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Science News Archive November 2023


Page 3 of 40

Antarctica's ancient ice sheets foreshadow dynamic changes in Earth’s future

Researchers analyzed Antarctic sediment records to understand past ice sheet behavior, finding frequent and rapid growth and recession cycles over thousands of years. The study suggests that climate factors beyond Earth's orbit may trigger these changes, potentially leading to unexpected ice sheet dynamics in the coming centuries.

Vertically farmed greens taste as good as organic ones

A recent study from the University of Copenhagen found that consumers rate vertically farmed greens similarly to organic ones. The study debunked consumer prejudices about vertically grown produce, showing that it can be just as healthy and natural.

Exercise training improves obesity-related dementia

Regular exercise training boosts memory and spatial cognition in obese mice, reducing age-related cognitive decline and inflammation. The study highlights the crucial role of physical activity in preventing obesity-induced cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study tests firefighter turnout gear with, without PFAS

The study shows that PFAS-treated gear repels water but not oil or hydraulic fluid, posing a flammability hazard to firefighters. The research also reveals that PFAS-free gear performs similarly in terms of strength, but loses its oil-repelling properties after aging tests.

Decoding past climates through dripstones

Researchers from SapienCE Centre of Excellence use dripstones to study past climate in South Africa. They found that the region experienced highly variable rainfall and slightly warmer temperatures during a crucial time period for early human occupations.

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.

No sex please - marine life turned off by swimming in plastic chemicals

Research on marine amphipod Echinogammarus marinus found that exposure to toxic plastic additives compromises their ability to reproduce successfully. The study, published in Environmental Pollution, tested four widely used chemicals and found that all of them reduced the overall percentage of animals that formed pairs.

New study: Lost brain function restored after stroke

Researchers have developed a treatment that partially restores lost brain function in mouse models of stroke using metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 inhibitors. The treatment improves somatosensory functions, which are lost in around 60% of stroke patients, and can be initiated several days after the stroke.

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.

Meteorites likely source of nitrogen for early Earth

A study of Ryugu samples suggests that micrometeorites from icy celestial bodies in the outer Solar System transported nitrogen compounds to near-Earth regions. This discovery could provide clues about the origins of nitrogen on our planet, potentially serving as a building block for life.

What smoking does to oral bacteria

A study conducted by Eurac Research Institute found that cigarette use alters the oral microbiome, leading to an increased risk of periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking results in a gradual increase in aerobic bacteria, which can lead to improved blood pressure regulation.

Certain migraine medications may be more effective than Ibuprofen

A new study using smartphone app data found certain medications like triptans, ergots, and anti-emetics to be two to five times more effective than ibuprofen for migraine treatment. Researchers analyzed over 3 million treatment attempts with various medications, including NSAIDs and combination therapies.

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.

Disc around star observed in another galaxy for the first time

Researchers from Rice University and Durham University discovered a rotating disc of material circling a massive young star outside the Milky Way. The finding provides strong evidence for the formation process of high-mass stars, which are several times bigger than the Sun.

Findings challenge standard understanding of COVID-19 infection

Researchers at UC Riverside found that SARS-CoV-2 entry varies among different species and tissue types, highlighting the need for thorough investigations into viral entry mechanisms. The study's findings suggest that targeting TMPRSS2 may not be effective in preventing COVID-19 infection in mink.

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.

Age at menopause could determine risk for decline in muscle mass and strength

A new study suggests that a longer reproductive life span is associated with a decreased risk of low handgrip strength in postmenopausal women. The findings, published in Menopause journal, also indicate that this trend continues even after controlling for other variables such as household income and level of education.

Social media use linked to risky health behaviors in young people

A systematic review of over 250 social media measures found frequent or daily social media use associated with higher odds of alcohol consumption, drug use, tobacco use, risky sexual behaviors, and anti-social behavior. Exposure to content such as alcohol advertising had the strongest evidence of harm.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Eye-safe laser technology to diagnose traumatic brain injury

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have created a novel diagnostic device using eye-safe laser technology to detect traumatic brain injury. The device uses Raman spectroscopy to analyze biochemical and structural properties of molecules in the eye, providing information on the severity of trauma.

Fish brains may provide insight into the molecular basis of decision-making

Researchers found that male sticklebacks have a unique molecular response when faced with conflicting demands, including genes related to dopamine and neurogenesis. The study provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of animal behavior, suggesting that complex decision-making processes are ancient and widespread among animals.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Newborn babies at risk from bacteria commonly carried by mothers

Researchers discovered that women carrying Group B Streptococcus bacteria are up to three times more likely to have newborns admitted to neonatal units. The team developed an ultrasensitive PCR test to detect the bacteria, suggesting a 'cytokine storm' may be behind increased risk of disease.

