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Science News Archive February 2023


Page 21 of 36

Bright orange lichens can use their pigments as a ‘sunscreen’

Researchers have discovered that fungi in orange lichens can transport toxic pigments out of their cells, creating a 'sunscreen effect'. This mechanism allows the lichens to reflect harmful radiation while still allowing some solar radiation to pass through for photosynthesis.

Children use the same brain network as adults for tough problems

A study by Ohio State University found that children as young as 4 years old utilize a brain network, known as the multiple demand network, to tackle difficult cognitive problems. This network enables focus, memory management, and problem-solving skills, similar to those seen in adults.

New study may help to explain smell challenges in individuals with autism

Researchers from New York Institute of Technology have made significant findings on how the sense of smell is impacted in individuals with autism. The study analyzed a mouse model of autism and found that scent processing was impaired at a later step, after signals were processed at the olfactory bulb input.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Neurosteroid deficits leads to depressed behavior

A study in mice found that chronic stress impairs allopregnanolone production, a key neurosteroid involved in regulating emotions. This finding suggests that synthetic neurosteroid analogs might exert a beneficial effect in individuals with depression.

Does risk for heart disease start before birth?

Research highlights the intergenerational impact of prepregnancy heart health on offspring, with low pre-pregnancy cardiovascular health linked to pregnancy complications and higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Improving women's heart health before pregnancy could reduce these risks and have a positive impact on future generations.

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.

Creating 3D objects with sound

Researchers at Max Planck Institute and Heidelberg University have developed a technology to assemble matter in 3D using sound waves. They successfully printed microparticles, gel beads, and biological cells into three-dimensional shapes, paving the way for novel 3D cell culture techniques.

For leaders, playing favorites can be a smart strategy

In well-structured teams, favoritism by leaders leads to decreased performance, while in less clearly structured teams, it improves coordination and overall performance. This research offers guidance for managers on how to optimize team dynamics and send clear signals about roles within the team.

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.

Ingestible sensor could help doctors pinpoint GI difficulties

Engineers at MIT and Caltech have developed an ingestible sensor that can track its location as it moves through the digestive tract, revealing where slowdowns in digestion may occur. The sensor uses a magnetic field produced by an electromagnetic coil outside the body to calculate its position.

Tracking the happiness hormone

A team of scientists has created an implantable microsensor that can measure serotonin levels in the brain in real-time without deactivation. This breakthrough could improve diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. The sensor uses galvanic redox potentiometry to detect serotonin concentrations over a broad range.

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.

Oldest spinosaur brains revealed

Researchers have reconstructed the brains of two British spinosaurs, uncovering details about their sensory abilities and brain organization. The study suggests that early spinosaurs retained many aspects of common theropod brains, challenging previous assumptions about their semi-aquatic lifestyle.

Conundrum solved over HPV link with head and neck cancer

A major international trial found that patients with 'discordant' HPV test results, where the two types of tests show different results, have significantly worse outcomes than those who tested negative in both tests. The study also found that smoking status is a significant factor, with smokers at higher risk of worse outcomes.

Digital gift cards are easy to use, hard to lose – but givers still avoid them

Research by Julian Givi and colleagues found that givers tend to avoid digital gift cards due to concerns about violating social norms. However, recipients prefer digital gift cards for their ease of use and lower risk of loss. The study suggests that retailers can promote digital gift cards through occasion-based promotions.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Coral reefs in the Eastern Pacific could survive into the 2060s, new study finds

A new study found that some coral reefs in the Eastern Pacific could maintain high coral cover into the 2060s by shuffling symbiotic algae communities. The reefs predominantly built by corals in the genus Pocillopora and hosting heat-tolerant alga Durusdinium glynnii are better equipped to survive and maintain high levels of coral cover.

Smart necklace to help you stop smoking

A smart necklace called SmokeMon tracks a user's every puff and provides valuable insights into their smoking behavior. By analyzing heat signatures, the device can detect when a cigarette is being lit, how much smoke is inhaled, and when the person holds it to their mouth, helping to prevent relapse and improve quit rates.

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.

A more healthful, gluten-free flour made from sweet potatoes

Researchers have developed a new gluten-free flour made from orange sweet potatoes that is rich in antioxidants and has potential uses in fermented products and baked goods. The team found that grinding the flour at different temperatures and methods produced distinct properties, with single-grind flours ideal for breads and double-gri...

