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Science News Archive December 2023


Page 2 of 29

Unraveling the mysteries of fog in complex terrain

A study led by University of Utah researchers has shed new light on how fog forms in mountainous areas, providing insights for improving forecasts. The team used high-resolution data and modeling to better understand the complex physical processes involved in fog formation.

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.

Low-carbohydrate diet macronutrient quality and weight change

A study of 123,000 individuals found that low-carbohydrate diets emphasizing whole grains and plant-based foods are associated with slower weight gain in the long term. Low-carb diets relying on animal-sourced proteins and refined carbohydrates result in faster weight gain.

KRISS develops world’s first coffee bean CRM for component analysis

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has developed the world's first CRM capable of accurately measuring nutritional and harmful elements in coffee beans. The new CRM enables accurate measurement of five nutrients and three toxic elements, meeting domestic and European regulations.

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.

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.

The impact of nurse practitioner placement in Japanese nursing homes

Researchers found that nurse practitioner placement in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, resulted in reduced emergency visits and optimized care for residents with higher care needs. The study suggests a paradigm shift in elder care, highlighting the pivotal role of NPs in delivering quality healthcare.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Quality of care declines after private equity takes over hospitals

A recent study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that hospitals acquired by private equity firms experience a decline in clinical quality of care. Patient falls and new infections were among the measures of safety that worsened after buyouts. The findings suggest that financial pressures from private equity may overshadow pat...

In quest to prevent debilitating TBIs, new foam material rises to the top

Researchers developed a new lightweight foam material that can dissipate an enormous amount of rotational kinetic energy from an impact, potentially preventing traumatic brain injuries. The material is 30 times better at absorbing shear strain than current foams used in military combat helmet liners.

Battling persistence in TB bacteria

Researchers found a single gene involved in iron-sulphur clusters crucial for TB bacterium's persistence. The IscS gene helps regulate the SUF operon, preventing hypervirulence and allowing the bacteria to survive harsh lung conditions.

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.

Off-label use of a common antibiotic to treat muscular dystrophy

Researchers from Osaka University have identified erythromycin as a potential treatment for myotonic dystrophy type 1, a genetic disease characterized by progressive muscular weakness. The antibiotic showed acceptable safety and tolerability profiles in a phase 2 clinical trial, with some patients experiencing significant improvements ...

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.

Safety of aquatic animals as human protein sources amid SARS-CoV-2 concerns

Researchers developed a pipeline to evaluate the risk of infections by aquatic animals. The study found no evidence of human-associated viruses in aquatic animal transcriptomes, confirming their safety as protein sources. However, proper handling and storage are crucial to controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread through cold-chain food.

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.

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.

‘Maintain Asian forest diversity to avoid climate change impact’

A team of international scientists found that Southeast Asian forests resisted 'savannisation' during the Last Glacial Maximum, maintaining a mosaic of diverse closed and open forest types. Maintaining forest diversity is key to preventing future 'savannisation' and protecting tropical rainforests in regions like South East Asia.

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.

Electronic “soil” enhances crop growth

Linköping University scientists create an electrically conductive substrate, eSoil, which enhances crop growth by up to 50% in just 15 days. This innovation enables efficient water and nutrient management, making it suitable for urban environments and areas with limited arable land.

Researchers prove human influence on large herbivore diets during anthropocene

A study published in Ecology Letters reveals that human population growth and land-use changes led to significant dietary shifts in large herbivores in eastern China. The researchers found that these herbivores adapted by altering their diets, with increased interspecific differences and expanded intraspecific dietary ranges.

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.

Turning plastic trash into chemistry treasure

A team at Hokkaido University has developed a method to reuse plastic waste while improving process safety and efficiency. The approach uses common plastic materials to initiate radical chain reactions, detoxifying hazardous chemicals and reducing toxicity.

Piezoelectric-enhanced p-n junctions in photoelectrochemical systems

A team of researchers has designed a unique n-TiO2/BaTiO3/p-TiO2 heterojunction that couples with the piezoelectric effect to overcome charge separation and transfer limitations. The design achieves higher photocurrent density than traditional p-n junctions, enabling more efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Power of illusion can help with learning new movements

Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University found that visual-motor illusion (VMI) can improve motor performance and early-stage motor learning. Volunteers who used VMI showed greater improvements in task completion and persisted changes in brain activity, suggesting a potential new treatment strategy for hemiplegic stroke patients.

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.

Flavonoid supplement reduces swelling after total knee arthroplasty

A clinical trial found that diosmin reduced swelling at the knee, calf, and thigh up to 14 days after TKA, with lower pain scores on movement. The study also showed improved outcomes for short-term complications and a trend toward decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Predicting Alzheimer’s dementia in oldest of the old

Researchers found that baseline amyloid burden and brain health are stronger predictors of Alzheimer's progression than age alone. The study also showed that individuals with higher amyloid levels developed dementia two years earlier than those without.

Scientists develop ‘flying dragon’ robot to fight fires from a distance

A Japanese research team developed a four-meter-long, remotely controllable flying firehose robot called the Dragon Firefighter. It can safely and efficiently extinguish fires by directly approaching flames. The robot will be deployed in real-world firefighting scenarios after approximately 10 more years of development.

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.

How jellyfish regenerate functional tentacles in days

Researchers have discovered that jellyfish use stem-like proliferative cells to form a blastema, which helps regenerate functional tissue across the missing appendage. This study provides insight into the mechanism of blastema formation and may improve our own regenerative abilities.

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.

Signed orders sent via mail nearly doubled liver cancer screening rates

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that mailing signed orders to patients with cirrhosis led to a significant increase in liver cancer screenings. The study involved over 500 patients and showed that 55% completed their screening within six months, compared to just 27% in the control group.

Jupiter was targeted by exoplanet hunter

A team of researchers from Portugal used the ESPRESSO spectrograph to measure wind speeds on Jupiter, confirming the feasibility of Doppler velocimetry for monitoring the planet's atmospheric winds. The study also gathered historical data to compare results and validate the method.