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Science News Archive February 2022


Page 30 of 40

The last of the natural coasts

A study found that only 15.5% of the Earth's coastal areas are ecologically intact, with high levels of biodiversity and ecosystem services relied upon by millions of people. The researchers call for increased protections and restoration targets to conserve remaining intact coastal regions.

A new multipurpose on-off switch for inhibiting bacterial growth

A new antitoxin mechanism called Panacea has been discovered, neutralizing hundreds of toxins and potentially protecting bacteria against viruses. The study's findings suggest that toxin-antitoxin systems are crucial for phage therapy to treat antibiotic-resistant infections.

In helping smokers quit, combining treatments is key

Combining FDA-approved smoking cessation medications with behavioral support programs significantly increases success rates for quitting tobacco. The review recommends varenicline or combination nicotine replacement therapy as the most effective choices.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study finds that monkeys, like people, can ‘choke under pressure’

A study by Georgia State University researchers found that monkeys can 'choke under pressure' on a computerized matching task. The team discovered that individual variations in stress response and cortisol levels affect performance, suggesting an evolutionarily common trait among species.

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.

Mutating quantum particles set in motion

The study reveals that particles can behave as bosons in one region and fermions in another, leading to striking phenomena like particle trapping or fragmentation. This discovery opens up a window to engineer and control new kinds of collective motion in the quantum world.

The view from above

Giant kelp forests are driven by a mix of external and internal factors, according to researchers who used remote sensing technology to assess canopy biomass and age dynamics. The effects of different drivers are more pronounced at different scales.

Reconstructing the chromosomes of the earliest animals on Earth

A recent study found that many marine invertebrates, including sponges and jellyfish, retain the same chromosomal structure as their primitive ancestors over 600 million years ago. This discovery underscores the conservatism of evolution and provides a key link between humans and our distant ancestors.

Newly discovered effect of toxic goiter on brain

Researchers discovered that toxic goiter causes shrinkage in central brain regions, such as the hippocampus and amygdala, which can lead to mental symptoms. The study provides key insights for patients with Graves' disease, a common form of hyperthyroidism.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Firearm injuries increased during first year of COVID-19 in Massachusetts

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, firearm injuries increased significantly in Massachusetts, with a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic men. The study found that unemployed individuals from these groups were more likely to experience firearm injuries, highlighting the need for targeted violence prevention services.

Illinois research shows how dicamba could be safely used in sweet corn

A study by University of Illinois researchers found that applying dicamba at the latest growth stage and using a safener can help minimize injury to sweet corn. The results suggest that dicamba could be used safely in sweet corn with proper application timing and formulation, offering practical guidance for farmers.

Fecal implants drive behavioral and cognitive changes in Alzheimer’s model

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have made a groundbreaking connection between the gut microbiome and cognitive decline in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Fecal implants induced significant behavioral and cognitive changes in mice, offering new avenues for treating or forestalling dementia.

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.

NIH awards R01 grant to TTUHSC researcher

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare cancer affecting up to 1 in 1 million women worldwide, characterized by uncontrolled tumor cell growth. Researchers aim to identify new therapeutic targets using extracellular vesicles, with the goal of developing new therapies for LAM patients.

Researchers propose new fix for Texas power vulnerabilities

A Cornell University-led analysis recommends improving contracting improvements in Texas' energy-only markets to mitigate rare events. Decentralized energy markets rely on investors anticipating demand, but they often fail to manage risk as designed.

Study identifies potential target for osteoporosis treatments

Scientists have identified connexin (Cx) 43 hemichannels on the surface of bone cells as a potential new target for medications to treat osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss. The study, published in eLife, reveals how these channels play a crucial role in responding to mechanical stress and building stronger bones.

Musical preferences unite personalities worldwide, new study finds

A new study by Dr David Greenberg and colleagues found that musical preferences are linked to personality traits across cultures, with extraversion linked to contemporary music and neuroticism unexpectedly drawn to intense styles. The research suggests a universal role for music in bridging social divides.

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.

Engineers assess structural damage and resilience after Kentucky tornado

Engineers from Penn State assessed structural damage and resilience in Mayfield, Kentucky, after the December 2021 Midwest Tornado series. They collected data through door-to-door assessments, drone evaluations, and photographs to understand community recovery and design more resilient structures.

Research reveals why more Black women die from breast cancer

Researchers found significant molecular differences in DNA repair genes and cellular signals controlling cell growth between healthy and tumor tissue of Black and white women. These differences may lead to improved treatment strategies for ER+ breast cancer, including earlier use of CDK inhibitors.

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.

