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Science News Archive August 2022 - Page 17


Page 17 of 38

A sustainable path to eliminate hunger in Africa

Researchers analyzed the impact of continental free trade and agricultural development on Africa's food security. They found that combining both approaches can improve trade balances, reduce hunger, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalNature Food·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 18, 2022
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.

WVU researcher studies the effects of online ‘sharenting’ and the risks facing kids

A West Virginia University researcher highlights the risks of sharing children's information on social media, including consent and privacy issues, as well as increased vulnerability to online predators. The study suggests that parents should be aware of these risks and take steps to protect their children's digital footprint.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalJournal of Consumer Affairs·DateAug 18, 2022

U-M researchers untangle the physics of high-temperature superconductors

Researchers at the University of Michigan have made significant progress in understanding high-temperature superconductivity. Their studies found that about 50% of superconductivity can be attributed to a 1966 theory, but the reality is more complex. The researchers also discovered that antiferromagnetic fluctuations play a crucial rol...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 18, 2022

‘Forever chemicals’ destroyed by simple new method

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a process to break down two major classes of PFAS compounds into benign end products using low temperatures and common reagents. The technique could be a powerful solution for disposing of these harmful chemicals linked to various health effects in humans, livestock, and the environment.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

Surgical backlogs from COVID-19 persist and could have serious healthcare consequences going forward

A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that surgical volumes remained significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels despite a full recovery of nonurgent procedure volumes after vaccination. This has resulted in more advanced disease states and poorer outcomes for patients when they finally receive treatment.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 18, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

RIPE researchers prove bioengineering better photosynthesis increases yields in food crops for the first time ever

Researchers have successfully increased soybean plant efficiency, resulting in greater yields without losing quality. The study aims to improve global food production by improving photosynthetic efficiency in food crops for smallholder farmers.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

Gallium oxide: crystal complexity tamed by machine learning

Researchers used machine learning to identify the key characteristics of gallium oxide, a complex material with five different crystal structures. The study provided a detailed understanding of the influence of structural disorder on its electronic structure, crucial for optimizing applications.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 18, 2022

Assessing the toxicity of Reddit comments

A study analyzing over 2 billion Reddit comments found that 16.11% of users publish toxic posts and 13.28% of users publish toxic comments, with a positive correlation between community growth and increased toxicity

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ Computer Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 18, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

First real-world study gives detailed new insights into when people with COVID-19 are infectious

A study of 57 people with mild COVID-19 found that the average duration of infectiousness was five days, and two-thirds of cases remained infectious for at least five days after symptoms began. Lateral flow tests can safely shorten self-isolation by identifying when someone is no longer contagious.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2022

Wildfire experts provide guidance for new research directions

A new study highlights five critical challenges in wildfire research, including promoting coordinated research and drawing on diverse sources of knowledge. The authors emphasize the need for a more proactive fire research agenda to create safe communities and ecosystems.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateAug 18, 2022

Novel hypotheses that answer key questions about the evolution of sexual reproduction

Researchers at Hokkaido University propose two novel hypotheses to address the 'two-fold cost of sex' in sexual reproduction. The first hypothesis suggests that meiosis eliminates harmful mutations through a process known as the 'seesaw effect.' The second hypothesis proposes that anisogamy evolved through 'inflated isogamy,' where lar...

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Ethology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 18, 2022

Noise affects life on the seafloor

Research by the Alfred Wegener Institute found that low-frequency noise from human activities stresses crustaceans, mussels, and worms on the seafloor, impacting their ability to transform sediment and maintain ecosystem function. This could have far-reaching consequences for nutrient cycling and food availability in marine ecosystems.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

Study identifies new dementia risk genes through novel testing approach

A new UCLA-led study has identified multiple new risk genes for Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) by combining new testing methods. The researchers used high-throughput testing to simultaneously test 5,706 genetic variants in 25 loci associated with Alzheimer's and nine loci associated with PSP.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalScience·DateAug 18, 2022
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.

