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Science News for August 17, 2023


The best thing since sliced tissue

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes create Gaussian Process Spatial Alignment (GPSA) to analyze 2D data from tissue slices and generate a 3D 'atlas' of the tissue. This allows for deeper understanding of biological tissue samples, enabling more precise predictions of gene expression and treatment outcomes.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 17, 2023

Climatic changes put the brakes on spider romance

A recent study found that climate change affects the mating rituals of Neotropical spiders, with males resorting to deceptive gift-giving tactics when food is scarce. This behavior becomes more common in harsh environmental conditions, leading to a decline in adult spider size and female fecundity.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBMC Biology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 17, 2023

A healthy diet, reading, and doing sports promote reasoning skills in children

A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland found that improved overall diet quality and increased time spent in reading and organised sports enhanced reasoning skills among children over two school years. Children with healthier eating habits showed greater cognitive development than their peers.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateAug 17, 2023

Victims of partner violence and child abuse face a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life

A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine documents a consistent risk level across race and gender for victims of partner violence and child abuse. The risk is similar among adult males and females and lower income Black and White Americans, increasing by 20-35% compared to those without interpersonal violence.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 17, 2023

Collecting clean water from fog

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method that collects and purifies water from fog simultaneously, rendering it safe for use in densely populated urban centers. The technology uses a close-mesh lattice coated with polymers and titanium dioxide to break down organic pollutants.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Sustainability·DateAug 17, 2023

Study observes sudden acceleration of flow, generates new boundary layer

Aerodynamic researchers at University of Illinois create wind tunnel experiment to study internal boundary layers and their impact on flow behavior. They identify a new internal boundary layer that changes the flow's behavior, providing insights into aerodynamics physics and improving turbulence models for complex designs.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateAug 17, 2023

RESEARCH ALERT: City of Hope scientists unravel how TET2 gene deficiency fuels development of acute myeloid leukemia

Researchers identified how low TET2 levels fuel rapid growth of acute myeloid leukemia in animal models. The study found that TET2 deficiency sets off biochemical changes enhancing the cancer's ability to spread. This discovery highlights potential therapeutic targets for treating aggressive bone marrow cancer.

SourceCity of Hope·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

Pollutants are important to biodiversity’s role in spread of wildlife diseases

Research found that increased biodiversity can either help or hinder disease outbreaks in wildlife, depending on environmental conditions. Environmental pollutants like road salt changed the susceptibility of amphibian species to parasites, with higher biodiversity communities experiencing a dilution effect when exposed to pollutants.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateAug 17, 2023

New breast cancer susceptibility genes

A large-scale international collaborative study has identified new genes associated with breast cancer, which could lead to better risk prediction and improved clinical management. The study found evidence for at least four new breast cancer risk genes, with many others showing suggestive evidence.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalNature Genetics·DateAug 17, 2023

Application of base editors in organoids opens new doors for cancer research

Researchers used base editors to introduce specific combinations of activating and inactivating mutations into healthy organoids, creating realistic models for various types of cancer. This allows for further investigation into the development and treatment of cancer, with potential applications including testing new drugs.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

Heredity and environment account for people’s love of nature

Research from the University of Gothenburg reveals that both innate factors and environmental influences contribute to an individual's attitude towards nature. The study suggests that a wide range of factors shape how people express their love for nature, and emphasizes the importance of considering these variations in urban planning.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 17, 2023

Policy to expand Medicaid coverage linked to higher participation in cancer clinical trials among people insured by Medicaid

Researchers found a 19% annual increase in Medicaid-insured cancer patients participating in publicly funded clinical trials after the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion. The study shows that targeted policies can increase access to health care and cancer clinical trials for those with Medicaid insurance.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 17, 2023

Cost to protect globally important forests falls disproportionately on those living closest

A decade-long study in Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains reveals that biodiversity conservation benefits vary widely among groups, with local rural communities bearing substantial costs. International funding could help smallholder farmers boost yields on their existing land to incentivize long-term forest protection.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEnvironmental and Resource Economics·DateAug 17, 2023

Wellcome Sanger Institute: Multiple organ functions of yolk sac revealed by early human development map

Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute mapped the multiple organ functions of the human yolk sac, revealing its role in producing key hormones and blood cells. The study provides novel insights into the earliest stages of immune cell development and has implications for understanding childhood diseases.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 17, 2023

LRT, REM, mass transit projects and their fuzzy reality

New research from the University of Ottawa's Telfer School of Management suggests that managing public transit projects requires a comprehensive approach considering rational, psychosocial, and political dimensions. This involves engaging stakeholders, including non-users, to ensure societal impact and cost-effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalIEEE Transactions on Engineering Management·TypeCase study·DateAug 17, 2023

International study shows that taste, independent of smell, is also significantly diminished in patients with COVID-19

A large and diverse group of over 10,000 participants showed a significant reduction in taste intensity, with a 21% decrease compared to those without symptoms. The team used a simple, non-invasive test to track chemical senses, demonstrating that COVID-19 affects taste perception independent of smell.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalChemical Senses·TypeSurvey·DateAug 17, 2023

La Brea megafaunal extinctions driven by fires 13,000 years ago

A new study found that large-scale fires in an ecosystem made increasingly vulnerable by climate change and human impacts led to the extinction of two-thirds of Earth's large mammals in Southern California. The findings, based on radiocarbon chronology of fossils from the La Brea tar pits, suggest that fire was the primary cause of reg...

