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Science News Archive 2023 - Page 379


Page 379 of 444

Frequent marijuana use linked to heart disease

Researchers have found a significant link between frequent marijuana use and an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), with daily cannabis users being about one-third more likely to develop the condition. The study used data from 175,000 people and suggested that cannabis use disorder is associated with a higher risk of CAD.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateFeb 24, 2023

Current air pollution standards tied to higher heart risks

A Kaiser Permanente study of 3.7 million adults found long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease, especially in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status. The research lends support for strengthening air quality standards to protect public health.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 24, 2023

New method creates material that could create the next generation of solar cells

A Penn State-led team developed a new process to fabricate large perovskite devices, which are more cost- and time-effective than previously possible. The technique, called electrical and mechanical field-assisted sintering (EM-FAST), allows for the creation of high-quality materials with controlled properties.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

Building an ideal knowledge management system

The K-EMERGE project aims to capture data from textbooks and human experts, combining them using deep-learning AI-based Natural Language Processing (NLP) and cognitive architecture modeling. The system learns continuously to evaluate and enhance the integrity of the data.

SourceSingapore Management University·DateFeb 24, 2023

Psychedelics may help people reinvent themselves

Researchers found that psychedelics combined with talk therapy can help people see themselves as nonsmokers, leading to a higher success rate in quitting smoking. The study suggests that psychedelics can reshape self-perceptions to help break free from old habits and addictions.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalKennedy Institute of Ethics Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

CHOP researchers identify molecules that optimize immune presentation of antigens across the human population

CHOP researchers have identified variants of a chaperone molecule that can enhance the loading of peptides across different HLA types, which could be used in cell therapy and immunization applications. The study found that chicken-derived TAPBPR proteins can react with multiple HLA allotypes and stabilize the empty MHC-I groove, boosti...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 24, 2023

New discovery sheds light on very early supermassive black holes

Astronomers have discovered a rapidly growing supermassive black hole in the very early Universe, which provides new clues on its formation. The galaxy, named COS-87259, contains over a billion solar masses worth of interstellar dust and is forming stars at a rate 1000 times that of our Milky Way.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 24, 2023

Mathematical modeling links odor-responsive behavior, neural activity, and genes

A study by Nagoya City University researchers found that odor exposure inhibits fast neural responses in C. elegans, leading to a more efficient movement away from the odor. The team used mathematical modeling to describe this process, revealing a simple equation that links behavior, neural activity, and genes.

SourceNagoya City University·JournalNeuroscience Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 24, 2023

Risk of cancer remains high for women over 50 with genetic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

A new study found that women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have a cumulative risk of 49% developing any type of cancer after age 50. Risk-reducing surgeries like mastectomies and BSOs can lower this risk, but many women opt out despite elevated risk. Genetic testing is crucial for accurate risk assessment and personalized care.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCancer·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 24, 2023

Breakthrough in tin-vacancy centers for quantum network applications

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have successfully created Sn-V centers with identical photon frequency and linewidth, marking a new phase in their use as quantum nodes. The breakthrough enables the formation of stable Sn-V centers suitable for creating remote entangled quantum states.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Applied·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

Developing countries pay the highest price for living with large carnivores

A new study found that human-wildlife conflict disproportionately affects developing countries, causing financial losses for farmers and threatening food security. The research highlights the urgent need for mechanisms to support rural communities living alongside large carnivores.

SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2023

New artificial model validates antibodies ability to reach the brain

A research group at Uppsala University has developed an artificial blood-brain barrier model that can validate the effectiveness of antibodies in reaching the brain. The model allows for the testing of antibodies without the need for animal experimentation, providing a more efficient and cost-effective alternative.

SourceUppsala University·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

First-of-its-kind study examines the impact of cannabis use on surgical patients' post-procedure healthcare needs

A recent study published in eClinical Medicine analyzed data from over 210,000 adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery in Boston between 2008 and 2020. The researchers found that cannabis users had a higher complexity of co-existing conditions, including mood disorders and substance use disorders, compared to non-users. Patients ...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 24, 2023

Head injuries could be a risk factor for developing brain cancer

Researchers from UCL Cancer Institute found that head injuries may contribute to the development of gliomas, a type of aggressive brain tumour. Studies in mice and human populations suggest that genetic mutations acting with inflammation can change cell behavior, increasing cancer risk.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

Workers moving products in the U.S. food supply chain at high risk of injury

A new Penn State-led study reveals that workers in the US food supply chain are at a high risk of serious injury due to unique hazards such as product movement. The researchers found that fractures of the lower extremities were most prevalent, with transportation-related accidents being the most frequent type.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Safety Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 24, 2023

PanGu drug model: Learn a molecule like a human

The Pangu drug model uses a novel graph-to-sequence structure to learn the relationship between chemical structures and formula strings. After pre-training on 1.7 billion druglike molecules, it achieved state-of-the-art results in 20 drug discovery tasks, including molecular property prediction and optimization.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateFeb 24, 2023

KIST offers a novel paradigm for social robots

KIST developed a robotic library system that integrates data from various products to provide context-customized assistance, addressing limitations of humanoid robots. The system offers user-friendly services through collaboration between different robotic components.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·DateFeb 24, 2023

Discovery suggests new way to prevent common causes of vision loss

UVA scientists have discovered a new contributor to abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, which could lead to new treatments for macular degeneration and other vision loss conditions. The discovery identifies a key protein that determines VEGF levels, blocking it has reduced VEGF levels significantly without unwanted side effects.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·DateFeb 24, 2023

New study reveals biodiversity loss drove ecological collapse after the “Great Dying”

A recent study analyzed marine ecosystems before, during, and after the Permian-Triassic extinction event, revealing that biodiversity loss led to ecological destabilization. The researchers found that functional redundancy, or the presence of multiple species performing similar functions, was critical in maintaining ecosystem stability.

