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Science News Archive August 2023


Page 14 of 38

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.

Coffee offers performance boost for concrete

Engineers at RMIT University have developed a technique to make concrete 30% stronger using biochar made from roasted used-coffee grounds. This innovation reduces waste going to landfills and emits fewer greenhouse gases, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials.

Remoteness did little to reduce COVID-19 spread to Amazonian Tsimané

A new study found that voluntary collective isolation was unlikely to prevent rapid spread of COVID-19 among the Tsimané, a small-scale Indigenous society in remote Amazonia. The simulation predicted nearly identical rates of infection in real-world data, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and medical resources

Want to increase resiliency in kids? Teach creativity

A study found that teaching children literary techniques such as perspective-shifting, counter-factual thinking and causal thinking improved their ability to solve problems and come up with creative solutions. The training increased their sense of self-efficacy and helped them develop a second plan when things didn't go as expected.

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.

Understanding river alteration via shifting flow regime

Researchers investigate drastic short-term alterations in rivers due to shifts in vegetation and geomorphology, attributed to climate change and human factors. The study found that Naeseongcheon Stream experienced significant vegetation encroachment after a drought, leading to rapid alteration from a white river to a green river.

Innovative breakthrough in sustainable chemical production

Researchers developed a bioelectrochemical system that efficiently converts CO2 to butyric acid and then upgrades it to butanol, a valuable biofuel. The process produces high yields with low energy requirements, offering promise for sustainable chemical production.

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.

A peptide that can cross the blood-brain barrier

Researchers develop a novel tetrapeptide GFFY that can self-assemble into nanospheres and deliver imaging agents to the brain with increased efficiency. The peptide's mechanism of penetration involves specific binding to IR receptors on the blood-brain barrier.

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.

Delineating the pathways of warm water towards East Antarctica’s Totten Glacier

A multinational team of researchers studied the flow of warm water to the Totten Ice Shelf, revealing crucial details on how Circumpolar Deep Water interacts with the glacier and accelerates melting processes. The findings highlight the importance of bathymetry and regional circulation in regulating ocean heat transport towards the ice...

New epoxy resin resists flames and reduces waste

Researchers from Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed a fully recyclable, flame-retardant epoxy resin-based plastic. The new material retains excellent thermomechanical properties while being reshaped like a thermoplast due to the addition of a special phosphonate ester molecule.

Guiding the design of silicon devices with improved efficiency

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a computational methodology to accurately calculate Auger-Meitner recombination rates in silicon. This breakthrough enables a detailed understanding of the process, which is crucial for reducing its impact on device efficiency.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

BU commentary: Vitamin D supplementation was found to improve more than 1.5 fold survival of cancers of the digestive tract including colorectal cancer in patients with a cancer fighting immune system

A new commentary suggests that vitamin D supplementation can improve survival outcomes for patients with digestive tract cancers, particularly those with a high-risk genetic makeup. The study found that patients with antibodies to control the production of mutated p53 protein saw improved survival rates when taking daily vitamin D3 sup...

Steam condenser coating could save 460M tons of CO2 annually

Researchers developed a fluorinated diamond-like carbon coating that improves heat transfer in steam condensers, allowing for a 2% overall process boost. This innovation could save 460 million tons of CO2 and 2 trillion gallons of water annually if coal and natural gas power generation were just 2% more efficient.

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.

Sharing chemical knowledge between human and machine

Researchers developed an AI tool called DECIMER that can translate chemical structural formulae into machine-readable codes. This allows for the automatic search and processing of scientific articles containing chemical information.

Whale shark health relies on habitat, diet – and the right mix of microbes

A new study has revealed that the health of whale sharks depends on a balance of microbes in their skin, which is crucial for their well-being and survival. The research, published in Scientific Reports, used genomic sequencing technology to describe the types of microbes on the skin surface of 74 whale sharks from around the world.

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.

New test chamber created to find better ways to keep people cool

Researchers at Washington State University developed a 60 square-foot solar-powered test chamber to evaluate passive cooling systems. The chamber can simulate extreme conditions and is expected to reduce energy demand for mechanical air conditioning, which contributes to global warming.

Researchers decode new antibiotic

Researchers from the University of Bonn and international partners have discovered a new antibiotic called clovibactin that effectively attacks the cell wall of bacteria, including multi-resistant 'superbugs'. The compound has been shown to target bacterial cell wall components with high specificity, minimizing resistance development.

Topology's role in decoding energy of amorphous systems

Researchers from Osaka University and others have used topological data analysis and machine learning to predict the properties of amorphous materials. The study employed a method combining persistent homology and machine learning to accurately predict the energies of disordered structures composed of carbon atoms at varying densities.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Listening to nanoscale earthquakes

A recent study presents an exciting new way to measure the crackling noise of atoms in crystals, enabling the investigation of novel materials for future electronics. The method allows researchers to study individual nanoscale features and identify their effects on material properties.

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.

Immune cells linked to anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease

A study suggests that immune cells, particularly regulatory T cells, play a role in anxiety and depression, with reduced expression of the transcription factor Foxp3 associated with major depressive disorders. Depletion of these cells leads to increased anxiety-like behaviors in mice, highlighting their potential link to these conditions.

Challenges ahead: navigating climate change and water management

Researchers found that climate change and changing water withdrawals have a combined impact on low river flows in Western and Central Europe. The study emphasizes the need for coordinated actions to decrease water withdrawals at regional, national, and international scales to tackle climate change effects.

Cells with an ear for music release insulin

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a gene switch that uses sound waves to trigger insulin release in designer cells. The system works by embedding an ion channel protein from the bacterium E. coli into human cells, which opens in response to sound, causing insulin vesicles to fuse and release insulin.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Study adds to evidence that Parkinson’s starts in the gut

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that a misfolded protein triggers an immune attack in the gut, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms years before brain symptoms appear. The study suggests Parkinson's disease may be an autoimmune disorder and offers hope for early detection and prevention.

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.

Origins of coronary arteries

A team of researchers compared the development of blood vessels in various animals, including mice, quails, and fish, to understand the origins of the human heart. They found that the structure of the human coronary arteries likely evolved from a common amniote ancestor, adapting to life on land.

PRESS RELEASE: New research shows link between climate and immune health

A study across five Nordic cities finds diverse microbial exposure inversely linked to risk of asthma and atopy development. Protective 'farm-like' microbiota associated with lower asthma risk exhibited higher abundance of outdoor-associated bacterial taxa, which are less prevalent in homes with high precipitation.

Deciphering the molecular dynamics of complex proteins

Complex proteins adopt multiple structural states in solution, making it challenging to determine their three-dimensional structure. A new approach combining NMR spectroscopy and computer simulations reveals the dynamic properties of these proteins.

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.

Donor motor neurons could restore muscle function in ALS

Scientists have successfully restored damaged nerve-to-muscle connections in a highly aggressive mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using grafted replacement motor neurons and optical nerve stimulation. The treatment improved muscle contraction force by over 13-fold, suggesting its potential for treating ALS patients.

Plasmonic metafibers electro-optic modulators

New plasmonic metafiber EOMs integrate devices on optical fiber facets, eliminating coupling complexity and reducing losses. The modulation speed reaches up to 1000 MHz with a bias voltage of ±9 V.

Call to protect whales and dolphins at Indian Ocean hotspot

A remote part of the Indian Ocean is home to 12 species of cetaceans, including orcas and sperm whales, prompting calls for protection. The Saya de Malha bank area should be designated as an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) or Marine Protected Area (MPA).

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.