Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 10, 2023


New approach to pancreatic cancer treatment expands therapeutic possibilities, shows promise for increased survival

Researchers have discovered a promising new treatment option for pancreatic cancer, using polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (pIC) delivered directly into tumor cells. The approach suppresses tumor growth, induces cancer cell death, and enhances survival in animal models with the most common form of pancreatic cancer.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateNov 10, 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.

MSU researcher solves sperm mystery, providing insight on infertility

Researchers at MSU have solved the mystery of the cytoplasmic droplet (CD), a poorly understood sperm structure found in all mammals. The study reveals that the CD acts as a 'storage room' to pack up critical proteins needed for sperm function, and its formation is controlled by a novel protein trafficking system.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2023

Genetic traces of the woolly rhinoceros – in the middle of southern Germany

Researchers from the University of Konstanz and Tübingen have found genetic evidence of a woolly rhinoceros's presence in southern Germany during the late Middle Palaeolithic period. The analysis of hyena coprolites reveals that the animals preyed on and consumed woolly rhinoceroses, providing insights into prehistoric ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalBiology Letters·DateNov 10, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ocean acidification in the Mediterranean is already affecting the calcification of marine plankton

A recent study found that ocean acidification in the Mediterranean is already affecting the calcification of marine plankton, with negative consequences for marine ecosystems. The research suggests that anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions are the main driver of this decline, while ocean warming may be mitigating this effect.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

How mega-floods can be predicted

A new research project uses data from over 8,000 gauging stations across Europe to predict mega-floods, reducing the surprise factor of their occurrence. By considering hydrologically similar areas, flood disasters can be anticipated and mitigated, saving lives.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 10, 2023

Evidence of global impacts of individual extreme forest fires

Research reveals that smoke from individual extreme forest fires can lead to global impacts, influencing the energy balance of the atmosphere and global climate. The study found a significant temperature increase in upper air layers and weakening of lower stratospheric circulation.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·TypeCase study·DateNov 10, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Physical fitness since childhood predicts cerebellar volume in adolescence

A recent study published in Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports found that physical fitness since childhood is associated with increased cerebellar grey matter volume in adolescents. Those with better neuromuscular fitness had larger Crus I grey matter volume, while those with cardiorespiratory fitness had smaller to...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateNov 10, 2023

Spread of drug resistant bacteria linked to patient hand contamination and antibiotic use within nursing homes

A U-M study links increased physical independence, gut microbiome disrupting antibiotics, and hand contamination to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) environmental contamination in nursing homes. The study suggests that reducing antibiotic use and improving hand hygiene could control VRE spread.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·DateNov 10, 2023

PCORI study: Telemedicine treatment for HCV in people with opioid use disorder was more than twice as successful as offsite referral

A PCORI-funded study found that telemedicine treatment for HCV in people with opioid use disorder was highly effective, with nearly 90% of participants cured. The approach also led to significant reductions in substance use and improved health outcomes, including increased employment and education status.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 10, 2023

Scientists propose parallel planar heterojunction strategy for efficient solar cells

Researchers propose a parallel planar heterojunction strategy for high-efficiency solar cells using antimony trisulfide as an absorber, achieving an impressive 8.32% efficiency. The approach simplifies material selection and device preparation by enabling the sequential depositions of multiple layers.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 10, 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.

Yeast cells can produce drugs for treatment of psychotic disorders

Researchers successfully produced alstonine, a naturally occurring substance with potential for treating mental disorders, using genetically engineered yeast cells. The yeast platform has the potential to discover and develop plant-based medicines, including those for schizophrenia.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 10, 2023

Low-intensity fires reduce wildfire risk by 60%, according to study by Columbia and Stanford researchers

Researchers at Stanford and Columbia universities found that low-intensity fires can dramatically reduce the risk of devastating wildfires for years at a time. By analyzing satellite data from over 100,000 square kilometers of California forests, the team showed that controlled burning can significantly decrease the risk of high-intens...

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 10, 2023

New work sheds light on inner working of cells

Researchers at CÚRAM have published a study revealing the interconnectedness of cellular components. The work uses SRS microscopy to track multiple cell processes simultaneously, offering insights into disease behavior and potential improvements in drug treatments.

SourceUniversity of Galway·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeNews article·DateNov 10, 2023
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.

Effective communication boosts sales of solar systems

A recent study found that emphasizing financial benefits in advertising messages significantly increases demand for solar panels, with a 40% increase in customer queries. The research suggests that effective communication is a cost-effective and scalable method for promoting green technologies.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2023

Yucatán’s underwater caves host diverse microbial communities

Researchers constructed the most complete map yet of the microbial communities in Yucatán's underwater caves, revealing distinct patterns and a core set of organisms performing key roles. The study found that Comamonadaceae, a family of bacteria typically found in groundwater systems, lived in several niches across the cave system.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

CNIC scientists identify the crucial role of the protein neuregulin-1 in heart development

Researchers at CNIC reveal the essential role of neuregulin-1 in transforming the delicate primordial heart structure into a powerful pumping organ. The study sheds light on the pathways of human heart formation and suggests new strategies for heart health and regenerative medicine.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalCirculation Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

A revolution in crystal structure prediction of pharmaceutical drugs

Experts have developed a reliable method to predict the free energy of crystals, addressing the challenge of understanding physical properties and environmental factors. The new approach uses high-performance computing and has been successfully applied to seven pharmaceutical companies.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalNature·DateNov 10, 2023
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.

