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Science News Archive October 2023 - Page 27


Page 27 of 37

Syphilis transmission in US higher among transgender women and Black gay and bisexual men, study finds

A new study by Northwestern University found that syphilis rates are nearly twice as high among transgender women and Black gay and bisexual men compared to white gay men. The study suggests that preventing and treating syphilis requires outreach to key populations, particularly those from communities of color.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateOct 10, 2023

DNA aptamer finds novel application in regulating cell differentiation

Researchers discovered an anti-nucleolin DNA aptamer that modulates gene expression and nucleolin localization to determine a cell's lineage during differentiation. The study shows promise as a regenerative therapy for cardiovascular diseases.

SourceShinshu University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2023

Improving follow-up of abnormal cancer screening results

A multilevel primary care intervention, including electronic health record reminders and patient outreach, improved timely follow-up of overdue abnormal cancer screening test results for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer. The intervention was found to be effective in reducing missed screenings.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 10, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stellar fountain of youth with turbulent formation history in the centre of our galaxy

A young star cluster, IRS13, has been found to be significantly younger than expected, with stars only 100,000 years old, despite being near the supermassive black hole Sgr A*. The cluster's turbulent history suggests it was 'captured' by the black hole's gravity, leading to a bow shock and increased star formation.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2023

NIH provides $1.2 million for ambitious effort to battle antibiotic resistance

Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System are developing computer models to better understand the cellular processes and gene activity of multi-drug resistant bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities in these bacteria and advance the development of new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·DateOct 10, 2023

Large clinical trial by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, HCA Healthcare, and UCI Health identifies best strategy to prevent life-threatening health care-associated ICU infections

A large multi-state study found that mupirocin ointment is highly effective at preventing Staphylococcus aureus infections in critically ill patients, outperforming an antiseptic solution. The study involved over 800,000 ICU patients in 137 hospitals and showed a durable benefit from mupirocin.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 10, 2023
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.

Sweet Victory: Sensor detects adulteration in honey

A team of scientists developed a microwave microstrip line planar resonator sensor to detect added water in honey. The sensor's resonance frequency shifts with increased water content, allowing for adulteration detection.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateOct 10, 2023

Early Cambrian microfossils preserve introvert musculature of cycloneuralians

Researchers discovered early Cambrian microfossils preserving introvert musculature of cycloneuralians, a group of animals that include roundworms and horsehair worms. The preserved musculature consists of four groups of muscles, differing from basal animals in terms of topology.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateOct 10, 2023
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.

Extreme sports: How body and mind interact

A study published by Vienna University of Technology analyzed the effects of extreme physical and mental stress on a rowing athlete's body. The research found that the variability in heart rate, sleep quality, and regeneration during sleep phases were closely related to the athlete's psychological condition.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·TypeCase study·DateOct 10, 2023

Race to find world’s oldest mammal fossils led to mud-slinging

A dispute over fossil rights led to mud-slinging between professors from Cambridge and London Universities in the 1970s. The researchers found that Professor Parrington's team took four tons of clay rich in fossils from quarries in South Wales, sparking a heated debate.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 10, 2023

Titanium oxide material can remove toxic dyes from wastewater

Researchers at Drexel University developed a titanium oxide material that can break down two common dye pollutants in water under visible light. The material reduced rhodamine 6G and crystal violet concentrations by 90% and 64%, respectively, in just 30 minutes.

SourceDrexel University·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2023
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.

Seamlessly multiplexing memory storage and recall

Researchers found that the medial septum, a brain area in the center of the forebrain, plays a key role in encoding and retrieval processes. It helps generate gamma oscillations, which are faster for storing and slower for recalling memories.

SourceInstitute of Experimental Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2023

New study offers improved strategy for social media communications during wildfires

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame found that social media engagement improves when national and local levels mismatch audiences during recovery phases, increasing user engagement by 29.6%. The study suggests a nuanced approach to content coordination, with national headquarters leading production and local accounts following.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateOct 10, 2023

Researchers developed novel multi-sensor data fusion methods for rapid and accurate compound fertilizer quality detection

A research team developed a data fusion strategy combining near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for fast and accurate detection of compound fertilizer components. The approach improved accuracy by up to 33.5% compared to LIBS alone.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalTalanta·DateOct 10, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Death is only the beginning: Birds disperse eaten insects’ eggs

Researchers from Kobe University found that birds dispersing the eggs of eaten insects' help flightless stick insects expand their geographical range. Genetic analysis revealed a correlation between geographic distance and genetic differentiation among populations.

