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Science News Archive February 2024


Page 23 of 38

Live from the brain: Visual cues inform decision to cooperate

A study published in Nature tracked neural activity of freely moving macaques using wireless eye tracking and neural monitoring. The research found that the visual cortex plays an active role in social behavior by providing signals to the prefrontal cortex, enabling the decision to cooperate.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Some Pre-Roman humans were buried with dogs, horses and other animals

A study of human-animal co-burials from ancient Italy suggests that the practice may have been related to enduring companion relationships or religious beliefs. Researchers found that the people buried with animals did not share common traits, leaving multiple interpretations for this phenomenon.

Fundamental equation for superconducting quantum bits revised

A team of researchers has revised the fundamental equation for superconducting quantum bits, revealing that harmonics are superimposed on the fundamental mode, resulting in corrections that can lead to quantum bits that are 2-7 times more stable. Experimental evidence from multiple laboratories supports this finding.

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.

Wound-homing molecule accelerates tissue repair

A study published in Nature Communications reports the discovery of a wound-homing molecule called CAR peptide, which accelerates tissue repair by activating natural healing pathways. The treatment shows promise for treating various injuries, including muscle ruptures and bone fractures, without forming less functional scar tissue.

State-owned firms can mitigate additional regulatory scrutiny when making foreign acquisitions by considering the social and political implications of the deal

State-owned enterprises experience greater regulatory scrutiny in foreign acquisitions, but acknowledging social and political dynamics can help temper this liability. SOEs can also work with local communities to overcome negative perception by acquiring firms through subsidiaries or committing to local employment, reducing additional ...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Trapping sulfate to benefit health, industry and waterways

Scientists have developed a cage-like molecule to trap sulfate in water, which could help control its concentration in health, industry, and environmental management. The molecular trap can be prepared inexpensively from off-the-shelf chemicals and has potential applications in medicine, such as treating cystic fibrosis.

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.

A metamaterial for converting circular vibration ultrasound, capable of detecting cracks that occur in various directions inside structures such as buildings bridges and aircraft, has been developed for the first time in the world

A new metamaterial has been developed to convert circular vibration ultrasound, enabling the detection of cracks in various directions within structures. This technology is expected to improve the functionality of existing ultrasonic technologies and be used for industrial non-destructive testing and ultrasound imaging.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Neuronal insights: flash and freeze-fracture

Researchers at ISTA developed a novel 'Flash and Freeze-fracture' technique to analyze brain region communication. The method reveals that neurons in the medial habenula exhibit unusual behavior, contradicting general understanding, and provides insights into protein localization and synapse strengthening.

New epigenetic clocks reinvent how we measure age

Researchers developed a new epigenetic clock that predicts biological age from DNA structure, distinguishing between genetic differences that slow and accelerate aging. The model, called CausAge, includes only damaging or protective changes, allowing for more accurate evaluation of anti-aging interventions.

Super-resolution microscopy harnesses digital display technology

Researchers developed a high-speed modulation system combining digital display with super-resolution imaging, significantly improving lateral and axial resolution. This enables detailed study of subcellular structures in animal cells and plant ultrastructures, paving the way for future biological discoveries.

Climate change drived the emergence of West Nile virus in Europe

A study by researchers at Université libre de Bruxelles found that climate change is a significant driver of West Nile virus emergence in Europe. The virus can now be transmitted to humans through mosquitoes, posing a public health threat. Climate change is also linked to an increase in population density and the spread of the virus.

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.

Nearly 15% of Americans deny climate change is real, AI study finds

A new University of Michigan study reveals that nearly 15% of Americans deny climate change's reality, with a strong correlation between Republican voters and climate change deniers. The study found that belief in climate change varies substantially within states, with some areas having higher denial rates than others.

Key genes linked to DNA damage and human disease uncovered

A recent study has uncovered 145 genes crucial for genome stability, shedding light on genetic factors influencing human health over a lifespan. The research highlights the potential of SIRT inhibitors as a therapeutic pathway for cohesinopathies and other genomic disorders.

