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Science News Archive August 2023


Page 13 of 38

Male sex chromosome finally deciphered

A team of researchers has fully sequenced the Y chromosome, completing the human genome puzzle and unveiling new insights into male-specific development, fertility, and disease. The achievement reveals detailed structures of sperm-regulating gene families and discovers additional genes in the Y chromosome.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Breast cancer study altered guidelines in Sweden

A Swedish study revealed that including all eleven associated genes in the screening test doubled the proportion of women with genetically confirmed hereditary breast cancer. The study included 4759 individuals and found that around 85% of women investigated for suspected hereditary breast cancer had a genetic abnormality.

Heavy drinking, handgun-carrying linked among rural youth

A study published in The Journal of Rural Health found that rural US youth who engage in heavy drinking are more likely to carry a handgun, with a 43% increased risk. The study suggests that evidence-based prevention programs can address both behaviors and potentially lower firearm-related harm among adolescents.

Study reveals how diabetes drug extends lifespan in lab models

Research reveals that metformin promotes longevity in C. elegans worms by increasing production of ether lipids, a major structural component of cell membranes. This suggests that boosting ether lipid synthesis may support healthy aging and reduce the impact of aging-related diseases.

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.

Sci­en­tists develop fermionic quan­tum pro­ces­sor

Researchers have designed a new type of quantum computer that uses fermionic atoms to simulate complex physical systems. The processor can efficiently simulate fermionic models in a hardware-efficient manner using fermionic gates, making it ideal for simulating systems where fermionic statistics play a crucial role.

Many websites selling fertility tests making misleading claims

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that many websites selling fertility tests make misleading claims about their effectiveness and limitations. The researchers called for increased regulation and oversight on the marketing of home fertility tests, which can lead to false reassurance or worry among women.

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.

Deforestation limits nesting habitat for cavity-nesting birds

A study found that deforestation in tropical regions destroys nesting habitats for certain bird species, limiting their reproduction. Nest boxes can provide a successful conservation strategy for these birds, particularly in agricultural lands where they are more abundant.

Why do some politicians cling to power after electoral defeat?

A recent paper by University of Auckland academics explores why losing politicians fight back, highlighting the role of electoral integrity in ensuring power transitions. Protests, election results clarity, and transparent processes interact to determine an incumbent's decision to step down.

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.

People taking adult education classes run lower risk of dementia

Researchers found that participants taking adult education classes had a 19% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not. This association held true for both Caucasian and non-Caucasian individuals, as well as those with pre-existing health conditions.

Ice-free preservation method holds promise to protect reefs

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed an isochoric vitrification technique that preserves and revives live coral fragments without forming ice. This breakthrough enables the collection of coral samples throughout the year, supporting conservation efforts to protect reefs and their diverse ecosystems.

Deadly communication

Researchers developed a new strategy for T-cell-based immunotherapy using aptamers, which directly activates immune cells against cancer cells without genetic modifications. The innovative regulatory circuit establishes an artificial interaction between T cells and cancer cells.

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.

Gregarious locusts wear contrasting black-brown ‘clothes’ to warn predators

The study reveals the ability of organisms to achieve distinct body color patterns through precise control of pigment deposition. Gregarious locusts use their black-brown warning coloration to enhance aposematism by stimulating both visual and olfactory senses, facilitating recognition of conspecifics and maintaining large swarms.

Health claims and doses of fish oil supplements

Fish oil supplements often make health claims without sufficient trial data, leading to potential variability in safety and efficacy due to differing doses of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. The study highlights the need for more rigorous regulation of these products.

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.

Researchers fully sequence the Y chromosome for the first time

For the first time, researchers have fully sequenced the Y chromosome using advanced sequencing technologies. The completed DNA sequence, named T2T-Y, improves sequencing accuracy for the chromosome, potentially helping identify genetic disorders and uncovering the roots of others.

Researchers target lifecycle of parasite behind Chagas disease

UC researchers investigate signaling pathway of Trypanosoma cruzi to transform and reproduce, aiming to find better drug targets to kill the parasite. The study reveals crucial proteins involved in the parasite's survival and transmission, highlighting potential strategies for disease control.

Editorial: A macrophage is a macrophage is a macrophage—in metastasis

Researchers discuss the essential role of macrophages in metastatic growth of lung colonies in melanoma, highlighting their importance in clearing challenges to tissue integrity and promoting growth-related processes. The authors emphasize the need for targeted therapies against macrophages to combat untreatable metastasis.

El Niño and La Niña multi-year events could become more common

A new study reveals that the Pacific Walker Circulation has changed its behavior over the industrial era, with volcanic eruptions causing temporary weakening of the circulation. This could lead to more frequent multi-year La Niña or El Niño events, exacerbating climate-related risks.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Griffith on the cusp of a new vaccine modality breakthrough

A team of Griffith University researchers has developed a novel vaccine approach using reprogrammed bacterial cells to assemble vaccine particles. The new vaccine modality has shown promise in early development and has the potential to be a game-changer for developing many vaccines globally.

Birds living at UCLA were less afraid of humans after the pandemic closure

Researchers found that birds allowed people to get much closer than expected, with an average distance of just 39 inches, suggesting a significant decrease in fear response. The study's findings challenge existing theories on bird behavior and may offer hope for North American bird populations threatened by human disturbances.

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.

Tick- and mosquito-borne diseases prevalent in shelter dogs

A study found more than one in five infected shelter dogs with heartworm or Lyme disease, highlighting the importance of preventive medications. The research also showed that climate change is expanding the geographic range of disease-carrying ticks and mosquitoes.

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.

Heat sensor protects the Venus flytrap from fire

The Venus flytrap uses special heat receptors in its sensory hairs to detect and respond to rising temperatures, protecting its vital snap traps from damage. This allows the plant to continue hunting for food after a fire has ravaged its surroundings.

This fish doesn't just see with its eyes -- it also sees with its skin.

Hogfish use their skin to view themselves and fine-tune color changes, a sensory feedback mechanism that lets them monitor their surroundings. Researchers have found light-sensitive opsin proteins in the skin, allowing them to capture changes in light that are filtered through pigment-filled cells.

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.

New platform could boost development of carbon-capturing batteries

Researchers have developed a lab-on-a-chip electrochemical testing platform to speed up the production of catalysts for Li-CO2 batteries. The new method enables quick screening of materials, studying reaction mechanisms, and practical applications, potentially contributing to negative emissions technologies.

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.

Aspirin can help prevent a second heart attack, but most don’t take it

A new study found that daily aspirin use could reduce cardiovascular deaths globally, yet fewer than half of people worldwide who have had a heart attack or stroke take the medication. The study showed significant variations in aspirin use among countries, with higher rates in high-income countries.

Intense ultraviolet-visible-infrared full-spectrum laser

A team of scientists has developed an intense four-octave-spanning ultraviolet-visible-infrared full-spectrum laser source using a cascaded architecture of gas-filled hollow-core fiber, lithium niobate crystal, and chirped periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. The system leverages the synergic action of second-order nonlinear eff...

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.

Dog brains are tuned to female’s dog-directed speech

A study found that dogs are more sensitive to speech directed at them than adult-directed speech, with a greater response to female voices. The researchers measured dog brain activity via fMRI and found that the sensitivity was affected by voice pitch and variation.