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Science News Archive December 2023


Page 25 of 29

Using AI to find microplastics

A research team from the University of Waterloo developed an AI tool called PlasticNet to identify microplastics with unprecedented speed and accuracy. This system enables researchers to rapidly analyze large numbers of particles, reducing the time and error associated with manual identification, and providing quality information for i...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Type 1 diabetes: B cell-derived natural antibodies suppress autoimmune pathogenesis

Researchers found that vaccination of neonatal mice with group A Streptococcus promotes clonal expansion of innate-like B cells producing antibody against N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc), reducing Type 1 diabetes risk. These GlcNAc-specific B-1 B cells aid in producing tolerance, facilitating efficient clearance of apoptotic beta cells...

Why regional differences in global warming are critical

New data analysis reveals that regional temperature patterns are crucial for evaluating climate models, with warmer temperatures in the North Atlantic and a cooler North Atlantic found to be more accurate. This approach provides better insights into the spatial impact of climate change and its effects on ecosystems and human societies.

Medicare is overpaying for generic drugs

Researchers analyzed data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and found that some private insurers were reimbursing pharmacies at much higher rates than what they spent to acquire generic drugs. This can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for seniors due to copayments and deductibles.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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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.

Taming noise behind bars #Acoustics23

The article discusses the importance of acoustic design in prison environments, where constant noise is harmful to both prisoners and staff. By incorporating speech intelligibility, strategic noise reduction, and privacy considerations, acoustic design can improve communication dynamics and alleviate negative social interactions.

Laser additive manufacturing: Listening for defects as they happen

A team of researchers at EPFL has successfully challenged the reliability of acoustic monitoring for detecting defects in laser additive manufacturing. By analyzing shifts in the acoustic signal during regime transitions, they identified defects in real-time, providing a cost-effective solution to improve product quality and integrity.

New research shows how important protein keeps our cell membranes in balance

A study published in Nature Communications sheds light on the critical role of P4-ATPases, particularly ATP8B1-CDC50A, in maintaining lipid asymmetry in cell membranes. The research team used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structure and function of the human flippase complex, revealing its regulation by phosphoinositides.

Young age at first menstrual cycle linked to heightened diabetes risk in mid-life

Research found a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes and stroke in women who started menstruating before age 13. Earlier age at first menstrual cycle was associated with higher diabetes risk after adjusting for influential factors, while very early age (10 or younger) linked to more than doubling stroke risk among those with diabetes.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

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Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

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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.

Under-the-skin implant could treat Type I diabetes

Researchers from Cornell and University of Alberta have developed an under-the-skin implant that can secrete insulin without immunosuppression. The approach offers an easier alternative to traditional transplants or insulin injections, with the potential for long-term management of Type I diabetes.

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.

Languages are louder in the tropics

Researchers analyzed a large database of languages to verify the relationship between climate and language sound. They found that languages around the equator tend to have higher sonority indexes, but some exceptions exist, such as Mesoamerica and Mainland Southeast Asia.

PBX1 as a key regulator of mitochondrial pyruvate uptake

Researchers discovered that Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) in mitochondria inhibits pyruvate entry, facilitating cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Downregulation of YBX1 promotes cellular oxygen consumption and reduces lactic acid production, while inhibition of the MPC1/2 complex by YBX1 enhances metastatic capacity.

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.

A better way of measuring homophily

Researchers have developed a new method to measure homophily in social networks, which can accurately capture biases within group interactions. The study found that traditional methods may produce misleading results, particularly in networks with unequal groups and asymmetric mixing.

Researchers identify altered functional brain connectivity in autism subtypes

Researchers used brain imaging and machine learning to identify distinct patterns of brain connectivity in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), taking into account individual differences. The study reveals that certain brain features are shared across subtypes, while others are unique to specific individuals.

Limitations of asteroid crater lakes as climate archives

Researchers analyzed dolomite rocks and found a high proportion of C-13, indicating strong methane formation by microorganisms in water with low sulphate content. The sediment's chemical development is controlled by crater floor cooling and water supply, not climatic changes.

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.

Blue light exposure and aging

Daily low-intensity blue light exposure affects processes related to aging and circadian rhythms in fruit flies. The study found that blue light induced reprogramming of RNA and m6A modifications, which may damage neuronal function, particularly in eye and brain tissues.

AI accelerates problem-solving in complex scenarios

Researchers from MIT and ETH Zurich developed a filtering technique to simplify a key intermediate step in MILP solvers, speeding up the process by 30-70% without compromising accuracy. A machine-learning model is then used to pick the best combination of algorithms for a specific optimization problem.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Pregnancy weight gain after gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy

Women who underwent bariatric surgery had lower pregnancy weight gain compared to controls with similar early pregnancy characteristics. The study found no difference in weight gain based on surgical procedure or surgery-to-conception interval, but suggested a potential benefit for women with shorter intervals.

Bird feeding may give humans something to chirp about

A team of researchers led by Virginia Tech's Ashley Dayer is conducting the first large-scale bird feeding study that also incorporates observing humans. The project aims to engage over 10,000 bird feeders across the US and gather insights into how human well-being is impacted by regularly feeding birds.

Earliest known fossil mosquitoes suggest males were bloodsuckers

The discovery of two male mosquitoes from the Early Cretaceous period reveals that males likely fed on blood, contradicting previous assumptions. The findings provide new insights into the evolution of hematophagy and challenge current understanding of mosquito behavior.

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.

Can signs of life be detected from Saturn’s frigid moon?

A recent study by researchers from the University of California San Diego has provided evidence that amino acids, the building blocks of life, can survive impact speeds of up to 4.2 km/s in Saturn's icy moon Enceladus' ice plumes. This finding has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth.

Enhanced AI tracks neurons in moving animals

Scientists developed an AI method to track neurons in moving and deforming animals using convolutional neural networks with targeted augmentation. This breakthrough reduces manual annotation efforts by three times, enabling faster analysis of brain activity in model organisms like Caenorhabditis elegans.

Bacteria's mucus maneuvers: Study reveals how snot facilitates infection

Researchers found that thicker mucus enhances bacterial collective motion, forming coordinated swarms that can increase antibiotic resistance and spread infection. The study demonstrates the importance of mucus in facilitating bacterial swarming, which could pave the way for new strategies to combat infections and antibiotic resistance.

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.