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Science News Archive January 2024 - Page 22


Page 22 of 37

Amnesia caused by head injury reversed in early mouse study

Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that amnesia following head injury is due to inadequate reactivation of neurons involved in forming memories. They were able to reverse the amnesia in mice using lasers, potentially allowing cognitive impairment caused by head impact to be clinically reversed.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024

Being rough and hairy isn't all it's cracked up to be - at least if you're a tree

Researchers found that evergreen trees with smaller leaves, particularly those with awl-shaped leaves like Yew and Japanese cedar, were most effective at catching particles of pollution. In contrast, the study showed that the size and shape of the leaf, rather than its roughness or hairiness, was key to removing pollutants.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

USC Stem Cell study throws our understanding of gene regulation for a loop

Researchers discovered that PDS5A modifies DNA loops without affecting histone modifications, enabling the study of loop-mediated gene silencing. The loss of PDS5A disrupted genome organization, leading to aberrant gene activation and potentially driving diseases like cancer and developmental disorders.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024

Molecular ‘super-glue’ shows promise of cancer drug discovery platform

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have developed a molecular glue that sticks to the cancer-related protein casein kinase 1 alpha (CK1α), leading to its destruction. The compound, SJ3149, displays broad anti-cancer activity and may have clinical utility as an alternative to conventional small molecule inhibitors.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2024

Rice chemists find new way to rid boron nitride nanotubes of impurities

Rice chemists find a way to remove impurities from boron nitride nanotubes using phosphoric acid and fine-tuning the reaction. The new method produces high-purity tubes that are stronger than steel by weight, making them suitable for various industries, including aerospace and biomedical imaging.

SourceRice University·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024
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.

BU/BMC researchers create first model of the most common genetic cause of childhood interstitial lung disease: ABCA3 mutations

Researchers developed a disease model using induced pluripotent stem cells from children with ABCA3 mutations, revealing key differences between diseased and healthy cells. The study opens doors for therapeutic discovery and highlights the utility of pluripotent stem cells for disease modeling.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024

Study pinpoints breast cancer ‘cells-of-origin’ in high-risk women

Scientists have identified likely 'cells-of-origin' that can grow into breast cancer in women carrying a faulty BRCA2 gene, who are at high risk of developing the disease. The study also showed these cells have potential to be targeted with an existing cancer drug to delay tumour growth.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 16, 2024

Spider venom heart drug a step closer

A University of Queensland team has developed a spider venom molecule, Hi1a, that protects cells from heart attack and stroke damage. The drug candidate has passed critical benchmarks in preclinical tests, which indicate it could be an effective therapeutic with reduced side effects.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024
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.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Two atoms playing ping-pong

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a 'quantum ping-pong' where two atoms bounce a single photon back and forth. The team used a Maxwell fish-eye lens to achieve pinpoint accuracy, allowing the photons to be transferred from one atom to another with high efficiency.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 16, 2024

New study aims to unlock secrets of the human brain

A new study led by Dr. Richard Naud of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine tackles the mystery of neuronal response variability, controlling output with dendrites' inputs to the core and little antennas

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalNature Computational Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 16, 2024

IAA-miR164a-NAC100L1 mediates graft incompatible

Researchers found that the IAA-miR164a-NAC100L1 module induces callose deposition to mediate graft incompatible cucumber/pumpkin seedlings. The module regulates callose synthase activity and interacts with NAC100L1 to enhance symbiotic incompatibility.

SourcePlant Phenomics·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024

Water as a nonlinear medium for ultrabroadband white laser

Researchers use water as a nonlinear medium to create a supercontinuum white laser covering an impressive spectral range from UV to far infrared. The resulting ultrabroadband source has potential in ultrafast spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, and scientific research.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateJan 16, 2024
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.

How did free wi-fi help unlock Hanoi wet markets’ mysteries?

