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Science News Archive March 2023


Page 4 of 44

Global breakthrough: Plants emit sounds!

Researchers at Tel Aviv University recorded and analyzed plant sounds emitted under stress, identifying specific identifiable sounds. The study suggests that plants may communicate with other plants and animals through these sounds.

Structure of 'oil-eating' enzyme opens door to bioengineered catalysts

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have produced the first atomic-level structure of an enzyme that selectively breaks carbon-hydrogen bonds, suggesting ways to engineer it for producing desired products. The detailed structure reveals how the enzyme operates under ordinary conditions and produces few unwanted byproducts.

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.

Machine learning models rank predictive risks for Alzheimer’s disease

A recent study found that genetic risk scores are more predictive of Alzheimer's disease in adults over 65 than age. The study used machine learning models to rank risk factors, including household income, which emerged as an important risk factor. The findings suggest considering genetic information when working on Alzheimer's disease.

Removing cancer-causing heavy metals from wastewater with photocatalysts

Researchers have developed an effective method to remove toxic hexavalent chromium from wastewater using photocatalytic technology. The new approach utilizes hourglass-type phosphomolybdate-based crystalline photocatalysts, which show a wide light absorption ability and band structure necessary to reduce heavy metal ions.

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.

The brightest explosion ever seen

The detection of GRB 221009A marks the most energetic gamma-ray burst ever observed, with a luminosity surpassing that of entire galaxies and hundreds of billions of stars. The event was followed up by space-based telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope, which provided insight into its properties.

Boosting the body’s anti-viral immune response may eliminate aging cells

Researchers found that a specific type of immune cell can detect and eliminate senescent cells in the skin by targeting human cytomegalovirus antigens. This discovery suggests a potential therapeutic approach to eliminate aging cells, which could have applications in cancer, fibrosis, and degenerative diseases.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

BU researchers solve the cell structure responsible for traveler’s diarrhea

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have found that ETEC pili are fine-tuned for their preferred microenvironment, allowing the bacteria to cause disease. By understanding how pili work, scientists may develop new therapeutics that target only disease-causing bacteria, leaving beneficial microbes intact.

New, exhaustive study probes hidden history of horses in the American West

A team of international researchers has uncovered a more complex history of early horses in North America, suggesting they may have spread faster and earlier than previously thought. The study, published in Science, used archaeozoology, DNA sequencing, and Indigenous oral traditions to find that Native American communities were likely ...

*Free* Theropod dinosaur teeth were hidden behind thin “lips”

A new study reveals that theropod dinosaurs had their large teeth completely covered by thin, scaly 'lips' when their mouths were closed. This finding challenges long-held depictions of these iconic predators and could have significant implications for our understanding of dinosaur dental anatomy and biomechanics.

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.

Sialic acids: the key to protection against eye allergies

Researchers from Juntendo University found that sialylated mucins secreted by conjunctival goblet cells encapsulate allergens, protecting the eye from allergic conjunctivitis. Mice with intact St6galnac1 gene showed reduced antigen response and better protection against allergies.

Study reveals that bats experience hearing loss in old age

Researchers found that bats lose their hearing in old age due to exposure to high noise levels in their colonies. The study suggests that bats may have evolved adaptations to cope with these noisy environments, which could provide insights into human age-related hearing loss.

An improved, visible light-harvesting catalyst to speed up reactions

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel visible light-driven single transition metal catalyst that combines high light harvesting abilities and broad applicability. The SFI-Rh(I) complexes overcome previous limitations, enabling versatile photocatalytic reactions with increased stability.

Prestigious EU support to save species

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology has been awarded a €2.5 million grant from the European Research Council to investigate how species can survive in a changing environment. The project aims to develop rules for preventing species extinction and studying adaptation to environmental changes.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Genome analysis just got personal

Researchers have created a new tool, EN-TEx, to analyze genetic mutations and predict disease risk. The catalog of allele-specific variants provides rich data for accurate personal genomics, enabling scientists to study the effects of genetic mutations in tissues that are difficult to obtain without surgery.