SourceKobe University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2023

Can immunity from routine vaccines be used to fight cancer?

A University of Massachusetts Amherst team demonstrates a protein antigen from a childhood vaccine can be delivered into malignant tumor cells to refocus the immune system against cancer. The bacteria-based intracellular delivering system shows promise in treating pancreatic, liver, and metastatic breast tumors.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2023

Synthetic molecules can ‘ferry’ mucus-clearing ions blocked by cystic fibrosis

A University at Buffalo-led research team has developed molecules that can transport chloride ions across cell membranes, increasing airway surface liquid and restoring normal mucus clearance in cystic fibrosis cells. The synthetic anion binders offer a new potential treatment for the chronic disease.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2023

Neanderthal gene variants associated with greater pain sensitivity

Researchers discovered that people carrying three Neanderthal gene variants in the SCN9A gene are more sensitive to certain types of pain. The study found an association between the variants and a lower pain threshold in response to skin pricking after prior exposure to mustard oil.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2023
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.

Chinese government’s corporate subsidies have had little effect on firms’ productivity

A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University and ShanghaiTech University found that China's government subsidies have had limited effect on promoting firms' productivity. The study analyzed firm-level data from 2007 to 2018 and found that subsidies often flowed to less productive firms, leading to a decline in their relative productivity.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Comparative Economics·DateOct 10, 2023

Role of methylation in vernalization and photoperiod pathway: a potential flowering regulator?

This study investigates the regulatory role of methylation in vernalization and photoperiod pathways, revealing its potential as a flowering regulator. The authors summarize current knowledge on methylation's involvement in these pathways, highlighting its heritability and potential replacement of vernalization/photoinduction.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2023

Molecular mechanisms of fungal infections clarified

A research team from Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf has clarified an important mechanism in how fungal infections are regulated at the molecular level. They discovered a single RNA-binding protein called Khd4 that controls the growth of infectious hyphae by determining mRNA stability, which in turn regulates membrane trafficking.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2023

Small chemical change to boost bioavailability of drug molecules

Researchers at IISc have developed a novel method to improve pharmacokinetic properties of macrocyclic peptides, which are used in pharmaceutical industries worldwide. By substituting oxygen with sulphur in the backbone of these peptides, they increase resistance to digestive enzymes and lipophilicity, thereby boosting bioavailability.

SourceIndian Institute of Science (IISc)·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2023
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.

Researchers test large language model that preserves patient privacy

Researchers tested the feasibility of using locally run LLMs like Vicuna-13B to label key findings in chest X-ray reports while preserving patient privacy. The results showed moderate to substantial agreement with non-LLM computer programs, suggesting that these models can be a viable option for AI research.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateOct 10, 2023

Powering AI could use as much electricity as a small country

The author estimates that AI-related electricity consumption could increase by 85-134 TWh annually by 2027, comparable to the annual electricity consumption of countries like the Netherlands and Sweden. The growth highlights the need for mindful AI adoption to minimize energy-intensive applications.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2023

First scientific results from GALAXY CRUISE

The GALAXY CRUISE project has published its first scientific paper, showing that colliding galaxies increase the rate of new star formation. Citizen astronomers helped classify over 2 million galaxies in data from the Subaru Telescope, enabling this groundbreaking research.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2023

Killing remains a threat to Bornean orangutans

Research reveals that the illegal killing of orangutans on Borneo remains a significant threat to the species, with 30% of villages reporting killings in the last 5-10 years. Conservation efforts may not be effectively preventing killing and addressing human-orangutan conflict is crucial.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalConservation Science and Practice·TypeSurvey·DateOct 10, 2023
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.

