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Science News Archive February 2024 - Page 30


Page 30 of 38

The unexpected long-term consequences of female fertility

Research from the German Cancer Research Center reveals that repetitive changes in female reproductive organs over time lead to chronic inflammation and fibrosis, which may contribute to increased uterine cancer risk. The study mapped the effects of estrous cycle, pregnancy, and aging on the reproductive tract.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalCell·DateFeb 7, 2024

Innovative screening can detect 'cancer fingerprint' in dogs

Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a simple, noninvasive, rapid screen to detect cancer in dogs using urine analysis. The test is more than 90% accurate and provides a preliminary understanding of whether a dog has cancer markers in minutes.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·DateFeb 7, 2024
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.

A study finds a molecular mechanism related to neuronal death

A study has identified a molecular complex regulating mitochondrial transport and distribution in neurons, which may help locate new therapeutic targets against neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery could also provide insights into the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScience Signaling·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Shaking up the future: A breakthrough in motion detection technology

A recent study introduces a MEMS accelerometer with advanced self-centering and stiffness control mechanisms, improving both precision and temperature stability. This innovation enables more reliable and accurate applications in critical areas like space exploration and environmental monitoring.

SourceAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·DateFeb 7, 2024

BESSY II: Molecular orbitals determine stability

Researchers at BESSY II used RIXS and DFT simulations to analyze the electronic structures of fumarate, maleate, and succinate dianions. The study found that maleate is potentially less stable than fumarate and succinate due to its delocalized HOMO orbital, which can lead to weaker binding with molecules or ions.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024
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.

UTHealth Houston report in NEJM: Deadly fungal infection acquired during surgery in Mexico led to death and brainstem, blood supply injuries

A life-threatening mold infection known as Fusarium solani meningitis can cause devastating brainstem and blood supply injuries among healthy patients. The fungus was resistant to all antifungal agents except Fosmanogepix, leading to the development of an experimental treatment.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 7, 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.

Japan's electric vehicle transition by 2035 may be insufficient to combat the climate crisis, but there are solutions

A team of researchers at Kyushu University found that Japan's current policy may not be enough to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve decarbonization goals. To address this, the government must extend vehicle longevity, invest in a cleaner energy mix, and decarbonize the supply chain.

SourceKyushu University·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 7, 2024

Using cancer’s strength to fight against it

Scientists at Northwestern University and UCSF have developed a new technique to enhance the potency of human T cells against cancer. By studying mutations in malignant T cells, they were able to create T cells that can kill tumors derived from skin, lung, and stomach cancers in mice.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2024

Scientists develop a low-cost device to make cell therapy safer

A microfluidic chip can remove undifferentiated cells that could form tumors before they are implanted in a patient, improving the safety and effectiveness of cell therapy. The device can sort over 3 million cells per minute without causing damage to fully-formed progenitor cells.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2024
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.

Music may bring health benefits for older adults, poll suggests

A new poll of people aged 50 to 80 found that nearly all older adults say music helps relieve stress and improve their mental health. The study also revealed that music plays a significant role in social connections and brain health, with 98% of respondents benefiting from engaging with music.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateFeb 7, 2024

New sex-specific genetic variants for chronic kidney disease identified

Researchers have discovered 23 genetic associations with kidney function and uric acid levels in men and women, revealing sex-specific differences in gene regulation. These findings may help explain why chronic kidney disease progresses faster in men and is more common in women.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2024

Getting to know the ​‘ghost’ inside batteries

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory discovered soft-shorts, tiny voltage fluctuations that indicate the early signs of battery failure. These transient short-circuits occur when lithium filaments grow from the anode to the cathode, disrupting ion flow between electrodes and potentially leading to permanent internal shorts.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJoule·DateFeb 7, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Many hookah manufacturers have not complied with FDA-mandated nicotine warning labels

A recent study found that only half of hookah packages included the required nicotine warnings, two years after federal regulation was implemented. The study led by Boston University School of Public Health researcher Dr. Jennifer Ross highlights the importance of warning labels in communicating health risks to consumers.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Researchers develop and test the first unmanned forestry machine

Researchers developed an unmanned forestry machine that can safely pick up logs using computer vision, autonomous navigation, and manipulator control algorithms. The machine reduces labor costs while minimizing environmental impact, promoting sustainable forestry.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Field Robotics·DateFeb 7, 2024
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.

