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Science News for December 9, 2022


Bat diversity and abundance are highest in old deciduous forest stands on the river banks in Eastern Ukraine

A new study reveals that bat diversity is highest in old deciduous forest stands on river banks in Eastern Ukraine. The research found that mature forests older than 90 years improve breeding activity and abundance of bats, with species richness increasing up to 22% of all forests in the region.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalForests·TypeCase study·DateDec 9, 2022

Dinosaur teeth reveal what they didn’t eat

Researchers used dental microwear texture analysis to infer feeding habits of large theropods, including T. rex and Allosaurus. The study found that these dinosaurs did not eat bones as frequently as thought, with juveniles having a different feeding behavior.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPalaeontology·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 9, 2022
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.

LJI researchers find missing piece of the asthma puzzle

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have found that the inflammatory molecule LIGHT leads to airway remodeling and long-term breathing issues in severe asthma. Therapeutics targeting LIGHT could reverse airway and lung damage, offering a potential long-term treatment for asthma.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022

Uncanny valley for interactive social agents: an experimental study

This study evaluates the uncanny valley theory through human interactions with four human-like entities: a voice assistant, child-sized robot, virtual human, and life-sized humanoid robot. The results show that anthropomorphic robots are most liked, while the 'uncanny valley' effect is not observed.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalVirtual Reality & Intelligent Hardware·DateDec 9, 2022

RADepthNet: Reflectance-aware monocular depth estimation

RADepthNet separates depth-related features from irrelevant information and incorporates boundary features for better depth prediction results. The proposed method achieves state-of-the-art performance in monocular depth estimation on two datasets, including a newly built soccer video dataset.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalVirtual Reality & Intelligent Hardware·DateDec 9, 2022

BioRescue produces primordial germ cells from northern white rhino stem cells – a world’s first for large mammals

Scientists have successfully created primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLSs) from induced pluripotent stem cells of the northern white rhino Nabire, paving the way to produce artificial gametes. This breakthrough aims to prevent the extinction of the northern white rhinoceros and increase genetic diversity.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022

Covid vaccines also help protect HIV patients

Researchers found that Covid vaccines effectively protect HIV-positive individuals, particularly after a third booster shot. The study also revealed a surprisingly strong cellular immune response in HIV-positive people, similar to those in healthy individuals.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 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.

Baby seals show off vocal skills #ASA183

Seal pups possess an innate ability to change their voice pitch and volume, as well as recognize and respond to rhythmic sounds. This study suggests a possible evolutionary link between human-like language abilities and vocal plasticity in seals.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 9, 2022

How livestock systems act as a reservoir for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria

A recent study found that livestock systems are a significant source of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria and genes, which can spread to humans through contaminated manure. The researchers recommend ecosystem-wide surveillance and improved manure disposal practices to combat AMR on a global scale.

SourceInternational Livestock Research Institute·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 9, 2022

Researchers shed (laser) light on emerging water treatment technique

A team of researchers from the University of Rhode Island has discovered new details about the chemical reaction that occurs when ferrate is exposed to visible and ultraviolet light. The findings could help optimize the use of ferrate in water treatment applications, making it a promising option for smaller systems.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022
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.

Study explores how "me-time" affects social interaction

A new study by University at Buffalo researchers explores how spending time alone affects social interaction, finding that solitude may not be restorative for all individuals. Those who seek solitude due to fear or dislike of social interactions experience increased anxiety when interacting with others on days with increased alone time.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Development·TypeObservational study·DateDec 9, 2022

Today’s adolescent substances of choice may be harder for adults to detect

A new Lancet Viewpoint provides recommendations for providers and parents to detect and intervene in adolescent substance use. The study highlights the challenges of detecting substances with 'invisible symptoms' and emphasizes the importance of open communication and well-validated screening tools.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalThe Lancet·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 9, 2022

Racial, ethnic disparities in swimming skills found across generations

Research reveals stark racial and ethnic differences in swimming skills, with Black and Latine parents less confident in their abilities and fewer children taking swim lessons. Culturally tailored water-safety programs are crucial to eliminating these disparities and reducing child drownings.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateDec 9, 2022

