Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for July 4, 2024


New study reveals details of nuclear structures via atomic collisions

Researchers uncovered details about nuclear structures using relativistic isobar collisions, highlighting differences in multiplicity distribution and elliptic flow. The study employed advanced models and technology to analyze the effects of nuclear deformations and initial fluctuations on ratio observables.

SourceNuclear Science and Techniques·JournalNuclear Science and Techniques·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 4, 2024

The cardiometabolic risk of a higher body mass index may be underestimated in taller grown populations worldwide

A recent study found that for every same increase of BMI, fat mass and type 2 diabetes risk are increased in taller people. The authors hypothesize that the cardiometabolic risk of a higher BMI may be underestimated in taller grown populations worldwide.

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 4, 2024

New organic molecule shatters phosphorescence efficiency records and paves way for rare metal-free applications

A new organic molecule thienyl diketone achieves high-efficiency phosphorescence more than ten times faster than traditional materials. This breakthrough provides design guidelines for developing metal-free organic phosphorescent materials, promising significant advancements in various applications.

SourceOsaka University·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2024

Single atoms show their true color

Physicists at Michigan State University have developed a new approach that combines high-resolution microscopy with ultrafast lasers to detect misfit atoms in semiconductors. The technique enables researchers to spot defects with unparalleled precision, which is critical for the performance of modern electronics.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 4, 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.

Key mechanisms identified for regeneration of neurons

Researchers at LMU and Helmholtz Munich have shown that epigenetic modifications enable the reprogramming of glial cells into functional neurons. A novel protein, YingYang1, is necessary for this process, interacting with a transcription factor to open up chromatin.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 4, 2024

Not so selfish after all: Viruses use freeloading genes as weapons

Researchers discovered that phage viruses have weaponized mobile introns to sabotage competing viruses' reproduction. This finding has significant implications for understanding the evolution of genomes and developing effective phage therapy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2024

Pear-derived discovery: A genetic mechanism to fortify crops against drought

Researchers uncover a critical genetic mechanism boosting plants' ability to withstand drought, using the transcription factor PbERF3 and protein PbHsfC1a. This breakthrough could inform the cultivation of crops with superior resilience to water shortages, ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·DateJul 4, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

First-principles investigations of the polysomatism of antigorite under pressure

Researchers used first-principles calculations to investigate antigorite's structure under high pressure and temperature conditions. The study found that antigorite gradually dehydrates as pressure increases, changing into a structure with a shorter wavelength, affecting the distribution of intermediate-depth earthquakes.

SourceEhime University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth·DateJul 4, 2024

New method cracked for high-capacity, secure quantum communication

Scientists have developed a new technique to create four-dimensional qudits that can transmit more data in a single go, promising a future quantum internet with faster data transfer rates and increased resistance to errors.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateJul 4, 2024

Machine learning to aid in classification of pathological images for disease diagnosis

A new machine learning technique called Dual-Channel Prototype Network (DCPN) can efficiently classify pathological images with limited data, which is essential for diagnosing rare diseases. The DCPN uses few-shot learning to make predictions and achieves noticeable advantages over other methods on three public datasets.

SourceMedSight AI Research Lab·JournalIEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics·DateJul 4, 2024

Your genes determine your risk of atrial fibrillation

A large-scale genetic survey found that genes can influence the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Researchers analyzed over 400,000 individuals and identified six genes whose genetic changes significantly affect a person's risk.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateJul 4, 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.

Scientists map how deadly bacteria evolved to become epidemic

A recent study mapped the evolution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a deadly bacterium that causes devastating infections in people with underlying lung conditions. The researchers found that almost seven in ten infections are caused by just 21 genetic clones, which have rapidly evolved and spread globally over the last 200 years.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 4, 2024

Effects of visual and auditory instructions on space station procedural tasks

This study compared the effects of augmented reality (AR) visual and auditory instructions on space station astronauts completing procedural tasks. The results showed that AR visual guidance was superior to auditory guidance in terms of task completion time, operation error frequency, and eye movement data.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateJul 4, 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.

