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Science News Archive April 2024


Page 1 of 41

A new species of fossil paederine rove beetle from Orapa

A new species of fossil paederine rove beetle, Mesostaphylinus orapa, has been discovered in the Orapa Diamond Mine in Botswana, dating back to around 90 million years ago. The finding enhances our understanding of beetle evolution and distribution.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Genetic test for early detection of high cardiovascular risk

A new genetic testing procedure identifies patients at high cardiovascular risk due to clonal haematopoiesis and carotid artery stenosis. This allows for early detection of increased mortality and a personalized cardiovascular risk profile, enabling therapy adaptation and prevention of atherosclerotic disease progression.

Clumps of this molecule inhibit strep’s DNA-cleaving enzymes

Researchers at Kobe University have discovered a new method to inhibit streptococcal infections by using aggregates of the non-toxic molecule Mn007. The study found that aggregates of Mn007 significantly reduce bacterial growth, suggesting potential as an effective treatment for toxic shock syndrome.

Webb captures top of iconic horsehead nebula in unprecedented detail

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured unprecedented detail of the Horsehead Nebula's top, showcasing its complex structure and composition. The telescope's observations reveal a network of thin features tracing dust particles swept away by UV light, as well as insights into the nebula's multidimensional shape.

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.

New drug candidate reverses obesity in mice

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new class of drugs that block mitochondrial function and reverse diet-induced obesity, fatty liver, and diabetes in mice. The treatment increased fat metabolism, leading to drastic weight loss and restored glucose tolerance.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Targeting BET and OXPHOS causes synthetic lethality in liver cancer

Researchers discovered that targeting BET and OXPHOS induces synthetic lethality in liver cancer by blunting cell proliferation and tumor growth. The study found that BET inhibition decreases glycolytic gene expression while enhancing mitochondrial glucose and glutamine oxidative metabolism, revealing a critical epigenetic-metabolic cr...

Loneliness grows as we age

A new study found that loneliness grows as people age, with a U-shaped pattern of higher levels in younger and older adulthood. Factors associated with persistent loneliness include social isolation, lower education, income, and functional limitations, as well as being divorced or widowed, a smoker, or having poorer health.

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.

NASA’s Webb maps weather on planet 280 light-years away

The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully mapped the weather on WASP-43 b, a hot gas-giant exoplanet. The data reveals thick, high clouds covering the nightside and clear skies on the dayside, with equatorial winds reaching up to 5,000 miles per hour.

Scientists show ancient village adapted to drought, rising seas

Researchers discovered a previously abandoned ancient village that surprisingly remained occupied and even thrived during the 8.2ka event, a period of global cooling and sea-level rise. The village's economy diversified from farming to include maritime culture and trade, allowing it to weather the climate instability.

Withdrawal of stop-smoking pill could lead to thousands of avoidable deaths

A new study suggests that the withdrawal of a prescription stop-smoking pill could lead to thousands fewer people quitting each year in England, resulting in avoidable deaths. The disruption to varenicline supply may have caused smokers to rely on less effective smoking cessation aids or no medication at all.

Trotting robots reveal emergence of animal gait transitions

Researchers trained a quadruped robot using deep reinforcement learning to learn gait transitions on challenging terrain. The robot transitioned from walking to trotting and then to pronking to avoid falls, demonstrating the emergence of animal-like locomotion.

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.

Breakthrough in complex pain management

Researchers at NeuRA and UniSA found that early detection and comprehensive treatment can lead to significant recovery for most people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) within 12-18 months. The study reviews the latest advances in CRPS epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

New insights into our immune system

Researchers uncovered Bcl6's importance for certain dendritic cell formation and its impact on T-cell responses. Bcl6 deficiency leads to impaired antibody production and weakened immunity.

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 findings for a better understanding of TRAF7 syndrome and patient care

The study provides a comprehensive understanding of TRAF7 syndrome, a rare neurological disorder characterized by cardiac, facial, and digital abnormalities. The research highlights the importance of comprehensive clinical assessment and proposes evidence-based guidelines for managing patients with TRAF7-related CAFDADD syndrome.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Scientists solve chemical mystery at the interface of biology and technology

Researchers at the University of Washington have solved a long-standing chemical mystery in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), which allow current to flow in devices like implantable biosensors. The study reveals that OECTs turn on via a two-step process, causing a lag, and off through a simpler one-step process.

