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Science News Archive February 2025


Page 30 of 44

Why we need to expand the search for climate-friendly microalgae

Researchers highlight microalgae's capacity to mitigate CO2 emissions while driving sustainable industry, with 'smart microalgal bioprospecting' needed to unlock its full potential. Discovering new species with enhanced growth rates or lower resource demands could reduce costs and increase commercial viability.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

NUS Medicine study: Inability of cells to recycle fats can spell disease

A new study from NUS Medicine has found that the protein Spns1 plays a key role in recycling fats out of cell compartments called lysosomes, preventing diseases like lysosomal storage disorders. The research uses cryoelectron microscopy to understand how Spns1 transports fats and highlights its importance for cellular health.

AI unlocks genetic clues to personalize cancer treatment

A groundbreaking study analyzed data from over 78,000 cancer patients to identify nearly 800 genetic changes impacting survival outcomes. The research also discovered genes significantly associated with survival in various cancers, such as breast, ovarian, skin, and gastrointestinal cancers.

Leaf color mysteries unveiled: the role of BoYgl-2 in cabbage

A new study identifies the crucial role of BoYgl-2 in chloroplast RNA editing and chlorophyll biosynthesis, leading to innovative crop breeding strategies for enhanced plant productivity and agricultural sustainability. The research provides a molecular blueprint for understanding leaf color formation in cabbage.

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.

Female hoverflies beat males on long-distance migrations

New research by the University of Exeter reveals that female hoverflies are better adapted for long-distance migration, flying nearly nine times further than males. Females also have lower wing loading values and suppressed hormones to redirect energy towards migration, allowing them to outperform males on their journeys.

Unlocking the lemon's flavor secret: epigenetics of citric acid

Researchers have uncovered dynamic methylation changes that shape fruit flavor, providing insights into breeding improved lemon varieties with enhanced taste and market value. The study's findings highlight a direct connection between DNA methylation patterns and citric acid metabolism.

Study of female genital tract reveals key findings

A global research collaboration identified Lactobacillus crispatus as a key protective bacterium in the vaginal microbiome. The study also found significant variations in vaginal microbiomes across human populations, with implications for improved diagnostics and treatments.

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.

Texas A&M chemist wins NSF CAREER Award

Dr. Alison Altman, a Texas A&M chemist, has received the NSF CAREER Award to support her research on underexplored elements of the periodic table and their applications in technology. She aims to expand chemistry education at all levels, emphasizing its impact on everyday life.

Opening for a new type of drug for Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have made a breakthrough in understanding the role of protein tau in Alzheimer's disease. By identifying specific amino acid modifications that occur before thread-like fibrils form, scientists hope to develop complementary drugs to combat the disease.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Smart orchards get smarter: new AI method for fruit labeling

A cutting-edge AI method, EasyDAM_V4, enables automatic labeling of fruit datasets with high accuracy and adapts to diverse species. The breakthrough reduces manual labeling costs while improving detection accuracy, paving the way for automated and sustainable agriculture.

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.

New technology could quash QR code phishing attacks

Researchers have developed a new form of QR code that can protect users from phishing attacks by signaling whether a link is safe or not. The SDMQR codes provide an added layer of security without interfering with existing functionality, allowing companies to replace traditional barcodes with more sophisticated QR codes.

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.

Chronic stress affects how brain processes sound in mice

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that chronic stress changes how the brain processes sounds, with higher decibel levels needed to trigger similar responses. This effect may be driven by a type of inhibitory cell becoming more active under repeated stress.

New perspectives for personalized therapy of brain tumors

Scientists at German Cancer Research Center develop innovative method for growing individual brain tumors in lab, mimicking original structure and molecular properties. The IPTO model accurately predicts patient response to chemotherapy and other drugs, offering a valuable tool for personalized medicine.

NFL Alumni Association shares 8 plays needed to improve heart health

The American Heart Association and NFL Alumni Association collaborate to promote healthy lifestyles through Life's Essential 8, which includes four indicators of cardiovascular health and four behavioral/lifestyle factors. By following these steps, adults can lower their risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions.

Sexual desire — the force that connects yet also divides

A recent study published in Nature Reviews examines the complex role of sexual desire in relationships, highlighting its potential to fade over time. The research reveals how desire can be shaped by biological, social, and psychological factors, influencing partnership dynamics and relationship longevity.

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.

