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Science News Archive August 2025


Page 38 of 45

Simple design changes can make bat boxes safer

Researchers found that bat boxes can reach lethal temperatures if not designed properly. Simulations showed that adding insulation, light colors, and thoughtful orientations can make the boxes safer. The study's code is publicly available, allowing conservationists to tailor their solutions to specific climates.

What’s in your pup’s bowl? Heavy metals, reveals 10-state survey

A recent survey of 178 dogs in 10 states found that two-thirds consume higher-than-recommended levels of heavy metals in their drinking water. The study highlights the need for further research on the long-term health effects of these exposures, particularly in rural areas where private wells are common.

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.

Seven-octave ultrabroadband metamaterial absorbers

Researchers have developed a metamaterial absorber spanning seven octaves that demonstrates an average absorption coefficient of 0.944, covering the entire audible spectrum. The absorber's compact profile and ultrabroadband performance show promising applications in aerospace noise reduction and precision acoustic environment control.

Shedding light on a new type of magnet

Researchers discovered a novel magnet with altermagnetic properties, which exhibit distinct magnetic behavior and influence reflected light polarization. The team applied a new theoretical framework to clarify the material's magnetic properties using optical techniques.

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.

Ensuring drug safety using AI models for adverse drug reaction prediction

Researchers developed a deep learning model to predict ADRs using molecular structures, achieving high accuracy in detecting rare effects and minimal risk for novel molecules. The model demonstrated potential as a decision-support tool in early-phase drug discovery and regulatory safety monitoring.

EU organic label: Better when it says “organic” 4

Researchers from the University of Bonn found that adding 'BIO' or 'ECO' inside the EU organic logo improved its clarity, trustworthiness, and usefulness. The study showed a significant indirect effect on purchase intention, mediated by reduced uncertainty and increased trust.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Revealed: New vaccine target to block malaria transmission

Australian researchers have visualised a key protein complex in malaria parasites for the first time, uncovering a new target for next-generation vaccines. The discovery has led to the development of a promising mRNA vaccine candidate that stops the malaria parasite from reproducing inside mosquitoes, breaking the cycle of transmission...

Toxic well water will affect household pets first, new study finds

A new Virginia Tech study reveals that toxic well water primarily affects household pets, with 64% of dog drinking water samples containing high levels of potentially toxic heavy metals. Researchers found a correlation between untreated well water and poor health in dogs, highlighting the need for households to test and treat their water.

Big heart, acute senses key to explosive radiation of early fishes

Scientists reconstructed the brain, heart, and fins of a 400-million-year-old fish called Norselaspis glacialis. The study found that its acute senses and powerful heart evolved well before jaws and teeth, suggesting a fast-swimming lifestyle was key to evading predators.

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.

Advancing electrochemical nitrate reduction

Researchers at WPI-AIMR developed copper/cobalt-based catalysts improving the conversion of nitrate to ammonia under ambient conditions. The new approach boosts green ammonia production and mitigates nitrate pollution, with a peak ammonia yield of 24.58 mg h⁻¹ mgcat⁻¹ observed.

Nearly 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 weight loss drugs

According to a RAND report, nearly 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 weight loss medications, with women between 50-64 years old making up about one-fifth of this group. The survey also found that half of those who have used the drugs experience nausea as a side effect, while one-third experience diarrhea.

Stem cell treatment offers hope for newborns with brain damage

A new stem cell treatment administered via nasal drops has shown positive development in babies with brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation around birth. Most children treated showed improved motor skills and no long-term neurological problems, with a significant reduction in cerebral palsy compared to historical control groups.

Could lithium explain — and treat — Alzheimer’s disease?

Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that lithium loss in the brain is an early change leading to Alzheimer's, while a novel lithium compound can reverse memory in mice. The study suggests a new theory of the disease and a potential strategy for diagnosis and treatment.

