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Science News Archive July 2024


Page 1 of 41

Public health measures that reduce dementia risk could save up to £4bn

A new study suggests that public health interventions, such as reformulating food products and introducing low emission zones, could yield significant cost savings and QALY gains in England. The interventions studied could save up to £4bn by reducing dementia rates and helping people live longer and healthier.

Pandemic exacerbated depression in older adults with diabetes

A recent study found that almost 50% of older adults with diabetes experienced depression during the pandemic, with loneliness and chronic pain being major risk factors. The study also identified unexpected findings, including a higher risk of depression among those with higher income prior to the pandemic.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

LJI scientists capture immune cells hidden in nasal passages

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered immune cells, such as tissue resident memory cells, in the upper airway that can fight infections and build long-term immunity. These findings may lead to better vaccines and a deeper understanding of immunity against respiratory pathogens.

The next generation of RNA chips

A University of Vienna research team has developed a new generation of RNA building blocks for high-density microarrays, significantly reducing production time. This breakthrough enables faster synthesis and analysis of RNA molecules, opening up new opportunities for medical research and non-invasive diagnostics.

Body appreciation varies across cultures

A study published in PLOS ONE found that body appreciation varies across cultures, with significant differences between Western and non-Western countries. Black Nigerian women reported the highest level of body appreciation, while White Western women reported the lowest. The study also found that internalization of thin ideals and soci...

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.

Novel mechanism of retinal degeneration

Researchers discover ciliary disassembly in photoreceptors causes severe damage and dysfunction, leading to retinal degeneration. The study provides novel targets for clinical intervention and sheds light on the significant role of photoreceptor cilia in RD.

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.

Downwind states face disproportionate burden of air pollution

A recent study explores the Clean Air Act and its impact on downwind states, highlighting challenges in regulating interstate air pollution. Downwind states face lengthy response times, infrequent petition acceptance, and burdens of proof in court, making it difficult to effectively address unequal pollution effects.

This protein does “The Twist”

Researchers have identified the critical step in NMDAR's routine where it rotates into an open formation, enabling electrical signals crucial for cognitive functions. This discovery may pave the way for drug compounds that can correct faulty NMDARs, potentially treating conditions like Alzheimer's and depression.

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.

Impact of neighborhood resources on resilience after trauma

A recent study found that individuals with high individual resources and exposure to more greenspace were more likely to experience low or no PTSD symptoms over time. Greenspace was also associated with greater neural reactivity in the amygdala, a region involved in detecting rewarding cues.

New AI tool predicts risk for chronic pain in cancer patients

A new study uses artificial intelligence to predict which breast cancer patients are most at risk for developing chronic pain, with anxiety and depression being leading factors. The AI model was built with detailed data on over 1,000 breast cancer patients and correctly predicted chronic pain more than 80% of the 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.

Method prevents an AI model from being overconfident about wrong answers

Researchers have introduced a new AI calibration method called Thermometer, which enables efficient calibration of large language models for various tasks. This technique leverages temperature scaling to adjust a model's confidence and can generalize to new tasks without requiring additional labeled data.

What’s the weather like in the deep sea?

Researchers from MARUM and the National Oceanography Centre analyzed sensor data over four years to determine seafloor currents in deep waters. The study found that currents sped up, slowed down, reversed direction, and were steered by seafloor relief, contradicting previous steady models.

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.

FANCI that! Decades long mystery of how DNA damage by sunlight, alcohol and pollution is identified so it can be repaired, is solved. Opens up opportunities for improved cancer treatments.

A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery in the DNA repair mechanism, revealing how proteins recognize and repair damaged DNA. The study, published in Nature, uses cutting-edge imaging techniques to visualize how DNA repair proteins move on single molecules of DNA and initiate repair at crosslinks.

Climate change may lead to shifts in vital Pacific Arctic fisheries

Climate change is expected to shift the distribution of eight commercially important marine fish and invertebrate species northwards due to warmer water temperatures and loss of sea ice habitat. This could lead to changes in the abundance and economic viability of fisheries, with some species potentially benefiting while others decline.

Pursuing the middle path to scientific discovery

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have made significant strides in understanding the mesoscale properties of a ferroelectric material under an electric field. The breakthrough holds potential for advances in computer memory, lasers, and sensors.

Nasal COVID-19 vaccine halts transmission

Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a nasal COVID-19 vaccine that halted transmission in hamsters, showing promise for controlling respiratory infections. The vaccine targeted the virus's entry points in the nose and mouth, reducing viral replication and preventing spread.

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.

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.

Most blood thinner dosing problems happen after initial prescription

A study by Michigan Medicine found that over- or under-dosing anticoagulants can result in serious health conditions, most often occurring after the initial prescription. The researchers evaluated five years of prescribing data and found that nearly 70% of alerts to off-label dosing occurred during a follow-up visit.

Unraveling a key junction underlying muscle contraction

University of California San Diego researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to capture the first 3-D images of a key muscle receptor, shedding light on why newborn humans develop slowly while cows mature quickly. The study's findings may help develop future treatments for muscular disorders.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

Serotonin uptake regulates ependymoma tumor growth

Researchers found that hyperactivated neurons drive cancer proliferation and that serotonin uptake by ependymoma cells promotes tumor growth. Inhibiting this process blocked tumor growth, opening doors for drug discovery.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The rotation of a nearby star stuns astronomers

Astronomers have discovered a nearby star that rotates faster than expected, with anomalies in its stellar rotation profile. This finding provides insights into fundamental stellar strophysics and challenges current understanding of stellar dynamics and magnetic dynamos.

Surprising finding in glioblastomas:

Scientists found islands of highly potent immune cells in the bone marrow close to glioblastoma tumors, which play a central role in defending against cancer. This discovery may lead to innovative therapies and could improve patients' chances of survival.

A whole new view on glacier melting in Antarctica

Researchers deployed an unmanned submarine 'Ran' under thick ice in Antarctica, revealing high-resolution maps of the glacier's underside. The findings indicate that stronger underwater currents and flowing water influence the melting process, with complex patterns and formations resembling sand dunes.

AI opens door to safe, effective new antibiotics to combat resistant bacteria

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have leveraged AI to develop a new, safer antibiotic that targets specific bacterial membranes while minimizing harm to human cells. The AI-powered approach has identified a promising lead compound with potential for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.

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 use for propofol in treating epilepsy?

A study published in Nature found that propofol can restore the function of mutated HCN1 ion channels, which are associated with certain types of epilepsy. The researchers suggest using propofol to treat these conditions or designing new compounds with similar effects but reduced side effects.

For bigger muscles push close to failure, for strength, maybe not

Research from Florida Atlantic University reveals that training closer to failure can boost muscle growth, while having no clear impact on strength gains. The study analyzed data from 55 studies and suggests that individuals who aim to build muscle should work within a desired range of 0-5 reps short of failure.

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.

Military health research reveals potential pathway to reducing youth suicide

New research from the CU Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield Research found a promising pathway to reducing gun-carrying among youths with recent suicidal ideation or plans. Military-connected youth with past-year suicidal ideations or suicide plans exhibited lower rates of handgun carrying compared to their civilian peers.