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Science News Archive December 2023


Page 7 of 29

Pushing compressed sensing to real-time edge applications

A team at Peking University developed an analog in-memory computing module for one-step matrix-matrix-vector multiplication, solving compressed sensing recovery in real-time. The circuit outperforms digital approaches and has been demonstrated to recover various types of signals and images.

A malaria drug treatment could save babies’ lives

A malaria drug combination could counteract the negative effects of malnutrition on the female digestive tract, leading to improved birth outcomes. The research used a human organ chip model to demonstrate the potential benefits of this treatment.

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.

Filming the microscopic flow of hydrogen atoms in a metal

A team of researchers at Tohoku University has developed a novel visualization method to study the behavior of hydrogen atoms in alloys. They successfully filmed the flow of hydrogen atoms in pure nickel, revealing that they preferentially diffuse through grain boundaries with large geometric spaces.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A bacterial toolkit for colonizing plants

Scientists have identified a core set of genes required by commensal bacteria to colonize plant hosts, enabling more efficient colonization and potential benefits for plant health. The discovery may lead to the development of beneficial bacteria for sustainable agriculture and medical applications.

Elucidating the mechanism of autophagosomes shaping with a flexible web

A research group reconstituted autophagosome formation in vitro, showing that Atg8 protein and enzymes play a central role in shaping the membrane structure. High-speed atomic force microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed flexible complexes on membranes, which work together to form autophagosomes.

Genetics of host plants determine what microorganisms they attract

Researchers found that plant genetic variation affects the core microbiome, a collection of microbes playing a crucial role in organizing associated microbes and helping host growth. The study highlights the importance of recruiting nitrogen-fixing bacteria for more sustainable bioenergy crops.

The science behind snowflakes

A team of researchers found that predicting snowflake movement is surprisingly simple, with patterns emerging based on a parameter called the Stokes number. This discovery has implications for weather forecasting and climate change, as it can affect precipitation patterns and cloud lifetimes.

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.

Would you like to groom me?

Researchers found that one group of vervet monkeys exhibited more affiliative behavior and reciprocated grooming, suggesting a social tradition. This discovery challenges the idea that ecological differences explain behavioral variations and highlights the importance of social influence in shaping primate cultures.

Fish display distinct individual behaviours when swimming to find food

Research reveals that fish from the same species can evolve unique sense of smell and display individual foraging 'personalities' to successfully find food. The study highlights the importance of behavioral studies in understanding how sensory systems evolve and resulting fish behavior.

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.

Groundbreaking hip-focused physical therapy reduces low back pain

A groundbreaking clinical trial found that hip-focused physical therapy outperforms spine-focused therapy in reducing disability from low back pain in adults aged 60-85. The study's results suggest a tailored approach can lead to faster improvements in low back pain disability, walking speed, and chair-rise performance.

War and fire on the eastern Silk Road

Researchers found that intense fires in the region were more likely caused by human activities like war than climate change. The study used sediment cores to analyze black carbon and soot deposits from Tianchi Lake, dating back 6,000 years.

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.

Novel antibiotic substance from the human nose

Researchers at the University of Tübingen discovered a novel antibiotic substance called epifadin produced by specific strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Epifadin has an antimicrobial effect against various pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, and could be used as a lead structure for developing new antibiotics.

Novel approach emerging for rescuing limbs at risk

Scientists have identified a population of progenitor cells that strongly promote new blood vessel growth in ischemic limbs, showing promise as a treatment for preventing amputations. The discovery was made through single-cell transcriptomics and confirmed in mice with limb ischemia, where the treatment rescued limbs from amputation.

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.

Linking genes and brain circuitry in anxiety disorders

Scientists at Kyoto University have discovered two gene clusters associated with anxiety disorders that have distinct spatial and temporal expression patterns and functional profiles within the human brain. These findings provide new insights into the underlying causes of ADs and may lead to novel therapeutic strategies.

Ancient Sahul's submerged landscapes reveal a mosaic of human habitation

Research on the ancient landscapes of Sahul reveals an extensive archipelago that existed during Marine Isotope Stage 4, potentially supporting populations ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 people. Sea level rise events led to the inundation of approximately 50% of the Northwest Shelf, triggering changes in human life spans and cultural d...

