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Science News Archive February 2023


Page 25 of 36

Scientists boost quantum signals while reducing noise

Researchers have developed a new device that can effectively redistribute noise and reduce its impact on quantum measurements. By 'squeezing' the noise, they can make more accurate measurements, enabling faster and more precise quantum systems. The device has the potential to improve multi-qubit systems and metrological applications.

Progress toward fast-charging lithium-metal batteries

Researchers have made progress toward fast-charging lithium-metal batteries by growing uniform lithium crystals on a lithiophobic nanocomposite surface. This approach enables charging in about an hour, competitive with today's lithium-ion batteries and overcoming a significant roadblock to widespread use.

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.

Single-dose antibiotic prevents maternal sepsis and death

A single oral dose of azithromycin can reduce postpartum sepsis and death among women who deliver vaginally by one-third, according to a large clinical trial. The study enrolled over 29,000 women in seven low- and middle-income countries and found that only 1.6% developed sepsis or died within six weeks after delivery.

Calorie restriction slows pace of aging in healthy adults

A randomized controlled trial found that calorie restriction slowed the pace of biological aging in healthy adults by 2-3%, measured using the DunedinPACE algorithm, which translates to a 10-15% reduction in mortality risk. The intervention had no effects on other epigenetic clocks.

New damselfly sharing habitat with UK natives

A new study by the University of Exeter found that a small red-eyed damselfly from Europe has established itself in the UK without harming native species. Most native dragonflies and damselflies were either found more often or unchanged in areas colonized by the newcomer.

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.

Sensing water for smarter agriculture

Researchers at KAUST have developed a rapid and sensitive soil moisture sensor using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to optimize water usage in agriculture. The MOF-based sensor shows high sensitivity and selectivity for water even in the presence of metal ions, enabling precise irrigation management.

EU responsible for extinction domino effect on frog populations

A new study reveals the EU's massive demand for frog legs has led to a global trade chain threatening frog populations, with Southeast Asian and Eastern European species facing extinction. The authors call for greater transparency and monitoring of pesticide residues in traded frogs' legs to ensure sustainability.

HETDEX reveals galaxy gold mine in first large survey

Astronomers have cataloged over 51,863 Lyman-alpha-emitting galaxies, 123,891 star-forming galaxies, and 4,976 active galactic nuclei using HETDEX's spectroscopic data. The survey is a non-targeted, moon-sized survey that collects spectra from 35,000 fiber optic cables, providing a unique dataset for future galaxy mapping.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New ESA journal collection spotlights Black scholarship in ecology

The Ecological Society of America showcases the contributions of Black scholars to 21st-century ecology, exploring historical erasure and public health injustices. The virtual collection features open-access articles addressing disparities in environmental engagement and conservation.

Is a Government program to tackle childhood obesity doing more harm than good?

A UK government program aimed at tackling childhood obesity may be having negative effects on children's mental health and relationships with food. The study found that some families expressed concerns about the potential for weight-related teasing and stigma, which can lead to poorer self-perceptions and unhealthy dieting behaviors.

Killer whale mums pay high price for raising sons

A new study found that killer whale mothers pay a high price for raising their sons, with each living son cutting their annual breeding likelihood in half. This lifelong burden on mothers has significant implications for the future viability of the southern resident killer whale population, which is critically endangered.

Navigating complex biological systems with smart fibers

Researchers at Tohoku University developed flexible polymer-based actuatable fibers with integrated shape-memory alloy wires and biochemical sensing composite materials. The technology enables high-precision operations, closed-loop control, and diagnostic capabilities for soft robotic fields and minimally invasive surgical tools.

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.

Size of X-Ray beams successfully evaluated with mathematics

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a new method to evaluate X-ray microbeam diameter using mathematical analysis, outperforming conventional methods. The uniform evaluation method is expected to be widely adopted as an international standard.

A new ring system discovered in our Solar System

A new ring system has been found around the Pluto-sized dwarf planet Quaoar, which orbits beyond Neptune. The discovery is remarkable because it lies at a distance of over seven planetary radii from its parent body, posing a challenge to existing theories of ring formation.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Mandrills teach their daughters good hygiene practices

In a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, researchers found that mandrill females pass on hygienic practices to their daughters, reducing parasite infection. This social transmission of hygiene has potential consequences for infectious disease dynamics in primate groups.

Controllable ‘defects’ improve performance of lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at North Carolina State University used a new laser technique to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The technique creates tiny defects in graphite material, which can enhance battery performance, increase current capacity by up to 20%, and reduce the risk of fires. However, excessive defects can lead to probl...

