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Science News Archive 2023 - Page 437


Page 437 of 444

A Concordia urban forest-mapping project wraps up with help from public and private data

The study highlights the importance of a diverse city tree population, with private residences contributing significantly to urban forest diversity and structure. The research found that private trees serve unique functions such as providing fruit, flowers, or aesthetic beauty, while municipal trees tend to be bigger and more resilient.

SourceConcordia University·JournalUrban Forestry & Urban Greening·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 10, 2023

The nose knows: study suggests it may be wise to screen for smell loss to predict frailty and unhealthy aging

Researchers found that impaired olfactory identification and sensitivity functions are associated with frailty, suggesting a potential biomarker for predicting frailty and unhealthy aging. The study's findings suggest screening older adults' ability to smell various scents could be as important as testing hearing and vision.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Gerontology·DateJan 10, 2023

Astronomers spotted unusual stellar explosion rich in oxygen and magnesium

Researchers have discovered a supernova with strong features of oxygen and magnesium, suggesting the explosion could be crashing into circumstellar matter formed around 1,000 days prior to the event. This finding provides new insights into the later stages of massive star life and creates challenges for current theories on star evolution.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 10, 2023

Award stickers and taste descriptions matter for artisanal cheese buyers, Oregon State research shows

A study from Oregon State University found that consumers are willing to pay more for familiar cheese varieties if they have an award sticker or sensory information about the taste. The researchers identified two groups of consumers: those who prefer unfamiliar foods and those who prefer familiar ones, with different priorities for the...

SourceOregon State University·JournalFood Quality and Preference·DateJan 10, 2023

New UCF-developed battery could prevent post-hurricane electric vehicle fires

The UCF-developed battery uses saltwater as an electrolyte, eliminating volatile solvents and overcoming limitations of previous aqueous batteries. The novel design allows for fast charging in just three minutes and increased stability, making it a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2023

Glial cells help memory along

A new study reveals that astroglial cells, a type of glial cell, are essential for the integration of sensory information from a location, enabling spatial learning and memory. This mechanism involves the release of D-serine, which strengthens dendritic spikes, facilitating the recognition and storage of familiar places.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2023

How differences in diagnoses of mental disorders might affect clinical research outcomes for antipsychotics

A study from Japan found that variations in psychiatric diagnoses across different cultures can affect the efficacy of antipsychotics in clinical trials. Researchers analyzed data from 28 double-blind randomized trials and found that psychotic features were associated with varying therapeutic responses to antipsychotic medications.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalPsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 10, 2023

HKU Dentistry new jaw surgery concept effective in treating moderate-to-severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea with over 50% of cases cured

A new jaw surgery technique, segmental mandibular advancement (SMA), has been shown to effectively treat moderate-to-severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in a pilot study. The procedure resulted in a 50% or more reduction in breathing disturbances at night for 58% of patients, with no signs of sleep apnea.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalOral and Maxillofacial Surgery·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2023

Pandemic-forced shift to online education can be boon for future social workers

A University of Kansas professor argues that social work educators can adapt their teaching practices to best prepare students for in-person and virtual interactions with clients. The study provides a framework for teaching practice courses across modalities, emphasizing the importance of interactivity, empathy, and experiential learning.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Teaching in Social Work·TypeObservational study·DateJan 10, 2023

X-ray light reveals how virus responsible for COVID-19 covers its tracks, eluding the immune system

A new study uses serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography to reveal the structure of NendoU protein at room temperature. The resulting high-resolution image shows that the protein's flexibility plays a crucial role in its functional mechanism, which is essential for designing antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2.

SourceArizona State University·JournalStructure·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2023

Beyond the average cell

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Purdue University used single-cell data to develop a new framework for understanding the relationship between cell growth, DNA replication, and division in bacteria. They found that individual cells can exquisitely coordinate these processes, despite the 'noisiness' of each process.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 9, 2023

Mount Sinai researchers first to identify that two separate eye diseases may contribute to common blinding eye condition

Mount Sinai researchers discovered that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may be caused by two distinct types of deposits in the retina: drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs). Early intervention with vitamin supplements can slow down drusen formation, while SDDs pose a greater threat to advanced AMD.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalEye·TypeObservational study·DateJan 9, 2023

‘Smart’ coating can be precisely applied to make fabric into protective gear

Dartmouth College researchers have developed a durable copper-based coating that can precisely be integrated into fabric to create responsive materials for protective equipment, environmental sensors, and smart filters. The coating responds to toxic gases in the air by converting them into less toxic substances trapped in the fabric.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2023

Military service members who hide their suicidal thoughts are more likely to store their firearms unsafely

A Rutgers study found that military service members who hide their suicidal thoughts and avoid behavioral health care tend to store their firearms unsafely. Those with undisclosed past year suicidal thoughts stored their firearms at home more often and with a locking device in place less often.

SourceRutgers University·JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateJan 9, 2023

Mathematical model predicts long-term effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses in different patient populations

A mathematical model predicts the long-term effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses in various patient populations, including those with healthy immune systems and cancer patients. The model suggests that robust antibody-based responses can be achieved through booster doses, but may wane quickly in immunosuppressed individuals.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 9, 2023