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Science News Archive February 2024


Page 25 of 38

Desert ants: the magnetic field calibrates the navigation system

Desert ants of the Cataglyphis genus possess abilities that distinguish them from other creatures: they can orient themselves to the Earth's magnetic field. Researchers discovered this and found it is primarily processed in the ant's internal compass and mushroom bodies. The study shows that information about the magnetic field serves ...

Irrigation strengthens climate resilience in Mali

The installation of small-scale irrigation systems in Mali improved agricultural productivity, reduced child malnutrition, and decreased local conflict. Long-term data shows a significant increase in rice yield and greenness around pump irrigation projects, providing critical support against climate change.

Sandalwood oil by-product prevents prostate cancer development in mice

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University found that alpha-santalol, a compound in sandalwood oil, decreases cell proliferation and induces apoptosis to prevent prostate cancer development. The study showed a 53% increase in normal tissue area in treated mice, indicating protection against prostate cancer progression.

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.

Low cost and low capital plasmid engineering with Vibrio natriegens

Researchers propose Vibrio natriegens as a low-cost host for plasmid engineering, enabling democratization of synthetic biology in education. The proposed platform enables ultra-scalable transformation and testing of new synthetic proteins with minimal equipment requirements.

When caring for grandma is followed by a university lecture

A comprehensive study will examine how young caregivers balance educational responsibilities with care for older relatives, influencing academic performance and decision-making. The InterCare project aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by this often-overlooked group, including feelings of shame and guilt.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Trail cameras track ‘critically low’ New York bobcat population

A recent study published in Biological Conservation reveals that NY bobcat populations remain critically low, with occupancies below detectable limits. Researchers used trail cameras to monitor wildlife populations in central and western NY state, tracking white-tailed deer, red fox, coyote, eastern wild turkey, and gray fox numbers.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Frequent marine heatwaves in the Arctic Ocean will be the norm

Research by Dr. Armineh Barkhordarian finds that Arctic marine heatwaves will become a regular occurrence, with average temperatures rising 2.2 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms. The study suggests that annual heatwaves will be the norm, with significant negative impacts on the ecosystem.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

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.

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.

Does physical activity lessen pain intensity for cancer survivors?

A new study published in CANCER reveals that higher levels of physical activity are linked to lower pain intensity for both adults with and without a history of cancer. Participants who exceeded physical activity guidelines reported 16% less moderate-to-severe pain compared to those who did not.

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.

SwRI scientists identify water molecules on asteroids for the first time

Scientists detected water molecules on two asteroids, Iris and Massalia, indicating a distribution of water in our solar system that can inform searches for life beyond Earth. The discovery was made possible by using the FORCAST instrument to isolate mid-infrared spectral signatures indicative of molecular water.

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.

Multiple city hubs, dispersed parks keep metro areas cooler

An analysis by Cornell University city planning scholars found that metropolitan areas with multiple city centers and dispersed green spaces are more effective at mitigating extreme heat than those with one dominant city. Polycentric development can moderate the urban heat island effect, especially in larger urban areas.

New research finds women and minorities likely to pay higher auto loan premiums

Research by Ozturk, He, and Chintagunta found that women and minorities are charged higher interest rates, with women facing a 0.6% markup and minority borrowers paying 2.6% more. These markups amount to significant annual losses, with the estimated total being $40.3 million for women and $226.3 million for minority borrowers nationwide.

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.

Machine learning promises to accelerate metabolism research

Researchers use machine learning to combine mismatched datasets and reduce variation by over 95%, retaining meaningful differences. The approach has potential to provide deeper understanding of normal metabolism and identify biomarkers for disease.

Teenagers need better reproductive health education to tackle parenthood fears

Two new studies by UCL researchers found that nearly half of teenagers are worried about having children due to fear, self-doubt, and lack of education on reproductive health. The studies also highlighted gaps in sex education, with many students expressing concerns about endometriosis, infertility, and the impact of lifestyle on ferti...

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.

AI-supported image analysis: metrics determine quality

A comprehensive online tool, Metrics Reloaded, has been developed to select suitable metrics for AI-assisted image analysis. The tool helps physicians and scientists identify relevant variables for their specific task, increasing understanding of key problems in AI-assisted image analysis.

Australia's most at-risk bird species share some common traits

A recent study from Australian National University reveals that many native bird species are facing uncertain futures due to factors like island isolation, adaptability to agricultural areas, and evolutionary uniqueness. The researchers found that slow-breeding species with larger body sizes tend to struggle with environmental changes.

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.

When the global climate has the hiccups

Scientists have found evidence of Dansgaard-Oeschger events during the penultimate glacial period, revealing a different frequency and interval between temperature peaks. The findings suggest that not all glacial periods are the same and provide insights into ocean circulation patterns and climate change mechanisms.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

A standard blood test can predict a heart attack

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a tool that uses standard blood test results to identify individuals at increased risk of having a heart attack within six months. The study analyzed data from 169,053 individuals and identified 90 molecules linked to a first heart attack.

Study: Global deforestation leads to more mercury pollution

A new study by MIT researchers reveals that global deforestation is a previously overlooked driver of human-made mercury emissions, with the Amazon rainforest playing a crucial role in mitigating this issue. The study estimates that curbing Amazon deforestation could reduce mercury pollution by 30%, highlighting the need for worldwide ...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Archaeologists discover oldest known bead in the Americas

A team of archaeologists led by University of Wyoming Professor Todd Surovell has discovered a 12,940-year-old bone bead made from hare bone at the La Prele Mammoth site in Converse County. The finding represents the first secure evidence for the use of hares during the Clovis period.

Differential expression of Mad2 gene in human esophageal cancer

Researchers found Mad2 gene expression levels correlate with chromosomal abnormalities in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, highlighting potential as a clinical biomarker. The study also revealed the deregulation of the Rb-E2F1 circuit and its impact on histone modifications.