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Science News for April 14, 2023


Ancient DNA reveals the multiethnic structure of Mongolia’s first nomadic empire

Researchers found that individuals within two Xiongnu elite cemeteries exhibited extremely high genetic diversity, confirming the empire as a multiethnic entity. High status individuals showed lower genetic diversity, while those of lower status had higher heterogeneity, suggesting a diverse origin pool.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 14, 2023
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.

Study of cerebral blood vessels uncovers potential new drug targets for treating stroke

Researchers have identified hundreds of genes with significant stroke-driven changes and likely relevance in human strokes. The study found alterations in sphingolipid production, which are involved in regulating blood vessels, and pinpointed several molecular pathways that can be targeted for stroke treatment.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2023

EACVI 2023: A new flagship event in cardiovascular imaging

EACVI 2023 is a patient-focused, multimodality imaging event that showcases the latest advancements in echocardiography, CMR, nuclear cardiology, and cardiac CT. The congress highlights novel treatments for long COVID, new technologies such as robotic imaging, fusion imaging, and AI.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateApr 14, 2023

The ACMG publishes statement on clinical, technical and environmental biases influencing equitable access to clinical genetics/genomics testing

The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has published a statement addressing factors that contribute to bias in clinical genetic testing. The statement highlights three main areas: environmental, clinical, and technical biases, which affect health equity for individuals from historically marginalized populations.

SourceAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics·JournalGenetics in Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 14, 2023
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.

Healing the unhealable: New approach helps bones mend themselves

Researchers developed a novel approach that promotes bone regeneration in mice without implantation of bone tissue or biomaterials. By carefully stretching the skull along its sutures, they activated skeletal stem cells that reside in these wiggly seams, repairing damage to the skull that would not have healed on its own.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2023
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Analysis of health and prescription data suggests chronic health conditions in U.S. incarcerated people may be severely undertreated

A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and asthma are greatly undertreated in the US jail and prison population. The researchers found significant disparities in treatment rates compared to the general US population, with incarcerated individuals ...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateApr 14, 2023

Scientists develop new way to measure wind

Researchers at the University of Arizona developed an algorithm to measure wind by analyzing water vapor movements, providing a novel solution for forecasting extreme weather events. The method uses data from two operational satellites of NOAA and achieves higher resolution than traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 14, 2023

Tastes differ – even among North Atlantic killer whales

Killer whales in the North Atlantic exhibit dietary specialization, with regions preferring different prey species. The study's findings provide insight into potential impacts on sensitive species within Arctic ecosystems.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateApr 14, 2023
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.

International consensus highlights the importance of molecular testing for antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis management

A multidisciplinary group of experts has reached a consensus on key issues related to molecular prediction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibiotic sensitivity or resistance. The document provides guidance for therapeutic regimen design and treatment optimization, aiming to improve clinicians' management of TB patients.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 14, 2023

Microwaves advance solar-cell production and recycling

Researchers at Macquarie University have developed a microwave technology that improves solar cell production by reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency. The new method allows for selective heating of silicon, making it easier to recycle and reuse components.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2023

Fungi makes meal of hard-to-recycle plastic

Researchers at the University of Sydney successfully biodegrade polypropylene using two common fungi strains, reducing plastic waste by up to 27%. The discovery holds promise for developing new recycling technologies that minimize environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateApr 14, 2023
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.

Wayne State researcher receives $1.95 million NIH grant to study impact of inositol homeostasis on essential cellular functions

A Wayne State University researcher has received a $1.95 million grant to study the regulation of inositol synthesis and its effects on essential cellular functions in human cells. The study aims to identify mechanisms that regulate inositol synthesis and determine its impact on cell signaling and metabolism.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·DateApr 14, 2023

UK-Portuguese study shows antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” are being passed between dogs and cats and their owners, study strongly suggests

A Portuguese study found that six pets in Portugal and one in the UK carried antibiotic-resistant bacteria similar to those found in their owners. The researchers emphasize the importance of including pet-owning households in programs to reduce antimicrobial resistance. Owners can reduce the spread by practicing good hygiene.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·DateApr 14, 2023

Finding the dream team to beat the heat

A team led by Associate Professor Jonathan Boreyko has discovered that ice can quench heat more effectively than water, especially at high temperatures. The study found that ice absorbs heat as it melts, reducing the amount of heat available for vapor bubbles to form.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalChem·DateApr 14, 2023
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.