Breakthrough in the development of a drug for sleeping sickness

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed a novel approach to combat sleeping sickness by damaging the trypanosome parasite's ribosome, which is essential for protein production. The findings suggest that deleting just one pseudouridine from the ribosome impairs its ability to produce proteins and inhibit growth.

A new inactive form of p38a protein discovered

A team of researchers has discovered a new inactive form of the p38a protein, which is regulated by the cellular redox state. This finding opens up new avenues for developing therapeutic compounds that modulate the activity of p38a more precisely.

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.

Night sweats reveal the severity of sleep apnea

Researchers have discovered that analyzing changes in sweat metabolism can help diagnose the severity of sleep apnea. The study, published in the Journal of Sleep Research, found that sweat samples can provide valuable insights into energy production and oxidative stress associated with the disease.

Moderation surpasses excess

The study identifies FAM53C as a cytosolic-anchoring inhibitory binding protein of the kinase DYRK1A, regulating its activity and cellular location. This finding may provide potential clinical insights into treating Down syndrome and related diseases.

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 new weapon against the super tough C diff bacteria

A phase-one human clinical trial shows that Omadacycline causes a distinctly different effect on the gut microbiome than Vancomycin, making it a safe drug option for patients at high risk for C diff infection. The antibiotic achieves high concentrations in the gut quickly, reducing the risk of long-term colonization.

A blueprint for equitable, ethical AI research

The scientific community must create a flexible governance framework to ensure equity, prevent unintended consequences, and maximize positive impact. To achieve this, the authors suggest advancing AI infrastructure, democratizing access to research and outcomes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Gentle x-ray imaging of small living specimens

Researchers at KIT have developed a method that uses radiation more efficiently to produce images of micrometer resolution, allowing for longer observation times of small living organisms. The method combines X-ray phase contrast with a Bragg magnifier and photon-counting detector.

Clinicians could be fooled by biased AI, despite explanations

A study found that clinicians can be fooled by biased AI models even with provided explanations, leading to serious declines in accuracy. While accurate AI models improved diagnostic decisions for some demographics, biased models worsened decisions for others.

Uncovering the 150-year history of Japanese beer barley breeding

Researchers analyzed gene expression and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in two modern Japanese malting barley cultivars to uncover the 150-year history of Japanese beer barley breeding. They found unique features related to malting quality and BaYMV resistance, highlighting the importance of preserving genetic diversity.

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.

Immune system plays crucial step in creating blood stem cells

A microbial sensor, Nod1, plays a crucial role in the development of blood stem cells. The discovery could lead to the creation of patient-derived blood stem cells, eliminating the need for bone marrow transplants and improving lives of leukemia, lymphoma, and anemia patients. Researchers are continuing to study the complex interaction...

Machine learning boosts search for new materials

Deep learning models have been developed to analyze X-ray diffraction data, improving the search for new materials. The models can sift through large amounts of data generated by X-ray diffraction techniques, providing valuable insights into material structure and properties.

Mollusks from polar expeditions reveal new details about the ocean

Researchers have analyzed mollusk shells from polar expeditions to gain insights into the ocean's natural chemistry before significant nuclear testing in the 1960s. The findings suggest that the tests disrupted the balance of carbon-14 in the atmosphere, making it challenging to date fossil samples using traditional methods.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Finding that statins could slow dementia stimulates further research

A new study found that people with Alzheimer's dementia who were treated with lipid-lowering statins showed slower cognitive decline compared to those not treated. The researchers emphasize caution due to the observational nature of the study and initial concerns about statins' effects on patients with dementia.

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.

Parkinson's disease: When the cellular waste collector doesn’t show up

Researchers have discovered a protein called NEMO that prevents the formation of toxic protein aggregates in Parkinson's disease. By labeling proteins for degradation and interacting with autophagy machinery, NEMO promotes the breakdown of harmful aggregates, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies.

Protein allows poison dart frogs to accumulate toxins safely

Scientists have discovered the protein that enables poison dart frogs to accumulate and store potent toxins in their skin for self-defence against predators. The findings may suggest potential therapeutic strategies for treating humans poisoned with similar molecules.