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Science News Archive June 2023


Page 2 of 40

Researchers create edible, transparent composite packaging with biocellulose

Scientists at The Chinese University of Hong Kong have developed an edible, transparent, and biodegradable material for food packaging using bacterial cellulose. The material has high tensile strength, versatility, and can be produced through microbial fermentation, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics.

NASA’s Webb identifies the earliest strands of the cosmic web

Astronomers have discovered the earliest strands of the cosmic web, comprising 10 galaxies that existed just 830 million years after the big bang. The 3 million light-year-long structure is anchored by a luminous quasar, with team members believing it will eventually evolve into a massive cluster.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Surgical stabilization of odontoid fractures improves outcomes

A study published in Neurosurgery found that surgical stabilization of odontoid fractures is associated with better outcomes, including lower rates of nonunion, myelopathy, and mortality. The study used propensity score analysis to compare surgical stabilization with nonoperative treatment and found significant benefits in both surviva...

Sponges and their microbiome: Interacting for millions of years

Researchers discovered molecular mechanisms in Lendenfeldia chondrodes sponges that respond actively to changes in their microbiome, influencing gene activity and morphology. The study suggests a deep evolutionary history shared by animals and their bacterial partners, with implications for animal nutrition and development.

Is a foreign-sounding name a disadvantage?

Research found that girls with foreign-sounding names are more likely to receive positive responses when trying out for football clubs in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. In contrast, boys with foreign-sounding names had less chance of participating. The study suggests that cultural distance may play a role in this disparity.

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.

Scientists edge toward scalable quantum simulations on a photonic chip

Researchers from the University of Rochester have made an important step toward developing computers advanced enough to simulate complex natural phenomena at the quantum level. They developed a new chip-scale optical quantum simulation system that could help make such a system feasible, using photonics-based synthetic dimensions.

HIV patients in DC reported intense distress during pandemic

A new study reveals that HIV patients in Washington D.C. were particularly vulnerable to psychosocial challenges like depression, anxiety, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older patients were found to be more resilient compared to younger ones, highlighting the importance of social security in weathering intense stressors.

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.

Health care utilization following interventions to improve social well-being

A systematic review of 41 studies involving 7,800 participants found that psychosocial interventions led to decreased healthcare utilization in most services. The greatest reductions were seen among caregivers and individuals with mental illnesses, particularly when interventions were delivered one-on-one by health professionals.

The first neutrino image of our galaxy

IceCube researchers have produced an image of the Milky Way using neutrinos for the first time, suggesting that cosmic ray interactions are more intense in the galaxy's center than previously thought. This achievement is made possible by advancements in Machine Learning, enabling deeper analysis of the data.

Anti-LGBTQ+ policies linked to depression in Black and Latinx youth

A new study from Yale School of Public Health researchers found that Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ youth living in U.S. states with discriminatory policies are more likely to experience symptoms of depression. The study controlled for individual experiences of bullying based on race and ethnicity or sexual orientation, finding a 32% increase...

Historical Redlining May Be Linked to Current Kidney Failure

A new study finds that long-term disinvestment in health and wealth resources in historically redlined neighborhoods contributes to a disproportionate rate of kidney failure among Black adults. Redlining, the discriminatory federal housing policy from the 1930s, has been associated with current racial inequities in poor health outcomes.

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.

Is early childhood education contributing to socioeconomic disparities?

A new study of French preschool children reveals differences in engagement opportunities linked to social class, suggesting that early childhood education is not maximizing its potential as an equalizing force. Low-SES students spoke less frequently and for less time compared to high-SES students.

A simulation finds solutions to a central mystery in space physics

The Vlasiator model demonstrated that two central theories on plasma eruptions in near-Earth space are simultaneously valid: magnetic reconnection and kinetic instabilities. This finding helps understand how these events occur and improves the predictability of space weather.

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.

Long COVID is not a single condition, study finds

The study found that patients with long COVID experience different symptom clusters and patterns of symptoms over time. The research provides valuable insights into the complex nature of long COVID and its treatment, which can inform evidence-driven approaches for millions of people affected by lingering symptoms.

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.

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.

Q & A with Dr. Juan Del Toro, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Dr. Ming-Te Wang, University of Chicago, authors of “Vicarious Severe School Discipline Predicts Racial Disparities among Non-Disciplined Black and White American Adolescents"

A new study examines the effects of minor infraction suspensions on non-disciplined Black and White American adolescents. The research found that witnessing same-race peers' suspensions can lead to more defiant behaviors among non-suspended Black American youth, while White American youth may become more cynical when witnessing racial ...

