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Science News Archive November 2022


Page 5 of 39

Cooling down solar cells, naturally

Researchers found that optimizing solar panel spacing and direction can increase energy production by 2-3% through natural convection. The study's model improves estimates of solar plant efficiency, paving the way for more accurate cost predictions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Soft touch sensitivity

Researchers at KAUST have developed a soft and flexible electronic 'e-skin' that can detect minute temperature differences between inhalation and exhalation, as well as touch and body motion. The material's island-bridge atomic structure provides an inherent softness and flexibility ideal for on-skin applications.

Protons fix a long-standing issue in silicon carbide electronics

Researchers from Nagoya Institute of Technology found a feasible solution to prevent bipolar degradation in 4H-SiC semiconductor wafers using proton implantation. The technique pinches down partial dislocations in the crystal structure, preventing stacking faults and enhancing device reliability.

Common veterinary drugs show effectiveness against bed bugs

A study by North Carolina State University found that two common veterinary drugs, Fluralaner and Ivermectin, are effective in killing bed bugs on poultry farms. Fluralaner was highly effective against bed bugs with resistance to common insecticides.

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.

Quantitative diagnosis of bowel ischemia with deep learning

A new deep learning model using conditional generative adversarial networks (cGANs) has been developed to diagnose bowel ischemia. The model achieved an accuracy of over 93% in segmenting ischemic intestine images, surpassing current subjective methods.

New method to detect oxygen consumption in the brain

Researchers developed a novel optical technique to directly monitor cerebral oxygen consumption and blood flow in real-time. The technique uses phosphorescent probes to track the brain's oxygen gradient, providing valuable insights into brain activity and metabolism.

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.

New material discovered that helps diabetic wounds heal quickly

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a new class of polymer that can promote wound healing in hard-to-treat diabetic wounds. The polymer actively drives fibroblasts and immune cells to aid healing, resulting in three times more fibroblast activity and over 80% wound closure.

Trends, disparities in firearm fatalities in the US, 1990-2021

A study of 1.1 million firearm fatalities in the US from 1990 to 2021 found increasing disparities in rates between men and women, as well as by racial and ethnic group. These findings highlight the need for public health approaches to address underlying demographic trends and geographic differences in reducing firearm violence.

Researchers investigate neuron differentiation in fruit fly brains

The study reveals that non-coding regions near sloppy-paired genes are essential for temporal transcription factor expression and that Notch-signaling regulates the transition to subsequent TTFs. This mechanism couples temporal patterning with neuron generation, providing insights into brain diversity.

Major fires an increasing risk as the air gets thirstier, research shows

New research shows a strong link between atmospheric dryness and forest fire risk, with warmer temperatures increasing the drying power of fuels. The study found that over 30 million records of fire activity in the last 20 years reveal a predictable relationship between vapour pressure deficit and fire activity.

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.

Adding a ‘decoy option’ may give extra boost to crowdfunding

Researchers found that adding a decoy option can increase the likelihood of a crowdfunding project being funded by up to 28%, as it makes more expensive rewards seem more attractive. The study tested this approach in digital markets where billions of people make choices daily.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Bats growl like death metal singers and Mongolian throat singers

A new study reveals that bats use the same technique as human death metal singers and throat singing members to produce sounds. Bats can span 7 octaves with their vocal range, surpassing most mammals. The research team filmed what happens in a bat's larynx when producing sound, showing heavy vocal folds vibrating at low frequencies.

More sustainable and recyclable polyurethane foams

A new process allows for the production of polyurethane foams without isocyanates, a toxic chemical compound. The technology uses water and cyclic carbonate compounds to create a solid material with low density and regular pores.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Are older women being over-screened for cervical cancer?

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that more public health data is needed on the utilization of cervical cancer screening-associated services among older women. The analysis showed that over 1.3 million women received cervical cancer screening-associated services after age 65, with costs exceeding $83 million.

Understanding polar species’ behavior to reduce risk of extinction: HKU Scientists discovered the southward migration of Arctic Ocean species during the last glacial period for the first time

Researchers identify two southward migration events of Arctic ostracods in the Last Glacial Period, revealing the impact of East Asian winter monsoon on marine ecosystems. The study's findings help understand Asian monsoon dynamics and their effects on polar species distribution, highlighting the risk of extinction under climate change.

Obesity linked to poor brain health in children

Higher weight and BMI z-scores in pre-adolescence are associated with poor brain health, including structural changes and decreased connectivity. The findings provide an important mechanistic explanation for the link between childhood obesity and impaired cognitive function.

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.

Novel method automates the growth of brain tissue organoids on a chip

A team of engineers at UC Santa Cruz has developed an automated system for growing cerebral organoids, miniature models of brain tissue grown from stem cells. The new method, called Autoculture, precisely delivers nutrients to individual organoids, optimizing growth and reducing cellular stress.

Virtual overdose monitoring may help reduce opioid deaths

A novel public health intervention, virtual overdose monitoring services offer timely and anonymous access to emergency care and can develop personalized response plans for individuals using substances. High-quality research is needed to better understand the benefits and risks of these services.

For memory formation, organization matters

Small cell clusters in hippocampus are vital for fear-based memories, while sleep helps stabilize these clusters to improve memory. The study uses immediate early gene imaging to visualize active cells throughout the entire rat hippocampus.

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.

A breakthrough in bacterial vaginosis treatment for women’s health

Researchers at Harvard University developed a Human Vagina Chip to study the effects of microbiome on vaginal health. The chip replicated the human vaginal tissue microenvironment, including its microbiome, and showed that certain strains of bacteria can help maintain an acidic environment and reduce inflammation.

Math approach may make drug discovery more effective, efficient

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a computer-based platform for drug discovery using topological data analysis. The approach allows for virtual screening of thousands of compound candidates, narrowing them down to the most promising ones for laboratory and clinical testing.

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.

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.

People with depression are less likely to have children

Research suggests that people with depression are less likely to have children, particularly men. The study, which examined over 1.4 million participants in Finland, found a significant association between diagnosed depression and the likelihood of having children, as well as the number of children born.

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.

Nanoengineers develop a predictive database for materials

The researchers have developed an AI algorithm called M3GNet that can predict the structure and dynamic properties of any material. The algorithm was used to create a database of over 31 million yet-to-be-synthesized materials with predicted properties, facilitating the discovery of new technological materials.

HKUMed discovers 90% penicillin allergies labels are false in Hong Kong and proposes a new testing strategy via the Hong Kong Drug Allergy Delabelling Initiative (HK-DADI)

A collaborative research team led by Dr Philip Li from HKUMed has pioneered a new nurse-led penicillin allergy triage and testing strategy, which demonstrated its effectiveness and safety compared to traditional allergy testing. The study found that 90% of penicillin allergy labels in Hong Kong are incorrect, leading to potential letha...

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.

Tablet-based vaccine prevents urinary tract infections in mice

A new tablet-based vaccine has shown long-lasting protection against bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) in mice. The vaccine was found to be comparable to antibiotics in efficacy, with durable antibody responses lasting for the lifetime of a mouse.