How our brain decodes other people’s gaze

A UNIGE team has successfully determined the exact moment when the brain detects another person's gaze direction. The study enhances our understanding of autism spectrum disorders and offers therapeutic prospects for people affected by Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNeuroImage·TypeNews article·DateJul 4, 2024

Tomato timekeeper: NF-YA3b gene's role in flowering time revealed

A recent study identified the NF-YA3b gene as a critical regulator of flowering time in tomatoes. The gene's role was confirmed through CRISPR/Cas9 technology, which showed that knocking out or overexpressing SlNF-YA3b delayed or accelerated flowering, respectively.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·DateJul 4, 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.

Roles of orexin in energy metabolism during sleep in humans

A study found that suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, increased fat oxidation and decreased protein catabolism during sleep in healthy men. The effect persisted after waking up, suggesting a potential clinical use for orexin receptor antagonists in managing energy metabolism.

SourceInternational Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba·JournaliScience·DateJul 4, 2024

Biodegradable biomass-based aerogel for sustainable radiative cooling

Researchers develop photoluminescent biomass aerogel with high solar reflectance, achieving up to 104% visible light reflectance and 16°Celsius cooling under high solar irradiance. The biodegradable material boasts impressive reparability, recyclability, and environmental friendliness.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2024

Toward predictable universal genetic circuit design

Researchers aim to develop universal genetic circuits that can be transferred to various organisms, overcame host-specific gene expression machinery and metabolism limitations. Expanding regulatory toolbox and integrating computer-aided design tools will enable automatic design of universal circuits for non-model organisms.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalQuantitative Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2024

Decolonizing the Tropical Ecology curriculum

A study found that 94% of recommended Tropical Ecology authors are white and 80% are from universities outside the tropics. Dr. Stewart White aims to decolonize the curriculum by promoting local research and increasing diversity among authors.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·DateJul 4, 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 brain-to-nerve signaling mechanism reveals potential path to migraine pain

A mouse study identifies a novel non-synaptic signaling mechanism between the brain and peripheral sensory system in migraine. The study suggests that CSF influx activates neurons, triggering aural migraine headaches and providing potential pharmacological targets for treating the disorder.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2024

Survey on the fusion of point clouds and images for environmental object detection

The integration of point clouds and images is vital for accurate environmental object detection in autonomous vehicles. A survey on the fusion of point clouds and images aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this critical component in digital simulation technology applications.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalJournal of Image and Graphics·DateJul 4, 2024

Study reveals brain fluid dynamics as key to migraine mysteries, new therapies

Researchers describe how a spreading wave of disruption and brain fluid flow triggers headaches, detailing the connection between aura symptoms and migraine pain. The study identifies potential new drug targets for migraines, including proteins that bind with sensory nerves in the trigeminal ganglion.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2024

Reversing chemotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer

Scientists at Stanford University discovered that pancreatic cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapy due to stiff tissue and high hyaluronic acid levels. By altering the matrix, they found it possible to make cancer cells sensitive to chemotherapy again.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 4, 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.

Controlling magnetism with polarized light

Researchers from the Max Born Institute have developed a method to manipulate magnetism using circularly polarized XUV radiation, generating large magnetization changes without thermal effects. The study demonstrates an effective non-thermal approach to controlling magnetism on ultrafast time scales.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2024

India’s high air pollution counts for a large share of deaths

A study found that air pollution in India is extremely high, with daily mortality rates increasing rapidly at lower pollution levels and then leveling off. The study estimated that 7.2% of all deaths in ten major cities were linked to PM2.5 levels exceeding the WHO limit value.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 4, 2024

BDS High-precision service: current state, achievements, and future directions

The BeiDou system's high-precision services have achieved decimeter-level accuracy within minutes, enhancing global coverage and convergence time for autonomous driving, robotic navigation, and smart city infrastructures. A proposed LEO constellation can improve positioning accuracy to better than 5 cm within one minute, overcoming cur...

SourceAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalSatellite Navigation·DateJul 4, 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.

