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Science News Archive November 2023


Page 13 of 40

Dwarf galaxies use 10-million-year quiet period to churn out stars

University of Michigan researchers discovered that less evolved dwarf galaxies have bigger regions of star factories with higher rates of star formation. A 10-million-year delay in blowing out gas allows these galaxies to hang on to their gas and dust, enabling more stars to coalesce and evolve.

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.

Nuclear physics traineeship program offers launchpad for research careers

The University of Texas at Arlington's Nuclear Research Experiences for Minority Students (NREMST) program provides paid traineeships in particle and nuclear physics to undergraduate students. The program, now receiving a $341,571 grant, has already hosted eight trainees who contributed to heavy ion beam production, detector developmen...

Unearthing how a carnivorous fungus traps and digests worms

A new study examines how a carnivorous fungus senses, traps, and consumes a worm. The research reveals key biological processes involved in the predation process, including increased DNA replication and secretion of proteins that aid in trap development.

Dynamic z-scanning for ultrafast auto-focusing in laser processing

A team of researchers has developed a fast method to track surface location and adjust optical focus simultaneously without mechanical movement. The dynamic z-scanning technique reduces defocused laser pulses and increases processing speed when processing non-flat or changing samples.

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.

New fossil assemblage highlights complexity of classifying silesaurid phylogeny

A new fossil assemblage in Brazil has added to the complexity of classifying silesaurid phylogeny, a family of dinosauriforms that lived during the Triassic period. The study suggests that these animals were part of the evolutionary history of dinosaurs, but their classification remains uncertain due to ambiguous anatomy.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Discovery of structural regularity hidden in silica glass

Researchers discovered a mixture of ring shapes unique to glass and those resembling crystals, with specific areas showing degree of order or regularity despite apparent disorder. The findings contribute to understanding phase-transitions and provide mathematical descriptions for controlling material structures and properties.

Most-cited scientists: Still mostly men, but the gender gap is closing

The gender gap among top-cited scientists is narrowing, with women now representing 32% of top-cited authors in certain fields, according to a study analyzing 5.8 million international scientific authors. However, significant disparities remain, and efforts to address promotion pathways for gifted female researchers are still needed.

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.

Syngas photocatalysis made easy

Researchers have developed a novel photocatalyst system that enables the production of syngas from methane steam reforming under atmospheric pressure. The system harnesses sunlight to split methane and water into hydrogen and carbon monoxide, forming syngas.

Deep-sea mining and warming trigger stress in a midwater jellyfish

A new study found that sediment plumes from deep-sea mining can cause significant stress in midwater jellyfish, leading to excess mucus production and energetic costly responses. The researchers also discovered that the stress response is more severe than expected even for a four-degree rise in sea temperature.

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.

Could eating turkey ease colitis?

Researchers found that supplementing tryptophan in mice diet increased inflammation-suppressing T-reg cells and reduced colitis symptoms. The findings suggest a potential non-invasive method for improving long-term colitis management.

High temperatures may have caused over 70,000 excess deaths in Europe in 2022

A new study developed a theoretical framework to re-evaluate the impact of record summer temperatures on European mortality. Using daily temperature and mortality records from 147 regions, researchers found that weekly, 2-weekly, and monthly models underestimated heat-related mortality, with errors increasing with aggregation period.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New design for rechargeable hydrogen−chlorine battery in wide temperature range

A team of researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China has designed a rechargeable hydrogen-chlorine battery that operates in a wide temperature range, from -70°C to 40°C. The battery boasts high Coulombic efficiency and stability, with improved reversibility thanks to a hierarchically porous carbon cathode.

Looking for ‘LUCA’ and the timing of cellular evolution

Researchers use molecular dating approach to estimate moment of LUCA's split into bacteria and archaea, as well as eukaryotes' emergence. The study reveals archaea are younger than previously thought, with some potentially living hidden on Earth.

Written in blood

Forensic scientists have discovered that the protrusions from bloodstains, known as 'tails', contain valuable information about a blood drop's origin. By analyzing these tails, analysts can reconstruct the impact angle and speed of the drop, helping to determine whether a victim was standing or sitting at the time of injury.

MRI reveals brain activity behind fanaticism

Researchers used fMRI to study brain activity in soccer fans, finding that brain activity changes when a fan's team succeeds or fails. The study suggests that zealousness found among some sports fans can serve as an example of intense emotional investment and impaired rationality.