New strategy for the synthesis of axially chiral allenic compounds

Researchers at USTC developed a new strategy for synthesizing axially chiral allenic compounds, achieving high enantiopurity and stereoselectivity. The method involves nickel-catalyzed asymmetric propargyl substitution and Myers rearrangement reactions.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 9, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Paper-thin solar cell can turn any surface into a power source

MIT engineers create ultralight fabric solar cells that can generate 18 times more power-per-kilogram than conventional solar cells, making them ideal for wearable power fabrics or deployment in remote locations. The technology can be integrated into built environments with minimal installation needs.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalSmall Methods·DateDec 9, 2022

Rapid fluorescent mapping of electrochemically induced local pH changes

This study uses ultra-pH-sensitive polymeric fluorescent probes to image local pH changes in electrocatalytic processes with subsecond resolution. The technique allows for rapid imaging of proton concentration changes, enabling the study of heterogeneous reactions and mass transport in electrocatalysis.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalAdvanced Sensor and Energy Materials·DateDec 9, 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.

Padgett named NSF BRITE Fellow

Jamie Padgett, a Rice University professor, has been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation's BRITE Fellows program. With this funding, she will develop methods for infrastructure resilience modeling in response to uncertain, evolving conditions resulting from earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters.

SourceRice University·DateDec 9, 2022

Weight-loss surgery produces durable improvements in urinary incontinence

A large longitudinal study found that weight-loss surgery significantly reduces urinary incontinence episode frequency in adults with severe obesity. After seven years, improvements persist despite some weight regain, offering a durable benefit to patients.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateDec 9, 2022

Atopic dermatitis in dogs linked to certain parts of the genome

Research by Uppsala University and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences links atopic dermatitis in dogs to specific genome regions. The study identifies genes coinciding with human atopic eczema, including the filaggrin gene region.

SourceUppsala University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022
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.

Structural studies offer “how-to” guide for designing cancer drugs

Researchers have discovered the three-dimensional structure of phosphoinositide 3-kinase alpha (PI3Kα) and how it changes with cancer-associated mutations. This knowledge enables the design of targeted drugs that can specifically bind to mutated versions, potentially eliminating side effects associated with current PI3Kα inhibitors.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 9, 2022

Aging is driven by unbalanced genes

Researchers found that longer genes are linked to longer lifespans and shorter genes to shorter lifespans, with aging causing a shift towards short genes. This imbalance leads to subtle changes in thousands of genes across various tissues, suggesting systems-level changes contribute to aging.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Aging·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 9, 2022

Hubble detects ghostly glow surrounding our solar system

Astronomers using Hubble Space Telescope data found a small but significant excess of light in the sky, equivalent to the glow of 10 fireflies. This residual glow could be caused by a tenuous sphere of dust from comets falling into the solar system, adding a new component to the known architecture of the solar system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateDec 9, 2022
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.

Synthesis of a silicon-integrated organic framework film

A research team at NIMS successfully synthesized a two-dimensional silicon-integrated covalent organic framework film on a metal surface. The technique may be applied to develop new materials in a bottom-up manner, with potential applications in battery materials and catalysts.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022

New optical computing approach offers ultrafast processing

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new optical computing approach that uses circularly polarized light to operate logic gates, resulting in ultrafast processing speeds. The technology operates about one million times faster than existing technologies and can be integrated into a single device.

SourceAalto University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 9, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Recycled gold from SIM cards could help make drugs more sustainable

Researchers have developed a low-cost way to extract gold and other valuable metals from electronic waste, which can be used as catalysts for reactions in pharmaceutical manufacture. The process has the potential to improve the sustainability of drug production by reducing dependence on environmentally damaging mining practices.

SourceImperial College London·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateDec 9, 2022
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.

FRET-based biosensor SMART visualizes execution of necroptosis in vivo

Researchers developed a FRET-based biosensor SMART to visualize necroptosis in living mice, enabling monitoring of this form of regulated cell death in various pathological models. The study successfully characterized necroptosis in vivo using transgenic mice with the FRET biosensor.

