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Science News Archive May 2024


Page 1 of 44

Relieving a fear of public speaking

A researcher at Singapore Management University is using virtual reality technology and AI to help students overcome their fear of public speaking. The PresentationPro platform uses avatars that respond realistically to verbal and non-verbal cues, allowing students to practice public speaking in a low-risk environment.

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.

Sorting complex light beams: A breakthrough in optical physics

A groundbreaking study introduces a method for sorting vector structured beams with spin-multiplexed diffractive metasurfaces, promising significant advancements in optical communication and quantum computing. This technology enables precise control over complex light beams, opening new avenues for scientific exploration.

Designing environments that are robot-inclusive

Researchers developed a novel methodology utilizing digital twins to establish the usefulness of built environment design guidelines for robots. Digital twins allow for real-time monitoring, hazard identification, and training a robot's algorithm before deployment.

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.

Stem cells shed new light on how the human embryo forms

A new study using stem cell-based models has revealed how early embryo cells decide between contributing to the foetus or to the supporting yolk sac. Understanding this decision is crucial for infertility treatment using in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos, as producing the right number of yolk sac forming cells may be critical.

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.

Improving the safety and reliability of self-driving cars

Researchers aim to assess the reliability and robustness of perception modules in autonomous driving systems (ADSs), which are critical for safe operation. The project seeks to develop new technologies that can detect perception errors and mitigate their impact on other modules, ultimately enhancing the overall system.

A greener, more effective way to kill termites

Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have discovered a highly effective and nontoxic way to kill western drywood termites using a pleasant-smelling chemical called pinene. The method involves releasing the scent of pinene, which attracts termites and guides them to a spot where insecticide is injected into wood.

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.

AI-controlled stations can charge electric cars at a personal price

A new study from Chalmers University of Technology shows that AI-controlled charging stations can offer personalized prices to electric vehicle users, minimizing both price and waiting time. However, the researchers highlight the importance of addressing ethical issues related to data exploitation by motorists.

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.

Fjords are effective carbon traps regardless of oxygen levels

Research in three Swedish fjords shows that organic carbon is effectively trapped, regardless of oxygen levels. The study highlights the importance of sediments in storing carbon, with up to 18 megatonnes buried annually, representing 11% of global ocean carbon capture.

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.

Antibodies may aid effort to fight influenza B: Study

Vanderbilt University researchers have isolated human monoclonal antibodies against influenza B, which may aid in the prevention and treatment of this virus. The antibodies, particularly FluB-400, can broadly inhibit virus replication and protect against infection when administered intranasally.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Synthetic plugs offer alternative to total knee replacements

Dr. Melissa Grunlan's team creates regenerative osteochondral plugs, a potential off-the-shelf device to treat OCDs and avoid total knee replacement surgery. The technology offers an alternative to autografting or total knee replacement, providing immediate support for joint function and potentially reducing post-operative complications.

Focus on cities will boost benefits of air pollution action for most vulnerable

A study by Imperial College London researchers shows that focusing on urban sources of fine-particle air pollution can reduce health inequalities in deprived areas. By targeting these sources, the UK population's exposure to PM2.5 air pollution can be reduced, benefiting everyone while alleviating the impact on the most vulnerable.

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.

Traumatic brain injury strikes 1 in 8 older Americans

Among Medicare enrollees, researchers found that being female, white, healthier, and wealthier was associated with a higher risk of TBI. The study also found that participants who went on to be diagnosed with TBI were less likely to have lung disease or cognitive impairment at enrollment.

The importance of assets for coping with COVID-19 and other shocks

Household wealth is strongly associated with food security, with higher relative wealth households experiencing less probability of falling into food insecurity. Assets help preserve human capital by reducing costly coping strategies like dietary modification and spending reductions. Eradicating poverty and inequality is key to reducin...

Engineered circulatory systems may help fight disease

Researchers at Texas A&M University developed vessel-chip technology to create a platform for preclinical drug discovery, reducing the need for animal testing. The system mimics human circulatory systems using tissue-engineered microfluidic devices.

Efficient genome editing in rice with miniature Cas12f variants

This study successfully edits the rice genome with AsCas12f variants, achieving editing efficiencies of up to 53.1%. The research reveals unique deletion patterns primarily concentrated at positions 12-24, suggesting substantial potential for targeted DNA deletion using these miniature Cas12f variants.

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.

Work-life imbalance significantly increases risk of cardiovascular diseases

A recent study found that work-life imbalance significantly predicts higher triglycerides and lower HDL levels in midlife and older adults. This suggests that spillover effects of workplace stress on home life can contribute to physiological changes linked to cardiovascular diseases. The research highlights the importance of organizati...

AMS Science Preview: Sea-ice loss may accelerate; tornadoes and flying cars

Arctic sea ice is expected to lose mass in the coming decade due to dominant natural climate patterns. Exposure to extreme temperatures, particularly heat, may lead to adverse birth outcomes in China. Researchers also found that ocean warming intensifies typhoons, but moderation comes from atmospheric temperature and humidity changes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

This self-powered sensor could make MRIs more efficient

A self-powered sensor using triboelectric nanogenerator technology can detect movement during MRI scans, shutting them down in real time to produce clearer images. This innovation aims to improve the efficiency and reduce frustration for patients and technicians.

Mediterranean diet tied to one-fifth lower risk of death in women

Researchers found a significant association between higher Mediterranean diet intake and lower risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease. The study's findings suggest that modest changes in established risk factors can yield substantial long-term benefits from following a Mediterranean diet.

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.

Do shape-memory alloys remember past strains in their life?

Researchers at Texas A&M University are investigating the historical effects of strain on shape-memory alloys to improve predictive capabilities. They will use a synergistic experimental and numerical approach to understand and predict history effects in these alloys, with potential applications in heart stents and airplane wing flaps.

Mount Sinai experts present research at SLEEP 2024

Researchers from Mount Sinai presented three studies on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) at SLEEP 2024, exploring its effects on thalamic activity, overnight memory performance, and symptom improvement with CPAP treatment. The findings suggest that OSA can impair cognitive function and that hypoxic burden may predict clinical improvement.

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.

Breakthrough in using bispecific antibodies for solid tumors

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed a method to boost bispecific antibody therapies in treating solid tumors. Using rhIL-7-hyFc, they found that bystander T cells can be activated by bispecific antibodies to destroy tumor cells, overcoming limitations of existing treatments.

Children’s visual experience may hold key to better computer vision training

A novel approach to training AI systems uses information about spatial position to identify objects and navigate surroundings, inspired by children's visual development. The method improves contrastive learning models' effectiveness by incorporating simulated spatial context information, outperforming base models in various tasks.

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.

Prenatal testing offers a window for finding a mother’s cancer risk

Researchers found that adding BRCA1 testing to prenatal carrier screening is cost-effective and can identify at-risk individuals before they develop cancer. The study simulated a cohort of pregnant patients and found that this approach could prevent 1,394 breast and ovarian cancer cases and 1,084 fewer deaths.

A new way to see viruses in action

The team created finely detailed images of the viral RNA and replication structures, revealing spherical shapes around the nucleus of infected cells. The images provide insight into how the virus evades cell defenses and could lead to new therapeutic targets for drug development.

Innovating learning with ChatGPT-based Prompt Tutor

The Prompt Tutor is a learning tool that provides personalized prompts to students, clarifying doubts and improving retention of learned material. The tool is based on Cognitive Load Theory and uses ChatGPT to evaluate student understanding, offering timely feedback to support effective online learning.

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.