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 bilingual brain may be better at ignoring irrelevant information

Researchers found that bilingual individuals were more efficient at ignoring irrelevant information compared to monolinguals. This ability is thought to arise from the constant language switching required in bilinguals. The study's findings suggest that bilingualism may have cognitive benefits, particularly in attentional control.

Germany: Sugar tax could save as much as 16 billion euros

A simulation study suggests that a soft drink tax in Germany would reduce sugar consumption and illness rates, including type 2 diabetes, resulting in significant financial savings. The estimated economic benefits of introducing such a tax range from 9.5 billion to 16 billion euros over the next two decades.

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.

Digital payment platforms can easily be misused for drug dealing

Researchers from UC Davis analyzed 23 million Venmo transactions to find at least 83,068 unique users using drug-related emojis or slang. The study highlights the need for vigilance and adaptive regulatory measures to prevent digital footprints from being misused.

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.

Irish researchers create molecule to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Researchers at Maynooth University have created a new molecule that can effectively kill resistant bacteria without harming human cells. The breakthrough uses supramolecular chemistry principles and has the potential to tackle the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance, which affects millions worldwide.

Coffee grounds may hold key to preventing neurodegenerative diseases

UTEP researchers develop a therapy based on caffeic-acid derived from spent coffee grounds to protect brain cells from damage. The treatment has potential to prevent neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by removing free radicals and inhibiting amyloid protein aggregation.

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.

Babies as young as four months show signs of self-awareness - study

Researchers found that babies as young as four months old display enhanced somatosensory brain activity when a touch is preceded by an object moving towards them. This suggests that even in the first few months of life, babies can sense their surroundings and understand how their bodies interact with space.

Forest modeling shows which harvest rotations lead to maximum carbon sequestration

Oregon State University scientists used forest modeling to determine that a site's productivity is the main factor in maximizing above-ground carbon sequestration. The study found that 60-year rotations with low-intensity thinning are optimal for highly productive stands, while longer rotations of 80-120 years are better for less produ...

Long COVID happens in nursing homes, too

A new study reveals that COVID-19 can leave a lasting impact on older adults living in nursing homes, causing them to need more help with daily activities and experience a decline in brain function. The study found that those who tested positive for COVID had effects that lasted up to nine months.

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.

How gut microbes help alleviate constipation

Scientists have identified a key genetic factor, abfA cluster, responsible for improving gut motility and alleviating constipation. The study found that Bifidobacteria longum strains with the abfA cluster can enhance arabinan utilization, leading to improved gastrointestinal transit time.

Crowdsourced fact-checking fights misinformation in Taiwan

A new study from Cornell University reveals that crowdsourced fact-checking platforms like Cofacts can effectively combat misinformation online. The research found that Cofacts users responded faster than journalists to queries, with their responses often being just as accurate, and clearer in presentation.

Novel AI system could diagnose autism much earlier

A novel AI system analyzing brain MRI scans can diagnose autism in children between 24 and 48 months with a 98.5% accuracy rate. This technology enables early detection of autism, potentially leading to improved independence, IQs, and therapeutic outcomes.

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.

Gender stereotypes embedded in natural language

Research by Clotilde Napp found that gender biases in language are stronger in more economically developed and individualistic countries. The study used natural language processing to analyze text corpora from over 70 countries, revealing a phenomenon known as the gender equality paradox.

New target identified for pulmonary hypertension treatment

Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target for pulmonary hypertension treatment by discovering an epigenetic pathway mediated via the protein SPHK2 that can reduce and potentially reverse vascular remodeling. This discovery offers new hope for treating pulmonary hypertension, which is a complex and often fatal condition.

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.

Clinical trial results give new hope for children with rare gliomas

A Phase II clinical trial has shown a clear clinical benefit of combining Dabrafenib and Trametinib in treating BRAF mutated low-grade paediatric gliomas. The combination therapy improved overall response rate by over four-fold and increased median progression-free survival.

CSHL rolls out STEM ‘Bicycle Principles’

The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has developed the "Bicycle Principles" to tackle the shortcomings of short STEM training programs. The principles aim to make training effective, inclusive, and scalable, with a focus on setting clear objectives and making training adaptable for different institutions.

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.

Researchers shed light on how one deadly pathogen makes its chemicals

Scientists at the University of Kansas have identified a previously unknown gene cluster responsible for producing sartorypyrones, a chemical made by the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. This discovery could lead to new therapies for fungal infections and eco-friendly industrial uses.