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Science News Archive April 2023 - Page 12


Page 12 of 37

International team of physicists explore microscopic filament behavior

An international team of physicists creates a material with ultra-low density by controlling the three-dimensional shape of rigid microscopic filaments. The study shows that shape can be used to create materials with novel properties, such as glass-like behavior even in high water content suspensions.

SourceGeorgetown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 21, 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.

Bank of England media coverage is an "effective” additional channel for accountability, study shows

A recent study by University of Exeter researchers found that the Bank of England's media coverage plays a significant role in reinforcing accountability. The study analyzed 13,986 articles from major news outlets and discovered that media coverage levels are strongly linked to parliamentary hearings and speeches by central bankers. Th...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGovernance·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 21, 2023

Want to make better materials? Read between the lines. Or the “grain boundaries,” as they’re known in materials science.

A team of scientists created a mathematical model that accurately describes microstructures by integrating data from highly magnified images taken during experiments. The findings provide insight into how microstructures change at high temperatures and have implications for the development of new materials.

SourceLehigh University·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 21, 2023

New stellar danger to planets identified by NASA'S Chandra program

A new study from NASA's Chandra program reveals that exploded stars can pose a significant risk to nearby planets due to intense X-ray radiation, potentially altering atmospheric chemistry and causing mass extinctions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2023
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.

FSU researchers develop new test for detecting cancer biomarkers

A team of FSU chemists has developed a new test for detecting biological markers related to several types of cancer. The sensing platform uses gold nanoparticles and peptides labeled with a dye, emitting light when the enzyme MMP-14 is present, allowing researchers to generate data on cancer marker levels

SourceFlorida State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 21, 2023

Too much insulin can be as dangerous as too little

A new study has identified a metabolic enzyme called FBP1 that acts as a safety valve to prevent insulin shock. Researchers found that FBP1 inhibits protein kinase AKT, which is the primary conduit of insulin activity, and developed a peptide derived from FBP1 that can reverse insulin resistance and restore normal glycemic control.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Metabolism·DateApr 21, 2023

Neighborhood disadvantage and breast cancer–specific survival

A study of 5,000 patients with breast cancer found that women from disadvantaged neighborhoods had shorter breast cancer-specific survival rates compared to those from advantaged areas. The findings suggest potential unaccounted mechanisms, including social determinants of health and access to care.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 21, 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.

What makes someone likely to be a first-gen college grad? Money

A new study reveals that first-generation college graduates often originate from more affluent families with greater resources. This challenges the notion of a meritocracy, where success is solely based on individual effort. The research highlights the significant advantage these students have due to their family's socioeconomic status.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSociological Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 21, 2023

The right sports bra may increase your running performance by 7%

A new study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living found that greater breast support during running is associated with increased knee joint stiffness, altering the lower body biomechanics of female runners. High support sports bras can improve running performance by up to 7% for women.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2023

Nanowire networks learn and remember like a human brain

Researchers at University of Sydney demonstrated nanowire networks can exhibit short- and long-term memory, mirroring human brain function. The network outperformed in tasks requiring recognition and recall, showcasing its potential to enhance robotics and sensor devices.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2023

Opportunities and challenges for geological and hydrogeological work in China in the new era

China's geological and hydrogeological work is facing significant challenges, including environmental degradation and resource depletion. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to promote innovation and transformation in geological work, broaden its application, and improve the level of geological services to society.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Groundwater Science and Engineering·DateApr 20, 2023
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 and when do athletes seek mental health support?

A review aims to consolidate existing knowledge on athletes' help-seeking for mental health, highlighting the need to understand their attitudes and experiences with services. Athletes face challenges in accessing support, with lower rates of help-seeking compared to the general population.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBMJ Open·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 20, 2023

How “master regulators” of cells make DNA accessible for gene expression

Researchers from Penn State and Ohio State University used structural biology, biophysics, and cell biology to understand how pioneer factors interact with nucleosomes. They found that a specific region of the protein helps it access DNA, making it accessible for proteins involved in gene expression.

SourcePenn State·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023
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.

The University of Liège and Mithra pharmaceuticals are intensifying their collaboration for the production of biosourced estetrol

The collaboration between CiTOS Lab at ULiège and Mithra Pharmaceuticals enables the development of an efficient biosourced estetrol production process. The thermolysis reaction yields a key intermediate with unprecedented productivity, allowing for several million doses to be achieved with minimal global footprint.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalReaction Chemistry & Engineering·DateApr 20, 2023

Using solar farms to generate fresh desert soil crust

ASU researchers have developed a method to regenerate biocrusts on arid lands by harnessing the power of solar farms. The approach, dubbed 'crustivoltaics,' has shown promising results in doubling biocrust biomass and tripling biocrust cover under photovoltaic panels.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023

bioRxiv and PaperPlayer pilot a new feature to increase accessibility

bioRxiv has partnered with PaperPlayer to offer audio versions of preprint abstracts in the Neuroscience category, enhancing accessibility and providing an alternative way to consume research. The new feature is being piloted to assess its value and collect user feedback.

