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Science News Archive September 2023


Page 9 of 37

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Scientists develop method of identifying life on other worlds

A new AI-based system can detect signs of biological life in samples with high accuracy, enabling the search for life on other planets. The system uses machine-learning methods to analyze data from various sources and predict whether a sample is biological or non-biological.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Heat extremes in the soil are underestimated

Research finds soil heat extremes are underestimated and intensifying climate change effects, with a stronger trend in the soil than in the air. Soil moisture plays a crucial role in these extreme temperatures, particularly in forests where trees can reduce evaporation losses.

Natural evolutionary strategy boosts quantum computing performance

Researchers developed a novel optimization method combining natural evolutionary strategy with gradient descent to overcome the barren plateau problem in parametric quantum circuits. The new method exhibited superior performance in achieving higher accuracy, showcasing its potential for revolutionizing quantum algorithm optimization.

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.

By air, rain and land: How microbes return after a wildfire

A study suggests that dispersal plays a major role in microbial succession after a fire. Researchers found that the emerging microbial communities in the soil surface changed with the seasons and plant reappearance, driven by dispersal. Dispersal from air contributed significantly to microbes entering the soil surface.

Racial disparities in emergency department physical restraint use

Adult Black patients experience higher risk of physical restraint in emergency departments compared to other racial groups, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study emphasizes the importance of considering how racism may affect disparate use of restraints among adult patients.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Family planning and the fear of missing out

A Rutgers study found that fear of missing out (FOMO) is a significant driver for regretful parents to have children, with 7% of parents saying they would not have children if they could do it over again. The study analyzed narratives from Reddit's /r/childfree community and identified FOMO as a key discourse among regretful parents.

Political independents are more negative than partisans

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that independents are more likely to frame their position in terms of opposition to one party or candidate, rather than support for the other. This negativity extends beyond politics to non-political preferences as well.

New method helps AI navigate 3D space using 2D images

Researchers developed MonoXiver, a new method to help AI extract 3D information from 2D images, making cameras more useful tools for emerging technologies. The method significantly improves accuracy when used in conjunction with existing techniques, such as MonoCon.

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.

Finding the balance: Opioids and pain control after surgery

Researchers surveyed patients undergoing elective surgeries and found that reducing opioid prescriptions led to higher patient satisfaction with pain management. The study's results were used to develop evidence-based guidelines for prescribing opioids after surgery, aiming to balance managing pain and opioid use.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Could this new hydrogel make HIV therapy more convenient?

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new injectable solution that self-assembles into a gel, releasing lamivudine for up to 42 days with nearly no side effects. This hydrogel could help manage HIV by reducing dosing frequencies and improving treatment adherence.

Access to marijuana by minors via online dispensaries

A study of 80 online marijuana dispensaries found that most lacked adequate age verification features and accepted nontraceable payment methods. This enabled youth to hide their transactions, with almost 1 in 5 dispensaries requiring no formal age verification at any stage.

New insights on a potentially serious side effect of the cancer drug alpelisib

A study found that 80.3% of patients with metastatic breast cancer who received standard care treatment with alpelisib developed hyperglycemia, with 40.2% experiencing serious hyperglycemia. Lifestyle interventions and medication may help improve blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of needing to discontinue the drug.

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.

Dementia risk in adults with intellectual disability

Researchers found dementia prevalence among people with ID to be 6.44%, with modifiable risk factors identified as hypertension, depression, stroke, age, severity of ID, duration of education, and traumatic brain injury. These findings can inform better screening and support for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

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.

New insights into the atmosphere and star of an exoplanet

Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to observe TRAPPIST-1 b, finding strong stellar contamination in its transmission spectra. The team discovered that stellar activity can create 'ghost signals' that may fool observers into thinking they have detected specific molecules in the exoplanet's atmosphere.

Exploring the existence of life at 125°F

Researchers investigate protists in Lassen Volcanic National Park's hot and acidic geothermal lake to gain insight into their evolution and genome biology. They aim to understand how these organisms adapted to survive in extreme environments, which could expand the understanding of life's potential habitats.

Study finds senescent immune cells promote lung tumor growth

Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered that senescent macrophages in the lung promote tumor growth by blocking the immune system's response to abnormal cell growth. Eliminating these senescent cells delays tumor formation, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

New qubit circuit enables quantum operations with higher accuracy

Researchers at MIT have developed a novel superconducting qubit architecture that can perform operations between qubits with high accuracy, exceeding 99.9% for two-qubit gates and 99.99% for single-qubit gates. The new design utilizes fluxonium qubits, which have longer lifespans than traditional transmon qubits.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Esposito-Smythers receives funding for project aimed at saving young lives & decreasing health disparities through dissemination of culturally sensitive evidence-based assessments to state-funded behavioral health organizations

Esposito-Smythers will train 150 clinicians and 40 clinical supervisors in the use of measurement-based care to administer culturally sensitive assessments, improving outcomes for diverse youth and families. Funding from SAMHSA aims to reduce health disparities through evidence-based practices.

Antibiotics can help some bacteria survive for longer

Researchers at the University of Exeter found that certain antibiotics can alleviate stress and help prevent bacterial decline, allowing more bacteria to survive longer. The study, published in PNAS, suggests that these drugs can promote bacterial longevity and growth efficiency.

Ocean acidification research is robust despite ebbs and flows

A new study published in Nature Climate Change assesses the last 24 years of ocean acidification research and finds that negative effects remain consistently observed. The researchers' efforts to reproduce early results have shown improvement over time, with sufficient data contributing to a rebuilt confidence in the community.

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.

Six numbers predict life-threatening COVID-19

A new machine-learning model, PLABAC, predicts coronavirus disease progression in hospitalized patients based on five routine tests and patient age. The model has shown strong results in predicting mortality for patients with COVID-19 variants, offering improved outcomes for patients hospitalized with the virus.

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.

Crystallization as the driving force

The research team successfully developed nanomaterials through a bottom-up approach, exploiting the directionality of crystal growth during crystallisation. The resulting nanostructures have potential applications in various fields, including information processing and catalysis.

Chance discovery shows promise in finding treatment for genetic disorder

A global research collaboration led by WEHI has found a way to boost a gene linked to FSHD, potentially disabling the toxic protein responsible for muscle cells and tissue death. The discovery brings the team closer to finding a treatment for the genetic condition, which affects around 870,000 people worldwide.

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.