Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive April 2023 - Page 32


Page 32 of 37

Study reveals how diet and probiotics boost melanoma immunotherapy response

Researchers found that probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri stimulates cancer-killing T cells by secreting indole-3-aldehyde, which activates a receptor in CD8 cells. A diet rich in tryptophan enhances the effect of immunotherapy on shrinking tumors and prolonging survival.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2023

People with sleep problems may be more likely to have a stroke

A global study led by the University of Galway found that sleep problems, including snoring and sleep apnea, can increase the likelihood of having a stroke. The study identified six sleep behaviors associated with an increased risk of stroke.

SourceUniversity of Galway·JournalNeurology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 6, 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.

Studying consciousness without affecting it

Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have developed a new method to measure consciousness without external stimulation, using a breathing task internally prompted by the subject. This approach detected loss of responsiveness at lower concentrations of anesthetic than previous methods, suggesting it is more sensitive.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalBritish Journal of Anaesthesia·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2023
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.

US forests face an unclear future with climate change

A new study by University of Utah researchers finds that US forests may lose carbon through fire, stress, and insect damage, compromising their role as a climate solution. The study suggests urgent need to update carbon offset protocols with best available science on climate risks.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 6, 2023

UBC Okanagan researchers create real estate market assessment tool

A team of UBC Okanagan researchers has developed a regional house price mining and forecasting framework (RHPMF) that provides comprehensive reports on neighborhood data. The tool helps users analyze population, social dynamics, housing costs, and historical background to assess the market and make informed decisions.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalInformation Fusion·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 6, 2023

Requirement to wear masks in hospitals may have little impact on COVID-19 transmission during Omicron wave, UK study suggests

A new UK study found that wearing surgical masks in a large London hospital during the first 10 months of Omicron activity made no difference to reducing hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infections. Researchers analyzed infection control data and found no significant change in infection rates when mask-wearing policies were removed or cont...

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·DateApr 6, 2023

Hundreds of very shallow earthquakes detected in California’s Long Beach and Seal Beach

Seismic arrays in California's Long Beach and Seal Beach detected over 1,200 shallow earthquakes, showing the Newport-Inglewood fault splays widely at shallow depths. This suggests that a rupture to propagate to the surface may have multiple paths, implications for earthquake hazard planning.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalSeismological Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2023

Diversifying crop fields reduces pest abundance, study finds

A comprehensive study across six continents found intercropping to be effective against pests, with cabbage and squash showing the strongest resistance. The analysis of 44 field studies revealed that interspersed planting schemes were more effective than border plantings.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateApr 5, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New 'smart layer' could enhance durability and efficiency of solid-state batteries

Researchers developed a new technique to make solid-state electrolytes safer and more efficient for solid-state batteries, addressing the dendrite growth problem. The new approach creates a barrier layer that slows down dendrite growth and promotes their quick elimination, making the battery safer and more reliable.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2023

Finding a way to combat long COVID

Researchers identified potential neurological biomarkers of long COVID-19 in nonhuman primates, which could aid in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. The study found elevated proteins associated with neurodegenerative disorders in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 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.

Danger or pleasure? How we learn to tell the difference

Researchers have discovered that the amygdala uses specialized neurons to learn about threats and rewards, a finding that could lead to more effective treatments for anxiety and drug addiction. By studying how these neurons respond differently to various stimuli, scientists have gained insights into the brain's reward system.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature·DateApr 5, 2023

Manganese in Central Valley water threatens fetuses and children

A UC Riverside-led study finds nearly half of domestic well water users in the Central Valley live in disadvantaged communities with high manganese contamination rates. The highest concentrations are found in private, untreated well water systems, posing health risks to fetuses and children.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 5, 2023

Black, Latino and other minoritized youth need better early psychosis care, SMU anthropologist learns

A recent study by SMU anthropologist Neely Myers found that ethnoracially minoritized youth are less likely to utilize early intervention programs and more likely to drop out once they begin. Culturally sensitive care can help, but family culture and language play a significant role in healthcare disparities.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalPsychiatric Services·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 5, 2023

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers correlate Arctic warming to extreme winter weather in midlatitude and its future

A study by GIST researchers found that Arctic warming is correlated with severe winters in East Asia and North America. The 'Warm Arctic-Cold Continent' phenomenon will persist but become more difficult to predict under warmer climates.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 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.

