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Science News for September 8, 2023


The green power of fungi

Biologists at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun synthesized silver nanoparticles using fungi, showing potential for medical applications. The method also improves crop protection by detecting plant pathogens and delivering nutrients to plants with minimal waste.

SourceNicolaus Copernicus University in Torun·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·DateSep 8, 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.

What defines a safety-net hospital?

Researchers found that different safety-net hospital definitions captured varying hospitals and characteristics, complicating funding allocations. A universal definition or index is recommended to identify hospitals for funding, incorporating community and service characteristics beyond financial expenditures.

SourceNew York University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 8, 2023

Ballet of the brain: Unlocking the choreography of movement

Researchers used a new analytical approach to understand how the brain controls movement and eye stability in zebrafish. By analyzing neuronal activity, they identified two main features that correspond to specific types of movements, including eye rotation and body positioning.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 8, 2023

Exiting the pandemic together: achieving global immunity and equity

A new editorial paper explores the effectiveness of the third dose booster vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in immunocompromised individuals. Researchers found that while the vaccine improves vaccine effectiveness across various measures, its benefits are not as significant for patients with cancer.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncoscience·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 8, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New DOD-funded project will develop morphing hypersonic engine

A new Naval Research Laboratory-funded project led by UCF researcher Kareem Ahmed aims to create a morphing hypersonic engine that can optimize performance and travel distance. The $450,000 grant will develop an adaptable engine configuration that can self-optimize its surfaces for maximum performance power, thrust, and travel distance.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·DateSep 8, 2023

Readmission rates after acute respiratory distress syndrome in children

A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that childhood survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are at high risk of readmission within two months after discharge. The research suggests that targeted interventions such as telephonic contact, follow-up clinics, and home health care may help reduce readmission rates.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 8, 2023

New study highlights feasibility and optimization of ammonia-based power generation for carbon neutrality

A recent study evaluates the feasibility of ammonia-based power generation through techno-economic and carbon footprint analyses. The research reveals an impressive energy efficiency rate of 46.7% within the designed power generation process, with costs and greenhouse gas emissions considered.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 8, 2023

These worms have rhythm

A team of researchers has discovered that the worm C. elegans uses a unique system to regulate its development, with a quartet of molecules working in concert to control gene expression. This process shares similarities with human circadian clocks, and understanding how it operates could provide insights into developmental biology.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateSep 8, 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.

Synchrotron studies change the composition of the Earth’s core

A team of scientists has discovered a more accurate pressure scale using synchrotron studies, leading to a significant increase in the amount of light material in the inner core. The new scale found double the expected amount of lighter material in the inner core and five times that of the Earth's crust.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2023

Benchtop NMR spectroscopy can accurately analyse pyrolysis oils

A team at Aston University has demonstrated that benchtop spectrometers can analyse pyrolysis bio-oils with high accuracy, comparable to expensive high-field spectrometers. This breakthrough makes NMR analysis of pyrolysis oils more accessible and affordable.

SourceAston University·JournalChemSusChem·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2023

Heatwaves hitting Antarctica too

A new report reveals that Antarctica experienced both a record-breaking heatwave and extreme precipitation in 2022. The coldest and driest continent's ice sheet lost significant amounts of ice, contributing to sea level rise. Despite this, the region's snowfall actually protected the world against further sea level rise.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 8, 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.

What do neurons, fireflies and dancing the Nutbush have in common?

Researchers at the University of Sydney and Max Planck Institute have developed new methods to describe synchronicity in complex systems. Their findings suggest that convergent walks on a network structure can lead to poor quality synchronisation.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 8, 2023

MSU research shows table salt could be the secret ingredient for better chemical recycling

Table salt has been found to outperform expensive catalysts in the pyrolysis process, which breaks down plastics into simpler compounds. The researchers' findings have significant implications for reducing costs and increasing efficiency in plastic recycling, with potential applications in industries such as packaging and energy.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAdvanced Sustainable Systems·DateSep 8, 2023

Mayo Clinic study reveals proton beam therapy may shorten breast cancer treatment

A randomized trial published in The Lancet Oncology found that condensing prostate beam scanning proton therapy for breast cancer patients can result in similar control of the cancer while sparing surrounding normal tissue. The study demonstrated excellent outcomes, with reduced skin side effects and comparable complication rates.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateSep 8, 2023

Study explores an underappreciated way warmer temperatures will impact ecosystems: Decomposition

A new study led by Holden Arboretum ecologists explores the impact of warmer temperatures on decomposition rates in natural ecosystems. The research reveals that interactions between microbes, plants, and warming temperatures can alter decomposition rates, providing valuable insights into how climate change affects ecosystem function.

SourceHolden Forests & Gardens·JournalFunctional Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2023
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.

The climate crisis could reshape Italian mountain forests forever

Climate change is altering Italian mountain forests, with trees potentially shifting uphill and species disappearing. The study found that some species, like the European larch and Turkey oak, may thrive in a warmer future, while others, such as the silver fir and European beech, are at risk.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 8, 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.

Rice helps lead national quantum computing research efforts

Rice University researchers have been awarded a 4-year, $1.2 million grant from the Department of Energy to evaluate different physical systems used to build quantum computers. The project aims to provide a framework for comparing the viability and computational potential of various approaches to building quantum computers.

