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Science News Archive 2023


Page 414 of 444

Volcano-like rupture could have caused magnetar slowdown

A study published in Nature Astronomy suggests that a volcano-like rupture on the surface of a neutron star could have caused its sudden slowdown. The research used X-ray data from orbiting telescopes to analyze the magnetar's rotation and found evidence supporting this theory.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Online forums help those with dementia find missing support and companionship

A new study found that online forums provide a sense of community and hope for people with dementia, filling an important gap in their support after diagnosis. The forums allow users to share experiences and receive emotional support from others going through similar experiences, helping to alleviate feelings of isolation.

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.

Researchers map the effects of dietary nutrients on disease

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute created a comprehensive map of metabolic pathways in mice, then gathered data to put into a model predicting diet effects on liver cancer. The study found specific changes in metabolism associated with unhealthy diets promote cancer cell growth.

New company launches ultra-light, low carbon ‘aerogel’ insulation materials

A team from the University of Bath has developed ultra-light aerogel insulation materials with tuneable acoustic properties and other functional properties like thermal and electromagnetic shielding. The technology aims to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50% in aircraft fleets, contributing to the government's net zero strategy.

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.

Mercury helps to detail Earth’s most massive extinction event

A team of researchers has found a definitive link between mercury isotopes and the Latest Permian Mass Extinction, the largest extinction event in Earth's history. The study suggests that massive volcanic eruptions in Siberia led to rapid warming and climate change, which contributed to the extinction event.

Columbia researchers find link between serotonin and heart valve disease

A new study led by Columbia researchers discovered a link between serotonin and heart valve disease, specifically degenerative mitral regurgitation. The study found that patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were more likely to develop severe mitral regurgitation and require surgery at a younger age.

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.

A new way to identify stresses in complex fluids

Purdue University researchers have discovered a new mathematical framework that measures stress and stretching field topologies for complex fluids. This breakthrough applies to polymeric fluids used in groundwater remediation and other industries, enabling more accurate predictions of fluid transport.

Ancestral variation guides future environmental adaptations

Early plasticity in coastal plants like sea campion enables rapid adaptation to new environments, including toxic substances. The research found that beneficial plasticity in ancestral plants increases the likelihood of gene reuse during parallel adaptation.

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.

Prairie voles without oxytocin receptors can bond with mates and young

Research reveals that prairie voles can form enduring pair-bonds and provide parental care without oxytocin receptor signaling, contradicting previous studies. While mutant voles lack milk release, they still nurse and rear pups to weaning age, suggesting species-specific roles of oxytocin receptor signaling.

Motile sperm and frequent abortions in spreading earthmoss

A study by the University of Freiburg has found that auxin influences the fertility of spreading earthmoss, with PINC protein playing a crucial role. The research reveals that sperm swim better without PINC and that its absence leads to increased abortions in Physcomitrella moss.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Spinal cord injury: Can brain and nerve stimulation restore movement?

A new therapy, called spinal cord associative plasticity (SCAP), is showing promise in animal studies by enabling rats with spinal cord injuries to regain function of their arms. The treatment targets the nervous system connections spared by injury and causes lasting change in synapses or neurons.

Stability of perovskite solar cells reaches next milestone

Researchers have developed a chemical variation that significantly improves the stability of perovskite thin films in solar cells, achieving efficiencies of up to 24.6%. The new coating, b-pV2F, wraps around individual microcrystals like a soft shell, reducing thermal stress and increasing efficiency.

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.

Meteorites reveal likely origin of Earth’s volatile chemicals

Researchers at Imperial College London found that around half of Earth's zinc inventory came from asteroids in the outer Solar System, contributing to the emergence of life on Earth. The study suggests that this material supplied other important volatiles like water, crucial for sustaining life.

Artificial intelligence used to predict space weather

Researchers at Northumbria University are developing artificial intelligence to forecast space weather and predict serious space storms. The technology aims to protect the Earth's power grid and communication systems from disruptions caused by solar eruptions.

