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Science News Archive October 2022


Page 30 of 37

$637,000 Awarded to improve recovery of critical systems after cyber attacks

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity awarded a $637,223 grant to Brajendra Panda to develop fast and accurate recovery mechanisms for critical infrastructure systems after cyber-attacks. The goal is to minimize delays and ensure continued operation of critical functions such as electricity.

Mapping human brain development

Scientists have developed a new method to study human brain development by growing millimetre-sized three-dimensional tissues called organoids from pluripotent stem cells. The researchers characterized the cells in molecular-genetic terms, creating a kind of map showing the molecular fingerprint of each cell within the organoid.

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.

Can cats and coyote co-exist?

A recent study found that cats and coyotes share green spaces in Los Angeles suburb Culver City, leading to increased cat mortality. Cats displayed more nocturnal behavior than typical urban cats, explaining high rates of cat deaths. The study recommends restricting outdoor cat access to mitigate human-wildlife conflict

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.

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.

Scientists peel back ancient layers of banana DNA to reveal ‘mystery ancestors’

A study reveals that domesticated banana varieties contain traces of three unknown wild ancestors, which were likely hybrids between subspecies and may hold useful traits such as parthenocarpy. The researchers believe these 'mystery ancestors' might still be alive in the wild, particularly in regions including the Gulf of Thailand, Bor...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Assessing disaster preparedness disparities in pediatric households

Research at the 2022 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition found disparities in pediatric household preparedness for wildfires, particularly among less educated caregivers. Households with children having breathing issues were more likely to be prepared for wildfires.

The secret of swing – addressed in the lab

Researchers found that downbeat delays, rather than minute timing deviations, are key components of the swing feel in jazz. Downbeat delays of about 30 milliseconds enhanced the swing feel, while uniformly delaying offbeats did not.

Firearm-related injuries may have increased during COVID-19 pandemic

A study found pediatric firearm-related injuries at a hospital ED increased during the first two years of the shutdown, with significant increases in African American and mentally ill patients. The total number of firearm-related injury cases rose from 88 in 2019 to 118 in 2020 and remained elevated in 2021.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Are conferences worth the time and money?

A new Northwestern University study finds that scientists who interact with others during assigned sessions at conferences are more likely to form productive collaborations. Virtual conferences also show promise for encouraging interactions and sparking collaborations.

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.

Optical foundations illuminated by quantum light

A team at Tampere University has demonstrated that quantum waves behave differently from classical counterparts, increasing the precision of distance measurements. Their findings also shed light on the physical origin of the Gouy phase anomaly in focused light fields.

Blue energy

Scientists at Osaka University have developed an ultrathin silicon membrane with arrays of nanopores that can harness osmotic flow to generate electricity from seawater. The device achieved peak power efficiency of 400 kW/m² and demonstrated optimal configuration for best power generation.

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.

How the mother's mood influences her baby's ability to speak

A recent study at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences found that mothers' postnatal depressive moods can impact their babies' ability to distinguish speech sounds. Mothers in a negative mood tend to use less infant-directed speech, leading to delayed language development in infants.

Green hydrogen: Faster progress with modern X-ray sources

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin for Materials and Energy are utilizing X-ray absorption spectroscopy to investigate oxygen evolution in electrocatalysis. This study aims to improve the efficiency of green hydrogen production by developing more stable and cost-effective catalysts.

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.

Sleep mode makes Energy Internet more energy efficient

Nagoya University scientists developed a controller with a sleep mode to procure energy only when needed, reducing the need for storage batteries and capacitors. This innovative solution enables efficient energy saving and promotes the practical application of power packet type energy Internet.

Fast track to fertility program halves time to treatment

The program cuts the average time it took for new patients to get their first treatment from 97 days to just 41 days, while also allowing more than 1,000 new patients to begin treatments. The system has made significant improvements in efficiency and patient satisfaction, with appointment no-shows dropping by 50%.

Increase seen in pediatric BMI during pandemic, study finds

A study tracking pediatric body mass index (BMI) before and during the pandemic found a significant increase in BMI rates, with girls experiencing an 11% mean rise. The study also linked increased screen time and family time together to rising BMIs.

COVID-19 pandemic may have decreased breastfeeding

Research at LAC+USC Medical Center found a 11% decrease in exclusive breastfeeding and a 4% decrease in any breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic rates. Hospital staffing changes and access to breastfeeding training may have contributed to these declines.

Caregivers have it tough — and the COVID-19 pandemic made things worse

A new study found that caregivers, particularly women, experience higher odds of health-related vulnerabilities such as food insecurity and financial strain. Caregivers must balance their own lives with those of their dependents, finding ways to care for themselves while dedicating time to caring for loved ones.

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.

Vaginal immune system may hint at prime vaccine timing

Researchers discovered consistent fluctuations in vaginal immune-signaling molecules during menstrual cycles, influencing fertility and infectious disease development. This study provides a framework for optimizing vaccine administration to align with the immune system's natural ebbs and flows.

Daylight hours impact opioid receptor levels in brown fat

A new study at the Turku PET Centre discovered that shorter daylight hours increase opioid receptor levels in brown fat of rats. This complements previous findings on day length modulating opioid receptor levels in brain emotional circuits.

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.

Underwater movement sensor alerts when a swimmer might be drowning

Researchers created a breathable underwater movement sensor by applying a thin, slippery coating to conductive fabric, enabling the detection of swimmers in distress. The smart system wirelessly alerts a smartphone app when a swimmer stops moving, indicating potential drowning.

Age vs. genetics: Which is more important for determining how we age?

A University of California, Berkeley study found that aging and environment are more important than genetic variation in affecting gene expression. As individuals age, their gene expression profiles diverge, making genetics less useful in predicting which genes are ramped up or down.

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.

Neighboring cell types influence single-cell gene expression variability

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have developed a statistical framework called CCPLS that analyzes spatial gene expression data at single-cell resolution. The study found that neighboring cell types influence gene expression variability in ways that were not previously accounted for by existing methods.

Chiplet integration technology with simplest scheme

Researchers developed Pillar-Suspended Bridge (PSB) technology for chiplet integration, enabling improved inter-chip connection density and electrical properties. The technology uses a simple structure with high bonding accuracy and reduces yield problems when scaling up integration.

3D map reveals DNA organization within human retina cells

NIH scientists mapped the organization of human retinal cell chromatin, revealing insights into regulation of gene expression and retinal function. The study identified distinct patterns of interaction at retinal genes suggesting how chromatin's 3D organization plays a crucial role in tissue-specific gene regulation.

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.

New research tackles rose rosette, black spot diseases

A new project aims to develop sustainable roses resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses, and have high ornamental quality. The researchers are combining traditional plant breeding with molecular genetics to stack multiple resistance genes into a rose.

Microbial enzymes are the key to pectin digestion in leaf beetles

The study found that microbial enzymes are essential for the digestion of pectin in leaf beetles, allowing them to access nutrient-rich plant cells. The researchers also discovered that leaf beetle species acquire these enzymes through horizontal gene transfer from other microbes.

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.

Reign of PNG’s megafauna lasted long after humans arrived

A new study re-examines fossil bones from the Nombe Rock Shelter in PNG Highlands and suggests that several large mammal species may have survived for another 40,000 years. The research challenges general assumptions about megafaunal extinction timelines and provides fresh insights into the natural history of PNG.

When making a detour is faster

Researchers develop autonomous navigation strategies for microswimmers, allowing them to navigate optimally in complex environments. These strategies utilize external stimuli, such as light, to guide the microswimmers and improve their performance.