Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive 2023


Page 161 of 444

Prevalence, factors associated with vaping CBD among adolescents

A study of 28,000 middle and high school students found high vaping cannabidiol (CBD) prevalence, particularly among e-cigarette users and Hispanic youth. Evidence-based interventions are needed to reduce health risks associated with vaping CBD among developing youths.

Six strategies could boost NY City housing by 300,000 units over decade

A RAND Corporation report proposes six policies to boost NYC housing supply by 300,000 units, leading to increased affordability through competition among landlords and naturally occurring affordable housing. The strategies include relaxing density restrictions near public transportation hubs.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Protective particles allow engineered probiotics to report gut disease

Researchers developed a platform that allows engineered biosensor bacteria to safely pass through the gastrointestinal tract in animal models. The platform enables real-time monitoring of gut health and can be used to diagnose and monitor various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. It has the potential to revolutionize pati...

Why killer bacteria affect some people more severely

Researchers found that genetic variants of the STING gene and bacterial NADase enzyme activity interact to determine disease severity. People with the risk variant of STING have a higher risk of life-threatening conditions, while those with the protective variant are less affected.

Building muscle in the lab

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to grow functional human muscle stem cells in the lab using mRNA technology. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for muscular dystrophy and other muscle disorders. The team successfully converted connective tissue cells into muscle stem cells, producing fully functional muscl...

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.

The evolution of complex grammars

Researchers found that languages with larger populations of non-native speakers do not simplify their grammars. Instead, variations in complexity accumulate too slowly to adapt to the environment. This challenges long-held theories on the relationship between language complexity and social factors.

Harnessing big data reveals birds’ coexisting tactics

Scientists at Michigan State University used big data to study bird coexistence in the Albertine Rift ecosystem. They found that birds partition their habitat use along environmental gradients and adopt different strategies to survive, allowing them to coexist without driving each other to extinction.

Studying the theoretical limit of learned source coding

A team led by Dr. Zixiang Xiong at Texas A&M University aims to understand the fundamental limits of learned source coding, a machine learning-based data compression method. They hope to develop more powerful compression methods for efficient use of wireless communication and less energy consumption by mobile devices.

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.

Hollings head-and-neck team leads trial to reduce delays in care

A multidisciplinary team at Hollings Cancer Center has launched a trial to reduce delays in starting radiation therapy after surgery, which can worsen outcomes. The ENDURE approach addresses organizational, team, and patient-level barriers to care, with promising preliminary results.

New leaf-tailed gecko from Madagascar is a master of disguise

Researchers have identified a new species of leaf-tailed gecko from northern Madagascar, showcasing its exceptional camouflage skills. The discovery has shed light on the unique characteristics of this species, including its skin flaps and flattened tail.

Smartphone app may support drinkers who overindulge to drink less heavily

A smartphone intervention app reduced unhealthy alcohol use among university students, with a 10% decrease in weekly drinks and 11% fewer heavy drinking days. The app, available for both Apple and Android smartphones, was effective in promoting healthier drinking habits without requiring significant resources.

Major festivities modulate light pollution patterns on a global scale

Researchers analyzed satellite images to find that major festivities like Christmas, Ramadan, Chinese New Year, and Diwali vary night-time lighting intensity globally. Light pollution has serious consequences for living organisms and can be mitigated with planning and management measures.

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.

Microplastic pollution: Plants could be the answer

Researchers at UBC's BioProducts Institute found a solution to capture virtually all microplastic particles in water by adding tannins to wood dust, trapping 95.2-99.9% of plastic particles. The method could be scaled up for municipal treatment systems or home use.

Tough memory device aims for space missions

Gallium oxide-based flash memory device demonstrates high performance and stability in extreme temperatures and radiation, retaining data for over 80 minutes. The team aims to improve device properties through further material quality and design advancements.

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.

Platelets can replicate the benefits of exercise in the brain

Researchers at University of Queensland discovered platelets secrete a protein that rejuvenates neurons in aged mice, similar to exercise. This finding has significant implications for developing drug interventions to promote neurogenesis and enhance cognition.