Looking back at the Tonga eruption

A new analysis of seismic data recorded after the Tonga eruption has revealed two distinct sequences of events, including quasi-periodic explosions and a massive final event. The study used back-projection techniques to tease out details from teleseismic P waves, shedding light on the volcano's internal dynamics.

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.

What you do in your garden to help pollinators works

A Lund University study evaluates 'Operation: Save the Bees' campaign, finding that creating meadows with diverse flowering species and planting older flowers improves pollinator numbers. The researchers also highlight the importance of investing in effective measures to support urban biodiversity.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

EU consumers ‘export’ environment damage to Eastern neighbours

A new study reveals that EU consumers are 'exporting' negative environmental impacts to their Eastern European neighbours while keeping economic benefits within the EU. The bulk of environmental pressures and impacts associated with EU consumption are felt in countries outside the bloc, with uneven distribution of costs and benefits wi...

Heavy smokers with severe periodontitis receive no benefit from treatment

A new study published in the Journal of Dental Research has found that heavy smokers with severe periodontitis do not receive any benefits from treatment. The study suggests that smoking cessation is crucial for effective treatment and may even worsen the disease during active treatment. The findings highlight the need to rethink pract...

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 zinc finger model shows promise for gene therapy

Researchers developed a novel technology to engineer proteins targeting specific DNA sequences, offering a new approach to gene therapies. The system generates engineered zinc fingers that bind to any given sequence of DNA, potentially treating diseases caused by genetic mutations.

Temperature-sensing building material changes color to save energy

Researchers at the University of Chicago have designed a temperature-sensing building material that changes its infrared color to absorb or emit heat based on outside temperatures. This innovation aims to reduce building energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making it an essential step towards a more sustainable future.

Farming more seaweed to be food, feed and fuel

Expanding seaweed farming could reduce demand for terrestrial crops and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 2.6 billion tonnes per year. The study identified millions of available hectares of ocean suitable for farming, with the Indonesian EEZ showing great potential.

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.

Alien plant species are spreading rapidly in mountainous areas

A new study reveals that alien plant species are expanding their range to higher elevations at an accelerated rate, affecting mountain ecosystems globally. The number of invasive species has increased by 16% worldwide over the past decade, with neophytes colonizing niches that match their climatic preferences.

Quantum sensors see Weyl photocurrents flow

A team of researchers led by Boston College Assistant Professor Brian Zhou developed a new quantum sensor technique to image and understand the origin of photocurrent flow in Weyl semimetals. They found that the electrical current flows in a four-fold vortex pattern around where light is shined on the material.

University of Illinois scientists win $9.5 million to study emerging pathogens

Researchers will investigate how ducks' immune systems act as a reservoir for the highly infectious H5N1 virus and engineer antibodies to prevent transmission to other animals and humans. They aim to develop ways to purify antibody-producing cells from ducks and assemble a pool of antibodies to understand their molecular features.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

UK newspapers generally report on meat substitutes positively—but high processing of some meat and dairy alternatives, high environmental footprint of protein crops, and big business involvement are portrayed as the biggest concerns

Plant-based protein products are generally reported positively in UK newspapers, but issues such as high processing levels and environmental footprints of protein crops dominate the narrative. The study suggests that big business involvement is also a significant concern.

Antibodies against coronavirus coldspots discovered

Researchers at the Istituto di Ricerca in Biomedicina discovered coldspots within the coronavirus spike protein, which are remarkably conserved across variants. Antibodies targeting these coldspots showed promise in blocking virus infection and protecting against disease in preclinical models.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Animals: Cat-egorising play and genuine fighting in cats

A study analyzed 105 cat interactions to categorize them into playful, aggressive, or intermediate groups. The majority (56.2%) were classified as playful, while 28.6% were agonistic. Intermediate behavior was observed in 15.2% of cats, exhibiting characteristics of both play and aggression.