Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive November 2023


Page 7 of 40

Scientists harness flower “super power” to pave the way for new drug treatments

Researchers at the University of Bath have created a novel bacterial system to mass-produce cyclic proteins and peptides, addressing a significant bottleneck in the development of new therapeutic treatments. By harnessing the natural cyclization process from the Oldenlandia flower, they improved heat and chemical stability, as well as ...

A new way to see the activity inside a living cell

Researchers at MIT have developed an alternative method to study molecular signals in cells, allowing them to track up to seven different molecules simultaneously. The technique uses fluorescent proteins that flicker on and off at different rates, enabling the tracking of specific cellular functions over time.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Can health, lifestyle changes protect elders from Alzheimer's?

A two-year study found that participants who received personalized coaching experienced a modest boost in cognitive testing, measuring a 74% improvement over the non-intervention group. Additionally, improvements were noted between the two groups in measurements of risk factors and quality of life.

Radiation therapy may be potential heart failure treatment

A study published in Med suggests that low-dose radiation therapy can improve heart function by reducing inflammatory immune cells and scar tissue in the heart. Researchers found improved pumping capacity and increased survival of mice with heart failure after receiving radiation therapy.

Macaque trials offer hope in pneumonia vaccine development

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have successfully developed a novel pneumococcal vaccine that demonstrates efficacy in suppressing pneumococcal pneumonia in macaques. The vaccine's design combines proprietary mucosal vaccine technology with pneumococcal surface proteins to cover a wide range of serotypes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Slash-and-burn agriculture can increase forest biodiversity

A study in Belize found that Indigenous farmers' slash-and-burn techniques increased forest plant diversity when used in intermediate-sized farm patches. This contradicts the standard view of slash-and-burn as a cause of deforestation, and highlights the importance of Indigenous knowledge for sustainable agriculture.

Research | Social phobia amid COVID-19 pandemic? You're not alone

A study by Peking University found that COVID-19 prevention measures exacerbated social phobia in Chinese college students, with risk factors including lower GPA, bullying experience, and mobile phone dependence. Protective factors included female gender, postgraduate status, and moderate trust in strangers.

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.

Finnish team of researchers found out the composition of asteroid Phaethon

Researchers from the University of Helsinki found that asteroid Phaethon is composed of olivine, carbonates, iron sulfides, and oxide minerals, matching the spectra of rare CY carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. This discovery explains the formation of gas near the Sun and the subsequent release of dust and gravel into space.

Bidding adieu to sticky ice, but with a grain of salt

Researchers discovered that impure ice is less sticky than pure ice due to its unique structure and quasi-liquid layer. The study found that slow freezing processes preserve contaminants within the ice, leading to weaker adhesion. This discovery could lead to the design of next-generation winterization techniques.

Minimalist or maximalist? The life of a microbe a mile underground

Researchers characterized nearly 600 microbial genomes, revealing two types of microbes: minimalists and maximalists. Minimalists share resources with friends, while maximalists can produce energy and transform biomolecules, offering insights into life in the Earth's crust and potential on Mars.

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.

Combined microbiome datasets yield accurate prediction of animal ages

Researchers have combined 14 studies on piglet gut bacteria to uncover common patterns in microbiome development over time. The analysis revealed predictable trajectories and important details at a fine time scale, with an accuracy of 70% in predicting animal age based on microbiomes.

Repairing nerve cells after injury and in chronic disease

Researchers at Salk Institute uncover a mechanism for repairing damaged nerves during peripheral neuropathy, with protein Mitf playing a key role. The findings have the potential to inspire novel therapeutics that bolster repair function and heal peripheral neuropathy.

Millions of kids in U.S. have inadequate health care coverage

A new study finds that nearly 1 in 5 US children have inadequate health insurance coverage, with commercially insured children showing higher rates of inadequacy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant decrease in insurance gaps and out-of-pocket costs for commercially insured children.

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.

Secrecy at Canada's pest management agency must end

Health experts argue that Health Canada's secrecy on pesticide data hinders constructive public debates and allows the agrochemical industry to influence policy. The Canadian Medical Association Journal calls for transparency in data about pesticides, citing a need to address potential health risks and ensure safe use of these products.

Brain boost: Can a coach help elders at risk for Alzheimer’s?

