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Science News for December 16, 2022


A new neurodevelopmental epilepsy disorder and its genetic cause discovered

Researchers identified a novel neurodevelopmental epilepsy disorder caused by alterations in the EIF4A2 gene, leading to intellectual disability, hypotonia, and epilepsy. The study used fruit flies to demonstrate the causal role of EIF4A2 mutations, providing insights into protein translation regulation and brain development.

SourceTexas Children's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Researchers unravel a population of ‘cheating’ cells in cancers

A team of researchers identified a population of 'cheating' cancer cells that can bypass constraints imposed by lack of oxygen, allowing them to continue growing. These cells manipulate the HIF-1 protein, which normally slows down cell growth under hypoxic conditions.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalCell Systems·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2022
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.

Linking fossil climate proxies to living bacteria helps climate predictions

A new study reveals that certain types of lipids found in ancient fossils are produced by specific living bacteria. By identifying these microorganisms and understanding how they produce the lipids, scientists can create more accurate climate reconstructions. This discovery also sheds light on the early evolution of life on Earth.

SourceRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 16, 2022
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

What goes into a retailer’s decision to lower prices?

Researchers found three reasons retailers are reluctant to adjust new product prices: lack of price changes on related products, state-level pricing laws requiring price stickers, and 99-cent endings. Larger price frictions often lead to product discontinuation, hindering sales success.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2022

Dramatic change from pandemic brought on stress for mothers

A large-scale study of mothers reveals those who experienced greatest pandemic-related change are more susceptible to traumatic stress symptoms. Mothers with higher incomes and education were found to be in the high-change group, while those with lower socioeconomic status reported fewer disruptions.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 16, 2022

ACMG publishes evidence-based clinical practice guideline recommending that noninvasive prenatal screening become the standard screening option for all pregnant individuals

The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommends that noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) become the standard screening option for all pregnant individuals. NIPS has been shown to have a high accuracy rate, with detection rates of 98.8% for Trisomy 21 and 99.6% for sex chromosome abnormalities.

SourceAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics·JournalGenetics in Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 16, 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.

Climate change played key role in dinosaur success story

New research shows climate change played a key role in dinosaurs' rise to success during the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods. The planet's warming after the Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction event allowed sauropod-like dinosaurs to thrive and expand across new territories, becoming the dominant species.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 16, 2022

Child labor contributes to the preservation of forest cover

A new study reveals that child labor plays a significant role in preserving forest cover in southwestern Ethiopia. However, the economic-environmental synergy of smallholder shade coffee production is compromised by an undesirable reliance on child labor, leading to negative effects on children's schooling.

SourceStockholm University·TypeSurvey·DateDec 16, 2022

What pretend play tells us about social cognition

Children as young as two engage in pretend play, demonstrating ability to distinguish between pretence and reality. This cognitive skill allows them to adopt different perspectives, even in the presence of others, suggesting early-stage development of social cognition.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalSynthese·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2022

Catching up to climate change by tracking big-picture patterns

By analyzing satellite imagery and tracking net primary productivity, researchers aim to predict how ecosystems will respond to climate change. Their model suggests that the rate at which ecosystems adapt to changing conditions is a critical component to reducing uncertainty about future projections.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalEcology Letters·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 16, 2022
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.

New study examines links between parents’ income and sexual orientation of their children

A new study published in Evolutionary Psychology examines the relationship between parental income and the sexual behavior of their adult children. The research found that children from low-income families had higher frequencies of same-sex attraction, while those from high-income families had lower frequencies.

SourceSwansea University·JournalEvolutionary Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2022

Long-lasting, intense afterglow

A team of researchers from Lithuania has developed organic dyes showing a particularly long afterglow after being excited by light. The new material exhibits persistent thermally activated delayed fluorescence and long phosphorescence at room temperature, enabling color-tunable room-temperature organic afterglow.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Physician, heal thyself?

