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Science News Archive April 2024


Page 31 of 41

Sandia studies subterranean storage of hydrogen

Researchers found that hydrogen can be stored in depleted oil and gas reservoirs without getting stuck, as long as the rock is properly sealed. The study also showed that residual natural gas can be released from the rock into the hydrogen when injected, making it a potentially viable option for seasonal and long-term storage.

Bacteria in cancer unmasked

A study published in Cell reveals a detailed catalogue of bacteria living in cancer metastases, including links to therapy efficacy and tumor cell activity. The research provides new insights into how bacteria interact with cancer cells and their surroundings.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Humans can increase biodiversity

Researchers argue that human interaction with nature is more complex than previously thought, suggesting a positive effect on biodiversity. Studies of past human interactions with ecosystems reveal both negative and positive impacts, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of human influence.

Eco-effective cooling: a step forward in sustainable refrigeration

A recent study introduces an optimized Compression-Absorption Cascade Refrigeration Cycle (CACRC) that remarkably reduces electricity consumption and capitalizes on waste heat, setting new benchmarks in refrigeration efficiency and sustainability. The CACRC system, merging Vapor-Compression Refrigeration (VCR) with Absorption Refrigera...

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.

Growth mindset messages can close grade gap for first-generation students

A Washington State University study found that growth mindset emails improved the grades of first-generation students in an introductory science course by an average of a third of a letter grade. The intervention, which included personalized messages and strategies for improvement, helped bridge the gap with continuing-generation stude...

‘Teacher Toads’ can save native animals from toxic cane toads

A landmark study by Macquarie University researchers shows that juvenile 'taster toads' can teach goannas to avoid eating poisonous cane toads, preventing population collapse. Goanna populations increased by up to 140% in areas where the 'taster toad' method was trialled.

Problem property intervention in Boston reduced crime and disorder

The study found that problem property interventions in Boston reduced crime and disorder at target locations and nearby properties for many years. The program incentivized property owners to manage their properties better or sell them to new owners who could maintain them.

Do some mysterious bones belong to gigantic ichthyosaurs?

Fossilized bone fragments from Western and Central Europe have been identified as belonging to gigantic ichthyosaurs due to their unique microstructure. The discovery sheds new light on an ongoing debate among paleontologists, suggesting that these massive sea creatures could have reached lengths similar to the modern blue whale.

Survival rates after hip or spine fracture worse than for many cancers

A new study found that survival rates after hip or spine fractures are comparable to or worse than those seen in patients with certain types of cancer. The study, which analyzed data from over 100,000 Canadians aged 65 and older, highlights the urgent need for secondary prevention interventions before hospital discharge.

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.

Breeding more resilient soybeans may come down to test site selection

A new study from the University of Illinois recommends redistributing soybean testing sites to better represent the growing environment and improve crop resilience. The researchers analyzed long-term climate data and records of soybean trials to develop two new sets of maps that would help breeders strategize test site placement.

A microbial plastic factory for high-quality green plastic

Kobe University researchers develop a bacterial plastic factory that produces highly transparent, biodegradable plastics with improved properties. By blending polylactic acid with ultra-high molecular weight LAHB, they create a material that exhibits all the desired properties.

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.

No link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability says large sibling study from Drexel University and Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet

Researchers analyzed data from 2.4 million children born in Sweden to find no evidence linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Sibling comparisons controlled for shared genetic and environmental factors, providing reassurance for expectant parents considering medication use.

A natural touch for coastal defense

A new study found that hybrid coastal defenses, which combine natural and hard measures, are more cost-effective and provide higher hazard reduction in low-risk areas. In contrast, soft measures such as restoring or rehabilitating natural ecosystems are also beneficial in terms of environmental benefits.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Floridians’ and Texans’ perceptions of hurricane risk

Residents in Florida and Texas exhibit declining personal risk perception after hurricanes, with average risks decreasing as time passes. However, long-term proactive adaptations are needed to counteract the paradoxical effects of climate change on risk perceptions.