A study analyzed mobile device tracking data from 25 Wi-Fi access points to characterize changes in behavior at five wet markets in Hanoi. The researchers found a significant decrease in visits and market engagement during the initial COVID-19 crisis phase, with peak shopping times shifting due to behavioral changes.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalFood Security·DateJan 16, 2024

New study reveals significant reduction in lumbar spine reoperation with chiropractic spinal manipulation

A new study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that chiropractic spinal manipulation significantly reduces the likelihood of undergoing additional lumbar surgery. Adults who received CSM for sciatica experienced a substantial 45% reduction in lumbar spine reoperation compared to those receiving usual medical care.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders·DateJan 16, 2024

New method for addressing the reliability challenges of neural networks in inverse imaging problems

Researchers introduce a cycle-consistency-based uncertainty quantification technique to enhance the reliability of deep neural networks in solving inverse imaging problems. The method uses forward-backward cycles to estimate network uncertainty, demonstrating improved accuracy in detecting image corruption and out-of-distribution images.

SourceIntelligent Computing·JournalIntelligent Computing·DateJan 16, 2024
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.

New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US

The new USGS National Seismic Hazard Model shows nearly 75% of the US is at risk for damaging earthquakes, with a color-coded map highlighting areas most prone to shaking. The model identifies over 500 additional faults that could produce damaging quakes, updating the landscape of earthquake research.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalEarthquake Spectra·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 16, 2024

Improving palliative care in ICUs with telemedicine

Researchers are studying the impact of telemedicine on palliative care in ICUs, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce ICU stays. The EPIC project is a five-year study funded by €6.3 million from the European Commission.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·DateJan 16, 2024
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.

A new, rigorous assessment of OpenET accuracy for supporting satellite-based water management

A new study provides a comprehensive assessment of OpenET accuracy for various crops and natural land cover types, with high accuracy found for agricultural settings. OpenET data has an average error rate of approximately 10-20% for annual crops, making it useful for water management in arid regions like California and the Southwest.

SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalNature Water·DateJan 16, 2024

COVID-19 vaccine reduces long COVID in children

A large retrospective study found that vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 reduces the risk of persistent health problems in children after COVID-19. Vaccination provides stronger protection for adolescents, who are at higher risk of developing long COVID.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 16, 2024

Evolutionary conservation of CD4 and LAG-3 and their cytoplasmic tail motifs with opposing immune functions: do we finally understand LAG-3?

Researchers have discovered that CD4 and LAG-3 are conserved throughout jawed vertebrate species, including sharks. The study reveals that the cytoplasmic tail motifs of these proteins have opposing immune functions, with CxC/H promoting activation and ITIM-like motif inhibiting cell activity.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 16, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Cannabis activates specific hunger neurons in brain

Researchers at Washington State University discovered that cannabis activates a set of cells in the hypothalamus, promoting appetite in mice. The study used calcium imaging technology to determine how brain cells responded to vaporized cannabis sativa.

SourceWashington State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 16, 2024

Largest-ever study of palliative care demonstrates scalable strategy to increase support for seriously ill patients in the hospital

A new study demonstrates a simple, pre-programmed order in electronic medical records can increase palliative care consultation rates and reduce hospital stay length for patients with COPD, dementia, or kidney failure. This scalable strategy improves quality of life and symptom management for critically ill patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateJan 16, 2024

The commonalities of common sense

A unique framework measures individual perceptions of common sense and collective beliefs across groups, finding that larger groups have fewer common beliefs. Demographic factors like age or education do not influence common sense, but social perceptiveness does correlate with higher levels.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 16, 2024
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.

Modified soft material promises better bioelectronics

Scientists have developed a new biocompatible material that can conduct electricity efficiently in wet environments and interact with biological media. The modified PEDOT:PSS enables the creation of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) with high performance and excellent characteristics.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024

Innovative COVID-19 analysis supports prevention protocols in health care settings

Researchers analyzed electronic health records and contact tracing data to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention measures implemented during the pandemic. Universal masking was found to be a crucial factor in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmissions in healthcare settings, with airborne negative pressure rooms and N95 respirator masks no...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJan 16, 2024

Novel MRI technique improves the lasting effects of treatment for severe depression

A new MRI technique has shown that patients with severe depression can experience substantial improvements in symptoms and quality of life for at least six months. The technique uses functional MRI to guide the delivery of magnetic stimulation to specific areas of the brain, reducing variability and increasing effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 16, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

We need a staph vaccine: here’s why we don’t have one

Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that the immune system's response to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can be tricked into producing non-protective antibodies, making vaccines ineffective. The study suggests targeting subdominant antigens for future vaccine development.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateJan 16, 2024

Microfossils shed light on the long fossil record of euglenoids

Researchers establish a 400-million-year evolutionary history of euglenoids by comparing microfossil cysts from various time periods to living protists. The study resolves long-standing taxonomic confusion among fossilized remains, revealing a previously unknown ultrastructure.

