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Science News Archive December 2022


Page 31 of 31

Fungi in sink drains act as ‘reservoirs for mould’

Research from the University of Reading found that sinks and P-traps harbor a surprising number of fungal organisms, including black moulds and relatives of baker's yeast. The study showed that these microorganisms can tolerate high temperatures, low pH, and low nutrients, making them a potential risk to health in certain environments.

New potential mechanism for vision loss discovered

Scientists discover that visual cells in the human retina may be mechanically transported out of the retina before dying, leading to neurodegeneration. The discovery uses miniature human retinas grown in the laboratory and found that pharmacological agents can prevent extrusion.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How can sex education training videos be more inclusive?

A new video training platform, SkillFlix for Educators, aims to improve educators' skills in facilitating inclusive sexuality education. The platform uses professional actors and film crew to simulate a classroom environment, incorporating LGBTQIA2S+ experts and actors into the production process.

Having trouble sleeping? Try exercise!

A recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that people who are physically fit have a lower risk of needing prescription sleeping pills. The research, based on data from Norway's HUNT study, suggests that being in good physical shape can help improve sleep quality.

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.

mRNA vaccines offer one-two punch to combat malaria

Researchers at George Washington University developed two mRNA vaccine candidates that are highly effective in reducing both malaria infection and transmission. The vaccines induce a powerful immune response regardless of whether they are given individually or in combination.

Basho in the machine

A study led by Kyoto University researchers found that AI-generated haiku poems, created without human intervention, were often indistinguishable from those penned by humans. In contrast, human-AI collaboration produced more creative works.

Self-driven healthcare can improve health outcomes and reduce costs

A self-driven healthcare ecosystem supports individuals in managing their own health and wellbeing by recording and uploading data through a secure online portal. This approach aims to improve health outcomes while controlling costs and addressing social determinants of health.

Parents talk more to toddlers who talk back

Researchers at Duke University found that caregivers talk more to young children who start talking, regardless of gender, rather than solely due to girls having bigger vocabularies. Girls' vocabulary advantage may be attributed to factors other than parental language input, offering insights into language development.

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.

A quality-conscious protein

Researchers from University of Cologne and Technical University of Munich discovered that the signal peptidase complex plays a crucial role in quality control of membrane proteins. The complex cleaves faulty membrane proteins to initiate their degradation, maintaining cellular function. This discovery has important implications for und...

Researchers test promising tech treatment for youth depression

Researchers tested the effectiveness of brain stimulation followed by cognitive exercise for treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in youth. The study found significant changes in brain activity and a reduction in depressive symptoms, suggesting a promising treatment option.

Flowers show their true colors

A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo has discovered a newly found trait in the Causonis japonica flower, which changes color depending on its maturation cycle and then reverses. The pigments involved are related to nutrient-rich colorful vegetables, suggesting potential downstream applications in improving nutrient yields.

Trouble sleeping? You could be at risk of type 2 diabetes

A study of over 1000 Australian adults found that people with trouble sleeping were more likely to have indicators of poor cardiometabolic health, including inflammatory markers, cholesterol, and body weight. Prioritizing a good night's sleep is crucial for maintaining good health, according to researcher Dr Lisa Matricciani.

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 identify key brain cells in mice underlying stress-related behaviors

A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying stress-related behaviors, revealing that glutamate cells in the ventral tegmental area play a critical role. The research found that mice exposed to uncontrollable stressors exhibited more pronounced anxiety-like behavior, whereas those with c...

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.

To save nature, focus on populations, not species

A new study found that different populations of the same marine species have varying thermal limits, and connecting them could ensure survival in a warming world. This approach offers a window of hope for adaptation and conservation practices.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Multiple sclerosis therapy improves gut flora

Researchers found that dimethyl fumarate treatment increased the proportion of beneficial gut bacteria and reduced pro-inflammatory types, which are associated with MS. The study suggests a potential connection between gut flora and clinical side effects, paving the way for personalized treatment approaches.

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.

