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Science News for July 19, 2024


Enhanced information in national policies can accelerate Africa's efforts to track climate adaptation

African national adaptation policy documents reveal inadequate information on adaptation investments and tracking progress, limiting investment channeling and tracking effectiveness. However, some countries have robust plans, such as Benin and South Africa, which hold lessons for future climate negotiations.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJul 19, 2024

Estimating rainfall intensity using surveillance audio and deep-learning

Researchers developed a deep learning-based model to estimate rainfall intensity from surveillance audio, achieving a root mean absolute error of 0.88 mm h-1 and a coefficient of correlation of 0.765. This approach offers a new method for high-resolution hydrological sensing, contributing to environmental resilience and urban sensing.

SourceEurasia Academic Publishing Group·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 2024

Can consciousness exist in a computer simulation?

Wanja Wiese's research focuses on ruling out deception by conscious AI systems and understanding the prerequisites for consciousness in artificial systems. He draws on Karl Friston's free energy principle, suggesting that computers can simulate consciousness but may require additional conditions to replicate conscious experience.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhilosophical Studies·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 19, 2024
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.

Researchers examine nanotechnological methods for improving agriculture

Researchers explore nanocarriers to enhance crop sustainability and resilience to climate change, addressing issues like rising food demand and soil degradation. The study's findings suggest potential for nano-enabled precision delivery in plants to transform agriculture.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 19, 2024

To walk, you only need fins (and maybe a sense of adventure)

Researchers studied the anatomy of mudskippers to understand their adaptations to life on land. They found that the fish's muscles in the pectoral fins are bigger and that some bone-connecting tendons were replaced by fascia tissue, providing stability and strength for walking.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of Anatomy·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 19, 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.

New humidity-driven membrane to remove carbon dioxide from the air

A new ambient-energy-driven membrane has been developed by Newcastle University researchers to capture carbon dioxide from the air, overcoming energy and kinetic challenges. The membrane uses naturally occurring humidity differences to pump carbon dioxide out of the air.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 19, 2024

New dawn for space storm alerts could help shield Earth's tech

Researchers at Aberystwyth University have made a breakthrough in predicting the speed of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their arrival time on Earth. This discovery improves our ability to forecast space weather events, providing crucial advance warnings for protecting vital technological systems.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·DateJul 19, 2024

Diagnosing solid lesions in the pancreas with multimodal AI

A randomized crossover trial found that a joint-AI model improved clinical diagnosis, but future trials are warranted to confirm its effectiveness. The AI model demonstrated positive human-AI interaction, suggesting its potential to facilitate accurate diagnoses.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 19, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Plastic waste can now be converted to electronic devices

A team of researchers has successfully converted Styrofoam into a high-value conducting polymer known as PEDOT:PSS, which can be used in functional electronic devices. The study demonstrates how upgraded plastic waste can be incorporated into devices such as silicon-based hybrid solar cells and organic electrochemical transistors.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJACS Au·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2024

Chemists design novel method for generating sustainable fuel

Researchers designed a novel method using electricity to synthesize methanol from carbon dioxide, increasing efficiency by up to eight times. The process involves cobalt phthalocyanine molecules on carbon nanotubes, with cations enhancing methanol formation.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2024

Cracking the code of hydrogen embrittlement

A study published in Science Advances investigated the formation of cracks in a nickel-base alloy. The researchers found that one widely-held hypothesis does not apply to this alloy and discovered new information about crack initiation. This breakthrough helps lay the groundwork for better predictions of hydrogen embrittlement.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 19, 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.

Deeper down the rabbit hole

This study reveals the extent and causes of technology conspiracy beliefs, finding they are widespread among the general population, with at least 20% believing in six out of ten theories. The research highlights the detrimental effects of these beliefs, including a breakdown of social collaboration and constructive political debate.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalInformation Systems Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2024

ORNL economist honored at international hydropower conference

Rocio Uria-Martinez, an energy and environmental economist at ORNL, was recognized for her work on the U.S. Hydropower Market Report detailing industry trends. Her research analyzed climate change impacts, pumped storage hydropower operations, and cost allocation in multipurpose projects.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·DateJul 19, 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.

Researchers clarify how soft materials fail under stress

A new study links various soft material behaviors, revealing a critical parameter called the brittility factor that simplifies failure behavior. This finding helps engineers design better materials for future challenges.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 19, 2024

ETRI breathes digital life into cultural heritage

South Korean researchers collaborate with museums to develop an intelligent platform combining AI and cultural heritage digitization, enhancing museum data quality and usability. The platform enables the creation of immersive content, interactive education, and artifact management.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·DateJul 19, 2024

Long-term results from Testicular Cancer treatment are positive, study shows

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that combining different chemotherapy drugs improves testicular cancer's treatability and often curability, even after first-line treatment fails. The study showed a nearly 80% response rate and no significant drop-off in survival over 10 years.

SourceUniversity College Cork·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 19, 2024

University of Cincinnati study examines impact of incarceration on youth health

A University of Cincinnati study found that nearly 2% of youth with a justice keyword in their record had a disproportionate number of physical and mental health diagnoses. These youth also accounted for a significant proportion of behavioral health inpatient admissions, hospitalization inpatient days, and foster care visits.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalAcademic Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 19, 2024
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.

