Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive February 2024


Page 15 of 38

New approach to real-time monitoring after pancreatic surgery

Researchers developed a portable, droplet-based millifluidic device to monitor patients in the critical first days after surgery. The device measures drainage fluid's alpha-amylase activity in real time, reducing test duration from six hours to two minutes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Converting rainforest to plantation impacts food webs and biodiversity

A recent study reveals that converting rainforests to plantations erodes and restructures food webs, fundamentally changing their functioning. The researchers found that energy flows differently in plantation ecosystems compared to rainforests, with a greater emphasis on invasive species and reduced predation.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Membrane technology: Looking deep into smallest pores

Researchers at KIT's Institute for Advanced Membrane Technology found that the interplay of hydrodynamic forces, friction, and forces of attraction and repulsion affects adsorption in membrane nanopores. This study provides basic findings with respect to water processing and may benefit ultra- and nanofiltration processes controlled by...

Neural network assisted high-spatial-resolution polarimetry

A new method combines a tri-channel chiral metasurface with a deep convolutional neural network to analyze polarizations, achieving fast, robust, and accurate measurements. This approach supports high spatial resolution requirements and compact design, enabling diverse applications in remote sensing, astronomy, biology, and microscopy.

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.

Automated method helps researchers quantify uncertainty in their predictions

Researchers have introduced an optimization technique that accelerates Bayesian inference without requiring extensive user effort. This new automated method achieves more accurate results faster than another popular approach and offers reliable uncertainty estimates to help scientists understand when to trust their predictions.

Engineers use AI to wrangle fusion power for the grid

A Princeton University team developed an AI model that can forecast potential plasma instabilities up to 300 milliseconds in advance, allowing for real-time adjustments to avoid reaction-ending escapes. The model uses past experimental data and demonstrates a promising approach to solving a broad range of plasma instabilities.

New system triggers cellular waste disposal

Scientists at CeMM Research Center have discovered a new method to mark proteins for destruction, potentially treating diseases like cancer. The technique uses 'intramolecular bivalent glues' to alter the protein's surface, triggering targeted protein degradation via ubiquitin ligases.

Evidence review: Maternal mental conditions drive climbing death rate in U.S.

A research team at Children's National Hospital found that maternal mental illness contributes significantly to the death of new mothers in the US. The study highlights the need for urgent action to address this public health crisis, which is driven by a lack of access to maternity care and inadequate screening for depression postpartum.

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.

Muscle as a heart-health predictor

New research from the University of California San Diego found that men with a higher area of abdominal muscle have a greater risk of cardiac trouble. Men with the densest muscle in their abdominal cavity had about one quarter the risk of coronary heart disease later on.

Raised blood pressure is the leading risk factor for death in Australia

A study published in PLOS ONE found that raised blood pressure has been the leading risk factor for death in Australia for three decades, contributing to at least 44% of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing blood pressure control efforts in public health agendas.

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.

Weedy rice gets competitive boost from its wild neighbors

A study found that weedy rice's promiscuity allows it to crossbreed with wild rice, enabling it to adapt and outcompete cultivated rice. This process, called adaptive introgression, has contributed to the evolution of Southeast Asian weedy rice.

A new RNA editing tool could enhance cancer treatment

Researchers developed a CRISPR RNA-editing platform to regulate immune cell metabolism, boosting anti-tumor function and sustaining T cell proliferation. The platform enables reversible changes to gene expression and can be controlled by a drug, offering a safety switch for immunotherapy treatments.

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.

False alarm of the immune system during muscle disease

Scientists identify chronic ER stress and mitochondrial damage in DM2 cells, triggering an antiviral response and autoimmune diseases. The study provides new therapeutic targets to suppress the development of autoimmune diseases in patients.

Revealing what makes bacteria life-threatening

Scientists found a mutation in E. coli that allows it to spread further into the body and infect organs, causing life-threatening diseases. The discovery helps explain why certain types of E. coli become more dangerous and provides an explanation for emerging virulent bacteria.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

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.

New detection method aims to warn of landslide tsunamis

Researchers at University of Alaska Fairbanks have developed a new detection method that can identify landslides within minutes and determine if they pose a tsunami hazard. The method uses seismic data to estimate a landslide's location, volume, and potential impact, with the goal of issuing warnings in under 5 minutes.

Tapping into the 300 GHz band with an innovative CMOS transmitter

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a 300 GHz-band transmitter that solves issues with high-frequency electromagnetic waves and offers high data rates of up to 108 Gb/s. The proposed solution features a phased-array design, low power consumption, and area efficiency.

Plastic recycling with a protein anchor

Researchers have developed a novel biohybrid catalyst that uses an anchor peptide to oxidize polystyrene microparticles, making them degradable. The catalyst accelerates the formation of polar OH groups through reaction with Oxone, allowing for efficient breakdown and degradation of polystyrene.

Pesticides found in kale but at low risk levels

Researchers found six pesticides and related compounds in kale from small farms in Maryland, but levels were much lower than a concern. The study provides insight into the safety of farm-raised greens and will help identify health risks associated with other fruits and vegetables.

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.

The immune system’s moonlighters

Researchers have found a new potential therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis by identifying an overlooked sequence in the IκBζ protein. This sequence, known as the OCA peptide, can activate key proteins in immune cells and may help reeling in immune cells gone haywire.

The cultural evolution of collective property rights

A team of researchers at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology developed a new simulation model to study the cultural evolution of collective property rights. The model shows that these institutions critically depend on clearly defined and enforced access rights.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Genetic insights and conservation challenges of Nara's sacred deer

A genetic study reveals two distinct clusters of deer populations in Nara, Japan, highlighting the need for reconciliation among stakeholders. The research emphasizes the importance of careful management to address conflicts between preserving sacred deer lineage and allowing admixture for conservation.

Zero-index metamaterials and the future

Zero-index metamaterials (ZIMs) exhibit uniform electromagnetic field distribution over arbitrary shapes, enabling ultra-compact cloaking devices and arbitrarily shaped waveguides. Researchers have developed a highly homogeneous ZIM using high-permittivity materials, reducing its physical dimensions by threefold.

Oocytes outsmart toxic proteins to preserve long-term female fertility

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which oocytes remain healthy for decades without succumbing to the wear and tear that would cause other cell types to fail. The study reveals the presence of EndoLysosomal Vesicular Assemblies, specialized structures that capture and hold onto protein aggregates, rendering them harmless.

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.

Microplastics in every human placenta, new UNM Health Sciences research discovers

A recent study by UNM Health Sciences researchers has found that microplastics are present in all 62 human placenta samples tested. The concentrations ranged from 6.5 to 790 micrograms per gram of tissue, with polyethylene being the most prevalent polymer found. The study suggests that microplastics may be linked to puzzling increases ...

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.

Versatile light control in WSe₂ achieved

The study successfully manipulates distinct exciton species within a hybrid monolayer WSe2-Ag nanowire structure, exhibiting high coupling efficiency with surface plasmon polaritons. This breakthrough enables precise control over light emissions and paves the way for advanced optical and quantum applications.

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.

Generating 'buzz' about new products can influence their success

A new study from Binghamton University finds that preannouncement marketing can positively impact stock market reactions, especially when it comes to costless approaches. The researchers analyzed 149 product launch events and found that surprise effects and information asymmetry can also play a role in shaping market expectations.

Where neural stem cells feel at home

Neural stem cells developed into nerve cells when adhering to hydrogels with high positive charge, while those on lower positively charged gels became glial cells. The ability to influence differentiation could aid in nerve and glial cell regeneration and treatment of diseases like multiple sclerosis.