Reducing harmful health screenings and overtreatment in older adults

Researchers at Northwestern University found a significant decrease in screenings for prostate cancer and urinary tract infections after implementing point-of-care alerts. The study showed a 9% reduction in PSA screenings and a 5.5% reduction in urine testing, with minimal changes in overtreatment of blood sugar.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2024

Replacing animal-based foods with alternative proteins would unlock land for carbon removal

Researchers suggest replacing 50% of animal products with alternative proteins by 2050 to unlock vast energy and negative emission potentials via BECCS. This transition could free up large agricultural areas, generating enough renewable energy equivalent to today's coal-generated power while removing substantial CO2 from the atmosphere.

SourceCell Press·JournalOne Earth·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2024

Bacteria in the mouth linked to pulmonary fibrosis survival

A new study found that one bacterial species, Streptococcus mitis, dominates in IPF patients not treated with antibiotics and is associated with better lung function and survival. This protective relationship does not apply to patients who received antibiotics.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2024
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.

What turned Earth into a giant snowball 700m years ago? Scientists now have an answer

Researchers found that historically low volcanic carbon dioxide emissions, combined with weathering of a large pile of volcanic rocks in Canada, led to the prolonged Sturtian glaciation. The team used plate tectonic modeling and computer simulations to investigate the cause and duration of this ice age.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalGeology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 7, 2024

MXene-coated devices can guide microwaves in space and lighten the payload

Drexel University researchers develop a lightweight alternative to metal components in satellites by coating 3D-printed polymers with MXene, a conductive nanomaterial. The MXene-coated waveguides weigh up to eight times less than traditional aluminum ones and maintain nearly 95% transmission efficiency.

SourceDrexel University·JournalMaterials Today·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

The Medical University of South Carolina will be one of four sites exploring the genetic basis of Parkinson’s disease in the Black community

The Medical University of South Carolina will be one of four sites exploring the genetic basis of Parkinson’s disease in the Black community. The study, known as BLAAC PD, aims to genotype over 150,000 people worldwide and develop targeted treatments for this subtype of PD.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2024

NTU Singapore scientists develop artificial ‘worm gut’ to break down plastics

Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed an artificial 'worm gut' that can efficiently break down plastics using microbes found in worms' guts. The artificial system replicates the natural process of worms breaking down plastics and has potential for biotechnological approaches to process plastic waste.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalEnvironment International·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024
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.

How the brain’s internal compass guides the body

A recent study published in Nature sheds light on how the brain's internal compass guides behavior, using fruit flies as a model organism. Three distinct groups of neurons enable communication between the compass and steering regions, translating signals into behavior to keep the fly moving in the right direction.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2024

Time to treatment with intravenous thrombolysis before thrombectomy and functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke

Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) plus thrombectomy demonstrates significant benefits over thrombectomy alone when administered within a short timeframe after symptom onset. This study, based on individual participant data from six randomized clinical trials, found IVT before thrombectomy to be time-dependent and statistically significant.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 7, 2024

HKU astrophysicists crack the case of “disappearing” Sulphur in planetary nebulae

Astrophysicists from the University of Hong Kong have solved a 20-year-old mystery surrounding the lower-than-expected amounts of sulfur found in planetary nebulae. Using high-quality data, they found that sulfur and oxygen exhibit strong correlations, effectively dispelling previous claims about the anomaly.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Does your community have a personality type?

Researchers developed a novel approach to measuring community personality and found that people in like-minded communities tend to be happier, healthier, and more highly achieving. Communities differ significantly in terms of personality traits, with some counties having high proportions of open-minded or conscientious individuals.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalCurrent Research in Ecological and Social Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2024
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 as a physicist

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich have programmed an AI that can recognize patterns in complex data sets and formulate them in a physical theory. The AI uses physics for machine learning to simplify complex interactions and build up a new theory.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 7, 2024

New guidelines for reporting clinical trials of biofield therapies

A new set of guidelines for reporting clinical trials of biofield therapies has been introduced, providing a 15-item intervention checklist to include detailed information on intervention protocols. The goal is to expedite peer review, facilitate trial replication, and inform decision-making in the clinical practice of biofield therapies.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Rice’s Santiago Segarra wins NSF CAREER Award

Assistant Professor Santiago Segarra at Rice University has won the NSF CAREER Award to develop a new approach for AI-powered climate prediction by leveraging structural properties in real-world data. The research aims to create more effective learning algorithms for structured domains.

