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Science News Archive March 2022


Page 14 of 44

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.

Researchers map the movement of white dwarfs of the Milky Way

A recent study from Lund University reveals new information about the movement patterns of white dwarfs in the Milky Way. The researchers mapped the three-dimensional velocity distribution for the largest catalogue of white dwarfs to date, providing a detailed picture of their velocity structure.

Get more or give up, a question of anxiety

A NCCR-Synapsy study found that anxiety levels significantly impact motivation in response to stress. Highly anxious rats performed poorly on a task after exposure to stress, while less anxious ones showed better performance. The researchers identified the cerebral mechanism involved, CRHR1 receptor, and its influence on motivation.

Miniaturized reflectors enlarge uses of remote infrared spectroscopy

Researchers have developed miniaturized reflectors that enlarge the uses of remote infrared spectroscopy, allowing for field-ready devices with minimal size, weight, and power requirements. The devices utilize Ge-BaF2 thin films for surface micromachined mid-wave and long-wave infrared reflectors.

Indian forest loss ‘worse than feared’ due to climate change

A new study reveals climate change has caused significant recent losses of India's forests, exacerbating deforestation. The research found that rainfall alterations and temperature trends contributed to large declines since the turn of the century, necessitating targeted preservation action.

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.

Targeted demand response reduces price volatility of electric grid

By targeting strategic locations with high impact, researchers found a cost-effective way to reduce energy load and lower wholesale market prices. This approach enhances grid reliability through renewable energy penetration, offering a solution to mitigate price volatility.

Wildlife survival after rehabilitation depends on many factors, study finds

A comprehensive study analyzing international literature on wildlife rehabilitation found that human activity is a significant factor influencing outcomes. The study identified five key categories of factors impacting survival outcomes for rescued wildlife, highlighting the need for rehabilitators to mitigate threats and address these ...

Student researchers improve coral restoration efforts

A recent study led by University of Hawaii student researchers found that exposing rice coral larvae to warmer temperatures did not improve survival once the coral developed into juveniles. Instead, rearing at ambient temperatures maximized early life stage survival.

Melting Arctic glaciers see drop in fungi biodiversity

Scientists found a unique set of ice-dependent fungi on Walker Glacier, but only five species were also isolated from the glacier foreland environment. The researchers believe that a loss of these fungi would be a great loss to society due to their potential applications in biotechnology.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains not seen in migrating wild birds

Researchers whole-genome sequenced 375 Salmonella enterica strains from wild birds collected in 41 US states to examine bacterial resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals. They found that only 1% of isolates were multi-antimicrobial resistant, with all cases isolated from waterbirds or raptors, not songbirds.

A new way to enter the cell using superchaotropic properties of boron clusters

A new class of membrane carriers, based on halogenated dodecaborate cluster anions, has been discovered to facilitate the cell entry of impermeable molecules. These superchaotropic boron clusters interact with hydrophilic cargos without encapsulating or forming aggregates, allowing for efficient transport across biological membranes.

Economic Crime Act has loopholes, says leading economic crime expert

A new UK government act aimed at targeting Russian oligarchs and money launderers has significant loopholes, according to Paul Gilmour, a leading expert. The Economic Crime Act requires beneficial ownership transparency but leaves room for exploitation by layering company ownership, says Gilmour.

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.

Researchers find humans have given wild animals their diseases nearly 100 times

A study by Georgetown University researchers found that humans have transmitted diseases to wild animals nearly 100 times, with most cases occurring in captive settings like zoos. The study highlights the need for long-term monitoring and better understanding of wildlife disease to mitigate risks for human health and conservation.

Behind the made-in-Canada approach to tracking COVID-19 antibodies

A team of Canadian scientists developed a scalable serology assay to track COVID-19 antibodies, informing public health decisions and vaccine timing. The assay has been used in over 30 studies across Canada, capturing natural infection and vaccination responses with high accuracy.

Advanced Test Reactor overhaul complete

The Advanced Test Reactor has completed its sixth core overhaul in 11 months, replacing worn-out components to maintain peak performance. The reactor will resume normal operations this spring, supporting vital nuclear energy research and scientific missions.

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.

New paper reveals impact of first lockdown on depression and anxiety diagnosis

A new systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 46,158 participants shows a sharp rise in depression and anxiety levels following the UK's first COVID-19 lockdown. The prevalence of diagnosed depression increased from 4% to 32%, while anxiety diagnoses rose from 5% to 31%. Experts are calling for greater evidence-base...

New potentially painkilling compound found in deep-water cone snails

Researchers discovered a new venom compound in deep-water cone snails, similar to the hormone somatostatin, with possible pharmaceutical applications for treating chronic pain and other human maladies. The study highlights the rich biochemical diversity of animal venoms and the need to explore new compounds.

