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Science News Archive May 2023


Page 38 of 40

Study finds gender pay differences begin early, with the job search

Researchers found that women tend to accept job offers earlier and are more likely to accept lower-paying offers compared to men. The study suggests that risk tolerance and salary expectations may account for a significant proportion of the observed gender difference in earnings.

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.

Fresh hope for Australians living with chronic back pain

Researchers found dramatic reductions in pain and disability among almost 500 people seeking help for four years of chronic back pain. The treatment, Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT), improved social and emotional health, saving over $5,000 per person.

Machine translation for cuneiform tablets

A new machine learning model can automatically translate Akkadian text written in cuneiform into English, with the first version using Latin transliteration achieving satisfactory results. The program is effective for translating short sentences and can be used as part of a human-machine collaboration to correct and refine its output.

Could wearables capture well-being?

Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital developed a machine learning model to analyze wearable device data, identifying an individual's degree of resilience and psychological well-being. The study found that heart rate variability and resting heart rate metrics collected from Apple Watches were predictive of resilience states.

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.

Air pollution may increase risk of dementia, complicated by genetics

Exposure to air pollution is associated with worse verbal fluency and episodic memory in individuals with the APOE-4 allele. Higher levels of PM2.5 and NO2 are linked to increased cognitive decline over time, highlighting the importance of early identification and modification of modifiable risk factors.

“Zero plant extinction” is possible, says plant ecologist

A plant ecologist proposes a multi-faceted approach to preventing all future land plant extinctions. Training more plant experts and creating an online 'metaherbarium' with digitized records of species are key components, alongside building microreserves and increasing funding.

Fossil find in California shakes up the natural history of cycad plants

A new fossil discovery in California has rewritten the scientific understanding of cycad plants, revealing a more dynamic evolutionary history than previously thought. The 80-million-year-old pollen cone found in Silverado Canyon is distinct from modern cycads, with differences in morphology and anatomy.

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.

UMass Chan scientists deliver siRNA therapy to lung

Researchers successfully delivered stabilized divalent siRNA molecules to animal models that blocked SARS-CoV-2 and prevented infection. The technology is adaptable for other pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and respiratory viruses.

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.

Openseize: A novel open-source software to analyze large-scale digital signals

Openseize breaks down massive datasets into smaller fragments for efficient analysis, extracting important biomarkers like frequency densities and spike rates from one-dimensional digital signals. The software has wider applicability beyond brain signal analysis, potentially exploring biomedical data in various fields.

Progressive climate change: desertification threatens Mediterranean forests

Scientists analyzing fossil pollen and geochemical data reveal that Mediterranean forests are susceptible to transformation into steppes under natural conditions. Rising atmospheric CO2 levels may lead to a significant decrease in precipitation, triggering such a shift in the near future if protection measures are not taken.

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.

NIH Statement on World Asthma Day 2023

The National Institutes of Health recognizes World Asthma Day and highlights innovative research on asthma, its causes and treatments. Several NIH institutes conduct and support asthma-related research, including NIEHS, NHLBI, and NIAID.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study identifies a new potential target for treating vascular disease

Researchers found that when FXR1 is absent, vascular smooth muscle cells proliferate more slowly, become senescent, and scar tissue development is reduced. This suggests that drugs targeting FXR1 may treat vascular proliferative diseases such as atherosclerosis, restenosis, hypertension, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Toys demonstrate how biological machines move

Scientists develop elastoactive chains with self-oscillatory, self-synchronizing, and self-snapping behavior, mimicking biological machines. The study explores material properties and potential applications in autonomous robot development.

Fish thought to help reefs have poop that’s deadly to corals

Researchers found high levels of coral pathogens in fish that graze on algae and detritus, while those that eat coral had beneficial bacteria in their feces. These findings suggest that corallivore feces could act as a 'coral probiotic,' potentially benefiting coral reefs.

Researchers discover that the ice cap is teeming with microorganisms

Researchers from Aarhus University have discovered thousands of microscopic organisms thriving on glaciers, including a black algae that darkens the ice and accelerates melting. The study highlights the importance of understanding microbial life in extreme environments to better comprehend climate change.

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.

AI bias may impair radiologist accuracy on mammogram

A study published in Radiology found that AI-based decision support systems can impair radiologist accuracy on mammograms, particularly for less experienced radiologists. Even highly experienced radiologists were adversely impacted by the system's judgments, highlighting the need for safeguards to mitigate automation bias.

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.

The nocebo effect may influence the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine

A study found that psychological factors, such as beliefs and attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine, significantly contribute to the onset and severity of adverse effects. The researchers investigated how fear, trust, and expectations affect side effects and explained 30% of the intensity of symptoms.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Quantum entanglement of photons doubles microscope resolution

Researchers at Caltech have developed a technique that uses quantum entanglement to create biphotons, which can be used to image cells with a resolution twice that of traditional microscopes. By harnessing the properties of quantum entanglement, scientists can now visualize tiny structures within living cells with unprecedented precision.

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.

Chemotherapy drug reaches brain in humans for first time

Scientists successfully opened the blood-brain barrier using a novel ultrasound device, delivering chemotherapy to treat glioblastoma patients. The treatment increased drug concentrations by 4-6 times and was safe and well-tolerated.

Key to fighting chronic inflammation in severe COVID

Researchers have discovered that most immune cells contributing to chronic inflammation in severe COVID-19 are not infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Instead, these uninfected macrophages detect damage and trigger a strong inflammatory response, leading to excessive collateral damage.

“Golden” fossils reveal origins of exceptional preservation

Researchers found that golden fossils from Germany's Posidonia shale are primarily made up of phosphate minerals, hinting at the presence of oxygen in the environment. The discovery suggests that oxygen played a crucial role in driving chemical reactions needed for fossilization.

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.

Forced water-use cuts made California more waterwise

A study found that California's mandatory water-use cuts in 2015 and 2016 resulted in ongoing water efficiencies, with higher-end water users adopting technology and achieving smaller rebound effects. Lower-end users, however, resumed watering their lawns after the mandate was lifted, contributing to a modest increase in water use.

Video-based smoking cessation program helped HIV-positive smokers quit tobacco

A video-based smoking cessation program developed by a University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher has helped nearly 40% of HIV-positive smokers in Nepal quit tobacco. The program, which includes 11 video sessions and is accessible via smartphone app, was found to be highly effective in promoting abstinence among participants.

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.

Boxing can take the fight to Parkinson’s Disease

A new study published by Edith Cowan University found that boxing programs can improve symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, including fatigue and sleep, in early-stage patients. The program combined elements of exercise, computerized cognitive training, and socialization into a single activity.

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.