SourceCalifornia Academy of Sciences·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 24, 2023

Clues about the northeast’s past and future climate from plant fossils

Researchers reconstruct ancient climates using plant fossils from the eastern seaboard, revealing a homogenous climate with warmer temperatures and increased rainfall seasonality. The findings suggest that future warming may be more similar to the early Miocene climate than expected.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalGlobal and Planetary Change·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2023

Research brief: Verapamil shows beneficial effect on the pancreas in children with newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes

A University of Minnesota-led study shows that verapamil can increase pancreatic insulin secretion by 30% in children with newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes. The treatment was well-tolerated and had a favorable safety profile, making it an appealing option for children and adults with the condition.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 24, 2023

Are dual-class shares good, bad, or a necessary evil?

A study found that dual-class shares can be beneficial for long-term performance if they come with a sunset clause, allowing founders to maintain control without exploiting shareholders. However, the existence of perpetual dual-class shares may lead to negative consequences, such as lower stock prices.

SourceSingapore Management University·DateFeb 24, 2023

Realizing synergy for bots and engineers

TrustedSEERs project, led by Professor David Lo, uses software analytics to create trusted automation bots as digital assistants informed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The goal is to improve the quality of software systems and applications by addressing challenges faced by software developers.

SourceSingapore Management University·DateFeb 24, 2023

Using the power of artificial intelligence, new open-source tool simplifies animal behavior analysis

A team from the University of Michigan has developed LabGym, an open-source software that uses artificial intelligence to identify, categorize and count defined behaviors across various animal model systems. By teaching the software what it should count, researchers can analyze animal behaviors more efficiently and accurately.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalCell Reports Methods·DateFeb 24, 2023

Health, not age, driving a rise in pregnancy complications

A recent study found that adverse pregnancy outcomes are largely driven by pre-pregnancy health issues such as diabetes and hypertension. The rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy rose by over 50% during the decade, while the shift in age distribution accounted for less than 2% of that change.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateFeb 24, 2023

More than half of COVID patients suffer long COVID symptoms

A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that more than half of COVID patients suffer from long-term symptoms, including fatigue, taste and smell abnormalities, and sleep disturbances. The research also revealed that young people, vaccinated individuals, and those previously infected can still experience these residual aftereffects.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2023

Excess weight, obesity more deadly than previously believed

New research reveals that excess weight or obesity is more deadly than previously thought, with about 1 in 6 US deaths related to it. The study challenges the 'obesity paradox' and highlights the pitfalls of using body mass index (BMI) as a health metric.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPopulation Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 24, 2023

Cleft lip and palate surgery procedures are undervalued, study suggests

A new analysis of 50,450 pediatric cleft or craniofacial surgery cases found that cleft procedures were rated as having an average efficiency roughly half that of the most-efficient procedures. The study concludes that the current RVU allocation system undervalues cleft surgical services relative to craniofacial procedures.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateFeb 24, 2023

Deer protected from deadly disease by newly discovered genetic differences

Researchers identified genetic variants associated with susceptibility to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in white-tailed deer. The study found that deer with specific mutations are less susceptible to the disease, which has been on the rise in northern Illinois and neighboring states.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalGenes·DateFeb 23, 2023

Plastic upcycling to close the carbon cycle

Researchers have developed a novel process that converts plastic waste into liquid gasoline-like fuel at low temperatures, eliminating unwanted byproducts. The innovative method uses alkylation catalysts and combines cracking and reaction steps in a single vessel, making it more efficient and cost-effective.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2023

MoBIE enables modern microscopy with massive data sets

Researchers developed MoBIE, a user-friendly tool for sharing and exploring large image data sets. The tool allows for visualization and analysis of huge amounts of data from hundreds of sources, making it easier for researchers to analyze and interpret microscopy data worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Methods·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 23, 2023

Simultaneous electricity generation and filteration of wastewater

Researchers developed a multifunctional membrane that simultaneously generates electricity and purifies wastewater into drinking water. The membrane can reject over 95% of contaminants and produce continuous electricity for more than 3 hours with minimal water usage.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 23, 2023

New study finds offering paid sick leave is good for U.S. business

A recent study by Florida Atlantic University and Cleveland State University researchers found that offering paid sick leave to US workers leads to fewer occupational injuries, less presenteeism and better employee health and safety. The study also shows positive impacts on business outcomes such as improved morale, retention, profitab...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 23, 2023

Dynamic expression of brain serotonin receptors across the menstrual cycle provides clues about premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Researchers discovered a significant increase in serotonin transporter density in the midbrain of patients with PMDD during the periovulatory phase, which was associated with increased depressed mood. The study suggests that taking SSRIs at specific times during the menstrual cycle may help target these changes and alleviate symptoms.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2023