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Science News Archive December 2022


Page 2 of 31

Deep brain machine interfaces - interacting with human deep brain

Researchers investigate technologies to interact with the brain at different levels, enabling paralyzed patients to control robotic arms and prosthetics. Deep brain regions are heavily involved in basic life functions, and understanding their activities is crucial for clinical applications.

Eye scratching mechanisms in rats

Researchers investigate neural mechanisms behind itchy eyes in rodents and find the GRP-GRPR pathway plays a crucial role in transmitting itch signals. Rats exhibit a right-sided preference when scratching itchy eyes, which could lead to new therapeutic approaches for eye conditions.

Brain area necessary for fluid intelligence identified

A new study has mapped the parts of the brain that support fluid intelligence, a key feature of human cognition. The research found that patients with damage to the right frontal regions performed poorly in tasks requiring problem-solving and reasoning.

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.

Alveolar macrophages help CD8+ T cells go (anti-)viral

Researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology found that alveolar macrophages act as antigen-presenting cells to prime CD8+ T cell expansion in the lungs. This process involves the production of interleukin 18, leading to the development of resident memory-type cell populations.

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.

Bering Land Bridge formed surprisingly late during last ice age

Scientists found the Bering Land Bridge was flooded until 35,700 years ago, with its full emergence occurring shortly before human migration to the Americas. The study's findings suggest a less direct relationship between climate and global ice volume, casting doubt on some explanations for ice age cycles.

Unlocking cancer’s ancestry

A new software developed by researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory can accurately infers continental ancestry from tumor DNA and RNA. This technology has the potential to lead to more targeted and personalized cancer treatments by identifying genetic connections between cancer and race or ethnicity.

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.

Xanthan gum-based fluid thickener can help decrease blood glucose levels

Researchers found that xanthan gum-based fluid thickener decreases postprandial blood glucose levels by increasing Glp1 and Glp1r expression in the ileum. Additionally, the study reveals alterations in gut microbiome composition, favoring beneficial bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids to protect intestinal cells.

More obesity in three- and four-year-olds during pandemic

A study published in the European Journal of Public Health found a significant rise in body mass index (BMI) among Swedish children aged three to five during the pandemic. BMI rose in both boys and girls, with a notable increase in overweight and obesity rates among disadvantaged areas.

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.

Spontaneous baby movements have purpose

Researchers found that spontaneous movements in newborns and infants develop patterns of muscle interaction, enabling them to perform sequential movements as infants. This study provides insight into the origin of human movement and may lead to earlier diagnosis of developmental disorders.

Researchers discover solar wind-derived water in lunar soils

A joint research team from China has discovered high concentrations of hydrogen and low deuterium/hydrogen ratios in lunar soil grain rims consistent with solar wind origin. This finding suggests that the bulk water content in Chang'e-5 lunar soils is around 46 ppm, which could be higher in polar regions.

Eating viruses can power growth, reproduction of microorganism

A team of researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has discovered that certain microorganisms, such as Halteria, can eat high numbers of chloroviruses, which are known to infect green algae. This finding suggests that virovory, a virus-only diet, can support physiological growth and even population growth in an organism.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New platform integrates THz photonics with planarized low-loss polymers

A team of scientists developed a novel integrated photonic platform for THz photonics, integrating active and passive components on the same semiconductor platform. The platform enables efficient signal processing at THz and RF frequencies, with improved performance in critical figures such as dispersion, RF, and thermal properties.

New method finds the right treatment for breast cancer patients

Researchers developed a cell-based method to predict breast cancer treatment responses, showing promising results and potential for personalized medicine. The method uses tumour cells and supporting cells from patients, allowing for efficient drug profiling and accurate treatment prediction.

Comparing the cost-effectiveness of treatments for blood clots in cancer patients

A new study examines the cost-effectiveness of anticoagulation strategies for blood clots in cancer patients, finding that direct oral anti-coagulant (DOAC) drugs are more effective and cost-effective than low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). DOACs were favored as being more effective and less costly than LMWH in base-case analysis but...

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.

AI improves colorectal cancer screening in Lynch syndrome

Researchers found that AI-assisted colonoscopy significantly improved adenoma detection rates in patients with Lynch syndrome, detecting flat adenomas more effectively than standard examinations. The study suggests that AI-assisted real-time colonoscopy is a promising approach to optimize endoscopic surveillance for LS patients.