Virus-like transposons wage war on the species barrier

Researchers from IMBA identify a family of virus-like transposons called Mavericks that facilitate horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between reproductively isolated worm species. The study reveals the role of Mavericks in overcoming the species barrier, with potential applications in pathogen control and genomic innovation.

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.

Rising monkey and pig populations pose human disease risk

Researchers warn that exploding wild pig and macaque populations in Southeast Asia pose significant zoonotic disease risks to humans. The study, led by the University of Queensland, found that these animals can carry diseases that can be transmitted to people, highlighting the need for urgent management solutions.

New single-photon Raman lidar can monitor for underwater oil leaks

Researchers developed a compact and efficient single-photon Raman lidar system that can detect oil spills in the ocean. The system uses just 1μJ of pulse energy and can be operated up to 1km underwater, making it suitable for monitoring leaks in underwater oil pipelines.

Consumers more likely to use virtual apparel try-on software if interactive

A University of Missouri study found that consumers are more likely to use virtual apparel try-on software if it is interactive and easy to use. The research suggests that making the technology versatile can reduce privacy concerns, with qualities like interactivity having a direct impact on users' willingness to shop virtually.

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.

An early predictor of cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease

Early hallucinations in Parkinson's disease patients are linked to faster cognitive decline. A study published in Nature Mental Health found that those with early hallucinations experience more rapid cognitive decline over the next five years. The researchers hope to develop neurotechnology methods for early detection and treatment.

Predicting rumination based on brain connectivity

A team of scientists identified the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex as a key region in predicting rumination, which is linked to depression. The study's findings suggest that dynamic connectivity between brain regions can be used to decode rumination patterns.

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.

Chemists develop new method to create chiral structures

A team of chemists at UC Riverside has discovered that the distribution of a magnetic field is itself chiral, allowing for the rapid formation of chiral structures. This method has potential applications in sensing and anti-counterfeit technology, such as detecting chiral or achiral molecules linked to certain diseases.

Cracking the tubulin code

Scientists have developed a method to engineer tubulins with precise post-translational modifications, revealing a new interplay between polyglutamylation and detyrosination. This breakthrough uncovers the tubulin code's connection to microtubule function and its regulation in cells.

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.

First 'ghost particle' image of Milky Way galaxy captured by scientists

Researchers at U.S. National Science Foundation's IceCube Neutrino Observatory reveal a galactic portrait made with particles of matter, unlike any before, by determining the origin of thousands of neutrinos. The breakthrough allows for the first 'ghost particle' image of the Milky Way galaxy.

Chip-based dispersion compensation for faster fibre internet

SUTD researchers created a CMOS-compatible, slow-light-based transmission grating device for high-speed data dispersion compensation. The devices achieved minimal loss and improved error correction performance, paving the way for on-chip integration in transceivers.

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.

Alarming antibiotic resistance discovered in war-torn Ukraine

Researchers discovered high levels of antibiotic resistance among war-wounded patients in Ukrainian hospitals, with nearly 10% resistant to colistin. The study highlights the challenges posed by resistant bacteria in times of war, particularly the highly resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria.

Invitation to the 2023 International Venus Observation Campaign

The 2023 International Venus Observation Campaign aims to characterize the planet's atmosphere near the cloud-top level from three locations in the solar system. Key findings include the discovery of unknown UV absorbers in the upper clouds, which will be studied using data from JAXA's Akatsuki orbiter and ground-based telescopes.

We are wasting up to 20 percent of our time on computer problems

A new study from the University of Copenhagen and Roskilde University found that computers malfunction between 11 and 20 percent of the time, wasting users' productivity. The researchers identify insufficient performance and lack of user-friendliness as the two biggest categories of problems.

Secret of stem cells protecting the gastric mucosa

A Japanese research team identified two critical signaling pathways regulating stem cell differentiation in the stomach, promoting healthy homeostasis and protecting against gastric diseases. The study, published in Nature Communications, sheds light on the mechanisms behind cellular renewal and differentiation.

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.

The power of Indigenous voices and data supporting the green transition

The new policy paper emphasizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge and data in subnational decision-making for a sustainable green transition. It identifies key strategies to enhance inclusion, such as awareness-raising among policymakers, increasing Indigenous representation, and facilitating knowledge exchange.

Transferring data with many colors of light simultaneously

Researchers at Columbia University develop an energy-efficient method for transferring larger quantities of data over fiber-optic cables by using wavelength-division multiplexing and Kerr frequency combs. The new technology improves on previous attempts to transmit multiple signals simultaneously, enabling systems to transfer exponenti...

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.