Beneath the Earth, ancient ocean floor likely surrounds the core

Research led by The University of Alabama reveals a dense, yet thin, layer of ancient ocean floor surrounding the Earth's core-mantle boundary. This ultra-low velocity zone is denser than the rest of the deep mantle and may play an important role in heat escape from the core.

SourceUniversity of Alabama in Tuscaloosa·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 5, 2023

Lab-grown fat could give cultured meat real flavor and texture

Researchers at Tufts University have successfully produced bulk fat tissue in a lab that has a similar texture and makeup to natural animal fat. The aggregated fat cells can be fine-tuned to resemble real-life fat within meat, offering a key step towards mass production of cultured meat.

SourceTufts University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2023

Lifesaving drug for severe bleeding after childbirth could be made accessible for all, study suggests

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that intramuscular administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) is safe and quickly reaches therapeutic concentrations in pregnant women. Oral TXA was also well-tolerated but took an hour to reach therapeutic blood concentrations.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 5, 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.

Exposure therapy to feared foods may help kids with eating disorders

A new study suggests that exposure therapy can be an effective treatment for adolescents with eating disorders, particularly in reducing anxiety towards food. The study found that exposing patients to feared foods, such as candy bars and pizza, helped decrease their anxiety levels and improved their relationships with food.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateApr 5, 2023

Modified Mediterranean ketogenic diet may benefit adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease

A recent study found that a modified Mediterranean ketogenic diet can decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease by modifying biological pathways linked to the disease. The diet showed robust changes in gut microbiome and reduced levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter associated with Alzheimer's.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 5, 2023

Cracking the puzzle of lower respiratory tract infections in children

Researchers at CZ Biohub SF developed a new diagnostic method for LRTI in children, leveraging machine learning and genomics to identify pathogens with high accuracy. The method uses metagenomic sequencing data to analyze gene expression and microbial abundance, providing a more holistic approach to diagnosing the condition.

SourceChan Zuckerberg Biohub·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 5, 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.

SFU research aids fight against treatment-resistant superbugs

Researchers at Simon Fraser University are studying the genes of superbugs to develop new and effective treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections. The team has discovered new genes responsible for causing disease and infection symptoms in humans, which can be targeted by antivirulence drugs.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalEBioMedicine·DateApr 5, 2023

Benin Bronzes are made of German brass

Researchers analyzed manillas and found a strong similarity between the metal composition of Benin Bronzes and Portuguese trade prior to the 18th Century. The consistency in metal composition suggests that African metalsmiths were selective about what metal they used, with German brass being the principle source.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 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.

Possible explanation for long-term effects in leukemia survivors discovered

A study by Linköping University researchers found that blood stem cells from leukemia patients remain in the bone marrow, but become defective over time, leading to long-term effects on blood formation. This discovery may explain why many leukemia survivors experience blood cell function disorders later in life.

SourceLinköping University·JournalHaematologica·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2023

Air pollution is linked to lower COVID-19 vaccine responses

A study led by ISGlobal found that exposure to air pollution before the pandemic was associated with lower antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in uninfected individuals. The study measured IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies in participants exposed to fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and black carbon.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2023

Physician letters of recommendation are a key barrier to diversity at osteopathic medical schools

Research reveals that requiring a physician letter of recommendation acts as a barrier to admission, particularly for applicants from racial and ethnic groups. The study found that such schools had fewer applications and matriculants from all races and ethnicities, with significant underrepresentation of minority groups.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalJournal of Osteopathic Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2023

Ice sheets can collapse faster than previously thought possible

A team of researchers found that ice sheets can retreat at speeds of up to 600 meters per day, 20 times faster than previous measurements. The study used high-resolution imagery to reveal corrugation ridges on the seafloor, which formed when the ice sheet's retreating margin moved up and down with the tides.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature·DateApr 5, 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.

