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Science News Archive May 2023 - Page 13


Page 13 of 40

“Hightech” materials from nature

A research team at Göttingen University has discovered that mobile and stationary cells have different mechanical properties due to their cytoskeleton. The study found that intermediate filaments, which are crucial for cell stability, exhibit metal-like plasticity when stretched, similar to non-biological materials.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalMatter·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 2023

A new map reveals the complicated world in which cells seek to repair damaged DNA

Researchers created a novel map of protein assemblies in DNA damage response, capturing canonical repair mechanisms and proposing new DDR-associated proteins linked to stress, transport, and chromatin functions. The study provides new therapeutic opportunities for diseases caused by defects in DNA damage response.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Systems·DateMay 22, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research favors testing and voluntary isolation over closures in disease outbreaks

A new study by University of Wyoming researchers found that regular diagnostic testing and self-isolation can deliver higher net benefits than physical distancing strategies in combating infectious diseases. The study took into account the concept of superspreading, which made the testing-isolation approach even more effective.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Stop eradication of small mammals to protect vital ecosystems, say scientists

Current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped. Small burrowing mammals, like the plateau pika and zokor, play crucial ecological roles in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 22, 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.

Study may explain why high-sugar diets can worsen IBD

A new study suggests that high-sugar diets can exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms by disrupting the colon's lining renewal process. The research found that a high-sugar diet led to impaired cell division and altered metabolic pathways in mice, resulting in faster gut damage.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Texas A&M team studying effects of crypto mining on Texas power grid

A Texas A&M team is studying the impact of cryptocurrency mining on the state's power grid, revealing a potential for demand flexibility during times of peak energy usage. The research suggests that when the grid is stressed due to heatwaves or other factors, cryptocurrency miners can shut down, providing a buffer against strain.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAdvances in Applied Energy·DateMay 22, 2023

ToCoTronics extended

Physicists from Würzburg's ToCoTronics CRC have made groundbreaking discoveries in topological materials, including indene and bismuthene. The renewed funding will focus on shaping these materials into nanostructures using lithographic methods.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·DateMay 22, 2023

How a drought affects trees depends on what’s been holding them back

Research found that drought can increase tree growth in cold, harsh environments due to its impact on energy-limited systems. The study's results provide insights into how different tree species and ecosystems will respond to climate change, particularly in water-limited regions.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateMay 22, 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.

Team led by NCKU researcher performs cosmological modeling to shed light on the nature of dark energy

A research group led by NCKU professor I-Non Chiu conducted the first cosmological study on galaxy clusters identified by eROSITA, analyzing 550 galaxy clusters. The results suggest that Dark Energy occupies up to 76% of the total energy density in the Universe.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 22, 2023

Earlier snowpack melt in the West could bring summer water scarcity

A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder documents more than 60 years of change in snowpack water storage across Western North America. The researchers found that snowpack water storage has significantly declined in over 25% of the Mountain West, leading to earlier water scarcity and impacts on agriculture and wildfire risk.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Researchers call for systemic changes to improve career prospects of young people with disabilities

A special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation presents strategies to challenge the status quo that young people with disabilities face in employment. Research highlights the need for verification of evidence-based practices, competitive integrated employment, and increased utilization of vocational rehabilitation services.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Vocational Rehabilitation·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 2023

Dinosaurs were the first to take the perspectives of others

A study by Lund University researchers reveals that visual perspective taking, a crucial social skill, originated in the dinosaur lineage around 60 million years ago. This finding challenges the prevailing view that mammals drove the evolution of complex cognition.

SourceLund University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 22, 2023

Skin patch shows promise for toddlers with peanut allergy

A year-long immunotherapy through a skin patch safely desensitized toddlers with peanut allergy, lowering the risk of a severe allergic reaction from accidental exposure. Children who originally reacted to small amounts of peanuts were able to tolerate larger quantities after completing treatment.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 22, 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.