Purity and environmental concern

The study found that counties with strong emphasis on fairness norms had higher odds of favoring green practices, while those emphasizing purity norms had stronger influence on household carbon footprint. Counties with high education levels also showed increased support for green attitudes.

How cancer cells trick the immune system by altering mitochondria

Researchers discover mitochondrial transfer between cancer cells and immune cells as a key immune evasion strategy. Cancer cells can reshape the tumor microenvironment to weaken tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and mitochondria play a significant role in this process.

New study fails to show that youth vaping causes future smoking

A new review paper published in Addiction found 'very low-certainty evidence' to support the claim that nicotine vaping causes young people to start smoking. However, the study also suggests that vaping may contribute to declines in youth smoking rates, particularly in the US.

Looking between cells

Researchers have created Rhobo6, a light microscopy probe that allows scientists to visualize the extracellular matrix in live tissues and animals without disrupting it. This breakthrough could lead to new insights into diseases linked to changes in the extracellular matrix and improve diagnostic imaging.

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.

Evidence of cannibalism 18,000 years ago

Researchers discovered signs of human remains being manipulated and dissected, indicating cannibalism among Late Ice Age societies in Central Europe. The findings suggest that cannibalism may have occurred due to conflicts over resources or territories, rather than necessity.

When art imitates life's mathematics: Fractals and how we perceive trees

Using fractal math, researchers found that artists' preservation of a tree's branch diameter scaling exponent enables viewers to easily recognize trees, even without other distinguishing features. This universal factor applies across styles and cultures, linking artistic beauty with mathematical complexity.

PING

Professor Andrew Brodsky's book 'PING' offers a four-part framework to transform research insights into action. The framework includes Perspective, Taking, Nonverbal cues, and Goals, which help individuals communicate more effectively in virtual environments.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Native bee populations can bounce back after honey bees move out

Research found that native bee populations decreased in abundance and diversity when managed honey bees were introduced, but rebounded when apiaries were removed. Native bee phylogenetic diversity increased in areas with managed honey bees due to lower competition for resources.

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.

Human-caused fires growing faster than lightning fires in the Western US

Human-caused fires in the Western US are growing faster than lightning fires due to climate-driven changes in dryness and heat. The study found that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions account for 81% of the increases in flammable days, highlighting the need for more accurate fire risk models.

MSU expert: Using light to hear biology

Scientists have developed a new technique called BioSonic spectroscopy, which uses short pulses of light to observe the nanoscale motion of virus particles. This allows researchers to capture the unique signature or 'sound' of each biological system, providing a new way to understand biology and potentially aiding in disease prevention.

Autonomous sortie scheduling for carrier aircraft fleet under towing mode

A novel scheduling model abstracts the entire sortie process into a hybrid flow-shop scheduling problem, taking into account task priorities and resource constraints. The solution framework was validated in a simulation environment and shows significant improvement in sortie efficiency compared to existing strategies.

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.

Branch patterns in trees and art

Researchers found branch patterns in art to mirror those in nature, with values of α ranging from 1.5 to 2.8, corresponding to natural trees. Abstract artworks can be visually identified as trees using realistic α values, while works deviating from scaling exhibit reduced recognition.

AI predicts the precursor materials needed for material synthesis

Researchers developed an AI-based retrosynthesis methodology that predicts necessary precursor materials solely based on the target material's chemical formula. The technology was trained on 20,000 research papers and achieved over 80% prediction accuracy in synthesis experiments.

Sex as a formality: Males are unnecessary in a stick insect!?

A study published in Ecology reveals that rare males of the Ramulus mikado stick insect species have completely lost their reproductive function. Despite attempting to mate with females, these males failed to pass on male-derived genes or produce functional sperm, rendering them sterile.

New fish species with ‘face paint’ named after Studio Ghibli character

A new species of deepwater tilefish has been discovered in the South China Sea with distinctive facial markings, leading to its naming after Princess Mononoke's protagonist San. The study, published in ZooKeys, used genetic analysis to confirm the new-species status and highlighted the importance of marine biodiversity.

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.

Born to heal: Why babies recover, but adults scar, after heart damage

A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals that macrophages in newborns use a process called efferocytosis to produce thromboxane, which triggers the production of a bioactive lipid that signals heart muscle cells to divide and regenerate. This process is less effective in adults, leading to scar-tissue buildup and often heart failure.