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Science News Archive February 2023


Page 20 of 36

New AI tool guides users away from incendiary language

Researchers at Cornell University developed an AI tool to track online debates and detect when tensions are escalating. ConvoWizard provides real-time feedback to users on potentially incendiary language, encouraging constructive debate.

On-demand male contraceptive shows promise in preclinical study

A new experimental contraceptive drug has been developed by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators, demonstrating the possibility of an on-demand male contraceptive. The study found that a single dose of the sAC inhibitor TDI-11861 temporarily stops sperm movement and prevents pregnancies in preclinical models.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Do forest trees really “talk” through underground fungi?

Researchers found no strong evidence that underground fungal networks, known as common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs), offer benefits to trees and their seedlings. While CMNs exist, there is limited understanding of their structure and function in the field, leading to questionable claims about resource transfer and seedling survival.

Nature close to home associated with well-being during COVID

A new study from Cornell University found that enjoying nature close to home is associated with improved mental well-being during the COVID pandemic. The research suggests that even short periods of time spent in nature can have beneficial effects on emotional and mental health.

Black girls benefit most when STEM teachers train up

A study by Rice University found that students in classes taught by STEM teachers who received professional development training were more likely to pursue STEM majors in college. Black female students showed the greatest increase, with nearly double the percentage of non-AMP! teachers.

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.

Nightly sleep is key to student success

A recent study at Carnegie Mellon University discovered that students who receive less than six hours of sleep per night experience a pronounced decline in academic performance. The study, which tracked over 600 first-year college students, found that each hour of lost sleep corresponded to a 0.07 decrease in end-of-term GPA.

Time of day may determine the amount of fat burned by exercise

A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that exercising in the early active phase increased gene expression involved in fat breakdown and thermogenesis, leading to a higher metabolic rate. This effect was independent of food intake and may prove beneficial for people who are overweight.

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.

Study suggests fructose could drive Alzheimer’s disease

A study suggests that fructose metabolism in the brain may be driving the development of Alzheimer's disease, an evolutionary survival pathway gone awry. Researchers found that fructose reduces blood flow to areas involved in self-control and memory, leading to progressive brain atrophy and neuron loss.

The era of globalization isn’t over, new study argues

A recent study by University of Waterloo researchers argues that globalization is far from over, contradicting widespread fears of a US-China rivalry. The authors suggest that the economic and technological costs of such a rivalry would be too high, hurting consumers worldwide.

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.

Method found for analysing complex, tiny crystals

Researchers at Universität Leipzig have developed a new method to analyze complex, tiny crystals like phosphorus oxide nitride. The technique successfully uncovers the structure of previously difficult-to-analyze compounds, offering potential for novel phosphors in future studies.

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.

Atom-thin walls could smash size, memory barriers in next-gen devices

Researchers have discovered a way to construct and control oxygen-deprived walls in nanoscopically thin materials, which can store data in multiple electronic dialects. These walls can retain their data states even when devices turn off, paving the way for next-gen electronics with enhanced memory capabilities.

Is spontaneous sex better? New research casts doubt on commonly held belief

A recent study by York University researchers found no correlation between planned and spontaneous sex, suggesting that people's beliefs about the ideal of spontaneous sex do not translate to actual satisfaction with their last sexual encounter. Intentionality behind planning sex can be transformative in keeping the spark alive.

Urban birds prefer native trees

A long-term study from Lund University in Sweden found that native trees are preferred by urban birds due to their availability of resources. Non-native trees lack an evolutionary history with the local ecosystem and have fewer insects, leading to a shortage of food for insectivorous birds.

Scientific AI’s ‘black box’ is no match for 200-year-old method

A new study uses Fourier analysis to understand how deep neural networks learn complex physics. By analyzing the equation of a fully trained model, researchers were able to identify crucial information about how the network learns and generalizes. This breakthrough could accelerate the use of scientific deep learning in climate science.

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.

The relationship between ghosting and closure

A recent study found nearly two-thirds of participants have ghosted someone, and individuals with a high need for closure reported even lower needs satisfaction after being ghosted. On the other hand, those who wanted closure felt more positive when recalled times they were acknowledged by their partner.

