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Science News Archive December 2023


Page 5 of 29

An electrifying improvement in copper conductivity

Researchers at DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have discovered that adding a small amount of solid carbon to copper boosts its ability to conduct electricity. The findings could lead to more efficient electricity distribution, as well as more efficient motors for electric vehicles and industrial equipment.

Catalyzing drug discovery with explainable deep learning

A team of researchers identified a new structural class of antibiotics using an AI-powered platform built around explainable deep learning. The discovery shows potential to address antibiotic resistance, with the newly discovered antibiotics showing potent activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens.

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.

Test pesticides for possible role in Parkinson’s disease

A systematic testing approach for pesticides minimizes animal suffering while identifying potential harmful effects on brain cells. The four-phase test involves database research, laboratory experiments, animal species tests, and exposure to mice and rats.

Finding new ways to adapt to a growing weather threat

A new study finds that tropical cyclone exposure is increasing globally, with vulnerable populations facing greater risks. The analysis reveals a significant increase in the number of people at risk from these storms, particularly among those over 60 and socioeconomically deprived.

Taming a plant-derived toxin

Researchers at Scripps Research have found a way to modify picrotoxinin, a plant-derived toxin, with improved properties, making it easier to synthesize and modify. The modified version, 5Me-picrotoxinin, shows better chemical stability and is safer for humans.

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.

Aerogel can become the key to future terahertz technologies

Researchers at Linköping University have developed an aerogel material that can tune the transmission of terahertz signals between 13% and 91%, enabling various applications. The material's absorption property can be adjusted through a redox reaction, making it suitable for long-range signals from space or radar systems.

Corona pandemic has reduced the melting of Himalayan glaciers

Reducing air pollution to pre-pandemic levels can protect Himalayan glaciers and prevent melting by the end of the century. Clean energy and lower-emission modes of transport would bring significant benefits for sustainable water supplies and ecosystems in Asia.

Sodium channel investigation

A team of scientists at Kanazawa University used high-speed atomic force microscopy to study the structural dynamics of sodium ion channels in cell membranes. They found that voltage sensor domains can dissociate from pore domains when the channel is in a resting state, leading to dimerization between neighboring channels. These findin...

Discovery: Plants use “trojan horse” to fight mold invasions

Plant scientists have discovered a sophisticated RNA defense system that plants use to attack gray mold cells, sending mRNA molecules that disrupt fungal cellular processes. This innovative approach could lead to the development of eco-friendly fungicides with minimal environmental impact and no harm to humans or animals.

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.

Blue PHOLEDs: Final color of efficient OLEDs finally viable in lighting

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed blue phosphorescent OLEDs (PHOLEDs) that can maintain 90% of their blue light intensity for 10-14 times longer than other designs, making them potentially commercially viable. This breakthrough could enable the widespread use of blue PHOLEDs in OLED displays and lighting.

New larks revealed in Africa

Researchers at Uppsala University have identified nine distinct evolutionary lines among African lark species, revealing new species diversity. The study proposes splitting two known species into seven, while also confirming convergent evolution and diverging relationships among closely related species.

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.

eLTER 4th call for funded Transnational Access and Remote Access

The eLTER PLUS project offers access to 43 long-term research sites in 19 European Countries through the Access Scheme. Researchers can visit sites for in-person visits (TA) or have protocols performed by local staff (RA). The call provides financial support and a set of predefined research questions within thematic categories.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

World’s smallest “fanged” frogs found in Indonesia

Researchers found a new species of fanged frog on Sulawesi Island, with males guarding eggs on leaves to keep them moist. The tiny frogs weigh about the same as a dime and have barely visible fangs, challenging previous assumptions about their reproductive behavior.

Do steroid creams affect bone health?

Researchers found a clear dose-response relationship between long-term topical corticosteroid use and elevated risks of osteoporosis and major osteoporotic fractures. Women under 50 had higher risks compared to men and other age groups, emphasizing the importance of careful treatment.

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.

Cosmic lights in the forest

The PRIYA simulation suite provides a new model for simulating large-scale structure in the universe, constraining cosmological parameters and dark matter. The study confirms the σ8 tension between CMB measurements and weak lensing, with implications for understanding the universe's evolution billions of years after the Big Bang.

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.

Using AI, MIT researchers identify a new class of antibiotic candidates

Researchers used deep learning models to identify compounds with strong antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The models were trained on expanded datasets and an algorithm that allows for explainable predictions, enabling the discovery of potent antibiotics with minimal human toxicity.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Meet 'Coscientist,' your AI lab partner

A new AI system, Coscientist, has demonstrated its ability to autonomously learn about Nobel Prize-winning chemical reactions and design successful laboratory procedures. The system achieved this in just a few minutes, outperforming human chemists in some cases.

And now, your community health forecast…

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a community health report that analyzes the human virome in wastewater, providing valuable insights into emerging diseases. By detecting changes in viral trends in wastewater, scientists can identify outbreaks and transmission patterns, ultimately improving population health.

Common insect species are suffering the biggest losses

A recent study found that decreases in the number of formerly abundant insect species have contributed significantly to local insect declines. The study's findings challenge the idea that changes in insect biodiversity result from rarer species disappearing.

Taking out the cellular trash

Researchers have discovered the structural proof of DNA and RNA breakdown by PLD3, an enzyme linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study provides a map of the protein, which could lead to better understanding of its role in certain diseases.

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.

Brain lesions in former football players linked to vascular, brain changes

A study published in Neurology found that white matter hyperintensities in former football players are associated with greater vascular risk factors, brain shrinkage, and other markers of dementia. The study suggests that brain scans may be a promising tool to study the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts.

Advanced viral diagnostics tool closer to widespread use

VirCapSeq-VERT, a next-generation sequencing-based screening and surveillance system, can detect any virus that can potentially infect humans with greater sensitivity and speed than other NGS platforms. The technology achieved clinical sensitivity of 99 percent and 100 percent clinical specificity in a validation study.

Study unveils a role of mitochondria in dietary fat processing

A recent study published in Nature reveals that mitochondrial dysfunction disrupts dietary lipid processing in enterocytes, leading to abnormal fat accumulation and impaired nutrient delivery. The findings provide new insights into the gastrointestinal symptoms of mitochondrial disease and may lead to novel therapeutic approaches.

AI alters middle managers work

A study by University of Eastern Finland finds that integrating AI systems into service teams increases demands on middle management, requiring balancing acts and new skills. The study also highlights the need for human managers to focus on innovations and development while AI handles routine tasks.

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.

UTA research tagged as “hot article” in Green Chemistry journal

Researchers at UTA discovered that using carbonated water in chromatography reduces the technique's Analytical Method Greenness Score (AMGS) making it safer for the environment. The study also showed that carbonated liquids are just as fast and efficient as other liquids used in chromatography.

Cells of the future: A key to reprogramming cell identities

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered a new relationship between DNA replication timing and cellular plasticity, allowing for the potential reprogramming of cells. The study found that the three-dimensional structure of the genome influences the flexibility of the replication timing program.

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.