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.

Research sheds light on bamboo paper conservation

Researchers investigated bamboo paper's moisture absorption behaviour under different ageing patterns, finding that ageing doesn't alter water adsorption but reduces effective adsorption sites. Storage humidity conditions around 50% RH are recommended to maintain the paper's stability.

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.

Fermented coffee’s fruity aromas demystified

Researchers at Zurich University of Applied Sciences identified six compounds contributing to fermented coffee's unique flavor, including 2-methylpropanal, 3-methylbutanal, and ethyl 3-methylbutanoate. The study aims to standardize production methods and increase availability of this distinctive beverage.

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.

Excess death gap widens between US and Europe

A new analysis shows that the US has substantially higher death rates at all but the oldest ages compared to five high-income European countries. The excess death gap widened during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the number of excess deaths nearly doubling between 2019 and 2021.

JMIR Medical Education | How does ChatGPT perform on the USMLE?

The study found ChatGPT's performance on the USMLE was comparable to a third-year medical student in terms of medical knowledge assessment. ChatGPT outperformed other models due to its dialogic component, providing coherent and justifiable responses. This may create an interactive learning environment for students.

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.

Facing floods, non-white homeowners prepare, protect property

A new Cornell University study finds that non-white homeowners are more likely to invest in costly flood protection measures than white homeowners. Homeowners with mortgages and those who own their homes outright take the fewest high-cost actions, while renters tend to take none at all.

UH led study finds sulfate pollution impacts Texas gulf coast air

A study led by University of Houston researchers found that the Texas Gulf Coast is polluted with high concentrations of sulfate, a major component of particulate matter. The pollution originates from anthropogenic shipping emissions and chemical processing, making it particularly hazardous to human health.

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.

Heart attack study could change the game in regenerative medicine

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have identified a group of proteins called AJSZ that help solve a known problem in cellular reprogramming. By blocking the activity of these proteins, they were able to reduce scarring on the heart and induce a 50% improvement in overall heart function in mice that have undergone a heart attack.

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.

Lab-made antibodies offer potential cure for yellow fever

Researchers have found lab-made antibodies that can strengthen the body's fight against yellow fever, a disease with no current treatment. The monoclonal antibody infusions were able to remove all signs of infection from research animals, offering potential hope for a cure.

Does immigration really increase crime?

Researchers led by Nicolas Ajzenman found that immigrants don't increase crime rates, but people's perception of crime does. In Chile, migrants' presence sparked concerns among citizens, with those exposed to immigration inflows more likely to rank crime as a top concern.

Novel drug offers hope for heart failure patients

A novel drug, AF-130, has been shown to improve heart function and prevent sleep apnoea in heart failure patients. This breakthrough could lead to improved life expectancy and wellness for nearly 200,000 people in New Zealand affected by heart disease.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Bacterial injection system delivers proteins in mice and human cells

Researchers developed a programmable bacterial injection system that can deliver a range of proteins, including those for gene editing, to different cell types. The system has shown promising results in targeting cancer cells and delivering proteins to the brain in live mice without provoking an immune response.

Ancient giant amphibians swam like crocodiles 250 million years ago

A team of researchers from South Africa has discovered exceptional trace fossils that provide insight into the locomotion of ancient giant amphibians. The fossils, found on a rock surface once part of a tidal flat or lagoon, suggest these animals propelled themselves through water with continuous side-to-side tail motions.

Texas Port partners with UT scientists to store its greenhouse gas emissions

The University of Texas at Austin is helping the Port of Corpus Christi determine if it can permanently store greenhouse gas emissions from industrial operations beneath the seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico. The project aims to store carbon dioxide emissions in geological formations deep beneath the seafloor, reducing atmospheric emissions.

Membrane discs as antitoxins

Researchers have developed nanodiscs based on the cell membranes of human red blood cells, which can effectively neutralize bacterial toxins. These nanodiscs, called RBC-NDs, are biocompatible and non-toxic, making them potentially useful as nanovaccines.

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.