Genome of Steller’s sea cow decoded

An international research team reconstructed the genome of Steller's sea cow from fossil remains, finding inactivations of genes responsible for its unique skin structure. The study reveals a dramatic reduction in population size contributing to the species' extinction.

Arctic winter warming causes cold damage in the subtropics of East Asia

A study by University of Zurich researchers reveals Arctic warming causes temperature anomalies and cold damage thousands of kilometers away in East Asia, leading to reduced vegetation growth and smaller harvests. The warmer Arctic winters also trigger extreme winter weather events in the region.

Study suggests words are needed to think about numbers

A study from MIT and UC Berkeley found a relationship between Tsimane' individuals' counting ability and their success in matching tasks up to 25. The researchers suggest that representing exact quantities larger than four requires words for those numbers.

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.

Drug halts immune reactions to save damaged lungs

Researchers have discovered disulfiram prevents the formation of toxic webs known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that contribute to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Disulfiram's ability to block NET formation may lead to a new treatment for severe COVID-19 and other lung injuries.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The perilous migratory journey of the eastern whip-poor-will

Researchers found that eastern whip-poor-wills from the Midwest breed in a small area of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and east Texas before migrating to Mexico and Central America. The birds' synchronized trip south poses a danger to their population, which has declined by nearly 70% due to habitat loss and urban bird collisions.

Discovery of 29 new acne risk genes provides hope for new treatments

A recent study has identified 29 new genetic variants associated with acne, providing potential new targets for treatment and helping clinicians identify individuals at high risk of severe disease. The research, involving over 20,000 individuals with acne, also found a link between genetic risk and disease severity.

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.

Lab results show promise for future pancreatic cancer treatment

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a compound that may offer hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. The experimental compound, XP-524, has been shown to more than double the average survival time for mice with pancreatic cancer when combined with immunotherapy.

Where mental health help is scarce, telehealth makes a big difference

A randomized study of over 1,000 people with PTSD and/or bipolar disorder shows that telehealth and integrated care models can improve treatment engagement and outcomes. Patients who received guidance from local clinic team members and in-person follow-up with nurses or social workers had better results.

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.

Kinks, skinks and supersymmetry

Researchers have designed an experimental protocol to detect the dynamics of kinks and skinks, which are energy lumps and their supersymmetric partners. The study focuses on a one-dimensional lattice, but the findings may inspire more elaborate simulators in higher dimensions.

Speeding through nanowire

Researchers discovered that applying tension to nanowires significantly enhances electron mobility, allowing for faster transistor switching and lower energy requirements. The core-shell nanowires demonstrated a 30% increase in electron speed compared to strain-free or bulk gallium arsenide.

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.

Brain stimulation rapidly improves cognitive deficits in long-COVID

Non-invasive brain microcurrent stimulation therapy significantly improves cognition and reverses visual field loss in two patients with long-COVID, reducing vascular dysregulation. Cognitive impairments such as fatigue and short-term memory loss are reversed within three to four days.

Chimpanzees apply insects to wounds, a potential case of medication?

Researchers at Osnabrück University observe chimpanzees applying insects to their own and others' wounds, sparking interest in potential anti-inflammatory or antiseptic properties. The team aims to investigate the social dimension of this behavior and its possible transmission through social learning.

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.

New fossil reveals origin of arthropod breathing system

A new fossil discovery at the Chengjiang Fossil Site has provided a crucial link in understanding how arthropods evolved specialized limbs for breathing. The 520-million-year-old Erratus sperare organism has revealed the origins of biramous limbs, found in modern water-dwelling arthropods.

COVID-19 infections increase risk of heart conditions up to a year later

A recent study found that COVID-19 infections can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease, even among previously healthy individuals. The risk of these complications remains high for up to a year after infection, highlighting the importance of post-infection care.

Rice team’s mask strategy passes muster

The Rice team created an easily manufactured adhesive silicone harness that improves the fit of light surgical masks, making them comparable to N95 and KN95 masks in terms of aerosol droplet stopping. The revised design includes a wider harness along the nose slope for better sealing.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Lowder measuring racial equity across criminal-legal decisions in Indiana

Dr. Evan Lowder is examining racial disparities in criminal-legal processing in Indiana to identify key measures for assessing racial equity and understand decision points contributing to disparate outcomes. The study aims to aid researchers in understanding the role of broader systemic disparity in contributing to disparate outcomes.

Bronze Age women changed genetic landscape of Orkney, study finds

Bronze Age women led a massive wave of immigration in Orkney, replacing most of the local population and leaving behind their male lineages for over a thousand years. The study's findings suggest that Orkney was more integrated with the outside world than previously thought.

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.