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Science News Archive December 2022


Page 23 of 31

Text-to-audio models make music from scratch #ASA183

Researchers have developed a text-to-audio model that can generate coherent and relevant music and sound from text, opening up new avenues for creative application and exploration. The model employed data compression methods to improve output quality and reduce training time.

You’re never too busy for self-gifting, study finds

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that individuals who are feeling tense due to time pressures and financial constraints tend not to reward themselves with gifts or experiences. However, when researchers encouraged participants to engage in self-gifting activities, they reported increased happiness and relaxat...

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.

Discovery of world’s oldest DNA breaks record by one million years

Scientists have identified two-million-year-old DNA fragments in northern Greenland's Ice Age sediment, providing insights into the past ecosystem and its potential to predict climate change. The discovery has sparked hopes that it could help academics build a picture of the DNA evolution of species still in existence today.

Could new cancer drugs come from potatoes and tomatoes?

Researchers found that certain glycoalkaloids in plants like potatoes and tomatoes can inhibit cancer cell growth and promote cancer cell death. These compounds have huge potential for future treatments and may be used to develop new cancer drugs.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Is classroom inclusion or segregation best for children with special needs?

A recent systematic review found that inclusion neither increases nor decreases learning and psychosocial adjustment in children with multiple disabilities. Individual assessments are crucial to determine each child's specific needs. The study highlights the importance of personalized approaches to support children with special needs.

Climate archives under the magnifying glass

A new analytical method has been developed to map climatic and environmental processes at high temporal resolution, revealing an abrupt intensification of seasonality in the tropical ocean during the last period of global climate change. This provides evidence of how global climate changes affect local, seasonal temperature variations.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

ASTRO issues updated guideline on radiation therapy for endometrial cancer

The updated guideline provides recommendations on the use of radiation therapy and systemic therapy after surgery to treat patients with endometrial cancer. It considers the role of surgical staging and molecular profiling techniques in determining whether a patient should receive post-operative therapy.

Hearing is believing: sounds can alter our visual perception

Research found that sounds can influence how we perceive objects visually, making related sounds prioritize certain features. This effect was observed in three experiments, showing that audio input influences object-morph selection speed and accuracy when played during visual discrimination phase.

Researchers find an elusive European parent of lager yeast in Ireland

Scientists have identified the ancient yeast species necessary for lager beer production in Europe, with a previously unknown parent strain found in Ireland. The discovery sheds new light on the history of brewing and suggests that natural populations of the yeast may still remain hidden in European forests.

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.

Martian dust devil analogues in the Mojave Desert #ASA183

Researchers have developed an algorithm to detect pressure activity indicative of dust devils in the Mojave Desert, which can inform their formation and life cycles on Mars. The study aims to improve Martian weather models and enhance robotic missions.

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.

Rust-coated irrigation pipes hint at lack of nitrate in groundwater

Researchers found that rusty center pivots indicate a lack of nitrate in the groundwater they feed. In fact, most wells supplying full-rust and part-rust pivots had nitrate concentrations below the EPA's safety threshold. However, some part-rust pivots showed higher nitrate levels, highlighting the need for further investigation.

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.

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.

Helping acoustic concepts resonate with students #ASA183

An experimental music piece by Alvin Lucier can be used to reveal details of the surrounding room and teach important lessons about acoustic resonance. Students can analyze the frequencies that make up the recording to determine which frequencies are resonances of the room, and then calculate the distance between pairs of walls.

Breaking down bacterial barriers

Computational models of bacterial cell walls can predict interactions with antimicrobials, enabling rapid screening for effective molecules. The models reveal differences in cell wall permeability between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Researchers find that brains with more vitamin D function better

A study published by Tufts University has found a link between higher levels of vitamin D in brain tissue and improved cognitive function in adults. The research, which analyzed brain tissue from over 200 participants, suggests that vitamin D may play a role in protecting the aging brain against diseases such as Alzheimer's.

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.

Surprise kilonova upends established understanding of long gamma-ray bursts

A team of astrophysicists has discovered that at least some long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) can result from neutron star mergers, contradicting the long-held belief that they solely originate from massive star collapses. This finding also sheds new light on the formation of the heaviest elements in the universe.

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.

NASA missions probe game-changing cosmic explosion

The event challenged scientists' understanding of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are the most powerful events in the universe. The burst's high-energy light and kilonova visible and infrared light were detected by NASA's Swift Observatory and Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, providing new insights into how heavy elements are created.

Primary foreign language teachers to get digital development

A new research project, led by the University of Reading and University of Southampton, aims to enhance primary foreign language teachers' knowledge and classroom skills using digital technology. The 'Digital Empowerment in Language Teaching' programme will be rolled out across England and Scotland to support teacher development.

The McKnight Brain Research Foundation and the American Federation for Aging Research announce Recipients of the 2022 McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards in Cognitive Aging and Memory Loss

Drs. Emilie T. Reas and Tara Tracy will lead transformative research in cognitive aging, focusing on blood-brain barrier dysfunction and the role of KIBRA protein in age-related memory loss. The awards aim to build a cadre of outstanding researchers to better understand and alleviate effects of age-related cognitive decline.

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.

New receptor “decoy” drug neutralizes COVID-19 virus and its variants

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a potent drug that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and its variants by mimicking the ACE2 receptor, making it effective against emerging antibody-resistant strains. The investigational drug, DF-COV-01, could also be used to treat future coronaviruses.

Buprenorphine use remained stable during first year of pandemic

The number of active buprenorphine prescriptions remained constant during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but new treatment episodes started significantly fewer than expected. This trend occurred despite emergency policies aimed at increasing access to the medication.

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.

Let the patient choose their type 2 diabetes medication says research study

A new study allows people with type 2 diabetes to choose their own medication after trying three different drugs in succession. The approach resulted in better glucose control and fewer side effects compared to other methods. Researchers conclude that patients should try before choosing a treatment for optimal results.

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.

Researchers reveal how trauma changes the brain

Researchers discovered that trauma changes brain mechanisms involved in learning and survival, such as the salience network. The study found that people with PTSD struggle to distinguish between safe and dangerous stimuli when emotions are involved.

Ancient stone tools from China provide earliest evidence of rice harvesting

Researchers identified two methods of harvesting rice, which helped initiate rice domestication. The findings showed that the early Neolithic cultures in southern China used both 'finger-knife' and 'sickle' techniques to harvest rice, with the latter method becoming more widely used as rice became more domesticated.

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.