An exotic interplay of electrons

An international team has discovered a quantum state in which atomic alignment does not order at ultracold temperatures, unlike usual behavior. This liquid-like quantum state could be used to develop highly sensitive quantum sensors, enabling precise registration of magnetic fields or temperatures.

Do women age differently from men?

Researchers found that rapamycin increased autophagy in female intestinal cells, leading to longer lifespan and reduced age-related diseases. In contrast, male intestinal cells showed no further increase in autophagy activity after rapamycin treatment.

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.

Changing the color of quantum light on an integrated chip

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed an integrated electro-optic modulator that can efficiently change the frequency and bandwidth of single photons on a chip. This device could be used for more advanced quantum computing and quantum networks.

Pandemic stress physically aged teens’ brains, Stanford study finds

A Stanford University study reveals pandemic-related stressors have physically altered adolescents' brains, making their brain structures appear several years older than peers before the pandemic. The study found reduced cortical thickness and increased hippocampal and amygdala volume in teens who experienced COVID-19 lockdowns.

To be equitable, US urban green infrastructure planning must transform

A comprehensive analysis of 20 US cities reveals widespread failure to incorporate equity and justice principles in green infrastructure planning. The study highlights the need for fundamental transformation in planning processes to ensure that benefits are distributed fairly and marginalized communities are involved.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Washington D.C. data dashboard comes to BikePed Portal

The Washington D.C. metro area's dashboard is being developed at PSU, allowing users to see all the data together in one place. The project aims to improve nonmotorized planning by providing clean, quality-checked biking and walking count data.

New articles for Geosphere posted online first

Researchers studied oceanic intraplate faulting in the Caribbean, revealing a new mechanism of hydration that drives deep deformation of lithosphere. Meanwhile, texture shading of lidar digital terrain models improves understanding of geological structures in areas with limited exposure.

Experimental vaccines offer long-term protection against severe COVID

Researchers have found that experimental vaccines, including a protein-based vaccine candidate with an adjuvant, provide superior protection against lung disease and higher levels of neutralizing antibodies compared to mRNA vaccines. The results inform the optimization and development of COVID-19 vaccines for young infant populations.

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.

COVID-19 patients show liver injury months after infection

A new study finds that COVID-19 patients exhibit higher liver stiffness months after infection, indicating possible long-term liver damage. The study also suggests that even pre-pandemic patients showed increased liver stiffness, likely due to changing referral patterns during the pandemic.

At last: Mastering Stratego with AI

Researchers introduce a novel method allowing an AI to master Stratego, a complex imperfect information game. The developed AI agent, DeepNash, achieves human expert-level performance without using traditional search methods.

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.

A sustainable path for energy-demanding photochemistry

Researchers have developed a metal-free photon upconversion system that transforms readily available visible light into UVB photons, enabling sustainable photochemical processes. The breakthrough enables efficient generation of high-energy UV photons without relying on mercury lamps or other inefficient alternatives.

Nanotech strategy shows promise for treating autoimmune disease

Researchers at Scripps Research developed nanoparticles that target only the immune cells driving an autoimmune reaction, delaying or preventing severe disease in a mouse model of arthritis. The treatment boosts regulatory T cell populations and reduces anti-self-antigen antibody production.

New analysis approach could help boost sensitivity of large telescopes

Researchers develop new method to evaluate telescope performance before installation, enabling better optimization and reduced scattering. This approach uses near-field radio holography to map the optics at cryogenic temperatures, improving signal-to-noise ratio and ensuring accurate space observations.

Growing startups should worry about rising ‘diversity debt’

Startups with few female employees face difficulties attracting women, leading to a lopsided workforce. To address this issue, companies must acknowledge and communicate their diversity debt, showcasing their commitment to creating a safe environment for women.

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.

How gravity may cause irritable bowel syndrome

A new theory proposes that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be caused by the body's inability to manage gravity. The hypothesis suggests that gravity can compress the spine, decrease flexibility, and cause organs to shift downward, leading to IBS symptoms.