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Science News Archive January 2024


Page 34 of 37

New technique could improve liver fibrosis treatment

A new technique, CLivD score, has been developed to improve liver fibrosis treatment. The study found that the CLivD score can identify at-risk individuals, reducing the need for further evaluation and streamlining screening. This approach holds promise for early detection of liver disease and preventing complications.

The (wrong) reason we keep secrets

A new study reveals that people's expectations of being judged negatively by others are often miscalculated when revealing adverse information. In reality, recipients rate the revealers' honesty and trustworthiness more highly than expected. This finding suggests that secrecy may not have the negative impact we think it will.

Scientists use high-tech brain stimulation to make people more hypnotizable

Researchers found that less than two minutes of electrical stimulation targeting a precise area of the brain could increase participants' hypnotizability for about one hour. Highly hypnotizable individuals have stronger functional connectivity between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex.,

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.

New roles for autophagy genes in cellular waste management and aging

Researchers discovered novel functions for autophagy genes in controlling different forms of cellular disposal, including misfolded proteins. In nematode C. elegans, inhibition of early-acting autophagy genes extended lifespan and reduced protein aggregates, highlighting a new pathway in aging.

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.

Classifying the natural history of asymptomatic malaria

A recent study in Uganda found that asymptomatic individuals with low-level malaria infections had highly variable parasite dynamics and species present. Frequent sampling every other day or daily was sufficient to detect a proportion of infections similar to daily testing, but less frequent tests may miss up to one-third of cases.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Better mental, physical health in older people tied to living near nature

A Washington State University study found that living near nature can reduce serious psychological distress and improve general health in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from over 42,000 people aged 65 and older, finding a strong association between access to green spaces and better mental and physical health outcomes.

Unlocking the secrets of disease-causing fungus Aspergillus fumigatus

A ground-breaking study published in Nature Communications sheds light on the intricate mechanisms underlying the virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus, specifically focusing on the crucial role of mycotoxin gliotoxin production. The research team identified pivotal roles played by GliT oxidoreductase and GtmA methyltransferase in the sel...

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.

Does self-checkout impact grocery store loyalty?

Research from Drexel University finds that customers are more likely to remain loyal to a grocery store when using regular checkout service. The perceived ease of checkout, sense of entitlement, and number of items purchased play a role in explaining the effect of loyalty.

Worm study raises concern about DEET's effect on reproduction

A study published in iScience found that DEET can affect meiosis, leading to abnormal chromosome structure and reduced egg cell quality. This raises concerns about the potential reproductive effects of DEET-containing products in humans. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and inform recommendations for balancing disea...

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.

Researchers 3D print components for a portable mass spectrometer

MIT researchers successfully produced a miniaturized quadrupole filter using additive manufacturing, achieving precision comparable to commercial-grade filters at a fraction of the cost and weight. This breakthrough enables the development of portable mass spectrometers for rapid chemical analysis in remote settings.

Tiredness experienced by Long-COVID patients has a physical cause

A recent study published in Nature Communications found that Long-COVID patients experience fatigue due to reduced energy production by mitochondria in muscle cells. The research suggests a biological cause for the persistent exhaustion, opening up potential treatment avenues.

Most babies with sickle cell disease face double disadvantage

A recent study reveals that two-thirds of babies born with sickle cell disease are born in areas scoring high or very high on the scale of social vulnerability. This highlights the need for targeted efforts to support families affected by this genetic blood disease.

Biologists uncover the secrets of evolutionary change

Scientists studied the evolution of live-birth in marine snails and found that it happened gradually through small incremental steps. The team identified 50 genes associated with reproductive mode and estimated their origin time, showing that innovation can evolve progressively over time.

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.

Plate Tectonics in the Archean: Observation versus Interpretation

This integrated study applies a new plate tectonics model to interpret major geological phenomena on Archean cratons, eliminating the illusion that continental crust did not originate from plate tectonics. The results provide insights into the evolution of early Earth and the origin of continental crust.

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.

