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Science News Archive February 2023 - Page 33


Page 33 of 36

Statistics remove bias from debate about how well mouse models mimic human disease

A team of biostatisticians created a framework to evaluate the congruence and discordance of laboratory animals with specific human diseases. The tool removes bias from scientific interpretation of animal data for human conditions, revealing that some models mimic biological mechanisms well while others poorly.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2023

Online hate speech is often hidden in plain sight

A new study reveals that online hate speech is frequently conveyed through subtle and modified wording, allowing it to evade detection. Covert methods of expression are being used by haters to avoid detection, highlighting the need for increased attention to implied ways of expressing hate.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalJournal of Pragmatics·DateFeb 2, 2023

This one-atom chemical reaction could transform drug discovery

Researchers from Osaka University have stabilized atomic carbon for common reaction conditions in organic chemistry, enabling the synthesis of complex drugs in one step. This breakthrough simplifies and lowers the cost of pharmaceutical synthesis.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Circadian gene expression varies according to sex and age

A study of over 900 human transcriptomes found that circadian gene expression varies significantly by sex and age, with females showing more sustained rhythms and a higher number of rhythmic genes. Older individuals also exhibited lower rhythmicity, particularly in tissues related to cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 2, 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.

Lunaemycin, a new antibiotic extracted from the moonmilk deposits

Scientists have discovered a new antibiotic, lunaemycin, extracted from moonmilk deposits with properties active against Gram-positive bacteria resistant to antibiotics. The study reveals the vast potential of moonmilk as a source of bioactive molecules.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2023

Artificial intelligence improves efficiency of genome editing

Researchers developed an AI algorithm to predict prime editing efficiency and accuracy, enabling faster and more precise genome editing. By analyzing a large data set of over 100,000 pegRNAs, the tool identifies key properties influencing prime editing success.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Neanderthals hunted elephants: Earliest evidence found of humans killing elephants for food

Neanderthals deliberately hunted down and slaughtered European straight-tusked elephants over 125,000 years ago, providing a significant source of nutrition. The study reveals that Neanderthals came together in larger social groups than previously assumed, with adult male individuals being overrepresented in the assemblage.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 2, 2023

Sparse, small, but diverse neural connections help make perception reliable, efficient

Researchers mapped every thalamic synapse on 15 neurons in layer 2/3 of the visual cortex in mice and found that despite being weak and sparse, they are reliable and efficient representatives of information. The diversity of thalamic inputs underlies these advantages, allowing a small population of neurons to assemble the overall picture.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023
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.

Nematodes can help us detect indoor air impurities

Researchers developed a new method for measuring indoor air quality using transgenic nematode strains that produce fluorescence when exposed to harmful pollutants. The amount of fluorescence can be measured and used to detect various impurities in the air, including fungal samples, surfactants, and volatile compounds.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalPathogens·DateFeb 2, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Reducing their natural signals: How sneaky germs hide from ants

A study by Sylvia Cremer and her team reveals that pathogens reduce their chemical detection signals in response to ant's social care intervention. This adaptation allows the fungi to counteract spore removal and escape the ant's immune system, demonstrating the impact of collective hygiene measures on pathogens.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Study details timing of past glacier advances in Northern Antarctic Peninsula

Researchers have found that glaciers advanced three times over the past 1,500 years in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula, coinciding with evidence from other studies. The study uses radiocarbon dates from black mosses to constrain past glacier behavior and provides insights into climate history.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalGeology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Researchers discover that youth binge drinking is linked to gut microbiome changes

A study found that youth binge drinkers show alterations in the gut microbiome, associated with poor ability to recognize emotions and increased craving. The research suggests that the gut microbiome regulates social and emotional cognition, supporting the development of novel dietary or pre/probiotic interventions.

SourceUniversity College Cork·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 2, 2023

US neighborhood walkability influences physical activity, BMI levels

A new study found that people in highly walkable neighborhoods are more likely to engage in adequate physical activity and have lower BMIs, but the association differs among Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations. The study highlights persistent inequities in physical activity due to systemic racism and policy barriers.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalObesity·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 2, 2023
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.