SourcebioRxiv and medRxiv Preprint Servers, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory·DateApr 20, 2023

Researchers reveal early results in sky-brightness measurements in Antarctica

The researchers used the Near-Infrared Sky Brightness Monitor (NISBM) to collect data on sky brightness in Antarctica. The results show that the background intensity of the sky is not influenced by the Sun at a specific inflection point, and the NISBM detected significantly lower brightness in the Ks band compared to other locations.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 20, 2023

Polar ice sheet melting records have toppled during the past decade

The seven worst years for polar ice sheet melting and losing ice have occurred during the past decade, with 2019 being the worst year on record. Global heating is driving up sea levels and coastal flooding around the world, with melting ice sheets accounting for a quarter of all sea level rise.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalEarth System Science Data·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 20, 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.

From pathogens to fads: Interacting contagions

A workshop at the Santa Fe Institute explores the complex interplay of contagions, including infectious diseases, social phenomena, and online behavior. Researchers aim to develop new tools to study interactions between different types of contagion.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·DateApr 20, 2023

HKUMed established the first human respiratory organoid culture system and unveils a novel mechanism for the high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

A research team created the first human respiratory organoid culture system, enabling scientists to study COVID-19 and its variants. The study found that the BA.5 Omicron variant exhibits dramatically increased infectivity and replicative capacity in human nasal and airway organoids.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023

IU cancer researchers identify new target for breast cancer therapy

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have identified a new target for breast cancer treatment, the gene TONSL, which can make breast cells proliferate indefinitely. The study found that TONSL is amplified in about 20% of breast cancers and more than 30% of metastatic breast cancers.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalCancer Research·DateApr 20, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Surgery most effective treatment of metabolic liver disease

A new study published in The Lancet shows that metabolic surgery is more effective than medications and lifestyle interventions in treating advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The trial compared three active treatments and found that surgery reversed inflammation and improved liver fibrosis, leading to better overall health ben...

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 20, 2023

Sino-Brazilian study proves compatibility of two fundamental principles of quantum theory

A Brazilian-Chinese research team has demonstrated the coexistence of non-locality and contextuality in a quantum system. The study paves the way for new quantum information processing and communication protocols by reconciling two fundamental principles of quantum theory that were thought to be mutually exclusive.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 20, 2023

Novel durable copper-aluminum-zinc shape memory alloys for energy-efficient refrigeration

Scientists at Tokyo University of Science created a fracture-resistant alloy through heat-treatment, exhibiting improved elastocaloric properties and resistance to cyclical loads. The Cu-Zn-Al alloy showed significant increases in grain size, leading to enhanced cooling capabilities and paving the way for innovative refrigeration systems.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Physics Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 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.

New study finds shifting climate regions leading to hotter, drier conditions across Kenya

A new study reveals that climate zones in Kenya are shifting towards hotter and drier conditions, leading to declines in ecological diversity and threatening terrestrial ecosystems. The research highlights the urgent need for adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on food security and ecosystem management.

SourceSaint Louis University·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 20, 2023

Making better measurements of the composition of galaxies

Astronomers have developed a more accurate method to measure the composition of galaxies using data from telescopes on Earth and in space. By correcting for temperature fluctuations, researchers found that the result from collisionally excited infrared lines is still 50% less than that from recombination line method.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2023

Wearable patch can painlessly deliver drugs through the skin

Researchers create patch that uses ultrasound to deliver drugs directly to the site of need, reducing systemic toxicity and improving local drug delivery. The device shows promise for treating a range of skin conditions and could also be adapted for hormone delivery and cancer treatment.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateApr 20, 2023
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.

