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Science News Archive October 2023


Page 13 of 37

Ancient sea monster remains reveal oldest mega-predatory pliosaur

A team of palaeontologists has identified the oldest-known mega-predatory pliosaur, Lorrainosaurus, from 170-million-year-old fossils found in north-eastern France. The discovery reveals a new understanding of marine reptile evolution and ecosystem shifts during the Early-to-Middle Jurassic boundary.

Research shows how airline pricing really works

Researchers found that airlines use a pricing heuristic called Expected Marginal Seat Revenue-b to set prices, resulting in large gaps between ticket prices. Airlines also don't directly incorporate competitor prices into their automated price-setting, leading to dampened competitive benefits.

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.

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.

COVID-19-related jail decarceration did not affect crime in California

A new study by researchers at UC Irvine and the University of Arizona found no consistent relation between COVID-19-related jail decarceration and violent or property crime in California. The study suggests that downsizing, on average, did not drive crime increases statewide, but notes limitations such as a short measurement period.

Does urbanization trigger plant evolution?

Researchers found that urbanized creeping woodsorrel plants exhibit red leaves, which thrive in urban areas due to high stress tolerance. Genome-wide genetic analyses revealed multiple evolutionary origins of the red-leaf variant from ancestral green-leaved plants.

Deep dive into the gut unlocks new disease treatments

A diverse gut microbiome is linked to better health, and a new study reveals how to determine which species are important and interact to create a healthy balance. The findings have significant implications for conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease, infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Does suspending kids from school harm their grades and health?

A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that suspension from school is tied to a big drop in grade point average (GPA), especially for Black and Latinx children. The average GPA decline across all students who experienced an exclusionary school discipline (ESD) event was 0.88 points, with Black students seeing the largest decline...

Soft, living materials made with algae glow under stress

A team of researchers developed soft yet durable materials that glow in response to mechanical stress, using single-celled algae and a seaweed-based polymer. The materials demonstrate inherent simplicity, no electronics needed, and can be used as mechanical sensors or soft robotics, while also being resilient and self-sustaining.

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.

Team looking at gene therapy for children paralyzed by rare mutations

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center discovered a gene therapy approach that can restore motor functions in mice with Contactin-Associated Protein 1 (Cntnap1) mutations. The study found that turning on the normal gene earlier improves the rescue outcome, and the next phase is to test this approach in humans.

The Arctic in transition

The Arctic Permafrost Atlas reveals alarming changes in landscapes, ecosystems, and human lives due to climate change. Over five million people are at risk of losing frozen ground beneath their feet by 2050, with significant economic implications for oil and gas production.

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.

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.

Study shows promise for iNKT cell platform to treat cancer

Researchers develop a novel iNKT cell therapy approach using canine models, demonstrating improved survival and longer therapeutic effect. The platform could potentially treat human cancers with reduced risk of relapse and increased efficacy.

Generating clean electricity with chicken feathers

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new, environmentally friendly fuel cell membrane made from chicken feathers. The keratin-based membrane replaces toxic substances and reduces carbon emissions. This breakthrough could enable the widespread adoption of hydrogen power as a sustainable energy source.

Why do some men not produce sperm?

Researchers discovered that a single mutation in a key synaptonemal complex protein can cause infertility in mice and is likely to have the same effect in humans. This finding may lead to new technologies for treating male infertility by pinpointing the exact location of the defect.

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.

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.

Land use: Producing more food and storing more carbon

Researchers from KIT and HeiGIT found that optimized land use can increase food production by an average of 83%, water availability by 8%, and CO2 storage capacity by 3%. This would be achieved by preserving tropical and boreal forests, using temperate latitudes for croplands, and utilizing tropical and subtropical savannas for pastures.

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.

Harsh workplace climate is pushing women out of academia

A comprehensive analysis of retention in academia reveals that women faculty are leaving academia at a higher rate than men, especially after receiving full professorship. The study found that harsh workplace climates, including harassment and feelings of not belonging, were the most common reason for women's departure.

Noninvasive bioelectronic treatment of postcesarean pain

A randomized clinical trial found that high-frequency electrical stimulation device reduced opioid use and prescribed opioids after cesarean delivery, suggesting a potential adjunct to decrease opioid use without compromising pain control.

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.

Delta-8 and its online availability to minors raises concerns

Research suggests delta-8 companies market products to minors with colorful packaging, cheap prices, and easy availability. This lack of age verification and regulation poses risks to minors, who may underestimate the substance's strength and danger. Clinicians and policymakers are advised to take action.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Stolen genes allow parasitic control of behavior

Researchers discovered that parasites like horsehair worms use stolen genes to control host behavior. They found over 3,000 genes expressed more in manipulated hosts, suggesting the parasite produces its own proteins for manipulating nervous systems.

Predicting potential problems of persistent plastic particulates

Researchers used Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and machine learning to predict adsorption capacity of pharmaceuticals and personal care products on long-term aged microplastics. The study successfully captured the complexity of the system with up to 98% accuracy, providing new insights into the interactions between microplast...

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.

Heat waves harm bird reproduction on agricultural lands

Researchers analyzed over 150,000 bird nests across the U.S. and found that extreme heat diminishes reproductive success in agricultural landscapes, but forests provide shade to increase nesting success. Curtailing emissions and promoting thermal refuges are crucial for conserving birds.