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Science News for February 24, 2023


The price of cancer

The study estimates the global economic cost of cancers to fall around $25.2 trillion in international dollars by 2050, accounting for 0.55% of global GDP. Lung cancer is identified as the type with the highest economic burden, followed by colon and rectum cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, and leukemia.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateFeb 24, 2023

Palliative care doesn’t improve psychological distress

A Rutgers study found no statistically significant improvements in patient or caregiver anxiety, depression, or psychological distress in palliative care interventions. The researchers identified conceptual and methodological problems in the literature, including excluding patients with existing mental health conditions from studies.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Pain and Symptom Management·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

Mitigating heat impacts for cooler cities

Dr. Yuliya Dzyuban's research focuses on mitigating heat impacts in cities using smart urban design, thermal perceptions, and decision support systems. Her work aims to create a digital twin called DUCT that combines human perceptions, health, and microclimate data to design more comfortable cities.

SourceSingapore Management University·DateFeb 24, 2023

A simpler way to track the spread of infectious diseases

Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia developed a computational method to simplify the analysis of social contacts, revealing that communities are organized around a small backbone. This approach preserves community structure and is more effective than existing methods in understanding how diseases spread.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

A new epigenetic brain defense against recurrence of opioid use

Researchers discovered HDAC5 plays a critical role in limiting heroin-associated memories and drug-seeking behavior. By regulating gene expression, HDAC5 opposes powerful drug cues that trigger relapse.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

Reaching like an octopus: A biology-inspired model opens the door to soft robot control

A multidisciplinary team developed a physiologically accurate model of octopus arm muscles, providing insight into biological and design challenges. The model enables energy-shaping control, simplifying arm control design and enabling life-like motion in soft robots.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·DateFeb 24, 2023

Could a naturally occurring amino acid lead us to a cure for COVID-19?

Researchers have found that the naturally occurring amino acid ALA can reduce the expression of ACE2 on cell membranes, potentially lowering SARS-CoV-2's infectious capabilities. The study also reveals an underlying mechanism involving the production of heme, which is boosted by co-administering ALA with an iron source.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The far-reaching consequences of child abuse

A new study published by researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin found a significant link between early childhood trauma experienced by mothers and various health problems in their children. The research analyzed data from over 4,300 American mothers and their children, revealing that children of mothers with adverse experi...

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateFeb 24, 2023

Frequent marijuana use linked to heart disease

Researchers have found a significant link between frequent marijuana use and an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), with daily cannabis users being about one-third more likely to develop the condition. The study used data from 175,000 people and suggested that cannabis use disorder is associated with a higher risk of CAD.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

Current air pollution standards tied to higher heart risks

A Kaiser Permanente study of 3.7 million adults found long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease, especially in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status. The research lends support for strengthening air quality standards to protect public health.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 24, 2023

New method creates material that could create the next generation of solar cells

A Penn State-led team developed a new process to fabricate large perovskite devices, which are more cost- and time-effective than previously possible. The technique, called electrical and mechanical field-assisted sintering (EM-FAST), allows for the creation of high-quality materials with controlled properties.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

Building an ideal knowledge management system

The K-EMERGE project aims to capture data from textbooks and human experts, combining them using deep-learning AI-based Natural Language Processing (NLP) and cognitive architecture modeling. The system learns continuously to evaluate and enhance the integrity of the data.

SourceSingapore Management University·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

Psychedelics may help people reinvent themselves

Researchers found that psychedelics combined with talk therapy can help people see themselves as nonsmokers, leading to a higher success rate in quitting smoking. The study suggests that psychedelics can reshape self-perceptions to help break free from old habits and addictions.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalKennedy Institute of Ethics Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

CHOP researchers identify molecules that optimize immune presentation of antigens across the human population

CHOP researchers have identified variants of a chaperone molecule that can enhance the loading of peptides across different HLA types, which could be used in cell therapy and immunization applications. The study found that chicken-derived TAPBPR proteins can react with multiple HLA allotypes and stabilize the empty MHC-I groove, boosti...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

New discovery sheds light on very early supermassive black holes

Astronomers have discovered a rapidly growing supermassive black hole in the very early Universe, which provides new clues on its formation. The galaxy, named COS-87259, contains over a billion solar masses worth of interstellar dust and is forming stars at a rate 1000 times that of our Milky Way.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 24, 2023

Mathematical modeling links odor-responsive behavior, neural activity, and genes

A study by Nagoya City University researchers found that odor exposure inhibits fast neural responses in C. elegans, leading to a more efficient movement away from the odor. The team used mathematical modeling to describe this process, revealing a simple equation that links behavior, neural activity, and genes.

SourceNagoya City University·JournalNeuroscience Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 24, 2023

Risk of cancer remains high for women over 50 with genetic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

A new study found that women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have a cumulative risk of 49% developing any type of cancer after age 50. Risk-reducing surgeries like mastectomies and BSOs can lower this risk, but many women opt out despite elevated risk. Genetic testing is crucial for accurate risk assessment and personalized care.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCancer·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 24, 2023

Breakthrough in tin-vacancy centers for quantum network applications

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have successfully created Sn-V centers with identical photon frequency and linewidth, marking a new phase in their use as quantum nodes. The breakthrough enables the formation of stable Sn-V centers suitable for creating remote entangled quantum states.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Applied·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

Developing countries pay the highest price for living with large carnivores

A new study found that human-wildlife conflict disproportionately affects developing countries, causing financial losses for farmers and threatening food security. The research highlights the urgent need for mechanisms to support rural communities living alongside large carnivores.

SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2023

New artificial model validates antibodies ability to reach the brain

A research group at Uppsala University has developed an artificial blood-brain barrier model that can validate the effectiveness of antibodies in reaching the brain. The model allows for the testing of antibodies without the need for animal experimentation, providing a more efficient and cost-effective alternative.

SourceUppsala University·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

First-of-its-kind study examines the impact of cannabis use on surgical patients' post-procedure healthcare needs

A recent study published in eClinical Medicine analyzed data from over 210,000 adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery in Boston between 2008 and 2020. The researchers found that cannabis users had a higher complexity of co-existing conditions, including mood disorders and substance use disorders, compared to non-users. Patients ...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 24, 2023
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Head injuries could be a risk factor for developing brain cancer

Researchers from UCL Cancer Institute found that head injuries may contribute to the development of gliomas, a type of aggressive brain tumour. Studies in mice and human populations suggest that genetic mutations acting with inflammation can change cell behavior, increasing cancer risk.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

Workers moving products in the U.S. food supply chain at high risk of injury

A new Penn State-led study reveals that workers in the US food supply chain are at a high risk of serious injury due to unique hazards such as product movement. The researchers found that fractures of the lower extremities were most prevalent, with transportation-related accidents being the most frequent type.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Safety Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

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.

PanGu drug model: Learn a molecule like a human

The Pangu drug model uses a novel graph-to-sequence structure to learn the relationship between chemical structures and formula strings. After pre-training on 1.7 billion druglike molecules, it achieved state-of-the-art results in 20 drug discovery tasks, including molecular property prediction and optimization.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateFeb 24, 2023

KIST offers a novel paradigm for social robots

KIST developed a robotic library system that integrates data from various products to provide context-customized assistance, addressing limitations of humanoid robots. The system offers user-friendly services through collaboration between different robotic components.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

Discovery suggests new way to prevent common causes of vision loss

UVA scientists have discovered a new contributor to abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, which could lead to new treatments for macular degeneration and other vision loss conditions. The discovery identifies a key protein that determines VEGF levels, blocking it has reduced VEGF levels significantly without unwanted side effects.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·DateFeb 24, 2023

New study reveals biodiversity loss drove ecological collapse after the “Great Dying”

A recent study analyzed marine ecosystems before, during, and after the Permian-Triassic extinction event, revealing that biodiversity loss led to ecological destabilization. The researchers found that functional redundancy, or the presence of multiple species performing similar functions, was critical in maintaining ecosystem stability.

SourceCalifornia Academy of Sciences·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 24, 2023

Clues about the northeast’s past and future climate from plant fossils

Researchers reconstruct ancient climates using plant fossils from the eastern seaboard, revealing a homogenous climate with warmer temperatures and increased rainfall seasonality. The findings suggest that future warming may be more similar to the early Miocene climate than expected.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalGlobal and Planetary Change·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

Research brief: Verapamil shows beneficial effect on the pancreas in children with newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes

A University of Minnesota-led study shows that verapamil can increase pancreatic insulin secretion by 30% in children with newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes. The treatment was well-tolerated and had a favorable safety profile, making it an appealing option for children and adults with the condition.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 24, 2023

Are dual-class shares good, bad, or a necessary evil?

A study found that dual-class shares can be beneficial for long-term performance if they come with a sunset clause, allowing founders to maintain control without exploiting shareholders. However, the existence of perpetual dual-class shares may lead to negative consequences, such as lower stock prices.

SourceSingapore Management University·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

Realizing synergy for bots and engineers

TrustedSEERs project, led by Professor David Lo, uses software analytics to create trusted automation bots as digital assistants informed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The goal is to improve the quality of software systems and applications by addressing challenges faced by software developers.

SourceSingapore Management University·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

Using the power of artificial intelligence, new open-source tool simplifies animal behavior analysis

A team from the University of Michigan has developed LabGym, an open-source software that uses artificial intelligence to identify, categorize and count defined behaviors across various animal model systems. By teaching the software what it should count, researchers can analyze animal behaviors more efficiently and accurately.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalCell Reports Methods·DateFeb 24, 2023

Health, not age, driving a rise in pregnancy complications

A recent study found that adverse pregnancy outcomes are largely driven by pre-pregnancy health issues such as diabetes and hypertension. The rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy rose by over 50% during the decade, while the shift in age distribution accounted for less than 2% of that change.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateFeb 24, 2023

More than half of COVID patients suffer long COVID symptoms

A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that more than half of COVID patients suffer from long-term symptoms, including fatigue, taste and smell abnormalities, and sleep disturbances. The research also revealed that young people, vaccinated individuals, and those previously infected can still experience these residual aftereffects.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2023
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.

Excess weight, obesity more deadly than previously believed

New research reveals that excess weight or obesity is more deadly than previously thought, with about 1 in 6 US deaths related to it. The study challenges the 'obesity paradox' and highlights the pitfalls of using body mass index (BMI) as a health metric.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPopulation Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 24, 2023

Cleft lip and palate surgery procedures are undervalued, study suggests

A new analysis of 50,450 pediatric cleft or craniofacial surgery cases found that cleft procedures were rated as having an average efficiency roughly half that of the most-efficient procedures. The study concludes that the current RVU allocation system undervalues cleft surgical services relative to craniofacial procedures.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateFeb 24, 2023