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Science News Archive December 2023


Page 29 of 29

Researchers caution diabetes patients’ use of fitness video games

A new study by Staffordshire University warns people with type-1 diabetes to use fitness video games with caution, as they may change perceptions of fatigue levels. The researchers recommend updating measurement tools for virtual game platforms to ensure safe and accurate exercise tracking.

Flexible parental leave among immigrant mothers can promote integration

A new study finds that part-time parental leave fosters better labor market and educational pursuits among newly arrived migrant women in Sweden. The research challenges existing perceptions of parental leave among immigrant mothers, suggesting it can provide a support system during their initial transition period.

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.

Unlocking the secret strength of marine mussels

Researchers at McGill University discovered a strong, quick-release connection between living and non-living tissues in marine mussels. The biointerface is mediated by serotonergic cilia-based adhesion, which can be controlled by neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

Vitamin D supplements do not prevent bone fractures in children

A major clinical trial found that vitamin D supplements had no effect on fracture risk or bone strength in children with vitamin D deficiency. The study, which included over 8,800 schoolchildren aged 6-13, boosted vitamin D levels but did not prevent fractures.

The world needs more empathy—here is how science can harness it

A new study by McGill researchers explores the power of imagination in evoking empathy, showing that vividly imagining someone else's problems motivates us to lend a helping hand. The study finds that personal distress is a more prominent form of empathy, which can actually be a catalyst for taking action.

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.

New understanding of oobleck-like fluids contributes to smart material design

Scientists investigate fundamental physics of non-Newtonian fluids, discovering that friction between particles plays a critical role in their behavior. This new understanding contributes to smart material design and could lead to applications such as clump-free paint, wearable protective gear, and customized materials with controlled ...

Clinical smart watch finds success at identifying atrial fibrillation

A novel prescription wristwatch uses photoplethysmography to detect atrial fibrillation with high accuracy, even in participants with darker skin tones. The Verily Study Watch bridges the gap between long-term monitoring and consumer devices, enabling clinicians to effectively use wearable data for Afib management.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Public gardens contribute to invasives problem

A recent study found that public gardens and arboretums are inadvertently spreading nonnative, invasive plants to wild areas, threatening native ecosystems. Many examples were cited from Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio, including the spread of exotic trees and shrubs with seeds dispersed by wind or birds.

Scientists navigate uncharted waters in fish immunology research

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine have identified a novel type of lymphoid microenvironment in fish that generates antibody responses. This discovery has significant implications for understanding immune system evolution and developing effective vaccines for the aquaculture industry.

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.

Research shows human behavior guided by fast changes in dopamine levels

A new study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine shows that dopamine release plays a crucial role in encoding reward and punishment prediction errors, allowing the brain to adjust its behavior. Dopamine not only signals positive experiences but also optimally encodes negative outcomes.

PicoRuler: molecular rulers for high-resolution microscopy

Researchers have developed PicoRulers, biocompatible molecular rulers for high-resolution microscopy. Using genetic code expansion and click chemistry, the team constructed customized molecular rulers based on the protein PCNA, enabling precise testing of super-resolution microscopy methods on cellular biomolecules.

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.

Brainstorming with a bot

A researcher has developed a chatbot with expertise in nanomaterials, leveraging document-retrieval method to provide accurate context. The bot uses embedding to categorize and link information quickly, generating factual responses sourced from trusted documents.

Control over friction, from small to large scales

Researchers demonstrate that microscopic chemical bonds between silicon surfaces control friction, enabling quantitative understanding and control. By regulating bond density through drying time, they predict and control friction force.

Adverse childhood experiences linked to muscle dysmorphia

A new study found that adverse childhood experiences are associated with greater muscle dysmorphia symptoms in Canadian adolescents and young adults. Adverse childhood experiences, such as domestic violence and emotional abuse, may lead to body dissatisfaction and the pursuit of muscularity as a coping mechanism.

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.

Replicating the structure of bird feathers

Researchers at ETH Zurich replicate the structural design of bluebird feathers using a new method. The material exhibits nanonetworks similar to those found in natural feathers and offers potential for technical and sustainable applications, including battery improvements and water filtration.

Trends in adult smoking prevalence

A study of 353,000 US adults found a decline in smoking prevalence from 2011 to 2022, except for those 65 and older. The greatest gains in reducing smoking-attributable morbidity and mortality can be achieved by targeting individuals with low socioeconomic status.

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.

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.

How does neonatal listeriosis impact children's health?

A study of 50 children infected with Listeria monocytogenes at birth found that two-thirds had sequelae, mainly due to prematurity. Long-term screening and tailored support can be offered to inform science-based guidance for parents.

Social media influencers may affect more than voter opinions

Researchers found that social media influencers with distorted messages cause political parties to moderate their policies to win over independent voters. However, this leads to traditional media outlets becoming more extreme in their editorial positions, and citizens swayed by influencers growing more polarized.

Researchers have taught an algorithm to 'taste'

Researchers have developed an AI algorithm that uses people's flavor impressions to make accurate predictions of individual wine preferences. The algorithm combines data from wine labels, user reviews, and sensory tastings to provide personalized recommendations.

Meditation training can support wellbeing in older adults

A new randomised controlled trial found that an 18-month meditation programme can improve the wellbeing of older adults by enhancing their awareness, connection to others, and insight. However, it did not confer significant benefits on two commonly used measures of psychological wellbeing.

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.