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Science News for December 22, 2023


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.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateDec 22, 2023

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.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNeurology·DateDec 22, 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.

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.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2023

Stinky, bitter, and painful: A novel insect repellent attacks multiple sensory pathways

Researchers have identified a novel insect repellent, 2-methylthiazoline (2MT), which induces robust aversive responses through multiple sensory pathways in fruit flies. The compound stimulates both olfactory and nociceptive pathways, leading to avoidance behaviors and effective repulsion from fly pests.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2023

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.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalHepatology Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 22, 2023

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.

SourceFaculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon·JournalUniverse·DateDec 22, 2023
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.

The stomach bug that may raise your risk of Alzheimer’s disease

A study by McGill University researchers found that people with symptomatic H. pylori infection have an 11% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest a potential role for the bacterium in the development of the disease, opening avenues for future research and possible prevention strategies.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·DateDec 22, 2023

Laser-driving a 2D material

Researchers at Columbia University paired laser light with crystal lattice vibrations to boost the nonlinear optical properties of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a stable 2D material. The team achieved over a 30-fold increase in third-harmonic generation, generating new frequencies and efficiently producing optical signals.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 22, 2023

Light colour is less important for the internal clock than originally thought

A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that the colour of light has a limited impact on the human internal clock and sleep. The researchers exposed volunteers to different coloured lights, including blueish and yellowish lights, to determine their effect on the body.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 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.

Reindeer sleep while chewing their cud

Researchers found that reindeer spend more time ruminating and less time in non-REM sleep, suggesting a possible restorative function of rumination. The study suggests that reindeer may be able to save time by resting during rumination, allowing them to cope with limited sleep time during the arctic summer.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2023

Texas A&M team develops polymers that can kill bacteria

A Texas A&M University-led collaboration has developed new polymers capable of killing bacteria without inducing antibiotic resistance by disrupting their membrane. The researchers tested their polymers against two main types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with promising results.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2023

Big impacts from small changes in cell

Researchers at Göttingen and Warwick Universities studied the structure and mechanics of cytoskeletal networks composed of actin isoforms. The study found that gamma actin forms rigid networks near the cell apex, while beta actin preferentially forms parallel bundles with distinct organizational patterns.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2023

Images hidden in noise revealed by a quantum-inspired method

Researchers developed a novel phase imaging technique using intensity correlation measurements that is immune to phase instability. This method can capture high-resolution images of transparent and optically thin samples, such as cell cultures, with improved accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 22, 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.

Pandemic lessons: Insights into how mobility restrictions affect healthcare costs

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that increasing walking by over 70% reduces medical costs for lifestyle-related diseases, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public transit use also decreases medical costs, with a higher effect in metropolitan prefectures.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 22, 2023

Fewer hospital admissions when people are fitter

A study by the University of Gothenburg found that maintaining aerobic fitness is linked to a 7-14% lower risk of hospitalizations for any reason. Increased fitness also reduces hospital admissions due to cardiovascular disease. The findings suggest potential benefits for individual health and healthcare costs.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateDec 22, 2023

Novel ingestible devices developed to create the illusion of satiety

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a pill-size device called VIBE that creates the sensation of fullness by stimulating vagal nerve receptors when it comes into contact with gastric fluid. The device reduced food intake by an average of 31% in swine, and its effects were sustained for 30 minutes.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2023

Evolution of tuberculosis – in new light

Recent studies published in the Tuberculosis journal reveal the earliest confirmed presence of tuberculosis' causative agents in human remains, pushing the timeline back by tens of thousands of years. Researchers have also discovered evidence of TB infection in Neanderthal specimens from Hungary, dating back over 32,000 years.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalTuberculosis·DateDec 22, 2023
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.

Two types of CBT are equally effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia

A study published in PAIN found that exposure-based CBT and traditional CBT are equally effective in reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia. The study involved 274 participants with fibromyalgia and showed significant reductions in symptoms and functional impairment after 10-week treatment.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalPain·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 22, 2023

Engineers develop a vibrating, ingestible capsule that might help treat obesity

The researchers designed a capsule about the size of a multivitamin, powered by a small battery, which vibrates to activate mechanoreceptors in the stomach. This activation stimulates hormone release patterns similar to those following a meal, reducing food intake and slowing weight gain by 40 percent.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 22, 2023

Trends in abdominoplasty: More outpatient surgery and concomitant liposuction

The study analyzed 16 years of data from the American Board of Plastic Surgery and found an increased rate of outpatient abdominoplasty without overnight hospital stays. Concomitant liposuction was also more commonly performed in recent years. Despite changes, abdominoplasty remains a safe and reliable procedure.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open·DateDec 22, 2023

Like kids in a candy store

Researchers at Kyoto University analyzed queries on Yahoo! Chiebukuro and found that users were seeking information on overdosing from OTCs to alleviate physical pain or experience psychosomatic changes. The study highlights the need for reliable information on OTC abuse to be effectively disseminated.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJMIR Formative Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 22, 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.

Major breakthrough in hypertension diagnosis could save Government billions

Researchers have discovered a way to predict which individuals will respond to blood pressure treatments that lower sodium in the body. This breakthrough could lead to a 25% reduction in hypertension prevalence, resulting in significant cost savings for the Australian government.

SourceHunter Medical Research Institute·JournalCirculation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 22, 2023