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Science News Archive April 2023 - Page 12


Page 12 of 37

Bank of England media coverage is an "effective” additional channel for accountability, study shows

A recent study by University of Exeter researchers found that the Bank of England's media coverage plays a significant role in reinforcing accountability. The study analyzed 13,986 articles from major news outlets and discovered that media coverage levels are strongly linked to parliamentary hearings and speeches by central bankers. Th...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGovernance·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 21, 2023

Want to make better materials? Read between the lines. Or the “grain boundaries,” as they’re known in materials science.

A team of scientists created a mathematical model that accurately describes microstructures by integrating data from highly magnified images taken during experiments. The findings provide insight into how microstructures change at high temperatures and have implications for the development of new materials.

SourceLehigh University·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 21, 2023

What makes someone likely to be a first-gen college grad? Money

A new study reveals that first-generation college graduates often originate from more affluent families with greater resources. This challenges the notion of a meritocracy, where success is solely based on individual effort. The research highlights the significant advantage these students have due to their family's socioeconomic status.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSociological Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 21, 2023

The right sports bra may increase your running performance by 7%

A new study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living found that greater breast support during running is associated with increased knee joint stiffness, altering the lower body biomechanics of female runners. High support sports bras can improve running performance by up to 7% for women.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2023

Opportunities and challenges for geological and hydrogeological work in China in the new era

China's geological and hydrogeological work is facing significant challenges, including environmental degradation and resource depletion. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to promote innovation and transformation in geological work, broaden its application, and improve the level of geological services to society.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Groundwater Science and Engineering·DateApr 20, 2023

The University of Liège and Mithra pharmaceuticals are intensifying their collaboration for the production of biosourced estetrol

The collaboration between CiTOS Lab at ULiège and Mithra Pharmaceuticals enables the development of an efficient biosourced estetrol production process. The thermolysis reaction yields a key intermediate with unprecedented productivity, allowing for several million doses to be achieved with minimal global footprint.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalReaction Chemistry & Engineering·DateApr 20, 2023

Researchers reveal early results in sky-brightness measurements in Antarctica

The researchers used the Near-Infrared Sky Brightness Monitor (NISBM) to collect data on sky brightness in Antarctica. The results show that the background intensity of the sky is not influenced by the Sun at a specific inflection point, and the NISBM detected significantly lower brightness in the Ks band compared to other locations.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 20, 2023

HKUMed established the first human respiratory organoid culture system and unveils a novel mechanism for the high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

A research team created the first human respiratory organoid culture system, enabling scientists to study COVID-19 and its variants. The study found that the BA.5 Omicron variant exhibits dramatically increased infectivity and replicative capacity in human nasal and airway organoids.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023

Surgery most effective treatment of metabolic liver disease

A new study published in The Lancet shows that metabolic surgery is more effective than medications and lifestyle interventions in treating advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The trial compared three active treatments and found that surgery reversed inflammation and improved liver fibrosis, leading to better overall health ben...

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 20, 2023

Sino-Brazilian study proves compatibility of two fundamental principles of quantum theory

A Brazilian-Chinese research team has demonstrated the coexistence of non-locality and contextuality in a quantum system. The study paves the way for new quantum information processing and communication protocols by reconciling two fundamental principles of quantum theory that were thought to be mutually exclusive.

Novel durable copper-aluminum-zinc shape memory alloys for energy-efficient refrigeration

Scientists at Tokyo University of Science created a fracture-resistant alloy through heat-treatment, exhibiting improved elastocaloric properties and resistance to cyclical loads. The Cu-Zn-Al alloy showed significant increases in grain size, leading to enhanced cooling capabilities and paving the way for innovative refrigeration systems.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Physics Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023

New study finds shifting climate regions leading to hotter, drier conditions across Kenya

A new study reveals that climate zones in Kenya are shifting towards hotter and drier conditions, leading to declines in ecological diversity and threatening terrestrial ecosystems. The research highlights the urgent need for adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on food security and ecosystem management.

SourceSaint Louis University·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 20, 2023

Chicken breeding in Japan dates back to fourth century BCE

Conclusive evidence of chicken breeding in the Yayoi period of Japan has been discovered at the Karako-Kagi site. The study found that chickens were bred in the area during the middle Yayoi period, around 381-204 BCE, providing clear evidence that breeding occurred on the Japanese archipelago.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalFrontiers in Earth Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023

Common infections linked to poorer cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults

Signs of common infections in middle-aged and older adults were associated with poorer performance on a test of global cognitive function. Elevated antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 or cytomegalovirus were individually linked to worse performance, with more positive tests related to multiple infections showing stronger effects.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·DateApr 20, 2023

Children’s language development doesn’t just happen through words

Research by Professor Mila Vulchanova reveals associations between language development and cognitive skills in children. Non-verbal tests show that severity of language difficulties can be predicted based on cognitive markers, supporting the importance of measuring both verbal and non-verbal skills.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Language & Communication Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2023

Drought thresholds that impact vegetation growth reveals the critical points for nonlinear vegetation response to soil moisture stress

Researchers identify critical drought thresholds that impact vegetation growth and nonlinear responses to soil moisture stress. The study reveals two distinct phases of vegetation response, with a well-defined threshold beyond which vegetation becomes vulnerable to drought intensification.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateApr 20, 2023

Researchers reveal a map to study novel form of cell-to-cell communication

A team of researchers has created a new map of candidate extracellular RNA binding proteins and their associated RNAs in various bodily fluids. This resource was developed using computational analyses and validated experimentally, providing a foundation for understanding exRNA biology and its potential use in liquid biopsies.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalCell Genomics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 20, 2023

Fungal genetics could help develop novel biotechnologies

A new review paper highlights the potential of fungal biotechnology to advance various industries. By manipulating fungal genomes, researchers can develop bioinformatic tools and create sustainable biomaterials, such as machine learning algorithms for predicting mycological patterns or fungal batteries.

SourceOhio State University·JournalFrontiers in Fungal Biology·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 20, 2023

Defying gravity

Researchers from University of Warsaw and Utrecht University observed the Brazil nut effect in a mixture of charged colloidal particles without external energy. The phenomenon involves heavier particles rising to the top due to repulsion forces, with potential applications in geology, soft matter physics, and industry.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2023

Gut bacteria could be behind weaker immune responses to COVID-19 vaccine

A study published in Communications Biology suggests that gut bacteria's digestion of fucose sugar may be behind weaker immune responses to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Individuals with lower T-cell responses had higher expression of genes FOS and ATF3, which are part of a larger group controlling T-cell survival and activity.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2023

Study finds new pathway for clearing misfolded proteins

A new study at Stanford University found a previously unknown cellular pathway for clearing misfolded proteins from the nucleus. This pathway could be a target for therapies of age-related diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's. Cells use this pathway to manage misfolded proteins in both the cytoplasm and nucleus.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateApr 20, 2023