Comparing home- and clinic-based visual acuity testing

Visual acuity testing at home and in a clinical setting have been compared for their accuracy and feasibility. The study found that both methods produced similar results, but the home-based test was faster and more convenient.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateAug 18, 2022

Collaborations inspired early-career NIH grant that could lead to treatment breakthroughs for a range of medical conditions

A University of Virginia researcher has received a $1.8 million NIH grant to develop polymers that can deliver peptides as medicine, overcoming limitations such as short duration and toxicity. The project aims to create new therapeutic formulations using polymer biomaterials, which have endless design possibilities.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateAug 18, 2022

Steepest annual rise in advanced cervical cancer in US among White women

Advanced cervical cancer rates have been rising in the US, with a significant increase among White women and higher prevalence among Black women, particularly those in their mid-to-late 50s. The study found that obesity and older age at first birth may contribute to the rise in this type of cervical cancer.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2022

A breakthrough in magnetic materials research could lead to novel ways to manipulate electron flow with much less energy loss

Scientists have discovered new magnetic interactions in TbMn6Sn6, a Kagome layered topological magnet, which could be used to customize electron flow and reduce energy loss. The material's unique structure and electronic band structure make it an ideal candidate for quantum computing, magnetic storage media, and high-precision sensors.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review X·DateAug 18, 2022
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 evidence shows water separates into two different liquids at low temperatures

Researchers have uncovered new evidence of a liquid-liquid phase transition in water, where molecules form 'entangled' arrangements at low temperatures. This finding has significant implications for understanding the physics of water and could pave the way for new experiments to validate the theory.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 18, 2022

Immune cell model paves way for new treatments targeting common infection amongst immunocompromised children

Researchers have successfully engineered human immune cells to model an infection common among immunocompromised people, paving the way for new drug testing and treatments. The immune cell type created played a key role in infection, inflammation, and regeneration, but also served as a natural host for germs.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

Rice team eyes cells for sophisticated data storage

Researchers at Rice University have developed cells that can store and process information similar to computer RAM. The cells will be programmed to synthesize redox-active molecules that carry information to and from the outside world, allowing for quick read and write capabilities.

SourceRice University·DateAug 18, 2022
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.

Pathway uncovered for greatest lupus genetic risk factor, study shows

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a molecular mechanism that drives the disease-causing effects of the most common genetic risk factor for lupus. The study suggests that targeting this new pathway could lead to the development of safe and effective treatments for SLE, an autoimmune disease that affects millions worldwide.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

New chip ramps up AI computing efficiency

Researchers at Stanford University have created a new chip architecture called NeuRRAM that performs AI computing directly within memory, reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency. The chip has been tested on various AI tasks and shown high accuracy rates.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateAug 18, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New SPARK study identifies a novel group of inherited genes of moderate effect and shows their links to other behavioral conditions

Researchers analyzed genetic data from nearly 43,000 people with autism and identified a novel group of inherited genes of moderate effect. The study shows that these genes contribute to autism through inherited variants and are associated with other neurodevelopmental disorders.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalNature Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 18, 2022

Medieval friars were ‘riddled with parasites’, study finds

A study of medieval Cambridge's Augustinian friary and local cemetery found that friars were almost twice as likely to be infected by intestinal parasites. The researchers suggest that the high infection rates among friars may have been due to their practice of manuring vegetable gardens with human faeces.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalInternational Journal of Paleopathology·DateAug 18, 2022

By design: from waste to next-gen carbon fiber

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new type of lignin that can improve the strength and recyclability of carbon fibers. When combined with polyacrylonitrile, the lignin-based material has shown record-breaking tensile strength and enhanced mechanical properties.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

NASA scientists study how to remove planetary “photobombers”

Astronomers use telescopes to analyze light from distant worlds, but 'photobombing' can occur when nearby planets contaminate the view. Researchers propose methods to mitigate this effect, such as data processing and multiple telescope observations, to improve habitable planet detection.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2022
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.

Why heat makes us sleepy

Researchers at Northwestern University found that a thermometer-like brain circuit promotes midday siestas on hot days. The study, which used fruit flies as a model organism, identified absolute heat receptors in fly heads, leading to increased midday sleep in flies and potentially humans.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 17, 2022

New guidance to prevent the tragedy of unrecognized esophageal intubation

The new guidance provides a comprehensive approach to preventing unrecognised oesophageal intubation, addressing both technical and human factors. It recommends standardising carbon dioxide monitoring and pulse oximetry, using videolaryngoscopes for correct placement, and addressing stress-related management of crises.

