Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive December 2024


Page 1 of 39

DGIST created a triple-layer battery resistant to fire and explosion

The triple-layer solid polymer electrolyte battery developed by DGIST improves fire safety and lifespan, addressing structural limitations and dendrite issues common in conventional batteries. The battery retains about 87.9% of its performance after 1,000 charging cycles, demonstrating a notable improvement in durability.

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.

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.

Rural women face tougher time with menopause

Menopausal women in rural areas reported more mood swings, muscle and joint pain, vaginal dryness, and urinary problems than their urban counterparts. Many respondents did not receive hormone replacement therapy due to fear of risks or lack of education about the treatment option.

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.

Custom-fit bone grafts: the future of craniomaxillofacial surgery

Researchers develop personalized bioceramic grafts through additive manufacturing, offering precise and effective solutions for craniomaxillofacial bone reconstruction. The study highlights the potential of synthetic grafts to degrade in parallel with new bone tissue formation.

AI's new move: transforming skin cancer identification

This pioneering research develops a sophisticated deep learning model that classifies skin lesions into distinct categories using transfer learning and test time augmentation. The model achieved an impressive 94.49% accuracy rate, promising to improve the precision of skin cancer diagnosis and potentially save countless lives.

Kitchen hygiene matters

The BfR2GO issue highlights Campylobacter as a common pathogen behind foodborne infections in Germany, emphasizing proper food handling. The magazine provides an overview of kitchen hygiene and includes a pull-out poster with essential tips.

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.

AI replaces humans in identifying causes of fuel cell malfunctions

Researchers developed an AI-based model to analyze carbon fiber paper microstructure, enabling near-real-time diagnosis of fuel cell performance degradation causes. The technology achieves speedup of 100x compared to existing methods, allowing for quick identification of damage areas and optimal design parameters.

Predicting material properties with limited data

A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has developed a machine learning-based approach to predict material properties using limited data. By leveraging transfer learning and multi-property pre-training, they were able to improve model performance and extend its applicability to new materials.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Small milk fat globules promote good bacteria, study reveals

A new study by Professor Nurit Argov-Argaman at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that small milk fat globules promote beneficial bacteria like Bacillus subtilis, while larger ones trigger biofilm formation. The research highlights milk's natural protective mechanisms and potential to support gut health.

Preclinical study finds surges in estrogen promote binge drinking in females

A preclinical study led by Weill Cornell Medicine scientists found that estrogen surges promote binge drinking in females, causing them to 'pregame' and consume large quantities of alcohol. The study identifies a neural circuit in the brain where estrogen increases activity, leading to enhanced binge drinking behavior.

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.

Aging bones and microbiome: unraveling the myth

Researchers debunked the long-held belief that gut microbes significantly influence age-related bone loss. A study found that bone deterioration occurs independently of the gut microbiome, shifting attention to other biological pathways as potential drivers of osteoporosis.

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.

Improving immunotherapies for kidney cancer

A researcher at the Medical University of South Carolina is developing a new approach to boost the immune system's ability to detect and kill kidney tumors. By targeting mitochondrial DNA, he aims to reactivate the immune system to recognize and target cancer cells more effectively.

Major depressive disorder and driving behavior among older adults

A longitudinal cohort study found that older drivers with major depressive disorder demonstrated higher rates of hard braking, cornering, and unpredictability in their driving patterns. Tailored interventions are crucial for maintaining independence and ensuring driving safety among this population.

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.

Achieving bone regeneration and adhesion with harmless visible light

Researchers at POSTECH developed an innovative injectable adhesive hydrogel that regenerates bone using harmless visible light. The hydrogel addresses limitations of existing treatments by simultaneously achieving cross-linking and mineralization without separate bone grafts or adhesives.

Does coffee prevent head and neck cancer?

A new analysis of 14 studies found that coffee and tea drinkers have a lower risk of developing head and neck cancers, including mouth and throat cancers. Decaf coffee was also associated with reduced risks of oral cavity and hypopharyngeal cancer.

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.

Pain coping skills training for patients receiving hemodialysis

Pain coping skills training significantly reduced pain interference in patients undergoing hemodialysis, with a substantial proportion experiencing clinically meaningful improvements. The intervention had modest but beneficial effects on other pain-associated outcomes.

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.

Trends of violence in movies during the past half century

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that violence in movies is trending upwards, with a notable increase in speech about committing murder, regardless of character gender. The findings are consistent with previous studies and highlight the growing trend of violence in cinematic content.

Pitfalls of FDA-approved germline cancer predisposition tests

Genetic testing for cancer risk should always include healthcare providers and genetic counseling to ensure users fully understand their results and receive proper guidance. The authors call on the FDA to provide clear rules for using these tests, particularly for minors.

CAF: The star regulator in cancer network

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) interact with immune cells, extracellular matrix, and tumor cells, leading to immunosuppression and tumor proliferation. CAFs also regulate metabolism and ECM formation, contributing to tumor progression.

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.

Liquid-like thermal conductivity in the ordered crystal CsAg5Te3

Scientists have found ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity in the ordered crystal CsAg5Te3 due to weak chemical bonding and strong phonon anharmonicity. The material exhibits liquid-like phonon transport behavior, enabling it as a promising candidate for thermoelectric applications.

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.

Modeling sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ in rat cardiomyocytes

A new model for sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ handling in rat cardiomyocytes provides insights into calcium signaling mechanisms. The study's findings have the potential to advance our understanding of heart diseases and highlight future research directions.

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.

Quantized planar Hall plateau in magnetic Weyl semimetals

Researchers have found a quantized planar Hall plateau in magnetic Weyl semimetals, which is determined by the Chern number and energy tilt of the Weyl points. This discovery provides new insights into the relationship between the Hall effect and global topological quantities.