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Science News Archive September 2023


Page 21 of 37

The pandemic a tough time also for pharmacies

A majority of pharmacists in Sweden experienced increased workloads and a deteriorating work environment due to customer conflicts and new tasks. Despite this, many reported no impact on patient safety, highlighting the need for further research.

NIH clinical trial of universal flu vaccine candidate begins

A Phase 1 trial of FluMos-v2 has begun at the NIH's Clinical Center, evaluating its safety and immune response. The vaccine aims to provide protection against multiple flu strains, with the potential for less frequent dosing than traditional seasonal vaccines.

Supermassive black holes alter galactic chemistry

A team of researchers used ALMA to observe the central region of Messier 77, a galaxy hosting an active supermassive black hole. The study found that molecules commonly found in galaxies break down along the path of bipolar jets emanating near the black hole, while distinctive molecules increase in concentration.

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.

Rating platforms drive sales at tourist-area NYC eateries

Ratings on platforms like Yelp and TripAdvisor significantly impact high-priced NYC restaurants serving tourists, while having less effect on local eateries. Locals use firsthand information, making them less reliant on rating platforms.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Making AI smarter with an artificial, multisensory integrated neuron

Researchers developed an artificial, multisensory integrated neuron that combines visual and tactile input for improved navigation and decision-making. The system mimics the human brain's ability to integrate multiple senses, enhancing sensor technology's efficiency and paving the way for eco-friendly AI uses.

Cost of public health insurance for US-born and immigrant adults

A study of 44,000 low-income adults found that providing public health insurance to immigrants has a lower direct cost than for US-born individuals. Upon coverage, immigrants' healthcare utilization remains relatively modest, contradicting the assumption that offering insurance would significantly impact healthcare expenses.

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.

Brainwave activity for assessing depressed mood in healthy people

A study at the University of Tsukuba has found that changes in brainwave activity can objectively measure depression, enabling early detection and treatment. The research used electroencephalogram (EEG) tests to track brain wave patterns over a two-to-four week period.

Newly discovered trigger of Parkinson’s upends common beliefs

A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals that a dysfunction in the neuron's synapses leads to deficits in dopamine and precedes neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. The findings suggest targeting dysfunctional synapses before neurons degenerate may represent a better therapeutic strategy.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Verbal nonsense reveals limitations of AI chatbots

Researchers found that even top-performing AI models can mistake nonsense sentences for natural language, highlighting the need for improvement. The study suggests that comparing human language processing to AI's could provide new perspectives on how we think.

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.

Pollination by more than one bee species improves cherry harvest

Researchers found that pollination by both honey bees and mason bees increases sweet cherry production, with a synergy effect observed in orchards using both species. Growers can attract mason bees to their orchards by providing nest material, such as bamboo sticks, to enhance cross-pollination.

Study decodes surprising approach mice take in learning

In a new study, researchers deciphered mice's behavior during reward-based learning tasks, finding they persistently blend multiple strategies. The findings suggest mice do not fully adopt optimal approaches, and their ability to shift between strategies is crucial for understanding their decision-making process.

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.

How do robots collaborate to achieve consensus?

Researchers proposed a novel self-organizing approach for robot swarms to achieve consensus, combining aspects of centralized and decentralized control. This method reduces uncertainty sources and enhances collective perception accuracy, enabling robots to fuse sensor information without global or static communication networks.

Sexsomnia and sleep eating don’t have treatment guidelines

A study published in Sleep Medicine found that arousal disorders, including sexsomnia and sleep eating, often go untreated due to a lack of consensus on best treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy and sleep hygiene have shown effectiveness in managing these conditions, which can result in injuries or weight gain.

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.

Calcium acts as missing link to dead cell clean-up

Scientists at Kyoto University have found that extracellular calcium mediates the activation of Xkr4, a protein that triggers an 'eat me' signal for immune cells to clean up dead cell debris. The binding of calcium ions to Xkr4's transmembrane helices enables its full activation.

Carbon atoms coming together in space

Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered a mechanism for carbon atoms to come together on the surface of interstellar ice grains, producing complex organic molecules. This process occurs at temperatures above 30 Kelvin and may have played a role in the origin of life on Earth.

Combination immunotherapy treatment effective before lung cancer surgery

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that combination immunotherapy with durvalumab and novel agents outperforms durvalumab alone in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer. The study showed higher major pathological response rates for combination therapy, with some regimens inducing up to 31.3% of MPR.

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.

The fourth wave of the US overdose crisis: fentanyl and stimulants

US overdose deaths involving fentanyl and stimulants have increased by 50-fold since 2010, with stimulants becoming the most common drug class found in fentanyl-involved overdoses. The rise poses new challenges for healthcare providers due to the complexity of treating polysubstance use.

Study: Many primary care providers & adult patients wary of discussing firearms

A new study reveals that over half of adult patients skip questioning about firearms on screening questionnaires, while surveyed primary care providers are often uncomfortable discussing firearm safety with most patients. The study suggests a need for more research and improved training on firearm-related topics for primary care clinics.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Switching off the cytokine storm

Researchers at EMBL Grenoble have obtained the first structure of p38α being activated by MKK6, opening up new directions for developing drugs to stop cytokine storms. The inflammatory response is triggered by a series of kinases, and inactivating p38α could prevent inflammation from occurring.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How just one set of animal tracks can provide a wealth of information

A team of researchers from FAU and the University of Cologne analyzed images of animal tracks in Namibian rock art, determining species, age, sex, limbs, side of the body, trackway, and relative direction. They identified 20 additional animal species not present in neighboring region's rock art.

Trial: Combination immunotherapy prior to lung cancer surgery appears promising

Patients with stage 1-3 non-small cell lung cancer treated with combination immunotherapy before surgery had a better major pathological response rate than those receiving single-agent therapy alone. The NeoCOAST platform trial found that targeting multiple cancer pathways through therapy may be superior to a single treatment.

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.

New tool can reveal inequitable distribution of ‘healing’ green spaces

A new UBC study used a local restorative nature index to assess the healing qualities of green space, finding that areas with the greatest need for restorative nature often have the least exposure to it. The study suggests that urban planners prioritize areas with high socioeconomic vulnerability and limited access to green spaces.

AI confirms tracheal tube position on chest radiography

An AI system by Lunit identified improperly positioned endotracheal tubes with high sensitivity and specificity, allowing for earlier repositioning and reducing complications. The study included 539 chest radiographs from three institutions and showed promising results in detecting ETT presence and improper position.

Scientists reveal twisting-untwisting-retwisting cycle of nanohelices

Researchers have discovered a subtle competition and cooperation relationship within the crystal structure of nanohelices, establishing a delicate energy balance. This unique competitive growth mechanism enables multiple reversible transformations between twisted, untwisted, and retwisted forms.

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.

Early-stage breast cancer detection in breast milk

Breast milk from breast cancer patients contains tumour DNA that can be detected through liquid biopsy, offering a potential new tool for early diagnosis. The study found that ctDNA was detectable in 13 of 15 breast milk samples collected from breast cancer patients, outperforming detection in blood samples.