AI model predicts breast cancer risk without racial bias

A deep learning AI model developed using mammographic images alone accurately predicted both ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinoma, showing no bias across multiple races. The model outperformed traditional risk models in predicting breast cancer risk, providing a more accurate and equitable assessment.

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.

An astronomical waltz reveals a sextuplet of planets

Researchers uncover six transiting planets around HD110067, a bright star with a chain of resonances spanning five pairs. The precise gravitational dance enabled the team to solve the previously unsolvable puzzle of the system's arrangement, revealing planetary orbits and orbital periods.

No evidence found that cannabis reduces long term opioid use

A 20-year Australian study found no evidence that cannabis reduces illicit opioid use, and its effectiveness in managing opioid crisis is uncertain. The researchers suggest that clinicians and policymakers should exercise caution when relying on cannabis as a solution.

Fighting fruit flies help researchers understand why we stay angry

A new study reveals that female fruit flies exhibit states of persistent aggression, similar to human anger, and identify cell types contributing to this behavior. The researchers found that a specific cell type, aIPg, can cause flies to remain angry for up to 10 minutes, but other factors may also be involved.

Can't un-cook an egg

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a new reactant demonstrating efficacy on proteins with drug-resistant mutations. The new inhibitor, ArNASA, reacts with lysine residues and is highly stable in physiological environments.

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.

Tracing the evolution of the “little brain”

Researchers have generated comprehensive genetic maps of the developing cerebellum in humans, mice, and opossums. The study reveals ancestral and species-specific cellular characteristics spanning over 160 million years of mammalian evolution.

Detoxifying gold mining

Researchers are working to better understand and reduce the health risks associated with mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. A new approach has been piloted, which can help reduce mercury emissions in these mines.

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.

Are you at risk for diet-related disease? Where you spend your day plays a role

A research team led by USC's Abigail Horn used smartphone mobility data to find a strong correlation between location visits and diet-related diseases. The study reveals that physical food environments play a crucial role in shaping people's eating decisions, with environments like fast-food joints contributing to unhealthy choices.

Long-live quantum entanglement goes to distance

Researchers have achieved record-long quantum storage of entangled photons at telecom wavelengths on a platform that can be deployed in extended networks. The storage time is almost 400 times longer than previous demonstrations, demonstrating a decisive step towards practical devices.

Disruptive ideas rely on old fashioned meetings

Studies have shown that collaborative teams working remotely produce fewer truly disruptive ideas compared to their in-person counterparts. In-person teams tend to engage in more conceptual work, such as conceiving hypotheses and writing, which is more likely to lead to radical new ideas.

New research sheds light on Bantu-speaking populations' expansion in Africa

A comprehensive genetic analysis of modern and ancient individuals suggests that Bantu-speaking populations originated in western Africa and expanded south and east in several waves. The study identifies key crossroads of interaction between different routes of expansion in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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.

Coronary heart disease before age 45 may increase risk of dementia later in life

Research found a significant linear relationship between age of coronary heart disease onset and dementia, highlighting the detrimental influence of premature cardiovascular events on brain health. Adults diagnosed with coronary heart disease at a young age may be at increased risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascu...

Long-standing hormone treatment for donated hearts found to be ineffective

A clinical trial by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found routine thyroid hormone intervention to be ineffective in preserving heart function and increasing organ availability for transplantation. The practice may even cause harm, prompting the authors to recommend halting its use.

Big cities foster socioeconomic segregation; Here’s how we can fix that

Research using cellphone data found that most people in big cities primarily interact with others within their own socioeconomic bracket. However, locating meeting places between neighborhoods could help change this, as cities with frequently-visited hubs in between neighborhoods were less segregated.

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.

OCD therapy retrains the brain

A new study finds that exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy for OCD improves cognitive control by strengthening connections between brain networks. This breakthrough sheds light on the mechanisms underlying EX/RP's effectiveness in treating OCD, paving the way for targeted therapies.

Laser-induced hydrothermal growth for electrocatalytic applications

Researchers developed a novel laser-induced hydrothermal reaction method to grow binary metal oxide nanostructures and layered-double hydroxides on nickel foams. This technique improves the production rate by over 19 times while consuming only 27.78% of the total energy required by conventional methods.

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.