Sleeping pill reduces levels of Alzheimer’s proteins

Researchers have identified a possible way to help break the cycle between sleep disturbances and Alzheimer's disease. A small study found that people who took a sleeping aid experienced a drop in key Alzheimer's proteins.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAnnals of Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023

Chicken breeding in Japan dates back to fourth century BCE

Conclusive evidence of chicken breeding in the Yayoi period of Japan has been discovered at the Karako-Kagi site. The study found that chickens were bred in the area during the middle Yayoi period, around 381-204 BCE, providing clear evidence that breeding occurred on the Japanese archipelago.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalFrontiers in Earth Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023

Common infections linked to poorer cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults

Signs of common infections in middle-aged and older adults were associated with poorer performance on a test of global cognitive function. Elevated antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 or cytomegalovirus were individually linked to worse performance, with more positive tests related to multiple infections showing stronger effects.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·DateApr 20, 2023

New neural network uses common sense to make fake bird images from text

A new neural network, CD-GAN, uses common sense knowledge to enhance text descriptions and generate images of birds at three resolution levels. The system achieved competitive scores against other image generation methods, producing vivid and natural-looking images.

SourceIntelligent Computing·JournalIntelligent Computing·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Children’s language development doesn’t just happen through words

Research by Professor Mila Vulchanova reveals associations between language development and cognitive skills in children. Non-verbal tests show that severity of language difficulties can be predicted based on cognitive markers, supporting the importance of measuring both verbal and non-verbal skills.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Language & Communication Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2023

Jefferson Lab stays gold by staying green

Jefferson Lab achieves gold-level GreenBuy Award for fiscal year 2022, attaining superior recognition for its sixth consecutive year. The lab prioritizes environmental sustainability through initiatives such as electric vehicle charging stations and reusable water fountains.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·DateApr 20, 2023

Sugar rush: scientists discover key role of glucose in brain activity

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have made a groundbreaking discovery about how neurons consume and metabolize glucose, a process crucial for maintaining normal energy levels. The study found that neurons rely on glycolysis to break down glucose, and its disruption can lead to severe learning and memory problems in mice.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 20, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Drought thresholds that impact vegetation growth reveals the critical points for nonlinear vegetation response to soil moisture stress

Researchers identify critical drought thresholds that impact vegetation growth and nonlinear responses to soil moisture stress. The study reveals two distinct phases of vegetation response, with a well-defined threshold beyond which vegetation becomes vulnerable to drought intensification.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateApr 20, 2023

Separating mining explosions from earthquakes in South Korea

A recent study identified over 182,000 small seismic events in South Korea, with 135,000 related to mining explosions. The researchers used machine learning techniques to analyze data from 421 seismic stations and found distinct patterns that allowed them to distinguish between microseismic events and earthquakes.

SourceSeismological Society of America·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2023

Researchers reveal a map to study novel form of cell-to-cell communication

A team of researchers has created a new map of candidate extracellular RNA binding proteins and their associated RNAs in various bodily fluids. This resource was developed using computational analyses and validated experimentally, providing a foundation for understanding exRNA biology and its potential use in liquid biopsies.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalCell Genomics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 20, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Fungal genetics could help develop novel biotechnologies

A new review paper highlights the potential of fungal biotechnology to advance various industries. By manipulating fungal genomes, researchers can develop bioinformatic tools and create sustainable biomaterials, such as machine learning algorithms for predicting mycological patterns or fungal batteries.

SourceOhio State University·JournalFrontiers in Fungal Biology·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 20, 2023

Defying gravity

Researchers from University of Warsaw and Utrecht University observed the Brazil nut effect in a mixture of charged colloidal particles without external energy. The phenomenon involves heavier particles rising to the top due to repulsion forces, with potential applications in geology, soft matter physics, and industry.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2023

FAU gets $6 million to increase mental health counselors in Florida schools

The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) WAVES program aims to address the shortage of mental health service providers in high-need schools. With a five-year, $6 million grant from the US Department of Education, FAU will train 119 school counselors to reduce barriers to degree completion and improve student outcomes.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·DateApr 20, 2023

Protecting the vision of premature babies

Researchers have found a new target and drug combination that appears to stop the destruction of vision in premature newborns. By blocking ACAT1, an enzyme that converts cholesterol into smaller pieces, scientists can prevent the formation of leaky blood vessels and inflammation in the retina.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of Neuroinflammation·DateApr 20, 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.

Gut bacteria could be behind weaker immune responses to COVID-19 vaccine

A study published in Communications Biology suggests that gut bacteria's digestion of fucose sugar may be behind weaker immune responses to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Individuals with lower T-cell responses had higher expression of genes FOS and ATF3, which are part of a larger group controlling T-cell survival and activity.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2023

Study finds new pathway for clearing misfolded proteins

A new study at Stanford University found a previously unknown cellular pathway for clearing misfolded proteins from the nucleus. This pathway could be a target for therapies of age-related diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's. Cells use this pathway to manage misfolded proteins in both the cytoplasm and nucleus.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateApr 20, 2023
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.