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Science News Archive August 2024


Page 31 of 38

Studying how serotonin alters locust’s sense of smell

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found that serotonin increases the amplitude of neural responses to food-related odors in locusts, while ignoring non-food smells. This discovery sheds light on how sensory signals are processed and could inspire solutions for odor detection in toxic environments.

Cucumber's genetic core: new insights into centromere structures

Researchers have characterized cucumber centromeres, identifying key sequences and retrotransposons. The study highlights differences in centromeric DNA between wild and cultivated cucumbers, providing valuable information for improving genetic maps and breeding programs.

Metalenses phase characterization by multi-distance phase retrieval

Researchers developed a new phase characterization method for metalenses based on multi-distance phase retrieval through optical field scanning. This innovative approach overcomes traditional interferometric techniques' limitations, enabling the measurement of phase distributions and wavefront errors with higher accuracy.

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.

Molecule restores cognition, memory in Alzheimer’s disease model mice

A UCLA researcher identified a compound that effectively jumpstarts the brain's memory circuitry, restoring cognitive functions in mice with Alzheimer's disease symptoms. The molecule, DDL-920, works by targeting specific neurons to enhance gamma oscillations, which are critical for memory and cognition.

Scientists lay out revolutionary method to warm Mars

Researchers from University of Chicago and Northwestern University suggest new approach to terraforming Mars using engineered dust particles. The proposed method is over 5,000 times more efficient than previous schemes, using resources readily available on Mars, making it a significant leap forward in modifying the Martian environment.

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.

Scientists get to the bottom of COVID's worst pediatric complication

Researchers found that children's immune systems attacked their own tissues after latching onto a coronavirus protein resembling one found in multiple organs. Early intervention was crucial to prevent death in these cases, and the study has implications for understanding other autoimmune diseases.

Water delivered to the mantle by aluminum enriched hydrated slabs?

Researchers at Ehime University found that aluminum-enriched Superhydrous phase B (SuB) promotes unusual variations in velocities with increased water content. This discovery suggests that Al-bearing SuB may account for seismically visible anomalies at the bottom of the mantle transition region and beneath subduction zones.

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.

Do smells prime our gut to fight off infection?

A study from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that nematodes react to pathogenic bacteria by destroying mitochondria to protect against iron-stealing bacteria. This protective response suggests that humans may also respond to the smell of pathogens to prepare their gut for infection.

Do dieticians have weight biases towards themselves and others?

A survey of UK registered dietitians revealed explicit and implicit weight bias attitudes, with nearly a quarter feeling their weight affects their professional performance. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing weight stigma in the dietetic profession to promote inclusivity and effective care.

Study quantifies air pollution for NYC subway commuters

A new study quantifies air pollution for NYC subway commuters, revealing disparities in exposure across racial and income groups. The research found that people from lower-income working communities have higher exposures and Black and Hispanic workers experience on average 35% and 23% higher PM2.5 exposure, respectively.

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.

Cutting-edge 3D-printed microneedle technology revolutionizes remote healthcare

This innovative system combines remote health monitoring and drug delivery using 3D-printed hollow microneedles, advancing personalized medicine. The integrated theranostic microneedle array measures key health indicators like pH, glucose, and lactate levels, while enabling rapid, pumpless, and point-of-care drug administration.

Individuals vary in how air pollution impacts their mood

Researchers found that air pollution affects people differently, causing some to feel less aroused and more negative. The study suggests that this effect can contribute to increased anxiety risk and inform climate adaptation planning.

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 perspectives for using corals in climate research

A research team from the University of Göttingen has developed a new method to analyze the oxygen isotope composition of coral skeletons, allowing for more accurate temperature reconstructions and insights into biomineralization processes. This breakthrough enables scientists to correct for 'vital effects' that can distort climate data.

