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Science News Archive June 2024


Page 13 of 39

Fewer good gut bacteria increase the risk of serious infection

A study of over 10,000 people found that those with fewer butyrate-producing bacteria in their gut were more likely to develop serious infections. The research suggests a strong link between the microbiome and the immune system, opening up new possibilities for preventing serious infections.

Sugar-coating quantum systems to harvest science

A team of international scientists has developed a method to confine light inside an organic material, forming a hybrid quantum state. By using a planar resonator and depositing a thin glucose layer, the researchers created a strong interaction between light and glucose molecules in sugar, resulting in new physical properties.

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.

First time brown dwarfs seen so near host stars

For the first time, a team of French scientists has observed brown dwarfs orbiting very close to bright stars using precise astronomical imaging. The findings provide new insights into the formation of these unusual celestial objects and massive exoplanets.

Not quite ready for autonomous taxis? Tele-driving could be a bridge

Researchers at the University of Michigan explored teledriving as a bridge to autonomous taxis, finding that it can reduce wait times, improve safety, and increase driver utilization. Teledriving allows drivers to connect with available vehicles remotely, reducing idle time and improving service quality.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers achieve practical 3D tracking at record-breaking speeds

Researchers have developed a new 3D method for fast-moving object tracking at unprecedented speeds, with potential applications in autonomous driving, industrial inspection and security surveillance. The approach uses single-pixel imaging to calculate the object's position in real-time, reducing data storage and computational costs.

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.

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.

First conclusive evidence that a terrestrial leech species can jump

Researchers from the American Museum of Natural History and Fordham University published footage of Madagascar Chtonobdella leeches jumping, contradicting previous reports. The study provides conclusive evidence that at least one species of terrestrial leech can jump with visible energy expenditure.

Christova receives funding from Southern California Coastal Water Research Project

Rosalina Christova, an assistant professor at George Mason University, has received $30,000 in funding from the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project to analyze benthic algae taxonomy and evaluate stream water quality. The study aims to understand climate change's impact on stream hydrology, algal communities, and desiccat...

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.

The time it takes a person to decide can predict their preference

A recent study published in PLOS Biology reveals that people can infer hidden social preferences by observing how fast others make social decisions. By analyzing response times and options, participants were able to predict the other person's preference even if they didn't know what choices were made.

Research to enable cheaper and safer battery storage

Researchers developed a unique electrochemical ultrasonic force microscopy (EC-UFM) technique to observe sodium-ion battery interfaces during operation. The new method guides passivating layer formation, preserving charge carrier transport and enhancing battery performance.

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.

Newly discovered dinosaur boasts big, blade-like horns

Lokiceratops rangiformis, a plant-eating dinosaur with large horned frill and asymmetrical caribou-like antlers, has been discovered in Montana. The species' unusual features may have played a role in mate selection or species recognition.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Wild chimpanzees seek out medicinal plants to treat illness and injuries

Chimpanzees have been observed seeking out specific plants with medicinal properties to treat their ailments, and further pharmacological testing has confirmed the presence of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic compounds. These findings highlight the importance of studying animal behavior in discovering new medicines.

Creation of a power-generating, gel electret-based device

Researchers developed a gel electret capable of stably retaining electrostatic charge and combining it with flexible electrodes to create a vibration sensor. The device achieves an 83% increase in output voltage compared to previous alkyl–π liquid electret-based sensors, enabling potential use as wearable healthcare sensors.

We may soon be able to detect cancer with AI

Researchers have trained an AI model to identify DNA methylation patterns indicative of different cancer types, achieving 98.2% accuracy. This breakthrough could enable early detection and screening of cancers, leading to improved patient outcomes.

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.

Brain health is rooted in state of mind, finds study

A new study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center suggests that the brain's mitochondria play a fundamental part in translating feelings and experiences into physical changes. Researchers found that older adults with lower psychological stress had greater mitochondrial energy transformation machinery, linked to higher well-being.

Scans show brain's estrogen activity changes during menopause

A new brain imaging study led by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers found that estrogen receptors in the brain increase with age during menopause, affecting cognitive and mood symptoms. The study pioneers PET imaging as a tool to track estrogen activity in the brain, revealing potential predictors of common menopause-related issues.

Old drugs new tricks

Researchers have identified a potent and unique way to kill drug-resistant bacteria using a repurposed compound called LEI-800. The compound targets the bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase, which is essential for bacterial growth and has not been targeted by existing antibiotics.

How a microbe and a prebiotic work together against food allergies

A team of scientists discovered a mutually beneficial relationship between A. caccae, a microbe, and lactulose, a prebiotic, which increased butyrate levels in the intestinal tracts of mice and stifled allergic responses to cow's milk. The production of butyrate has huge effects on gut health.

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.

Study sheds light on the immune system’s incessant evolution

Researchers have discovered that the immune system evolves faster than other genes in the genome, particularly in mammals and birds. The study, published in Nature, used a unique model of genetically different mice to measure variation in immune cell types and identified key genes controlling their abundance.

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.

Can AI learn like us?

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory designed a new way for AI algorithms to move and process data more efficiently, inspired by the human brain. This design allows individual AI neurons to receive feedback and adjust on the fly, processing data in real-time.

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.

When inflicting pain on others pays off T

A study by UC Riverside found that inflicting mild misfortune, such as getting drenched with ice water, increases charitable donations. The study also revealed that the level of deservingness and disdain for the person receiving the misfortune plays a crucial role in boosting donations.

Blast from the past

Researchers have discovered a new source of resistance to the devastating wheat blast disease, leveraging a gene that also protects against powdery mildew. The Pm4 gene, found in European wheat varieties, confers dual protection against the pathogen and its effector molecule AVR-Rmg8.

Neatly packed for the cellular recycling center

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have identified a molecular mechanism in plant cellular recycling, crucial for managing environmental stress. The ESCRT machine plays a key role in sealing autophagosomes, allowing plants to recycle damaged cell components and recover valuable resources.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

Bringing GPT to the grid

Research suggests that large-language models could play a role in managing the energy grid, particularly in emergency response, crew assignments, and wildfire preparedness. However, significant challenges remain, including data availability, safety guardrails, and reliability, which must be addressed to ensure safe deployment.

Hurricane changed ‘rules of the game’ in monkey society

A hurricane transformed a monkey society by changing the pros and cons of interacting with others. Macaques that displayed more social tolerance were 42% less likely to die than those that were less tolerant after Hurricane Maria. This shift in social behavior enabled them to access scarce shade, critical for survival.

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.