SourceRice University·DateSep 8, 2023

Unveiling the causes of the 1931 Yangtze River Deluge

A recent study uncovered the facts behind the 1931 Yangtze River flood, which affected 25 million lives and claimed over 2 million lives. The research found that tropical El Nino-related sea surface temperature forcing and extratropical wave activities over the Eurasian continent combined to cause the disaster.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Climate·DateSep 8, 2023

Study sheds light on why wounds often heal poorly in diabetics

Defective exosomes in diabetic patients drive inflammation and impair wound healing. Researchers identified alterations in exosome cargo and release that compromise wound healing in diabetes. New exosome-focused therapies may promote healing of chronic wounds.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNano Today·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2023

British sex lives revealed in new study

A recent study published in PLOS ONE surveyed over 5,000 British people to better understand how sexual behaviors change with age. The research found that many gay and bisexual men continue to have multiple partners well into old age, while straight women become less sexually active after 50.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateSep 8, 2023
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Bees struggle to find flowers because of air pollution

A new study found that ozone substantially changes floral odour plumes, reducing honeybees' ability to recognise odours by up to 90%. This degradation affects pollinators' crucial role in the natural environment, with implications for food security and biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2023

UMBC team of data scientists named a tools competition winner

A UMBC team of data scientists has won a $4 million DARPA grant to develop an online tool called Caselet, designed to enhance learners' data science problem-solving skills. The platform uses AI-augmented feedback and self-paced practice to coach users through real-world data science case studies.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·DateSep 8, 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.

Drug approvals in clinical trials were correlated with the cells/humans discrepancy in gene perturbation effects

A recent study has successfully predicted potential drug outcomes and side effects by analyzing the discrepancy in gene perturbation effects between cells and humans. Researchers used machine learning to forecast drug approvals, improving reliability over conventional methods that only consider chemical properties.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalEBioMedicine·DateSep 8, 2023

Printers’ widows in early modern Germany

Dr Saskia Limbach receives ERC Starting Grant to investigate the effects of the printing press on widows' rights and agency. The project 'WidowsPrint' aims to reconstruct the professional networks of women book printers and analyse their economic contributions in 16th-17th century Germany.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·DateSep 8, 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.

Liver cancer and severe liver disease more common if a close relative has fatty liver disease

A nationwide study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that close relatives and partners of people with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) are at a higher risk of developing liver cancer and severe liver disease. This suggests that family members could benefit from the same lifestyle advice as patients with MASLD.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Hepatology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2023

Artificial Intelligence: a step change in climate modelling predictions for climate adaptation

The article discusses how artificial intelligence can enhance climate modeling by generating large ensembles of simulations at moderately high resolutions. This approach capitalizes on advances in computing and AI to learn from data, enabling more accurate predictions and reduced uncertainty. By focusing on resolutions between 10-50 km...

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 8, 2023

Sleep-wake therapy gives new hope for teens with depression

Researchers at UCSF Health found a way to help teens adjust to their natural sleep-cycle rhythms while fulfilling school responsibilities. The Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention showed significant improvements in depression symptoms, especially among night-owl adolescents.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateSep 8, 2023

Study reveals human destruction of global floodplains

A University of Texas at Arlington study estimates human destruction of natural floodplains on a global scale for the first time. The research found that between 1992 and 2019, the world lost 600,000 square kilometers of floodplains due to human disturbances.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalNature·DateSep 8, 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.

How trees influence cloud formation

Researchers at PSI have identified sesquiterpenes as a major factor in cloud formation, which could reduce uncertainties in climate models. The study's findings suggest these compounds form ten times more particles than other organic substances.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2023

Silicon-based anodes for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at Meijo University have created silicon-based anodes for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries using a single-step plasma sputtering process. The new method produces Si/Sn nanowire anodes with higher capacity than traditional graphite anodes, demonstrating stable performance and potential for advancing battery technology.

SourceMeijo University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2023

‘Brainless’ robot can navigate complex obstacles

Researchers at North Carolina State University have created a soft robot that can navigate simple mazes without human or computer guidance. The new robot has an asymmetrical design, allowing it to turn and move in arcs, enabling it to navigate complex and dynamic environments.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2023

Probing the unimaginable: New data help to understand the nature of aphantasia

A study by Paolo Bartolomeo and Jianghao Liu investigated the nature of aphantasia, finding that individuals with aphantasia have normal perception and memory capabilities but struggle with visual mental imagery. They propose that phenomenal consciousness may play a role in this phenomenon.

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalCortex·TypeSurvey·DateSep 8, 2023
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.

Valleytronics is warming up at Brookhaven Lab

Scientists have discovered a method for maintaining valley polarization at room temperature using transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and chiral lead halide perovskites. This breakthrough could lead to the development of devices that store and process information in novel ways without the need for ultra-low temperatures.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2023

Bacteria generate electricity from wastewater

Researchers at EPFL engineered E. coli bacteria to exhibit enhanced extracellular electron transfer, producing electricity while metabolizing organic substrates. The bioengineered E. coli surpassed previous approaches, generating three times more electrical current in various environments, including wastewater from a brewery.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalJoule·DateSep 8, 2023

Study hints at the existence of the closest black holes to Earth in the Hyades star cluster

A team of astrophysicists used simulations to track the motion and evolution of stars in the Hyades cluster, finding that two or three black holes could be present at its center. The study suggests these black holes are still inside the cluster or very close to it, making them the closest ever detected.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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