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Science News Archive October 2023


Page 5 of 37

Cold War spy satellite imagery reveals Ancient Roman forts

A Dartmouth study analyzing declassified Cold War satellite imagery identified 396 previously undocumented Roman forts across the northern Fertile Crescent. The forts were constructed from east to west, contradicting Father Antoine Poidebard's north-south axis claim and suggesting a more complex distribution along Rome's eastern frontier.

Underwater robot finds new circulation pattern in Antarctic ice shelf

A Cornell University-led team used an underwater robot to explore the ocean conditions beneath an Antarctic ice shelf, discovering a new circulation pattern involving a jet funneling water sideways through crevasses. The findings improve modeling of ice shelf melting and freezing rates, which can impact global sea-level rise.

The race of water droplets

A team of researchers from the University of Liège has studied the mechanisms governing water droplet speed along fibers. They found that thicker fibers result in lower speeds, but unexpected behavior occurs when two fibers are bundled together, leading to faster droplet movement.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Okinawa’s ants change their seasonal rhythms amid land-cover changes

Ant communities in Okinawa Island show reduced seasonal behavior in areas with more human development. Researchers found that ant populations in developed sites are less predictable and have diminished seasonality compared to forested areas. The study highlights the impact of human activities on insect populations and ecosystem services.

Protein root discovery seals future of climate proof plants

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a protein that seals plant roots to regulate nutrient and water uptake from the soil. This finding has significant implications for developing climate-proof crops with reduced water and chemical fertilizer requirements.

AI can alert urban planners and policymakers to cities’ decay

Researchers developed an AI-powered method to measure urban decay using street view images, identifying object classes like potholes and graffiti. The model showed promise in detecting urban decline in cities like San Francisco and Mexico City, with potential applications for informing urban policy and planning.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Evolutionary chance made this bat a specialist hunter

A study questions the ongoing arms race between bats and insects, finding that one bat species' low calls are likely due to its evolutionary history. The barbastelle, a hawking bat, has quieter calls than other bats but is likely descended from a gleaner that hunted on surfaces.

Clear holographic imaging in turbulent environments

A new method called TWC-Swin effectively restores holographic images even under low spatial coherence and arbitrary turbulence, surpassing traditional convolutional network-based methods. The study demonstrates strong generalization capabilities, extending its application to unseen scenes.

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.

Intermittent fasting is safe, effective for those with Type 2 diabetes

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found time-restricted eating to be safe and effective for people with Type 2 diabetes, helping them lose weight and control blood sugar levels. Participants who followed the time-restricted eating plan had an easier time sticking to it than those on a calorie-reduced diet.

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.

Online games use dark designs to collect player data

A study by Aalto University reveals that online games employ deceptive data collection practices, often hiding information behind complex legal jargon. Players are often unaware of the risks and may feel compelled to conceal their identities or personal data to maintain privacy.

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.

Endangered whales live in area earmarked for gas exploration

New research reveals that endangered whales and dolphins inhabit the Hellenic Trench off Greece year-round, challenging seismic surveys and oil and gas exploration. The study confirms the presence of four species, including sperm whales, in both summer and winter, highlighting the need for conservation measures.

Astronomers discover infant "escaping star"

Researchers have discovered a protostar leaving its birthplace using high-resolution molecular spectral lines. The study found the core to have a significant blue shift of -2.3 km/s relative to its parental cloud, indicating an escape velocity less than 4,000 years ago.

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.

More accurate identification of children at high risk for RSV disease

A new study has identified 16 major risk factors for severe RSV infection in children under one year of age. The researchers created a clinical prediction model that performed well in both Finland and Sweden, highlighting the need for targeted prevention measures for high-risk infants.

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.

A new era for accurate, rapid COVID-19 testing

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a novel platform that combines nanopore technology with artificial intelligence to detect different coronavirus variants quickly. The platform was tested on 241 saliva samples and detected the Omicron variant 100% of the time.

