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Science News Archive December 2025


Page 33 of 46

AI advances robot navigation on the International Space Station

Researchers at Stanford University have successfully used machine-learning-based control to operate a robot on the International Space Station, allowing for faster and more efficient navigation while maintaining safety. The system, which includes a warm start feature, enables robots like Astrobee to move through complex environments wi...

How did Bronze Age plague spread? A sheep might solve the mystery

Researchers discovered Yersinia pestis DNA in a 4,000-year-old domesticated sheep from Arkaim, Russia, providing a missing link for the Bronze Age plague's widespread spread. The findings suggest that people, livestock, and an unidentified natural reservoir played a dynamic role in the disease's evolution.

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.

Insufficient sleep associated with decreased life expectancy

A recent study published in SLEEP Advances found a strong correlation between insufficient sleep and decreased life expectancy. The research, conducted by Oregon Health & Science University, suggests that catching at least seven hours of sleep per night can improve overall well-being and longevity.

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.

RoboCrop: Teaching robots how to pick tomatoes

A new model developed by Osaka Metropolitan University Assistant Professor Takuya Fujinaga enables robots to accurately pick tomatoes, with an 81% success rate. The system evaluates the ease of harvesting for each tomato, taking into account factors such as fruit clustering and stem geometry.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Yeast cell factory developed to convert methanol into L-lactate

Researchers developed a yeast cell factory to convert methanol into L-lactate, a monomer for biodegradable plastics, and demonstrated the economic and environmental value of this process. The minimum selling price of L-lactate was found to be $2.29/kg with annual capacity of 18,500 tons.

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.

US medical prices and health insurance premiums, 1999-2024

Health insurance premiums rose at rates close to hospital prices during the COVID-19 pandemic but have since stabilized, reflecting shifts in healthcare utilization. Insurance premiums increased 3 times faster than workers' earnings since 1999, accompanied by rising hospital costs.

Medical cannabis and opioid receipt among adults with chronic pain

A cohort study found that participation in New York's medical cannabis program was associated with lower rates of opioid prescription during a 18-month follow-up. The study controlled for unregulated cannabis use, suggesting that medical cannabis may be an effective alternative to opioids for managing chronic pain.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

Medical cannabis program reduces opioid use

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that adults with chronic pain who used medical cannabis had a 22% reduction in opioid use. The study, led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, suggests that supervised use of medical cannabis can relieve chronic pain and reduce reliance on prescription opioids.

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.

Protective effects of Sclerocarya birrea in vivo

The study found that S. birrea extract reversed behavioral alterations caused by monosodium glutamate, reduced oxidative stress parameters, and counteracted malondialdehyde levels. These results support the potential of S. birrea as a neuroprotective agent for preventing and treating cognitive deficits.

Cardiovascular events 1 year after RSV infection in adults

A cohort study of adults aged 45 or older with RSV infection found a significant excess risk of cardiovascular events over 1 year, comparable in magnitude to influenza infection. This highlights the importance of RSV as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and underscores the need for vaccination to mitigate this burden.

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.

Triaptosis—an emerging paradigm in cancer therapeutics

Researchers have discovered triaptosis, a novel cell death mechanism that selectively targets and kills cancer cells, offering a new hope in oncology. This process is mechanistically distinct from all previously known cell death pathways and holds considerable promise for combination with immunotherapy.

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.

CABI launches new ‘Evidence Synthesis’ course

The Primer on Evidence Synthesis is a four-hour, online course that introduces key terminology and principles of evidence synthesis. It aims to help researchers, policy makers, and funders understand the importance of evidence synthesis for decision-making in the agricultural sector.

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.

Mount Sinai study finds PTSD may accelerate brain aging in 9/11 responders

A Mount Sinai study reveals PTSD may accelerate brain aging in World Trade Center responders, with longer exposure duration further amplifying the effect. The study uses deep learning-based brain age models to estimate brain age and provides new evidence for the long-term impact of trauma on neurological health.

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.

Pushing the resolution limit of coherent diffractive imaging

Researchers have achieved perfect transfer functions in Coherent Diffractive Imaging (CDI) with various numerical apertures, pushing the imaging resolution to the Abbe diffraction limit. Their computational framework, RFD, solves the high-NA CDI problem for the first time, achieving a record-high imaging resolution of 0.57λ.

AI offers ‘roadmap’ to plant genetics

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory developed an AI-powered approach to identify redundant genes in plants. By analyzing evolutionary data and machine learning models, they predicted which genes to edit to modify specific traits, providing a new 'roadmap' for plant breeders.

Myosin XI-1: A key molecular target for salt-tolerant crops

Researchers found that myosin XI-1 modulates salt tolerance, leading to lower Na⁺ accumulation and higher chlorophyll levels. The study suggests functional diversification among myosin XI members, offering a new strategy for improving crop resilience to salinity.

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.

Wireless device ‘speaks’ to the brain with light

Scientists developed a wireless device that uses light to send information directly to the brain, bypassing natural sensory pathways. The soft device delivers precise patterns of light through the bone to activate neurons across the cortex, allowing mice to learn and interpret meaningful signals.

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.

Getting rest is the best

A study of over 70,000 people found that fewer than 13% meet recommended sleep and physical activity targets. Improving sleep quality was associated with higher daily activity levels. The findings suggest prioritizing sleep may be the first step toward a healthier, more active life.

Transforming acoustic waves with a chip

Researchers have developed a new acoustic wave-producing technology on an electronic chip, enabling customizable curved waves for trapping objects, routing wave information, and transporting fluids. This innovation has significant potential in medical applications, such as noninvasive surgery and biosensors.