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Science News Archive December 2022 - Page 3


Page 3 of 31

New analysis maps out impacts of marine chokepoint closures

A new study by Lincoln F. Pratson at Duke University uses GIS data and international trade simulations to estimate the types and amounts of disrupted trade if a chokepoint is closed, including increased shipping times and costs. The analysis highlights the importance of marine chokepoints in global economic security.

SourceDuke University·JournalCommunications in Transportation Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 22, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

In some US zip codes, young men face more risk of firearm death than those deployed in recent wars

A study by Brown University researchers found that young men in US zip codes with high firearm violence faced significantly higher risks of firearm-related deaths and injuries compared to military personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. The risk was particularly borne by minority racial and ethnic groups.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateDec 22, 2022

New activity trackers for dolphin conservation

Researchers developed wearable sensors to monitor dolphin movement and behavior, estimating energetic cost of swimming. The study provides new insights into dolphin swimming and energy requirements, enabling more effective conservation strategies.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateDec 22, 2022

Oncotarget | Plasma growth hormone is a potential biomarker of response to atezolizumab and bevacizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Researchers found that plasma GH levels are a potential biomarker for predicting treatment outcomes in patients with advanced HCC treated with Atezo/Bev. The study showed significantly superior overall survival and non-significant trend in favor of GH-low patients compared to GH-high patients.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeObservational study·DateDec 22, 2022

New sensor uses MRI to detect light deep in the brain

Researchers at MIT developed a new sensor that converts light into a magnetic signal detectable by MRI, allowing for the mapping of light distribution in tissue. This breakthrough has implications for optogenetic experiments and monitoring patients receiving light-based therapies for cancer treatment.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateDec 22, 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.

Male gender bias deters men from some career paths

Research by the American Psychological Association found that male gender bias deters men from pursuing careers in early education and other fields. Men who read about male gender bias reported less interest and a lower sense of belonging, highlighting the need for recruitment and mentoring programs to address this issue.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateDec 22, 2022

Treating gut pain via a Nobel prize-winning receptor

Researchers have identified Piezo2, a receptor responsible for sensing touch and temperature, as the key player in gut pain. Selectively targeting this channel may lead to new treatments for irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNeuron·TypeObservational study·DateDec 22, 2022

Automated simulation software creates a world map of polymer properties

Researchers developed RadonPy, an open-source software that automates polymer physical property calculations using simulations. The program produced and stored data for over 1,000 unique amorphous polymers, validating its accuracy against experimental values.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateDec 22, 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.

New method addresses problem with perovskite solar cells

Researchers at NREL have developed a new growth approach to manufacturing perovskite solar cells, yielding devices with high efficiency and excellent stability. The new method uses gas quenching to suppress phase segregation, resulting in wide-bandgap solar cells with efficiencies over 20% and operational stability.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2022

First test of anti-cancer agent PAC-1 in human clinical trials shows promise

A phase I clinical trial of PAC-1 found the drug to be well-tolerated, stalling tumor growth and reducing size in patients with end-stage cancers. The therapeutic activity was also observed against sarcomas, with minor side effects reported.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 22, 2022

Shrinking hydrogels enlarge nanofabrication options

A team of researchers has created a new method for fabricating nanodevices by shrinking hydrogels to create 3D patterns. This technique uses ultrafast two-photon lithography and can produce high-resolution patterns up to 13 times larger than the original size, enabling the creation of complex nanostructures.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2022

Meta-Optics: the disruptive technology you didn’t see coming

Meta-Optics is transforming science and technology, enabling novel applications in the Internet of Things, autonomous cars, wearable devices, and augmented reality. However, challenges remain to be solved, such as scaling up industrial processes and creating tunable metamaterials.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 22, 2022
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.

Study identifies new cause of melting Antarctic ice shelves

Researchers have found that a weak ocean gyre near the Thwaites Ice Shelf allows more warm water to access its base, causing it to melt. This process is driven by waters from nearby melting ice shelves and can impact the stability of adjacent ice shelves, contributing to global sea-level rise.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateDec 22, 2022

Lost fish find their way, thanks to their ‘ancient brain’

Scientists discovered a new multiregional hindbrain circuit that enables zebrafish to compute their location and correct course. The study used whole-brain imaging to reveal the circuits involved in this process, which may apply to other vertebrates.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateDec 22, 2022
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.

