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Science News Archive May 2024 - Page 6


Page 6 of 44

Landmark study is step towards energy-efficient quantum computing in magnets

Researchers at Lancaster University and Radboud University Nijmegen have discovered a novel pathway to modulate and amplify spin waves at the nanoscale, paving the way for dissipation-free quantum information technologies. The study's findings could lead to the development of fast and energy-efficient computing devices.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024
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.

Picture this: Snapping photos of our food could be good for us

A new Curtin University research study found that taking pictures of food can be an accurate way to track dietary intake. The study used the mobile Food Record app, which analyzed photos to estimate energy and nutrient intake, outperforming traditional recall methods.

SourceCurtin University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 29, 2024

The Jackson Laboratory creates mice that better reflect human genetic variation

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory have developed new laboratory-grade research mouse strains that better reflect human genetic variation. These wild-derived strains, detailed in PLoS Genetics, introduce millions of novel genetic variants and provide a powerful resource for modeling human traits and diseases.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateMay 29, 2024

Bio-inspired cameras and AI help drivers detect pedestrians and obstacles faster

Researchers have developed a system combining bio-inspired cameras with AI to quickly detect obstacles around cars, using less computational power. The hybrid system detects objects up to one hundred times faster than current systems while reducing data transmission and processing needs.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 29, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Solving the problems of proton-conducting perovskites for next-generation fuel cells

A newly developed perovskite with large intrinsic oxygen vacancies achieves high proton conduction at low and intermediate temperatures. The material can take up more water to increase its proton concentration, reducing proton trapping through electrostatic repulsion between the dopant and proton.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

New wind speed sensor uses minimal power for advanced weather tracking

A new wind speed sensor has been developed that uses minimal power to track wind speeds, allowing for extended deployment periods and reduced maintenance. The device, called B-WA, can operate autonomously and efficiently in varying wind conditions, providing precise and reliable data collection.

SourceAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·DateMay 29, 2024

The use of new technologies expands understanding of brain tumors in children

A new study using next-generation molecular sequencing and DNA methylation profile analysis identified a rare type of pediatric brain tumor with specific genetic alterations. The tumors were found to be clinically aggressive but some responded well to chemotherapy, highlighting the need for personalized treatment strategies.

SourceD'Or Institute for Research and Education·JournalActa Neuropathologica Communications·DateMay 29, 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.

AI helps medical professionals read confusing EEGs to save lives

Researchers at Duke University developed an assistive machine learning model that greatly improves the ability of medical professionals to read EEG charts. The model, which provides visual explanations and decision support, has been shown to almost double medical professionals' accuracy in identifying seizure-like events, potentially s...

SourceDuke University·JournalNEJM AI·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

High magnetic field facilitates novel intrinsic ferromagnetic polar metals

Researchers designed a novel oxide material Ca3Co3O8 with remarkable properties of ferromagnetism and polar distortion, combining electric polarization and metallicity. The material's robust topological Hall effect advances understanding of magnetic materials and interactions.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 29, 2024

War magnifies politicians’ gendered behavior, public biases, research finds

A study by Washington University in St. Louis reveals that conflict escalates traditional gender stereotypes among politicians, with men becoming more engaged and women's voices being drowned out on social media. The research highlights the need to amplify women's voices in politics during times of war.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalInternational Organization·TypeContent analysis·DateMay 29, 2024

Portable pathology passes the test

Researchers from Flinders University tested on-site pathology testing and found it to be equivalent to laboratory tests in terms of quality and accuracy. The study was conducted across 100 remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.

SourceFlinders University·JournalDiagnostics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 29, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Editing without “cutting”: Molecular mechanisms of new gene-editing tool revealed

Researchers elucidated the spatial structure and molecular mechanisms of 'prime editor,' a novel gene-editing tool that achieves reverse transcription without DNA cutting. This breakthrough contributes to designing gene-editing tools accurate enough for gene therapy treatments, opening new avenues for both basic and applied research.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

Blood flow makes waves across the surface of the mouse brain

A study by NIH-funded researchers visualizes the full network of blood vessels across the cortex of awake mice, revealing that blood vessels rhythmically expand and contract leading to 'waves' washing across the surface of the brain. The function of these waves remains a mystery.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNeuron·DateMay 29, 2024

Our political debates may not be as antagonistic as we think, study shows

A new study by University of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business researchers suggests that most political debates occur among family and friends, rather than with strangers on social media. Participants reported positive emotions after discussions, even on divisive topics.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