Blood test can help predict chronic lung disease in preterm babies

A new study from Murdoch Children's Research Institute has identified changes in certain blood proteins that can predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm babies. By combining these protein changes with gestational age, birth weight, and sex, clinicians can make more accurate predictions of BPD risk within 72 hours of life.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Pesticide exposure linked to stillbirth risk in new study

A new study found that living near areas where pesticides were used during the first trimester of pregnancy or pre-conception increases the risk of stillbirths. Researchers linked pesticide use records to state birth certificate data and found specific chemicals, such as organophosphates and pyrethroids, to be associated with increased...

If you yawn, I yawn too: new mechanisms behind imitative behavior revealed

Researchers have uncovered new insights into how the brain regulates imitative behavior, a phenomenon that facilitates interaction and social cohesion. The study used advanced brain stimulation technique to pinpoint the causal role of different circuits in facilitating or inhibiting automatic imitation.

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.

Social rank may determine if animals live fast, die young

A Dartmouth study suggests that social rank determines whether animals prioritize short-term energy consumption over long-term health, with dominant monkeys consuming food quickly to maintain dominance, while lower-ranked monkeys invest time in washing their food to prevent tooth damage. The findings shed light on the disposable soma h...

More evidence on the dangerous attitudes of men who ogle

A new Edith Cowan University study found that men who frequently stare at women's bodies are more likely to harbor harmful attitudes and exhibit behaviors that may lead to sexual assault. The study validates the 'pervasive body gaze scale' as a reliable marker for sexual objectification and assault propensity.

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.

Electric bandage holds promise for treating chronic wounds

Researchers developed an inexpensive, water-powered electric bandage that accelerates wound healing in chronic wounds. The bandage produces an electric field that promotes healing and reduces inflammation, with animals treated with the bandage showing a 30% faster rate of wound closure.

Humans change their own behavior when training AI

Researchers found that when participants were told their decisions would train an AI bot, they became more likely to seek a fair share of the payout. This behavior persisted even after the experiment ended, suggesting a lasting impact on decision-making.

Hidden Harmonies

Researchers discovered a novel energy transfer channel between magnons and phonons in an antiferromagnet under Fermi resonance, enabling future control of such systems for faster data storage. This breakthrough could lead to increased operational frequencies and enhanced efficiency of magnetic writing.

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.

Scientists uncover hidden forces causing continents to rise

Researchers found that powerful waves triggered deep within the Earth can cause continental surfaces to rise by over a kilometre. The study explains why parts of continents experience substantial uplift and erosion, forming sweeping elevated regions known as plateaus.

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.

Plants offer fruit to insects to disperse dust-like seeds

A Kobe University research team found that insects, specifically camel crickets, act as primary consumers of fruit and dispersers of dust-like seeds. The study confirmed the importance of insects in seed dispersal for light-harvesting plants.

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.

Fishing is causing frightened fish to flee when they should flirt

Researchers found that fishing impacts not only caught fish but also those left behind, causing widespread behavioral change. Single males at fished sites were twice as likely to flee and took two and a half times longer to return to their territories than fish at unfished sites.

Pixels to pasture: how AI can help farmers predict their pasture

Researchers developed a machine learning-based system to analyze satellite data and provide farmers with information on pasture productivity and quality. The approach uses remote sensing and AI-driven processing to gather data on large areas, providing a scale-neutral solution for small- and large-scale farms.

World’s highest-performance superconducting wire segment fabricated at UB

Researchers at the University of Buffalo have successfully fabricated the world's highest-performing high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wire segment, achieving critical current density and pinning force values previously unseen. The breakthrough could significantly improve the price-performance metric for commercial coated conducto...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Bacterial gut diversity improves the athletic performance of racehorses

A new study from the University of Surrey found that higher faecal bacterial diversity at one month old is positively associated with the athletic performance of Thoroughbred foals. Lower bacterial diversity in early life also increases the risk of respiratory disease and soft-tissue issues.

Work emails, calls on golf course worsen performance, study finds

Researchers from Stellenbosch University discovered that using work-related content during golf sessions reduces performance, whereas personal activities have little to no effect. The study suggests a clear distinction between leisure and professional use of smartphones in recreational settings.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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