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Science News Archive December 2024


Page 16 of 39

Passion to serve others fuels social work graduate

A social work graduate has published her research on cognitive decline among refugees, finding that those who have experienced trauma are more likely to suffer from mild cognitive impairment. The study highlights the need for interventions that address these gaps in care and promote healthier aging.

The great ripple - how a tsunami can disrupt global trade

A new framework evaluates tsunami risk to seaports and the global port network, estimating potential economic losses in trade caused by port disruptions. The study found that a Manila Trench tsunami could damage up to 15 international seaports under present-day sea-level conditions.

AI-powered blood test first to spot earliest sign of breast cancer

A new screening method combining laser analysis with AI identifies patients with breast cancer in its earliest stage, stage 1a. This non-invasive technique reveals subtle changes in the bloodstream that occur during the initial phases of the disease, outperforming existing early detection strategies.

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.

Insights from the EUnetHTA 21 project for EU HTA from 2025 onwards

The EUnetHTA 21 project has developed guidelines and templates for joint HTA work at the EU level, tested in pilot assessments, and aims to improve HTA quality and reduce patient access inequalities. The results of the project will inform the implementation of the European HTA Regulation from 2025 onwards.

Multinational enterprises are failing the world’s sustainability goals

A new study from the University of Surrey found that multinational enterprises (MNEs) are actively contributing to environmental problems despite claiming to address them. The research team argues that there is an urgent need for MNEs to reassess their innovation strategies to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Generic platinum chemotherapy shortages did not increase deaths

Researchers analyzed data from 11,797 adults with advanced solid cancers and found no difference in mortality rates during the shortage period. Prescription rates for cisplatin and carboplatin fell less than three percent overall, with alternative therapies helping mitigate the crisis.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Activating the hidden pharmaceutical potential of bacteria

Scientists at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research have developed ACTIMOT, a genetic method that amplifies and isolates biosynthetic gene clusters from bacteria to produce new bioactive natural products. The approach enables faster and easier access to previously hidden pharmaceutical potential.

Changes in adult obesity trends in the US

Adult obesity trends in the US have declined for the first time in more than a decade, according to recent data. The South region experienced the largest decreases in body mass index and obesity prevalence, despite also facing high COVID-19 mortality rates among obese individuals.

Ligand-engineered copper nanoclusters could help combat CO₂ emissions

A breakthrough in electrochemical CO2 reduction processes has been achieved through ligand engineering of copper nanoclusters. The study reveals that variations in intercluster interactions significantly impact the stability and selectivity of these nanoclusters, leading to more efficient carbon conversion technologies.

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.

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.

Unlocking the potential to better target cancer with immunotherapy

Scientists at Monash University have discovered the structure of how LAG-3 interacts with its main ligand, providing a new targeted approach to improve immunotherapy's effectiveness for certain forms of cancer. This breakthrough could lead to the development of blocking LAG-3 therapeutics and further enhance cancer treatment.

The genetic basis of fertility, family and longevity

Researchers identified 159 genetic studies and 37 key genes linked to reproductive traits such as age at first childbirth, menopause timing, and hormones like FSH and testosterone. Genetic factors play a significant role in broader health outcomes and influencing fertility.

ERC Consolidator Grant: 4 million euros to Bielefeld sociologists

Professor Minh Nguyen and Professor Carsten Sauer have received ERC Consolidator Grants to investigate financialization in Asia and gender-based wage differentials in Europe. Their projects aim to understand the impact of financial markets on working lives and labor market practices.

Scientists innovate breeding strategies to create climate-smart crops

Researchers have created a novel breeding strategy to rapidly create climate-smart crops that can withstand heat stress. By optimizing carbon partitioning to sinks, they increased yields in staple grain and vegetable crops. The study showed improved fruit quality, sugar content, and yield resilience under heat stress conditions.

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.

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.

New insights into brain mechanisms underlying empathy

A research team from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia has identified a key brain mechanism that modulates how animals react to others' emotions. This finding provides new insights into psychiatric conditions such as PTSD, autism, and schizophrenia.

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.

Diverse virus populations coexist on single strains of gut bacteria

A recent study found that multiple phage species can coexist stably on a genetically uniform strain of E. coli in the human gut. The researchers discovered that each phage species prefers slower or faster growing cells, allowing them to find a separate niche and maintain stable coexistence.

Grant will fund development of vaccines to prevent dementia

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing vaccines to target misfolded proteins in the brain, with a focus on preventing inflammation and using peptide nanofibers. The goal is to prevent dementia by training the immune system against amyloid beta and tau proteins.

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.

Artificial intelligence improves mammography-based risk prediction

Artificial intelligence is enhancing breast cancer risk prediction through mammographic analysis, uncovering key features that predict breast cancer risk. These AI-generated features may inform personalized screening strategies, such as more frequent or less frequent screenings for women at high or low risk of breast cancer.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Your immune cells are what they eat

Researchers at Salk Institute establish a novel framework for the relationship between nutrition and cell identity. They found that a nutritional switch from acetate to citrate plays a key role in determining T cell fates, shifting them from active effector cells to exhausted cells.

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.

Local learning, global thinking: the power of digital dialogic teaching

A digital dialogic approach helped Chinese college students develop a stronger sense of global awareness by critically examining competing media narratives during COVID-19. The study found that this online approach encouraged critical thinking, media literacy, and bridged ideological divides.

Porous crystals detect nitric oxide

A copper-containing, electrically conducting, two-dimensional metal–organic framework has been developed for the highly selective detection of nitric oxide. The material detects NO at room temperature with high sensitivity and selectivity, making it suitable for air quality monitoring and medical applications.

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.

Researchers succeed in controlling quantum states in a new energy range

Scientists successfully produced and controlled hybrid electron-photon quantum states in helium atoms, enabling direct manipulation of these transient states. This breakthrough uses a new laser pulse-shaping technique and high-intensity extreme ultraviolet light pulses to achieve control over the hybrid quantum states.

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.

Older Australians turning to cannabis as cigarette prices rise

A study by Curtin University found that when cigarette prices increased, cannabis use among older Australians (aged over 50) rose, with 68,000 people expected to start using cannabis. Researchers used data from the Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey and ran simulations to predict the impact of price increases.

Uncovering hidden consequences of catch-and-release sport fishing

A recent study by UMass Amherst and international partners found that giant trevally sport fishing in Seychelles is sensitive to catch-and-release pressure. The research used acoustic telemetry and mark-and-recapture programs to track fish behavior, revealing potential unintended consequences of the practice.

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.

Aldabra Atoll's remarkable shoreline resilience over 51 years

A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals that Aldabra Atoll's shoreline has maintained its net shoreline and total land area over 51 years, with an average change rate of 25 cm per year. The lagoon shoreline underwent more rapid changes than the ocean shoreline, particularly in areas exposed to wind and waves.