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Science News Archive December 2023


Page 27 of 29

Rice engineers tackle hard-to-map class of materials

Researchers have developed a new technique to understand the relationship between atomic structure and electric polarization in 2D van der Waals ferroelectric materials. This discovery is expected to revolutionize domain engineering in these materials, positioning them as fundamental building blocks for advanced devices.

American Eel as an emerging consumer target

Imports of American eel fry for aquaculture in East Asia have reached an all-time high, threatening the already endangered species. The surge is driven by Japan's demand for two-thirds of its eel consumption, with the US and Haiti being major exporters.

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.

Earliest-known fossil mosquito suggests males were bloodsuckers too

The discovery of fossilized male mosquitoes in 30 million-year-old amber suggests that males were also hematophagous, feeding on blood. This finding helps narrow the 'ghost-lineage gap' for mosquitoes and complicates our understanding of the evolution of blood-feeding habits.

Placing nanoparticles in the palm of your hand

Professor Anne Bentley has developed innovative 3D-printed models to visualize nanoparticles, allowing students to grasp the material's special properties. Her research focuses on low-index shapes, which have catalytic properties and can convert carbon dioxide into fuel materials.

In hotter regions, mammals seek forests, avoid human habitats

A study by the University of California, Davis, found that North American mammals consistently depend on forests and avoid cities, farms, and other human-dominated areas in hotter climes. This suggests that preserving forest cover will be increasingly important for wildlife conservation as the climate warms.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Boiled bubbles jump to carry more heat

A team of researchers, led by Jonathan Boreyko, has engineered a surface that makes bubbles jump, carrying more heat and improving the efficiency of water-based cooling operations. The jumping bubbles are able to carry energy away from a heated surface more effectively than traditional boiling methods.

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.

This is how protein aggregates can trigger neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers found that misfolded prion proteins can trigger the clumping of TDP-43 in nerve cells, leading to reduced splicing activity and altered protein expression. This study reveals a new mechanism of how disease-associated prion proteins affect physiological signaling pathways through cross-seeding.

Updated: Antiphospholipid syndrome

The updated antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) classification criteria offer improved sensitivity and specificity, allowing for risk-stratified epidemiologic studies and clinical trials. The new system specifies an entry criterion of at least one positive aPL test within 3 years of clinical criterion identification.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Decoding flavonoid metabolism: a closer look at plant-based diets

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have decoded the metabolism of three major flavonoids - naringenin, apigenin, and genistein - revealing how human enzymes modify them in a similar way to plants. This understanding may lead to improved health benefits associated with plant-based diets.

Infants are not startled by visual illusions

A recent study reveals that infants aged six months and older can perceive misbinding, a type of visual illusion where features are mistakenly integrated. In contrast, infants under six months do not exhibit this phenomenon, indicating they may perceive the external world more accurately than adults.

Researchers decode aqueous amino acid’s potential for direct air capture of CO2

Scientists have made a significant stride toward understanding a viable process for direct air capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The study focused on aqueous glycine, an amino acid known for its absorbent qualities, and discovered that focusing solely on free energy barrier is an oversimplification that can lead to inaccur...

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.

Fossil CO2 emissions at record high in 2023

Fossil CO2 emissions from global carbon budgets have reached a record high in 2023, with global warming exceeding 1.5°C target becoming increasingly likely within seven years. The study projects that total global CO2 emissions will be 40.9 billion tonnes, far from the reductions needed to meet climate targets.

Pharmacy forecast identifies growing societal challenges expected to impact care

The ASHP/ASHP Foundation Pharmacy Forecast Report identifies growing societal challenges that will alter healthcare delivery, including the impact of ultra-high-cost drugs on service lines. Pharmacists' engagement is crucial to ensuring safe care for all patients, particularly in addressing mental health and substance use disorders.

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.

Interpreting the afterglow of a black hole’s breakfast

A team of astronomers has found that active black holes shine in microwave and X-ray light in the same way, regardless of their appetite, suggesting a new understanding of how these cosmic monsters consume matter. This discovery could provide a new method for estimating black hole masses, essential for understanding galaxy evolution.

