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Science News Archive January 2024


Page 13 of 37

Where your bed is in a hospital ward can determine how well you sleep

Researchers found that patients sleeping near windows slept better than those in other parts of the ward. Light exposure was also critical in regulating circadian rhythms, with short wavelength enriched morning light improving sleep quality. Fluctuations in noise levels negatively impacted sleep, emphasizing the need for noise mitigati...

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.

A neurological disease paradigm shift

Researchers at McGill University propose a new biological classification system for Parkinson's disease, considering alpha-synuclein, neurodegeneration, and genetics. This shift in thinking aims to diagnose the disease earlier, targeting specific patient groups with more common biology, improving treatment development success.

Maternal autistic traits and adverse birth outcomes

A study of 87,000 women found a higher level of maternal autistic traits associated with increased risk of adverse birth outcomes, including very preterm birth. The researchers emphasize the need for tailored and timely antenatal care support for women with high levels of autistic traits.

Gene expression atlas captures where ovulation can go awry

A gene expression atlas has been developed to map the complex cellular and molecular interactions that drive ovulation in mice. The findings reveal a previously unknown layer of selection that determines which follicles will release eggs, and highlight the importance of early differentiation markers for fertility management.

As easy as counting to ten – a new rule for catalysts’ design

Researchers have discovered a simple rule to design single-atom alloy catalysts for chemical reactions, allowing scientists to identify promising catalysts rapidly and efficiently. The 'ten electron rule' enables the prediction of catalytic activity by analyzing the periodic table.

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.

Experiment shows how predator mass mortality events affect food webs

A study experimentally caused a predator die-off to understand its impact on freshwater ecosystems, finding that rapid predator deaths lead to an increase in zooplankton biomass and phytoplankton proliferation. However, this effect can sometimes introduce decaying biomass that causes harmful algal blooms.

Rutgers health researchers develop software to predict diseases

The IntelliGenes software combines conventional statistical methods with cutting-edge machine learning algorithms to produce personalized patient predictions and visualize significant biomarkers for disease prediction. Researchers applied the software to discover novel biomarkers and predict cardiovascular disease with high accuracy.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

For outsiders, stereotypes about Southern speech trump experience

A new study finds that Americans from the South mimic Southern speech patterns when actually listening to a Southerner, but only shift their speech when told they're hearing a Southerner. Non-Southerners, however, are influenced by stereotypes and only shift their speech when told so.

Uncovering the secrets behind the silent flight of owls

Studies investigated the effect of trailing-edge fringes on owl wings, finding reduced noise levels and maintained aerodynamic performance. The simulations revealed two complementary mechanisms: reducing airflow fluctuations and suppressing feather interactions, leading to improved low-noise fluid machinery applications.

No sex difference in concussion recovery among college athletes

A new large national study of collegiate student-athletes in the US finds no sex difference in concussion recovery, with similar recovery patterns on cognitive function, symptoms and mental health. Women reported more problems with eye and inner ear function after injury, but there was no significant delay in return to play.

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.

New coffee snake species discovered in Ecuador’s cloud forests

Scientists have discovered a new species of coffee snake endemic to northwestern Ecuador's cloud forests. The species is threatened by deforestation and habitat destruction, prompting calls for conservation efforts. Its discovery highlights the need to protect the cloud forest ecosystem and its surrounding human-modified habitats.

Supportive, stable caregiving in childhood protects heart health in adulthood

Research reveals that stable and supportive caregiving during childhood can protect cardiovascular health later in life, contrary to previous findings on childhood adversity. The study analyzed over 2,000 participants and found that each additional unit score of caregiver warmth was associated with 11.7% higher odds of cardiovascular h...

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.

Why do young women with multiple sclerosis face health disparities?

A new study published in Neurology found that young Black and Hispanic women with multiple sclerosis face greater challenges in pregnancy, have more advanced disease, and experience higher inflammation levels, which may signal MS progression. The researchers also noted disparities in healthcare access and treatment.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New rapid prototyping method for microscale spiral devices

Researchers from Tohoku University and OIST have introduced a miniaturized rotational thermal drawing process, enabling the rapid prototyping of three-dimensional microfluidic systems. This innovation facilitates precise biofluid manipulation and unlocks endless possibilities for combining diverse materials.

EHR workload continues to grow for primary care physicians

A recent study found that primary care physicians' electronic health record (EHR) workload has continued to grow, with PCPs spending nearly 30 minutes more on EHR tasks per clinic appointment between 2019 and 2023. This increased burden can lead to burnout and affect their ability to provide adequate care.

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.

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.

Optical computing boost with diffractive network advance

Researchers extend spatially incoherent diffractive networks to perform complex-valued linear transformations with negligible error, opening up new applications in fields like autonomous vehicles. This breakthrough enables the encryption and decryption of complex-valued images using spatially incoherent diffractive networks.

Older adults spend 3 weeks each year receiving health care outside of the home

A cross-sectional study of over 6,500 adults aged 65+ found that older adults spent an average of 20.7 days per year receiving healthcare outside the home. The 'health care contact days' metric can help evaluate care and identify areas for improvement, such as coordinating tests with visits and reducing Friday office visits.

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.

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.

Low-frequency ultrasound can improve oxygen saturation in blood

Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology found that low-frequency ultrasound influences blood parameters, improving oxygen saturation and lowering blood pressure. The study used artificial intelligence to analyze 300 blood samples, revealing the potential for non-pharmaceutical treatment to improve oxygen circulation.

Follow the salt: connecting salt concentrations and motion in roundworms

Researchers discovered that a specific phase of neck motor neuron activation in roundworms adjusts their trajectory toward higher salt concentrations. This finding highlights the neural mechanisms underlying navigation and sensory-motor integration, shedding light on how even simple animals adapt to environmental changes.

New sustainable method for creating organic semiconductors

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a new, sustainable way to create conductive inks for use in organic electronics. The new process uses benign solvents like water and has been shown to improve material properties and device performance.

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.

Salad in space? New study says it's not a healthy choice

Researchers from the University of Delaware found that plants grown in simulated microgravity conditions are more prone to infections from Salmonella, a human pathogen. The study suggests that space-grown lettuce may not be as healthy for astronauts as previously thought due to its increased susceptibility to bacterial contamination.

A “radically different” way of looking at Parkinson’s Disease

Scientists propose a new biologically-based classification system for Parkinson's disease, considering three biological factors: pathologic α-synuclein, neurodegeneration, and gene variants. This 'S-N-G' system aims to better understand the complex biology of PD and identify subgroups with distinct disease processes.

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.

Motion of satellite galaxies suggests younger universe

Researchers analyzed satellite galaxy motion around massive galaxy groups and found a notable excess of correlated pairs, suggesting recently accreted galaxies. This discrepancy with simulations implies that massive galaxy groups are younger in the real Universe.

Novel approach identifies people at risk of developing TB

Researchers developed a new method to identify individuals at high risk of developing tuberculosis, using PET-CT imaging and a novel bacteriophage-based assay. The study identified 20 asymptomatic contacts who were subsequently tested for TB through bronchoscopy and sampling.

Health: Routine health checks associated with decreased risk of death

Regular NHS Health Checks are associated with reduced risks of dying and developing long-term diseases like dementia and liver cirrhosis. The study analyzed data from 97,204 UK Biobank participants and found that attendees had lower diagnosis rates for these conditions, including a 19% lower rate of dementia diagnosis.

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.

New biomarkers for active lupus nephritis discovered

New biomarkers have been discovered to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of lupus nephritis, a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. The study identified six novel urine biomarkers that can detect even low concentrations of proteins in the urine.