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Science News Archive May 2023


Page 1 of 40

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.

NIH scientists find treatment for rare genetic skin disorder

Researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute identified a potential treatment for disabling pansclerotic morphea, a severe inflammatory disease. They found that patients with the disorder have an overactive STAT4 protein and significantly improved symptoms with ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor.

Further link identified between autoimmunity and schizophrenia

A study published in Brain Behavior and Immunity found autoantibodies against a synaptic adhesion protein, neurexin 1α, in patients with schizophrenia. In mice, these autoantibodies caused schizophrenia-related changes, including reduced social behavior and cognitive function.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A new player unveiled for lipid oxidation

Researchers have identified opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr) as a promising new target for enhancing lipid oxidation. Studies in rodents and human subjects suggest that OGFr boosts lipid metabolism, improving thermogenesis and reducing the risk of obesity-related diseases.

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.

Almost 3 in 10 of young kids may have malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa

A study of almost 65,000 children aged up to 5 found that nearly 27% are infected with malaria, with older under-five children and those from large families or rural areas being most vulnerable. Insecticide-treated bed nets and improved housing are promising means to prevent malaria infection among children.

1 in 3 adults with Type 2 diabetes may have undetected cardiovascular disease

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that elevated levels of two protein biomarkers associated with heart damage were linked to undetected or symptomless cardiovascular disease in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study analyzed health information and blood samples from over 10,300 adults and foun...

Plants can distinguish when touch starts and stops

A Washington State University-led study reveals that plants can distinguish between touch and release by sending slow waves of calcium signals when touched and rapid waves when released. The researchers used specially bred plants with calcium sensors to detect these changes, providing new insights into plant sensitivity.

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.

A nanocrystal shines on and off indefinitely

Researchers have developed a fully photostable and photoswitchable nanoparticle that can be controlled indefinitely using near-infrared light. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize fields such as optical memory, super-resolution microscopy, and bioimaging.

Underestimated heat storage

Research estimates that continental landmasses have absorbed 23.8 x 10^21 Joules of heat between 1960 and 2020, with most stored up to 300m deep in the earth. This increase poses risks to ecosystems and food security due to associated warming and changes in water quality.

Tracking early signs of Alzheimer’s pathology in a mouse model

A new study in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease examines the effects of environmental enrichment on AD symptom progression and pathology. The researchers found that living in an enriched environment improved several measures of metabolism and reduced individual behaviors, which became more similar and rigid as the disease progressed.

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.

Four ways to advance equity and justice goals in climate action planning

A new study from the University of Waterloo highlights four strategies to enhance equity and justice in climate action planning: modifying strategies, designing collaborative spaces, addressing gaps between words and actions, and considering underlying social processes. By prioritizing vulnerable populations and local actors, urban gov...

Special Issue of Health Equity devoted to veterans issues

A special issue of Health Equity journal explores ways to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare for veterans. Research highlights successful initiatives, such as a biweekly Diversity Equity and Inclusion Working Group meeting, and a 5-fold increase in women Veteran enrollment in the VA Million Veteran Program.

DOE award to Zap Energy for fusion pilot plant design

The DOE's Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program supports Zap Energy's sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch technology, a promising approach to fusion energy. With $5 million in funding, Zap aims to develop a grid-ready power source and engage with local communities.

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.

Male babies “talk” more in the first year than female babies do

A new study found that male infants make 10% more utterances in the first year compared to females, but this difference switches direction by the second year. The researchers suggest that male infants may have an evolutionary advantage due to their higher mortality rate in the first year.

How much nitrogen does corn get from fertilizer? Less than farmers think

Research shows that corn takes up about 67% of its nitrogen naturally from soil, rather than fertilizer. However, applying different forms and timing of fertilizers can improve efficiency, with nitrate being the most efficient source. Banding placement was also found to be more efficient than broadcasting.

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.

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.

Q & A with Xingna Qin and Ping Ren, authors of “Does Having Vulnerable Friends Help Vulnerable Youth? The Co-Evolution of Friendships, Victimization, and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Adolescents’ Social Networks” Child Development

A recent study analyzed the impact of vulnerable friendships on Chinese adolescents' social networks, finding that befriending a victimized peer can decrease depressive symptoms but increase victimization. Classroom supportive norms play a crucial role in mitigating these effects.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Cats can play a role in transmitting COVID-19

A new study published in Microbiology Spectrum found that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and can spread the virus to other cats and their environment. The infected cats' environments were also found to be infectious, but this infectiousness decays rapidly.

Experts assess state of the art in the treatment and management of cerebral palsy

A special issue of the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine explores the treatment and management of cerebral palsy, including spasticity management and pain relief. The articles discuss various approaches to managing spasticity, such as enteral baclofen use and botulinum neurotoxinA injections, aiming to improve care and quali...

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.

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.

Actively reducing noise by ionizing air

EPFL scientists develop a novel concept, called the active 'plasmacoustic metalayer', which can be controlled to cancel out noise. The device is more compact than conventional solutions, absorbing 100% of incoming sound intensity and offering tunable acoustic reflection over a broad bandwidth.

How Canadians' lifestyle behaviours changed during the COVID-19 pandemic

A new study found that sixty percent of Canadians maintained or improved their lifestyle habits during the pandemic, while forty percent adopted less healthy behaviors. Researchers identified certain groups, including those with body image issues and stress, as more likely to adopt unhealthy habits.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Reduced emissions during the pandemic led to increased climate warming

Reduced emissions during the pandemic led to decreased concentrations of short-lived cooling particles, but not greenhouse gases. This resulted in stronger climate warming due to the 'masking effect' being lifted. The study suggests a complete transition to renewable energy could lead to rapid 'unmasking' of aerosols.

Native tobacco plants reborn as ‘biofactories’ for medicines

Researchers from the University of Queensland have successfully grown native wild tobacco plants as 'biofactories' to produce large quantities of drugs. The method uses modern molecular biology techniques to instruct plant cells to produce desired molecules, resulting in a more cost-effective and sustainable production process.

New 3D printing technique ready to advance manufacturing

Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have created a new method of 3D printing that uses near-infrared (NIR) light to create complex structures with multiple materials and colors. This breakthrough allows for the integration of different materials and properties, opening up possibilities for industries such as health and electronics.

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.

When countries cut taxes for new ideas, capital investments rise

A study found that countries offering tax breaks for corporate innovation see greater economic growth in capital investment and highly compensated jobs. However, the impact on hiring or overall compensation is limited, with increased average pay for research and development workers instead.

You can make carbon dioxide filters with a 3D printer

Researchers at NC State University have developed a novel method for creating CO2 capture filters using 3D printing. The filters, made from a hydrogel material infused with the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, captured 24% of CO2 in a gas mixture and retained 52% of its performance after over 1,000 hours. This technology has potential applic...

Can we learn to think further ahead?

A team of cognitive scientists created a computational model to understand the factors affecting decision-making and planning depth. They found that better planning is driven by the ability to recognize patterns more accurately and in less time, pointing to the benefits of practice and experience.