Quantum materials: superconductor performs best under pressure

Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) discovered that applying mechanical pressure to strontium ruthenate increases its transition temperature and facilitates deformation. This is attributed to quantum mechanics resonance of electron oscillations, making the material softer.

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.

Scientists find two ways that hurricanes rapidly intensify

New research identifies two modes of rapid intensification, one linked to favorable environmental conditions and warm surface waters, the other triggered by major bursts of thunderstorms far from the storm's center. These findings may lead to better understanding and prediction of catastrophic hurricanes.

Machine can quickly produce needed cells for cancer treatment

A new tool has been developed to rapidly grow cancer-killing white blood cells, called T cells, which could advance the availability of immunotherapy. The bioreactor is 30% faster than current technologies and can be self-contained in a sterile cabinet.

New tool measures food security duration, severity

A new method, probability of food security (PFS), measures food insecurity likelihood and finds that a third of US households experienced at least temporary food insecurity. PFS identifies chronic and transitory food insecurity groups for more refined policy addressing.

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.

UCLA researcher finds first proof of menopause in wild chimpanzees

A study of wild chimpanzees in Uganda's Kibale National Park found that females can experience menopause and postreproductive survival. The research challenged the long-held assumption that this trait is unique to humans, suggesting it may be a species-typical trait in chimpanzees.

Effective treatment for rare sight-threatening infection

A new international clinical trial found that a drug candidate is highly effective in treating Acanthamoeba keratitis with medical cure rates of 87%, reducing the risk of poor visual outcomes and surgery. The treatment, low concentration polihexanide (PHMB 0.08%), follows a novel and evidence-based protocol.

Even treated wood prevents bacterial transmission by hand

Researchers found that smooth surfaces like tile and lacquer-coated wood have low bacterial growth, while porous surfaces like untreated oak increase the risk of contamination. Treated wood is recommended as surface material to prevent bacterial transmission via dry hands.

An unexpected link between 2 schizophrenia risk proteins

A study in mice finds that two proteins, MAP6 and Kv3.1, interact to control movement, memory, and anxiety. Disrupting this interaction can lead to behavioral changes, including hyperactivity and impaired memory, highlighting potential new targets for schizophrenia treatment.

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.

Webb observes the glowing embers of colliding neutron stars

Researchers observed a gamma-ray burst from a kilonova, the collision of two compact neutron stars, using the James Webb Space Telescope. The data revealed the creation of the element tellurium, which had not been recognized before, and provided new insights into the formation of heavy elements in the universe.

Interacting polarons

Scientists generate multiple quasiparticles simultaneously in a quantum gas and observe their complex interactions, including attractive and repulsive behavior. Quantum statistics plays a crucial role in these interactions, which are essential for understanding fundamental mechanisms of nature.

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.

Controlling waves in magnets with superconductors for the first time

Researchers successfully controlled spin waves by using a superconducting electrode, which acts as a mirror to reflect the magnetic field back to the spin wave. This breakthrough offers an energy-efficient alternative to electronics and opens doors for designing new circuits based on spin waves and superconductors.

Bone density is kept up by the same process with hair color

A team of Osaka University researchers discovered a link between Rab32 and Rab38 proteins, crucial for both hair pigmentation and bone resorption. Double-knockout mice showed increased bone density and altered physical characteristics, highlighting the importance of these proteins in maintaining bone homeostasis.

Fungi used in food production could lead to new probiotics

Researchers identified two fungus strains, Cyberlindnera jadinii and Kluyveromyces lactis, with potential probiotic effects on gut inflammation. These strains may offer a new way to develop probiotics and treat inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

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.

ERC Synergy Grant for immunotherapy of liver metastases

Researchers from the Max Planck Research Group aim to investigate the local immune system of the liver to develop new immunotherapy strategies for metastatic diseases. They will examine tissue and tumor samples using state-of-the-art techniques to identify key molecules and checkpoints in complex cellular interaction networks.

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.