A study by MIT economists found that doctors and their families are less likely to adhere to medication guidelines than the general population. Despite having better access to medical expertise, they lag behind in following guidelines 3.8 percentage points, with significant differences in 41 cases.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateDec 16, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Underground Italian lab searches for signals of quantum gravity

Physicists search for signs of radiation produced by a violation of the Pauli exclusion principle, which determines electron arrangement in atoms. No evidence of violation has been found so far, ruling out some quantum-gravity models.

SourceFoundational Questions Institute, FQXi·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Research into the chemistry of environmentally friendly power generation at the ELTE Eötvös Loránd University

The researchers investigated the ignition of methane-air mixtures using a detailed reaction kinetics model. They identified five domains with different sets of chemical reactions leading to methane ignition. This knowledge can help increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact in heating and power generation.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalProceedings of the Combustion Institute·DateDec 16, 2022

COVID-19: a respiratory vaccine effective in mice

A new respiratory vaccine has been shown to provide complete protection against lethal SARS-CoV-2 challenge in mice. The vaccine uses a DNA encoding a viral protein and is delivered through the mucous membranes, targeting immune cells in the nose and lungs.

SourceCNRS·JournalBiomaterials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Using machine learning to better understand how water behaves

Using machine learning to study water's phase changes, researchers found strong computational evidence in support of liquid-liquid transition. This technique can be applied to real-world systems that use water, informing water's use in industrial processes and climate models.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 16, 2022

New study confirms the light from outside our galaxy brighter than expected

Researchers at RIT have made a groundbreaking discovery confirming the light emitted by stars outside our galaxy is two to three times brighter than previously thought. This finding suggests a possible absence of optical light sources in the universe, potentially changing our understanding of how it formed over time.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateDec 16, 2022
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.

The Dutch cycle twice as much as Germans in Winter

A study by Dr Ansgar Hudde found that the Dutch cycle around twice as often as Germans during winter months due to differences in mobility culture. This is attributed to a cycling culture in Germany that only encourages seasonal cycling, whereas the Netherlands promotes year-round cycling.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalJournal of Transport Geography·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 16, 2022

World cardiology leaders call for global action to reinvent randomized clinical trials

Cardiology organizations propose modernizing randomized clinical trials using streamlined approaches, digital technology, and real-world data to enhance efficiency, safety, and innovation. The goal is to improve patient care and address unmet medical needs, particularly for diverse populations.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 16, 2022

Cost concerns keep older adults from seeking emergency care

A new study reveals that older adults are hesitant to seek emergency care due to financial worries. Among those who may need care, 22% skip the visit altogether. Those in their 50s and early 60s, women, uninsured individuals, low-income households, and those with poor mental health are disproportionately affected.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·TypeSurvey·DateDec 16, 2022

Astronomers discover clues about stellar ‘glitching’

Researchers found that 24% of surveyed red giants experienced structural discontinuities, affecting their oscillations and star's internal composition. The study aims to refine stellar models and uncover the history of the universe through detailed stellar fossil records.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 16, 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.

Wearable skin patch monitors hemoglobin in deep tissues

The device can monitor hemoglobin levels in deep tissues with high spatial resolution, providing critical information for timely interventions. It overcomes limitations of existing methods, such as MRI and X-ray-computed tomography, which are bulky and only provide immediate status information.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Warm days are contributing to gun violence surge across the US

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health and the University of Washington School of Social Work found a consistent relationship between higher temperatures and higher risk of shootings in 100 of the country's most populated cities. Nearly seven percent of shootings can be attributed to above-average daily temperatures.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2022

Genes & Cancer | Systems biology network reveals the correlation between COX-2 expression and Ch 7q copy number alterations in Ch 11q-deleted pediatric neuroblastoma tumors

Researchers analyzed COX-2 levels and segmental chromosome aberrations in pediatric neuroblastoma tumor samples. Positive correlations between pre-CT Ch 7q gain and COX-2 expression were found, as well as negative correlations between Ch 7q gain and Ch 11q deletion.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalGenes & Cancer·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 16, 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.

