Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive December 2023


Page 8 of 29

Predicting prenatal care to improve pregnancy outcomes

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital developed a predictive model for accessing prenatal care services in rural Amhara, Ethiopia. The model incorporated data on education, income source, diet, and history of previous pregnancies, identifying factors that predict failure to attend prenatal care visits.

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.

Scientists tackle difficult-to-recycle thermoset polymers

Researchers at the University of Bath and University of Surrey have developed a method to introduce degradable bonds into thermoset polymers, making them more easily recyclable. The study found that gels with breakable bonds retained their properties better when reformed after degradation.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

AI in medical research: promise and challenges

Researchers are leveraging AI/ML to improve health outcomes, but human judgment is still crucial for model selection and data quality. Explainable AI can enhance transparency and acceptance in clinical practice.

Who wrote it? The AI ghostwriter effect

A new study investigates how people perceive and claim authorship of artificially generated texts, revealing that perceived ownership does not always align with declared authorship. Researchers found that participants who wrote the text themselves felt a stronger sense of ownership, while those who relied on AI ghostwriters did not.

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.

Endometrial cancer: New insights into a deadly disparity

New research reveals that Black women are more likely to develop endometrial cancers called serous carcinoma and carcinosarcoma, which are more aggressive than those found in white women. The study also showed that Black patients have a higher risk of having copy number-high or TP53 abnormal tumors, which have worse outcomes.

Scientists reveal superconductor with on-off switches

Researchers have found a superconducting material that can be controlled to switch its properties on and off, potentially leading to more efficient large-scale computing. The discovery could enable the creation of energy-efficient switchable superconducting circuits, revolutionizing industry electronics.

Nurse aide turnover linked to scheduling decisions

Research at Washington State University found that nurse aides with more consistent schedules and co-workers had lower turnover rates. The study estimated a 1.9% reduction in turnover for each additional hour worked.

Giant bacterium uses unique processes to power itself

The giant bacterium Epulopiscium viviparus has modified its metabolism to make the most of its environment, using a rare method to produce energy and harvest nutrients from its host's gut. This unique approach allows it to thrive in extreme conditions, with similarities to how mitochondria function in more complex organisms.

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.

Exoplanets’climate – it takes nothing to switch from habitable to hell

Scientists simulated the runaway greenhouse effect, transforming habitable climates into hostile environments, with significant changes in atmospheric structure and cloud coverage. The study provides key insights for the search of life elsewhere, as it demonstrates a critical water vapor threshold beyond which a planet cannot cool down.

Feelings of impatience evolve over time, study says

A new study explores the intensity of impatient emotion during different phases of a waiting period. The research found that people experience the highest levels of impatience as the end of the wait approaches, driven by their desire for closure.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Unraveling predisposition in bilateral Wilms tumor

Researchers found that pre-zygotic germline variants and post-zygotic hypermethylation at 11p15.5 predispose patients to bilateral Wilms tumor. This study provides new insights into the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying the disease, with potential implications for treatment decisions and clinical trials.

Barbie should expand her range of medical and scientific professions

A study published in The BMJ analyzed Barbie's medical and scientist dolls and found they largely depicted white, adult, female doctors with limited specialties. The research highlights the need for more diverse and accurate representations of medical professionals and scientists in toys to inspire young girls.

New method could help estimate wildlife disease spread

A new method can help estimate the prevalence of disease in free-ranging wildlife by accounting for animal clustering. This approach may reduce the number of samples needed to detect a disease. The researchers focused on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer, which tends to cluster in family groups, making this method particularly useful.

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.

Apes remember friends they haven’t seen for decades

Researchers found apes recognize photos of friends they haven't seen in over 25 years and respond more enthusiastically. The study demonstrates the longest-lasting social memory outside humans, suggesting a common ancestor link and potential for great ape culture evolution.

Secret vulnerabilities of cancer’s ‘death star’ revealed

A team of researchers has identified the allosteric control sites found in the protein KRAS, providing a comprehensive map for controlling its effects. The study offers promising targets for safer and more effective drugs, with potential implications for cancer treatment.