Ötzi: dark skin, bald head, Anatolian ancestry

A new study reveals that Ötzi had a Mediterranean-European skin tone and little to no Eastern European ancestry. His hair was likely sparse, with a predisposition to baldness. The research team used advanced sequencing technology to analyze Ötzi's genome, which has more Anatolian farmer ancestry than any of his European contemporaries.

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.

Nauseous territory: outfoxing predators using baits that make them barf

A team of international researchers have successfully conditioned red foxes to avoid native prey by associating it with nauseous chemicals. The study, published in Conservation Science and Practice, used levamisole to induce nausea and vomiting in the predators. By hiding the taste and smell of the chemical, the researchers were able t...

Highlights from the journal CHEST®, August 2023

The August issue of CHEST journal features a new clinical practice guideline for managing patients with neuromuscular weakness and a multisociety evidence review on the effect of race and ethnicity on pulmonary function testing interpretation. This is complemented by other research and reviews covering various aspects of chest medicine.

Bee populations at risk of one-two punch from heat waves, pathogen infection

A global research team found that extreme heat exposure and prior infection from a protozoan pathogen can severely negatively impact solitary bees' thermal physiology and behavior. The study showed that healthy bees can tolerate high temperatures, but infected ones are less tolerant, affecting their ability to forage and pollinate crops.

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.

Occupational safety and health training program grant renewed

The University of Arizona Health Sciences has been awarded a National Institutes of Health training program grant worth $750,000. This funding will continue to support master's students pursuing degrees in environmental and occupational health in the Industrial Hygiene Program.

Gray wolf recovery is a success—is that a problem?

The recovery of gray wolf populations in the United States has been broadly successful over the past 30 years, with many regions now sporting robust populations. However, these growing populations face significant threats, including fragmented habitats, barriers to dispersal, and increased encounters with humans, pets, and livestock.

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.

Research informs WHO malaria net guideline update

A systematic review by the University of Adelaide found combining pyrethroid insecticide with chlorfenapyr improves its effectiveness in treating malaria-preventing mosquito nets. The WHO has updated its guidelines to include these new recommendations.

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.

Clever coating turns lampshades into indoor air purifiers

Scientists have designed catalyst-coated lampshades that transform indoor air pollutants into harmless compounds using waste heat from lamps. The technology targets volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which account for most indoor airborne pollutants, and has been shown to work with halogen and incandescent light bulbs.

What is the next step in preventative therapies for treating liver cancer?

Recent studies have identified molecular inflammatory mechanisms that trigger the growth and transformation of progenitor cells into cancer stem cells, a key step in liver cancer development. Maintaining progenitor cell compartment integrity could be an attractive therapeutic strategy, while targeting IL-17 production may eradicate CSC...

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.

Cleaning water with ‘smart rust’ and magnets (video)

Scientists have created iron oxide nanoparticles called 'smart rust' that can remove a range of contaminants from water, including oil, nano- and microplastics, and estrogen hormones. The particles are magnetic and can be easily removed with a magnet, making them a promising tool for improving water treatment.

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.

Inhibiting glutamine metabolism impacts tumor cells or the microenvironment?

Glutamine metabolism plays a crucial role in cancer cell growth and survival, with its inhibition shown to block cancer cell growth in vivo and in vitro. A recent editorial paper suggests that glutamine dysregulation may also impact the tumor microenvironment, potentially leading to increased oxidative stress and cancer cell death.

Photonic skin sensing network for cardiovascular health monitoring

Researchers propose a spatiotemporal hemodynamic monitoring technique using skin-like microfiber Bragg grating group for real-time monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral resistance, and vascular elasticity. The device can detect subtle physiological signals and presents the dynamics of the systemic cardiovascular system.

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.

Paternal depression and risk of depression among offspring

A systematic review and meta-analysis found a significant association between paternal depression and subsequent offspring depression. The study included over 7 million father-child dyads and suggests that mental health interventions can benefit the entire family.

Novel enzyme could boost sustainable production of aviation fuel

Brazilian researchers discovered an enzyme that can replace traditional catalysts in the production of aviation biokerosene, increasing renewable biofuel output. The enzyme, OleTP RN, promotes deoxygenation and is selective for different sizes and types of carbon chain.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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