A sensitization strategy achieves hyperfluorescence

Researchers developed a new fluorescent emitter with a small Stokes shift, achieving high external quantum efficiency over 10% and narrow emission bands. The sensitization strategy using TADF sensitizer is an effective method for obtaining efficient electroluminescent devices.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Drug combination for stage IV melanoma shows success in CU Cancer Center trial

A new multidrug treatment combining pembrolizumab and all-trans retinoic acid has proven effective in treating stage IV melanoma, with an overall response rate of 71% and a one-year overall survival rate of 80%. The study's results are promising for patients who have failed traditional immunotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateDec 16, 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.

The AVID college prep program leads to lower substance use, better health behaviors among high school students, UCLA-led research suggests

The AVID college preparatory program has been shown to have a positive effect on students' social networks, psycho-social outcomes, and health behaviors. Students who participated in the program had lower odds of using substances and associating with substance-using peers compared to those in usual school programs.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 16, 2022

New DNA analysis provides first accurate tuberculosis genome

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a novel genome assembly tool called Bact-Builder that creates an improved genome map of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This breakthrough enables the identification of new genes and gene fragments missing in current reference sequences, which could lead to better treatments and vaccines.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Astronomers may have uncovered how galaxies change their shape

Researchers used AI to classify galaxies by their shape, leveraging the EAGLE simulation. The study suggests spiral galaxies lose gas as they merge with other galaxies, transforming into elliptical shapes. The findings bring together various pieces of research, providing a new understanding of galaxy evolution and morphology.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 16, 2022

Why aren’t all black bears black?

Black bears with a specific mutation in the TYRP1 gene have reduced eumelanin production, resulting in a cinnamon coat. The team found that this mutation arose spontaneously around 9,360 years ago in western US black bears and spread as they migrated across their range.

SourceHudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 16, 2022
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.

A deep red, cranberry-tinted lipstick that’s also antimicrobial

Researchers have created a deep red, antimicrobial lipstick using cranberry extract, which inactivates viruses, bacteria, and fungi within minutes. The novel formula could provide protection against a range of disease-causing microorganisms.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateDec 16, 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.

Atomic structure of a staphylococcal bacteriophage using cryo-electron microscopy

Researchers have gained a better understanding of the structures and functions of Andhra gene products, paving the way for custom phages for therapeutic applications. The high-resolution knowledge of the virus structure is crucial for developing targeted treatments against Staphylococcus epidermidis infections.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Webb Space Telescope reveals previously shrouded newborn stars

Astronomers used the Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared camera to analyze images of the Cosmic Cliffs region in NGC 3324. The discovery reveals telltale signs from two dozen previously unseen young stars, with many appearing to be protostars that will eventually become low-mass stars like Earth's sun.

SourceRice University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 16, 2022

Study examines bacteria living in and on mosquitoes

A North Carolina State University study found that mosquitoes harbor diverse bacterial communities, including those associated with human diseases. The research revealed greater bacterial diversity internally than externally, suggesting that mosquitoes may transfer pathogenic bacteria through physical contact or defecation.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Scientists develop low-cost system to measure space weather without leaving the ground

Researchers created a magneto-impedance sensor magnetometer that measures Earth's geomagnetic field fluctuations, enabling real-time monitoring of space weather and advancement of space research. The device is lightweight, power-efficient, and low-cost, making it suitable for constructing multi-point observation networks.

SourceNagoya University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Space Physics·DateDec 16, 2022
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.

Poorer physical health among those who experience discrimination in Canada

A new study from the University of Toronto found that refugees and immigrants aged 15-64 generally report good physical health, but those who experienced discrimination, had poor mental health, or were unmarried did not fare as well. The study highlights the importance of anti-discrimination strategies in healthcare settings.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAdvances in Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateDec 16, 2022

Mammals island-hopped from Australia to colonise the world

Australian scientists confirm that Theria (placental and marsupial mammals) evolved in Gondwana 50 million years ago before migrating to Asia. The discovery challenges long-held theories of mammal evolution.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAlcheringa An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology·DateDec 16, 2022
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.

Ceramides key in aging muscle health

A team of scientists discovered that ceramides accumulate in muscles during aging, leading to a decline in muscle function. Treating old mice with ceramide blockers prevented age-related loss of muscle mass and improved muscle strength.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Aging·DateDec 16, 2022