SourceAAGBI·JournalAnaesthesia·DateAug 17, 2022

Big data in the ER

A team of researchers from Osaka University developed an AI algorithm to predict the risk of mortality for trauma patients. They analyzed a large dataset of patient information and blood markers to identify critical factors that guide treatment strategies more precisely.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCritical Care·TypeObservational study·DateAug 17, 2022
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.

Study: Most people infected with omicron didn’t know it

A new study from Cedars-Sinai researchers found that 56% of people infected with the Omicron variant were unaware they had COVID-19. The study suggests that a lack of infection awareness contributed to the fast spread of Omicron.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 17, 2022

Considering genetic risk in prostate cancer referrals could lead to earlier diagnosis

A large-scale study by the University of Exeter found that incorporating genetic risk into GP triage processes can improve referrals for those in need, while avoiding unnecessary invasive biopsy investigations for those at low risk. This approach has the potential to significantly impact prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateAug 17, 2022

Scientists revealed source of internal mildew in sunflower seeds

Researchers used high-throughput sequencing to investigate the relationship between microorganisms and internal mildew in sunflower seeds. They found that Alternaria is the predominant mildew-causing pathogenic fungus and that low humidity conditions during storage can inhibit its growth.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalMicroorganisms·DateAug 17, 2022
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.

Circular economy to boost the 2030 agenda for sustainable development

A circular economy model offers a new chance for innovation, integrating natural ecosystems, businesses, and public-private-partnership to reduce environmental pressure. The transition to circular economy utilizes the potential of waste by increasing recycling and reuse.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalCircular Economy·DateAug 17, 2022

New prenatal test can reduce time, cost of detecting chromosomal abnormalities

A new prenatal test called STORK can determine if a fetus or embryo has the right number of chromosomes in under two hours, reducing time and cost. The test is about 10 times less expensive to process per sample and can improve treatment options for women trying to get pregnant.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2022

Climate researchers correct faulty rainfall predictions for China’s breadbasket

Researchers identified a previously unidentified major shift in atmospheric flows from the North Atlantic as a result of a weakening jet stream. This shift has led to incorrect climate predictions for spring rainfall over northeast China, which is vital for the country's food security and the world's ability to feed itself.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateAug 17, 2022
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 target structure against corona

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have found that fluoxetine and its analogue AKS466 can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus replication by trapping it in lysosomes and suppressing acid ceramidases, a new potential target for antiviral therapy.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCells·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2022

Could blood marker predict the risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in men?

A study found that elevated blood levels of chemokine CXCL9 predict the risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in men. Researchers discovered a significant association between CXCL9 and hip fractures in a cohort of Chinese men, highlighting the potential for early interventions targeting CXCL9 to prevent hip fractures.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateAug 17, 2022

A new neuromorphic chip for AI on the edge, at a small fraction of the energy and size of today’s compute platforms

The NeuRRAM chip demonstrates wide range of AI applications with equivalent accuracy while reducing energy consumption by up to 70% compared to traditional compute platforms. It also supports various neural network models and architectures, enabling diverse AI applications on edge devices.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2022
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.

Novel fluorescence sensing platform developed for visual monitoring of food safety

A research team developed a multi-emitting europium metal organic framework fluorophore for the visual detection of gallic acid in tea and fruit juice. The probe exhibited high sensitivity, fast response, and low detection limit, making it suitable for practical samples.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateAug 17, 2022

Living together: how two different species of dolphins coexist in Australia

A new study by Flinders University scientists highlights the importance of prey and habitat diversity for the coexistence of Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins. The research found that subtle differences in their habitat use and prey selection promote the coexistence of these ecologically similar dolphin species.

SourceFlinders University·JournalEcology and Evolution·TypeSurvey·DateAug 17, 2022

Frogs use brains or camouflage to evade predators

Researchers found that frogs with few predators rely on escape strategies with large brains and conspicuous coloration, while those with many predators use camouflage with smaller brains. This study establishes a link between brain evolution and predator evasion strategies.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateAug 17, 2022
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.

Sleeping giant could end deep ocean life

A new study by researchers at University of California - Riverside found that the position of continents can have a devastating effect on deep ocean creatures. Continental movement can cause a sudden collapse in global water circulation, leading to a stark separation between oxygen levels in the upper and lower depths.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2022
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.