Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive July 2022


Page 1 of 34

Disparities in United States COVID-19 vaccine distribution

A study by UC San Diego researchers reveals health care facilities serving diverse populations were less likely to administer COVID-19 vaccines during the initial rollout. The findings highlight inequities in vaccine distribution, contradicting national policy goals.

Services combine for homeless solution

The 'Aspire' program has shown significant success in providing stable housing and comprehensive supports to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. After three years, 575 participants have found secure housing and are on the path to a better life.

A new framework for investigating stability during walking

Researchers developed a new framework to measure stability during walking by analyzing mechanical energetics, enabling deeper insights into human movement and fall responses. The approach can help pinpoint specific muscles or joints to target with rehabilitation therapy and inform advanced exoskeleton design.

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.

Safe steps for using probiotics to revive biodiversity

A newly published framework outlines steps for administering probiotics to wildlife, prioritizing native species, effective dosages, and delivery systems. The goal is to restore beneficial bacteria and protect key symbiotic relationships, while considering potential risks and side effects.

Genomics study of snapper finds three populations

A large genomic study of snapper has identified three distinct oceanic snapper populations between Shark Bay and Ceduna in South Australia. The populations are genetically distinct and have unique geographical ranges, suggesting that snapper can make long-distance movements.

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.

Let's talk about sex, baby

A recent study from Flinders University reveals that engaging with infants during crib-side visits is the biggest disincentive to parents' sexual frequency. Parents who spend more time with their infant at night report having sex less often.

Building bricks from waste materials

Scientists create polymer bricks made from waste cooking oil and industrial byproducts, eliminating the need for mortar in traditional building methods. The new material's sulfur-sulfur bond produces a strong, sustainable construction material with potential to streamline construction.

COVID-19 challenge to new abortion laws

Researchers warn that the new abortion decriminalisation laws in South Australia are hindered by a lack of GP training and registration, which may lead to unequal access to safe abortion services. The authors argue that GPs must be advised on how to implement the law effectively, particularly in rural areas where resources are scarce.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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.

A paper battery with water switch

A new paper battery that can be activated by adding a drop of water has been developed, using salt and zinc to generate electricity. The battery's performance decreased over time due to the paper drying out, but it showed promise for low-power electronics.

Listening to the people results in a more sustainable future energy system

A new energy plan developed by researchers at Kyushu University suggests a more sustainable future energy system that includes 61% renewable-based electricity. The plan, which prioritizes solar and wind power, exceeds current projections by 50%, with significant reductions in coal-based generation and nuclear power.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Communication makes hunting easier for chimpanzees

Researchers found that specific vocalizations, known as the 'hunting bark', recruit more group members to hunt and capture prey more effectively. Chimpanzees have been observed joining hunts after hearing these barks, increasing success rates.

New $10M NSF-funded institute will get to the CORE of data science

The Institute for Emerging CORE Methods in Data Science (EnCORE) aims to transform the core aspects of data science, including complexity, optimization, responsible computing, and education and engagement. EnCORE will conduct interdisciplinary research, develop innovative tools, and engage students from K-12 to postdoctoral levels.

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.

A roadmap for the future of quantum simulation

The paper explores near- and medium-term possibilities for quantum simulation on analogue and digital platforms to evaluate its potential. Quantum simulation has promising applications in materials science, high-energy physics, and quantum chemistry.

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.

Promising eco-friendly plug to treat nosebleeds

Researchers at the University of the Basque Country have developed a nasal plug using soy protein and chitin from food industry waste, which promotes haemostasis and is biocompatible. The new material has shown superior mechanical and haemostatic properties compared to current gold standard nasal plugs.

Pathogenic microbes in drying soils could present public health threat

Research suggests that climate change may lead to the proliferation of pathogenic fungi in drying soils, which could pose a significant public health threat. The study's findings are being used to inform policymakers on the potential risks of global climate change on soil fungal communities in the US Southwest.

The gut patrol

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discover how gut barrier cells send secret messages to patrolling T cells, keeping them alive and active. The study sheds light on conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and highlights the importance of HVEM protein in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.

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.

Technique for the isolation of volatile food compounds optimized

Researchers developed an automated method for isolating volatile food ingredients, increasing yields and reducing contamination risks. The optimized 'aSAFE' technique eliminates operator errors and improves the accuracy of odorant analysis, enabling targeted product development in the food industry.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

NSF grant to help Zhang lab build better muscle with synthetic biology

Washington University in St. Louis' Zhang lab has been awarded a $458,490 NSF grant to refine their synthetic biology platform for producing muscle fibers with improved material properties. The team plans to examine genetic changes associated with titin protein and create fibers with defined sequences to study material properties.

Green purchasing is affected by price only in times of economic crisis

A study found that economic crises moderate the relationship between environmental behaviour and various factors, such as motivation and effectiveness perceived by the consumer. In times of crisis, price has a significant impact on green activism and purchasing, while in well-being periods, distribution is more important.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

A stable gut helps elite athletes perform better

Research from Anglia Ruskin University found that microbial instability in the gut hinders endurance athlete performance. High-carbohydrate diets were associated with improved time trial performance, while a short-term high-protein diet led to reduced time trial performance by 23.3%.

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.

Space travel: Bone aging in fast forward

Researchers have discovered that long periods in space can damage bone structure irreparably, causing premature aging by up to 10 years. Adapting training programs and medication could help protect astronauts on future missions.

New smartphone clip-on can detect Zika virus in blood samples

Researchers have developed a smartphone clip-on instrument that can rapidly detect Zika virus in whole blood using spatial RT-LAMP technology. The device is sensitive, accurate, and easy to use, making it ideal for point-of-care clinics and controlling the spread of infectious diseases.

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.

New Geology articles published online ahead of print in July

Researchers applied a new U/Th-Pb geochronology approach to constrain the provenance of eolian sediments from the Chinese Loess Plateau. Their study revealed dominant U/Th-Pb age peaks in early Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and late Cenozoic, mirroring northeast Tibetan Plateau orogenic episodes. In contrast, gold deposits in northern Perú clus...