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Science News Archive April 2023 - Page 16


Page 16 of 37

How does a millipede get its legs?

New research reveals that millipede segments contain tiny bundles of legs, which appear as transparent protrusions before molting. This discovery could help understand how not only millipedes but also other arthropods grow and develop.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Study suggests strong sense of purpose in life promotes cognitive resilience among middle-aged adults

A strong sense of purpose in life promotes greater connectivity within the brain's Default Mode Network, which may help protect against cognitive decline. Middle-aged adults with a higher purpose in life show lower levels of brain burden and better cognitive performance.

Research shows how organizations evaluate whether to imitate or differentiate when a competitor adopts new technology

A new study published in Strategic Management Journal found that organizations serving more difficult customer needs tend to defer investment, while those addressing easier problems accelerate adoption of the same technology. The researchers emphasized the importance of letting customers drive strategy around adopting a technology, reg...

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 19, 2023

UCR team creates “quantum composites” for various electrical and optical innovations

Researchers at UCR created quantum composites that exhibit functionality at a wide range of temperatures, offering potential applications in electronics, energy storage, and reflective coatings. The materials showed an unusually high ability to store electricity, with increased dielectric constant values.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2023

Does weight loss surgery harm adolescents’ bones?

A study found that sleeve gastrectomy decreases bone mineral density and strength in adolescents and young adults. Participants who underwent weight loss surgery lost significant amounts of weight and experienced reductions in abdominal fat tissue and muscle mass.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateApr 19, 2023

Study finds that child victims of violence face long-term psychological effects

A study found that young adults who experienced gunshot, stab, or assault wounds as children have significantly higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population. Ten respondents screened positive for probable PTSD, and nearly 17% reported persistent symptoms related to their injury.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of Pediatric Surgery·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

How opioid drugs get into our cells

Researchers at UNIGE discovered that natural opioids cannot enter cells, whereas therapeutic opioids can, leading to differences in physiological responses. The study's findings could help develop safer medications with improved efficacy and reduced side effects.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScience Advances·TypeNews article·DateApr 19, 2023

Eating walnuts on a regular basis could benefit adolescents' cognitive development and contribute to their psychological maturation

A recent study published in eClinicalMedicine found that eating walnuts on a regular basis can improve attention functions, fluid intelligence, and behavior in adolescents with ADHD. The research, led by the IISPV, suggests that following a healthy diet is crucial for cognitive development during adolescence.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 19, 2023

New viruses related to both giant viruses and herpesviruses

A new group of DNA viruses, mirusviruses, has been discovered in marine plankton, linking them to both giant viruses and herpesviruses. The discovery reveals that the ancestors of herpes viruses once infected single-cell organisms, while the majority of mirusvirus genes share similarities with those of giant viruses.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateApr 19, 2023

Sugar-sweetened beverages linked with increased risk of premature death for people with type 2 diabetes

A new study found that high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with an elevated risk of premature death and incidence of cardiovascular disease among people with type 2 diabetes. Drinking healthier beverages like coffee, tea, and plain water was linked to lower risk of dying prematurely.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Nagoya University researchers in Japan develop a new ultra-high-density sulfonic acid polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells

Nagoya University researchers have developed a poly(styrenesulfonic acid)-based PEM with an ultrahigh density of sulfonic acid groups, exceeding five times that of typical commercially available membranes. The new membrane exhibits a proton conductivity of 0.93 S/cm at 80°C under 90%RH, six times higher than Nafion or Selemion under th...

