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Science News Archive November 2023


Page 2 of 40

Webb study reveals rocky planets can form in extreme environments

A team of astronomers used Webb to observe water and molecules in a highly irradiated disk in one of the most extreme environments in our galaxy. The results suggest that terrestrial planet formation conditions can occur in a broader range of environments than previously thought.

Climate: why disinformation is so persistent

A study by UNIGE researchers found that six psychological interventions had a small and temporary impact in preventing the spread of climate misinformation. The interventions targeted factors such as trust in climate scientists, transparency, and accuracy, but only one group showed a slight advantage in resisting disinformation.

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.

This gross mixture has big benefits for the study of bacteria

Researchers have developed a new mixture, organ agar, that enables them to screen bacteria more efficiently than traditional methods. This innovation allows for the testing of over 1,700 mutants of the UTI-causing bacteria Proteus mirabilis using only a quarter of the mice typically required.

Riding the whims of the wind

Researchers develop a mathematical model that analyzes the future survival of plants in a changing climate by studying how far wind can carry seeds. The model provides fast and reliable predictions of seed movement, considering factors like seed type, plant height, and wind speed.

Scientists find gene therapy reduces liver cancer in animal model

Researchers at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center have shown that inhibiting galectin 1 protein using gene therapy can shrink liver cancer in mice, improving the anti-cancer immune response and increasing killer T cells. This approach has potential as a treatment for HCC prevention.

TPL for photonic packaging: a promising solution

A team of scientists has developed new packaging technologies using TPL to address the challenges of photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The technology offers several unique advantages, including high-resolution 3D structures and customizable connections, which relax the alignment tolerance during PIC assembly.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

EU/EEA: HIV diagnoses rise for the first time in a decade

New HIV diagnoses rose by 31% in the EU/EEA in 2022, with migrants accounting for 49% of cases. Ukrainian refugees made up a significant proportion of new diagnoses, with women disproportionately affected. The increase highlights the need for tailored early testing and treatment approaches to address this growing public health threat.

Harnessing the power of a parasite that can stop pain

Researchers analyzed leishmaniasis lesions on mouse skin to detect metabolic signaling pathways that differed from uninfected mice. They found pathways with pain-relief properties tied to the brain's endocannabinoid system, which is involved in a host of physiological processes, including the pain response.

ORNL supports executive order for safe, secure and trustworthy AI

The executive order promotes safe, secure and trustworthy AI by establishing standards, tools and tests to regulate the field. ORNL's AI Initiative connects subject matter experts with resources to develop secure, trustworthy and energy-efficient AI for scientific discovery and national security applications.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

HRS-AKI treatment options could be expanded

A new study provides an updated assessment of hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI), a potentially reversible but often fatal condition. The study's findings highlight the importance of early recognition and standard pharmacological treatment, with only 40%–50% of patients experiencing restored kidney function.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Protected droplets a new transport route for medicines

Temperature-sensitive emulsions offer a new method to control when droplets dissolve, enabling precise targeting of medicines to specific areas in the body. The discovery could revolutionize methods of delivering medication in higher concentrations to diseased areas.

Broadband buzz: Periodical cicadas' chorus measured with fiber optic cables

A new proof-of-concept study demonstrates the use of distributed fiber optic sensing to detect and analyze the sound of periodical cicadas. The technology shows promise for charting the populations of these famously ephemeral bugs, with potential applications in monitoring insect abundance across seasons and years.

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.

Why you should be vaccinated even if you have had COVID-19

Researchers found that vaccination increases immune cell production and antibody levels effective against all tested variants of SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron. Convalescent plasma therapy research provides insight into how the body fights COVID-19 variants.

Researchers reveal new process for making anhydride chemical compounds

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill and Eastman have developed a new process for making anhydride chemical compounds using nickel as a catalyst, promising cost savings and sustainability. The new process offers a potential alternative to traditional methods that rely on expensive precious metal catalysts.

New bottlenose dolphin sense discovered: they feel electricity

Researchers discovered bottlenose dolphins' ability to detect weak electric fields, which helps them search for fish hidden in sediment. This newfound sense also enables dolphins to navigate the globe using magnetic maps by sensing the planet's magnetic field at varying speeds.

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.