A commonly used tool is suboptimal in predicting osteoporosis fracture risk in younger post-menopausal women

A study of nearly 67,200 postmenopausal women found that the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) was inadequate for identifying osteoporotic fracture risk across racial/ethnic categories. However, the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST) was excellent for detecting osteoporosis within each category.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Study highlights long-term benefits of family-based care following institutional care

New research highlights the benefits of family-based care for children exposed to early psychosocial deprivation, improving cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social development. The study found that high-quality foster care had a lasting impact on children's brain development and risk of psychopathology.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 22, 2023

Now is the time to deliver on salt-tolerant crops

Despite years of research, few salt-tolerant crops have been released commercially. KAUST researchers argue that increasing crop salinity tolerance is essential due to climate change impacts. New genetic tools and approaches like grafting or domesticating wild species can help develop more resilient crops.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAnnual Review of Plant Biology·DateMay 22, 2023
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Identifying the bee’s knees of bumble bee diets

A new study has identified the preferred flower species of Midwest bumble bees, revealing that these social bees have more discerning dietary preferences than expected. The research found that common flower species like milkweed and thistles are favored by bumble bees, while others, such as alsike clover and black-eyed Susan, are ignored.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEcosphere·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 2023

Laboratory fishing expedition reels in a big catch: hidden pathogenic role of a housekeeping enzyme in Listeria

Researchers have discovered that a previously unknown strategy is used by the foodborne bacterium Listeria monocytogenes to invade and infect humans and animals. A housekeeping enzyme called LAP plays a crucial role in this process, and its attachment to the bacterial surface is essential for pathogenesis.

SourcePurdue University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Allowing financial trading in California’s wholesale electricity market significantly reduced volatility of prices, electricity production costs, carbon emissions

Researchers found that introducing financial trading in California's wholesale electricity market led to reduced volatility in prices, production costs, and carbon emissions. The study also showed improved physical market outcomes, including lower fuel costs and reduced complexity in real-time markets.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalAmerican Economic Journal Economic Policy·DateMay 22, 2023

ETRI lays the groundwork for convenient and safe drone flight

Established as international standards at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) meeting in Vienna, Austria, ETRI's 'Unmanned Aircraft Area Network' technology prevents collision risks between drones and supports simultaneous operation of hundreds of drones. The standards cover four detailed technologies: unmanned aer...

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·DateMay 22, 2023
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.

Effects on memory of neuron diversity in brain region revealed

A new study found that neurons in a key brain region have different functions based on their genetic identity, which could lead to better understanding of the brain's computational flexibility and memory capacity. The diversity of neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was previously unknown and is crucial for memory development.

SourceCornell University·JournalNeuron·DateMay 22, 2023

Estonian researchers fight Lyme disease with local herbs

In Estonia, approximately one in three ticks carry bacteria that cause borreliosis. Researchers are exploring the potential of local medicinal plants to combat Lyme disease. Studies have shown that extracts from certain plant species, such as Galium verum and Galium aparine, possess significant antioxidant properties.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalMolecules·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Breaking through bacterial barriers in chronic treatment-resistant wounds

Researchers developed a new method combining palmitoleic acid, gentamicin, and non-invasive ultrasound to improve drug delivery in chronic wounds infected with S. aureus. The strategy reduced bacterial burden by 94% and successfully sterilized wounds in diabetic mice.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCell Chemical Biology·DateMay 22, 2023

Siblings with autism share more of dad’s genome, not mom’s

Scientists have found that siblings with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) share more of their father's genome than initially thought. In many cases, it is the father who may play a bigger genetic role in ASD. This discovery offers new potential sources for understanding and treating the disorder.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCell Genomics·DateMay 22, 2023
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.

Humans are unique but not exceptional species of mammal

A recent study by UC Davis researchers found that humans exhibit reproductive inequality similar to other mammals, challenging the notion of human exceptionalism. The study also revealed greater reproductive egalitarianism in societies allowing polygynous marriages, where women have equal access to resources and parenting help.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Poor self-esteem and body image drive weight gain and worse mental health in teenage years

A study of over 12,000 UK children found that low self-esteem and body image were strong predictors of poor mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety. Increasing children's satisfaction with their appearance and self-esteem from early adolescence may help protect against these negative impacts.

SourceImperial College London·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Designing synthetic receptors for precise cell control

Researchers have developed a novel computational approach to design protein-peptide ligand binding complexes that can trigger complex cellular responses. The new biosensors can sense flexible compounds and provide optimal sensing of molecular signals, potentially leading to improved therapeutic applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 22, 2023
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.

New method reveals bacterial reaction to antibiotics in five minutes

A new method called 5PSeq has been developed to quickly assess bacterial response to antibiotics, with potential implications for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. The method measures mRNA translation and decay, revealing how bacteria interact with environmental factors and stressors.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Coastal ecosystems are a net greenhouse gas sink, new research shows

Coastal ecosystems worldwide are found to be a net sink for carbon dioxide and methane emissions, counteracting their own uptake. Fjords in North America and Southeast Asia take up significant amounts of CO2, while mangrove forests release more CH4 than estuaries.

