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Science News Archive February 2025


Page 17 of 44

Stopping asthma in its tracks

Researchers have developed two therapeutic cocktails that inhibit key molecules, stopping immune cells from overreacting to allergens. The treatments reduced asthma attacks in mice by erasing the immune system's memory of asthma-causing allergens.

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.

Nature: AI-made lung disease breakthrough

An international team of researchers has created a detailed map of individual cells in the adult lung, including those affected by chronic lung disease. The AI-driven finding shows that some lung tissue in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) exhibits signs of the disease before significant structural changes occur.

Study suggests drunk witnesses are less likely to remember a suspect’s face

A study published in the journal Memory found that intoxicated people have difficulty accurately recalling internal facial features, while still remembering external details like hair style. This suggests that alcohol narrows attention to more noticeable external features, impairing memory for critical internal features.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Synthetic RIG-I-agonist RNA induces death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

A synthetic retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) agonist RNA has been shown to induce innate immune signaling and death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. The addition of recombinant interferon-b potentiated this cell death, suggesting a potential new mechanism for treating patients with liver cancer.

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.

The role of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression

Ketamine has been shown to rapidly reduce depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression, often within hours of administration. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of ketamine therapy remain uncertain, with potential risks including cognitive impairment and cardiovascular effects.

Higher-order interactions and the future of network science

Research advances higher-order networks to capture multi-agent interactions, enabling accurate modeling of biological, social, and physical systems. The Dirac-Bianconi operator provides a powerful generalization of the graph Laplacian, encoding local and global interactions across different topological dimensions.

Jumbled proteins paint a bold target on the backs of brain tumors

Researchers at UCSF have identified unique, cancer-specific proteins created through mistakes in RNA splicing. These antigens could be used to create potent immunotherapies that recognize and attack hard-to-treat tumors. The discovery offers new hope for glioma patients and expands the number of targets available for cancer therapy.

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.

New process gets common rocks to trap carbon rapidly, cheaply

Stanford researchers have developed a practical and low-cost method to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide from the air using common minerals. The new process, known as enhanced weathering, uses heat to transform silicates into materials that capture and store CO2, offering a potentially scalable solution to mitigate global warming.

Text message tool addresses “time toxicity” for cancer patients

A pilot study shows that a text messaging system can safely reduce the amount of time some patients spend receiving cancer treatment. The platform, which was tested in a clinical trial, allowed patients to complete symptom checks and receive approval for fast-tracking their treatments, saving them over an hour per visit.

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.

Cancer cells cooperate to scavenge for nutrients

Cancer cells work together to source nutrients from their environment, a cooperative process that can be targeted for treating cancer. Researchers identified key enzymes and mechanisms behind this cooperation, including the enzyme CNDP2, which can be inhibited by the drug bestatin.

New environmentally-friendly mortar reduces heat loss

Researchers at Newcastle University have developed a new environmentally-friendly mortar made from recycled plastic and silica aerogel, which improves insulation and reduces plastic waste. The new mortar mix reduced heat loss by up to 55% while maintaining the required strength for masonry construction.

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.

Relationship between sleep and nutrition with app data: A large-scale study

A large-scale study examined the relationship between nutrients and sleep using data from people who used mobile applications to track their eating and sleeping habits. The results showed that participants with high protein, monounsaturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake had improved sleep outcomes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

An electrifying turn in an age-old quest

Physicists from ISTA reveal that the contact history of materials determines how they exchange charge, explaining the unpredictability of contact electrification. By analyzing identical materials, they discovered a triboelectric series and found that repeated contact allows samples to evolve and order correctly.

How the brain balances risk and reward in making decisions

A new study identifies two groups of brain cells that help the mouse brain gauge the full range of possible rewards associated with a choice. The researchers used machine-learning concepts to study brain circuitry supporting reward-based decisions in mice, shedding light on how the human brain makes such choices.

California prison resentencing project yields modest results

A three-year effort in nine California counties resulted in 227 individuals receiving new sentences, with 174 offenders released by September 2024. Researchers recommend increasing funding, training for prosecutors and public defenders, and standardization of review factors to strengthen the program.

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.

AI in retail: how to spark creativity and improve job satisfaction

A study by researchers from Florida Atlantic University and Hanyang University explores how AI service quality affects retail employees' innovation, job fit, and job satisfaction. The results suggest that employees are more likely to engage in innovative behaviors when they perceive benefits from AI interactions.

Feed additives can reduce campylobacter in free-range broilers

Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark have found that adding biochar to chicken feed can significantly reduce campylobacter levels in free-range chickens. The study, published in Poultry Science, demonstrates an 80% reduction in campylobacter and suggests a potential tool for improving public health.

Chlorine plus UV light degrades toxins caused by harmful algae blooms

Researchers found that combining ultraviolet light with chlorine significantly enhances toxin degradation in water without generating harmful byproducts. The study suggests using UV/chlorine as a final barrier against toxins from algal blooms, minimizing unintended toxic consequences.

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.

A robust and adaptive controller for ballbots

Researchers develop a novel adaptive nonlinear PID controller integrated with radial basis function neural network for enhanced ballbot functionality. The proposed NPID-RBFNN controller demonstrates superior stability and robustness, outperforming traditional PID and NPID controllers.

Natural hydrogen: a sustainable energy source in mountain ranges

A team of researchers found that mountain ranges with deep mantle rocks near the surface are ideal for large-scale natural hydrogen generation and accumulation. This process, called serpentinization, can produce up to 20 times more hydrogen than in rift environments, providing a promising alternative to synthetic hydrogen production.

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.

Threatened Peruvian plant discovery highlights the power of citizen science

A new plant species, Nasa katjae, has been discovered in Peru's Andean cloud forests through citizen science efforts. The species is characterized by its scarlet-red flowers and is potentially vulnerable due to habitat loss and climate change. The discovery emphasizes the importance of protecting remaining pristine habitats.

All generic drugs are not equal, study finds

A new study found that generic drugs made in India have significantly more 'severe adverse events' for patients, including hospitalization and death. The researchers matched 2,443 drugs made in the US and emerging economies, finding that mature generic drugs were responsible for the higher rates of severe adverse events.

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.

Scientists solve the brain’s motion-source separation problem

Researchers at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre develop novel experimental setup called Translocator, isolating fundamental elements of locomotion and motion-source separation. The team finds that individual cells in primary visual cortex use motor and vestibular signals to determine visual flow origin.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Scientific insights into how humans access deep spiritual states

Researchers discovered a common cognitive feedback loop used by Buddhist jhāna meditation and Christian speaking in tongues practices to achieve profound focus and joy. This 'Attention, Arousal and Release Spiral' offers insights into cultivating deep states of tranquility and bliss.

A miniature swimming robot inspired by marine flatworms

Researchers developed a compact swimming robot that can maneuver through tight spaces and transport heavier payloads. The robot uses silently undulating fins to propel itself and achieves impressive speeds of 12 centimeters per second.

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.