Researchers devise a new path toward ‘quantum light’

Researchers have devised a new mechanism to generate high-energy 'quantum light', which could reveal new properties of matter at the atomic scale. The theory predicts a way to control the quantum nature of light using correlated emitters with a strong laser.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 2, 2023

Improving CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumours through inhibition of conventional signalling pathway

Researchers have discovered that inhibiting conventional signalling pathway by disrupting LCK allows more efficient tumour cell killing, using FYN protein instead. This approach enhances T-cell function and reduces graft-versus-host disease, making CAR-T therapy more accessible to patients.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2023

Why lung cancer doesn’t respond well to immunotherapy

A new study reveals that the immune system mounts a weak response to lung cancer due to an environment created by bacteria in the lymph nodes near the lungs. T-cell responses are suppressed by regulatory T cells and interferon gamma produced in response to commensal bacterial presence.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalImmunity·DateFeb 2, 2023

Genes decide the willow warbler’s migration routes

Researchers at Lund University identified two areas in the genome that decide whether a willow warbler migrates across the Iberian Peninsula or the Balkans. This discovery sheds light on the genetics behind songbirds' migratory behaviour and has implications for understanding how species adapt to climate change.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 2, 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.

Invention: A blood test to unlock prostate cancer mysteries

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Cancer have developed a non-invasive test that can detect and profile prostate cancers in microscopic amounts. The test, known as the EV Digital Scoring Assay, has the potential to spare patients from unnecessary treatment-related side effects and direct them to effective therapies.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalNano Today·DateFeb 2, 2023

HKUST breakthrough identifies rare tumor cell “spies”

Researchers at HKUST developed a novel technology to simultaneously sequence genomic DNA and RNA in single cells from frozen tissues, enabling the discovery of rare brain tumor cell subpopulations. This breakthrough facilitates cancer research for complex tumors and opens new directions for drug target discovery.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 2, 2023

Robot: I'm sorry. Human: I don't care anymore!

A University of Michigan study found that humans are less forgiving of robots after multiple mistakes and that trust is difficult to get back. The researchers tested four repair strategies, but none were able to fully restore trust after three violations.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateFeb 2, 2023

Water crises due to climate change: more severe than previously thought

New analyses suggest that climate change alters global precipitation and evaporation patterns, leading to increased sensitivity in river water availability. This study revises forecasting models by incorporating local measurement data from over 9,500 catchments worldwide.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Water·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 2, 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.

Unconventional superconductivity found in kagome metal

Physicists at Paul Scherrer Institute have found a way to tune the temperature of an unusual type of superconductor. By applying pressure, they were able to change the characteristics of the superconductivity from a 'nodal' structure to a 'nodeless' one, opening up possibilities for engineering quantum materials.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 2, 2023

Massage therapy improves symptom management for youth receiving hematology and oncology care

A new study found that massage therapy significantly reduces pain, stress, and anxiety in children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer or sickle cell disease. The study published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer reports clinically significant benefits from massage therapy, highlighting its potential as a non-pharmacologic treatment o...

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalPediatric Blood & Cancer·DateFeb 2, 2023

Blood pressure drug may prevent immunotherapy-induced brain swelling in patients with glioblastoma

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that losartan can reduce the expression of inflammatory enzymes responsible for immunotherapy-related edema. The study suggests that losartan may allow patients to continue receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors without developing adverse effects in the brain.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Harmful bacteria can elude predators when in mixed colonies

A study by Dartmouth College researchers found that bacteria can form protective clusters with rival species, making it harder to kill harmful bacteria. This discovery highlights the importance of studying multispecies biofilm structures and may impact the development of bacteriophages and predatory bacteria as antimicrobial alternatives.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023
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.

Establishing cell lines to improve iPSC research

The Jackson Laboratory has developed a stable iPSC line, KOLF2.1J, with high genomic stability and wide applicability to various diseases. This cell line can be used as a reference platform for large-scale collaborative studies and accelerate human disease research.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 2, 2023

Experimental NIH Sudan virus vaccine protects macaques

A new NIH-developed vaccine, VSV-SUDV, has been shown to completely protect cynomolgus macaques against a lethal Sudan virus challenge. The vaccine, based on the Ebola VSV vaccine concept, demonstrates cross-protective immune responses and provides rapid protective immunity to Sudan virus.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·DateFeb 2, 2023

Gail Frayne appointed Jefferson Lab chief financial officer

Gail Frayne has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, responsible for developing and implementing financial strategies. She brings extensive experience in contract requirements, governance, and risk management to her new role.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·DateFeb 2, 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.