Bringing out the color in zinc

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have synthesized a complex with two zinc ions that exhibit color, greatly expanding the potential properties of zinc complexes. The discovery uses visible light to move electrons between orbitals, resulting in a yellow material.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 10, 2023

Study compares health information exchange data versus patient self-reports to measure cancer screening uptake

A recent study compared using health information exchange (HIE) data with patient self-reported data as a means of gathering intelligence on cancer screening uptake. HIE data provided more information about laboratory screening tests, while patient self-reports offered more details about cancer screening procedures.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalBMC Medical Research Methodology·DateOct 10, 2023
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.

Maternal obesity predicts heart disease risk better than pregnancy complications

A new study found that pre-pregnancy obesity is a primary driver of future cardiovascular disease risk, rather than pregnancy complications. The research followed 4,216 individuals from early pregnancy to postpartum and found those with overweight or obese BMI had a higher risk of developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCirculation Research·DateOct 10, 2023

Study shows little improvement in mandated disaster plans, despite required updates

A new study from the University of Kansas found that mandated disaster plans have mediocre quality and modest improvements over time. Despite regular updates, the plans fail to address key issues such as public engagement and land use policies, leading to repeated mistakes in areas prone to natural disasters.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Planning Education and Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 10, 2023
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.

New research highlights the role of TikTok in spreading videos that encourage violence against women

Researchers found that incel ideology on TikTok uses emotional appeals and pseudo-science to share extremist views, normalising harmful ideologies. The study highlights the need for policymakers to understand the growing incel activity on mainstream platforms like TikTok.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalEuropean Journal on Criminal Policy and Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 10, 2023

Scientists discover the reassembly of parallel trimolecular G-quadruplex via novel hoogsteen strand displacement reaction

Researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science discovered a novel reassembly process for G-quadruplexes through Hoogsteen SDR, revealing unique recognition modes between probes and targets. This breakthrough offers new possibilities for GQ reassembly and insights into G-rich DNA interactions.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 10, 2023
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.

Listen to your heart: AI tool detects cardiac diseases that doctors often miss

Researchers developed an AI tool that can detect valvular heart disease with 93% sensitivity and 98% specificity. The tool analyzes audio data from a short burst of sound vibrations using a contact microphone and neural networks, allowing for quick identification of five different valvular diseases.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 9, 2023

Capturing immunotherapy response in a blood drop

A phase 2 clinical trial found that serial blood tests can identify patients who benefit from additional immunotherapies, suggesting a potential early marker of treatment response. The study also showed that ctDNA analyses correlated with tumor size and survival, making it a promising strategy for guiding therapy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateOct 9, 2023
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.

Mimicking ‘plant power’ through artificial photosynthesis

Researchers have successfully mimicked plant power through artificial photosynthesis, producing methane from carbon dioxide and sunlight. The breakthrough could pave the way toward replacing nonrenewable fossil fuels with sustainable energy sources.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Engineering Au·DateOct 9, 2023
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Tropical ecosystems more reliant on emerging aquatic insects, study finds, potentially putting them at greater risk

Researchers found tropical forest ecosystems rely more on aquatic insects than temperate forests, making them vulnerable to disruptions in land-water connections. This increased reliance poses a threat to tropical environments, which are already under pressure from human activity and climate change.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalEcology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2023

Boom, crackle, pop: Sounds of Earth’s crust

Researchers at MIT have discovered that the sounds produced by rocks under different pressures can reveal their depth and strength, helping scientists identify unstable regions below the surface. This new method could aid in drilling for geothermal energy and understanding the Earth's crust.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 9, 2023
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.

Nature is inventive - the same substance is produced differently by plants

Researchers have found that benzoxazinoids, a special plant defense compound, evolved independently in distantly related plant families. The study used two species, golden dead-nettle and zebra plant, to elucidate the metabolic pathway of these compounds, revealing unexpected diversity in enzymes performing the same reactions.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2023

Micro/nanoscale 4D printing revolution: Manufacturing high-resolution transformable 3D structures

Researchers introduce a game-changing technology that enables fabrication of high-resolution, transformable 3D structures at the micro/nanoscale using Two-photon polymerization-based (TTP-based) 4D printing. The technology has vast potential for applications in biomedicine, flexible electronics, soft robotics, and aerospace.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateOct 9, 2023