SourceUniversiteit Utrecht Faculteit Geowetenschappen·JournalReview of Palaeobotany and Palynology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 16, 2024

Germs can offset the effect of cancer therapy

Sezáry syndrome patients face a vicious circle where cancer and treatment weaken the immune system, allowing bacteria like S. aureus to thrive. Eliminating these bacteria may make cancer cells more susceptible to anti-cancer drugs.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024

Silkmoths: Different olfactory worlds of females and males

Research found that female silkmoth long sensilla recognize silkworm feces as a deterrent, helping females avoid mulberry trees with high silkworm populations. In contrast, male silkmoths have specialized antennae to detect female sex pheromones, but no clear male counterpart has been identified.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024
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.

Cannabis has no clear effect on treatment of opioid addiction, US study finds

A new peer-reviewed study suggests that cannabis is having no significant effect on people's use of opioids, taken outside of medical guidance. The findings have substantial implications for U.S. treatment programs, which still require patients to abstain from cannabis before qualifying for potentially life-saving treatment.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalThe American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 16, 2024

A Bi-doped RuO2 catalyst for efficient and durable acidic water oxidation

Researchers developed a modified RuO2 catalyst with bismuth doping to enhance the anode oxygen evolution reaction's activity and stability. The Bi-doped RuO2 catalyst shows improved electron transfer and electroconductibility, leading to lower activation energy and higher performance.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateJan 16, 2024

Impacts during everyday physical activity can slow bone loss

A recent study found that high-intensity impacts during everyday physical activity can help preserve bone density and structural properties in older adults. Moderate and high-impact activities, such as brisk walking or stair climbing, were associated with better preservation of bone mineral density compared to lower-intensity activities.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalBone·DateJan 15, 2024
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.

Priming, shaping and polishing: In search of a HIV vaccine

Researchers are exploring 'priming, shaping, and polishing' techniques to develop an HIV vaccine targeting rare immune cells that produce broad-neutralizing antibodies. The Amsterdam UMC-led project aims to create an effective vaccine for low- and middle-income countries with a €4.5m grant.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·DateJan 15, 2024

Design and implementation of railway green performance basic data collection system

A new data collection system has been developed to support diverse applications in the railway industry, including carbon emissions accounting and green cost-benefit analysis. The system enables efficient data collection and integrated management, leveraging metadata and data exchange schemas.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalHigh-speed Railway·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 15, 2024

New Scientific Reports publication reveals major difference in genomes of American and Chinese chestnut

The study reveals significant differences in the nucleolus organizing region (NOR) of the two species, which has major implications for blight-resistance in American chestnut restoration. Researchers used fluorescent in situ hybridization to analyze the NOR region and found unique DNA arrangements.

SourceUSDA Forest Service ‑ Southern Research Station·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 15, 2024
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.

Pacific kelp forests are far older that we thought

New study reveals that kelp forests off the Pacific Coast were thriving 32 million years ago, with fossilized holdfasts showing evidence of ancient marine mammals and invertebrates. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of kelp ecosystems and highlights the importance of fossil hunting by amateur collectors.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2024

Will long-term operation of constructed wetlands become a source of pollution itself?

Research found that long-term operation of constructed wetlands can lead to reduced pollutant removal efficiency due to plant decay and microbial activity. The study also highlights the poor ability of constructed wetlands to remove organic pollutants, which can become a source of pollution if not properly managed.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2024

Study quantifies how aquifer depletion threatens crop yields

Research reveals that aquifer depletion can curb crop yields even when it appears saturated enough to continue meeting irrigation demands. As groundwater dwindles, agricultural losses escalate, especially for corn and soybean yields.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature Water·DateJan 15, 2024

Scientists open door to achieving high-precision 'slippery structural hydrogel'

Researchers introduce trehalose into hydrogels to form hydrogen bond interactions, improving dehydration resistance, lubrication performance, mechanical properties, and manufacturing accuracy. This discovery proposes a new design principle for high-precision manufacturing of hydrogel materials.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJan 15, 2024
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.