Brain waves usually found in sleep can protect against epileptic activity

Researchers at University College London have discovered that slow waves typically present during sleep can also occur during wakefulness in people with epilepsy, potentially protecting against increased brain excitability. These 'wake' slow waves decrease the impact of epileptic spikes on brain activity and may protect against seizures.

Structural racism and lung cancer risk

A new study finds that structural racism is a significant contributor to unequal lung cancer risk factors, affecting different racial and ethnic groups differently. The research highlights the need for tailored preventive interventions to address these disparities.

ROP signaling: Origin at dawn of multicellular plant life

Researchers found that ROP proteins evolved during the transition from unicellular to multicellular plant life. ROP proteins are highly conserved between land plants and streptophyte algae, excluding certain species. The study suggests that ROP signaling may have contributed to the evolution of multicellularity in plants.

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.

Hurricanes boost cone production in longleaf pine

Research by The Jones Center at Ichauway found that hurricanes increase cone production in longleaf pine by 31% and 71% two years after the event, suggesting a possible explanation for the masting phenomenon. This discovery sheds light on the role of weather conditions in triggering seed germination.

Hope for autoimmune skin disorder sufferers with new immunotherapy strategy

Researchers discovered distinct mechanisms controlling different types of immune cells and found a way to selectively eliminate 'problematic' cells driving autoimmune disorders. This breakthrough offers precise targets for potential treatment strategies, potentially revolutionizing the way we treat skin conditions.

Scientists build tiny biological robots from human cells

Researchers created multicellular bots from human tracheal cells that move across surfaces and promote healing of damaged neurons in a lab dish. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic tools for regeneration, healing, and disease treatment using patient-derived biobots.

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.

HIV: Thwarting a protein in the hope of a better quality of life

Scientists identify a link between HIV's gp120 protein and chronic inflammation, leading to premature aging and comorbidities. A clinical trial aims to test the effect of Fostemsavir on reducing cardiovascular diseases and improving quality of life for women living with HIV.

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.

Loss of auditory nerve fibers uncovered in individuals with tinnitus

A new study by Mass Eye and Ear researchers reveals that individuals with tinnitus experience auditory nerve loss not detected by conventional hearing tests. This discovery provides a better understanding of the origins of tinnitus and offers hope for future treatments and potential cures.

Using public incentives for negative emissions increases economic inequality

A new study finds that public incentives for negative emissions can exacerbate economic inequality, especially in countries with concentrated equity ownership and expensive mitigation options. Researchers propose alternative policy provisions to mitigate the increase in inequality while ensuring decarbonization at reasonable cost.

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.

Commonly used pesticides are still harming bees

A new study confirms that pesticides commonly used in farmland significantly harm bumblebees. Data from 106 sites across 8 European countries shows that bumblebees encounter multiple pesticides, resulting in fewer offspring and reduced colony performance.

Structural racism persists in radiotherapy

Outdated medical tools cause delayed recognition and management of adverse reactions in patients of color, leading to significant distress. A more inclusive approach is urgently needed to address structural racism in radiotherapy treatment and education.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Taking antibiotics back in time

A team of researchers successfully synthesized a 1.5-million-year-old antibiotic called paleomycin, which displays potent properties against human pathogens. By tracing the evolutionary path of glycopeptide antibiotics, the team gained insights into the development of new drugs and uncovered a common precursor molecule.

Early body contact develops premature babies' social skills

Researchers found that early skin-to-skin contact with parents significantly improves premature babies' social skills at four months old. The study also showed that fathers play a more important role than previously thought in developing their infants' social skills.

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.

New study offers cautious hope about the resilience of redwoods

Researchers found that coast redwood's massive carbon reserves fueled growth of new leaves after a catastrophic fire, allowing the forest to begin regenerating. However, many trees did not survive, and it may take centuries for the ecosystem to fully recover.

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.

Developing a superbase-comparable BaTiO3−xNy oxynitride catalyst

A team of researchers developed a hexagonal BaTiO3−xNy oxynitride catalyst with basicity comparable to that of superbases. The substitution of nitride ions and oxygen vacancies into face-sharing Ti2O9 dimer sites increases the electron density, resulting in a highly basic catalyst.

Innovative gel offers new hope for treating gastrointestinal leaks

Researchers developed an adhesive gel to seal and heal challenging gastrointestinal tract-to-skin connections, showing promising results in studies. The gel's unique composition ensures it can effectively seal fistulas, preventing further complications and aiding in healing.

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.