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Science News Archive December 2022


Page 25 of 31

Researchers use ultrasound waves to move objects hands-free

University of Minnesota researchers have developed a contactless manipulation method using ultrasound waves, which can move larger objects without physical contact. This technique uses metamaterial physics to steer objects in desired directions, enabling control through sound reflection.

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.

Race to finer and better imaging with structured terahertz light

Researchers investigate generating and performing terahertz structured light using flat photonic elements for object inspection and recognition tasks. Flat photonic elements offer advantages in creating non-diffracting beams that preserve internal structure, enabling high-resolution imaging with minimal background signal.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Transport of air masses in connection with "El Niño" decoded

Scientists at the University of Vienna uncover the connection between Pacific Ocean air mass transport and climate anomalies, including droughts in the Amazon and increased precipitation in the southeastern US. They also find that El Niño warms the Atlantic Ocean by transporting large amounts of heat.

Estimating forest desiccation to better predict fire danger

Scientists developed a first model to predict canopy water content during drought and heat waves. The model could enable fire danger forecasting models that include vegetation in their calculations, making it easier to predict the spread of fires.

Warming climate spurs harmful oxygen loss in lakes

Rondaxe Lake's experience is just one of thousands worldwide as lakes lose oxygen due to warming, leading to conditions like hypoxia and anoxia. This phenomenon, exacerbated by seasonal stratification, threatens aquatic life and ecosystems.

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.

New antimalarial drug requires higher doses to cure infection

A new antimalarial drug, tafenoquine, is found to require a higher dose of 450mg to achieve cure rates of 85% compared to the current 300mg dose of 70%. The study suggests that the single-dose tafenoquine is not as effective as optimal primaquine treatment in preventing vivax malaria relapses in all endemic regions.

Postpartum diabetes testing low for women with gestational diabetes

A new University of Otago study found that only half of women with gestational diabetes were tested for type 2 diabetes within six months of giving birth. The study also highlighted ethnic and regional disparities in testing rates, with Māori women being particularly under-tested.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

How neurons regulate their excitability autonomously

A study by University of Bonn elucidates a key mechanism in the brain where neurons fine-tune their sensitivity to incoming signals. Special nerve cells called interneurons play an essential role, sending inhibitory action potentials to reduce sensitivity.

New, portable device detects glow emitted by plants to measure their health

A new portable device can detect the low-intensity light emission from healthy plants, allowing researchers to measure their health and sustainability. This technology can help assess the impact of CO2 emissions, greenhouse gases, and extreme weather events on plant stress and inform strategies for sustainable agriculture.

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.

Energy-efficient computing with tiny magnetic vortices

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz developed a prototype that combines Brownian and reservoir computing to perform Boolean logic operations. This innovation uses metallic thin films exhibiting magnetic skyrmions to achieve energy savings through automatic system reset.

Long-range information transport in antiferromagnets

Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed a new class of materials for transporting spin waves over long distances in antiferromagnets. This breakthrough could significantly increase computing speed and reduce waste heat in microelectronic devices.

Nuclear physics gets a boost for high-performance computing

The US Department of Energy has awarded $35 million in grants to three joint projects between Nuclear Physics and Advanced Scientific Computing Research programs. These projects aim to optimize software tools for calculations of quantum chromodynamics, which describes the structure of protons and neutrons, using powerful supercomputers...

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 X-ray technology can improve Covid-19 diagnosis

Researchers have developed a new X-ray technology that visualizes lung tissue microstructure, providing additional information for accurate diagnosis. Dark-field X-ray images can differentiate between diseased and healthy lung tissue, potentially replacing computed tomography (CT) for repeated examinations.

Cochrane review of COVID-19 vaccines shows they are effective

The Cochrane review analyzed data from 41 randomized controlled trials of 12 different COVID-19 vaccines, involving 433,838 people worldwide. The review found that most vaccines reduced the risk of COVID-19 infection and severe disease, with few reported side effects.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Parkinson’s medication improved blood pressure in teens with Type 1 diabetes

A study published in the Hypertension journal suggests that bromocriptine, a Parkinson's disease medication, may help prevent heart disease in youth with Type 1 diabetes. The research found that teens with Type 1 diabetes who took bromocriptine had lower blood pressure and less stiff arteries after one month of treatment.

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.

People with mental disorders lose years of their working life

A new study from Aarhus University found that people diagnosed with mental disorders work 10.5 years less than the general population. The researchers analyzed data from over 5 million individuals in Denmark and found that all types of mental disorders are associated with a substantial loss of working life.

