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Science News Archive April 2022


Page 9 of 37

Palmitoylation, a new target for anti-cancer drugs

Researchers have discovered that palmitoylation can occur at the plasma membrane, paving the way for innovative drug discovery strategies. A novel tool, SwissKASH, allows for dynamic observation of this process, enabling precise targeting of oncogenic proteins in cancer therapy.

Using AI to detect cancer from patient data securely

Researchers developed an AI system using swarm learning to predict cancer from medical images of tissue samples without accessing patient data. The technique improved the detection of genetic changes in colon tumors with high accuracy.

Health dashboards are breakthrough stars of the pandemic and here to stay

Health dashboards have proven their value during the COVID-19 pandemic and can now be used to track emerging public health threats such as cancer, HIV, and traffic injuries. Investing in people, processes, and technology is necessary to create effective dashboards that provide decision-makers with accurate and timely information.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

How equal charges in enzymes control biochemical reactions

A new study reveals that two equal charges in enzymes do not repel each other, but instead attract, facilitating chemical reactions. The researchers used protein crystallography to obtain a structural snapshot of the substrate before the reaction and found an attractive interaction between the enzyme and substrate.

Cheaper hydrogen fuel cell could mean better green energy options

A new hydrogen fuel cell has been developed using an iron catalyst, which could make green energy more accessible and affordable. The innovation allows for a significant reduction in the cost of one of the primary components, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

UTMB study shows common antibody therapy has anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies

Researchers at UTMB confirmed the presence of neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in a commonly used immunoglobulin product, providing protective benefits to immunocompromised patients. The study's findings have value for future immunoglobulin-based modalities and reduce anxiety about infection or exposure to the virus.

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.

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.

Beetle in the coconut: Fossil find sheds new light on Neotropical rainforests

A 60-million-year-old fossil of a coconut reveals insect tunneling signs, pinpointing the culprit as palm bruchines beetles. This finding sheds new light on Neotropical rainforests and their interactions with insects, highlighting the importance of specialized plant-insect relationships in maintaining plant diversity.

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.

Friendship ornaments from the Stone Age

A study by University of Helsinki researchers suggests that some Stone Age ornaments were deliberately fragmented as part of social relations, bartering, or ritual activities. The analysis of geochemical composition and use traces revealed fragments from the same ornament found in different locations, indicating they were worn by two i...

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.

New brain stimulation treatments help smokers quit

A systematic review found that non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) improves smoking abstinence rates 3 to 6 months after quitting. NIBS methods have shown promising results for tobacco use disorder treatment, but little was known about long-term effectiveness.

LightPC Presents a Resilient System Using Only Non-Volatile Memory​

The KAIST research team has developed LightPC, a lightweight persistence centric system that ensures both data and execution persistence using only non-volatile memory. This technology reduces power consumption and increases performance by minimizing internal volatile memory components and increasing parallelism.

Smooth movements are achieved by the stable basal ganglia activity

Research shows that stable basal ganglia activity is essential for smooth movements, as disrupting this activity leads to unstable and involuntary movements. The study used a chemogenetic tool to suppress neural activity in the subthalamic nucleus of macaque monkeys, inducing abnormal movements.

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.

Automated analysis of animal behaviour

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an automated way to analyze animal behavior from video footage using computer vision and machine learning. The new algorithm can distinguish individual animals and identify specific behaviors, such as curiosity or fear responses, with high accuracy.

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.

Can rude behavior mask sexism? UTD professor’s study says yes

A UTD professor's study found that men's rudeness toward others, including women, can obscure the recognition of sexism. The study suggests that a perception of gender blindness can lead observers to view the perpetrator as not sexist, even when they are displaying sexist behavior.

Learning from endangered zebra stem cells

Researchers at Kyoto University have produced induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from the endangered Grévy's zebra, showcasing similarities with human and mouse stem cells. The study's findings provide insight into evolutionary conservation between mammals and may help advance research on endangered species.

Asthma drug can block crucial SARS-CoV-2 protein

Researchers found that a common asthma medication can bind to and block the Nsp1 protein of SARS-CoV-2, preventing it from shutting down vital proteins in human immune cells. The study suggests that targeting this region could be an effective way to reduce damage inflicted by the virus.

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.

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.

A new era of mitochondrial genome editing has begun

Scientists have successfully developed a gene-editing platform called TALED that can perform A-to-G base conversion in mitochondria, the final missing piece of the puzzle in gene-editing technology. This breakthrough has significant implications for treating previously incurable genetic diseases caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA.

Meet the forest microbes that can survive megafires

Research finds fungi and bacteria can thrive in post-megafire soils, with certain microbes increasing in abundance. These microbial 'cousins' are genetically related and share adaptive traits to respond to fire, improving prediction of their responses.

Newly discovered protein in fungus bypasses plant defenses

A team of scientists has identified a protein called SsPINE1 that allows the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to overcome plant defenses. This discovery could lead to new avenues for controlling white mold stem rot pathogens and potentially even more effective, targeted breeding to make plants naturally resistant.

Evaluation of suicides among adolescents during pandemic

A recent study by Boston Children's Hospital found a significant increase in adolescent suicide rates during the pandemic. The analysis of data from 2015 to 2020 revealed a sharp rise in suicides among youth aged 10-19, with 14 states experiencing particularly high numbers.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Study: Economic burden of PTSD `staggering’

A new study estimates the national economic burden of PTSD at $232.2 billion for 2018, with civilians accounting for 82% of the total costs. The study calls for increased awareness, effective therapies, and expanded evidence-based strategies to reduce the clinical and economic burden of PTSD.

Williams receives funding for a webinar series on lung cancer screening

Michelle Williams, Assistant Professor at George Mason University, received $9,999 to host a lung cancer screening webinar series targeting healthcare providers in Mississippi. The goal is to decrease lung cancer incidence and mortality rates through increased screenings and smoking cessation.

Could blocking or deleting a protein help prevent common oral cancers?

Deleting or inhibiting a protein called lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) may curb the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma tumors. The study found that disrupting LSD1 promotes anti-tumor immunity, which can help fight cancer. The discovery could lead to new and potentially more effective therapies for oral cancer patients.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New and surprising duality found in theoretical particle physics

Researchers found a surprising duality between two scattering processes in proton collisions, indicating unknown details of the standard model. This connection suggests that theoretical calculations can be simplified by using one calculation to answer more complicated ones.

Reprogrammed macrophages promote spread of breast cancer

A team of scientists from the German Cancer Research Center discovered that reprogrammed macrophages produce a cocktail of metastasis-promoting proteins that support the growth of breast cancer cells in distant organs. The study identified new targets for therapy to restrain the spread of breast cancer.

Ecotourism is having a negative effect on primate’s behavior

A new study found that primate ecotourism is causing stress-related behaviors in monkeys, including self-scratching, increased aggression, and reduced feeding. The researchers propose guidelines for tourists and guides to minimize the impact of motorboat approach speeds on primates.

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.

Some mammals shift their schedules in urban environments

Urban mammals adjust their daily activities to evade human encounters, altering predator-prey dynamics and increasing human overlap. This multi-species study reveals the timing of mammalian behavior changes in response to urbanization.

Wireless device to provide new options for colorectal cancer treatment

Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a low-cost, minimally invasive wireless device that uses photodynamic therapy to kill cancer cells. The device enables precise and safe treatment options during surgery, potentially reducing the need for additional treatments like chemotherapy.