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Science News Archive July 2024


Page 21 of 41

Rhizobacteria identified to combat striga and boost sorghum yields in Ethiopia

A research team identified rhizobacteria capable of suppressing Striga infestation in sorghum, with isolates from the Pseudomonas genus demonstrating promising biocontrol potential. The study highlights the potential of using rhizobacteria as environmentally friendly bioherbicides to improve sorghum productivity in Ethiopia.

The magnet trick: New invention makes vibrations disappear

A new invention at TU Wien has created a method to dampen vibrations in precision devices such as high-performance astronomical telescopes. The technology uses electropermanent magnets, which are permanent magnets with a coil, to suppress vibrations efficiently and increase performance.

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 technique could help treat aggressive brain tumors

Researchers have developed a new technique called burst sine wave electroporation (B-SWE) that can disrupt the blood-brain barrier around brain tumors without causing significant damage to healthy tissue. This method shows promise for treating aggressive brain cancers like glioblastoma, which currently have limited treatment options.

Cage-free chickens are louse-y

A recent study by University of California - Riverside researchers has discovered that lice are a significant threat to free-range chicken populations, causing skin lesions and disrupting healthy behaviors. The study's findings have implications for states like California, where all egg production is cage-free.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Reef pest feasts on 'sea sawdust'

Researchers discovered that crown-of-thorns starfish larvae feed on Trichodesmium bacteria, a toxic and nutrient-poor food source. This finding may contribute to the increase in COTS populations devastating coral reefs worldwide.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Endometriosis typology and ovarian cancer risk

A study of nearly half a million women found that endometriosis was associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer. The risk was particularly elevated among women with ovarian endometriomas or deep infiltrating endometriosis, with a 19-fold increased risk for certain types of ovarian cancer.

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.

Ant insights lead to robot navigation breakthrough

Researchers at TU Delft developed an insect-inspired navigation strategy for tiny, lightweight robots, allowing them to return home after long trajectories while requiring minimal computation and memory. The strategy combines visual breadcrumbs and step counting to enable autonomous navigation in cluttered environments.

E-sales of a wild bat sold as décor threaten species

A study found hundreds of wild bat specimens being sold on Etsy and eBay as jewelry and decorations, threatening the painted woolly bat's conservation status. The trade's impact is exacerbated by the bats' slow life history and declining global populations.

Palliative care is underutilized in nursing homes

A qualitative study found that palliative care is underutilized in nursing homes, despite the need for symptom management and supportive care. Researchers propose creating a best practice model and evidence-based referral criteria to address this healthcare gap.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Chlorinated flame retardants affect avian embryonic development

Exposure to chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) reduced survival rates and body length in chicken embryos. SCCPs also disrupted thyroid hormone signaling pathways, leading to developmental delays. Thyroxine levels were significantly reduced, indicating potential developmental toxicity.

New analysis of Cassini data yields insights into Titan’s seas

Researchers analyzed Cassini radar experiment data to estimate the composition and roughness of Titan's sea surfaces, revealing differences in hydrocarbon seas' surface layers dependent on latitude and location. The study found higher dielectric constants in southern Kraken Mare and detected tidal currents near coastal areas.

Female Australian football players are taking more hits

Sub-elite female Australian football players experience different injury patterns compared to males, highlighting the need for targeted training and injury prevention strategies. Ankle sprains, concussions, and anterior cruciate ligament injuries are the most common and burdensome, resulting in the most missed matches.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Playing Dungeons and Dragons can support mental health

A new study finds that playing Dungeons and Dragons can positively impact players' mental health by providing a space for creative expression, social support, and escapism. The game's immersive nature allows players to feel a sense of control and autonomy, leading to increased personal growth and skills development.

Foreign direct investments may fuel tropical deforestation

Researchers found that foreign direct investments and urbanization drove tree cover loss ahead of GDP growth in 40 countries. The study suggests addressing the full extent of FDI's link to deforestation by improving the entire food system.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 16, 2024 Contact: Gina DiGravio, 617-358-7838, ginad@bu.edu New Study Validates Diagnostic Tool for Identifying Amyloid Beta Plaques, Key Hallmark of Alzheimer’s Disease Results could impact the clinical care of patients wi

Researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have found that electroencephalograms (ERPs) can be used to diagnose Amyotid Beta Plaques in patients with Alzheimer's disease. ERPs may provide a low-cost and non-invasive method for detecting AD pathology in-vivo.

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.

Etiologies of splenic venous hypertension

Splenic venous hypertension is a rare condition characterized by upper GI bleeding without liver disease. It arises due to increased pressure in the splenic vein, leading to gastric varices. Diagnosis involves clinical suspicion, imaging studies, and endoscopic methods.

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.

Workplace bullying in developing countries is wearing women down

A University of South Australia study reveals that workplace bullying against women in Pakistan is driving emotional exhaustion and job dissatisfaction. Women are disproportionately affected by verbal, emotional, social, and physical/sexual bullying, with 30% globally experiencing it.

Weather experts discover new effect of storm - in a teacup

Researchers discovered that Storm Ciaran's record-breaking low pressure led to a significant drop in the boiling point of water in southern Britain, affecting approximately 20 million people. The study found that water was boiling at just 98°C, which is 2°C lower than the ideal temperature for brewing decent tea.

Ground surface conditions impact speed and distance of leaking natural gas

A new study by SMU-led researchers found that ground surface conditions significantly impact the speed and distance of leaking natural gas, with saturated surfaces allowing gas to migrate farthest. The study also highlights the importance of considering soil surface structures when evaluating pipeline leak safety risks.

Should AI be used in psychological research?

Researchers caution against relying solely on LLMs for human participants due to cross-cultural variation and limited variability in responses. While LLMs can analyze text, they struggle with implicit, emotional, or context-dependent tasks, and their black-box nature hinders reproducibility.

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.

Active commuting linked to lower risks of mental and physical ill health

A large-scale study published in the BMJ Group found that commuters who cycle or walk to work have lower risks of mental and physical ill health compared to those who don't. Cyclists were associated with a 47% lower risk of death from any cause, while pedestrian commuters had an 11% lower risk of hospital admission for any cause.

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.

UTA biologist wins national fellowship to study historic pollution

Jordan Brown, a postdoctoral research associate at UTA, received a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the NSF to analyze bird specimens from European museums and track changes in air pollution levels. His research aims to understand how industrialization affected wildlife and contribute to the study of climate change.

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.

USGS: Local dragonflies expose mercury pollution patterns

A new study reveals surprising findings about mercury pollution patterns in ecosystems, where it comes from and how it moves vary significantly. Dragonfly larvae are found to be a cost-effective indicator of mercury contamination in nearly every aquatic habitat, providing valuable insights for resource management decisions.

Machine learning helps define new subtypes of Parkinson’s disease

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine used machine learning to define three subtypes of Parkinson’s disease, each with distinct driver genes and molecular mechanisms. These subtypes may suggest customized treatment strategies for patients, potentially targeting specific drugs such as metformin to slow down progression.