More synchrony between parents and children not always better

A new study found that mums with insecure attachment traits showed more brain-to-brain synchrony with their children, while fathers and children had stronger brain-to-brain synchrony. The research suggests that high or low synchrony can signal interaction difficulties in families.

Impact of climate change on marine life much bigger than previously known

A new analysis method reveals that climate change affects not only survival, metabolism, and skeleton health but also physiology, reproduction, behavior, and physical development in fish and invertebrates. The study suggests up to 100% of biological processes may be affected, with mitigation efforts potentially reducing impacts.

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.

Researchers at MUSC call for focus on higher stroke risk in women

A new review article highlights the complexities of stroke risk in women, which extends beyond age and includes various modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Women are more sensitive to high blood pressure, and other disorders such as late puberty, early menopause, pregnancy, and hormonal therapy also significantly affect their risk.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Firearm ownership and support for political violence in the United States

A recent survey study of 12,000 participants found that firearm owners were only moderately more supportive of political violence than nonowners. Firearm owners who always carried firearms in public were more likely to support and engage in political violence, highlighting the need for risk-based prevention efforts.

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.

An inside look at how plants and mycorrhizal fungi cooperate

Researchers studied the gene expression of plants and mycorrhizal fungi using RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, identifying over 1,000 upregulated genes that could be tuned to optimize this symbiosis. This work offers benefits for addressing climate change by improving soil carbon storage and biofuel feedstocks.

The surprising connection between male infertility and family cancer risk

Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute discovered a surprising connection between male infertility and an increased risk of certain cancers in families. By analyzing genetic and public health data, the team identified 13 characteristic patterns that cluster similar things together, making it easier to uncover the reason behind a fami...

First-of-its-kind integrated dataset enables genes-to-ecosystems research

A new dataset has been released that combines molecular information about the poplar tree microbiome with ecosystem-level processes. The dataset provides detailed information on 27 genetically distinct variants of Populus trichocarpa, a bioenergy crop, and includes data on gene expression, soil chemistry, and microbial diversity.

Everyday social interactions predict language development in infants

Research from the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences found that increased neural activity in response to social interaction at 5 months predicted enhanced language development at later ages. The study used magnetoencephalography to monitor infant brain activity during social and nonsocial interactions wi...

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.

Bringing multidrug-resistant pathogens to their knees

Researchers have developed novel antibiotics based on protein building blocks with fluorous lipid chains to fight resistant pathogens. The compounds were shown to be effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in mouse models, killing bacteria without developing resistance.

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.

Unnecessary use of beta-blockers after a heart attack

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that half of patients discharged from hospital after a heart attack are treated with beta-blockers unnecessarily. The study shows that these patients have suffered a small heart attack and have retained heart function afterwards.

Are lab-grown brain tissues ethical? There is no no-brainer answer

Researchers at Hiroshima University explore the ethics of growing brain organoids from human fetal brain cells, highlighting concerns over consciousness, informed consent, and medical applications. The study emphasizes the need for a global regulatory framework to navigate the complex ethical landscape of fetal brain organoid research.

More premature babies born following Swedish parental leave policy

A study from Stockholm University found that the Swedish speed premium policy, introduced in 1980, led to a 26% increase in premature birth rates over six years. However, relaxation of the policy to a 30-month window resulted in an 11% decrease in premature birth rates in subsequent years.

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.

Dr. Himabindu Vidula is new chair of ACC Board of Governors

Dr. Himabindu Vidula will lead the American College of Cardiology's (ACC) Board of Governors for a one-year term, focusing on membership engagement and community outreach. Her goal is to strengthen how the ACC serves its members and the broader cardiovascular care community.

Antarctic meteorites threatened by climate warming

A recent study reveals that climate warming is causing the rapid disappearance of Antarctic meteorites, with up to three quarters lost by the end of the century. Scientists estimate that around 300,000 meteorites remain at the surface, but are losing them at a rate of 5,000 per year.

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.