Overview of orbital mechanics for space-based gravitational wave observatories

Space-based gravitational wave observatories offer longer arm lengths, enabling detection of low-frequency GWs. Configuration design and stability control are key factors for success, with geocentric configurations showing promise due to their simplicity and ease of deployment.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateApr 5, 2023

Study shows how to prevent a high-fat diet from throwing metabolism out of whack

A study published in Nature Communications found that removing the SAPS3-inhibiting component frees AMPK to activate, allowing mice to maintain normal weight and avoid obesity. The discovery could lead to a new approach for treating metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 5, 2023

Exposure to fine particle air pollution linked to heightened dementia risk

Research finds exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is associated with a heightened risk of dementia, with a 4% increase in risk for every 2 micrograms per cubic metre increase in average annual PM2.5 concentration. Nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide exposure also show a small increased risk.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 5, 2023
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

How does our brain create a coherent image when we look at different objects?

A new review by Pieter Roelfsema sheds light on how the brain creates a coherent image when looking at different objects. The binding problem, which refers to how fragmented representations of objects across multiple brain regions can lead to a unified perception, is tackled in the study.

SourceNetherlands Institute for Neuroscience - KNAW·JournalNeuron·DateApr 5, 2023

Humans vs. Bacteria: Differences in ribosome decoding revealed

Human ribosomes decode messenger RNA (mRNA) 10 times slower than bacterial ribosomes, but do so more accurately. This slow-down adds accuracy due to human ribosomes being known to be more accurate at translating the code than bacterial ribosomes.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature·DateApr 5, 2023

A closer look at how environment influences physical activity

A systematic review of literature on physical activity found that the built environment and social factors have a significant influence on physical activity levels. The study identified gaps in research, particularly in understanding how social and built environments interact across communities and affect health disparities. Researcher...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Physical Activity and Health·DateApr 5, 2023

Civil engineers use public satellite images to study why the Jagersfontein dam failed

A study by civil engineers at Wits University found that the Jagersfontein dam deviated from best engineering practice, with mine waste deposition on one side and significant erosion gullies. The study uses public satellite images to investigate the history of the dam and provides insights for preventing future failures

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 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.

Climate change: improved prediction of heatwaves thanks to AI

Researchers developed AI predicting heatwaves using 'deep learning' and statistical models, providing a probabilistic approach up to a month before arrival. The technology is trained on 8,000 years of weather data and combines with rare event simulation algorithms for improved forecasts

SourceCNRS·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 5, 2023

Trends in suicidal thoughts, behaviors among veterans during pandemic

A recent study found that veteran suicides did not increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, but those with pre-existing loneliness and psychiatric issues were more susceptible to developing new suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Evidence-based prevention efforts targeting these factors can help mitigate suicide risk in this population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 5, 2023
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Cleveland Clinic researchers find sleep disturbances prevalent in long COVID

A study published in Journal of General Internal Medicine found that 41% of patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) had moderate to severe sleep disturbances. Black patients were three times more likely to develop these disturbances, highlighting the need for race-specific interventions to address disparities.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateApr 5, 2023

Limit added sugar to six teaspoons a day to improve health, urge experts

A comprehensive evidence review found significant harmful associations between sugar consumption and 45 outcomes, including diabetes, depression, obesity, and heart disease. Experts recommend reducing added sugar intake to six teaspoons a day and limiting sugar-sweetened drinks.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 5, 2023

Stripped to the bone

Researchers found that coral skeletons provide protection to algae, allowing them to outcompete slow-growing coral. This protection does not benefit young coral, which struggles to recover from bleaching due to limited predation pressure and rapid algae growth.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalEcology·DateApr 5, 2023

Disruption from war in Ukraine pushes highly contagious infectious diseases to alarming levels

New research reveals a worrying picture of rising infectious disease cases in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, with shigellosis and viral meningitis incidence significantly higher than the national average. Childhood vaccination coverage has also plummeted, putting vulnerable populations at increased risk of severe illness and death.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·DateApr 5, 2023
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.

Sleep problems? You may have an increased risk of stroke

A recent study published in Neurology found a significant association between sleep problems and an increased risk of stroke. People who experience excessive or insufficient sleep, snoring, sleep apnea, or other sleep disorders may be at higher risk for stroke.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateApr 5, 2023