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Science News Archive January 2024


Page 16 of 37

Bacterial meningitis damages one in three children for life

A new epidemiological study reveals that bacterial meningitis can cause significant and lasting neurological disabilities in children. The infection can be cured with antibiotics, but it often leads to permanent impairment. Researchers analyzed data from over 3,500 people who contracted bacterial meningitis as children and found a high...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rice’s Amanda Marciel wins NSF CAREER Award

Amanda Marciel, assistant professor at Rice University, receives a $670,406 NSF CAREER Award to develop synthetic networks with gel-like softness and high elasticity. Her research aims to create new elastomers with controlled structure-function relationships.

Evolution of the human immune system in the post-Omicron era

Research reveals memory T cells formed after Omicron breakthrough infection provide enhanced immunity against future variants. The study suggests the immune system adapts to combat emerging strains, leading to higher chances of inducing memory T cell defenses.

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.

Efficiently moving urea out of polluted water is coming to reality

Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a material to selectively oxidize urea in water, producing hydrogen gas. The material, made of nickel and cobalt atoms with tailored electronic structures, enables the efficient conversion of urea into hydrogen through an electrochemical reaction.

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.

Researchers improve blood tests’ ability to detect and monitor cancer

A team of researchers from MIT and the Broad Institute developed two types of injectable molecules called 'priming agents' that can boost DNA levels in blood samples, allowing for earlier cancer diagnosis and more sensitive detection of tumor mutations. The approach could also help improve detection of cancer recurrence.

3D bioprinting of in vitro brain metastasis model

A team of researchers created a 3D bioprinted brain blood vessel model to investigate the impact of blood vessel curvature on metastatic cancer development. The model revealed that increased blood vessel curvature correlates with heightened cancer cell adherence and extravasation.

Study reveals a universal pattern of brain wave frequencies

Researchers found that brain waves are slower in deep cortical layers and faster in superficial layers, with gamma waves dominating the topmost layers. These oscillations may play a fundamental role in brain function and contribute to disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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.

Study sheds light on how viral infections interact with our bodies

Researchers discovered a gene expression signature that differentiates between symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, as well as positive and negative individuals. The study reveals complex interactions between viruses and the human body, with influenza leading to greater changes in gene expression.

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.

Risks and opportunities of solar-powered groundwater irrigation

The rapid transition to solar-powered groundwater irrigation in low-and-middle-income countries has led to over 500,000 solar pumps installed in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the benefits of this transition are complex and may come with risks, including increased groundwater extraction and potential depletion of aquifers.

Who is most efficient in health care? Surprisingly, it’s the VA

A new study reveals that Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities are more efficient than private sector hospitals and clinics, with significantly lower administrative staff. By adopting the VHA's lean approach to care, nearly 900,000 fewer paperwork-filled jobs could be eliminated.

Genetics: Chewing over poor Mesolithic oral health

Researchers analyzed DNA from birch tar samples, finding similarities with modern human mouth microbes and increased bacteria associated with gum disease. The study suggests that ancient humans' frequent use of teeth for tasks may have led to poor oral health.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Moon rocks with unique dust found

A research team led by Dr. Ottaviano Rüsch from the University of Münster has discovered anomalous meter-sized rocks on the lunar surface covered in dust, exhibiting unique reflective properties. These findings provide insights into the processes that form and change the lunar crust, including potential magnetic anomalies.

Bringing home the bacon no more

The spread of African Swine Fever is decimating swine populations across the world, posing a significant threat to food security and ecosystems. The virus has already led to the decline of bearded pigs in Borneo, an integral species that plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological processes and socio-cultural practices.

Tackling antibiotic resistance when treating pneumonia

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have developed a new experimental model to test the effects of antibiotics on hospital-acquired pneumonia. The study found that increasing antibiotic doses can reduce resistance, and using a second type of antibiotic may also be effective in preventing resistance development.

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.

Nurse home visits have a lasting impact for disadvantaged mothers and daughters

A new analysis of health data found that prenatal and infant nurse home visits significantly reduced the likelihood of daughters being obese by 55% and mothers experiencing hypertension by 39%. The study also showed a decrease in severe obesity and Stage 1-2 hypertension in adolescence. Early intervention through public programs like n...

Structural study points the way to better malaria drugs

A new study published in Nature Communications has provided structural insights into a potent antimalarial drug candidate's interaction with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The research suggests that the drug, TDI-8304, can selectively target and kill resistant parasites, offering hope for more effective treatments against ...

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.

How 'late-rising' T cells combat a stubborn virus

A subset of CD4+ 'helper' T cells helps fight cytomegalovirus infection and reduces the chances of transmission. The late-rising T cells expand long after the initial response has died down, gathering in high numbers in the salivary gland.

Towards the quantum of sound

Scientists from the Stiller Research Group have successfully cooled the temperature of a sound wave in an optical fiber to 74K (-194C), reducing phonon number by 75%. This achievement brings researchers closer to bridging the gap between classical and quantum mechanics.

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.

Blood analysis in patients finds characteristics of Long Covid

A study of blood samples from patients with Long Covid has identified changes in serum proteins, including dysregulated activation of the complement system and thromboinflammatory responses. These findings suggest potential biomarkers for diagnosis and new treatment strategies warranting further investigation.

Tiny pseudoscorpion rides on a scorpion observed for the first time

A recent study at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem documented a groundbreaking observation of phoresy involving a myrmecophile pseudoscorpion on a myrmecophile scorpion. The study reveals the first recorded instance of this symbiotic relationship, where the pseudoscorpion attaches to the scorpion for dispersal into new environments.

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.

Complement system causes cell damage in Long Covid

Researchers found that the complement system remains activated in Long Covid patients, causing cell damage and tissue destruction. This abnormal activity can lead to thromboinflammation and other symptoms of the condition.

New, portable antenna could help restore communication after disasters

Researchers have created a lightweight, portable antenna that can switch between two operating states to communicate with satellites or devices on the ground. The antenna's unique design allows it to be compact and foldable, making it ideal for disaster-struck areas or underdeveloped regions.

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.

Repeated sexual failures cause social stress in fruit flies

Repeated sexual rejection in fruit flies causes social stress, leading to increased aggression and reduced resilience to starvation and toxic herbicide exposure. The response is mediated by the brain's neuropeptide F signaling system, which also plays a role in reward- and stress-responses in other organisms.

Rice research opens new arena to study quantum interactions

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new experimental technique that preserves quantum coherence in ultracold molecules for a significantly longer time. By using a specific wavelength of light, the 'magic trap' delays the onset of decoherence, allowing scientists to study fundamental questions about interacting quantum matter.

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.

Key factors in man-made earthquakes

A new study found that the roughness of pre-existing faults and associated stress heterogeneity play a key role in causing large induced events during fluid injection. The researchers developed laboratory experiments to investigate this phenomenon, which has important implications for preventing runaway induced earthquakes.

Cobalt-free batteries could power cars of the future

MIT researchers have developed a cobalt-free battery material that offers improved sustainability and comparable performance to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The new organic material can conduct electricity at similar rates, store capacity, and be charged faster than cobalt-containing batteries.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.