Chocolate’s tasty flavors might pose a risk in other desserts

Researchers found higher concentrations of genotoxic carbonyls in some packaged treats, exceeding the recommended threshold for potential health risks. The study suggests that these compounds likely formed during the baking process and highlight the importance of monitoring flavorings in food.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 29, 2024
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

First hints of memory problems associated with changes in the brain

Researchers found participants with elevated tau tangles in the brain exhibited greater complaints about memory and thinking skills. Higher levels of amyloid plaques were also associated with increased tau tangles, suggesting potential for early detection and treatment.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMay 29, 2024

Improving air quality increases forest fires

A new UC Riverside study found that boreal forests in the northern hemisphere are particularly vulnerable to negative effects of cleaning up aerosol pollution. Reducing levels of human-made aerosols causes an increase in wildfires, especially in northern hemisphere forests.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 29, 2024

hnRNPM, a guardian of the integrity of cellular protein production

Researchers discovered that hnRNPM prevents errors in protein synthesis by blocking pseudo splice sites, maintaining accurate mRNA molecules. In its absence, cancer cells exhibit increased cryptic splicing, triggering interferon immune responses and potentially driving disease progression.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 29, 2024
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.

Slugs and snails love the city, unlike other animals

A study using crowd-sourced data from iNaturalist found that slugs and snails are more common in urban areas than other native species. In contrast, butterflies and moths were the least tolerant of urban environments. The analysis provides valuable insights for city planners to increase urban biodiversity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 29, 2024

Hiding in plain sight

A team of researchers from Japan, China, and Finland created a system called generative content replacement (GCR) that uses AI to replace parts of images that might threaten confidentiality with visually similar but AI-generated alternatives. In tests, 60% of viewers couldn't tell which images had been altered.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 29, 2024

Forever chemical’ discovery can aid drinking water cleanups

A University of California, Riverside team discovered a chemical process that utilizes salt in wastewater to break down PFAS compounds. This method is efficient at destroying both long- and short-chain PFAS, benefiting municipal and privately owned water providers.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Study shows effectiveness of updated COVID-19 vaccines wanes moderately over time, is lower against currently circulating variants

New research shows updated COVID-19 vaccines still offer reasonably durable protection against infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, but effectiveness decreases over time. Boosters targeting omicron subvariants are less protective against the now-dominant JN.1 strain.

SourceUNC Gillings School of Global Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 29, 2024

To what extent are pharmaceutical and illicit drugs contaminating city rivers?

A study found that pharmaceuticals like metoprolol and atenolol, as well as illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, were present in over 60% of water samples from Hudson and East Rivers. Enterococci bacteria and rainfall also contributed to drug presence, highlighting the need for improved water management systems

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateMay 29, 2024

Breakthrough in poplar genomics: Nearly gap-free genome assembly unveils new insights and applications

A research team has successfully assembled a nearly gap-free, telomere-to-telomere genome of P. ussuriensis, filling gaps present in the P. trichocarpa genome. The assembly's high collinearity with P. trichocarpa facilitates comparative genomics, epigenetic research, and reproductive biology studies.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalForestry Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

Mass General Cancer Center researchers present key findings at ASCO

Researchers from Mass General Cancer Center are set to present key findings on palliative care delivery via telehealth versus in-person for patients with advanced lung cancer. The presentations also cover advances in colorectal and breast cancer treatments, as well as results from a phase 1b/2 study on a novel BRAF inhibitor.

SourceMass General Brigham·DateMay 29, 2024
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.

New strategy leverages lignin condensation for biomass utilization

Researchers from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics developed a strategy to leverage lignin condensation, a process previously considered a hindrance, to produce valuable chemicals and materials. This approach maximizes the value of lignocellulose, aligning with the goals of green biorefineries.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 29, 2024

Study finds older adults hospitalized for heart failure had high risk of kidney complications

Researchers found that 6% of patients with heart failure progressed to dialysis within a year, highlighting the need for integrating heart and kidney care. The study emphasizes prioritizing kidney function assessment in all patients with heart failure and promoting systemic changes to manage both conditions simultaneously.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 29, 2024

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center study shows more than just social media use may be causing depression in young adults

A Johns Hopkins Children's Center study found that social media use is associated with depression in young adults, but may not be the sole cause. Participants who were more depressed also tended to spend more time on social media, while excessive screen time was linked to lower green space exposure and cannabis use.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Mental Health and Addiction·DateMay 29, 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.

