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Science News Archive April 2023 - Page 15


Page 15 of 37

Fish and bottlenose dolphins react differently to life in noisy shipping corridor of Charleston Harbor Estuary, with fish calls and choruses decreasing with anthropogenic noise, and dolphins ramping up vocalizations

Researchers found fish and bottlenose dolphins react differently to life in noisy shipping corridor of Charleston Harbor Estuary. Fish calls and choruses decreased with increasing anthropogenic noise, while dolphins ramped up their vocalizations. This study highlights the impact of human activities on marine wildlife.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 19, 2023

Online tool found to be effective at assessing dementia risk

A new online tool, CogDrisk, has been found to be effective in assessing dementia risk, providing a personalized report for patients and GPs. The tool uses a combination of statistical methods and modifiable risk factors to predict dementia risk, including physical activity, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, and poor diet.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalThe Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer s Disease·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 19, 2023

Childhood abuse and biological sex linked to epigenetic changes in functional neurological disorder

A study by Brigham researchers reveals that childhood trauma and biological sex are associated with epigenetic changes in functional movement/conversion disorder. Female patients and those with an history of childhood trauma show distinct profiles of epigenetic changes linked to this condition.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProgress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry·DateApr 19, 2023

Income inequality may not be reliable predictor when it comes to population health outcomes, new URI study shows

A new URI study reveals that the association between life expectancy and income inequality is not as clear-cut as previously thought. In high-income areas, life expectancy was higher in regions with higher income inequality, suggesting that income inequality may not be a reliable predictor of population health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalJournal of Health Population and Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Mind-body connection is built into brain, study suggests

A recent study published in Nature has identified specific brain areas that integrate planning, purpose, physiology, behavior, and movement. Researchers found that stimulating certain areas of the brain can calm both the body and mind, providing new insights into the mind-body connection.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2023

A once-stable glacier in Greenland is now rapidly disappearing

A study by Ohio State University researchers found Steenstrup Glacier in Greenland is retreating at an unprecedented rate, with a 5-mile retreat and quadrupled velocity between 2018 and 2021. The glacier's rapid change reveals that even long-term stable glaciers are susceptible to sudden and rapid retreat due to warming waters.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Black and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients with vascular disease have worse symptoms, bypass outcomes

A study of over 7,000 patients found that Black and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients with vascular disease have more severe symptoms before bypass surgery and are at greater risk for amputation and other complications after the procedure. Advanced disease accounted for up to half the effect of race on odds for amputation after ...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 19, 2023

Climate change may keep India from achieving its sustainable development goals

A recent study suggests that India's recurrent heatwaves have a significant socioeconomic impact on the country, weakening its progress toward achieving sustainable development goals. The study found that nearly 90% of the country is in danger zone from heatwave impact and around 20% is highly vulnerable to climate change.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Climate·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 19, 2023

Scientists identify 2022 sea urchin killer

Researchers identified a single-celled organism called a scuticociliate as the cause of a massive die-off event among long-spined sea urchins in the Caribbean and along Florida's east coast. The team used genomic techniques and lab experiments to confirm the source of the die-off, replicating what was observed in the ocean.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

UVA-developed artificial pancreas benefits both kids and adults with diabetes, new analysis finds

A recent analysis of three clinical trials found that the UVA-developed artificial pancreas improved blood sugar control by 13 percentage points and decreased hemoglobin A1c levels. The device spent an average of 2.8 more hours per day in target blood sugar range, benefiting both kids and adults with diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalDiabetes Technology & Therapeutics·DateApr 19, 2023

Warm-up time corrects creativity power imbalance

Researchers at Cornell University found that employees who are not in positions of power can become more creative when given time to warm up to a task by engaging in it multiple times. This challenges the idea that power boosts creativity and suggests a simple intervention to empower all employees.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateApr 19, 2023

Drones over Texas reveal agricultural damage caused by wild pigs

Researchers used drones to capture images of corn fields damaged by wild pigs in Texas, finding an average loss of 3,416 kg of corn per hectare and a direct cost to producers of up to $48.24 per hectare. The damage occurred mainly in later growth stages, when corn ears were maturing.

SourceWiley·JournalWildlife Society Bulletin·DateApr 19, 2023

Wellbeing-related factors linked with EU economic growth

A new study reveals that certain wellbeing-related factors, such as household income, internet access, and air pollution levels, are associated with economic growth in European Union countries. Western Europe's strong link to economic growth is attributed to disposable household income, inter-regional mobility, and housing, whereas Cen...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Novel oxychloride shows high stability and oxide-ion conduction through interstitial oxygen site

A new Bi-containing compound, LaBi1.9Te0.1O4.05Cl, exhibits high chemical and electrical stability and a high oxide-ion conductivity superior to other materials at low temperatures. The unique mechanism underlying the high conductivity is explained by an interstitialcy migration of oxide ions through the lattice and interstitial sites.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2023

Study links “stuck” stem cells to hair turning gray

Researchers found that melanocyte stem cells, responsible for hair color, lose their ability to mature and maintain hair color as people age due to getting stuck in the skin. The study showed that these 'stuck' cells cease regenerative behavior when they're no longer exposed to WNT signaling, leading to graying and loss of hair color.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2023

X-ray analysis sheds new light on prehistoric predator’s last meal

Researchers at ANU and AMRI used micro-CT scans to study a fossilized plesiosaur's stomach contents, finding 17 previously undiscovered fish vertebrae. This study provides insights into the evolutionary history of extinct organisms and helps predict how modern marine life may respond to climate change.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalAlcheringa An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 19, 2023

Eco-computing

A study at Kyoto University has demonstrated the computational power of ecological networks, providing a new direction for rapidly developing AI technologies. The researchers developed two types of ecological reservoir computing that efficiently process information and can be utilized as a computational resource.

SourceKyoto University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateApr 19, 2023

Tribal water rights underutilized in U.S. West

A new study reveals that Indigenous groups in the western US are struggling to turn their legal right to water into actual water use, despite having settled their water-rights claims. The findings show that tribes are likely using only a fraction of their entitled water rights, resulting in significant revenue losses.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 19, 2023

Applying AI to crack the problem of safer, better petroleum processing

Artificial intelligence is being used to improve the fluidic catalytic cracking process, a key step in making heavy crude oil into gasoline and other products. The method uses neural networks to analyze large amounts of data and identify patterns that can signal potential issues or opportunities, leading to better safety, efficiency, a...

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalBig Data Mining and Analytics·DateApr 19, 2023

Why this bird flu is different: scientists say new avian influenza requires urgent coordinated response

A highly pathogenic bird flu, H5N1, is spreading rapidly in the US, decimating wild birds and impacting poultry, with egg prices soaring. The study's findings highlight the need for unprecedented coordination to manage the spread of the disease, which may become endemic, posing risks to food security and the economy.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalConservation Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 19, 2023

Low temperatures increase the risk of sickness absence, especially for women, young people and third sector professionals

A study in Barcelona found that low temperatures increase sickness absence risk due to infectious and respiratory diseases. Women, young people, and those working in services sectors with non-manual tasks in indoor spaces are most affected. Sickness absences can last from two to six days after exposure to cold weather.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalFrontiers·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Does taking traditional Chinese medicine during pregnancy increase the risk of birth defects?

A multicentre prospective cohort study found that women using traditional Chinese medicine before and during pregnancy had a 2.1-times higher risk of congenital malformations compared to those without exposure. The study identified significant associations with early pregnant use and the use of two or more types of products.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateApr 19, 2023