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Science News for December 26, 2024


11- to 12-year-olds use smartphones mainly to talk to family and friends

A study by the University of the Basque Country found that 11- to 12-year-olds primarily use their smartphones to communicate with family and friends, rather than engaging with social media. While they do use social media, it is mainly for watching videos on YouTube and other platforms.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalJournal of New Approaches in Educational Research·DateDec 26, 2024

Aerobic exercise and weight loss in adults

Engaging in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per week modestly reduces body weight, waist circumference, and body fat measures. Aerobic training exceeding 150 minutes per week may be needed for clinically important reductions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 26, 2024

Addressing energy inequities in clean energy transitions: PKU study

A recent study from Peking University found that modern clean energy sources may exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly for low-income households. The researchers recommend policy solutions like phased clean energy transitions and targeted energy subsidies to ensure a more equitable transition.

SourcePeking University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 26, 2024
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.

Spintronics memory innovation: A new perpendicular magnetized film

A new cobalt-manganese-iron alloy thin film demonstrates high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, a key aspect for fabricating MRAM devices using spintronics. This breakthrough offers a new candidate for memory materials and contributes to the development of novel spintronics memory devices.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalScience and Technology of Advanced Materials·DateDec 26, 2024

President Biden signs bipartisan HEARTS Act into law

The American Heart Association strongly supports the legislation, which aims to double survival rates from cardiac arrest nationwide by 2030. The HEARTS Act includes key provisions such as CPR training, AEDs, and cardiac emergency response plans, which can more than double survival rates in schools with these resources.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateDec 26, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How do monkeys recognize snakes so fast?

Researchers found that monkeys swiftly identify snakes because of snake scales as a visual cue, revealing an evolutionary adaptation for threat detection. This insight into primate vision and brain evolution can improve our understanding of animal cognition.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 26, 2024

Fish-friendly dentistry: New method makes oral research non-lethal

Researchers at OIST have developed a customizable method for studying detailed dental characteristics of living fish and vertebrates without harming them. This approach allows for non-destructive examination of tooth replacement and development over time, revealing valuable information on feeding habits and comparative anatomy.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of Morphology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 26, 2024

New study shows role of macrophages misunderstood in fibrosis

Researchers found that previously thought 'pro-fibrotic' macrophages are not solely responsible for fibrosis and instead may contribute to healthy repair. The study aims to understand the triggers behind these differences in expression, with the goal of harnessing macrophages for lung repair.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalJCI Insight·DateDec 26, 2024
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.

Circadian nutrition: Is meal timing an elixir for fatigue?

Researchers explore circadian nutrition as a potential solution for industrialized societies plagued by fatigue. Time-restricted feeding and night/active phase-restricted feeding have shown promise in improving muscle endurance and reducing cognitive dysfunctions.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateDec 26, 2024

Chungnam National University researchers examines corporate social responsibility's impact on global online shopping

Researchers analyzed 1,033 online shoppers from South Korea and Japan to find that companies' social contributions enhance the positive effect of online purchasability. CSR initiatives also helped Japanese consumers overcome hesitation, suggesting a cultural influence on consumer behavior. The study's findings suggest CSR can boost con...

SourceChungnam National University Evaluation Team·JournalJournal of Retailing and Consumer Services·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 26, 2024

NTU and NUS spin-off cutting-edge quantum control technology

The new startup, AQSolotl, has developed a quantum controller that enables users to control quantum computers easily using laptops and desktops. The technology, developed by NTU and NUS researchers, is designed to be scalable, adaptable, and cost-efficient.

SourceNanyang Technological University·DateDec 26, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Wind sensing by biomimetic flexible flapping wing with strain sensors

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo developed a method to detect wind direction using seven strain gauges on a flapping wing and a convolutional neural network model. The system achieved high classification accuracy of 99.5% in detecting wind conditions, opening up new possibilities for improving robotic flight control.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 26, 2024

Investigation uncovers poor quality of dental coverage under Medicare Advantage

A study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that only 8.4% of Medicare Advantage plans offered a comprehensive dental benefit, leaving many beneficiaries without access to necessary care. The research suggests that regulations could prevent low-quality dental plans from being offered, ensuring consumers know what they're getting.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA·DateDec 26, 2024

Starlight to sight: Breakthrough in short-wave infrared detection

Researchers at Peking University developed a heterojunction-gated field-effect transistor for high sensitivity in short-wave infrared detection, achieving a specific detectivity above 1014 Jones at 1300 nm. The detector can detect weak infrared radiation levels of 0.46 nW cm−2, making it capable of starlight vision.

SourcePeking University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 26, 2024
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.

Observation of splashing drops from an AI perspective

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed an explainable AI model to classify videos of splashing and non-splashing drops. The model achieved a success rate of 92% for low-viscosity liquid and 100% for high-viscosity liquid, revealing key differences in droplet behavior during impact stages.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalFlow·DateDec 26, 2024
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.

Kidney function decline after COVID-19 infection

A cohort study found COVID-19 accelerates kidney function decline, particularly in hospitalized patients. Early monitoring and optimized management of chronic kidney disease can help prevent complications.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 26, 2024

Land use changes and China’s carbon sequestration potential

A new study published in Nature Communications provides fresh insights into China's carbon removal capacity through land-use, land-use change, and forestry. The researchers used an improved modeling approach to estimate the country's carbon removal from land-use changes, offering more accurate projections for future carbon removal.

SourcePeking University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 26, 2024