Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive May 2024


Page 37 of 44

Roman lead was Cordovan

The study of three Roman-era lead ingots from Los Escoriales de Doña Rama reveals the importance of lead production and exportation in ancient Cordoba, a major center for smelting lead during the Roman period. The ingots, dated to the first century A.D., demonstrate the region's significant role in Mediterranean trade.

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.

Cannabis, nicotine use during pregnancy increases rate of infant death fourfold

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that combining cannabis and nicotine use during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of poor health outcomes for newborns. Infants born to mothers using both substances are at a fourfold higher risk of infant death compared to those using neither substance. Abstaining from at least one...

Study sheds light on cancer cell ‘tug-of-war’

Researchers discovered that aggressive cancer cells pull more strongly on the extracellular matrix than on themselves, while noninvasive cells pull more strongly on themselves. The study found that the interplay between these contractility modes determines a cell's potential for escape and tumor aggressiveness.

Decoding development: mRNA's role in embryo formation

Researchers developed a method to quantify mRNA transcription and degradation rates within individual cell types, uncovering varied regulatory rates across genes. The study provides novel insights into how pluripotent cells adopt specialized identities through gene expression.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

AI predicts tumor-killing cells with high accuracy

Researchers developed a predictive model, TRTpred, to identify the most potent cancer killing immune cells using artificial intelligence. The model achieved 90% accuracy in identifying tumor-reactive T cells and can be applied to personalized cancer treatments.

Decoding the three ancestral components of the Japanese people

The research group found that the Japanese population can be divided into three clusters, with different concentrations in Okinawa, Northeastern Japan, and Western Japan. They also identified genetic variants associated with hereditary breast cancer and provided insights into gene sequences derived from Neanderthals and Denisovans.

Obstacles to alcohol, drug treatment higher for rural Americans

A study by Ohio State University found that rural Americans are less likely to initiate care for substance use disorders and have limited access to ongoing treatment compared to urban residents. The Collaborative Care Model may be a potential approach to addressing these challenges.

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.

Rice engineers develop innovative microbiome analysis software tools

Researchers created GraSSRep and rhea, tools that outperform current methods for handling repeats and structural variants in metagenomic data. These methods use self-supervised learning and graph neural networks to analyze microbiome data, offering new insights into biological processes and potential applications in antibiotic resistance.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

The Clues for Cleaner Water

Researchers at Pitt and Drexel have discovered that electrocatalysts can promote chemical reactions that generate ozone in water through corrosion and solution phase reactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient and sustainable electrochemical ozone production technologies.

Recent air quality improvements in India partially due to meteorological variation

A recent study found that approximately 30% of India's PM2.5 air quality improvements can be attributed to favorable meteorological conditions, highlighting the need for additional mitigation measures. The researchers also noted that emissions of key PM2.5 precursors have not decreased and may indicate ineffective or under-enforced pol...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Clinical trial shows that cytisinicline can help people quit vaping

A clinical trial shows that cytisinicline can help people quit vaping by reducing the likelihood of relapse and improving behavioral support. The study found that participants taking cytisinicline were more than twice as likely to abstain from vaping for weeks 9-12 compared to those receiving a placebo.

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.

Brain plasticity, not just neurons

Researchers discover a new mechanism of neural plasticity underlying learning and memory processes, highlighting the crucial role of chondroitin sulfates in brain function. The study provides insights into how these molecules contribute to synaptic modifications and spatial memory.

Few college students know how to administer naloxone

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that less than 15% of US college students can administer naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdoses. Despite this, nearly 62% of students can identify signs of an overdose and nearly 67% feel comfortable calling emergency services.

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.

Bsal and beyond: task force helps stave off amphibian disease threat

The North American Bsal Task Force has helped keep the novel pathogen at bay by developing diagnostic techniques, a rapid response template, and a surveillance program. Thirty-five of 80 North American amphibians can be infected with Bsal, causing lethal skin disease in susceptible species.

Contract treatment reduces recidivism and substance-related adverse health events

A study evaluating contract treatment in Sweden found that this sanction significantly reduces recidivism and substance-related adverse health events compared to community sanctions or prison sentences. Providing treatment yields better results than punishment, addressing the root causes of criminality often linked to substance misuse.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

Venus has almost no water. A new study may reveal why

Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder discovered that hydrogen atoms in Venus' atmosphere go into space, causing the planet to lose roughly twice as much water every day. The team found that a molecule called HCO+ is responsible for this process, which may have driven Venus to its dry state.

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.

Tiny displacements, giant changes in optical properties

Researchers found that tiny displacements of picoscale atoms can significantly impact optical properties, leading to potential applications in imaging and remote sensing. By controlling the degree of atomic disorder, they aim to develop crystals with advanced infrared imaging capabilities.

Expanding a lymph node, boosting a vaccine

Researchers from Wyss Institute and Harvard University developed a biomaterial vaccine that enhances and sustains lymph node expansion, leading to more effective anti-tumor responses. The vaccine formulation, based on microscale mesoporous silica rods, reprograms antigen-presenting cells to orchestrate complex immune responses.

Experiment opens door for millions of qubits on one chip

Researchers at the University of Basel and NCCR SPIN have successfully coupled two hole-spin qubits, enabling fast and precise controlled spin-flip operations. This achievement is a significant milestone in the quest for practical quantum computing, with millions of qubits on a single chip.

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.

Beyond therapy: Virtual reality shows promise in fighting depression

A new study published in JMIR Mental Health sheds light on the promising role of virtual reality (VR) in treating major depressive disorder (MDD). VR-Enhanced Behavioral Activation (XR-BA) was found to be effective in easing symptoms of depression, comparable to traditional behavioral activation.

DDT pollutants found in deep sea fish off Los Angeles coast

Scientists have discovered DDT-related chemicals in deep-sea fish near Catalina Island, raising concerns about the persistence of toxic pollution in marine ecosystems. The contaminants are settling on the seafloor, potentially harming wildlife and human health if ingested.

UCSB pioneers a low-energy process for high-performance solar cells

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a method to produce high-quality perovskite films at room temperature, significantly increasing their efficiency from under 20% to 24.4%. This simplified process reduces energy use and lowers carbon dioxide emissions, making it suitable for flexible indoor and outdoor energy generation.

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.

New Department of Defense funding is propelling UCF hypersonic technology

The University of Central Florida is establishing itself as a leader in hypersonics and space propulsion research with substantial new funding from the US Department of Defense. The funding will support the construction of a hypersonic testing facility, flight experiments and further advancements of the technology.

Groundbreaking microcapacitors could power chips of the future

Researchers have developed microcapacitors with record-high energy and power densities, paving the way for on-chip energy storage in electronic devices. By engineering thin films of hafnium oxide and zirconium oxide, scientists achieved a negative capacitance effect, allowing for greater amounts of charge to be stored.

Mindfulness training enhances opioid addiction treatment

A Rutgers-led study found that supplementing standard opioid addiction treatment with Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can cut program dropout rates by 59 percent and relapses by 42 percent. The intervention incorporates mindfulness training, savoring skills, and cognitive reappraisal to help individuals retrain themsel...

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.

Insect research is revolutionized by technology

Recent technological breakthroughs enable global insect surveys using sound recordings, images, radar, laser beams, and DNA analysis. This allows for new insights into insect trends and species identification without relying on experts or killing insects.

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.