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Science News Archive January 2024


Page 24 of 37

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

For surgery patients, AI could help reduce alcohol-related risks

A new study suggests that using artificial intelligence to scan surgery patients' medical records can identify those with risky drinking habits who may benefit from education or treatment. The AI system analyzed over 53,000 patient records and found three times more patients with high-risk alcohol use than diagnosis codes alone.

Spying on a shape-shifting protein

Scientists at the Advanced Science Research Center used X-ray crystallography with elevated temperature and pressure to observe distinct shapes in a protein molecule. The study reveals how proteins change shape to bind metabolites or other proteins, offering insight into disease treatment and development of novel drugs.

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.

Obesity linked to detection of blood cancer precursor

Researchers found that obesity is associated with a 73% higher odds of having monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a benign blood condition that often precedes multiple myeloma. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity and smoking habits also play a role in the development of MGUS.

Want safer prescribing? Provide doctors with a plan for helping patients in pain

Physicians who received notifications with additional planning guidance reduced prescriptions of opioids by nearly 13% and prescriptions of the anxiety medication benzodiazepines by more than 8%. The study suggests that providing physicians a simple plan to guide them at patient visits can help temper their use of these drugs.

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.

Capturing greenhouse gases with the help of light

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to capture CO2 using photoacids that react to light. The process can switch between acidic and alkaline states rapidly, allowing for quick carbon capture and release. This method requires less energy than existing 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.

Could an already approved drug cut down on opioid use after surgery?

Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that patients who received N-acetylcysteine (NAC) during spinal surgery reported lower pain scores and requested fewer opioids. This could lead to a reduction in opioid use after surgery, a crucial step towards minimizing addictive potential.

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.

How fruit flies smell CO2

Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum have identified molecules that block CO2 receptors in fruit flies, leading to potential insect repellents. The team's findings could also enable the development of a CO2 biosensor for detecting volatile substances.

Healthcare ethics? Think like an engineer

Researchers from NUS Medicine and University of Oxford applied engineering techniques to improve creativity in healthcare, identifying 100 potential blockchain-based solutions for ethical goals. The methods, called Innovation Enhancing Techniques, help overcome psychological barriers to generate innovative ideas.

Incontinence could point to future disability

Research published in Menopause found that mixed urinary incontinence is associated with a higher risk of disability in midlife women. The study suggests that exploring treatment options early on may help decrease this outcome and prevent future health problems.

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 should boards handle visionary CEOs?

A new model shows that boards should invest more resources to confirm the CEO's plan when they are mildly overconfident. However, if the CEO is highly confident, the board should act as a monitor and only intervene if necessary. In extreme cases, visionary CEOs may be allowed to run with their ideas without intervention.

Rice researchers revolutionizing 5G network testing

The project aims to address the need for advanced testing methods in software-centric 5G architectures by considering communication and computing dimensions. The researchers will conduct extensive testing on their innovative framework, ETHOS, and implement novel machine learning algorithms for 5G RANs.

Novel approach for lymph node metastasis treatment

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a novel approach for treating lymph node metastasis by administering anticancer drugs directly into the LNs, improving efficacy and reducing side effects. The Lymphatic Drug Delivery System (LDDS) targets sentinel lymph nodes, generating antitumor effects locally.

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.

Male gender expression in schools is associated with substance abuse later in life

A new study by University of Chicago researchers found that changes in male gender expression from adolescence to young adulthood align closely with school environment norms and are associated with subsequent patterns of substance abuse. The study suggests that public health experts can play a role in countering detrimental cultural na...

News media trigger conflict for romantic couples with differing political views

A study by University of Illinois professor Emily Van Duyn found that news media consumption can trigger conflicts in couples with differing political views. Couples often struggle to decide which media to follow, leading to disagreements over news sources and content. This conflict can also affect the relationship, causing individuals...

Earth-sized planet discovered in ‘our solar backyard’

Scientists have discovered an Earth-sized planet in our solar backyard that may be similar to early Earth due to its proximity to the Sun and crowded system. The newly discovered planet was identified using the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and is part of a young star system called the Ursa Major Moving Group.

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.

Candida evolution disclosed: new insights into fungal infections

Researchers identified hundreds of genes subject to recent selection in six Candida species, providing valuable knowledge for developing better treatments. The study also found a potential spread of resistance through mating between susceptible and resistant strains.

How gum disease aggravates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A new study reveals that bacteria associated with gum disease promote COPD through the activation of γδ T cells and M2 macrophages in the immune system. Researchers found that mice infected with periodontitis and COPD had worse progression, highlighting a potential new strategy for treating COPD.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Study uncovers potential origins of life in ancient hot springs

Researchers at Newcastle University discovered that mixing hydrogen, bicarbonate, and iron-rich magnetite can form organic molecules, including fatty acids. These findings suggest that life's essential molecules could be produced from inorganic chemicals, shedding light on the origins of life on Earth.

Stress, via inflammation, is linked to metabolic syndrome

A new study found that stress drives up inflammation in the body, which is linked to metabolic syndrome. Stress management techniques may be a way to improve biological health outcomes. The research suggests that reducing inflammation can help mitigate the connection between stress and metabolic syndrome.

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.

Study reveals function of little-understood synapse in the brain

Researchers discovered that a little-understood synapse in the brain plays a pivotal role in producing myelin, the protective sheath around nerve cells. This finding could lead to new therapies for multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative conditions and brain cancer.

The early bird (or scientist) gets the worm

A UC Riverside research project will focus on changes in the gene network that specify early intestinal precursor cells in nematodes like Pristionchus pacificus. Gene networks describe how genes turn each other on and off, and changes in these networks can lead to diseases such as cancer.

Biomineralization mechanism revealed

Living organisms produce minerals through a complex process involving pre-nucleation clusters, mobile water molecules, and dissolved hydroxide ions. The study provides a structural model for amorphous calcium carbonate and sheds light on the conductivity of ACC particles.

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.

Using idle trucks to power the grid with clean energy

University of Waterloo researchers investigate how fuel cell-powered trucks can replenish overworked electricity grids with clean energy. The study proposes a mobile generator system, where idled electric vehicles act as power sources, reducing peak demand and carbon emissions.

Neuroscientists identify 'chemical imprint of desire'

A new study published in Current Biology shows that dopamine plays a critical role in keeping love alive and forming close relationships. Prairie voles with monogamous pair bonds exhibit unique chemical imprints on their brain's reward center, motivating them to maintain these bonds over time.

The fate of novel ideas

Research by University of Utah scholar Wayne Johnson found that novel ideas are more likely to be met with disagreement and reduced support as they become less familiar. This can lead to missed opportunities, as conflicting evaluations are often seen as a negative signal rather than evidence of creative potential.

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.

Synapses brought to the point

Researchers at ISTA investigated the crucial set of synapses between neurons within the cerebellum, uncovering details of their function and development. The study used advanced techniques to look at the inhibitory synapses in great detail, revealing how they delicately influence the cell's signal output.

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.

Lab-grown retinas explain why people see colors dogs can’t

Researchers discovered how an offshoot of vitamin A generates the cells that enable people to see millions of colors. The study found that a molecule called retinoic acid determines whether a cone will specialize in sensing red or green light, making humans uniquely color-savvy.

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.