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Science News Archive February 2025


Page 2 of 44

A dictionary of fragrances

Scientists at Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena have developed data sets for the description and recording of odours, using over 1,200 test subjects to compile how people perceive, describe, and classify 74 monomolecular odour samples. The researchers aim to help solve the stimulus-percept problem in smell perception.

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.

Quantum computing “a marathon, not a sprint”

Monit Sharma, a 23-year-old Research Engineer at Singapore Management University, has been recognized for his work on quantum algorithms to solve real-world supply chain issues. His findings were published in top quantum conferences and validated the practical applicability of quantum computing.

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.

Improving the scope of wearable monitors

Researchers aim to enhance wearable monitors' ability to accurately measure vital signs, tackling motion artefacts and posture challenges. A novel solution incorporating contact pressure into calculations shows promise in reconstructing distorted PPG waveforms.

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.

Scientists examine neurobiology of pragmatic reasoning

Researchers used fMRI to investigate how the brain processes ambiguous messages, finding that more complex tasks engage multiple brain regions. The study reveals that understanding others' thoughts and emotions contributes to successful performance, with greater flexibility in reasoning.

China's forests are absorbing carbon—but for how long?

A new study estimates China's natural forests will continue to capture carbon, but at a slowing rate. The research reveals significant regional differences in carbon storage potential, with younger forests showing the largest increase.

Precision engineering of peptides and proteins

Researchers have developed a palladium-mediated reaction to precisely modify peptides and proteins, overcoming challenges in bioconjugation. The method targets dehydroalanine-containing peptides and proteins, enabling efficient synthesis of structurally unique peptides.

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.

Characterization of auditory sensation in C. elegans

The study characterizes three key features of C. elegans auditory sensation: skin vibration, neuronal activation, and behavior. The research highlights the importance of the nAChR DES-2/DEG-3 receptor in auditory transduction.

Employee burnout can cost employers millions each year

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine estimates that employee burnout costs employers $5 million annually, with costs varying by employee type and stage. The research suggests that focusing on employee well-being can help decrease costs and increase profits.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The cost of domestic violence to women's employment and education

A new report reveals that domestic violence significantly impedes women's employment and educational attainment, leading to a 9.4% employment gap and a 15% difference in university degree attainment rates. This results in lifetime earnings being up to 41% lower than their peers.

How the nervous system modulates pain signals

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered a specific molecular change that affects the strength of pain sensation by altering action potential duration. This finding offers a novel approach to alleviate clinically relevant pain conditions through boosting potassium channel function.

Burning question: How to save an old-growth forest in Tahoe

Researchers found that forest thinning followed by a prescribed burn can greatly improve the stand's resistance to catastrophic fire. This approach is crucial for conserving old-growth forests in seasonally dry regions, as it replicates the essential ecological roles of fire.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Roadway safety research, automated vehicle testing join forces at U-M

The University of Michigan is merging its transportation safety research with automated vehicle testing to improve roadway safety. The move marks the institution's 60th anniversary and includes Mcity, a public/private partnership test facility, to develop connected and automated vehicle technologies.

UAF scientist designing satellite to hunt small space debris

Researchers are developing a satellite capable of detecting small space debris as small as 1 centimeter in size, which can damage satellites and other spacecraft in low-Earth orbit. The system uses plasma disturbances to determine the distance and angle of approach to the debris.

Scientists rewrite the rules of swarming locusts

Researchers from the University of Konstanz challenged long-held hypotheses on collective motion in locust swarms, finding that sensory input and neural representations drive movement decisions. Contrary to previous assumptions, alignment with others is not responsible for coordinating collective motion.

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.

How our lungs back up the bone marrow to make our blood

Researchers at UCSF have discovered that human lung tissue contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) capable of producing red blood cells, platelets, and immune cells. The finding suggests the lungs could be a potent source for life-saving stem cell transplants, particularly for patients with leukemia.

Fat transport deficiency explains rare childhood metabolic crises

Researchers discovered that TANGO2 plays a crucial role in transporting fatty acids into cells, which helps meet energy demands. Children with TANGO2 deficiency struggle to produce energy, leading to severe metabolic crises, highlighting the importance of understanding rare diseases for broader health applications.

Self-driving cars learn to share road knowledge through digital word-of-mouth

Researchers develop system for self-driving vehicles to share AI models, allowing them to learn from each other's experiences even when they don't meet directly. The Cached Decentralized Federated Learning approach enables vehicles to train locally and share models with others, improving learning efficiency and adaptability.

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.

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.

Innate immune training aggravates inflammatory bone loss

Researchers found that training the innate immune system can exacerbate inflammatory bone loss in models of chronic diseases like periodontitis and arthritis. The study suggests that a previously thought beneficial effect of trained immunity may actually contribute to harm in certain contexts.

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.

Why scientific results vary

A study published in BMC Biology found that different scientists working with the same datasets can arrive at vastly different results, emphasizing the importance of transparent analysis methods. The findings raise fundamental questions about reproducibility and reliability in scientific results.

New ocelot chip makes strides in quantum computing

Researchers at AWS and Caltech developed a new cat qubit chip, called Ocelot, to suppress errors in quantum computers. The chip uses superconducting circuits to create stable qubits resistant to bit-flip errors.

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.

Swarm-intelligence collaboration based regular scheduling and dynamic rescheduling of precast component production: in prefabricated building project management

Researchers propose a swarm-intelligence collaboration to optimize precast component production scheduling and rescheduling. The approach uses dynamic-interval synergy auctions and weighted Tchebycheff approaches to generate optimal schemes, improving management efficiency and reducing costs in prefabricated building project management.

Quantum interference in molecule-surface collisions

Researchers have developed a method to observe quantum interference in surface collisions of methane molecules, revealing clear patterns of wave-like behavior that amplify or cancel out different pathways. This discovery confirms the active role of quantum mechanics in controlling molecular interactions at surfaces.

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.

Interventions identified to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B in Africa

A large-scale analysis sheds light on the critical steps needed to combat the vertical transmission of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Africa. The study estimates that hepatitis B vertical transmission could be eliminated in Africa with increased coverage of birth dose vaccine and maternal antiviral therapy.

ASTRO issues its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for anal cancer

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has published its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for anal cancer, providing guidance on treatment options and techniques. The guideline recommends a combination of radiation therapy and drug therapy as the standard of care, with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IM...

Researchers are cracking the code on solid-state batteries

University of Missouri researchers developed a solution to improve solid-state battery performance by understanding the root cause of issues. They used 4D STEM to examine atomic structures without disassembling batteries, ultimately determining the interphase layer was the culprit.

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.

Birds breathe in dangerous plastics—and so do we

A new University of Texas at Arlington study reveals high concentrations of microplastics in bird lungs, with average particles per species and gram of lung tissue measured. The study highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its far-reaching impacts on ecosystem health and human health.

Emerging treatments for social disconnection in psychiatric illness

Researchers discuss innovative ways to address social isolation and loneliness in psychiatric illness through pharmacologic compounds. The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation invites the public to a free webinar on March 11, 2025, featuring Dr. Anya Bershad's latest findings.