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Science News Archive December 2023


Page 23 of 29

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.

Evaluation of stigma toward individuals with acne

A survey study of 1,357 respondents found stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with acne exist across different scenarios, highlighting the need for approaches to reduce stigma and improve access to care. Severe acne and darker skin tone are associated with a higher degree of stigma.

Comparable memory strategies in birds and humans

The study used various tests to analyze the memory performance of jackdaws, finding that their performance decreased when working memory demands increased. The researchers found that corvids, like humans, show reduced accuracy and biased representations when working memory demands are high.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ocean acidification creates legacy of stress for red abalone

Exposure to ocean acidification in red abalone can last across generations, affecting growth rates and reproductive potential. Scientists found that buffering the water chemistry at crucial life stages can help ease these effects for captive- and commercially raised red abalone.

Influx of water and salts propel immune cells through the body

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered that immune cells use an influx of water and ions to propel themselves forward, a process regulated by the WNK1 protein. This mechanism is essential for T cell migration and has implications for understanding cancer spread.

Stellar winds regulate growth of galaxies

Researchers use MUSE to study ancient galaxies and find that galactic winds, created by massive stars, limit their growth. The team's findings reveal a universal process affecting most galaxies.

Race doesn't impact cardiovascular risk calculations

Researchers tested removing race information from cardiovascular risk calculators and found no impact on patients' risk scores. Adding social determinants of health also didn't have an effect, suggesting that measuring traditional risk factors can accurately predict risk without using race.

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.

World-first trial offers new hope for type 1 diabetes

A world-first human trial shows that a commonly prescribed rheumatoid arthritis drug can safely and effectively preserve the body's own insulin production and suppress the progression of type 1 diabetes. The drug, baricitinib, was found to be effective in maintaining insulin production in people who initiated treatment within 100 days ...

Research shows tennis ball concussions are rare, but possible

A study by Southern Methodist University researchers found that tennis ball head injuries can cause traumatic brain injuries, although they are rare. The study used computational modeling to simulate the impact of a tennis ball on a person's head, and found that high-speed impacts could lead to concussions or worse.

AI opens a path to a better understanding of changes in the brain

Researchers use AI to develop dynamic modeling of brain graphs, capturing dynamics in continuous time for more accurate predictions and personalized treatment of brain diseases. The project aims to track disease development in individual patients and identify biomarkers associated with brain disorders.

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.

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.

Mysteries of Earth’s ancient mass extinction event revealed

A team led by USC Dornsife researchers has uncovered stark differences in the impact of a 200-million-year-old mass extinction event on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The study found that land-based ecosystems were hit harder, with nearly 96% of species going extinct, while marine ecosystems showed resilience with only 71% of gener...

Trump-era policy on global aid curtailed family planning services in Africa

A new study found that the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy reduced provision and use of contraceptives, as well as community health volunteer services, in African countries. This policy, formerly known as the Mexico City Policy, had detrimental effects on family planning service delivery and utilization.

How ‘listening’ to archaeological sites could shed light on the past

Researchers used psychoacoustics to analyze sound frequencies and clarity at the ancient Greek sanctuary of Zeus, revealing that hillside spectators could hear sounds from the hippodrome. The method provides a unique perspective on ancient societies' organization and activity, but its results should be interpreted with caution.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Fossil CO2 emissions reach record high

Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use reached a record high of 36.8 billion metric tons in 2023, surpassing the previous year's level by 1.1%. The remaining carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.5°C could be used up in seven years if current levels of emissions continue.

New research reveals a fishing threshold for reef resilience

A study led by Arizona State University found that herbivore fishing to less than 80% of their unfished density compromises reef resilience due to algae overgrowth. The research, published before regulatory decisions in Hawai'i, highlights the critical role of herbivores in maintaining coral reef health.

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.

AI takes the reins in deep-tissue imaging

Researchers at Purdue University developed a novel AI engine to control and optimize optical microscopes, enabling 3D ultrastructure visualization of the brain circuitry with nanometer resolution. This technology has the potential to shed light on human development and disease, particularly autism and Alzheimer's disease.

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.

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.

Orangutan male success: Not by dominance alone

A study of wild orangutan males reveals that simply beating rivals in competitions does not lead to siring success. Instead, successful fathers spend more time near the females with whom they mate, suggesting a strategy of concentrating on one neighborhood rather than roaming widely is key.

Rare genetic variants better assessed

Researchers have developed gene-specific classification criteria for assessing the medical relevance of unclear genetic variants that can lead to hereditary colorectal cancer. The new criteria are expected to reclassify a significant proportion of these variants as harmless, providing relief to carriers worldwide.

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.

More than skin-deep

A team of Kyoto University researchers found that macrophages produce granulomas through a hyperactive metabolic pathway called the pentose phosphate pathway. Inhibition of this pathway showed therapeutic efficacy in reducing granuloma formation in vitro and in mouse tissue models.

How drugs can target the thick “scar tissue” of pancreatic cancer

Researchers at Salk Institute discovered how anti-cancer drugs can prevent fibroblast activation, a protective barrier around pancreatic tumors. The therapy reduces tumor growth and slows disease progression in mice and human patients, offering a promising treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Hydrogen sulfide regulates neural circuit for respiration

Researchers at University of Tsukuba found that hydrogen sulfide production within the respiratory center alters neurotransmissions, disrupting breathing patterns. The study identified variations in this mechanism across different regions, revealing a modulating influence on neural circuits contributing to respiration stability.

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.

A mathematical model connects the evolution of chickens, fish and frogs

Researchers developed a mathematical model that accurately predicts gastrulation flows in chick embryos, which are similar to human embryos. The model then predicted cellular flows observed in frog and fish embryos, suggesting common physical principles behind multicellular self-organization across vertebrate species.

“Nanoparticle” flu vaccine design shows promise in early tests

Researchers at Scripps Research have designed a novel flu vaccine that utilizes nanoparticles to present the M2e protein fragment, which is relatively conserved across different influenza A strains. The vaccine showed promising results in initial animal tests, providing strong protection against both seasonal and pandemic strains.

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.

Improving thunderstorm prediction by watching lightning flashes from space

A new study improves thunderstorm forecasting by utilizing Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) lightning flash observations. The implementation of the EnVAR assimilation capabilities successfully enhances the forecasting performance, especially over regions lacking operational weather radar observations.

Jays jump in while crows hold out for the treat

Researchers found that Eurasian jays settle for less preferred food options when rivals are present, while New Caledonian crows consistently choose the better, delayed reward. The study suggests that species' social tolerance and competition levels influence self-control in animals.

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.

Did the COVID-19 pandemic change parents’ attitudes about vaccines?

A study by Sean O’Leary and colleagues found that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy remained stable in Colorado, but parental trust vacillated during the pandemic. The researchers used a validated survey to track vaccine attitudes of parents, revealing trends indicating that misinformation has affected parental trust in childhood vaccines.