SourceToho University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022

Cupric oxide exhibiting both magnetic and dielectric properties at room temperature

Researchers confirmed cupric oxide's multiferroic state at room temperature under high pressure using neutron diffraction. Thin films of precisely distorted crystals may exhibit such properties at ambient pressure. This discovery enables the development of next-generation memory devices and energy-efficient optical modulators.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022

Curved spacetime in the lab

Heidelberg University researchers successfully simulated an entire family of curved universes using ultracold quantum gases. The experiment allowed them to investigate different cosmological scenarios and compare the results with a quantum field theoretical model.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 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.

Team undertakes study of two-dimensional transition metal chalcogenides

Researchers from Tsinghua University reviewed methods to modulate properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) for biosensing applications. The team found that TMD-based sensors can detect a range of biomolecules, including neurotransmitters and proteins.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalNano Research Energy·DateDec 9, 2022

A big step toward producing rhino gametes

Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have successfully generated primordial germ cells from stem cells, a world's first for a large mammalian species. This milestone aims to save the northern white rhino subspecies from extinction through lab-grown egg and sperm cells.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022

How a viral toxin may exacerbate severe COVID-19

A new study suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein contributes to vascular leak, a dangerous release of fluids from blood vessels leading to respiratory failure. Researchers believe blocking this pathway could help prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms and shed light on other emerging infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 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.

Epigenetic emergency switch improves defense against infections

Scientists at German Cancer Research Center have discovered an epigenetic switch in blood stem cells that improves defense against infections. The switch triggers the immune system's emergency response, increasing the production of immune cells and enhancing its ability to clear infections.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalScience Immunology·DateDec 9, 2022

Racial and ethnic disparities in swimming skills found across generations

A survey of over 1,300 parents found significant racial and ethnic differences in swimming skills, with White parents reporting higher comfort levels and more children receiving swim lessons. Culturally tailored programs to address these disparities may help reduce drowning rates among Black and Latine communities.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateDec 9, 2022

Symbiotic CO2 sequestration

Researchers genetically engineered a microbial community that can convert CO2 into sugar and produce useful chemicals, effectively acting as a living carbon sink. The community, consisting of bacteria and cyanobacteria, produces chemicals with a negative carbon balance.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 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.

Evolution of bat wings and calls through 'foraging syndromes' allows diversity to flourish

Researchers found a close correspondence between bat species' wing shapes and their echolocation vocalizations, with both linked to foraging ecology. The study reveals distinct 'foraging syndromes' that have evolved repeatedly in each family, matching optimal evolutionary solutions for different habitats.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 9, 2022

Trail section resurfaced using volcanic ash in Oregon

A quarter-mile segment of the Klamath Geo Trail was successfully resurfaced using volcanic ash from Mount Mazama, demonstrating its potential as a more sustainable and locally sourced pozzolan. The surface treatment improved firmness and stability, making it accessible to people with mobility devices.

SourcePortland State University·DateDec 9, 2022

UConn researcher aims to uncover plant invasions in the tropics

A UConn researcher has compiled a comprehensive database of invasive plant species in Central America, revealing that over 60% have been introduced for ornamental purposes. The study highlights the urgent need for action against tropical invasions, which threaten biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalBiological Invasions·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 9, 2022

The genes of the sixth sense

Scientists have identified genes that enable proprioception, a crucial sense for coordinated movement and balance. The discovery could lead to better understanding of neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries, scoliosis, and hip dysplasia, ultimately enabling the development of novel therapies.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Tobacco use, incidence of adverse oral health outcomes

Current tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems use associated with increased risk of bleeding after brushing or flossing. Longitudinal studies highlight the importance of tobacco cessation counseling in clinical practice.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 9, 2022

Expanding the arsenal of drugs against COVID-19

A team of researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University has designed and synthesized novel compounds that have the potential to be effective drugs against COVID-19. The compounds target the main protease enzyme of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is essential for viral replication.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournaliScience·DateDec 9, 2022