Globins - on the hunt to protect your liver

Researchers at Osaka City University found that globin family members can suppress liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice. The proteins' antioxidant capacity was greater than glutathione and vitamin C, suggesting a potential therapy for liver fibrosis.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Quenching by laser increases graphene quality

Researchers found that laser-induced reduction of graphene oxide can produce high-quality graphene by reducing defects and improving lattice structure. At high temperatures, oxidation occurs near defects but is balanced by annealing in the center of the sheet, resulting in well-structured material.

Predatory bacteria

Researchers have identified Velamenicoccus archaeovorus, an ultramicrobacterium that devours Methanosaeta cells in sewage treatment plants, leading to a new understanding of biomass conversion and recycling in deep sediments. The giant protein encoded by the gene enables it to dissolve cells.

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.

Rewriting the history books: Why the Vikings left Greenland

A new study, led by UMass Amherst, found that drought, not colder temperatures, contributed to the demise of the Norse settlement in southern Greenland. The researchers analyzed sediment samples from a lake near a former farm and found a prolonged drying trend coincident with the settlement's collapse.

Older wildfire smoke plumes can affect climate

A study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that aerosols carried in older wildfire smoke plumes can still affect climate. The research, led by Qi Zhang, discovered that particulate matter concentrations were low but oxidized organic aerosols from burning biomass were detected throughout the samples.

Restricted internet access could be key to academic gains, says study

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that giving Malawi high school students limited internet access to quality online sources improved their English and biology scores. The intervention provided smartphones with restricted online access to Wikipedia, leading to significant gains among lower-achieving students.

New advances in the protein folding process thermodynamics

Researchers used optical tweezers to study protein folding, revealing entropy and enthalpy levels for the first time. The team discovered that during transition states, the protein skeletal structure is built, but most van der Waals interactions remain unstable.

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.

Dense bones allowed Spinosaurus to hunt underwater

Researchers found that Spinosaurus and its close relative Baryonyx had dense bones that would have allowed them to submerge underwater to hunt. In contrast, Suchomimus had lighter bones that made swimming difficult, leading the team to conclude that these dinosaurs likely waded instead.

New type of ultraviolet light makes indoor air as safe as outdoors

Far-UVC light has been shown to be highly effective in reducing airborne microbes in a real room environment, with an equivalent air exchange rate exceeding 184 per hour. This technology could potentially prevent the next pandemic by making indoor places as safe as being outside on a breezy day.

How accurate is smartwatch heart data? It depends on your skin tone

A study suggests that smartwatch heart rate measurement algorithms are less effective in people with darker skin tones due to increased melanin absorption. Researchers emphasize the need for diverse population inclusion and explore alternative light wavelengths for more accurate readings.

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.

Living near noise pollution tied to greater risk of heart attack

A study found that living near high levels of transportation noise increases the risk of heart attack by 72%, with 5% of hospitalizations attributable to elevated noise levels. Noise exposure can cause chronic stress, sleep disturbances, and emotional distress, leading to cardiovascular health issues.

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.

As temperatures spike, so do deaths from heart disease

A study finds that extreme heat is associated with a significant increase in cardiovascular mortality, particularly among men and non-Hispanic Black adults. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,100 counties in the US and found that each additional day of extreme heat was linked to an average of 600-700 additional deaths per year.

Quantum sensors: Measuring even more precisely

Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have developed a programmable quantum sensor that can measure with even greater precision, using tailored entanglement to optimize performance. The sensor autonomously finds its optimal settings through free parameters, promising a significant advantage over classical computers.

Study provides clues on why some bad infections persist

Researchers at University of Utah Health discovered a novel mechanism in which infectious bacteria adjust to environmental stress, leading to improved survival rates. The study's findings suggest that altering the precision with which bacteria make proteins can help them thrive in stressful conditions.

How does COVID-19 affect people’s ability to smell

Researchers found a nearly 16-fold higher prevalence of olfactory cleft abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 and olfactory dysfunction compared to controls. The blockages are expected to resolve with time, but nerve damage may be more difficult to recover from.

A stretchy display for shapable electronics

Scientists at Stanford University have created a stretchy display that can change shape in response to user interaction. The display uses elastic light-emitting polymers and has a maximum brightness two times that of a typical cellphone, allowing it to be stretched up to twice its original length without tearing.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Teen internet usage associated with stress and suicidal ideation

A survey of nearly 30,000 Korean high school students found a strong association between non-academic internet usage and mental health issues such as stress and suicidal ideation. Students who spent more time online reported better health, reduced stress, and fewer feelings of sadness and suicidal thoughts.

3D printing technology could change the optical fiber industry

Researchers successfully fabricated centimeter-scale optical fiber preforms using DLP 3D printing technology, enabling the creation of single-mode and multi-mode fibers. The team also explored doping elements to enhance luminescence properties, reducing fiber loss by controlling temperature and pressure during fabrication.

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.