Rescuing corneal cells from death with the help of mitochondria

A research team from Université Laval has identified a method to save corneal cells from death using healthy mitochondria, reducing mortality rates from 60% to 10%. This approach demonstrates high therapeutic potential for mitochondrial injection, which could maintain vision without transplantation if diagnosed at an early stage.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 14, 2023

Nature-based management is making rivers more resilient

A study in Nature Communications Earth and Environment shows progress in Australia's nature-based rehabilitation efforts for sustainable environmental restoration. The research highlights the importance of adopting UN environmental goals as principles in river management to conserve river health and improve resilience.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 14, 2023

Scientists narrow down pool of potential height genes

Researchers have identified 145 potential height genes linked to skeletal disorders and growth plate maturation. The study found that genetic changes affecting cartilage cell maturation may strongly influence adult height.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Genomics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2023
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 develop capsule X-ray dosimeter for real-time radiotherapy monitoring

A team of researchers has developed a swallowable X-ray dosimeter that can estimate radiation dose in real-time, offering improved accuracy and minimization of damage to healthy tissue during radiotherapy. The capsule-shaped device uses a neural network-based regression model to analyze radioluminescence and temperature.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 14, 2023

Machine-learning technique identifies people who would benefit most from treatment to reduce future cardiovascular disease risk

Researchers used a novel machine-learning technique called causal forest, which found that treating individuals with high estimated benefits provided better population health outcomes than the traditional high-risk approach. This approach targets those with high blood pressure and could lead to more effective treatment strategies.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 14, 2023

Safe bioink for artificial organ printing

Researchers developed a temperature-sensitive bioink that induces tissue regeneration and biodegrades in the body, reducing immune adverse effects. The bioink enabled cell differentiation to be autonomously regulated within a 3D scaffold, leading to successful bone regeneration in rats.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalSmall·DateApr 14, 2023

Farmer’ beetle finds suitable host trees by tracing scent of its fungus crop

Researchers discovered that ambrosia beetles Xylosandrus germanus use the volatile compounds of their fungal symbionts to aggregate and potentially kill trees. This finding suggests a new method for biological control by targeting specific beetle species with trapping lures based on these compounds.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Comprehensive genomic characterisation of malignant peripheral nerve tumour-derived lines challenges current diagnostic criteria

A new genomic catalogue of malignant peripheral nerve tumour-derived lines has challenged current diagnostic criteria, revealing misdiagnosed cell lines and a shared cell line masquerading as different types. The catalogue provides new information to develop precision therapies for these tumours.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2023

Tracking a new path to octopus and squid sensing capabilities

Researchers analyzed octopus and squid sensory receptors to discover new families of chemotactile receptors that drive distinct behaviors in the environment. These findings provide insights into the molecular basis of novelty across levels of biological organization.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2023

How does an aging-associated enzyme access our genetic material?

Researchers use cryo-electron microscopy to visualize a sirtuin enzyme bound to a nucleosome, clarifying how it accesses DNA and histone proteins to modulate gene expression. The study provides insight into the function of SIRT6 in humans and other animals.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2023
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.

Estonian researchers developed a method for instant energy-performance label

DigiAudit platform provides real-time energy labeling and indoor climate classes, enabling comparison of building energy efficiency. The platform analyzed data from 35,000 Estonian buildings and found that 73% of new or renovated buildings could achieve carbon neutrality with current progress.

SourceEstonian Research Council·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 14, 2023

Treasure hunt in hot springs?

A research group has successfully developed an adsorbent material that can selectively recover rare earth elements from hot spring water, a process expected to contribute to a metal resource-circulating society. The method uses environmentally friendly and inexpensive materials, such as baker's yeast and trimetaphosphate.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalEnvironmental Technology & Innovation·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2023
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.

New family of wheel-like metallic clusters exhibit unique properties

Researchers created a novel family of wheel-like metallic clusters, showcasing unique properties desirable for next-generation technologies such as advanced sensors. The clusters exhibited distinctive magnetic and luminescent behaviors, including fluorescence and temperature control.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalPolyoxometalates·DateApr 14, 2023

Multidrug-resistant bacteria found in 40% of supermarket meat samples

A Spanish study found that 40% of supermarket meat samples contained multidrug-resistant E. coli, including strains capable of causing severe infections in people. The study highlights the need for regular assessment and farm-level interventions to reduce the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food-producing animals.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·DateApr 14, 2023

How drugs get into the blood

Researchers at ETH Zurich have decoded details of how cyclic peptides cross cell membranes, providing a new understanding of their mechanism. This knowledge can help speed up drug discovery by identifying ideal side chains for these molecules.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 14, 2023
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.