Breaking the 10-petawatt limit with a new laser amplification

Researchers have developed a method to coherently tile multiple titanium:sapphire crystals together, breaking through the current 10-petawatt limit. This technology enables ultra-intense ultrashort lasers with high conversion efficiencies, stable energies, and broadband spectra.

A KAIST research team develops high-performance stretchable solar cells​

A KAIST research team developed a new conductive polymer material that achieved both high electrical performance and elasticity, introducing the world’s highest-performing stretchable organic solar cell. The team built a device that can be stretched up to 40% during operation, demonstrating its applicability for wearable devices.

Breakthrough in designing complicated all-α protein structures

A team of researchers created five unique all-α protein structures with non-uniformly arranged α-helices, holding immense potential for designing functional proteins. The novel approach enables the generation of a diverse set of all-α protein structures by combining typical motifs and canonical α-helices.

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.

Supercharging CAR-T cells for cancer treatment

Researchers at EPFL have developed a novel CAR-T cell therapy that surpasses traditional methods by producing its own medicine to survive in tumor environments. The treatment has achieved a 100% success rate in clinical trials and shows potential for lowering production costs, making it more accessible for cancer patients.

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.

Hunting for the elusive tetraneutrons with thermal fission

A team of researchers, led by Associate Professor Hiroyuki Fujioka from Tokyo Institute of Technology, investigated the feasibility of bound tetraneutron emission in thermal neutron-induced fission of Uranium-235. They found that the instrumental neutron activation method can be applied to address open questions in nuclear physics.

Minimizing immunotherapy’s potentially harmful side effects

A new study from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that prophylactic treatment can significantly reduce the rate of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in multiple myeloma patients. This approach could eliminate hospital stays and broaden access to immunotherapy treatments for more cancer patients.

A molecular anchor

A team of scientists identified VAP as a molecular anchor that stabilizes mitochondria near synapses in dendrites, supporting memory formation and plasticity. The discovery links VAP to ALS-linked protein and suggests that mitochondrial stabilization is critical for neuronal function and health.

The surprisingly resourceful ways bacteria thrive in the human gut

Research reveals bacteria in human gut use diverse enzymes to generate energy from organic compounds, producing metabolites with implications for human health. The study identifies 22 alternative metabolites used by three families of gut bacteria, showcasing their remarkable adaptability.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

The snail or the egg?

Researchers discovered 50 genetic changes underlying the switch from egg-laying to live-bearing in marine snails, which evolved within the past 100,000 years. The findings provide insights into the evolutionary process and potential benefits of live-bearing, including increased reproductive success in new habitats.

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.

More lives can be saved if ambulance staff receive AI-support

Researchers developed mathematical models based on real events data from the Swedish Trauma Registry, showing that AI models outperformed clinical outcomes. The study highlights the potential of AI-powered decision support to improve ambulance staff's ability to assess injury severity and potentially save more lives.

New images reveal what Neptune and Uranus really look like

Researchers used data from Hubble Space Telescope to determine the true colors of Neptune and Uranus, revealing they are a similar shade of greenish blue. The main difference is that Neptune has a slight hint of additional blue due to a thinner haze layer on that planet.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Polarization-independent liquid-crystal phase modulators

Researchers have developed a new approach to creating liquid-crystal phase modulators that are polarization-independent and can achieve large phase depths. The devices use a light-controlled azimuth angle (LCAA) process to create multi-microdomain, orthogonally twisted structures with precise alignment.

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.

Study finds paxlovid treatment does not reduce risk of long COVID

Researchers from UC San Francisco have found that Paxlovid treatment does not reduce the risk of developing long COVID. They also discovered a higher proportion of individuals with acute symptoms rebounding after treatment, and those who took Paxlovid were just as likely to develop severe Long COVID symptoms as those who did not.

Resurrection consent: New study on attitudes to digital cloning of the dead

A recent study investigates how deceased individuals' consent affects societal acceptance of digital resurrection. The research found that explicit consent increases acceptability by two points, while 59% of respondents disagree with their own digital resurrection, highlighting the need for clear legal regulations on the subject.