IU researchers discover “Humpty-Dumpty” water-based mechanism of human sex reversal at edge of developmental ambiguity

Researchers discovered a molecular 'clamping' mechanism within a male-specific protein-DNA complex that exploits a water molecule to stabilize the complex and enable sex reversal. The study sheds light on Swyer Syndrome, a condition where children with XY chromosomes develop female bodies.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalFrontiers in Endocrinology·DateDec 22, 2022

Physical fitness a demographic watershed

A study of 5,308 participants aged 50-64 found significant correlations between sedentary behavior and low fitness levels. Highly uneven fitness distribution was observed among groups at higher risk, including older adults, foreign-born individuals, and those with poor health and lifestyle habits.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBMJ Open·DateDec 22, 2022

New and improved multi-band operational receiver for 5G new radio communication

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel harmonic-selection technique to extend the operational bandwidth of 5G NR communication. The proposed technology improves power efficiency and achieves low noise, making it compatible with all existing 5G bands and future 60 GHz licensed band.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2022

URI endowed professor joins global experts writing on hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders

A new paper in Nature Reviews Disease Primers provides a global overview of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders, highlighting current approaches to diagnosis, screening, prevention, management, and treatment. The study emphasizes the need for further research, particularly on adolescents and effective behavioral interventions.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalNature Reviews Disease Primers·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 22, 2022

Three time dimensions, one space dimension

Researchers from Warsaw and Oxford propose a new theoretical framework that incorporates three time dimensions and one spatial dimension. This concept allows for the description of phenomena in a world with superluminal observers, which could potentially exist.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·DateDec 22, 2022
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.

Using additive manufacturing to detect counterfeit parts

Texas A&M researchers have developed a method to embed hidden magnetic tags in metal parts, providing a new tool to combat counterfeited goods. The technique uses metal additive manufacturing to create unique identifiers that can be read using a magnetic sensor device.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAdditive Manufacturing·DateDec 22, 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.

COVID-19 vaccination protects people with blood cancer

The study found that COVID-19 vaccination in patients with blood cancer activates a strong T cell response, providing protection against serious illness. Patients who form antibodies tend to produce high-quality antibodies capable of neutralizing different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Cancer·DateDec 22, 2022

Rwandan tree carbon stock mapped from above

Researchers at University of Copenhagen developed a method to map individual trees' carbon content using aerial images, improving accuracy and enabling better comparisons between countries. The method supports Rwanda in verifying commitments under schemes like REDD+ and AFR 100.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateDec 22, 2022

Model analysis of atmospheric observations reveals methane leakage in North China

A study using GOSAT observations and surface station data estimates CH4 emissions from natural gas in the NE region, showing a significant increase trend. The model-estimated total CH4 emissions and natural gas leaks constitute a waste of energy and value.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 22, 2022

Research shows fatty liver disease endangers brain health

A study published in Journal of Hepatology found that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can cause a decrease in oxygen supply to the brain and inflammation to brain tissue. The research identified Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 (MCT1) as a potential therapeutic target for protecting against NAFLD-induced brain dysfunction.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of Hepatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 22, 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.

Where do reproductive-age women receive preventive health care?

A UMass Amherst study reveals that 61% of wellness visits for reproductive-age women (15-49) were with OB-GYNs, while chronic condition patients also relied heavily on these specialists. Key preventive services like pap tests and pelvic exams were more common in OB-GYN settings, whereas lipid testing was rare.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalHealth Services Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 22, 2022

Rewriting the textbook on gene regulation: It’s the big picture that counts

UC San Diego researchers have developed a simple quantitative formula to interpret how cells regulate transcription and translation processes. This breakthrough provides insight into how cells process environmental information and modulate behavior, enabling the precise manipulation of protein levels. The study's findings have signific...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2022

New study models the transmission of foreshock waves towards Earth

A team of scientists has successfully modeled the transmission of electromagnetic waves in near-Earth space using a cutting-edge computer model. The results reveal that these waves can survive passing through the shock and travel to the other side, with properties almost identical to those in the foreshock region.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 22, 2022

Epigenetics breaks into the clinical practice of cancer

The article explains how epigenetic changes are used to diagnose brain tumors, predict disease progression, and determine treatment efficacy. Epigenetic drugs have shown promising results in treating various types of leukemia and lymphoma, offering a new approach to cancer management.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalCA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 22, 2022

Hawai‘i earthquake swarm caused by magma moving through ‘sills’

Scientists at Caltech used machine-learning algorithm to chart sills, mapping them with precision and linking them to active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. The study provides new insights into magma storage and transport deep beneath Hawai‘i.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateDec 22, 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.

