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Science News Archive February 2025


Page 21 of 44

Tiny grooves re-shape future of solar cell manufacturing

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new type of back-contact solar cell design using perovskite material and tiny grooves in plastic film. The technology enables scalable, low-cost manufacturing and avoids expensive rare earth metals, making it sustainable and affordable.

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 nanoscale technique unlocks quantum material secrets

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory developed a new technique to study surface phonons, revealing striking differences between surface and bulk materials. This breakthrough could enable new avenues for research and applications in quantum technologies, including superconductivity.

Young people can be helped to develop more grit

A new programme called 'I CAN' has been shown to increase grit and self-efficacy among 15-year-old boys, leading to improved confidence and a mindset focused on success. Although the programme also yielded small increases for girls, the results were not significant.

Why ‘leaky’ plants could accelerate climate change

Recent studies suggest that rising temperatures could disrupt the balance of Earth's climate by increasing plant water loss. In extreme heat, plants may lose too much water to conserve it, limiting photosynthesis and reducing their role as a carbon sink.

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.

Unlocking breast cancer treatments with liquid biopsy

A new study reveals encouraging results for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing in advanced breast cancer, detecting genetic mutations and influencing treatment decisions. The non-invasive method offers real-time genetic insights, enabling precision medicine to tailor therapies to individual patients.

Racial disparities seen in same-day breast diagnostic and biopsy services

A study found racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to receive standard-of-care diagnostic imaging after abnormal screening mammograms compared to white patients. Minority groups were also less likely to have access to same-day biopsy services, despite similar availability of most diagnostic services.

Kornaropoulos to receive NSF CAREER Award

Evgenios Kornaropoulos at George Mason University will receive a $648,811 NSF CAREER Award to investigate encrypted systems with fine-grained leakage. He aims to develop cryptographic designs with customized efficiency-security trade-offs in various settings.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Machine learning drives "autonomous" control of particle accelerators

Researchers are using machine learning to enable autonomous control of particle accelerators, opening up new possibilities for commissioning and operating high-power accelerators. The technology has been successfully applied to the CAFe2 superconducting segment, achieving global trajectory adaptive control.

Texas McCombs faculty research hits historic high

McCombs faculty research surpassed previous records with a jump to No. 10 globally in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings. The university's Texas Full-Time Hildebrand MBA Program ranked No. 17 among U.S.-based programs, also achieving a historic high.

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.

A single protein may have helped shape the emergence of spoken language

A recent study discovered that a unique human protein variant, NOVA1, plays a crucial role in vocalization and language production. By analyzing gene expression and RNA binding sites, researchers found a strong link between NOVA1 and genes related to vocalization, suggesting its involvement in the emergence of spoken language.

Biologists transform gut bacteria into tiny protein pharmacies

Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a method to convert gut bacteria into mini protein factories that produce and release sustained flows of targeted proteins within the lower intestine. This approach eliminates a major roadblock in delivering drugs to this part of the body, offering potential treatment for chronic diseases.

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.

Scientists decode diet from stool DNA – no questions asked

Researchers at the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) have developed a breakthrough method to track diet using stool metagenomic data. The MEDI approach detects food-derived DNA in stool samples to estimate dietary intake, offering a convenient alternative to traditional methods that suffer from misreporting and compliance issues.

What makes us remember our dreams?

A study published in Communications Psychology found that dream recall is influenced by individual characteristics and external factors, including positive attitude toward dreams, mind-wandering tendency, and sleep patterns. Younger participants showed higher rates of dream recall, while older individuals experienced 'white dreams.'

Legionnaires’ disease from a lake swim

Swimming in lakes with still water can lead to infection with Legionella bacteria, causing pneumonia. Risk factors include age over 50, smoking history, and compromised immune systems. Clinicians should suspect legionnaires' disease in patients with severe pneumonia and recent travel history.

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.

