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Science News Archive June 2022


Page 11 of 40

Default options facilitate faster carbon offsetting in air travel

Research shows that default options on carbon offsetting websites can lead to faster CO2 compensation, even at higher costs. The study found that as costs increase, the effectiveness of these defaults decreases. This suggests that people are price-sensitive when it comes to high-cost defaults.

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.

A mother’s blood may carry the secret to one type of autism

Studies by UC Davis MIND Institute found predictive protein patterns in expecting mothers' blood and links between maternal autoantibodies and higher autistic traits. MAR ASD patterns were associated with autism before birth, with certain patterns predicting autism in previously diagnosed children.

Wearable chemical sensor is as good as gold

Researchers created a wearable sensor that can measure biomarkers and substances using Raman spectroscopy. The sensor is robust and sensitive, with potential applications in glucose monitoring and virus detection.

Smart implants to monitor healing

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed self-powered smart implants that can monitor spinal fusion healing in real-time. The implants use a new class of multifunctional mechanical metamaterials to record pressure and stresses, generating their own power and providing crucial information about the healing process.

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.

COVID's Catch-22: The paradox of masking and disease

Researchers developed a framework to investigate the bidirectional relationship between masking and disease. They found that without proper enforcement of masking, mass vaccination may not be enough to reduce epidemic size.

Arecibo observatory scientists help unravel surprise asteroid mystery

The team at Arecibo Observatory successfully captured data on the mysterious asteroid 2019 OK, revealing it was a fast-rotating C-type or S-type asteroid with a diameter of .04 to .08 miles. The findings provide insights into asteroid composition and rotation rates, which can help inform deflection techniques to protect the planet.

Rejected minorities turn to risky coping behaviors

A new study found a significant increase in unprotected sex, drinking, smoking, and cannabis use among rejected minorities. Researchers discovered that social rejection is associated with a 9.1% rise in tobacco consumption and a 12.5% increase in cannabis use.

‘Travel therapy’: Could holidays help mental health and wellbeing?

A new cross-disciplinary paper from Edith Cowan University suggests that tourism can provide real health benefits for those with mental health issues or conditions. Lead researcher Dr. Jun Wen found various aspects of going on holiday, such as social meals and physical activity, could have a positive impact on dementia patients.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New technology helps reveal inner workings of human genome

Researchers have developed a new method to assess the three-dimensional structure of the human genome, revealing that groups of simultaneously interacting regulatory elements may affect gene expression. The study found that cooperative groupings of DNA elements occurred around genes associated with cell identity.

Personal health trackers may include smart face mask, other wearables

University of Missouri researchers develop wearable smart bioelectronic devices, including a 'smart' face mask that can monitor physiological status and detect respiratory problems. The masks also use laser-assisted fabrication to provide breathable soft electronics for better real-time health monitoring.

Novel sleep education learning modules developed for nurse practitioners

A first-of-its-kind study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing investigated the use of novel graduate-level sleep education curriculum for primary care nurse practitioners. The program positively impacted a range of learning outcomes, including improved recognition and evaluation of sleep disturbances and disorders.

Human activity has reconfigured global river sediment flux

Global river sediment flux is changing due to human activities like land use change, dam building, and climate change. Sediment flux decreases in the northern hemisphere but increases in the southern hemisphere, with SSC on average rising by 41% since 1980.

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.

Hospitals bound to patient safety rules that aren’t all backed by evidence

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that many Joint Commission rules for hospitals and nursing homes are not supported by evidence, despite being backed by accreditation and funding. The study suggests that these unproven rules can waste money and resources, diverting attention from more important patient care initiatives.

Thermoelectrics: From heat to electricity

Scientists have discovered a way to optimize thermoelectric properties in one material by exploiting the Anderson transition, where electrons move freely, enabling efficient energy conversion. This breakthrough could lead to improved performance in thermoelectric devices and applications, such as power generation and waste heat recovery.

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.

Climate change negatively impacting bumble bees: Study

A new study published in Biology Letters found that climate change is negatively impacting bumble bees, with six species decreasing in population and 22 increasing, while the remaining 18 remained stable. Temperature changes were found to have a primary negative impact on bumble bee populations.

Silence for thought: Special interneuron networks in the human brain

Researchers have discovered a prominent network of silencing interneurons in the human cortex, which could be linked to enhanced working memory and reasoning abilities. This unique network relies on abundant connections between inhibitory interneurons and is distinct from those found in mice.

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.

Females itch less than males

Research at Kyoto University found that estradiol suppresses severe skin inflammation in females compared to males, revealing its therapeutic potential. The hormone regulates immune cells and reduces IL-17A and IL-1β cytokines production.

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.

Advances in lithium niobate photonics

Lithium niobate photonics has developed rapidly, enabling compact devices with high performance. Thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) structures have shown significant improvements in refractive index contrast, paving the way for more integrated photonic devices.

Sniffing out your identity with breath biometrics

A team of researchers from Kyushu University has developed an olfactory sensor capable of identifying individuals by analyzing the compounds in their breath. The system, combined with machine learning, achieved an average accuracy of over 97% in authenticating up to 20 individuals.