Scientists found hundreds of toxic chemicals in recycled plastics

A recent study published in ScienceDirect found hundreds of toxic chemicals in recycled plastic pellets from 13 countries. The findings highlight the risks associated with recycling plastics and the need to phase out harmful chemicals. The researchers urge policymakers to take action to limit hazardous chemicals in plastics.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalData in Brief·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

A closer look at rebel T cells

Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have uncovered a group of T cells known as mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. These cells can recognize the same markers whether they come from humans or mice, opening up new possibilities for treating infectious diseases and improving cancer immunotherapies. The study also ...

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

UTHealth Houston partners with Mexican organizations for $5 million NIH grant to improve implementation of cancer control interventions in Mexico and Latin America

The UTHealth Houston Institute for Implementation Science has received a five-year, $5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to support research and training in implementation science. Researchers will focus on improving cancer control efforts in Mexico and Latin America.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateNov 10, 2023

Leading cardiologists reveal new heart disease risk calculator

A new risk calculator estimates a person's risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) over the next 30 years by combining measures of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health. The PREVENT risk calculator uniquely quantifies risks for CVD for each biological sex, without including race as a factor.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateNov 10, 2023
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.

Stable and efficient robotic artificial muscles built upon new material combinations

Researchers have developed a system that enables accurate force measurement in soft material-based actuators, allowing for arbitrarily long periods of constant force. The new material combinations reduce energy consumption by up to thousandfold, enabling the creation of low-cost and high-performance solutions for assistive devices and ...

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

Designing cities for 21st-century weather

Researchers found that well-designed urban land patterns can moderate or even reduce population exposures to weather extremes, regardless of city size. Properly designed cities can generate a meaningful reduction in the increase in risks from climate change.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2023

Researchers adapt health system COVID-19 collaboration to track near-real-time trends in visits for substance use

Researchers adapted a COVID-19 collaboration to monitor near-real-time trends in substance use-related hospital and emergency department visits. Detailed data shows large increases in methamphetamine- and opioid-involved hospital and ED visits among Native American, Black, and multiple-race populations.

SourceHennepin Healthcare Research Institute·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 10, 2023
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.

University of Minnesota Medical School researchers investigate cause of cardiomyopathy in coronary artery disease using cardiac MRI

A recent study published in Circulation found that non-ischemic or dual cardiomyopathy occurs in 1 out of every 6 patients with coronary artery disease. These conditions are characterized by heart muscle damage and can lead to worse long-term outcomes. The researchers used cardiac MRI to determine the cause of cardiomyopathy, which has...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalCirculation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 10, 2023

Are consumers ready for robots to show up at their doorstep?

A Northwestern University study found that consumers are more willing to accept automated vehicle delivery than drones or robots as a substitute for human drivers. However, tech-savvy consumers and those who prioritize speed and efficiency are more accepting of these technologies.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 10, 2023

Want higher graduation rates? New study shows public spending on families is key

A new study found that public spending on social safety net programs and education independently affects high school graduation rates. The researchers discovered that investing in these areas results in a positive impact, with higher spending associated with higher graduation rates for historically underserved student groups. By analyz...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateNov 10, 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.

Unlocking the secrets of spin with high-harmonic probes

Researchers controlled spin dynamics in a Heusler compound using extreme ultraviolet high-harmonic probes, enabling precise manipulation of magnetic behavior and potential for redefining electronics and data storage. The study's results matched theoretical models, offering insights into spintronics and its applications.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 10, 2023

New cooling ceramic can enhance energy efficiency for the construction sector and help combat global warming—City University of Hong Kong research

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a passive radiative cooling material that achieves high-performance optical properties. The cooling ceramic reduces thermal load, provides stable cooling performance, and can be used in various building applications.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

AI recognizes faces but not like the human brain

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that AI's deep convolutional neural networks can identify faces but struggle to capture other important information like emotional state and trustworthiness. Brain activity scans revealed a weak correlation between AI's codes and human brain represent...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

Northern peatlands are still expanding

A new study has found that northern peatlands have accelerated in expansion over the past 1,500 years, with an average growth rate of approximately one centimeter per year. This increase in peatland area is significant for carbon sequestration and storing ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateNov 10, 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.

Study shows stem cell transplant significantly improves outcomes in refractory juvenile systemic sclerosis

A new study shows that autologous stem cell transplant can improve nearly all measures for two years following treatment in patients with refractory juvenile systemic sclerosis. The procedure significantly reduces disease severity and improves skin thickness, intestinal symptoms, and lung function, offering a life-saving intervention f...

SourceAmerican College of Rheumatology·DateNov 10, 2023

New research shows maternal dengue immunity worsens birth defects caused by Zika virus

A recent study led by Duke-NUS Medical School found that prior maternal dengue immunity substantially increases the risk of severe birth defects induced by Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Pregnant mothers with pre-existing dengue antibodies are more likely to experience microcephaly and brain damage in their foetuses after Zika ...

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

Fungi’s survival secrets

Researchers have found that halophilic fungi can restructure their cell walls to withstand extremely salty conditions, minimizing water loss and maintaining structure. This discovery could lead to the development of new technologies harnessing these microbes for industrial processes.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 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.