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Science News for December 30, 2024


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.

SourceBfR Federal Institute for Risk Assessment·DateDec 30, 2024

A rising trend of 'murderous verbs' in movies over 50 years

A new study analyzing movie subtitles found a significant increase in murderous verbs in dialogue over the past 50 years. Non-crime movies showed a notable rise in violent language, while crime movies had even steeper increases.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 30, 2024

Smartphone app can help reduce opioid use and keep patients in treatment, UT Health San Antonio study shows

A new study by UT Health San Antonio found that a smartphone app can help patients with opioid use disorder reduce their days of opioid use and stay in treatment longer. The app combined contingency management behavioral therapy and recovery support from peers, reducing opioid use by 35% compared to medication only.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 30, 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.

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.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalApplied Energy·DateDec 30, 2024

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.

SourceIndian Institute of Science (IISc)·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateDec 30, 2024

People who are immunocompromised may not produce enough protective antibodies against RSV after vaccination

Researchers found that older adults with weakened immunity developed fewer antibodies against RSV following vaccination compared to healthy individuals. The study suggests that adjuvant-enhanced vaccines could improve immune responses in immunocompromised people, warranting further investigation.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateDec 30, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalSmall·DateDec 30, 2024

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.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalFood Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 30, 2024

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.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 30, 2024
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.

Solar-powered charging! Korea’s first self-charging supercapacitors developed

The research team created a high-performance self-charging energy storage device using transition metal-based composite materials. The device demonstrated improved energy density (35.5 Wh kg⁻¹) and power density (2555.6 W kg⁻¹), with minimal degradation during repeated charge and discharge cycles.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalEnergy·DateDec 30, 2024

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.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalBone Research·DateDec 30, 2024

Behavioral intervention decreases how much pain affects daily activities in people with dialysis-dependent kidney failure

A clinical trial funded by the NIH found that pain coping skills training reduced pain interference, improved mood, and enhanced quality of life in adults with end-stage kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. The intervention was adapted for patients with limited pain treatment options and showed benefits comparable to opioids.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·DateDec 30, 2024
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.

Improved health care value cannot be achieved by hospital mergers and acquisitions alone

A systematic review of 384 studies found that only about one in five health care integrations leads to improved value of care delivery, primarily due to better care management processes. Hospital charges increased with integration, and quality of care showed reduced quality or no change in nearly 77% of the studies.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateDec 30, 2024

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.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·DateDec 30, 2024

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 30, 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.

Deep black as midnight: striking new moray eel discovered in Central Indo-Pacific river mouths, named after god of the underworld

A new moray eel species has been discovered in Central Indo-Pacific river mouths, characterized by its deep black coloration and ability to thrive in dim environments. The Hades' snake moray was found in southern Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Fiji, and is considered an important addition to the study of freshwater moray eels.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateDec 30, 2024

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.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalBiomaterials·DateDec 30, 2024

New technology doubles resolution without radar replacement using novel algorithms!

Researchers at DGIST developed a novel algorithm that analyzes envelope features of radar signals to improve target differentiation. This breakthrough technology enables nearly double the resolution without increasing bandwidth or requiring new hardware, enhancing object recognition precision in automotive and aerospace applications.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalIEEE Sensors Journal·DateDec 30, 2024

Bacteria to the rescue: a sustainable solution for growing organoids

Researchers have developed a new way to grow organoids using Invasin, a protein produced by bacteria, mimicking the original organ with its variety of cell types. This study provides an affordable, standardized and animal-free alternative to currently used methods.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 30, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalCancer·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 30, 2024

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateDec 30, 2024

USTC achieves long-term cardiac monitoring with non-invasive RF technology

A USTC research team developed a non-invasive RF-based system for monitoring heart rate variability with clinical-grade accuracy over extended periods. The system successfully overcomes interference from respiratory motion and performs well in automatic classification of heartbeat abnormalities.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 30, 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.

Low-frequency photonic simulator breaks barriers in synthetic frequency dimensions

A research team at USTC developed an on-chip photonic simulator that can simulate arbitrary-range coupled frequency lattices, a crucial step towards understanding low-dimensional materials. The innovative approach uses thin-film lithium niobate chips to create lattice structures in the frequency domain.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 30, 2024

Study of Sherpas highlights key role of kidneys in acclimatization to high altitudes

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that Sherpa participants had more rapid and larger magnitude blood acid-base acclimatization than lowlanders during incremental ascent to 4,300 metres. This suggests a key role for the kidneys in acclimatization to high altitude.

SourceMount Royal University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateDec 30, 2024

USTC achieves calculation of the Jones polynomial based on the Majorana zero modes

Researchers at USTC successfully simulated Braiding operations of Majorana fermions to determine Jones polynomials of different links. They expanded a single-photon encoding method to dual-photon spatial methods and introduced a quantum cooling device, achieving multi-step quantum evolution operations with high fidelity.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 30, 2024

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateDec 30, 2024
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.

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.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 30, 2024