A New Blue: Mysterious origin of the ribbontail ray’s electric blue spots revealed

The study reveals that the electric blue spots of the bluespotted ribbontail ray are produced by unique skin cells with a stable 3D arrangement of nanoscale spheres containing reflecting nanocrystals. The team believes this colouration provides camouflage benefits to the stingrays, allowing them to blend with their surroundings.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2024

Norway can lead the fight against plastic pollution

A study by Norwegian researchers reveals that around 758 kilotons of plastics enter the Norwegian market every year, while only 2.4% ends up in the environment. The country's high plastic consumption rates pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, and efforts to reduce plastic waste are crucial.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeSurvey·DateJul 4, 2024

Federal grid reforms alone are not enough to solve clean energy interconnection problem

The US federal grid reforms aim to improve the integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the national electric grid. However, despite these efforts, fundamental issues remain unaddressed, including the need for centralized planning and better integration of interconnection and transmission policies.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2024
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

To save bees, scientists say focus on habitat first, then pesticides

A recent study finds semi-natural habitats play a crucial role in conserving pollinator diversity, outpacing the impact of pesticide use. The research suggests that prioritizing habitat conservation can be more effective than reducing pesticide application in rice fields.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2024

The dawn of the Antarctic ice sheets

The Antarctic ice sheet formed around 34 million years ago in the eastern region of the continent, rather than the entire continent as previously thought. The study reveals that different regions of the ice sheet react differently to external influences and climatic changes.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2024

Scientists discover new T cells and genes related to immune disorders

Researchers have discovered several rare types of helper T cells associated with immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that genetic variants in bidirectional enhancer DNA are linked to specific immune-mediated diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2024

Cool roofs are best at beating cities’ heat

A new study finds that cool roofs are the most effective way to cool cities like London, with a potential reduction of 1.2-2 degrees C in outdoor temperatures. In contrast, green roofs and street-level vegetation have negligible net cooling effects.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 4, 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.

Partially-hiding functional encryption for degree-2 polynomials with fine-grained access control

A new research proposes partially-hiding functional encryption schemes with fine-grained access control, enabling ciphertexts to be generated according to an access policy and secret keys associated with attributes and functions. This framework achieves semi-adaptive, simulation-based security under standard assumptions.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2024

Music: Song melodies have become simpler since 1950

Since 1950, melody complexity in popular songs has decreased, with the average number of notes played per second increasing. The study identified two significant decreases in melodic complexity in 1975 and 2000, which may be attributed to the rise of genres like new wave and hip-hop.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 4, 2024

Researchers identify key cells for blood sugar control using optogenetics

The study reveals a functional hierarchy of beta cells, with a small group acting as 'first responders' to initiate the glucose response. These cells produce and supply Vitamin B6 to regulate the activity of other beta cells, offering new insights into diabetes pathology and potential treatments.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 4, 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.

New catalysts enable greener ester synthesis

Scientists at Yokohama National University developed innovative catalysts using noble metals Rhodium and Ruthenium to facilitate cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions. These reactions utilize oxygen as the sole oxidant, producing aryl esters with minimal waste.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 4, 2024

New AI approach optimizes antibody drugs

A new machine learning-based method uses 3D structure of protein backbone with large language models to predict molecular changes that lead to better antibody drugs. The approach resulted in a 25-fold improvement against a virus, outperforming traditional methods that rely on generating huge amounts of data about protein sequences.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2024

Getting bacteria into line

Physicists at Aalto University have developed a method to align bacterial cells using magnetic fields. By mixing bacteria into a liquid with millions of magnetic nanoparticles, the researchers can control the alignment of the rod-shaped bacteria in response to magnetic field strength. The findings offer insights into active matter phys...

SourceAalto University·JournalCommunications Physics·DateJul 4, 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.

Uncovering “Blockbuster T cells” in the gut wins NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize

Researchers have identified a novel type of T cell that can recognize and respond to multiple bacterial strains in the gut. This breakthrough finding has significant implications for treating diseases such as cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. The discovery was made by Kazuki Nagashima, winner of the NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2024