U of M research advances potential HIV cure strategy

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have explored a new approach to combat HIV by enhancing Natural Killer cell function. The study found that providing healthy NK cells and an anti-HIV drug resulted in significant reductions in infection burden, offering a potential cure strategy.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

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Birth coincides with rapid changes in gene activities

Scientists used new techniques to analyze gene activities during mouse prenatal development, revealing hundreds of cell types and their formation. The study showed that massive transcriptional changes occur at birth, potentially necessary for survival outside the womb.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

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It's award season: let's celebrate microbes in movies

A new publication provides insights into the relationship between movies and microbiology, exploring how films can educate the public about microbial concepts. The review highlights examples of movies that accurately portray scientific concepts, such as viral host recognition and epidemiology, to teach undergraduate students.

New sepsis test provides faster and reliable results

A new analysis method for detecting bacteria in blood has been confirmed to provide accurate and fast results at smaller hospitals, enabling quicker antibiotic treatment. The test revealed a significant reduction in unnecessary antibiotic use and an improved patient outcome in one out of four cases.

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.

Doctors quitting over stress and cost of finding suitable childcare

A BMJ survey shows that more than nine out of ten doctors have struggled to find suitable childcare for their work schedule, with many citing high costs as a major issue. The survey found that the lack of flexible and affordable childcare options is leading to stress, guilt, and even career change among doctor parents.

Fight against malaria takes a step forward

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, have identified 898 RNA-dependent proteins in the deadliest human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. These findings could lead to novel therapeutic targets against malaria and highlight the importance of RNAs in biological pathways in the parasite.

Satellites unveil the size and nature of the world’s coral reefs

Researchers have discovered an estimated 348,000 square kilometers of shallow coral reefs worldwide, revising previous estimates. The high-resolution satellite maps also identify areas with hard and soft bottoms, providing valuable data for scientists and policymakers to better understand and manage reef systems.

Researchers edge closer to delivering personalized medicine to cancer patients

A team of physicists and veterinary scientists at Purdue University has developed a method to detect chemoresistance in cancer patients using biodynamic imaging (BDI). This technique measures the motions inside cancer cells and how they respond to chemotherapy, identifying patients who will not respond to treatment. The study shows pro...

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.

Stopping HIV in its tracks

Researchers have discovered how lenacapavir disrupts the HIV life cycle by fortifying the capsid and making it brittle. This leads to a premature breakage of the capsid, exposing the viral genetic material to the host cell cytoplasm.

A closer look at cannabis use and binge eating

A recent Drexel University study found nearly a quarter of binge eating patients have used cannabis in the past three months. Cannabis use was related to drinking patterns and problems with drinking, but not to severe eating disorder symptoms or depression.

Would you prefer a mammogram, MRI, or saliva on a test strip?

Researchers have developed a hand-held biosensor that can detect breast cancer biomarkers from saliva with high accuracy and efficiency. The device is portable, reusable, and cost-effective, making it an excellent choice for communities or hospitals without access to advanced technologies like MRI.

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.

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.

Uni sector scores poor report card when it comes to workplace health

A large survey of Australian university employees reveals a sector suffering high stress, exhaustion, and unrelenting work pressures. The study found that digital stress, job security, and resourcing are top concerns, with researchers calling for a sector-wide policy to report on psychosocial safety climate as a key performance indicator.

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.

Joro spiders well poised to populate cities

Researchers found Joro spiders can thrive near busy roads, attacking simulated prey 59% of the time, despite slight differences in attack rates, without compromising their health or body mass. The species' ability to tolerate urban vibrations and sounds is likely a key factor in its exponential growth

Neural prosthetic device can help humans restore memory

A team of scientists has successfully used a neural prosthetic device to recall specific memories in adults with epilepsy. The device uses a person's own memory patterns to facilitate the brain's ability to encode and recall memory, showing promise for cognitive enhancement technologies.