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Science News Archive 2023 - Page 37


Page 37 of 444

Study shows price discounts on healthful foods like vegetables and zero-calorie beverages lead to an increase in consumption of these foods

A randomized controlled trial found that significant price discounts on healthful foods like vegetables and zero-calorie beverages lead to increased consumption of these items. The study suggests that subsidies or modifications to the Farm Bill could promote healthier dietary intake behaviors.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 27, 2023

Increasing high-temperature strength of materials through collaborative efforts of AI and materials researchers

A team of researchers used AI to optimize thermal aging schedules for nickel-aluminum alloys, resulting in stronger materials at high temperatures. By analyzing unconventional heat treatment patterns, the team discovered a two-step schedule that outperformed conventional methods.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Cannabis use in pregnancy may raise infant health risks

A large Kaiser Permanente study found a connection between prenatal cannabis use and increased risk of low birthweight and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. The study analyzed over 360,000 mothers and infants and found a dose-response relationship between cannabis use and infant health risks.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateNov 27, 2023

Recycled phosphorus fertilizer reduces nutrient leaching, maintains yield

Researchers have found that struvite, a recycled phosphorus fertilizer, can reduce nutrient leaching and maintain soybean yields compared to conventional fertilizers. The study showed that struvite can be a full substitute for traditional fertilizers in terms of yield benefits.

Algorithmic recommendation technology or human curation? Study of online news outlet in Germany suggests both

A study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University suggests that combining human curation with automated recommender technology can improve user engagement in online news outlets. The research found that algorithmic recommendations outperformed human-curated choices on average, but the human editor did better under certain conditions.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManagement Science·DateNov 27, 2023

Non-profit organisations can act as drivers of sustainability for multinational companies

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland highlights the potential for non-profit organisations to promote sustainable practices in multinational businesses. By using a Strategic Confrontation and Collaboration Interaction Model (SCCIM), non-profits can influence stakeholders such as employees, investors, and politicians to ad...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalNonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly·DateNov 27, 2023

Next generation semiconductors: Diamond device shows highest breakdown voltage

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a diamond semiconductor device with the highest breakdown voltage and lowest leakage current. The device operates at high voltages and currents without losing electrical performance, making it suitable for applications such as solar panels and wind turbines.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalIEEE Electron Device Letters·DateNov 27, 2023

Kids who feel their parents are less reliable take fewer risks vital to learning and growth

A study found that children with unpredictable parental support tend to avoid exploratory risks, even in games designed to encourage them. This self-imposed limit on risk is not related to stress or anxiety levels, but rather a brain response to uncertainty, where familiar options are preferred over potentially uncertain outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

New study: Immersive engagement in mixed reality can be measured with reaction time

Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a system to measure presence in mixed reality using reaction time. The findings suggest that slow reaction times indicate low presence and high reaction times indicate high presence with 80% predictive accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 27, 2023

Future floods: Global warming intensifies heavy rain – even more than expected

A recent study published in the Journal of Climate confirms that global warming is increasing the intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall extremes exponentially. The study's findings suggest that extreme rainfall will be heavier and more frequent, impacting social welfare, economies, and social stability.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalJournal of Climate·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 27, 2023

Unlocking long-term genetic memory: Dormant bacterial spores offer key insights into evolutionary survival strategies

Researchers discover a central chromosomal domain that enables dormant spores to revive and activate essential genes, shedding light on bacterial survival in harsh conditions. The study's findings have broader implications for sustaining long-term transcriptional programs across diverse organisms.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Oral delivery a possibility for silica-based C’Dots

Researchers at Cornell University have found that silica-based C’Dots can be taken up by the bloodstream after oral administration, making them a potential therapeutic delivery method. The particles' ability to induce ferroptosis, a cell death program, may also provide health benefits due to their natural presence in food.

SourceCornell University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 27, 2023

The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University collaboration finds semaglutide treatment is associated with remarkable reductions in Alcohol Use Disorder symptoms

A case series published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry reveals semaglutide's potential therapeutic applications in managing Alcohol Use Disorder, demonstrating significant reductions in AUDIT scores. Further research is needed to validate these findings through larger clinical trials.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateNov 27, 2023

Unlocking the genetic mysteries: DNA methylation of gene silencers sheds light on disease variation

Researchers uncover intricate interplay between enhancers and silencers influenced by DNA methylation, providing crucial insights into dynamic gene control. High-resolution mapping reveals how genes are controlled and modified, paving the way for precision medicine tailored to individual patients.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalGenome Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 27, 2023

A novel quantification method for ribonucleotides, which are needed in almost all cellular processes

Researchers have developed a novel method to quantify all 12 ribonucleotides from small tissue and cell samples, enabling easy measurement without specialized equipment. This breakthrough has significant implications for basic research in biology and medicine, particularly in understanding mitochondrial diseases and cancer.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateNov 27, 2023

European parrots have dialects

Researchers found that monk parakeets in Europe have unique vocal patterns in each city, varying in frequency modulation structure. However, within parks in the same city, there were no significant differences in calls, suggesting dialects developed early and remained stable over time.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBehavioral Ecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 27, 2023

Spanish scientists discover a promising therapeutic target for cardiac arrhythmias

Researchers at the CNIC in Madrid have discovered a connection between stress kinases and the development of ventricular fibrillation. The study found that activation of these enzymes alters the electrical properties of cardiomyocytes, triggering arrhythmias.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Practice facilitation programs can help primary care clinics adopt best practices for providing COVID-19 vaccinations

Researchers developed a practice facilitation program to support family physicians in identifying unvaccinated patients and addressing vaccine hesitancy. The intervention provided resources such as scripts and medical student volunteers to work as physician-delegates, resulting in improved vaccination rates.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 27, 2023

Green Climate Fund fails to strengthen private sector engagement

The Green Climate Fund has struggled to mobilize financial resources from the private sector, with only a small share of its $40 billion budget coming from private sources. A new study suggests that this is due to perceptions of unprofitable investments and lack of attractive business models, particularly in climate adaptation.

SourceResearch Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam·JournalClimate Policy·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 27, 2023

Why does puberty trigger us to stop growing?

New research from University of Illinois Chicago identifies a potential 'stop growing' switch triggered by steroid hormone ecdysone in fruit flies, which may relate to human puberty. The study's findings have implications for understanding the growth-stopping process in humans, particularly given recent changes in puberty onset.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 27, 2023

New research sheds light on enhanced performance of thin-film VCSELs on composite metal substrate

Researchers led by Prof. Ray-Hua Horng published a groundbreaking study on the performance of thin-film vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) on composite metal substrate, introducing innovative methods to enhance thermal management. The breakthrough technique brings substantial improvements in device characteristics and pot...

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Aussie teens are not actually selfie-obsessed

Researchers from RMIT University found that Australians aged 20 to 40 years old take more selfies than teenagers and older Australians. Older participants used their smartphones for functional purposes like capturing information at work, whereas teenage participants preferred taking photos during exciting events or with friends.

SourceRMIT University·JournalJournal of Visual Literacy·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 27, 2023

Fish IgM structure sheds light on antibody evolution, study finds

Researchers analyzed fish IgM to understand its structure and how it differs from human antibodies. They discovered a unique folding mechanism that allows the antibody to assemble without a joining chain, enabling it to bind antigens and interact with its environment.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Gig workers saw greater financial hardship during COVID-19 compared to other workers

A recent study published in Work and Occupations found that gig workers experienced higher rates of food insecurity, skipped housing payments, and unpaid credit card bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic hardships were more pronounced for those with children, less savings, or working multiple gig jobs.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro·JournalWork and Occupations·TypeObservational study·DateNov 27, 2023