Asphalt volcano communities

Researchers document diverse assemblage of fish species living on asphalt volcanoes in the Santa Barbara Channel, characterized by low densities and high diversity rates. The team's findings highlight the unique nature of these habitats and emphasize the need for conservation efforts to protect them.

Microbes that co-operate contribute more carbon emissions

Research from Imperial College London and University of Exeter reveals that cooperative microbial communities release more carbon dioxide than competitive ones, contributing significantly to climate change. This finding has far-reaching implications for understanding the impact of temperature changes on global carbon cycles.

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.

AI supports doctors’ hard decisions on cardiac arrest

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed three AI-based decision support systems for cardiac arrest care, which can help doctors identify key factors affecting patient outcomes. The tools are based on large datasets and provide accuracy rates of up to 95% in predicting patient survival or death.

Blood cancer manipulates immune cells in order to survive

Researchers have found that blood cancer tumours use signals to attract certain types of immune cells and instruct them not to attack. High concentrations of these cell clusters predict treatment failure, but a different microenvironment is associated with treatment success.

What’s your gut telling you?

Researchers have created a tiny pill-like electromagnetic device that can provide medical professionals with diagnostic information about the inner workings of the gastrointestinal tract. The device, when swallowed, delivers data to a smartphone as it passes through the body using electromagnetic technology similar to MRI machines.

Chicken of the sea

A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that 95% of the cumulative environmental footprint of farmed chicken and salmon is concentrated on less than 5% of the planet, with 85.5% spatial overlap between the two products due to shared feed ingredients. This highlights opportunities for promoting sustainability in the food system.

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.

Discovery could lead to new fungicides to protect rice crops

Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that a fungus secretes an enzyme that punches holes in rice leaves, making it vulnerable to chemical blockers. The team is now screening chemicals to find ones that block the enzyme's ability to digest plant cell walls.

Surrey Space Centre lands £400k UK Space Agency award to boost space-related enterprise in Surrey and Hampshire skills and facilities as part of the Space South Central regional program

The University of Surrey's Surrey Space Centre has secured funding to enhance its facilities, train dedicated engineers, and support the development of space-related technology. The initiative aims to address skills gaps in the region's thriving space industry, fostering collaboration between academia and businesses.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How brains synchronize during cooperative tasks

Researchers employed computer vision to extract social behaviors and linked them to brain synchronization patterns in a novel approach. During cooperative play, brain synchronization was strongest when participants shared gaze, while individual play showed increased within-brain synchronization.

How to make hydrogen straight from seawater – no desalination required

Researchers at RMIT University have developed a method to produce hydrogen directly from seawater, skipping the need for desalination and reducing carbon emissions. The new approach uses a special catalyst that can be manufactured cost-effectively and has promise to significantly reduce the cost of electrolysers.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Heart failure places a great strain on healthcare

A multinational study of over 600,000 heart failure patients found that the disease is relatively fatal, with an average annual death rate of 13%, and results in high healthcare costs. The study also identified new treatment opportunities for heart failure with preserved left ventricular function.

Chromo-encryption method encodes secrets with color

Researchers developed a new encryption method that encodes secret messages using brilliant colors created by silver nanostructures reacting to polarized light. The method's unique chiral response makes it more secure than traditional binary codes.

Previously unknown cell mechanism could help counter cancer and aging

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a new mechanism, called H2A-H2B mediated epigenetic memory, that helps cells preserve their information and functionality during division. This discovery could lead to new treatments for cancer and aging by modulating cellular processes.

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.

New funding proposal aims to reduce bottlenecks on Upper Mississippi River

A new funding proposal for a major rehabilitation of the 27 locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi River suggests a public-private partnership to finance the project. The plan, proposed by Iowa State University's Yoshinori Suzuki, could pay off in the long run and reduce delays and bottlenecks for shippers.

DNA damage levels similar in vapers and smokers, study finds

A new study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that vaping and smoking both cause significant DNA damage in oral epithelial cells. The frequency and duration of vaping were associated with increased levels of DNA damage, which is linked to chronic diseases such as cancer and inflammatory conditions.

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.

Why men are at higher risk from COVID-19

Researchers at Osaka University found that male patients with COVID-19 have a faster loss of circulating Treg cells, leading to dysregulated antibody responses. Females, on the other hand, have higher levels of these cells, which may help protect them from infection.

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.