For the first time Hubble directly measures mass of a lone white dwarf

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have directly measured the mass of a lone white dwarf for the first time. The white dwarf, LAWD 37, has a mass of 56% that of our Sun, corroborating current theories of how white dwarfs evolve.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Reviewing the NIH-led research response to COVID-19

The NIH-led research response to COVID-19 included the rapid development of mRNA vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, as well as improved diversity in clinical trials. The success of this effort has highlighted the importance of collective effort and continuous investment in basic and applied research.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 2, 2023

Near-zero-dispersion soliton and broadband modulational instability Kerr microcombs in anomalous dispersion

Scientists have experimentally obtained a 2/3-octave-spanning microcomb in the broadband modulational instability state, featuring a spectrum from 1240 nm to 1950 nm and a mode spacing of 10 GHz. They also observed a novel soliton structure in near-zero anomalous-dispersion regime, dubbed 'anomalous-dispersion based near-zero-dispersio...

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateFeb 2, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Unifying colors by primes

The C235 color system uses prime numbers to represent red, green, and blue colors, resulting in a more unified and manageable color framework. This system enables the creation of a compressed color wheel with less than 1.2% compression error rate, allowing for efficient representation of all 256^3 colors.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateFeb 2, 2023

Illinois Tech assistant professor publishes paper in Science on novel chemistry behind ultra-high power density batteries

Assistant Professor Mohammad Asadi has published a paper in Science describing the chemistry behind his novel lithium-air battery design, which could store one kilowatt-hour per kilogram or higher. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize heavy-duty vehicles such as airplanes, trains, and submarines.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Aging | Are menopause, aging and prostate cancer diseases?

According to hyperfunction theory, menopause is also a disease. Aging is a quasi-programmed disease that can be partially treatable by rapamycin. The author suggests that slowing aging may delay the onset of diseases like prostate cancer, obesity, and hypertension.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 2, 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.

Duke-NUS and NHCS scientists first in the world to regenerate diseased kidney

Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School and NHCS have discovered that blocking an immune-regulating protein called interleukin-11 enables damaged kidney cells to regenerate, restoring impaired kidney function. This breakthrough suggests a new approach for treating chronic kidney disease.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Anti-Black bias can persist despite kids’ tendency to favour same-gender peers

A recent study from York University found that even at the age of five, children tend to have more positive associations with white peers over Black peers. However, taking an own-gender lens increases these positive associations towards Black children, suggesting a contextual nature of anti-Black racism.

SourceYork University·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Financial coaching for parents in clinic leads to higher attendance at well-child health care visits for their young children

A new study found that financial coaching for parents of infants in a pediatric primary care setting reduced missed well-child care visit rates by half and improved vaccination receipt. The intervention, which connected parents to public benefits and cost-saving services, also increased monthly household income.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateFeb 2, 2023
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Smartphone app may help identify stroke symptoms as they occur

A new smartphone application called FAST.AI uses machine learning algorithms to recognize facial asymmetry, arm weakness, and speech changes in people experiencing a stroke. The app's accuracy was validated through a study involving nearly 270 patients with acute stroke, showing promise as a tool for prompt individuals to seek care.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 2, 2023

February issues of American Psychiatric Association journals cover risk factors for mental illness, substance use in psychiatric care, emergency psychiatry and more

The February issues of the American Psychiatric Association's journals address risk factors for mental illness and substance use in psychiatric care. The research highlights the importance of understanding these factors to improve treatment outcomes and reduce disparities in mental health care.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateFeb 2, 2023

Small isolated wetlands are pollution-catching powerhouses

Researchers found that small, disconnected wetlands are twice as effective in catching pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus. These isolated wetlands can protect lake or river ecosystems from pollution, improving water quality and biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 2, 2023

State abortion bans based on sex, disability or race aren’t remedies against eugenics

A study by George Washington University professor Sonia M. Suter finds that reason-based abortion bans harm minority groups and restrict reproductive rights. The research challenges the notion that such bans are a remedy against eugenics, revealing instead a performative effort to justify discriminatory policies.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalJournal of Law and the Biosciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 2, 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.

Poor oral health may contribute to declines in brain health

Research suggests that poor oral health may contribute to declines in brain function and cognitive abilities. A recent study analyzed the relationship between oral health and brain health among approximately 40,000 adults and found a potential link between gum disease and white matter hyperintensities.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 2, 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.