Music and ayahuasca’s role in treating substance use disorders in men

Researchers have discovered the positive impact of icaros on men's recovery from drug and alcohol addictions during ayahuasca healing ceremonies. The study, led by UC Riverside doctoral student Owain J. Graham, found that 86% of patients showed statistically significant improvements on the Addictions Severity Index.

Slime for the climate, delivered by brown algae

Researchers discovered that brown algae's fucoidan can remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the global cycle in the long term. The fucoidan is a recalcitrant molecule that does not return to the atmosphere quickly, making the brown algae particularly effective in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

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.

Some guts are better than others at harvesting energy

Research found that approximately 40% of Danish population has gut microbes that extract more energy from food, leading to a higher risk of obesity. This composition of gut microbes is also associated with faster digestion and greater nutrient extraction.

Predicting calving problems before insemination

A predictive model developed by University of Groningen researchers can identify cows at risk of dystocia before insemination. The model, which uses machine learning on a large dataset, suggests that it could roughly halve the risk of calving problems.

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.

New bacterial therapy approach to treat lung cancer

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a preclinical evaluation pipeline for characterization of bacterial therapies in lung cancer models. They combined bacterial therapies with other modalities of treatment to improve treatment efficacy without any additional toxicity.

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.

Nanoimprinting technique for humidity-responsive holographic images

Researchers at POSTECH have created a humidity-responsive display that changes brightness and color depending on humidity levels, allowing for infinite imaging capabilities. The technology uses polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and single-step nanoimprinting to achieve high-tunability of holographic images.

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.

New technique reveals changing shapes of magnetic noise in space and time

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new technique to measure the spatial structure and time-varying nature of magnetic noise. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for understanding quantum spin liquids, materials with bizarre quantum behaviors that were previously difficult to analyze experimentally.

When the body's B cell training grounds stay open after hours

A new study reveals that long-lived germinal centers, which can last for six months, are maintained by a dynamic balance between founder B cells and newly introduced naive B cells. The research provides insights into the workings of these microscopic training grounds and could inform future vaccine design.

Designing with DNA

A new software program developed by Duke Ph.D. student Dan Fu lets users create 3D structures made of DNA, including tiny vases, bowls, and hollow spheres. The software relies on a way to build with DNA described in 2011 by Hao Yan, which works by coiling a long DNA double helix into concentric rings to form the contours of the object.

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.

Plants between light and darkness

Researchers discovered two ion transport proteins, VCCN1 and KEA3, that dynamically adjust photosynthetic performance in response to light fluctuations. The study found that these proteins play a crucial role in protecting plants from excessive sunlight and optimizing growth under varying light conditions.

Oregon State archaeologists uncover oldest known projectile points in the Americas

Researchers discovered 13 full and fragmentary projectile points in Idaho dating back to around 15,700 years ago, providing significant details about early human life in the Pacific Northwest. The findings suggest a complex technology and potential genetic-cultural connections between ice age peoples of Northeast Asia and North America.

How the brain stores remote fear memory

Researchers found that remote fear memories are permanently stored in connections between memory neurons in the prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that a dysregulation of fear memory consolidation can lead to chronic maladaptive fear in PTSD, affecting about 6% of the population.

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.

Soaring fertilizer prices could see millions more undernourished

A study suggests that high fertiliser prices could lead to an additional 100 million people being undernourished, with up to one million deaths annually. The war in Ukraine has disrupted food exports, but energy and fertiliser price spikes are the primary drivers of food price rises.

Massive "marimo" algae balls at risk from deadly winter sunburn

A new study reveals that marimo algae balls are susceptible to photoinhibition when exposed to high light intensities and low water temperatures. Researchers found that while the algae can recover from brief periods of bright sunlight, prolonged exposure leads to cell damage and death.

People sleep the least from early 30s to early 50s

A recent study published in Nature Communications found that people's sleep duration follows three distinct phases across the lifespan. The study, which analyzed data from 730,187 participants, reveals a decline in sleep duration during mid-adulthood until age 33, followed by a plateau until early 50s.

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.