​​​​​​​Women vulnerable in peace processes

A new study by Uppsala University researchers reveals that women are disproportionately affected by post-war peace processes, experiencing re-traumatization and stigma. The findings emphasize the importance of including women's perspectives in the design of peace agreements to ensure more sustainable outcomes.

SourceUppsala University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 29, 2024

Rahimi Wins CAREER Award for Electrochemical Carbon Capture Research

Mim Rahimi, an assistant professor at the University of Houston, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER award to advance electrochemical carbon capture by employing engineered soft interfaces. His research aims to enhance carbon dioxide separation performance and system energetics.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateMay 29, 2024

Establishing a novel inherited arrhythmia model mouse causing sudden cardiac death at young age

Researchers established a novel mouse model of inherited arrhythmia that spontaneously causes lethal arrhythmias, shedding light on the pathogenesis and potential drug efficacy. The study identifies a critical mutation in ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) as a key regulator of cardiomyocyte contraction.

SourceInternational Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2024
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.

MOSS: An open conversational large language model

MOSS, an open-sourced conversational large language model, demonstrates unprecedented capabilities through cross-lingual pre-training, preference-aware training, and tool augmentation. The model learns general concepts and handles diverse user intents, making it a versatile AI assistant.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalMachine Intelligence Research·DateMay 29, 2024

Imagined otherness: Why we dehumanize our political opponents

Researchers find that dehumanization of opposing groups is driven by how we think others view important facets of the world. The study suggests two approaches to combat this: correcting misperceptions and using schemas to humanize the other side through messaging.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

Engineered DNA 'warhead' targets a common cancer mutation

A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University has engineered a short sequence of artificial DNA to target the mutant protein p53-R175H, linked to lung, colorectal, and breast cancers. The new molecule, dp53m, inhibits cancer cell growth and increases sensitivity to chemotherapy agent cisplatin.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024
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.

New research approach: Exploring the mouthfeel of food with a microscope

Researchers use atomic force microscopy to study mouthfeel and flavor perception, potentially leading to health-promoting products with optimal taste. The study's findings could also redefine the traditional definition of flavor, incorporating mechanical perception as an additional factor.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalNature Food·TypeNews article·DateMay 29, 2024

The once-welcomed Rohingya refugees now face hostility from the hosts in Bangladesh

A recent study found that over half of host communities in Bangladesh cut support for Rohingya refugees, even at personal cost. Researchers surveyed households and used satellite imagery to assess environmental changes, revealing dramatic impacts on both host communities and the environment.

SourceSophia University·JournalEconomic Development and Cultural Change·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

Study sheds light on shady world of text message phishing scams

Researchers collected an unprecedented amount of data on SMS phishing attacks, identifying 35,128 unique campaigns and 600 distinct operations. They also found that phishers use mainstream servers, URL-shortening apps, and web infrastructure to support their operations.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 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.

Low-cost, high-precision: a new ambiguity resolution method for urban GNSS positioning

A new ambiguity resolution method has been developed to improve the accuracy and reliability of urban GNSS positioning. The improved Best Integer Equivariant estimation method with Laplacian distribution achieved positioning errors under 0.5 meters in three directions, improving over traditional methods.

SourceAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalSatellite Navigation·DateMay 28, 2024

When should you neuter or spay your dog?

Researchers at UC Davis have updated their guidelines on neutering popular dog breeds, finding major differences in joint disorders and cancers. The study emphasizes personalized decisions, considering breed, sex, and context, and provides a table with guidelines for all 40 studied breeds.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·DateMay 28, 2024
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

COVID-19 pandemic leads to drop in breast cancer screenings, especially among older and racial minority women

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in breast cancer screenings, particularly among older and racial minority women. A study analyzing real-world electronic health records found that follow-up screening rates decreased significantly during the pandemic, resulting in missed opportunities for early detection and treatment.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 28, 2024

Introducing peanut in infancy prevents peanut allergy into adolescence

A new study found that feeding children peanut products regularly from infancy to age 5 reduced the rate of peanut allergy in adolescence. The results showed a 71% reduction in peanut allergy, even when children ate or avoided peanut products later on.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNEJM Evidence·DateMay 28, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Optimal cancer-killing t cells discovered

Researchers at the University of Houston have identified a subset of T cells called CD8-fit that show high motility and serial killing capabilities in patients with clinical responses. These cells were discovered using a patented approach called TIMING, which evaluates cell behavior and movement to identify potential cancer-killing cells.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature Cancer·DateMay 28, 2024