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Science News Archive April 2023 - Page 4


Page 4 of 37

Sounds from nature: A soothing remedy for gambling addiction

A study by Chiba University researchers found that nature sounds significantly reduced stress levels and improved mood in participants with pathological gambling. Exposure to digital nature sounds of insects lowered oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the prefrontal cortex, indicating physiological relaxation.

SourceChiba University·JournalJournal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2023

How can we fight blood cancer more effectively?

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method called pharmacoscopy to test treatment options for multiple myeloma patients. This high-throughput screening platform analyzes the reactions of cancer cells to various treatments, offering personalized therapeutic strategies.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Cancer·TypeObservational study·DateApr 27, 2023

Infectious-diseases response initiative reduced staff burnout and helped prevent HAI increases at VA health care system during covid-19 pandemic

A serious infectious threat response initiative implemented by the Infection Prevention and Control team at Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System positively impacted IPC staff burnout and helped prevent an increase in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provided support and servic...

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeCase study·DateApr 27, 2023

Android-based application for photoacoustic tomography image reconstruction

A mobile application utilizing Python and a single-element ultrasound transducer has been developed for photoacoustic tomography (PAT) image reconstruction. The application successfully reconstructs high-quality images with signal-to-noise ratio values above 30 decibels, making it suitable for point-of-care diagnosis in low-resource se...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateApr 27, 2023

Genomes from 240 mammal species explain human disease risks

A large-scale genomic study of 240 mammal species reveals previously uncharacterized regulatory elements in the human genome, linked to disease risks and distinctive traits. The research provides insights into the evolutionary development of mammalian genomes and their potential applications in medical research.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2023

Discovering hidden order in disordered crystals

A new material analysis method combines resonant X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR to reveal the chemical order of Mo atoms in disordered Ba7Nb4MoO20. The study provides valuable insights into how a material's properties, such as ion conduction, are influenced by its hidden chemical order.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2023

At least one in three family members of those with serious mental illness feel stigmatized

A new study by York University researchers reveals that one in three family members of those with serious mental illness experience stigma, feeling blame, failure, and loneliness. The study highlights the need to reach out to this marginalized group, who have been overlooked in previous research.

SourceYork University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateApr 27, 2023

Elephant ecosystems in decline

More than 3 million sq km of Asian elephant habitat has been lost in 300 years, with suitable habitats cut by nearly two-thirds. The study suggests that the remaining elephant populations may not have adequate habitat areas, setting up a high potential for conflicts with people living in those areas.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 27, 2023

Researchers solve ancient mystery of Maya calendar

Ancient Mayans used an 819-day calendar that covered a much larger timeframe than previously thought. By increasing the calendar length to 20 cycles of 819 days, researchers found a pattern emerges in which the synodic periods of all visible planets align with station points in the larger calendar.

SourceTulane University·JournalAncient Mesoamerica·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 27, 2023

An innovative strategy for efficient wastewater treatment—— cross-stacked super-aligned carbon nanotube membrane

A new type of membrane separation technology is proposed for efficient wastewater treatment, which uses a nonpolar super-aligned carbon nanotube membrane to eliminate covalent-bonding-induced fouling. The membrane exhibits high selectivity and comparable permeability while achieving improved cleaning efficiency and oil/water separation.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2023

NRG Oncology study results confirm conventional external beam radiotherapy should remain standard of care in treating localized vertebral metastases of the spine

The NRG Oncology study found that stereotactic radiosurgery was not superior to conventional external beam radiotherapy in terms of pain response, and even showed worse pain response at 3 months. Conventional radiotherapy remained effective with a 50-60% pain relief rate, but only lasting four months.

SourceNRG Oncology·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateApr 27, 2023

The intestinal ecosystem directly affects anorexia

An international team of scientists discovered that a severe imbalance in the intestinal microbes and gut microbiome-produced metabolites may directly affect the development and retention of anorexia nervosa. The study suggests that specific gut bacteria produce less vitamin B1, leading to loss of appetite and various symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2023

The world’s first wood transistor

The team developed a working wood transistor that can regulate electric current without deteriorating, paving the way for wood-based electronics. The technology could potentially lead to applications such as regulating electronic plants, which is another strong research area at Linköping University.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2023

Maynooth University study finds the metabolic regulator MYC is defective in obesity

A Maynooth University study published in Science Signaling has found that the MYC protein is essential for MAIT cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, and function. The researchers also discovered that MYC is defective in people with obesity, providing a mechanism to explain why MAIT cells are impaired in this condition.

SourceMaynooth University·JournalScience Signaling·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2023

Pickleball helps older adults stay physically active

A pilot study by North Carolina State University researchers found that playing pickleball helped older adults aged 65 years and older reach their weekly recommended dose of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Participants averaged over 68 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per session, meeting CDC guidelines.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalRecreational Sports Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2023

Do fish bay at the moon? Can their odd songs identify Hawaiian mystery fish? Eavesdropping scientists progress in recording, understanding ocean soundscapes

Researchers recorded and identified mating and feeding sounds of 21 ocean species, including those influenced by the moon. The study's findings will contribute to the development of the Global Library of Underwater Biological Sounds (GLUBS), an open-access online platform for monitoring changes in marine environments.

SourceProgramme for the Human Environment, The Rockefeller University·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateApr 26, 2023

Can jack-of-all-trades AI reshape medicine?

Researchers chart course for generalist medical AI, capable of performing complex tasks in a wide range of scenarios. The model can integrate multiple data types and apply existing knowledge to new contexts, offering comprehensive solutions to alleviate clinician burnout and reduce clinical errors.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 26, 2023

Scientists discover rare element in exoplanet’s atmosphere

Scientists at Lund University have found seven elements, including rare earth metal terbium, in the atmosphere of KELT-9 b, the galaxy's hottest exoplanet. The discovery was made possible by a new method developed to analyze exoplanets, which has opened up the possibility of studying their atmospheres in more detail.

SourceLund University·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateApr 26, 2023

New insight into the mystery of ancient Gaza wine

Research at University of York and Tel Aviv University uncovers white grape variety, potentially oldest documented globally, hinting at sweet white wine's history in desert conditions. Genetic analysis links ancient seeds to modern varieties still grown around Mediterranean today.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2023