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Science News Archive January 2024 - Page 31


Page 31 of 37

Status report on emerging photovoltaic technology published by SPIE Journal of Photonics for Energy

The report highlights key applications and pathways to commercialization for emerging PV technologies, including new materials and device concepts. It also discusses strategies to exceed current limits in solar PV energy conversion and challenges facing efforts to scale up globally.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateJan 9, 2024

Press passes now available for Discover BMB to be held March 23–26

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is offering complimentary press passes for its annual meeting, Discover BMB, taking place in San Antonio from March 23-26. Qualifying journalists can register to attend the event or access press materials electronically.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·DateJan 9, 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.

Exposure to air pollution associated with increase in sedentary time, study finds

A recent study has found a significant association between long-term exposure to UK air pollution and an increase in sedentary time. The research, published in the Journal of Public Health, suggests that high levels of air pollution may contribute to poorer health outcomes by encouraging sitting time indoors and discouraging active tim...

SourceUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust·JournalJournal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 9, 2024
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.

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.

Migrants can be ‘transformative force’ for sustainable development

New research shows that migrants can be a transformative force for sustainability, bringing energy and ideas to new locations. However, poorly managed migration deepens inequality and increases environmental harm. The studies emphasize the need for comprehensive policies that manage migration in the interests of people and the planet.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

Where to go with nitrate electroreduction reaction?

Researchers explore potential routes for sustainable nitrate supply, species balance, and catalyst stability in electrochemical nitrate reduction for ammonia synthesis. Innovative strategies are proposed to address mass transfer limitations and ensure long-term stability.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateJan 8, 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.

Closing in on triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers analyzed cells within triple-negative breast cancer tumors before and after radiation therapy with immunotherapy, identifying three patient groups with distinct responses. The study found that combining radiation therapy and immunotherapy may improve tumor-fighting immune response prior to surgery for some patients.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalCancer Cell·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 8, 2024

Final supernova results from Dark Energy Survey offer unique insights into the expansion of the universe

The Dark Energy Survey has released unprecedented results on the mysteries of dark energy and the expansion of the universe. The study placed the strongest constraints on the expansion rate of the universe ever obtained, consistent with the standard cosmological model but not definitive enough to rule out a more complex model.

SourceDOE/Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2024

Researchers engineer in vivo delivery system for prime editing, partially restoring vision in mice

Researchers develop a delivery system for prime editing, enabling the correction of disease-causing genetic mutations in animal models. By adapting virus-like particles to carry the machinery for prime editing, scientists have achieved partial restoration of vision in mice with two genetic disorders.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 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.

Captive-bred birds able to improve their flight and migration performance

Researchers found that captive-bred Egyptian vultures improved their flight skills faster than those raised in the wild. The study suggests that early life experiences have a lasting impact on animals' ability to cope with challenging periods like migration.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 8, 2024

Some mosquitoes like it hot

New research found significant differences in heat tolerance among mosquito populations, with some more resilient to heat waves than others. Climate factors such as precipitation and humidity play a crucial role in determining their thermal limits, which may impact disease transmission.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

A new mathematical language for biological networks

Researchers developed a new mathematical framework to analyze genetic interactions and identified key regulators in entire biological networks. The approach, which combines geometry and statistics, reveals how individual genes and species influence network dynamics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

How does a molecular freight elevator work?

Bacteria use a molecular freight elevator to transport essential substances through their cell membrane. The transporter and its soluble substrate binding protein adapt precisely to each other during the transportation process.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2024
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.

McMaster researchers discover molecular ‘barcode’ used by bacteria to secrete toxins

Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a molecular barcode system used by disease-causing bacteria to distinguish between beneficial and toxic molecules. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying bacterial pathogenicity, allowing for potential biotechnology applications to combat infectious diseases like tuber...

SourceMcMaster University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

Using spectroscopy to measure visual recognition

A team of scientists used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity in two key visual regions, the lateral occipital complex (LOC) and fusiform face area (FFA). The study found that fNIRS successfully measured LOC activity but had limitations in detecting FFA activity due to its depth. This research has th...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalNeurophotonics·DateJan 8, 2024

BioExcel-CV19: A breakthrough in understanding COVID-19 proteins

Researchers at IRB Barcelona developed BioExcel-CV19, a repository of Molecular Dynamics simulations to understand SARS-CoV-2 infection. The database provides over 10,000 trajectories for key proteins and facilitates community-wide analysis.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJan 8, 2024

Transformation-associated recombination (TAR) cloning and its applications

Researchers have developed a novel tool for the selective and efficient recovery of large DNA molecules using TAR cloning. This technique has been applied to isolate individual gene alleles, study genome architecture and evolution, and engineer synthetic viruses with novel properties, including vaccine development.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 8, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stripes in a flowing liquid crystal suggest a route to “chiral” fluids

Researchers at MIT find that slow-flowing liquid crystals can spontaneously assemble into large, twisted, chiral structures, opening a new path to generating chiral materials. These structures could serve as spiral scaffolds for assembling intricate molecular structures and be used as optical sensors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2024

Use of habitat for agricultural purposes puts primate infants at risk

Research reveals that prolonged exposure to plantations during infancy triples the likelihood of infant mortality. Exposure to pesticides and agricultural chemicals may negatively affect infant development and lead to increased mortality rates.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 8, 2024

Real-world analysis: COVID-19 vaccine strongly effective for children and adolescents during delta and omicron

A real-world study found that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in protecting children and adolescents from infection, with 98% reduced risk during the delta variant phase. Vaccine effectiveness slightly declined during the omicron wave, but still provided strong protection against severe illness and cardiac complications.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2024
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.