Nature publishes the largest "tree of life" of flowering plants to date

An international team has developed the largest tree of life for flowering plants, comprising 9,500 species and 1.8 billion genetic codes. The study sheds light on the sudden appearance and diversification of angiosperms, revealing rapid evolution and new avenues for research in plant classification, identification, and conservation.

USPSTF recommendation statement on screening for breast cancer

The USPSTF updates its breast cancer screening recommendation to biennial mammography for women ages 40-74. However, the balance of benefits and harms is unclear for women over 75 or those with dense breasts. Breast cancer is a common cause of death among US women.

Uncovering the secret of long-lived stem cells

A team at Baylor College of Medicine found that cyclophilin A helps HSCs retain their regenerative potential by supporting proteins with intrinsically disordered regions. This mechanism may contribute to the longevity of HSCs, which can maintain a relatively youthful profile throughout an organism's life.

China’s bid to decarbonize may have hidden costs

Decarbonizing China's Southern Power Grid could lead to ecological and sociological trade-offs, including reducing cropland in favor of solar and wind power, impacting river basins like the Salween and Mekong. Building dams for hydropower production would also negatively affect ecosystems and fisheries.

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.

New regulator of eating behaviour identified

Researchers have identified a new regulator of eating behavior, the latrophilin 1 receptor, which is linked to obesity. The receptor, primarily studied for its role in synapse formation, was found to be present in brain regions controlling food intake and adipose tissue.

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.

An omega-6 fatty acid may reduce the risk for bipolar disorder

Researchers found a genetic link between higher circulating levels of arachidonic acid and lower risk for bipolar disorder. The study suggests that altering arachidonic acid synthesis pathways may reduce bipolar disorder risk, particularly in those with compromised pathways.

Under examination: Buckling – when structures suddenly collapse

Researchers have developed a theoretical equation to predict the average buckling strength of shells with geometric imperfections. The model, which considers shapes and distribution of imperfections, offers promise for creating lightweight and sustainable structures while ensuring structural reliability.

Cars as particles

A mathematical model developed by Alexandre Solon and Eric Bertin describes the movement of particles in situations similar to cars on a road or bacteria attracted to a nutrient source. The model identifies conditions that favor traffic jams, including high vehicle density and driver inertia.

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.

GPT-4, Google Gemini fall short in breast imaging classification

A new study found that GPT-4 and Google Gemini performed poorly in breast imaging classification, with a high percentage of discordant assignments that could impact patient management. The researchers emphasize the need for regulation of these large language models in high-level medical scenarios.

Revolutionary 'scLENS' unveiled to decode complex single-cell genomic data

The new 'scLENS' tool overcomes challenges in single-cell transcriptomics by automatically differentiating signals from noise using Random Matrix Theory and Signal robustness test. This innovation significantly improves analysis accuracy and efficiency, enabling researchers to extract biological signals conveniently and automatically.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Religious intolerance predicts science denial

Research suggests that high levels of religious intolerance are associated with a greater likelihood of rejecting scientific findings. Studies have shown that countries and counties with lower levels of religious diversity tend to have lower vaccination uptake and lower scores on standardized tests, such as the PISA.

Coal emissions reductions and mortality in China

The implementation of China's National Action Plan on Air Pollution Prevention and Control resulted in decreased mean daily fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels between 2013 and 2017. The associated acute health effects on total and circulatory mortality significantly decreased, with a reduced exposure-response relationship observed ...

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.

Study highlights importance of early interventions to combat HIV

Researchers compared HIV reservoirs between patients with early and late treatment initiation. Early treatment was associated with faster decay of virus reservoirs, indicating a more effective immune clearance mechanism. This study supports the potential for early interventions to combat HIV by enabling an eventual cure.

Machine listening: Making speech recognition systems more inclusive

Researchers found that African American English speakers adjust their speech rate and pitch variation when using voice technology, adopting a slower and more monotone register to be better understood. This adaptation helps address disparities in speech recognition systems and aims to improve inclusivity for diverse language varieties.

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.

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.