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Science News Archive December 2023


Page 20 of 29

New genes can arise from nothing

Researchers discovered a mechanism that creates DNA palindromes and new microRNA genes from noncoding sequences, explaining the origin of small regulatory genes. The study found that this process can create novel genes, potentially affecting human health.

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.

County–level variation in preterm birth rates

Substantial geographic disparities in US preterm birth rates were observed, with nearly 1 in 6 counties experiencing increases between 2007 and 2019. These disparities are linked to place-based social disadvantage, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Major breakthrough for severe asthma treatment

A landmark study found that 92% of patients with severe asthma can safely reduce inhaled steroid dose and more than 60% can stop all use, minimizing side effects like osteoporosis, diabetes, and cataracts. The SHAMAL study used biologic therapy benralizumab to control severe asthma without steroids.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Updated: SLE management

The updated EULAR recommendations for managing SLE emphasize individualized, multidisciplinary care and consider patient education and societal costs. Non-pharmacological interventions and careful drug selection based on disease type and severity are also key to improving long-term outcomes.

Evidence that ancient Tethys Ocean influenced Earth’s past environments

The study connects Tethyan plate tectonic movements to changes in Earth's surface environment, influencing global temperature and mineral resource distribution. Subduction-driven plate tectonics altered ocean-sea land distribution, affecting solar energy absorption and subsequent environmental shifts.

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.

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.

Conjoined "racetracks" make new optical device possible

Researchers have developed a new optical device that overcomes dispersion limitations in ultra-low-loss silicon nitride by creating conjoined microcombs. This breakthrough enables the production of short-pulse microcombs with low power consumption, paving the way for integration into handheld devices and photonic circuit arrays.

Battle of the AIs in medical research: ChatGPT vs Elicit

Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University investigated the credibility and efficiency of generative AI tools in collecting medical literature. The study found that Elicit outperformed ChatGPT, suggesting multiple references with high accuracy within minutes.

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.

A dynamic picture of how we respond to high or low oxygen levels

A new study from Gladstone Institutes has greatly expanded the scientific body of knowledge about how the body responds to too much oxygen. The research highlights a particular protein, MYBBP1A, that may play a central role in regulating cells' response to hyperoxia.

Study on battery recycling shows China is in 1st place

A study by researchers from the University of Münster found that China will be able to meet its demand for primary lithium for electric vehicles through recycling as early as 2059, while Europe and the US will not achieve this until after 2070. Recycling is also expected to ensure China's need for cobalt by 2045 and nickel by 2046.

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.

Immersive VR goggles for mice unlock new potential for brain science

Researchers at Northwestern University developed virtual reality goggles for mice, allowing them to study responses to overhead threats for the first time. The new system enabled more accurate and precise neural circuitry analysis by simulating natural environments, reducing training times compared to traditional VR systems.

What happens when the brain loses a hub?

A recent study reveals the importance of brain hubs in neural networks and their rapid compensation when lost. The researchers obtained direct recordings of human brain activity before and after surgically disconnecting a critical language hub.

Study award for a new building block in the drug toolbox

Researchers have identified a new enzyme, KtzT, that can form a rare nitrogen-nitrogen bond in molecules. The discovery enables the efficient production of tailored compounds with specific effects on organisms and their metabolic processes.

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.

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.

Fermentation may have driven human brain evolution

A new hypothesis suggests that fermentation of cached food provided a more accessible form of nourishment, fueling the growth of larger brains in human ancestors. This idea is supported by the fact that the human large intestine is proportionally smaller than other primates and fermented foods are found across cultures.

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.

Giant doubts about giant exomoons

New research from the Max Planck Institute challenges previous claims of giant exomoons around Kepler-1625b and Kepler-1708b. The study uses a computer algorithm to analyze observations, finding that 'planet-only' interpretations are more conclusive than initially thought.

Cancer: Towards a new treatment for leukaemia

Researchers at Université libre de Bruxelles identified a new RNA reader, SRSF2, that plays a key role in the development of leukaemia. The discovery sheds light on a previously unsuspected molecular mechanism leading to leukaemia and may lead to specific diagnoses and new therapeutic approaches.

Why presence of healthy cells enables cancer to resist treatment

Researchers at UCL and Yale found that healthy cells in bowel cancer tumors can push cancer cells towards a slow-growing state, reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The studies used single-cell analysis technologies to measure how mini-tumors responded to changes in genes and environment.

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.

Wild birds lead people to honey — and learn from them

In parts of Africa, humans communicate with greater honeyguides to locate bee colonies, sharing knowledge about the location of nests. The bird benefits by eating leftover honeycomb, while people gain access to honey and beeswax. Researchers found that honeyguides learn distinct vocal signals used by different honey-hunting communities.

Riding sound waves in the brain

Scientists at ETH Zurich successfully navigate gas-filled microbubbles through the brain's blood vessels using ultrasound, offering a potential breakthrough in delivering medications to specific areas. This technology could revolutionize treatments for cancer, stroke, and neurological conditions.

The evolutionary paradox behind the unusual mating strategy of the ruff

A study on ruff (Calidris pugnax) found a surprisingly low mutation load in the supergene controlling male mating strategies, forcing a reevaluation of supergene evolution. The researchers propose two potential scenarios to resolve this paradox: recent acquisition of recessive lethality or introgression from another species.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

A new 66 million-year history of carbon dioxide offers little comfort for today

A new study reveals that the last time atmospheric carbon dioxide reached today's human-driven levels was 14 million years ago, indicating a highly sensitive climate to greenhouse gases. The research also predicts a whopping 5-8 degrees C warming with a doubling of CO2, highlighting the urgent need for present-day climate policy.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Understanding the formation of minute droplets in microfluidic devices

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a detailed understanding of microfluidic post-array devices, which are used to create monodisperse emulsions with controlled droplet size. The team found that effective capillary number and specific geometric parameters play crucial roles in droplet formation.

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.

NIH clinical trial of tuberculous meningitis drug regimen begins

A six-month multidrug regimen is being evaluated against the standard nine-month treatment for adults and adolescents with tuberculous meningitis. The trial aims to generate evidence that could lead to improved treatment options and reduced mortality rates, particularly for high-risk groups such as pregnant women and adolescent children.

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.

Ancient stars made extraordinarily heavy elements

Researchers found that ancient stars created elements with atomic masses greater than 260, challenging current knowledge. This discovery provides insight into the process of heavy element formation in stars and could help explain the diversity of elements on Earth.