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Science News Archive February 2025


Page 29 of 44

New blood test accurately predicts preeclampsia

A new blood test using cell-free DNA from the placenta during pregnancy can predict preterm preeclampsia with 80% accuracy. The test's development is a significant breakthrough in prenatal care, potentially improving treatment outcomes for high-risk pregnancies.

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.

Biohybrid hand gestures with human muscles

Researchers at the University of Tokyo developed a biohybrid hand that can move objects and mimic real-life forms, using multiple muscle tissue actuators created from lab-grown muscle tissue. The hand demonstrated its ability to perform complex gestures, including scissor motions, and showed signs of fatigue but recovered within an hour.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Holograms boost 3D printing efficiency and resolution

Researchers have developed a holographic method for volumetric additive manufacturing that significantly reduces energy required and boosts resolution. The technique involves projecting three-dimensional holograms onto spinning resin vials, resulting in high-fidelity 3D-printed objects with exceptional accuracy.

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.

Exotic observations with neutrons at the ILL

The study reveals three distinct phases: liquid, solid, and plastic ice, with the latter exhibiting picosecond rotational motion. The implementation of state-of-the-art spectrometers and sample environments enabled the first experimental observation of plastic ice VII at high temperatures and pressures.

Chinese scientists find key genes to fight against crop parasites

Researchers have identified two ABCG family SL transporter genes, SbSLT1 and SbSLT2, responsible for sorghum's resistance to Striga. Knocking out these genes inhibits SL secretion, preventing Striga germination and infestation. This breakthrough has wide-ranging applications in enhancing parasitic plant resistance across various crops.

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.

Mothers with incarcerated children shoulder emotional and financial burdens

New research reveals that mothers of formerly incarcerated children experience significant financial strain, especially for Black mothers whose starting wealth is already lower. This study highlights the urgent need for policy reforms to address the social and economic impacts of incarceration on families.

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.

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.

Research Spotlight: Formulation matters when it comes to benzoyl peroxide

Researchers re-analyzed data for 111 products and found significant associations between production process, ingredient composition, and benzene levels. The study suggests opportunities to improve formulation, production, and distribution of benzoyl peroxide containing products to reduce the likelihood of them degrading into benzene.

Consumer stress over grocery prices stands at midpoint

The average grocery price stress level rating is 5.1, with low- and middle-income households reporting higher stress levels. Most consumers believe the government has moderate influence over food prices, with 80% familiar with the tariffs concept.

Arctic cyclones could be missing link in sea ice depletion models

A new study published in Nature Communications Earth and Environment finds that Arctic cyclones may contribute to the underpredicted decline of sea ice extent. The research suggests two theories: turbulent seas breaking up larger ice floes and upwelling increasing temperatures that help melt younger, thinner ice.

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.

ChatGPT has the potential to improve psychotherapeutic processes

A study published in PLOS Mental Health found that ChatGPT's responses were generally rated higher than those written by therapists, particularly in terms of core psychotherapy guiding principles. The AI model was also found to contextualize more extensively, leading respondents to rate its responses higher on common therapy components.

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.

Nighthawks: Wild medaka actively court female fish in wee hours

A team of researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University observed wild medaka behavior in their river habitat, discovering that they spawn around midnight. The study also found that males exhibit two types of courtship behaviors: chasing females and a display of making quick circles in front of the opposite sex.

Researchers control metal microstructure for better 3D printing

Cornell researchers discover way to control metal solidification transformations by adjusting alloy composition, leading to improved strength and reliability of printed metal parts. The method involves disrupting column-like grain growth, significantly reducing grain size and improving yield strength.

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.

Mpox: a better understanding of tecovirimat resistance

Researchers at the Institut Pasteur have gained a better understanding of how mpox variants become resistant to tecovirimat. They found that the drug works by binding two phospholipases together, preventing viral particles from spreading. This knowledge will help develop new antiviral treatments effective across all mpox strains.

New insights into the structure of atomic nuclei

Researchers measured high-precision transition frequencies and isotope mass ratios in ytterbium isotopes to confirm a nonlinearity anomaly. The team established a new limit for the existence of dark forces and gained insights into atomic nucleus deformation, opening doors for collaboration in physics research.

Type 1 diabetes: Hybrid closed-loop and open-loop systems compared

A study comparing hybrid closed-loop and open-loop systems in young people with type 1 diabetes found that hybrid closed-loop systems offered improved long-term blood sugar values, a lower risk of hypoglycemic coma, but a higher rate of diabetic ketoacidosis. The results suggest that hybrid closed-loop therapies may be beneficial for i...

Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with alcohol use disorder

Researchers found that low-dose semaglutide can reduce craving and some drinking outcomes in adults with alcohol use disorder, providing initial prospective evidence for its potential as a treatment. Larger clinical trials are needed to fully evaluate the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for this condition.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Ukraine war forces planes to take longer routes, raising CO2

The Ukraine war led to a significant increase in global aviation carbon dioxide emissions due to planes taking longer routes around Russian airspace. On average, flights used 13% more fuel, with the impact being greatest for Europe-Asia and North America-Asia flights.

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.

Negative refraction of light using atoms instead of metamaterials

Researchers at Lancaster University have successfully demonstrated negative refraction using atomic arrays, eliminating the need for metamaterials. This achievement paves the way for novel technologies based on negative refraction, including perfect lenses and cloaking devices.

Splicing twins: unravelling the secrets of the minor spliceosome complex

Researchers in the Galej Group at EMBL Grenoble have provided new structural insights into the U11 snRNP subunit of the minor spliceosome, revealing its ability to specifically identify rare substrates. The study sheds light on the complex assembly pathway of the minor spliceosome, which is critical for processing minor introns in genes.

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.

How Earth's early cycles shaped the chemistry of life

A new study explores how chemical mixtures transform under shifting environmental conditions, shedding light on prebiotic processes that may have led to life. The research finds that environmental factors played a key role in shaping the molecular complexity needed for life to emerge.

Engineered animals show new way to fight mercury pollution

Australian scientists engineer fish and flies to break down toxic methylmercury into a less harmful gas, offering a new solution to environmental pollution. The research could lead to the creation of wildlife that protects both human health and the environment.

Worm surface chemistry reveals secrets to their development and survival

A new study reveals that nematode surfaces are predominantly oily or lipid-based, forming a complex chemical landscape. This discovery provides insights into how animals interact with their environment and each other, and could lead to strategies for overcoming parasitic infections and diseases caused by these worms.

Overcoming nicotine withdrawal: Clues found in neural mechanisms of the brain

Researchers have identified striatal cholinergic interneurons as key players in nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Administering a single dose of an FDA-approved Parkinson's disease drug, Procyclidine, significantly alleviated tremors caused by nicotine withdrawal. This study suggests a promising new treatment option for smoking cessation.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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