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Worldwide prevalence rates and trends of eczema in youth

Eczema affects approximately 6% of children and adolescents worldwide, with a median prevalence rate of 3.5%. Researchers analyzed data from 14 countries involving over 74,000 adolescents and found an average increase in eczema symptoms of 0.98% per decade among adolescents and 1.21% per decade among children.

New strategy proposed for efficient degradation of antibiotics

Researchers developed a pre-assembly strategy to anchor single atoms on carbon nitride nanosheets, increasing catalytic activity by 1-2 orders of magnitude for tetracycline pollutant degradation. The study demonstrates versatility in Fenton-like catalysis and great ability to treat organic pollutants.

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.

Researchers find distortion-free forms of structured light

Researchers from University of the Witwatersrand developed a new approach to studying complex light in complex systems. They found distortion-free forms of structured light that emerge undistorted from noisy channels, unlike other forms of structured light which become unrecognizable. This breakthrough has the potential to pave the wa...

Nickel nanowires enhances microwave absorption, study finds

Researchers synthesized polyvinylpyrrolidone coated nickel nanowires using a solvothermal method assisted by high magnetic fields, resulting in enhanced microwave absorption. The material exhibited a minimum reflection loss of 29.82 dB at 4.08 GHz and an effective absorption bandwidth of over 3.6 GHz.

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.

New way to rearrange store products could boost impulse buying

A Washington State University-led research team created a product allocation model that leverages past customer transactions to provide brick-and-mortar stores with personalized shopping experiences. The model identifies profitable products, item associations, and past-aisle impulse to determine ideal product placement and optimize sto...

Phthalate exposure may increase diabetes risk in women

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that phthalate exposure may contribute to a higher incidence of diabetes in women. The research, which studied 1,308 women over six years, showed that White women exposed to high levels of certain phthalates had a 30-63% higher chance of developing diabetes.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Study in Nature discovers causal mechanism behind rare hereditary diseases

Researchers discovered a causal mechanism behind BPTA syndrome by identifying a change in the HMGB1 protein that disrupts cellular self-organization. This disruption leads to developmental disorders and predisposition to cancer, with hundreds of comparable genetic changes associated with various conditions.

Artificial sweetener as wastewater tracer

A new study by the University of Vienna shows that the persistence of acesulfame varies with temperature, making it an effective tracer for groundwater flows. The research team analyzed seasonal fluctuations in acesulfame concentrations to better understand subsurface processes and optimise waterworks operations.

Griffith unlocking the secrets to Strep A virulence

Researchers at Griffith University have identified Streptolysin O (SLO) as a crucial factor in the severity of Strep A infections. The study found that SLO alters host cell interactions and increases Strep A viability, leading to more severe cases.

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.

What makes people care about the environment?

A new study by Jonas Peisker found that favorable economic contexts, such as high income levels and low inflation, foster environmental concern. Social cohesion also played a significant role in prioritizing environmental issues. Regions with greenhouse gas-intensive industries had lower environmental concerns among locals.

Nursing home experts unveil path toward quality improvements

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report outlines bold and actionable recommendations to transform nursing home care delivery and environment. The Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition has been established to take action on these issues and improve nursing home quality nationwide.

Scientists develop AI-based method to predict RNA modifications

A team of researchers developed an AI-based method called m6Anet to accurately predict chemical modifications of RNA molecules from genomic data. This enables the detection of RNA modifications in clinical samples and understanding their role in diseases such as cancer.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Algorithms for hiring: Bias in, bias out

Researchers tested three common techniques to make algorithms fairer and found that one approach didn't reduce social norm bias at all. They proposed a new technique: a formula to directly measure social norm bias in an algorithm so it can be corrected. This bias can persist even after overt discrimination is removed.

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.

Could space dust help protect the earth from climate change?

A new study proposes using space dust as a sunshield to mitigate global warming. The team found that launching lunar dust from the moon into orbit at the Lagrange Point between Earth and the sun could provide effective shading, but would require precise simulations and an astronomical cost.

Marine reserves unlikely to restore marine ecosystems

A study led by researchers from the University of Barcelona found that marine reserves are unlikely to restore food webs in marine ecosystems. The protection of fishing did not cause significant changes in trophic structure, but it favored the recovery of some species like the dusky grouper.

Study: abortion views closely tied to views on race, religion

A new study reveals a strong relationship between attitudes on abortion and race, with those holding low racial resentment scores more likely to support abortion rights. The researchers found this connection has grown stronger in recent years, regardless of partisan affiliation.

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.