Twin study links exercise to beneficial epigenetic changes

A new study of twins found that consistent exercise can change the molecules in the human body that influence gene behavior, leading to lower signs of metabolic disease. The study suggests that markers of metabolic disease are strongly influenced by how a person interacts with their environment, rather than just their inherited genetics.

Harvesting light to grow food and clean energy together

Researchers found that red light is more efficient for growing plants while blue light is better suited for solar energy production. This breakthrough could guide global interest in agrivoltaics and identify potential applications for those systems.

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.

Researchers decode the evolution of action games

A team of researchers applied game refinement theory to analyze the evolution of boss battles in the God of War game series, identifying underlying entertainment aspects. The study found that the main games had a peak challenge around final three boss battles, while non-main versions experienced maximum challenge in the middle.

For people with dementia with Lewy bodies, treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, with or without memantine treatment, appears to be associated with both lower risk of mortality and duration of stay for unplanned hospital admissions for physical

Treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, with or without memantine, may reduce mortality risk and length of stay for unplanned hospital admissions among individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies. The study analyzed data from the UK to support this association.

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.

Supersonic travel, without the sonic boom #ASA183

NASA will conduct a series of flights over various communities to test its Quesst Mission Supersonic STEM Toolkit and measure sound levels. The mission hopes to inform an overland supersonic sound standard, potentially cutting flight times in half.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Common workplace fumes and dusts may heighten rheumatoid arthritis risk

Exposure to common workplace agents is associated with a heightened risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, which can be exacerbated by smoking and genetic predisposition. The study found that certain agents, such as quartz dust and gasoline fumes, are strongly linked to an increased risk of ACPA-positive disease.

CU faculty lead report on 10 recommendations to promote firearm injury prevention

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the US Department of Defense have co-hosted a summit on firearm suicide prevention. The CU faculty lead report outlines 10 recommendations to improve evidence-based interventions, including repealing prohibitions on questioning service members about personal firearms and implementi...

Study shows promise of new anti-KRAS drug for pancreatic cancer

Researchers developed a small molecule inhibitor that successfully shrunk tumors or stopped cancer growth in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. The drug, MRTX1133, not only targets cancer cells but also cooperates with the immune system to produce a durable response to treatment.

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.

3D-printed violins bring music into more hands #ASA183

A team of researchers created 3D-printed violins using modern materials and techniques, producing a darker, more mellow sound. The project aims to make music education accessible through the printing of affordable instruments.

Ankylosaurs battled each other as much as they fought off T. rex

Researchers found evidence that ankylosaurs used their tail clubs for social dominance and territorial battles, suggesting a complex behavior. The fossil of Zuul crurivastator revealed broken and healed spikes, indicating ritualized combat or 'jousting' among the dinosaurs.

Traveling with friends helps even mixed-up migrators find their way

A computer model simulates virtual groups of migrating animals and finds that sticking together is key to finding a destination, even when the magnetic compass is unreliable. The model showed that more than 70% of animals made it home simply by joining with others and following their lead.

Fresh understanding of ice age frequency – Otago study

A University of Otago study found that ice ages occurred every 41,000 years until 400,000 years ago, contradicting previous assumptions of a 100,000-year cycle. The research uses sediment cores and paleomagnetic analysis to reconstruct changes in the Earth's magnetic field.

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.

How metastatic cancer causes leaky blood vessels

Researchers found that tumor cells directly interact with blood vessel cells, altering their normal clockwise orientation to a counterclockwise position. This interaction may play a role in cancer metastasis and could be targeted for prevention and treatment.

Does Medicare’s merit-based incentive payment system really work?

Researchers analyzed data from over 80,000 primary care physicians and found no clear connection between MIPS scores and clinical performance. Doctors with low MIPS scores performed worse on some process measures but better on others, suggesting that the system may prioritize paperwork over patient outcomes.

Cultivating a music studio to sound like an indoor forest #ASA183

Blackbird Studio C's ambient-anechoic portmanteau, ambichoic, reduces sound reflections, creating a balanced and immersive space for musicians and engineers. The studio's unique design utilizes primitive root diffusers to diffuse sound energy, resulting in a comfortable and engaging environment.

Peekaboo! Tiny, hidden galaxy provides a peek into the past

Astronomers have uncovered a nearby galaxy, HIPASS J1131–31, nicknamed 'Peekaboo,' which has characteristics reminiscent of galaxies in the distant, early universe. The tiny galaxy is only 20 million light-years from Earth and exhibits extreme metal-poor properties.

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.