SourceNagoya University·JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials·DateApr 19, 2023

Researchers cultivate microalgae for biofuel production

The study analyzed the growth and productivity of Botryococcus terribilis under different cultivation systems. Stress increased the production of lipids and hydrocarbons by 49% and 29%, respectively, while proteins decreased. The microalgae's metabolites have potential applications in biofuel synthesis, cosmetics, and food.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalBiomass Conversion and Biorefinery·DateApr 19, 2023

Clinical trial improves neurocognitive outcomes for childhood craniopharyngioma

A phase 2 clinical trial found improved neurocognitive outcomes and comparable survival rates for children with craniopharyngioma treated with proton therapy compared to photon therapy. The study highlights the therapeutic advantage of proton therapy in sparing normal brain tissue and reducing collateral effects.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 19, 2023

Heat highway

Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo have found that phonons in isotopically pure carbon can behave like a fluid, allowing for faster heat conduction. This phenomenon, known as phonon Poiseuille flow, has implications for cooling sensitive computer processors and improving efficiency in electron...

Plate tectonic processes in the Pacific and Atlantic during the Cretaceous period have shaped the Caribbean region to this day

Researchers used computer simulations to understand the formation of new subduction zones and the development of the Caribbean large igneous province. The study found that simultaneous subduction of two plates led to a major mantle flow, triggering the formation of a plume and extensive magmatic activity.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 19, 2023

Killer heatwaves endanger India’s development

A new study from researchers at the University of Cambridge found that deadly heatwaves fueled by climate change made almost 90 percent of Indians more vulnerable to public health issues, food shortages, and increased risks of death. The study suggests that India's national Climate Vulnerability Indicator underestimates the main risks ...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS Climate·DateApr 19, 2023

Fluorescent aromatic nanobelts with unique size-dependent properties

Researchers at Nagoya University have synthesized methylene-bridged [n]cycloparaphenylenes ([n]MCPPs) with varying ring sizes, exhibiting unique properties such as fluorescence and paratropic belt currents. The discovery has significant implications for studying magnetic properties of aromatic nanobelts.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2023

Can a healthy diet prevent prostate cancer?

A study of 15,296 men found that a healthy Mediterranean or Prudent diet had no impact on prostate cancer risk, while an unhealthy Western diet may increase the risk of aggressive tumors. The findings suggest avoiding Western-style diet products and adopting Mediterranean diet habits could help prevent aggressive prostate cancer.

SourceWiley·JournalBJU International·DateApr 19, 2023

Antibody alternatives for biosensing

Researchers developed an electronic biosensor using DNA aptamers to detect biomarkers in whole blood samples. The biosensor successfully detected clinically relevant levels of a marker protein for cardiovascular disease without further sample preparation.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2023

Metal-poor stars are more life-friendly

Researchers found that metal-poor stars, with fewer heavy elements, emit less intense ultraviolet radiation into space. This allows their planets to form a protective ozone layer, making conditions more life-friendly. The study suggests that as the universe ages, it becomes increasingly unfavourable for complex life on new planets.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 18, 2023

Quantum liquid becomes solid when heated

Researchers have discovered a new phase of matter where a quantum liquid becomes solid when heated. The breakthrough was achieved through a collaboration between experimentalists and theoretical physicists, who developed a model that explains the formation of a quantum crystal at finite temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2023

Large animals travel more slowly because they can’t keep cool

A new study suggests that large animals are disadvantaged due to their limited traveling speeds, which can be attributed to their inability to effectively dissipate excess heat generated by their muscles. This limitation leads to slower travel speeds compared to medium-sized animals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 18, 2023

School prevalence of stimulant therapy for ADHD associated with higher rates of prescription stimulant misuse among teens

A new study found a strong association between the prevalence of prescription stimulant therapy for ADHD and rates of prescription stimulant misuse among middle and high school students. Schools with higher numbers of students on stimulant therapy had significantly higher rates of misused stimulants, highlighting the need for education...

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 18, 2023

Biological invasions as costly as natural disasters

The global economic impact of biological invasions exceeds that of natural catastrophes, with $1208 billion in losses between 1980 and 2019. Biological invasions have a long-lasting effect, causing significant damage to infrastructure, crops, and ecosystems.

SourceCNRS·JournalPerspectives in Ecology and Conservation·DateApr 18, 2023