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Science News Archive March 2024


Page 40 of 42

Researchers develop amphibian-inspired camouflage skin

The new skin demonstrates excellent mechanical performance, self-adaptive camouflage capabilities, and long-term stability. It can quickly recognize and match the background by modulating optical signals in response to external stimuli.

An inside look at Beech tree disease

Researchers have discovered how Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) affects beech trees, revealing a novel mechanistic explanation for its decline. The disease impacts leaf development and photosynthesis, leading to reduced carbon assimilation capacity and potential tree mortality.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

WVU research shows government regulation of jobs hinders workers and consumers

West Virginia University researchers introduced a new database showing occupational licensing's impact on the workforce, highlighting how licenses increase cost and time to enter professions, affecting consumers. The database encompasses 50 jobs across all 50 states, providing insights into licensing standards, fees, and requirements.

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 AI smartphone tool accurately diagnoses ear infections

A new cellphone app developed by physician-scientists uses artificial intelligence to accurately diagnose ear infections in young children, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. The AI tool is more accurate than trained clinicians and offers a simple solution for healthcare providers.

A blood test will diagnose fibromyalgia more reliably

A new method allows fibromyalgia to be identified from a blood sample with high accuracy and speed. Researchers analyzed small molecules in the blood using Raman spectroscopy and found specific chemical signatures that distinguish fibromyalgia from other diseases.

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.

Personal recovery could be key to preventing long term mental illness

A new study suggests that personal recovery, defined as living a full meaningful life despite illness limitations, can prevent serious mental health problems. Key elements of recovery include understanding mental health challenges, finding purpose and meaning, and receiving support.

Scientists put forth a smarter way to protect a smarter grid

A team of experts at PNNL developed a new tool that sorts and prioritizes cyber threats on the fly, giving grid operators a clear blueprint to identify and address the biggest threats first. The approach uses hybrid attack graphs and optimization to reduce the number of potential attacks from thousands to fewer than 100.

Unraveling the mystery of chiton visual systems

A team of scientists discovered that some mollusks sport the most recently evolved eyes with a lens, which arose in four separate events. The researchers found that chitons' sensory organs are embedded directly into their segmented shell, and that species with fewer slits evolve larger, more complex eyes.

Turning skin cells into limb cells sets the stage for regenerative therapy

Researchers from Kyushu University and Harvard Medical School have identified proteins that can reprogram fibroblasts into cells with properties similar to limb progenitor cells. The new method simplifies the process of regenerating human limbs after amputation and could one day be used to give snakes back their legs.

Webb unlocks secrets of one of the most distant galaxies ever seen

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a 2-million-solar-mass supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy GN-z11, which is one of the youngest and most distant galaxies ever observed. The team also found evidence of ionized chemical elements and a powerful wind expelled by the galaxy.

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.

JWST captures the end of planet formation

The James Webb Space Telescope has imaged dispersing gas in a young star's disk for the first time. The observations reveal winds driven by stellar photons or magnetic fields, shedding light on the end of planet formation and the evolution of circumstellar disks.

Protein-based microcapsule saves sensors and lives

Researchers developed protein-based microcapsules to enhance aptamer sensors, enabling direct detection of target molecules in biological samples. The system demonstrates robust protection against harmful proteins and simultaneous real-time sensing of multiple targets.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Deciphering the male breast cancer genome

Researchers deciphered the male breast cancer genome, identifying gene mutations and molecular profiles that could impact diagnosis and treatment. The study found mutations in genes known to drive cancer growth and structural variants impacting other cancer-associated genes.

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.

Low-cost liquid tames tooth decay

A new study by NYU College of Dentistry shows that silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an effective alternative to dental sealants for preventing cavities, especially in schools. SDF can increase access to dental care while reducing costs, and its use could keep kids from needing fillings, saving families and the healthcare system money.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

A model for the evolution of intelligence

The McGill study found that the ability to solve foraging problems is the only predictor of innovative behavior and brain size in wild birds. The researchers studied 203 individual animals from 15 species, including 13 wild-caught individuals.