Fights in pro hockey don’t deter greater violence, study finds

A new study by Ohio State University researcher Michael Betz found that fighting in the NHL does not reduce violent penalties, but rather increases them. Fights lead to more penalties, not less, contradicting league officials' arguments for keeping fighting in the game.

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.

Exploring globular clusters with the lens of asteroseismology

Asteroseismology helps determine mass, age, and features of stars in globular clusters, such as M4. A sample of 37 stars was analyzed, with most being red giants and others horizontal branch stars. The study provides an asteroseismic characterization of the stellar populations, shedding light on their origins and chemical characteristics.

Can acupuncture reduce headaches?

A study published in Neurology found that acupuncture can reduce the average number of headache days per month for those struggling with chronic tension-type headaches. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in headache frequency, with participants experiencing a decrease from 20 to 7 days per month.

Shaping the future of purification

King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) researchers have created a new membrane material that separates nitrogen from methane based on their shape difference. This approach reduces purification costs for natural gas by up to 73% compared to existing methods, offering an energy-efficient solution.

Extra “eye” movements are the key to better self-driving cars

A new AI system uses artificial neural networks to recognize objects more accurately and stably, despite changing visual inputs. The system mimics human eye movements to improve machine vision capabilities, reducing errors in self-driving cars and other applications.

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.

Custom suits for worms that really deliver

Researchers from Osaka University have developed a system to coat nematodes with hydrogel sheaths that can carry functional cargo. The study found that the sheaths protect the worms from UV light and hydrogen peroxide while allowing them to deliver anti-cancer agents to kill cancer cells in vitro.

PICASSO technique drives biological molecules into technicolor​

Researchers developed a new imaging technique called PICASSO that allows for the use of more than 15 colors to image and parse overlapping proteins. This approach, which employs artificial intelligence, enables accurate information unmixing without reference spectra measurements, making it suitable for complex specimens like the brain.

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.

Research with a bite

Researchers at the University of Bonn present a mobile sensor system called forceX to measure insect bite forces, allowing them to understand how these forces evolved. The system achieves high accuracy, with a deviation of only 2.2 percent between measurements.

Human cells take in less protein from a plant-based meat than from chicken

A new study published in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that plant-based meat substitutes contain proteins that are not as easily absorbed by human cells. The researchers used a model meat alternative made from soy and wheat gluten, which was found to have lower peptide uptake than chicken meat.

A flicker from the dark

A team of scientists used the flickering light of gas around a black hole to construct an accurate model of our galaxy's central black hole. They found that gas is directly infalling from large distances, rather than being siphoned off over time.

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.

The younger we feel, the better we rehabilitate

Researchers found that patients who felt younger at hospital admission showed better functional independence at discharge. This effect was seen in both those rehabilitated from osteoporotic fractures and strokes. A younger subjective age is associated with improved rehabilitation outcomes, stronger than chronological age or physical mu...

Tapping the ocean as a source of natural products

Researchers discovered 40,000 biosynthetic gene clusters in ocean microorganisms, including a new species with giant genome size. These clusters may hold key to new natural products with antibiotic properties. Collaboration between ETH Zurich and Jörn Piel's group validated the structure and function of two promising molecules.

Where once were black boxes, NIST's new LANTERN illuminates

Researchers at NIST developed LANTERN, a new statistical tool that can predict protein function while providing interpretable explanations. The tool has shown promise in predicting genetic edits for COVID-19, E. coli, and GFP proteins, achieving high predictive accuracy.

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.

Interactive tool to catalog omega-3 human studies introduced by trade group

The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) has introduced an interactive tool to catalog all human studies on EPA and DHA omega-3s. The Clinical Study Database (CSD) provides a comprehensive searchable database with over 45,000 studies, allowing users to filter by outcome, population demographics, study size or dosage.

Following ultrafast magnetization dynamics in depth

Scientists at Max Born Institute create novel method to probe magnetic thin film systems, identifying heat injection from platinum layer as cause of magnetization changes. The approach allows femtosecond temporal and nanometer spatial resolution, paving way for studying ultrafast magnetism and device-relevant geometries.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Scientists hope to create a health ‘scorecard’ for dementia risk

Researchers are developing a health scorecard to predict dementia risk using brain scans, genetics, and biomarkers. The study will analyze diverse populations between ages 65-90, providing insights into contributing factors like diabetes or hypertension that can be addressed to modify the risk.

Indigenous communities used the Caribbean Sea as an aquatic highway

Researchers analyzed 96 fired clay fragments across 11 islands to reconstruct ancient trade routes in the Caribbean. The study found that the cultural hub was centered on the northwest coast of Hispaniola, challenging previous assumptions about the region's historical significance.

Tree species diversity under pressure

A global study found that half of a tree species' distribution is in unprotected landscapes, with 13.6% having no protection at all. The researchers propose protecting 17% of land areas to safeguard tree diversity, covering 66-83% of their habitats.

SwRI scientists map sulfur residue on Jupiter’s icy moon Europa

A Southwest Research Institute-led team used the Hubble Space Telescope to create near-global UV maps of Europa, revealing concentrations of sulfur dioxide on the moon's trailing side. The results provide insights into the composition of Europa's subsurface ocean and its potential for life.