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Science News Archive October 2022


Page 16 of 37

Number-crunching maths models may give policy makers major headache

A new study found that increasingly complex mathematical models can produce more uncertain estimates, limiting their usefulness for informing real-world policy decisions. Researchers recommend reassessing the drive to create detailed models and suggest calculating the model's effective dimensions before adding complexity.

Plants keep pathogens at bay in cooperation with microorganisms

Researchers discovered that plants can regulate their microbiome through the secretion of flavonoids, which affect beneficial and harmful microorganisms around plant roots. This delicate balance helps protect plants from parasitic nematodes, reducing susceptibility to infection.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Why some fairy-wrens can be more ‘aggressive’ in the wild

Researchers found that Australian superb fairy-wrens with 'extreme exploration phenotypes' are more aggressive in the wild. The birds' personalities were measured using a shyness-boldness scale and exploration avoidance behavior, revealing a link between aggression and survival.

Sleep as a new 8th measure of cardiovascular health

A new study using the American Heart Association framework provides evidence that sleep is integral to preserving heart health. Sleep metrics add independent predictive value for CVD events over and above the original 7 CVH metrics.

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.

Pain relief without side effects and addiction

Scientists at FAU have discovered new substances that activate adrenaline receptors instead of opioid receptors, providing effective pain relief without respiratory depression or addiction. The findings are a milestone in the development of non-opioid pain medication.

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.

Why do COVID-19 conspiracy theories persist on social media?

Researchers analyzed COVID-19 conspiracy theories on Twitter, finding that some peaked at the beginning of the pandemic while others remained persistent throughout. The study suggests that risk perceptions and lack of information from governments and experts contributed to the persistence of these theories.

Ancient ocean methane not an immediate climate change threat

New research from the University of Rochester and others finds that ocean methane hydrate reservoirs in mid-latitude regions will not be released to the atmosphere under warming conditions. This means that ancient methane is being stored safely on the seafloor, reducing concerns about climate change.

No heart damage despite hypertension

A new study found that a specific genetic mutation can protect the heart from the damaging effects of high blood pressure, unlike in other individuals. The researchers discovered that this mutation leads to overactive phosphodiesterase 3A enzyme production, but unexpectedly does not cause cardiac hypertrophy or heart failure.

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.

OCD on TV

A new study published in GigaScience has made available an enormous amount of behavioral data from an animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), comprising over 2 years of continuous recording. The data set, which is the culmination of a 15-year study, provides insights into the mechanisms of OCD and potential treatments.

Our brains use quantum computation – new research

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin discovered that quantum computation may be used by the human brain, correlating with short-term memory performance and conscious awareness. This finding could enhance our understanding of brain functions and potentially lead to innovative technologies.

A difficult key factor

Researchers used excess mortality data to calculate a significantly lower R0 value of 1.34 for SARS-CoV-2 infections in March 2020, contrary to earlier estimates which ranged from 1.95 to 6.49.

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.

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.

Physicists confirm hitch in proton structure

Nuclear physicists have confirmed a bump in the data of proton structure measurements, revealing an unexplained spike in electric polarizability. The anomaly is puzzling experts, who believe it may indicate an unknown facet of the strong force at work.

New book to help improve science communication in Africa is now available

The new book, 'Science Communication Skills for Journalists: A Resource Book for Universities in Africa,' provides a comprehensive resource for journalists and students on science communication. With 22 chapters and five academic papers, the book equips readers to communicate complex scientific findings effectively.

Insect pollination key for rare Wyoming sagebrush species

A new study found that a rare Wyoming sagebrush species, Laramie chickensage, is primarily pollinated by bees. The research, led by University of Wyoming graduate student Madison Crawford, shows that 61% of viable seeds produced by the plants were from insect pollination.

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.

In medieval Norway, high-class people had stronger bones

A study published in PLOS ONE found that high-status individuals in medieval Norway had higher bone mineral density and were taller than those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This suggests that socioeconomic status may have played a role in shaping health outcomes over time.

NIH-supported study finds racial disparities in advanced heart failure treatment

A recent NIH-supported study found that Black adults treated at advanced heart failure centers received potentially life-changing therapies, such as transplants and heart pumps, about half as often as white adults due to racial bias. The researchers also suggest that unconscious bias and overt racism may be driving these disparities.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Environmental chemicals increase risk of inflammatory bowel disease

A new study identifies environmental chemical agents that influence gastrointestinal inflammation and may boost the risk of inflammatory bowel disease. The research found a common herbicide, propyzamide, to interfere with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, leading to increased intestinal inflammation.

A smoky solution — for plants

Researchers have made a surprising discovery that liquid smoke can enhance plant defense against pests and diseases, leading to new farming practices. The study found that sunflowers grown in soil treated with liquid smoke had larger, thicker, and greener leaves and appeared less prone to pests and disease.

Corrupt endothelial cells protect blood cancer cells from chemotherapy

A recent study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators found that corrupted endothelial cells can protect leukemia cells from chemotherapy drugs. The discovery has the potential to improve drug discovery programs and clinical trials for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients.

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.

How groups best work together

Researchers Dr. Fabian Pels and Prof. Jens Kleinert developed an integrative group flow theory that explains the conditions for optimal group performance. The IGFT highlights the importance of interpersonal coordination, positive relationship quality, and continuous maintenance of primary and secondary fits to achieve group flow.

Study reveals a broken symmetry in the roughness of elastic interfaces

The study reveals that the distribution of local interface displacements exhibits non-zero skewness due to pinned segments lagging behind the rest. The researchers also found that scaling properties of interface segments depend on whether they are lagging or moving ahead of the average displacement.

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.

Study: new model for the transmission of cultural knowledge

A new study by Helena Miton and Simon DeDeo presents a model for the transmission of tacit knowledge, which is passed down with limited specification. The model captures how learners overcome constraints to succeed in complex practices, predicting stability over time with minimal information.

Changing the face of innovation

A new MUSC initiative aims to increase the number of women entrepreneurs by offering coaching, mentoring, and training opportunities. The program will pair trainees with successful biomedical entrepreneurs, providing valuable role models and guidance. By addressing gender inequity in STEM fields, STEM-CREW seeks to advance the careers ...

Do caffeine and alcohol affect fertility treatments?

A recent study found no association between women's caffeine consumption and pregnancy or live birth rate after fertility treatments. However, moderate alcohol consumption (84g/week) was associated with decreased pregnancy and live birth rates in both men and women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.

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.

Scientists warn of a rare third-year La Nina

Researchers at Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, predict a third-year La Niña event, the first since 1998-2001. This event may bring intense cold surges in Eurasia and more extreme weather patterns.

New tool reveals what happens in the brain when we learn

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a new tool to measure proteins in brain cells, revealing how brain activity remodels the physical structure of neurons. The study found that certain proteins related to DNA packaging play a key role in gene expression changes after neural activity.

ETRI unveils an XR based metaverse platform for multi-user collaborations

ETRI has developed a metaverse platform that supports up to 11 users in real-time collaboration, enabling practical applications such as education and manufacturing. The platform's advanced technology includes high-precision location recognition, hand-gesture recognition, and real-time data synchronization.

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.