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Science News Archive April 2024


Page 21 of 41

Following cellular lineage

A study published in Nature reveals the existence of source inhibitory neurons (dInNs) in humans that differ from other species. The researchers used mosaic variants to trace the lineage of brain cells and found that inhibitory and excitatory neurons share a common family name, indicating they share a cellular relationship.

Coral reef microbes point to new way to assess ecosystem health

A new study reveals that ocean acidification changes the mix of microbes in coral reef systems, which can be used as an early indicator of ecosystem stress. The research suggests a novel measurement approach by analyzing microbial communities alongside larger organisms.

Cooler transformers could help electric grid

A new study models the impact of high thermal conductivity paper on power transformer performance and life. The research aims to improve transformer efficiency by reducing hotspot temperatures, potentially doubling or tripling lifespan. Researchers used Stampede2 supercomputer simulations to test the effectiveness of engineered paper.

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.

CO2 worsens wildfires by helping plants grow

A recent study by the University of California - Riverside found that carbon dioxide is driving an increase in the severity and frequency of wildfires by fueling the growth of plants that become kindling. This process occurs because plants use the extra CO2 to make carbohydrates, leading to an increase in biomass that burns.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bacteria behind meningitis in babies explained

A recent study has identified two main types of E. coli bacteria responsible for neonatal meningitis, a rare but life-threatening disease. The research found that these bacteria can cause repeated invasive infections in babies, even after initial treatment with antibiotics.

Research has lost none of its innovative drive

A study claiming a decline in disruptive patents was based on a measurement error, researchers found. The correct analysis suggests that both disruptive and consolidating research are still needed to build upon existing knowledge and drive innovation.

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.

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.

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.

Photonic computation with sound waves

A research team has successfully created a new dimension in photonic machine learning by incorporating sound waves, enabling the creation of reconfigurable neuromorphic building blocks. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize computing tasks by providing high-speed and large-capacity solutions.

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.

Combination therapy can delay resistance of lung cancer cells

Scientists at German Cancer Research Center have discovered a combination therapy that improves treatment response and delays resistance in lung cancer cells. The therapy, which combines ALK and SRC inhibitors, blocks key protein expression changes that lead to resistance.

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.

Exploring the interactions between baby marmosets and their caregivers

Researchers studied infant marmosets' interactions with caregivers to understand how parenting influences attachment formation and child development. The findings reveal that marmosets adjust their attachment to different caregivers and develop attachment disorders when raised away from families.

Biodiversity is key to the mental health benefits of nature, new study finds

A new study from King's College London found that environments with a diverse range of natural features are associated with stronger improvements in mental wellbeing. The research, published in Scientific Reports, used citizen science data from nearly 2000 participants and found that the benefits can last for up to eight hours.

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.

Most female athletes support categorization by biological sex, research shows

A study of 175 national and elite female athletes found that opinions on transgender athlete eligibility differ according to sport and level of competition. The majority (58%) support biological sex categorization, while a large majority (81%) believe sporting bodies should improve inclusivity for transgender athletes.

A new understanding of ion exchange

A team from the Liu Lab has shown that there is a general pathway for lithium and sodium ion exchange in layered oxide cathode materials. This discovery enables researchers to predict intermediate states and create more efficient processes for synthesizing materials.

Most massive stellar black hole in our galaxy found

Astronomers have identified a massive stellar black hole with a mass of 33 solar masses, making it the most massive found in the Milky Way. The black hole is located at 2000 light-years away and was discovered using data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission.

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.

Huge database gives insight into salmon patterns at sea

Researchers have analyzed over 44,000 high seas survey gear hauls across the North Pacific to create detailed maps showing salmon species' ocean habitats and temperature tolerances. The study highlights varying cold-water tolerance among salmon species, with implications for climate change adaptation.

WVU Alzheimer’s disease study focuses on broken connections

Researchers investigate how early-stage Alzheimer's disease affects memory formation by examining synaptic connections and amyloid beta. The study aims to understand the role of NMDA receptors in synaptic plasticity and how they might be hijacked by amyloid beta, leading to memory dysfunction.

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.

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.

Neutrons rule the roost for cage-free lithium ions

An international team of scientists used quasi-elastic neutron scattering to set a benchmark for a mixture of lithium salt and organic polymer electrolyte. This could enable more energy-dense electrodes and result in more powerful lithium batteries.

In search for alien life, purple may be the new green

A team of scientists has discovered that purple bacteria, which thrive in low-energy light, could be a sign of life on Earth-like planets. Using this knowledge, researchers have created models of purple worlds with varying conditions and cloud cover, revealing intense colored biosignatures from both wet and dry purple bacteria.

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.

Island bats are valuable allies for farmers

A new study reveals that three island bat species feed on over 40% of agricultural pests, including banana moths and turnip moths. This finding highlights the importance of bats in maintaining ecosystem balance and suggests that encouraging these mammals can be a win-win for conservation and local farmers.

Emotional state transitions in trauma-exposed individuals with and without PTSD

A study found that trauma-exposed individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience swift emotional transitions between neutral and negative states. Therapeutic approaches to moderate these transitions may help alleviate PTSD symptoms. The research suggests a potential new treatment direction for this condition.

Diverse native wildflower plantings for pollinators in farmlands

Researchers found that diverse native wildflower plantings increase flower resources for pollinators, with higher abundance and diversity in heterogeneous landscapes. The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining wildflower plantings for multiple years to maximize floral diversity.

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.

Older males out-compete young males when it comes to extra-marital breeding

A study found that when adult male blue tits were absent, young males had higher success rates in fathering offspring outside of their breeding pair. Young males' poor performance was due to competition with older males, not lack of experience. In the absence of adult males, 33% of young males fathered at least one extra-pair offspring.

Care home staff and residents need ‘family’ bonds to thrive

The study found that staffing considerations such as stable and consistent staff, sufficient staff for family-like relationships, supporting staff, and key staff leading by example improve quality of care. Care homes with experienced care staff and higher staff-to-bed ratios are more likely to receive positive CQC ratings.

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.

Chennai growth maps blueprint for rural-urban areas in Global South

Researchers created a new approach to understanding peri-urban regions, where urban and rural characteristics blend, to improve urban planning and people's lives across the Global South. The 'peri-urban turn' uses Causal Loop Diagrams to map connections between health, place, demographics, governance, and economy.