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Science News Archive 2023 - Page 416


Page 416 of 444

Milk’s packaging influences its flavor

A new study in the Journal of Dairy Science confirms that milk packaging affects taste, with paperboard cartons and plastic bags imparting off-flavors and compounds to milk. Glass containers remain an ideal choice for preserving freshness, while plastic containers provide additional benefits.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

Sugary drinks tax may have prevented over 5,000 cases of obesity a year in year six girls alone

A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that the UK's soft drinks industry levy may have prevented 5,000 cases of obesity per year in year six girls due to an 8% relative reduction in obesity levels. However, there was no significant association between the levy and obesity levels in year six boys or younger children.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 26, 2023

Modern arms technologies help autocratic rulers stay in power

A large study reveals that access to modern military technology substantially reduces the probability of democratisation of authoritarian regimes. The spread of ground-breaking 29 military technologies in all independent states from 1820-2010 confirms connections between state's access to specific weapons, economy, and form of government.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalThe Economic Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 26, 2023

Events serve as “stepping stones” en route to retrieved memories

A recent study published in Psychological Science suggests that people use event boundaries as 'stepping stones' to scan their memories when recalling specific facts or information. By analyzing participants' responses to questions about film events, researchers found that individuals can scan an entire event in just 1 second and skip ...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

New species of microalgae discovered

Scientists have identified a new species of microalgae, Medakamo hakoo, which has the smallest known genome of any freshwater algae. The discovery could lead to the mass production of substances such as functional foods, cosmetics, and biofuels at low cost.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

Rapid plant evolution can alter predictions of coastal marshland resilience

Research reveals that evolutionary processes play a larger role in regulating ecosystem function, particularly in coastal marshes. Dominant plants' rapid growth and low decomposition rates allow them to store large amounts of carbon, but neglecting trait variation and evolution in models can mischaracterize ecosystem resilience.

Hope for patients with a severe rare disease

A team of scientists from ETH Zurich has developed a new diagnostic strategy for methylmalonic aciduria (MMA), a rare metabolic disorder affecting approximately one in 90,000 newborns. The approach, which considers genetic, RNA, protein, and metabolomics data, correctly diagnosed 84% of patients examined.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

Small-scale octopus fisheries can provide sustainable source of vital nutrients for tropical coastal communities

Small-scale octopus fisheries offer a sustainable source of food and income to communities facing food insecurity, providing essential micronutrients like vitamin B12, copper, iron, and selenium. This approach can facilitate sustainable production and catch methods that are less environmentally harmful than industrial fishing.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Food·DateJan 26, 2023

Transcendental Meditation effective in reducing burnout and depression symptoms in physicians

A randomized controlled study found significant reductions in both burnout and depression symptoms among academic physicians who practiced Transcendental Meditation. The technique produced large effect sizes in decreasing burnout and depression symptoms, with improvements also observed in emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishmen...

SourceMaharishi International University·JournalJournal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 26, 2023

UCLA researchers identify possible approach to prevent cancer from evolving to resist treatment

A new study by UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center identifies the DNA roots of resistance to targeted cancer therapy. The researchers found that a protein called DNA-PK plays a crucial role in the process of chromothripsis, which can lead to gene amplification and therapy resistance.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

Electrons in the fast lane

Researchers at the University of Rostock develop a new technology to eject electrons from metals using extreme short laser flashes. They generate the shortest electron burst to date, allowing for precise control over electron streaming time.

SourceUniversity of Rostock·JournalNature·DateJan 26, 2023

Reviews explore the drivers and impacts of Amazon deforestation and degradation

Researchers summarize key findings from two Reviews on Amazon deforestation and degradation. Human activities are changing ecosystems at unprecedented rates, threatening the planet's carbon and water cycles. Transformative policies are required to address these impacts and reduce economic demands driving deforestation.

More thankful, less stressed?

Researchers found that state gratitude predicts lower systolic blood pressure responses throughout the stress-testing period, indicating a unique stress-buffering effect. Affect balance amplifies the effects of state gratitude, suggesting its clinical utility in improving cardiovascular health.

SourceBIAL Foundation·JournalInternational Journal of Psychophysiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 26, 2023

Gillings study shows updated bivalent boosters are more effective at preventing hospitalization and death from Omicron

A peer-reviewed study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that updated bivalent mRNA vaccines are more effective than original monovalent boosters at preventing COVID-19 hospitalization and death. Booster effectiveness peaked at four weeks after receipt and waned afterward, with average effectiveness against severe i...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 25, 2023

Risk of SIDS among siblings of children who died of SIDS

A higher rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was observed among siblings of children who died of SIDS compared to the general population. Shared genetic and/or environmental factors may contribute to this clustering of SIDS, warranting consideration of family history in clinical assessments.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 25, 2023

Comparing airfares instead of seat size fairer indicator of passenger carbon emissions

Researchers found that allocating emissions based on ticket prices rather than travel class provides a more accurate representation of individual contributions. This approach encourages people from all budgets to seek alternative modes of transport and increases estimates of corporate emissions.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 25, 2023

The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior updates Nutrition Educator Competencies for Promoting Healthy Individuals, Communities, and Food Systems

The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) has updated its nutrition educator competencies to ensure professionals can facilitate lasting change in health. The new competencies cover content and processes for delivering effective nutrition education, including the role of physical activity and technology.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 25, 2023

Unraveling the protein map of the cell's powerhouse

A study has provided systematic insight into the organization of proteins in mitochondria, a crucial cell compartment responsible for energy production. The researchers created a high-resolution image of the organization of mitochondrial proteins using complexome profiling, revealing protein complexes that enable cellular processes.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalNature·DateJan 25, 2023