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.

Supercomputing training at Argonne National Laboratory

Fatima Bagheri, a UTA postdoc, attended an intensive program on supercomputing at Argonne National Laboratory to expand her knowledge of exascale computers and learn methods to advance her research into exoplanets. The training provided hands-on sessions with supercomputers and expertise from world experts.

Wind of (climate) change

Researchers discovered that rising temperatures trigger katabatic winds in Himalayan glaciers, cooling the air and preserving surrounding ecosystems. The team used climate models to demonstrate this phenomenon across the Himalayan range, suggesting that some glaciers may have a chance to 'save' themselves by reacting to global warming.

Learning from Nature: How a fungus makes a hard job easier

Researchers discovered the PanH enzyme, which catalyzes the selective epoxidation of cyclohexenones, a challenging reaction to achieve through chemical synthesis. The study shows that this enzyme can produce a large library of substances with improved and more specific activities in biomedical research.

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.

How mountains affect El Niño-induced winter precipitation

A new study reveals that mountains amplify and obstruct winter precipitation during El Niño events, with increased rainfall on the western side of mountains. This analysis enables more accurate water predictions for the Colorado River in western North America, helping cities, farmers, and water managers prepare for droughts.

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.

AI helps us better understand (and protect) forests

Researchers used AI to analyze tree databases and found that temperature and precipitation are strong predictors of non-native species invasion. The study also reveals that global forest carbon potential is considerably below natural levels, with most potential located in existing forests.

Consistency key to corporate expressions of racial solidarity

Research by Cornell University experts found that companies must demonstrate long-term commitment to diversity and racial equity to convey allyship to Black Americans. Costly actions alone are insufficient, with consistency being the key factor in perceived authenticity.

Mathematics supporting fresh theoretical approach in oncology

A study by the University of the Basque Country uses game theory to establish that tumours with less cellular heterogeneity are more aggressive. The work suggests a fresh theoretical approach for new therapeutic strategies, focusing on preserving high intratumour heterogeneity.

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.

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.

New theory unites Einstein’s gravity with quantum mechanics

A new theory unifies gravity and quantum mechanics by preserving Einstein's classical concept of spacetime, proposing random fluctuations in spacetime that can be verified experimentally. The theory challenges the pursuit of a quantum theory of gravity, offering an alternative approach to reconcile the two fundamental theories.

Study shows how ethical brands fare in a recession

A new study from the University of East Anglia reveals that during a UK recession, consumers tend to keep up more expensive ethical purchases like fair trade products. The study found that the amount spent on organic products declined, while fair trade product sales increased.

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.

Strange burn: new research identifies unique patterns in Utah wildfires

Researchers analyzed satellite data on medium-sized and large wildfires in Utah from 1984 to 2022, finding that medium-sized fires had significant impacts despite smaller size. The study suggests that looking at these 'hidden' fires can help inform decisions on prescribed burns and predict future fire behavior

More than a meteorite: New clues about the demise of dinosaurs

A new study published in Science Advances challenges the long-held theory that a meteorite was responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs. Researchers from McGill University and around the world found evidence of massive volcanic eruptions in Western India, which may have triggered a global drop in temperature and made life diffic...

Watching electrons at work

The study reveals that excited electrons in perovskites cause a shift towards increased symmetry in the crystal lattice. This attractive interaction between excitons could be exploited to enhance electron transport and improve solar cell performance.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The risk of cardiovascular disease can be reduced by eating more oily fish

A new study finds that consuming more oily fish like salmon and mackerel can lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases in people with a family history. The research suggests that these fatty acids EPA/DHA play a crucial role in mitigating this risk, especially for those with close relatives who have suffered from cardiovascular disease.

Advancing food safety: Natural alternatives for meat preservation

Researchers from Zhejiang University conclude that natural preservatives, including phages and their endolysins, bacteriocins, and plant-derived substances, demonstrate significant potential in mitigating pathogenic bacteria in meat products. The study highlights the need for streamlined methodologies to transition these natural preser...