SourceRice University·DateFeb 7, 2024

In judo move, scientists use cancer's strength to fight against it

Researchers have engineered T cells with a mutation found in malignant lymphoma cells, making them more than 100 times potent at killing cancer cells. The new approach shows promise against solid tumors and could provide long-term immunity against cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2024

Inexpensive, carbon-neutral biofuels are finally possible

A new study reveals that introducing a simple, renewable chemical to the pretreatment step can make next-generation biofuel production cost-effective and carbon neutral. A CELF biorefinery can more fully utilize plant matter than earlier methods, resulting in sustainable aviation fuel at a break-even price of $3.15 per gallon.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateFeb 7, 2024

3D printed nanocellulose upscaled for green architectural applications

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new, sustainable architectural material by 3D printing nanocellulose and algae. The material's use could significantly reduce energy consumption in construction, aligning with the European Green Deal's goals.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalMaterials & Design·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Towards a better understanding of endothelial cell transformation in cancer progression

A novel reporter cell experimental system enables the visualization of sequential changes during endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) induced by transforming growth factor-β. Researchers identified CD40 as a potential partial EndoMT marker, which suppresses the transition from partial to full EndoMT.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalCancer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

EVs that go 1,000km on a single charge: Gel makes it possible

Researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a new gel-based battery system using micro silicon particles and gel polymer electrolytes, enabling stable performance even with larger silicon particles. The system exhibits improved energy density and is ready for immediate application.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Science·DateFeb 7, 2024

New study sheds new light on forests' role in climate and water cycle

A new study sheds light on the complex relationship between forests and the climate system, highlighting the impact of forest emissions on cloud formation and global temperatures. Researchers emphasize the need for improved climate models to accurately represent these interactions.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 7, 2024

Group rehabilitation improves quality of life for people with long covid

A new trial published in The BMJ found that an online programme of physical and mental health rehabilitation can improve fatigue, pain, and depression in adults with long COVID. The REGAIN programme was well-tolerated and led to sustained improvements in quality of life at three and 12 months compared to usual care.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2024

KIST-LLNL raises expectations for commercialization of high-energy-density all-solid-state batteries

A KIST-LLNL research team developed a fluorine-substituted high-voltage stable chloride-based solid-state electrolyte through computational science. The new material showed excellent electrochemical stability under high-voltage conditions, exceeding 4V, comparable to commercial lithium-ion batteries.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateFeb 7, 2024

Q&A: Helping robots identify objects in cluttered spaces

Researchers developed a way for robots to recognize objects even when partially obscured, using a visual perception system and topology. The THOR (Teaching Humans Object Recognition) method outperforms current state-of-the-art models in cluttered spaces, including warehouses and homes.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalIEEE Transactions on Robotics·DateFeb 7, 2024
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

UW-developed smart earrings can monitor a person’s temperature

Researchers at UW developed a wireless wearable earring that monitors earlobe temperature, detecting fever, eating, exercise, and ovulation. The earring's battery life is 28 days, and it can be personalized with fashion designs without affecting accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies·DateFeb 7, 2024

Mount Sinai study shows that circulating immune cells drawn to the brain during stress can control emotional behaviors

Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have discovered that circulating immune cells can be drawn to the brain during stress and alter emotional behavior. The study found that these immune cells release an enzyme called MMP8, which breaks down proteins in the brain and impairs social behavior.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

UK austerity politics correlated with increased frailty in the oldest adults

Researchers analyzed data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and found that public spending cuts during austerity (2012-2018) led to a steeper increase in frailty with age compared to pre-austerity period. This association was observed across all population groups, but particularly among the oldest people.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

England’s oldest became frailer during austerity, study suggests

Frailty levels dropped in the 2000s but increased steeply in the 2010s due to austerity measures, leading to a significant decline in health among the UK's oldest adults. The study warns that any new austerity measures should be carefully considered given their potential impact on long-term health.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 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.

Resting boosts performance of lithium metal batteries

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that resting lithium metal batteries in the discharged state can restore capacity and boost overall performance. By reprogramming the battery management software, lost capacity can be recovered without additional cost or changes needed for equipment, materials, or production flow.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2024