Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive August 2024


Page 30 of 38

Plasma bubbles and the “engine” of fast radio bursts

A new study has confirmed that plasma bubbles are the key to understanding fast radio bursts (FRBs), with researchers detecting the weakest persistent radio emission ever recorded for an FRB. The data suggests that a magnetar or high-accretion X-ray binary is powering these mysterious events.

Work-from-home success might depend on home office setup

A Dutch survey study found that higher satisfaction with home office setup, including air ventilation, is associated with higher productivity and lower burnout. The study suggests that investing in home-office hardware and environmental factors can support work-from-home policies.

Some e-cigarette chemicals mimic nicotine, possibly bypassing regulation

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that some e-cigarettes contain chemicals similar to nicotine, but with unknown health effects, and are not accurately disclosed on packaging. The study also discovered that manufacturers may be attempting to avoid FDA regulation by using these chemicals.

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.

Most existing heat wave indices fail to capture heat wave severity

Researchers found that five out of six existing heat-wave indices were unable to capture the severity and spatial distribution of recent lethal heat waves in India, Spain, and the USA. The lethal heat-stress index was better able to identify dangerous heat-stress conditions, particularly in low-humidity regions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Walking the walk, WVU develops motion compatible brain scanner

Researchers at WVU created a motion-compatible brain scanner that allows patients to move around during imaging. The Ambulatory Motion-enabling PET (AMPET) scanner can help study human behaviors, balance, and emotions, and may be used to monitor brain activity for PTSD treatment and mindfulness meditation.

Radiotherapy benefits last a decade, breast cancer study reveals

A 30-year study suggests that radiotherapy can prevent breast cancer recurrence in the same location for up to 10 years after surgery, but survival rates remain similar. The study found fewer deaths from breast cancer among those who received radiotherapy compared to those who did not.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Steady flight of kestrels could help aerial safety soar

Researchers studied kestrels' hovering flight behavior, revealing insights that could improve drone stability in turbulent conditions. The study found that birds use changes in wing surface area to achieve stable flight, a method that could be applied to morphing wings in drones.

Alaskan land eroding faster due to climate change

A recent study by UT Arlington scientist Nathan D. Brown shows Alaskan land is eroding faster than it can be replaced due to climate change. The team mapped and dated floodplain deposits, determining permafrost extent, to model how permafrost formation varies with air temperature.

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 fungi elude antifungal treatments

Researchers at Michigan State University characterized how fungi restructure their cell walls to thwart current antifungal medications. The study found that fungi enhance their survival odds by making specific changes to the structure and organization of the components in their cell walls, rendering existing drugs ineffective.

Vitis genomics: charting the path to resilient grape varieties

Recent grape genome sequencing has identified key genes related to disease resistance, berry quality, and stress tolerance. Genome-wide association studies have linked over 900 genes to essential traits, enhancing genomic selection and breeding strategies.

How media impacts digital technology adoption in U.S. and Brazilian agriculture

A study found that farmers in both countries rely on interpersonal meetings, social media, and mass media for technology adoption, with social media playing a more significant role in Brazil. The researchers suggest that understanding the complex process of technology adoption can help tech companies reach potential customers.

Monitoring of nature reserves via social media and deep learning

Environmental researchers at NUS use social media and deep learning to classify human activities in nature reserves, analyzing 87,090 photos from 2,813 PAs across 207 countries. The technique demonstrates utility in monitoring land use patterns efficiently and cost-effectively.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Urban concrete mines

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a method to combine old concrete with carbon dioxide to create a new, durable material called calcium carbonate concrete. The process involves grinding the old concrete into powder, reacting it with CO2 from the air, and then heating it to form the new block.

Asthma emergencies spike when allergenic pollen blooms

A new Cornell University study reveals that asthma-related emergency room visits spike significantly during periods of high allergenic pollen bloom in metropolitan areas. The research highlights the importance of science-based pollen forecasts to alert vulnerable individuals and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.

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.

Researchers create new device for on-the-spot water testing

A new technology allows for rapid and accurate detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in water sources, enabling Environmental Health Officers and groundwater schemes to test more frequently. The portable device provides on-the-spot results in under an hour, helping to prevent outbreaks of infection.

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.

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.

How ribosomes in our cells enable protein folding

Researchers have discovered that ribosomes play a crucial role in protein folding, directing folding pathways by impacting energy and stability. This discovery reveals the structural basis of how ribosomes affect protein folding, offering new insights into diseases such as cancers.

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.

Plants show surprising diversity in arid landscape

A KAUST-led study reveals that plant trait diversity increases above an aridity threshold of 0.7, challenging the view that harsh environments reduce biodiversity. The research found that chemical and morphological traits respond similarly to changes in aridity and grazing pressure.

Dealing with runaway metastatic disease

Researchers discuss how PROM2 is a predictive biomarker of distant metastases and shorter survival among patients with stage III melanomas. They also demonstrate that runaway metastasis is closely linked to PROM2 overexpression, through increased epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition marker expression and ferroptosis resistance.

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.

Viral defense protein speeds up female stem cell production

Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation have discovered a treatment that speeds up the production of high-quality pluripotent stem cells in mice. The finding uses interferon gamma to accelerate cellular reprogramming, paving the way for improved disease modeling and personalized treatments.

New guidelines to address racism in bioethics

A new article from Columbia University's Division of Ethics presents a set of recommendations to advance racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in bioethics. The guidelines emphasize the need for anti-racist practices within academic programs and provide concrete steps for implementing these principles.

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.

Higher glucose levels worsen prognosis in ischemic stroke patients

A study published in Cardiovascular Diabetology found that higher blood glucose levels at admission significantly increase the risk of a poor functional prognosis or death within three months of an ischemic stroke. The study revealed that even a 10% increase in glucose levels raises the risk by 7%, and mortality risk by 88%.

When is too much knowledge a bad thing?

A new study suggests that increased knowledge can backfire when individuals prioritize their own interests over the greater good. The 'knowledge curse' concept, coined by Cornell University economists, highlights the potential for enhanced understanding to hinder cooperation and lead to worse outcomes.

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.

A step toward more effective vaccines

Researchers at Stanford University developed a nanoparticle platform to make vaccines more effective against various pathogens. The platform allows for the elicitation of different immune responses, enabling the identification of the most effective type of protection.

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.

Using historical radar data to map changes in urban environments

Researchers developed a method to reconstruct long-term backscatter coefficient data using Sentinel-1 and Landsat images. The technique accurately mapped changing building heights in Beijing and its surroundings over three decades, providing valuable insights into urban expansion and environmental issues.