UC Irvine researchers find combination of natural compounds for brain cleaning

Researchers at UC Irvine have identified a combination of naturally occurring compounds - nicotinamide and epigallocatechin gallate - that can restore guanosine triphosphate levels in brain cells. This treatment reversed age-related cellular deficits and improved the brain's ability to clear damaging amyloid protein aggregates.

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.

Cicadas sing in perfect sync with pre-dawn light

Researchers have found that cicadas begin their loud choruses when the sun is precisely 3.8 degrees below the horizon, corresponding to civil twilight. The team analyzed field recordings and developed a mathematical model inspired by magnetic materials to explain this precision.

The health impact of wildfires in Los Angeles County and Maui

Research shows that the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires resulted in an estimated 440 excess deaths, while the 2023 Maui wildfires led to immediate increases in suicide and overdose deaths. Higher social support was linked to improved mental health outcomes but did not buffer physiological effects.

Can fitness trackers flag cardiovascular disease?

Researchers are exploring whether wearable devices can detect early signs of cardiovascular disease through physical activity, sleep and blood pressure data. The study aims to develop a machine-learning model that uses data from wearable sensors to predict cardiovascular risk.

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.

Do claimed past-life memories affect mental health?

Researchers found a high prevalence of mental disorder symptoms among adults who claim past-life memories, with religiosity and spirituality being protective factors. Childhood phobias were associated with lower happiness and more symptoms of mental disorders.

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.

Some young suns align with their planet-forming disks, others are born tilted

A study by researchers at UC Santa Barbara, Yale University and others found that a third of young stars have misaligned rotational axes with their protoplanetary disks. This challenges centuries-old assumptions about the alignment of stars and planets in our solar system and suggests that some stars may be born tilted.

Waiting in line: Why six feet of social distancing may not be enough

A team of researchers led by undergraduate physics majors at UMass Amherst modeled how aerosol plumes spread when people are waiting and walking in a line. They found that warm air rises, causing the plumes to sink, but temperatures can affect their height. The study sharpens our understanding of airborne-communicable diseases travel.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Getting sticky: The highest-performing underwater adhesive hydrogel polymer

Scientists have created the highest-performing underwater adhesive hydrogel technology, exceeding 1 MPa in adhesive strength, using data mining and machine learning. The gels can withstand repeated ocean tides and wave impacts, making them suitable for biomedical engineering and deep-sea exploration applications.

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.

TEER associated with improved survival in the elderly patients with AFMR

A study of 1,081 elderly patients with AFMR found that TEER minimally invasive valve repair significantly lowered mortality and hospitalization rates compared to standard medical therapy alone. The procedure's success was also linked to the degree of residual mitral regurgitation after surgery.

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 link between immune aging and type 2 diabetes

This review synthesizes evidence highlighting immune aging as a critical accelerator of type 2 diabetes pathogenesis. Chronic low-grade inflammation, organelle stress pathways, and the ominous octet framework contribute to metabolic-inflammatory vortex, disrupting β-cell function and insulin signaling.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

How AI might be narrowing our worldview and what regulators can do about it

A new principle for AI regulation, multiplicity, aims to design systems that expose users to a broader range of narratives, support diverse alternatives, and encourage critical engagement. This can help enrich the human experience and prevent the suppression of diverse perspectives, cultural diversity, and social tolerance.

Lake sturgeon thriving in Coosa River

A study from the University of Georgia finds that lake sturgeon are reproducing on their own in the Coosa River, with some fish estimated to be over 2 years old. This marks a significant step forward in the reintroduction project, which aims to establish a self-sustaining population of these ancient fish.

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.

Friction which cools

Researchers at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf found that static friction can cause the cooling of active particles. By studying a swarm of mini-robots, they discovered that collisions between the robots lead to the formation of clusters that are no longer moving, effectively cooling them down.

Could the timing of food assistance payments affect crime rates?

A study published in Contemporary Economic Policy found that delaying the disbursement of food assistance payments can reduce robbery incidents by 0.03 per 100,000 population. The researchers estimate a potential crime reduction benefit of $2.7 million annually in the United States.