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Science News Archive January 2024


Page 1 of 37

Did dementia exist in ancient Greek and Rome?

A new analysis of ancient Greek and Roman medical texts suggests that severe memory loss was extremely rare 2,000 to 2,500 years ago. The study bolsters the idea that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are diseases of modern environments and lifestyles.

How to make bright quantum dots even brighter

Perovskite quantum dots made brighter by surface treatment with phospholipids, enabling higher photon emission rates. Coherent coupling of exciton dipoles boosts superradiance, making the dots even brighter for quantum technologies.

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.

Polycystic ovary syndrome tied to memory, thinking problems

People with polycystic ovary syndrome may experience lower memory and thinking skills, as well as subtle brain changes at midlife. Researchers found an association between the condition and cognitive decline, but additional research is needed to confirm these findings.

Homo sapiens already reached northwest Europe more than 45,000 years ago

Researchers discovered human fossils and artifacts at Ilsenhöhle in Ranis, Germany, indicating that Homo sapiens arrived in cold northern latitudes before Neanderthals disappeared in southwest Europe. The analysis of ancient DNA and zooarchaeological findings suggests that humans consumed a diverse range of animals during their stay.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ketamine helped many severely depressed veterans, study shows

A study of 215 veterans found that nearly half experienced significant depression score drops, while about one quarter saw a halving of their scores. About 15% achieved full remission after six weeks of ketamine infusions, suggesting the treatment can provide substantial relief for those with complex mental health needs.

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.

Precursor of cholesterol protects cells from ferroptosis

A team of scientists has found that 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) integrates into cell membranes and prevents ferroptosis, increasing cellular fitness and potentially promoting aggressive cancer behavior. This discovery could lead to the development of new cancer treatments targeting cholesterol biosynthesis.

Paper calls for patient-first regulation of AI in healthcare

A new study published in JAMA highlights the need for federal regulations that prioritize patient outcomes when it comes to AI-powered tools in healthcare. The researchers argue that AI products in healthcare do not universally undergo evaluation for potential harm or benefit to patients, and propose a revision to the White House Execu...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Pacific nations tax unhealthy foods to tackle NCD crisis

A systematic review of Pacific Island countries' food taxation policies found that five countries introduced new excise taxes, while 14 made changes to tariffs on imported foods, primarily targeting processed foods, sugar, fatty meats, and salt.

Autoimmune disease and pregnancy

A study published in Lancet eClinical Health found pregnancy outcomes for pregnant individuals with autoimmune disease vary greatly depending on the specific condition and individual factors. Research highlights the importance of considering comorbidities when discussing autoimmune disease and pregnancy.

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.

RealFuVSR: Feature enhanced real-world videosuper-resolution

This study proposes RealFuVSR, a model that extracts and fuses features from multiple scales to eliminate artifacts. It uses deformable convolution, multi-scale feature extraction, cascade residual upsampling, and simulation of real-world degradation.

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.

Detecting hepatitis viruses in wastewater

Researchers detected nearly 73% of hepatitis E virus RNA in wastewater samples from sewage treatment plants. High-throughput sequencing revealed genetic variants that could indicate drug resistance, posing a challenge for treatment.

Researchers uncover source rocks of the first real continents

Scientists have identified a new mechanism for forming the building blocks of Earth's early crust, which led to the creation of modern continents. The discovery relies solely on internal geological forces and challenges the long-standing theory of Archean TTG magmatism being linked to the start of plate tectonics.

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 new way to visualize brain cancer

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and MIT unveiled a new microscopy technology called decrowding expansion pathology (dExPath) that provides novel insights into brain cancer development. The technology enables scientists to study neurological diseases at a never-before-achieved nanoscale level on conventional clinical samples.

New study reports that Greenland is a methane sink rather than a source

A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that Greenland consumes more methane than it releases, with dry landscapes absorbing over 65,000 tons annually. The study's findings contribute significantly to climate models and provide insights into the optimal soil conditions for methane uptake in the Arctic.

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.

BCAS1 defines a heterogeneous cell population in diffuse glioma patients

Researchers have uncovered the molecular and ultrastructural features of BCAS1+ cells in diffuse gliomas, highlighting their proliferative capacity and distribution. The study provides a comprehensive characterization of the BCAS1+ cell population within diffuse gliomas, shedding light on its role in tumor malignancy.

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.

Alleviate the drought in the east Hungarian plains

The researchers conclude that intensive agricultural cultivation has reduced the landscape's water storage capacity, leading to severe droughts. Restoring natural habitats can restore soil structure, allowing for evapotranspiration and guaranteeing rainfall in drought years.

Potential link between high maternal cortisol, unpredicted birth complications

A study by Washington State University researchers found a potential link between high maternal cortisol levels and unpredictable birth complications. Cortisol measurements in hair samples revealed elevated stress hormone levels among women who later experienced unexpected birth problems, such as early births or hemorrhaging.

‘Tiny tornadoes’ around leaves spread deadly plant pathogens

Researchers at Cornell University analyzed plant spore dispersion using high-speed cameras and predicted the trajectory of spores carried by swirling motion created by vibrating leaves. The study aims to design a strategy to reduce pathogens from spreading from leaves.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Netherlands society is split into six social classes with varying proportions of economic, social, cultural and health/attractiveness capital, find Dutch researchers who also note class differences in views and wellbeing

A recent study by Dutch researchers found that Netherlands society is split into six social classes, each with distinct proportions of economic, social, cultural, and health/attractiveness capital. The study highlights class differences in views and wellbeing, providing insights into the country's contemporary social structure.

Engineers develop hack to make automotive radar hallucinate

Researchers at Duke University create a system called MadRadar that can trick automotive radar sensors into believing anything is possible without prior knowledge. The technology can hide existing cars, create phantom vehicles, or make it seem like an actual car has changed course.

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.

Machine learning guides carbon nanotechnology

Researchers at Tohoku University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University developed a machine learning method to predict the growth of carbon nanostructures on metal surfaces. The approach combines theoretical models with data from chemistry experiments to control the dynamics of material growth, leading to improved quality and efficiency.

Risk calculator helps personalize care for heart failure patients

Researchers developed a risk calculator to predict individualized risk of right heart failure after left heart pump surgery, tailoring care to each patient. The STOP-RVF calculator uses machine learning and considers variables such as pre-existing health conditions, medications, and demographic information.

Decarbonizing the world’s industries

The study found that decarbonising the industrial sector is technically possible with a mix of high and low-maturity technologies. Established carbon capture and storage technologies can save nearly 85% of emissions, while electric technologies can theoretically reduce emissions by 40-100%.

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.

High-tech aerial mapping reveals England’s hedgerow landscape

Scientists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have produced a comprehensive map of England's hedgerows, revealing over 390,000 km of field boundaries marked by these critical habitats. The new data will guide future habitat restoration efforts and support biodiversity conservation.

Bringing order to disordered proteins

A team of scientists has developed a computational model to predict properties of intrinsically disordered proteins, enabling the study of all 28,000 human disordered proteins. This breakthrough provides new insights into their roles in disease and biological functions.

European leadership in secure and trustworthy AI

The European Union aims to position itself as a world-class hub for AI, prioritizing trustworthiness and human-centric innovation. Key experts discuss the importance of security, accuracy, and ethical deployment in AI development.

The use of biofuels may reduce black smoke emissions of cars by 90%

A study by the University of Malaga and the Future Power Systems Group of the University of Birmingham found that oxygenated biofuels blended with diesel can reduce soot emissions by over 90%. The research uses bio-alcohols and bio-ketones, which are produced from low-carbon biomass residues, to achieve this reduction.

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.