Large and unequal life expectancy declines in India during COVID-19

A recent study found significant and unequal mortality increases in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, with marginalized social groups experiencing greater life expectancy declines than privileged groups. The study estimated that 17% of overall mortality was higher in 2020 compared to 2019, resulting in 1.19 million excess deaths.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 2024

New discovery adds to story of ancient human migration

Researchers have discovered evidence of human occupation on the Tanimbar islands in Indonesia dating back 42,000 years. The discovery provides fresh clues about the route taken by early humans to arrive in the region and suggests advanced maritime technology was developed by around 42,000 years ago.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·TypeObservational study·DateJul 19, 2024

Scientists pinpoint new drug target for RSV

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have identified a key biological pathway, the JAK/STAT pathway, that RSV suppresses and prevents immune system igniters from activating. This discovery provides a promising new target for therapeutic immune restoration and could lead to significant impact in treating RSV infections.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateJul 19, 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.

Wash U researchers shine light on amyloid architecture

Researchers at Wash U used single-molecule orientation-localization microscopy to study the nano-architecture of amyloid fibrils, revealing their growth and decay patterns. They found multiple ways A-beta can remain stable or grow and decay, with surprising results on its underlying structure.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 19, 2024

Wetland wonders unfold: Aerial systems shed light on ecosystem services

A cutting-edge study revolutionizes coastal wetland mapping using unmanned aerial systems (UASs) integrated with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and multispectral sensors. The approach provides detailed elevation data and vegetation analysis, enabling accurate classifications of diverse wetland types.

SourceJournal of Remote Sensing·JournalJournal of Remote Sensing·DateJul 19, 2024

Marshall University awarded grant to further fentanyl addiction research

The grant will be used to investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying fentanyl addiction, with a focus on identifying genes and brain mechanisms that contribute to vulnerability and resistance to addiction. The research aims to pave the way for the development of novel, more effective treatments for fentanyl addiction.

SourceMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine·DateJul 19, 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.

Detection of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis based on the Stroop-CN model (NCRCID-CHESS 2106): A prospective multicenter study

Researchers developed the Stroop-CN model to diagnose minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in cirrhotic patients. The model uses a simple Stroop test to identify cognitive impairment, and was found to be accurate even in patients with reduced quality of life.

SourceSichuan International Medical Exchange and Promotion Association·JournalMedComm·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 2024

Digital games on vaping devices could lure more youth to nicotine addiction

Researchers warn that smart vapes with touch screens, animated displays, and built-in games can couple nicotine addiction with gaming disorder. The devices are user-friendly and attractive to youth, potentially broadening the market to include non-nicotine users.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalTobacco Control·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 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.

HKUST engineering researchers discover a “secret” hidden structure that paves new way of making more efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

A research team at HKUST discovered surface concavities on individual crystal grains of perovskite thin films, affecting film properties and reliability. They pioneered a new method to remove these concavities, resulting in improved efficiency retention under various tests.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2024

Revolutionizing the abilities of adaptive radar with AI

Researchers at Duke University have broken through the performance wall of adaptive radar systems using convolutional neural networks, paralleling computer vision. They've released a large open-source dataset for other AI researchers to build upon their work, aiming to tackle industry needs like object detection and tracking.

SourceDuke University·JournalIET Radar Sonar & Navigation·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2024

How well does Medicare cover end-of-life care? It depends on what type

A new study analyzed over a million patients' experiences with Medicare-funded end-of-life care. It found that Medicare Advantage Plans may offer less aggressive healthcare utilization near the end of life, including fewer hospitalizations and invasive medical treatments.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 2024

Global study by Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology demonstrates benefit of marine protected areas to recreational fisheries

A global study by Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology demonstrates the benefit of marine protected areas to recreational fisheries, producing more 'trophy-size' fish just outside fully protected areas. The effect is growing stronger over time, with tangible benefits materializing in decades.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 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.

New study sheds light on Leptospirosis, a neglected disease

Researchers in Brazil identified two new serovars of Leptospira bacteria causing the disease, with one linked to cat ownership and increasing age. The study found that improving sanitary conditions and understanding animal contributions to transmission are key to preventing leptospirosis.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2024

Texas A&M engineers explore intelligence augmentation to improve safety

Researchers are developing a framework to combine AI and human intelligence in process safety systems, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency. The study identifies challenges and benefits of using Intelligence Augmentation (IA) and proposes strategies for effective implementation to minimize risks.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAIChE Journal·DateJul 19, 2024

Bantu language shows that processing of focused information may be universal

Researchers have found that speakers of Makhuwa, a Bantu language, process focused information in the same way as speakers of other languages. The study used EEG to measure brain activity when participants heard sentences with focused or non-focused words. The results show that focused information generated a more negative N400 respons...

SourceMax Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 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.

Early vision loss linked with difficulty judging sounds

A new study published in Optometry and Vision Sciences found that people with early vision loss are less accurate at estimating the distance of sound compared to those who lose sight later in life. This difficulty can have safety implications, such as judging distances while crossing roads.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalOptometry and Vision Science·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 19, 2024

One drop of blood, many diagnoses: Infrared spectroscopy for screening health

Researchers have developed a method to screen human health and its deviations at a population level using infrared spectroscopy and machine learning. The technique can detect multiple health conditions with just one measurement, identifying healthy individuals and complex conditions simultaneously.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateJul 19, 2024

Fish adjust reproduction in response to predators

Researchers found that fish species on Trinidad Island adapt their egg-laying habits in response to predators, showing evolutionary plasticity. The study provides new insights into how aquatic organisms adapt to environmental changes, including those caused by climate change.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 19, 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.

Study shows promise for a universal influenza vaccine

Researchers developed a universal influenza vaccine that targets the internal structural proteins of the virus, providing lifetime immunity against evolving viruses. Six out of 11 nonhuman primates inoculated with the vaccine survived exposure to the H5N1 virus, while unvaccinated primates succumbed to the disease.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2024