Few patients receive opioid agonist therapy after opioid overdose, despite benefits

Only 4.1% of hospital encounters for opioid overdoses led to opioid agonist therapy (OAT) initiation within a week of discharge from hospital, highlighting missed opportunities to prevent future mortality and morbidity related to opioid use disorder. Studies show that prompt OAT initiation in the emergency department is crucial to redu...

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.

Ancient Balkan genomes reveal how Slavic Europe was formed

The study of 146 ancient Balkans reveals a diverse, cosmopolitan Roman Empire with African and Eastern European immigrants. The team identified three individuals of African origin and a large demographic influx from the Anatolian Peninsula during Roman rule.

Public opinion polls may not be as straightforward as you think

A new study on the role of polls in South Korea highlights the limitations of polling in a democratic society. The research finds that technology, methodology, intentions, and reporting can affect poll results, leading to a social construction of public opinion influenced by pollsters and media.

Artificial intelligence can predict events in people's lives

A recent study using AI to analyze registry data on people's residence, education, income, health, and working conditions can predict life events such as personality and time of death. The model outperforms other advanced neural networks and provides precise answers despite ethical concerns about sensitive data and bias.

Wildfires increasing across eastern U.S., new study reveals

A new study analyzing data spanning over three decades finds a concerning trend of increasing wildfires in the eastern United States. The research highlights the need for proactive forest management and individual preparedness for people living in the region, particularly in areas with the highest risk from wildfire.

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.

Lexical simplification via single-word generation

A novel lexical simplification (LS) method, PaGeLS, is proposed to simplify sentences by generating substitute words without altering meaning. The method achieves state-of-the-art results, surpassing previous LS methods in candidate ranking and word substitution accuracy.

New possibilities for a healing toxin

PSI researchers develop antibody-like proteins that accelerate Botox's effects on nerve signals, suggesting faster pain relief. The discovery opens new options for therapeutic use of botulinum toxin A1 in treating conditions like cramping muscles and faulty nerve signals.

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.

Doctor Who festive specials linked to lower death rates

A new Doctor Who episode aired during the festive period is associated with lower death rates in the subsequent year across the UK. The study highlights the positive effect doctors can have when working during the holiday season, suggesting that watching a doctor care for people may encourage health-seeking 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.

Out-of-hospital care digital solutions in Asia Pacific

Out-of-hospital care digital solutions offer flexible, convenient, and personalized healthcare options with higher accessibility. The integration of technologies and the health system is crucial to navigate multi-stakeholder collaboration in out-of-hospital care.

Toothbrushing tied to lower rates of pneumonia among hospitalized patients

A new study found that daily toothbrushing among hospitalized patients is associated with lower rates of hospital-acquired pneumonia and ICU mortality. The study, which analyzed data from over 2,700 patients, also showed that toothbrushing was linked to shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay.

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.

First systematic analysis of NIH finds funding gaps for TB risk factors

A systematic analysis by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine finds that funding for key TB risk factors, such as undernutrition and alcohol use, is significantly lacking. The study highlights the need for increased NIH funding to address these comorbidities and realize global TB elimination goals.

Ecosystem benefits to humanity expected to decline by 9% by 2100

A study published in Nature predicts that climate change will lead to a 9% loss of ecosystem services by 2100, with the poorest 50% of countries expected to bear 90% of the damages. The study's findings highlight the importance of accounting for natural systems and human well-being within economic frameworks.

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.

AI generates proteins with exceptional binding strengths

Scientists at the University of Washington School of Medicine developed a novel protein design approach using AI, creating proteins that bind to challenging biomarkers with exceptionally high affinity and specificity. The breakthrough has implications for drug development, disease diagnosis, and environmental monitoring.

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.

"U.S. physical inactivity pandemic is a crisis within a crisis," experts say

A new study in The American Journal of Medicine highlights the correlation between social vulnerability and physical inactivity in the US, revealing geographic variance and disparities. Researchers stress the need for tailored health promotion campaigns and individual counseling approaches to address these disparities.