Enhancing statistical reliability of weather forecasts with machine learning

Researchers have developed a non-crossing quantile regression neural network (NCQRNN) model to enhance the statistical reliability of weather forecasts. The NCQRNN model preserves the rank order of output nodes, ensuring lower quantiles stay smaller than higher ones, boosting accuracy and improving forecast interpretability.

An evolutionary mystery 125 million years in the making

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered that different plant species use varying regulatory systems to control the same gene, leading to extreme genetic makeovers over millions of years. This finding highlights the importance of understanding genetic regulation in predicting crop genome engineering outcomes.

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.

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.

Proposals for cell donation procedures to create brain organoids

A comprehensive literature review and analysis reveal uncertainties in obtaining informed consent from cell donors due to the potential for brain organoid consciousness. Researchers propose three methods to address these concerns, emphasizing the importance of tailoring consent procedures and prioritizing ethical oversight.

Geologists explore the hidden history of Colorado’s Spanish Peaks

A team of geologists from the University of Colorado Boulder has made a breakthrough in understanding the emergence of the Spanish Peaks. The study reveals that the peaks first formed around 24 million years ago when magma welled up from deep within Earth's crust, but didn't break through to the surface until about 17 million years ago.

New dressing robot can ‘mimic’ the actions of care-workers

A new robot can mimic the two-handed movements of care-workers, allowing them to dress individuals with ease and freeing up time for health and mental well-being. The robot was trained using learning from demonstration, where a human demonstrates the motion required, and has been tested in laboratory settings.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Social dynamics of family dogs – A peek behind hierarchies

A study investigates the social dynamics of cohabiting family dogs using a new tool, the Dog Rank Assessment Questionnaire (DRA-Q). The results show that DRA-Q can assess rank relationships between family dogs in a meaningful way, making it useful for investigating social dynamics and measuring hierarchy firmness.

Transfer learning paves the way for new disease treatments

Researchers develop AI model to predict combinations of gene perturbations that can transform cell type or restore diseased cells. The study's findings have potential applications in regrowing injured tissues and transforming cancer cells back into normal cells.

Opening a window on the brain

A new method called NIRE enables large-scale and long-term observation of neuronal structures and activities in awake mice. The method uses fluoropolymer nanosheets covered with light-curable resin to create larger cranial windows, allowing for high-resolution imaging with sub-micrometer resolution.

First step toward early diagnosis of metastasis

Researchers have developed a user-friendly method to analyze the basement membrane in human lungs, which is a crucial factor during metastatic process. The study provides valuable insights into the mechanical properties of the basement membrane and its association with metastasis formation.

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.

Cost of direct air carbon capture to remain higher than hoped

A new method developed by ETH researchers suggests that the cost of direct air capture (DAC) technologies will not be as cheap as previously anticipated. The estimated costs range from $230 to $540 per tonne, with some technologies expected to cost between $280 and $580 by 2050.

3D-printed skin closes wounds and contains hair follicle precursors

Researchers successfully printed full-thickness skin with potential for hair growth in rats, paving the way for more natural-looking reconstructive surgery outcomes. The bioprinting technology uses fat tissue and stem cells to create layered living skin and contains hair follicle precursors.

Modeling the origins of life: New evidence for an “RNA World”

Researchers at Salk Institute unveil an RNA enzyme that can accurately copy functional RNA strands and allow new variants to emerge over time. This discovery brings scientists closer to producing autonomous RNA life in the laboratory, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of the origins of life.

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.

UC Irvine receives $15 million NSF grant for integrative movement research

The University of California, Irvine will lead a six-year, $15 million NSF-funded research project to study muscle control during rapid movements. The Integrative Movement Sciences Institute aims to bridge gaps between fields and advance understanding of agile movement through interdisciplinary collaboration.

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.

Protecting joints from bacteria with mussels

A research team developed a novel implant coating material that releases antibiotics selectively in response to bacterial invasion, eliminating the bacteria within eight hours. The material exhibits immediate antibacterial efficacy and durability, showcasing potential for enhanced success rates of implant procedures.