Transdifferentiation: Going Straight to the Source of Vascular Disease

Vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis are associated with the reorganization of blood vessel structure through transdifferentiation. The researchers discovered that endothelial cells can transdifferentiate into smooth muscle cells, driven by HIF1α, and that this process contributes to neointima formation.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCardiovascular Research·DateDec 22, 2022

Mired in silence

A UC Riverside study found that farmworkers in the Eastern Coachella Valley lack information and means to advocate for better public health due to language barriers, job insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. The study highlights disproportionate respiratory illness affecting Latinx children living near the Salton Sea.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateDec 22, 2022

THE LANCET: Treating COVID-19 infection with molnupiravir does not decrease deaths or hospital admission in high-risk, vaccinated patients, but can lead to quicker recovery

A randomised controlled trial found that molnupiravir treatment did not decrease hospital admissions or deaths in vaccinated adults with higher risk of mortality from COVID-19 infection. However, patients treated at home with molnupiravir recovered faster compared to the control group.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 22, 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.

Energy crisis, the five challenges for 2023

The energy crisis will fundamentally alter the global energy landscape, with Europe shifting towards green alternatives and industrial landscapes reorganizing due to high energy costs. Researchers must evaluate the implications for climate action, social inequality, and economic nationalism.

SourceUniversita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore·JournalNature·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 22, 2022

Stem cells may help identify new schizophrenia drugs

Researchers from Harvard University developed an efficient method to make large numbers of C4-secreting human astrocytes from stem cells. A small group of about 20 drugs were identified that reduced C4 secretion, effective in both healthy and Schizophrenia patients' astrocytes.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateDec 22, 2022

Media Tip: Scientists enhance recyclability of post-consumer plastic

Researchers have developed a new method for recycling high-density polyethylene (HDPE) into fully recyclable and biodegradable material. The approach uses catalysts to cleave polymer chains, reducing carbon emissions and pollution associated with HDPE.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 22, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Bird diversity increased in severely burned forests of Southern Appalachian mountains

A study found bird diversity and abundance increased in areas with high-severity burns, but some species showed lower abundance. The findings suggest that managing forests to promote shrubland bird species could be beneficial. Researchers hope the results can inform forest management strategies to benefit birds.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateDec 22, 2022

Trigger in MODY3 diabetes: Insulin hypersecretion precedes pancreatic β cell failure

Researchers discovered that MODY3 patients experience hypersecretion of insulin from β cells due to more efficient membrane depolarization. This phenomenon precedes pancreatic β cell failure and can be targeted for prevention or delay with treatments, such as diets or drugs.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateDec 22, 2022

Quality of neighborhood residence in early life may be linked to Body Mass Index (BMI) trajectories and obesity risk through adolescence

A new study found that living in neighborhoods with higher opportunity or lower vulnerability can lead to lower mean BMI trajectory and lower risk of obesity in children. The study suggests that investing in neighborhood environments could help mitigate future chronic disease risk, particularly for marginalized communities.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 22, 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.

Researchers zoom in on battery wear and tear

Researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have used a combination of electron microscopy and computational modeling to understand how lithium-ion batteries degrade. They found that variation between areas of the battery, particularly electrolyte corrosion, leads to faster degradation.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalJoule·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 22, 2022

NIH researchers use 3D bioprinting to create eye tissue

Scientists have created eye tissue using patient stem cells and 3D bioprinting, providing a model for studying the genesis of age-related macular degeneration. The printed tissue exhibited patterns of early AMD, including drusen deposits and progression to late dry stage AMD.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2022
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.

Cellular messengers improve cancer therapy

Extracellular vesicles from immune cells have been shown to activate the immune system in mice with skin cancer, rendering them sensitive to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. The treatment improved survival rates when used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2022

Cystic fibrosis drug could help treat pneumonia

Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have discovered a cystic fibrosis drug effective in laboratory experiments, raising hope it can treat pneumonia regardless of the pathogen. The study found that CFTR plays a key role in pulmonary edema and that a CFTR modulator, ivacaftor, can prevent this condition.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 22, 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.

Randomized trial finds therapies for spine pain improved disability and quality of life but did not decrease healthcare spending

A randomized trial found that non-invasive interventions for treating spine pain improved disability and quality of life but did not decrease healthcare spending. Both treatments provided a small but significant reduction in pain-related disability at 12 months.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 22, 2022