SourceSouthern Cross University·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 22, 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.

Microorganisms' climate adaptation can slow down global warming

A new study reveals that microorganisms can adapt to temperature changes and even benefit from them. The organisms differ in their sensitivity to temperature changes, with bacteria being more sensitive than fungi. This adaptation allows them to store carbon in soil, slowing down global warming.

SourceLund University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMay 22, 2023

A sticky colloidal sciences question now solved

Scientists from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, have used in situ confocal microscopy to study colloidal gels. They found that different local particle arrangements uniquely modulated the properties of the gel, with tetrahedra arresting motion and pentagonal bipyramid clusters imparting solidity.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 22, 2023

A guide through the genome

A research team has developed a method to identify genetic variations responsible for differences in plant traits. The study found thousands of variations associated with traits like yield and pest resistance in maize. These regions can be targeted for plant breeding, leading to improved crop varieties.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalGenome Biology·DateMay 22, 2023

Risk biomarkers could predict serious side effect of stem cell transplant

A study found that measuring three potential biomarkers on day three after a stem cell transplant can identify patients at risk of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). Patients with positive scores were 9.3 times more likely to develop SOS and more likely to die within 100 days.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJCI Insight·DateMay 22, 2023

Modular builds may help construction industry weather a perfect storm

A new study suggests that modular production techniques can minimize construction delays caused by weather, resulting in cost savings for builders. The research estimates that using modular construction can reduce costs by approximately AUD$40,000 on a $6.4 million project.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 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.

Earliest evidence of wine consumption in the Americas found in Caribbean

Scientists found ceramic artefacts with wine residues from a Spanish olive jar dated between 1490-1520 AD on Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico. This discovery suggests that European wine was consumed by both Europeans and indigenous people shortly after the arrival of Spanish colonists.

SourceCranfield University·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·DateMay 22, 2023

Hanna Kokko receives Alexander von Humboldt Professorship

Hanna Kokko, a renowned theoretical evolutionary biologist, has been awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship for her groundbreaking research on the interplay between evolutionary and ecological factors. She will receive EUR 3.5 million to establish her research team and obtain necessary equipment and facilities.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·DateMay 22, 2023

Montreal protocol is delaying first ice-free Arctic summer

A new study shows that the Montreal Protocol is delaying the occurrence of the first ice-free Arctic summer by as much as 15 years. The treaty's implementation has postponed the melting of Arctic sea ice at this very moment, yielding measurable results within a few decades of its implementation.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2023

Effective capital markets are needed to protect the climate

A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Mercator Research Institute finds that the current difference between savings and lending rates results in additional global heating of 0.2 degrees Celsius. Governments can effectively counteract high interest rates on loans by subsidising investment, leading to more foss...

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·DateMay 22, 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.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes increase stroke risk

Women who experience adverse pregnancy outcomes are at a higher risk of developing stroke, with those having recurrent issues facing a twofold increase. Lifestyle interventions and sharing pregnancy history with doctors may help reduce this risk, according to the study published in the journal Stroke.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalStroke·TypeNews article·DateMay 22, 2023

Ozone treaty is delaying first ice-free Arctic summer

New research shows that the Montreal Protocol is delaying the first ice-free Arctic summer by up to 15 years. The treaty's regulation of ozone-depleting substances has slowed global warming and preserved the ozone layer.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2023

Exercise seems to protect against major brain hemorrhage

A University of Gothenburg study found that individuals who engaged in regular physical activity had smaller hemorrhages upon arrival at the hospital. Physically active patients experienced 50% less bleeding volume compared to inactive ones.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalStroke and Vascular Neurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Safety of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 17

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics monitored the safety of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in over 3 million children, identifying only rare cases of myocarditis or pericarditis, consistent with previous reports. The results provide additional evidence supporting the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in children ages 5 to 17.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMay 22, 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.

Under control to the very end – how our cells kill themselves

Cell death is a crucial process in organisms, preventing tumor development and pathogen spread. Researchers at the University of Basel have now elucidated the exact mechanism of cell death, revealing that a specific protein called ninjurin-1 assembles into filaments that open the cell membrane, leading to its disintegration.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature·DateMay 22, 2023