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Science News Archive January 2022


Page 22 of 34

Unlocking the mysteries of the pecking order

This article discusses the 100-year-old concept of pecking order dominance hierarchies in animals, with researchers Elizabeth Hobson and Eli Strauss exploring its relevance to human behavior. The study highlights that dominance often relates to circumstance and opportunity rather than genetics or size.

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 “gold” of the Midas cichlids

Researchers have identified a previously unknown gene, goldentouch, responsible for the golden coloration in Midas cichlids. The gene, found on chromosome 11, is present in two variants: one associated with dark coloration and the other with orange/yellow coloration.

Fuzzy molecular threesome is basis of gene expression

A new study reveals that unstructured proteins can break down tightly packed genes by forming a three-way complex with histones and DNA. This finding challenges the long-standing view of protein function and has significant implications for our understanding of biology and disease.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A targeted approach to tackling racial disparities in prostate cancer

Researchers aimed to tackle racial disparities in prostate cancer by targeting educational interventions to populations at highest risk. A study in Philadelphia neighborhoods found that prostate-specific education improved knowledge and intention to screen, with similar effects on control groups.

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.

Jigsaw-shaped peptide solves tissue regeneration puzzle

A team from Tokyo Medical & Dental University has created a jigsaw-shaped peptide that functions as an extracellular matrix for injured tissue regeneration. The peptide's ability to incorporate and release growth factors stimulates cell growth and vascular formation, showing promise in regenerating tissues.

Researchers propose new explanation for Moon’s half-century magnetic mystery

Researchers at Brown University propose a new explanation for the Moon's lack of a strong magnetic field, suggesting that sinking rock formations could have intermittently generated strong magnetic fields. This process could have occurred over the first billion years of the Moon's history, producing intermittent strong magnetic fields.

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.

Tuberculosis vaccine could assist future COVID-19 vaccine development

Researchers identified 40 peptide pairs with potential cross-reactivity between BCG vaccination and SARS-CoV-2, offering a new strategy to complement existing COVID-19 vaccines. These peptides can induce T cell responses and INF-γ production, providing long-lasting immunity against viral infections.

Touch induces rapid floral closure in gentians

Researchers found that four species of Gentian flowers respond to mechanical stimulation with rapid corolla contraction and full closure. This phenomenon may serve as an induced defense or a pollination stimulator, allowing the flowers to control interactions with potential pollinators like bumblebees.

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.

Aphid ‘honeydew’ may promote bacteria that kill them

Researchers found that half of Pseudomonas syringae strains benefited from the presence of aphids, but only the honeydew itself boosted bacterial populations. The study suggests using this phenomenon to develop alternative pest control methods.

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.

Protective gene variant against COVID-19 identified

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a specific gene variant that protects against severe COVID-19 infection, found in individuals of African ancestry. The study analyzed 2,787 hospitalized patients and 130,997 people from six cohort studies, revealing an 80% prevalence of the protective variant among Africans.

Next-generation tissue expansion method improves neural imaging

A new tissue expansion method, eMAP, has been developed to improve neural imaging. It allows for the imaging of proteins at neural connections, enabling the measurement of their relative distances and abundance. The technology facilitates high-throughput analysis and enables multiscale imaging of synapses along whole neuronal branches.

Risky food-finding strategy could be the key to human success

A new study found that early human foragers and farmers adopted a high-risk, high-reward strategy to find food, spending more energy but bringing home nutritious meals that could be shared with their group. This allowed them to rest or engage in other activities while food was being acquired.

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.

C-Path launches Rare Disease Clinical Outcome Assessment Consortium

The Rare Disease COA Consortium aims to optimize COA selection during medical product development for rare diseases. The consortium will identify and describe potentially fit-for-purpose publicly available COAs, reducing the time and cost associated with developing new ones.

Scientists uncover ‘resistance gene’ in deadly E. coli

Researchers have pinpointed a gene in E. coli ST131 that makes it highly resistant to antibiotics, leading to new treatment strategies and improved tracking of emerging resistance. The study aims to create better treatments to stop deadly E. coli infections.

When assessing COVID plans, people place party over policy

A global study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that people are more likely to support COVID-19 policies when presented as backed by nonpartisan scientific experts rather than politicians. This suggests that trusted experts may have the power to unify public opinion and depolarize it.

