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Science News for September 16, 2022


Cognitive health may benefit from balanced meal timing

A recent study published in Life Metabolism found that maintaining balanced energy intake throughout the day may improve cognitive function. The study analyzed data from over 3,300 participants and discovered that those with unbalanced eating patterns, such as skipping breakfast, were at higher risk of cognitive decline.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalLife Metabolism·TypeSurvey·DateSep 16, 2022

Diet could play a role in cognitive function across diverse races and ethnicities

Researchers found that blood metabolites related to sugars were linked to older adults' global cognitive health, while a Mediterranean diet was associated with higher levels of beta-cryptoxanthin. This study expands on previous work and highlights the importance of diet in safeguarding cognitive function across different populations.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·DateSep 16, 2022

Seismic device made for extraterrestrial research can help tackle climate change on earth

Researchers developed an ultra-compact seismic source to continuously monitor carbon reservoirs, detecting CO2 leaks and changes that require attention. The Portable Active Seismic Source (PASS) technology can be deployed affordably and has potential applications in monitoring for disasters and imaging subsurface structures.

SourceKyushu University, I2CNER·JournalSeismological Research Letters·DateSep 16, 2022

Pythons are true choke artists

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that Burmese pythons have evolved super-stretchy skin between their lower jaws, enabling them to consume prey much larger than expected. This adaptation allows pythons to eat deer and other large animals whole, providing a significant energy advantage in their ecosystem.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalIntegrative Organismal Biology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2022

UBC Okanagan team examines the roots of great wine tourism

Research from UBC Okanagan suggests that wineries can revive lagging tourism by focusing on multi-sensory experiences, such as participation in agricultural activities and workshops. This approach helps create memorable and authentic experiences for visitors, setting wine destinations apart from one another.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalFood Quality and Preference·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2022

Single-cell transcriptomics of immune cells in lymph nodes reveals their composition and alterations in functional dynamics during the early stages of bubonic plague

This study analyzed immune cell changes in lymph nodes after Yersinia pestis infection, finding up-regulated inflammation-related pathways and M1/M2 coupling activation in monocytes/macrophages. The researchers also identified critical cell types involved in the early interactions between Y. pestis and the host.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateSep 16, 2022

COVID-19 took serious toll on Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander mental and physical health

Two UC Riverside-led studies found 30% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders diagnosed with COVID-19 and nearly 1 in 5 reported a close family member's death due to the virus. The research also highlighted high levels of substance use, depression, anxiety, and unmet treatment need among NH/PIs during COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPublic Health Reports·TypeSurvey·DateSep 16, 2022

Is it really healthy to restrict protein intake for kidney transplant recipients?

A recent study published in Clinical Nutrition found that sufficient protein intake is necessary to prevent sarcopenia after kidney transplantation. The research showed a positive correlation between changes in skeletal muscle mass and protein intake, with insufficient protein intake resulting in decreased muscle mass.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalClinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2022

Feeling out of equilibrium in a dual geometric world

Scientists at The University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science have developed a novel theory for describing nonlinear dissipative phenomena in a dual geometric space. This work enables the extension of thermodynamics to complex chemical reaction networks, including those involved in living organisms' metabolism and growth.

An unstable, flake-like network in the making

A team of researchers from MPI-CBG discovered that thousands of short-lived droplet-like condensates made up of actin filaments generate a first cortex in C. elegans after fertilization. This finding provides new insights into the formation and control of subcellular structures, crucial for cellular and developmental processes.

The magneto-optic modulator

UC Santa Barbara researchers develop a device to convert data from electrical current to pulses of light, allowing for faster transmission between cryogenic and room-temperature systems. The magneto-optic modulator enables the integration of superconducting microprocessors and quantum computers, promising revolutionized computation.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Electronics·DateSep 16, 2022

From analog to digital

A University of Missouri researcher and his team are using artificial intelligence to study anatomical research, creating detailed 3D computer models of muscles. This technology is advancing the field by enabling researchers to analyze muscle fiber orientation and develop a better understanding of motor control in animals.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalThe Anatomical Record·DateSep 16, 2022

Gut microbes and humans on a joint evolutionary journey

Researchers found that over 60% of investigated microbial species matched their human host's evolutionary history, indicating a co-evolutionary relationship spanning ~100,000 years. This discovery fundamentally changes how the human gut microbiome is viewed and opens up new possibilities for population-specific therapies.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 16, 2022

Tailoring the particle sizes of Pt5Ce alloy nanoparticles for the oxygen reduction reaction

Researchers have synthesized Pt5Ce alloy nanoparticles with ideal particle sizes of 6–9 nm, achieving high activity and stability toward the oxygen reduction reaction. The study's findings suggest that optimizing particle size is crucial for balancing catalytic performance and industrial applicability.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalAdvanced Sensor and Energy Materials·DateSep 16, 2022

New findings on dietary phosphorus intake

A two-part study by the International Food Additives Council found that Americans' daily natural phosphorus intake increased by 12% between 1988-1994 and 2015-2016. High phosphorus intake was associated with increased bone mineral content, reduced high blood pressure risk, and lower HDL cholesterol levels.

SourceKellen Company·JournalNutrients·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 16, 2022

York University study: Even smartest AI models don’t match human visual processing

A York University study found that deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) fail to capture the configural nature of human shape perception, which could be dangerous in traffic video safety systems. The researchers discovered that while humans use configural shape perception, DCNNs take 'shortcuts' and are insensitive to this aspect.

SourceYork University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2022

Support for art and other cultural objects can be strengthened by highlighting their collective value, finds new Rotman School research

New Rotman School research shows that emphasizing the historical and spiritual significance of artistic works can increase public support. By highlighting the collective value of art, people are more willing to protect it.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2022

Overexpressed Cyclin D1 and CDK4 proteins are responsible for the resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitor in breast cancer that can be reversed by PI3K/mTOR Inhibitors

Researchers found that palbociclib-resistant breast cancer cells rely on Cyclin D1-CDK4 for Rb protein phosphorylation. Targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway with inhibitors restores sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitors. This study highlights the necessity of re-biopsy and immunohistochemistry to determine resistance mechanism.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateSep 16, 2022

Novel analysis shows the experience of reward increases connectivity between the default mode network and other brain regions

Researchers found that experiencing reward enhances connectivity between the default mode network (DMN) and the ventral striatum. This effect was specific to the DMN and correlated with personality characteristics related to openness. The study used data from the Human Connectome Project, a database of healthy participants.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalNeuroImage·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 16, 2022