Researchers at UCSF and Kaiser Permanente Washington found that participants who received personalized coaching experienced a 74% improvement in cognitive testing compared to non-intervention participants. The study also showed improvements in risk factors and quality of life, with modest but significant increases in cognitive function.

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.

Revolutionizing cancer treatment through programmable bacteria

A team of researchers from Texas A&M University is developing a low-cost, safe, and controlled cancer treatment using programmable bacteria. The $20 million project aims to create an efficient bacterial therapeutic that can target cancer cells with high precision, reducing side effects and costs.

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.

Hamburg collaboration paves the way to cleaner technologies for industry

A Hamburg collaboration between EMBL Hamburg and TUHH has yielded new insights into a lipid-degrading enzyme from an exotic microbe, which may contribute to the development of more sustainable industrial processes. The findings could help improve chemical processes in various branches of industry.

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.

Owner personality and mental wellbeing associated with human–pet attachment

Researchers found that cat and dog owners with lower mental wellbeing scores were more anxiously attached to their pets, while avoidantly attached owners were associated with poor care and impulsiveness in dogs. The study suggests that understanding the attachment bond between owners and pets can help promote wellbeing for both.

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.

Wind and solar projects can profit from bitcoin mining

A new study finds that wind and solar projects can generate millions of dollars by leveraging bitcoin mining during the precommercial phase. The research suggests strategic placement of mining farms to maximize productivity, with Texas emerging as a top state for profitability. The authors recommend policy incentives to encourage envir...

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.

Estimation of unmasked face images based on voice and 3DMM

A team of researchers has introduced a unique method that uses voice data to assist in revealing the covered parts of faces, overcoming challenges to facial recognition systems. Their approach demonstrates significant improvements in recreating critical facial areas like the mouth, nose, and overall face shape.

Stronger thigh muscles may prevent knee replacement surgery

Researchers found that a higher ratio of quadriceps to hamstring muscle volume was significantly associated with lower odds of total knee replacement. Training programs that strengthen the quadriceps in relation to the hamstrings may be beneficial for preventing knee replacement surgery.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

No IKAROS, no antibodies

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Massachusetts General Hospital mapped the genome to understand how IKAROS controls healthy B cell development. They found that IKAROS solves a big problem in B cell development by bringing together far-away genes through looping, leading to proper expression and antibody production.

Seeing cancer’s spread through a computational window

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new computational model called Adaptive Physics Refinement (APR) that can simulate the movement of individual cancer cells across long distances within the entire human body. This approach captures detailed cellular interactions and their effects on cellular trajectory, providing valuable...

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.

Molecular cooperation at the threshold of life

Amyloids have been found to selectively bind with codon-sized RNA, a crucial step in the emergence of life. These interactions may represent a universal genetic code that unites all living beings, increasing stability and order in an otherwise dilute system.

Defending your voice against deepfakes

Dr. Ning Zhang's AntiFake tool uses adversarial techniques to make it difficult for AI tools to read voice recordings, preventing synthesis of deceptive speech. The tool has achieved over 95% protection rate against state-of-the-art speech synthesizers and is accessible to diverse populations.

Alarming trends in cardiovascular health among middle-aged adults

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a stagnation in cardiovascular health trends among middle-aged adults, with low-income individuals facing higher rates of hypertension and other risk factors. The research highlights the need to address social determinants of health contributing to these disparities.

Vampire bats make northward flight seeking stable climates

Researchers predict that vampire bats will expand their locations in search of more stable climates, potentially linked to a spillover of rabies. The team's work aims to identify and track the bats by traveling to Colombia to contain the spread.

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.

Measuring long-term heart stress dynamics with smartwatch data

Biomedical engineers at Duke University created a new 'digital twins' framework using smartwatch data to capture personalized arterial forces over 700,000 heartbeats. This approach reduces the computational load by simulating tasks in parallel, enabling real-time tracking of cardiovascular disease progression and risk assessment.

New study sheds light on the link between lipids and cholelithiasis

A new study published in Gut found that higher HDL-C levels are associated with a reduced risk of gallstone formation, while lower LDL-C levels also show an inverse association. The study suggests that these findings could inform personalized risk assessment strategies and potential therapeutic interventions for cholelithiasis prevention.

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.