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Science News Archive March 2022


Page 32 of 44

The miracle of mucins

New research from University of Utah biomedical engineer Jessica Kramer reveals that human mucus and saliva may prevent the spread of coronaviruses when dry on a surface. Mucins in mucus form a barrier around live virus, preventing infection by binding to sugars on viruses instead of cells.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Following rain, desert microbes exhale potent greenhouse gas

Researchers found that desert microbes produce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in arid soils after rain, contradicting the long-held assumption that it comes from fertilized agricultural fields. The study reveals a new source of nitrogen pollution in deserts, driven by fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes.

Tiny switches give solid-state LiDAR record resolution

A new type of high-resolution LiDAR chip has been developed by the University of California, Berkeley, which could lead to a new generation of powerful, low-cost 3D sensors. The chip uses a focal plane switch array (FPSA) and achieves a resolution of 16,384 pixels.

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.

Treatment length reduced for children with tuberculosis

Researchers found that four-month treatment is as effective as six months in non-severe TB cases, allowing for savings on screening and training healthcare workers. The study's results led to a change in the World Health Organisation's global guidelines, recommending a shorter treatment course for children with non-severe TB.

Study hints at how early life experiences may affect brain wiring

Researchers observed that chandelier cells, which regulate cortical circuit activity, communicate with other neurons shortly after birth, influencing brain development. This interaction is crucial for normal brain function and may be disrupted in neurological disorders.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New paper offers innovative solution for thermal energy storage

Researchers have developed a novel approach to improve thermal energy storage by decoupling energy density and power density using pressure-enhanced close contact melting. This method has demonstrated efficacy in achieving high power and energy density, making it suitable for demanding applications like electric vehicles and data centers.

A virtual way to rehab from a stroke

Researchers developed a video game-based therapy, Recovery Rapids, to aid stroke patients in improving their motor skills from home. The game helped patients adhere to exercises and showed similar outcomes to traditional constraint-induced therapy.

Overcoming resistance to breast cancer treatment

A team from UNIGE has identified a potential target for restoring the efficacy of standard breast cancer treatment. The loss of SPRED2 protein leads to tumor proliferation even with tamoxifen treatment. Combining tamoxifen with an inhibitor of estrogen-independent cell activation may be promising for resistant patients.

Researchers illuminate structure of largest ultra-low velocity zone

Researchers have obtained a 3D structure of the largest-scale ultra-low velocity zone beneath the Pacific Ocean, measuring its height and lateral extent. The study reveals a mega-sized ULVZ with a shear velocity perturbation of around 10%, providing new insights into the dynamic evolution of the earth's lower mantle.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Treating tough tumors by exploiting their iron ‘addiction’

Researchers at UCSF develop a new cancer treatment that targets RAS-mutated tumors by exploiting their high levels of ferrous iron. The treatment, TRX-cobimetinib, is more effective and tolerable than current treatments like cobimetinib, which can cause serious side effects in normal tissues.

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.

Comparison of seroconversion in children, adults with mild COVID-19

Researchers compared seroconversion in nonhospitalized children and adults with mild SARS-CoV-2 infection to identify factors associated with seroconversion. The study found that certain factors were more common in children, while others were more common in adults with mild COVID-19.

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.

Our climate has changed. How do we learn to live with extreme events?

Researchers are developing new methods to predict extreme weather events, including building a 'weather dictionary' using word search technology and AI physics. By analyzing patterns and motifs in weather data, scientists aim to better understand the impact of climate change on extreme weather events.

Researchers unravel the inner workings of heat conduction in galaxy clusters

A team of researchers used the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to create a laboratory replica of galaxy-cluster plasmas, discovering strong suppression of heat conduction in these turbulent environments. The experiments provide insight into complex physics processes and raise additional questions that may be answered in future studies.

A text-reading robot with heart

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba created a handheld social robot, OMOY, that can appear to convey emotions by shifting an internal weight while reading out text messages. The robot was tested with 94 people and found to reduce negative emotions such as anger, revenge, and avoidance motivation.

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.

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.

Mathematical discovery could shed light on secrets of the Universe

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have discovered a simplified model for quantum gravity called the 'holographic principle' that describes how gravity emerges from quantum mechanics. This breakthrough may also offer new insights into mysterious dark energy.

Heatwave hotspots linked to urban agglomerations in Africa

Research in Africa identified heatwave hotspot regions linked to urban areas, affecting 36% of Northern Hemisphere and 57% of Southern Hemisphere populations in 2019. Climate change likely contributed to these hotspots, with significant implications for human health, energy consumption, and water security.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Half century of protection pays off for sea turtles

Researchers have tracked green turtle populations at Aldabra Atoll and found a significant increase in clutches laid since the species was protected in 1968. The study reveals an overall 2.6% annual rise in clutch numbers, offering hope for marine conservation success stories.

Paper discs that can pick up hydrogen peroxide

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has developed a paper-based sensor that can detect tiny volumes of hydrogen peroxide using UV light. The intensity of the light emitted is directly proportional to the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, making it possible to visualize the emission with the naked eye.

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.

New study sheds light on early human hair evolution

Researchers studied Indriidae lemurs to understand the impact of climate, body size, and color vision on hair evolution, providing a unique window into human hair evolution. The study fills gaps in our understanding of human evolutionary story by comparing non-human primate hair patterns.

Black hole billiards in the centers of galaxies

Researchers propose a new mechanism for eccentric black hole mergers, suggesting that interactions between three black holes in a flat disk environment could lead to chaotic orbits. This finding challenges previous studies on the rarity of such events.

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.

Strengthening women’s empowerment in fragile and conflict-affected settings

A recent review of 104 studies found that certain interventions can successfully support women's empowerment and gender equality in fragile and conflict-affected settings. However, few interventions had positive effects on attitudes towards women, intimate partner violence, or women's participation in decision-making processes.

Women want to work, despite workforce precarity

A new study by Cornell University's Landon Schnabel found that women are now as likely as men to report working because they want to, not just out of necessity. The gender gap in preferring to work is closing, except for pockets of the most religiously active Americans.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Genetic mechanisms of coral metamorphosis identified

Researchers have identified key molecular mechanisms driving coral metamorphosis, a radical transformation from free-swimming larvae to sedentary adult reef-builders. Alterations in gene expression and receptor signaling regulate the irreversibility of this process, enabling corals to adapt to their environment.

Cerebral palsy rates are dropping in Australia

Research published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology shows a decline in cerebral palsy rates among Australian babies, with the largest decrease seen in premature births. The study found a 32% reduction in prevalence over two decades.

Method offers sharper images of lung disease in living mice

Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a technique to study lung disease in living mice without using mechanical ventilation. The method uses phase-contrast X-ray tomography to produce high-resolution images of the lungs, including even the smallest airways, with low radiation doses.

How the transition to agriculture affects populations in the present day

Researchers found that hunter-gatherer groups in southwest Ethiopia have a distinct genetic profile and are related to ancestors who lived 4,500 years ago. The study suggests that the transition to agriculture is more complex than previously thought, with varying responses from different groups.

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.

Large mammals can help climate change mitigation and adaptation

A new study finds that large wild animals like elephants and whales can help restore ecosystems and battle climate change by dispersing seeds, clearing vegetation, and increasing albedo. Protecting these animals also supports local biodiversity and ecological resilience in temperate, tropical, and subtropical grassland ecosystems.