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Science News Archive February 2024


Page 28 of 38

Conversion process turns greenhouse gas into ethylene

Engineers at the University of Cincinnati have created a more efficient way to convert carbon dioxide into ethylene, producing a pivotal platform chemical globally. The process, using a modified copper catalyst, holds promise for one day producing ethylene through green energy instead of fossil fuels.

New PET tracer detects inflammatory arthritis before symptoms appear

A novel PET imaging technique can detect active inflammation in the body before clinical symptoms arise, using a PET tracer that binds to proteins present on activated immune cells. This makes it easier for physicians to correctly diagnose and treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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.

University of Cincinnati research links prison time with increase of TB

A new study from the University of Cincinnati finds that being in prison is a significant driver of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) transmission. The researchers identified molecular resistance patterns and defined recent transmissions, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to control the MDR-TB epidemic in prisons.

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.

NJIT researchers unveil method to detect 'forever chemicals' in under 3 minutes

New Jersey Institute of Technology chemists have developed a lab-based method to detect traces of PFAS from food packaging material, water, and soil samples in just three minutes or less. The approach, involving paper spray mass spectrometry, is 10-100 times more sensitive than current standard techniques for PFAS testing.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Temperatures are rising, but soil is getting wetter — why?

A recent Harvard University study found that soil moisture increased across 57% of the US during summer between 2011-2020, contradicting the assumption that rising temperatures lead to drier soils. Precipitation, rather than temperature, is the primary driver of soil moisture trends.

Newly discovered genetic malfunction causes rare lung disease

Researchers found a genetic disorder linked to the absence of a chemical receptor called CCR2, which is essential for alveolar macrophages to properly function. This leads to half the normal count of pulmonary alveolar macrophages, resulting in tissue injury and increased susceptibility to mycobacterial infections.

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.

Breakthrough in single-photon integration

Researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem have successfully integrated single-photon sources onto tiny chips at room temperature using a hybrid metal-dielectric bullseye antenna. This innovation enables efficient back-excitation and front coupling of emission to optical fibers or low numerical aperture optics, promising advanceme...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

16 UTA scholars receive McNair federal research award

The University of Texas at Arlington has selected 16 undergraduate students to join the McNair Scholars Program, a Department of Education-funded grant. The program prepares students for careers in academic research with a stipend, summer research internship, and mentorship from UTA faculty.

Tropical cyclone genesis projected to move toward the poles

Researchers found a poleward shift of tropical cyclone genesis on a global scale due to climate change, with the rate of TC genesis decreasing within latitudes equatorward of 15° and increasing poleward of 15° in each basin. The weakening of the Hadley circulation driven by increased upper tropospheric warming is attributed to this shift.

Low voice pitch increases standing among strangers

A cross-cultural study found that lower voice pitch makes women and men sound more attractive for long-term relationships and more formidable among other men. Lower male voice pitch also confers formidability and high social status in societies with higher relational mobility, suggesting evolutionary origins.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

How emotions affect word retrieval in people with aphasia

People with aphasia struggle to come up with words when prompted by images and words carrying negative emotional meaning. Researchers found that neutral prompts yield the best results, with negative emotional context disrupting word retrieval. The study has implications for clinical assessments and therapy.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Surprise discovery of tiny insect-killing worm

Scientists at UC Riverside have discovered a tiny worm species that can control crop pests in warm, humid environments. The new Steinernema adamsi nematode is nearly invisible and can kill insects with a low dose, making it a potential alternative to pesticides.

Ultra-fast magma flow into dike below Grindavík Iceland

A massive dike formed beneath Grindavík, Iceland, reaching an unprecedented subsurface magma flow rate of 7400 cubic meters per second. Fracturing and tectonic stress drove the high flow rate, providing insight into dike formation and hazard potential for similar systems.

Faulty DNA disposal system causes inflammation

Scientists discovered a novel mechanism for removing mtDNA from mitochondria, which can initiate an immune response promoting inflammation. The discovery reveals new targets for therapeutics to disrupt the inflammatory pathway and mitigate inflammation during aging and diseases.

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.

Foul fumes pose pollinator problems

A University of Washington team discovered that nitrate radicals in the air degrade scent chemicals released by wildflowers, making them undetectable to nighttime pollinators. The researchers found that pollution likely has worldwide impacts on pollination, with areas including western North America and Europe most affected.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Blood test predicts psychosis risk, most effective treatments

A new blood test developed by Indiana University School of Medicine has identified biomarkers that can objectively measure schizophrenia severity and predict future risk. The test enables personalized treatment matching, reducing uncertainty and improving patient outcomes.

Cleaned surfaces may be germ-free, but they’re not bare

Researchers found that commercial cleaning products deposit a wide range of compounds on cleaned surfaces, which can impact indoor air quality. The study suggests that these residues should be studied in more detail to understand their effects on film growth and behavior.

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.

Visualising multiple sclerosis with a new MRI procedure

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure that maps the condition of myelin sheaths in the central nervous system more accurately. This breakthrough technology has the potential to facilitate early MS diagnosis and monitoring, as well as the development of new drugs for the disease.

Alien invasion: Non-native earthworms threaten ecosystems

The study reveals that non-native earthworms have colonized 97% of soils across North America, with alien occupation higher in the northern part of the continent. This poses a threat to native ecosystems, including forests and grasslands, and highlights the need for better understanding and management of these invaders.

Deep learning for real-time molecular imaging

The study demonstrates that deep learning allows for precise observation of single molecules in artificial systems, cells, and small organisms. Deep learning-based methods reduce data requirements by an order of magnitude, enabling faster evaluation times.

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.

Evaluating AI-based nodal contouring in head and neck cancer

A new study analyzes an AI-based algorithm for autocontouring prior to radiotherapy in head and neck cancer, demonstrating significant time savings and clinically usable results. The AI algorithm achieved a mean score of 3.56 +/- .40, indicating that it performed well with minor edits required in most cases.

Researchers use satellites to analyze global reef biodiversity

A new satellite mapping technique can aid in coral reef protection and restoration efforts by identifying areas of high habitat diversity, which are also home to high species diversity. The study found that these maps can be used as a proxy for biodiversity, guiding ecosystem protection and restoration.

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.