For new mothers, feeling low in social status poses risk to health

A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that new mothers who perceive themselves as lower in social status have worse health outcomes one year after childbirth. The study highlights the importance of subjective social status in maternal health disparities.

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.

Study identifies predictors of severe outcomes in children with COVID-19

A new international study found that older age, pre-existing chronic conditions, and symptom duration are key risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes in children. The study also revealed that healthy-looking children rarely deteriorate significantly after their initial emergency department visit.

Newly-found planets on the edge of destruction

Three newly-discovered gas giant planets have extremely short orbits around subgiant or giant stars, with one planet TOI-2337b destined for consumption in less than 1 million years. The study's findings suggest chaotic planet-to-planet interactions and unpredictable heating rates, offering new insights into planetary system evolution.

$10M project aims for more pest-resilient food options in Asia

The Feed the Future Insect-Resistant Eggplant Partnership will accelerate the application of biotechnology to enhance food and nutritional security in Bangladesh and the Philippines. The project aims to reduce pesticide use and improve farmers' livelihoods through the development of locally adapted eggplant varieties.

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.

Study reveals how to break symmetry in colloidal crystals

Researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Michigan have discovered a way to break symmetry in colloidal crystals, creating new materials with unique optical and catalytic properties. The breakthrough uses electron equivalents and advanced microscopy techniques to control valency and create low-symmetry structures.

Mouse study finds age, disease change body temperature rhythms

A new study found that aging and disease alter body temperature rhythms in mice, mirroring the disruption seen in humans. In young, healthy mice, daytime temperatures were lower than nighttime temperatures, but this difference disappeared in older, diseased animals.

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.

Unusual team finds gigantic planet hidden in plain sight

Researchers have discovered a giant gas planet, TOI-2180 b, with a diameter comparable to Jupiter's and a mass nearly three times that of Earth. The planet is also believed to contain 105 times the mass of elements heavier than helium and hydrogen.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Tiger shark migrations altered by climate change, new study finds

A new study found that climate-driven changes in ocean temperatures have shifted tiger shark movements outside of protected areas, making them more vulnerable to commercial fishing. The study's results suggest that warmer waters are now suitable for tiger sharks, allowing them to migrate farther poleward and earlier than usual.

Reducing air pollution: Policies that pay off

A study by CNRS and partners found that policies like replacing wood heaters with modern stoves and reducing motor vehicle traffic can meet health objectives while generating significant economic benefits. The analysis shows that such measures could lead to an annual benefit of €629 per capita, outweighing the cost.

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.

A treasure map for the realm of electrocatalysts

Researchers developed a data-guided combinatorial synthesis strategy and computational modeling to identify promising high entropy alloys for electrocatalysis. The method enables the exploration of atomic scale effects on catalytic activity, providing insights into composition-activity-stability trends.

Macrophages in the artery wall 'smell' their surroundings

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that macrophages in artery walls can sense octanal, leading to inflammation and atherosclerosis. By blocking this detection, they reversed disease progression. Further research is needed to explore the role of olfactory receptors in cardiovascular diseases.

The role of risk aversion in the coal contracting behavior of US power plants

A new study finds that US power plants prioritize reducing input cost variance over minimizing expected total costs, resulting in longer coal contracts and higher contract prices. The researchers estimate that if all power plants purchased coal from the spot market, the annual aggregate cost savings would be $2.9 billion.

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.

Nanostructures get complex with electron equivalents

Researchers create complex colloidal crystals by using smaller nanoparticles that simulate electrons, breaking symmetry and enabling new materials with tailored properties. The study reveals three low-symmetry structures with no known natural equivalents, offering opportunities for advanced applications in photonics and catalysis.

FAU lands $1.3 million NIH grant for rapid, automated HIV self-test

Researchers at FAU are developing an affordable, disposable self-testing HIV-1 chip that can detect HIV from whole blood samples and measure viral load without refrigeration or skilled technicians. The technology aims to increase access to HIV testing and improve treatment outcomes in any setting.

Researchers discover earliest ant mimics in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber

Researchers have discovered the earliest known ant mimics in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, extending the geological range of myrmecomorphy by approximately 50 million years. The study found that these ancient organisms closely mimic different hymenopteran models during different stages of development.