ...

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Hubble sheds light on origins of supermassive black holes

Astronomers have identified a rapidly growing black hole in the early universe, GNz7q, which is considered a crucial 'missing link' between young star-forming galaxies and the first supermassive black holes. The team used Hubble data to determine that GNz7q existed just 750 million years after the big bang, with properties consistent w...

Act of sabotage determines mammalian embryonic development

Researchers found that human embryos express a vast variety of alternative mRNAs when they are just 8 cells old, leading to a temporary collapse of splicing regulation at the zygotic genome activation stage. This phenomenon is developmentally programmed and occurs because it is necessary for functional reasons, ultimately affecting DNA...

48% of young adults struggled with mental health in mid-2021

A new UC San Francisco study found that nearly half of young adults had mental health symptoms during the pandemic, with many unable to access therapy. The study highlights the importance of addressing barriers to care, including cost, stigma, and confidentiality concerns.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Want to 3D print a kidney? Start by thinking small

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology are pushing through technical barriers in organ printing by leveraging decades-old technique and computational modeling. The team aims to create any type of organ at any time, including skin on an open wound, using microfluidic bio-printing.

How to find anti-cancer agents

The Paul Scherrer Institute and Italian Institute of Technology have developed a novel substance called Todalam that disables tubulin, a protein essential for cell division. In cell cultures, Todalam kills cells, making it a promising starting point for developing an anti-cancer drug.

Modeling Earth's magnetosphere in the laboratory

Researchers develop experimental platform to study mini-magnetospheres, observing effects of magnetic field on magnetopause and bow shocks. The platform combines Large Plasma Device with lasers and magnetic dipoles, allowing for controlled variation of parameters.

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.

Sunlight’s healing effects help imperiled green sea turtles with tumors

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University found that increasing sun exposure in rehabilitation facilities can enhance health and recovery in green sea turtles with fibropapillomatosis. Vitamin D levels increased significantly in turtles exposed to higher UV light, leading to less tumor regrowth and improved overall health.

Microscaffolds – a new strategy in tissue engineering

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a new approach to produce artificial tissue using micro-scaffolds with a diameter of less than a third of a millimetre. These scaffolds can accommodate thousands of cells and enable high cell density and control over mechanical properties.

You've heard of water droughts. Could 'energy' droughts be next?

A new study models the probability of renewable energy droughts in Texas, finding that grid operators may need backup energy sources due to variable wind and solar production. Researchers suggest increasing capacity or exploring alternative storage methods to avoid extended dry spells.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Development of an oxidation-resistant copper core–nickel shell ink

The National Institute for Materials Science has developed an oxidation-resistant copper core–nickel shell ink, significantly improving resistance to degradation. This cheaper and more stable ink may popularize printed electronics, offering comparable conductivity to conventional metallic inks.

QUT Centre of Materials Science focus in special journal issue

The QUT Centre of Materials Science has published a special journal issue showcasing its research on innovative materials. The centre's work covers various themes including polymeric materials, energy materials, biomaterials, and nanomaterials, with a focus on fundamental understanding and real-world applications.

Immunologists unravel battle plans of deadly coronaviruses

Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have discovered how SARS and MERS coronaviruses block the induction of antiviral proteins, preventing a strong immune response. This finding has potential implications for developing new therapeutic options to treat COVID-19 and future deadly coronaviruses.

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.

Two in five adults with ADHD are in excellent mental health

A new nationally representative study found that two in five adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were in excellent mental health. Being married, physically active, free from chronic pain, and having no history of depression or anxiety were associated with complete mental well-being.

Bioprinting for bone repair improved with genes

An international team of engineers has successfully bioprinted bone along with two growth factor encoding genes that help incorporate cells and heal defects in rats. The researchers used gene encoding PDGF-B and BMP-2, which encouraged cell multiplication and migration, resulting in a 40% increase in bone tissue creation.

Poverty, crime linked to differences in newborns’ brains

Research suggests that pregnant mothers' environments can influence the structure and function of their babies' brains before birth. A study found that babies born to mothers living in poverty tend to have smaller brains than those whose mothers had higher household incomes. Additionally, exposure to crime during pregnancy may affect b...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Scientists find ‘knob’ to control magnetic behavior in quantum material

Researchers at Penn State and UC San Diego found a new method to tune the magnetic properties of manganese bismuth telluride, enabling efficient control of lossless electrical currents. The discovery uses phonons to modify the magnetic bonding between layers, potentially leading to ultra-fast devices with reduced energy waste.

How mussels maintain adhesion underwater

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have discovered a way to enhance the surface adhesion of mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) by converting oxidized Dopa into a stronger form called △Dopa. This breakthrough enables MAPs to maintain strong underwater adhesion, paving the way for potential biomedical applications.

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.

Recognizing an impending stroke

Researchers have identified a biomarker that indicates high risk of impending stroke post-subarachnoid hemorrhage, enabling early treatment initiation in comatose patients. Electrodiagnostic monitoring detects 'spreading depolarizations' caused by toxic by-products of blood breakdown, allowing clinicians to intervene before it's too late.

Prenatal exposure to early-life adversity, brain volumes at birth

A recent study of 280 mother-infant pairs found that prenatal exposure to social disadvantage and psychosocial stress was associated with reduced infant brain volumes at birth. The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the brain volumes of the infants at birth.

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.

The ethics of research on conscious artificial brains

A team of researchers from Kobe and Kyoto universities proposes an ethical framework for conducting research on conscious brain organoids. The framework assumes that brain organoids already possess consciousness and recommends guidelines similar to those for animal experiments. Key considerations include minimizing the number of organo...

Fixing AI systems

A project aims to develop software toolkits to assess neural network robustness and potential security vulnerabilities. The goal is to create a framework for building secure AI systems, emphasizing human expertise in data collection and testing.

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.

Research pioneers new frontiers in plant-based food science

Researchers investigate plant-based meat substitutes to identify sensory weak points, finding muscle proteins emulsify fats and oils differently than plant proteins do. The study reveals fundamental differences in molecular structure and mouthfeel between meat and vegan sausages.