Uncovering inequalities in breast cancer immunotherapy access

Researchers found that Black women with triple-negative breast cancer are less likely to receive immunotherapy treatment, even when accounting for socioeconomic factors. The study analyzed data from over 10,000 patients and found a significant disparity in immunotherapy response between racial groups.

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.

Long-term development of seismogenic faults in central Italy

Researchers analyzed spatial interactions between active fault segments in the L'Aquila Basin, revealing a structural connection between disconnected faults. Thermoluminescence dating indicated tectonic activity began 2.7 million years ago, while stable isotope analysis revealed fault structures formed at depths of 1.5-2 kilometers.

Tweaking cancer cell response to ultrasound treatment

Increasing the spacing between integrin-ECM binding domains on the extracellular matrix can boost the efficiency of ultrasound treatment applied to kill cancer cells. A new study found that this increased spacing triggers myosin forces, pumps more calcium inside, and promotes cell death.

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.

New discovery could help protect against influenza

A preclinical trial has uncovered how beta-glucan can 'reprogram' immune cells to prevent lung inflammation and reduce the risk of illness and death from influenza. The study's findings highlight beta-glucan as a promising therapy for influenza and other emerging viral pathogens.

Long-term decline in downward surface solar radiation

A recent study reveals a significant long-term decline in downward surface solar radiation globally, with significant decadal variations observed over land. The research highlights the role of water vapor in DSSR changes, which was previously overlooked, and shows that future DSSR changes will depend heavily on emission scenarios.

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.

Leafbot: A soft robot conquers challenging terrains

Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed Leafbot, a soft robot that uses vibration-driven locomotion to traverse uneven surfaces. The robot's compliant structure and simple motion strategy enable it to overcome complex obstacles, making it valuable for applications such as inspection and exploration.

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.

Micromilled droplet microfluidics: the future of rapid prototyping

A new droplet microfluidic component library utilizes micromilling technique to produce devices at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. The library includes versatile components for complex workflows, enabling high-throughput applications in biological and chemical research.

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.

New book explores young people's political expression on social media

The new book Not Your Parents' Politics reveals that young people are actively engaging in political discourse on social media with diverse forms of expression, including humor and personal experiences. These expressions shape youth political socialization and democratic participation.

Cellular clean-up: Solving the mystery of how cells recycle

Researchers have discovered how cells turn on their recycling process and create 'garbage bags' to remove proteins, shedding new light on a crucial aspect of maintaining health. The study may lead to future treatments that can promote healthy ageing and target diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

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.

Monitoring approach could help snuff out Legionella outbreaks

A new study suggests that routine monitoring of water quality factors, such as pH, temperature, and electrical conductivity, can help predict the growth of Legionella bacteria and prevent outbreaks in healthcare settings. The approach has been shown to be reliable and more accurate than conventional statistical methods.

‘Hey Siri, choose my medical expert.’

A new study from the University of South Australia found that most people trust AI in situations where the stakes are low, such as music suggestions. However, those with poor statistical literacy or little familiarity with AI were just as likely to trust algorithms for trivial choices as they were for critical decisions. The study also...

Refining the CRISPR scissors

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which bacteria defend against CRISPR-Cas systems, and how phages counter these defenses. This discovery holds potential to enhance the safety and precision of CRISPR-based technologies.

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.

New clues to a healthy mother and baby during pregnancy

Researchers from Flinders University applied gene editing to explore the role of enzyme ACE2 in healthy placental development. They found that ACE2 plays a key role in helping cells grow properly and that a genetic variation is linked to major pregnancy complications.

Common drug shows promise against rare type of heart disease

A team of researchers from the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson found that an FDA-approved osteoporosis treatment, risedronate, can correct a gene mutation and normalize heart function in animal models. The study provides hope for treating other rare diseases using precision treatments tailored to individual mutations.

Danish research reveals novel biomarker for autoimmune diseases

Researchers from Aarhus University have developed a method to track disease progression in patients with autoimmune diseases. The new method identifies large immuno-active complexes and can be measured in parallel, increasing capacity and reducing the need for training new staff or investing in equipment.

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.