Nutrition needs drive bee appetites

Scientists at USDA Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Research Station studied foraging habits of wild bees to understand their nutritional needs. The study found that different bee species have unique nutritional requirements, which are met by foraging on specific plant pollen types.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Research Station·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2024

Unveiling hidden biodiversity underfoot: DNA barcoding of Taiwanese forest leaf litter beetles

The Taiwanese Leaf Litter Beetles Barcoding project has created a comprehensive reference library for these elusive beetles using DNA barcoding. The dataset comprises 4,629 beetles representing 334 species candidates from 36 families, unveiling taxonomic insights and enhancing our understanding of their biology and ecological roles.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalDeutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift·DateJan 8, 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.

Scripps Research scientists give new insight into a molecular target of alcohol

Researchers investigate a molecule in the brain tied to cellular communication, uncovering information about proteins that influence and do not influence alcohol drinking behavior. The study finds that preventing ethanol from interacting with a specific protein does not reduce or increase motivation to consume alcohol.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 8, 2024

Bariatric surgery may slow cognitive decline for people with obesity

Researchers found that cognition scores remained stable two years after bariatric surgery, while secondary executive function tests showed improvement. However, one memory assessment declined following surgery. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand how best to treat cognitive decline associated with obesity.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe journal of nutrition health & aging·TypeObservational study·DateJan 8, 2024
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.

Infertility: Sperm need a breakthrough for fertilization

Researchers found that about one in a hundred infertile men with normal semen parameters have a loss of CatSper function, leading to failure of fertilization and medically assisted reproduction. The discovery enables evidence-based treatment and diagnosis of this channelopathy.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 8, 2024

CHOP researchers develop algorithm to determine how cellular “neighborhoods” function in tissues

Researchers developed a deep-learning-based algorithm to identify tissue cellular neighborhoods (TCNs) in breast and colorectal tumors, revealing new fibroblast-enriched and granulocyte-enriched TCNs associated with high-risk disease subtypes. The study aims to better understand cancer evasion mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024
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.

Novel test holds promise for detecting Parkinson’s disease early

Researchers developed a novel test that detects single ⍺-synuclein fibrils in patient samples to identify patients with Parkinson's disease earlier. This breakthrough has the potential to create early applicable molecular diagnostics, improve clinical trials, and facilitate drug screening for neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

Exploring dimensions of justice in climate science

IIASA researchers propose a conceptual framework to address justice in climate science, synthesizing distributional, procedural, corrective, recognitional, and transitional justice. The framework aims to enhance interdisciplinary understanding and promote awareness of justice considerations in climate policy.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 8, 2024

Study highlights barriers to contraceptive access for disabled Medicare enrollees

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh highlights how lack of contraceptive coverage by Medicare prevents disabled enrollees from accessing contraception. Contraceptive use is low among reproductive-aged people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare, with only 14.3% having an insurance claim for contraception in 2019.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2024
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 soft robots roll like tires, spin like tops and orbit like moons

Researchers have developed twisted ringbots that can roll forward, spin like a record, and follow an orbital path around a central point. These devices can navigate and map unknown environments without human or computer control.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

Intravaginal sponge can make treatment of candidiasis more comfortable and effective

Researchers developed a biodegradable sponge that releases medication slowly into the organism, improving treatment efficacy for vulvovaginal candidiasis. The device is made from soft, biocompatible materials and can be inserted by patients themselves, making treatment more comfortable.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·DateJan 8, 2024

Fastest swimming insect could inspire uncrewed boat designs

Researchers have discovered that whirligig beetles use a lift-based thrust mechanism to achieve record-breaking speeds, challenging previous explanations of their propulsion system. This finding offers valuable insights for bio-inspired robotic ship design and uncrewed boat development.

SourceCornell University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 8, 2024

Rensselaer researcher helps scientists make sense of vast amounts of molecular data

Boleslaw Szymanski and his team developed a clustering method called SpeakEasy2: Champagne to group molecular data, which showed consistent performance across diverse applications. The method was tested on bulk gene expression, single-cell data, protein interaction networks, and large-scale human networks data, revealing its effectiven...

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalGenome Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 8, 2024
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.

Studying cells to improve medulloblastoma treatment

Researchers studied cellular functions in medulloblastoma to understand its genetic causes and develop targeted therapies. The study identified essential microproteins that play a crucial role in the survival of cancer cells.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJan 8, 2024

Three iron rings in a planet-forming disk

Researchers detected complex structure with three concentric rings in the innermost region of the disk, rich in dust and minerals. The discovery suggests two planets may be forming within the gaps, with masses similar to Jupiter.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Astronomy·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateJan 8, 2024

Residential addiction treatment for adolescents is scarce and expensive

A new study found that only about half of residential addiction treatment facilities for adolescents have a bed immediately available, with the average daily cost per day of treatment being $878. The study also revealed that only seven states have a facility that accepts Medicaid, has a bed open the same day, and offers buprenorphine.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJan 8, 2024