Reign of invasive rusty crayfish may be ending; Wisconsin lakes rejoice

A new study suggests that the invasive rusty crayfish may be dying off naturally, allowing native water plants and snails to flourish. In some Northern Wisconsin lakes, crayfish populations have declined by nearly zero, leading to a resurgence of plant life and potential ecosystem recovery.

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.

Study Identifies Changes in the Brain Responsible for Motor Skill Learning

Researchers studied brain activity in rats as they learned a fine motor task, discovering synchronous low-frequency oscillatory activity that coordinated neural spiking in the motor cortex and cerebellum. This activity may serve as a biomarker for skill learning and a target for electric stimulation to promote motor recovery after stroke.

Who are the first ancestors of present-day fish?

Scientists sequenced genomes of 'eel' species to reconstruct relationships between teleost fishes, ending decades-long controversy over their evolutionary history. The analysis revealed a single group, Eloposteoglossocephala, that encompasses both eels and bony-tongues.

Drug alleviates autism-associated behavior in mice

A new drug has shown promising results in reversing autism-associated behaviors in mice by blocking sodium channels. The study, conducted at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), found that a specific drug was able to alleviate functional and behavioral abnormalities in mice with MYT1L-deficient nerve cells.

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.

New model identifies women at high risk for endometrial cancer

A new study developed a predictive model to identify high-risk women for endometrial cancer, suggesting that epidemiologic factors can be used to determine risk. The model was trained on pooled data from an international consortium and validated in three large U.S.-based cohorts.

Healthy kidneys might be key to surviving malaria

A study by Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência reveals that when acute kidney injury and anemia occur simultaneously, they substantially increase a patient's risk of death. The research shows healthy kidneys can alter their genetic program to absorb and store iron, re-establishing the development of red blood cells.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Surfing the research data wave

The EnzymeML format provides a standardized way to record enzymatic experiment results, including conditions, data, kinetic models, and parameters. This enables seamless communication between experimental platforms and promotes reproducibility and trust in scientific results.

Study reveals how CBD counters epileptic seizures

A study reveals how CBD reduces seizures in pediatric epilepsy by blocking signals carried by lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI), a molecule that can amplify nerve signals and promote seizures. The research provides new insights into the mechanisms behind seizures and suggests potential targets for future drugs.

Health: Free sugars associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease

A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that higher consumption of free sugars is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers analyzed data from 110,497 individuals and found that consuming more free sugar, particularly from sugary drinks and sweets, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. In...

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.

Efficient technique improves machine-learning models’ reliability

Researchers at MIT developed a technique to improve machine-learning models' reliability without requiring additional data or extensive computing resources. The method uses a simpler companion model to estimate uncertainty, enabling more effective uncertainty quantification.

How teamwork makes superbugs more deadly and drug-resistant

Researchers have characterised the mutually beneficial relationship between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, two pathogens responsible for severe infections. This relationship enables Klebsiella to survive in higher antibiotic concentrations, making it more deadly and resistant to treatment.

Study reveals biodiversity engine for fishes: shifting water depth

A new Yale study reveals that fish species diversify most rapidly in colder climates at higher latitudes where they can transition between shallow and deep waters. However, climate change is expected to impede this process, posing a threat to the high biodiversity found in tropical waters.

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.

Urban gardens are good for ecosystems and humans

A new study from researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that community gardens and urban farms support incredibly high levels of plant and animal biodiversity. These gardens also provide numerous ecosystem services, including pollination, carbon sequestration, and food production, while increasing human well-being.

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.

Researchers solve a 150-year-old mystery

A team from the University of Bonn has solved a 150-year-old mystery surrounding Aetosaurs' age. Bone examination reveals that two specimens were juvenile, not small adults as previously thought. The discovery attributes this to social behavior among juvenile Aetosaur species.

UVA Health, local healthcare groups partner to expand care

A new program, backed by a $1.5 million grant, provides education and training on stroke care for paramedics and healthcare providers in seven Central Virginia counties. The program aims to reduce disparities in stroke deaths among non-Hispanic Black individuals in these communities.

Seasonal and circadian genetic variation charted across the human body

A study analyzed gene expression data from 46 different human tissues to understand the impact of circadian and circannual cycles on human health. The research revealed that certain genes have strong diurnal or seasonal preferences, which could inform effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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