Child Development Journal Q&A: How do youth view gang violence is shaping their communities?

A new study examines how youth from Honduras and Nicaragua evaluate moral judgments on acts of physical violence. The findings show that both groups prioritize the well-being of others, but differ in their reasoning, with some forms of violence judged as having protective factors in insecure conditions.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateAug 17, 2023

UArizona College of Nursing receives $2.6M HRSA grant to support Doctor of Nursing Practice students' clinical placements

The University of Arizona College of Nursing will deploy immersive managed practice adaptable clinical training starting in the spring semester of 2024, supporting 19 students per year with $25,000 each. The grant also helps establish a longitudinal clinical placement model and provides financial support for community partners.

With advances in in vitro models, group proposes refined legal definition of an embryo

A group of biologists and ethicists suggest adding clarity to ongoing research using embryo models to refine the legal definition of human embryos. They propose a new definition that focuses on what an embryo can become rather than how it came to be, allowing for improved evaluation of models and potential future recognition as embryos.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 17, 2023

The efficacy of gene therapy demonstrated in patients suffering from Crigler-Najjar Syndrome, a rare liver disease

A European gene therapy clinical trial has demonstrated the possibility of restoring expression of the UGT1A1 enzyme in patients with severe Crigler-Najjar syndrome. The treatment resulted in significant reduction in bilirubin levels and sustained efficacy in patients, offering a new hope for treating this rare metabolic disease.

SourceAFM-Téléthon·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 17, 2023

Policies favoring high-volume hospitals may disadvantage rural cancer patients

Patients with cancer who live in rural Pennsylvania counties are more likely to receive complex surgeries at high-volume hospitals due to their perceived better outcomes. However, for less complex surgeries, rural patients are less likely to opt for high-volume hospitals despite potential benefits from centralization.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJCO Oncology Practice·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2023

The scale of emissions inequality in U.S. society

A new study links US household income to greenhouse gas emissions, revealing that the top 1% of households generate 40% of total emissions. This income-based carbon tax could incentivize decarbonization and provide revenue for climate finance, addressing emissions inequality.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Climate·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2023

New type of star gives clues to mysterious origin of magnetars

Researchers have uncovered a living star, HD 45166, that is likely to become a magnetar, marking the discovery of a new type of astronomical object - massive magnetic helium stars. The star has an incredibly strong magnetic field, 43,000 gauss, and will end its life as a compact core with a magnetic field of around 100 trillion gauss.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateAug 17, 2023

Diagnosis of voice condition from call audio

Researchers developed a new method to estimate vocal cord vibrations pitch from call audio, leading to more accurate dysarthria diagnoses in telemedicine. The method integrates feature quantities extracted from amplitude and phase spectra, demonstrating robustness against background noise.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalIEEE/ACM Transactions on Audio Speech and Language Processing·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

Promising anti-inflammatory properties of black soldier fly larvae oil – implications on conditions such as ulcerative colitis

The study found that black soldier fly larvae oil exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and improving colon health. BSFL oil's unique compound profile may offer a new approach to managing inflammatory diseases.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

New call for joint effort to bolster research integrity

A new article by leading researchers emphasizes the need for a coordinated approach among all stakeholders to improve trust in research. The authors outline roles for each group, from funders to media outlets, to work together to fortify science integrity.

SourceDigital Science·JournalFrontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 17, 2023

Assessment of immunological reaction to mRNA SARS CoV-2 vaccine after administration of Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab, using B cell receptor repertoire analysis

Researchers developed a new method to assess immune responses to specific antigens after mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration, using B cell receptor repertoire analysis. This approach enables evaluation of post-vaccination responses in immunocompromised patients with high antibody titers.

SourceKobe University·JournalBritish Journal of Haematology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

Without aggressive climate action, U.S. property values will take a hit from escalating wildfire risk and tree mortality, study finds

A new study finds that US property values exposed to wildfires and tree mortality will increase sharply in future climate scenarios, particularly in the western US. Aggressive climate action can substantially reduce exposure, with the value of exposed property topping out at $11 billion under mitigation scenarios.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 17, 2023

Uncovering the role of somatostatin signaling in the brain

A Penn State-led research team discovered that somatostatin signaling acts to dampen communication among cell types in the prefrontal cortex, promoting exploratory and risk-taking-like behavior. The findings suggest that somatostatin fine-tunes circuits to promote certain behaviors, including decision making.

SourcePenn State·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

More than meets the eye: New research shows how the visual system contributes to memory

A team of researchers identified neural dynamics that our visual system uses to transform what we see into what we do, demonstrating that working memory relies on both what one is storing and why. This new understanding challenges traditional theories of working memory, which state that storage codes are stable over time.

SourceNew York University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

Are you breaking your body clock?

Researchers developed a new mathematical model to study circadian rhythm resilience and develop ways to improve it in individuals with weak internal clocks. Sustained disruptions can lead to disorders like diabetes and memory loss.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical Systems·DateAug 17, 2023

Breast size affects women's attitudes to exercise

A new study published in JPRAS Open found that breast size affects women's attitudes towards exercise, with larger breasts leading to less frequent exercise. However, after breast reduction surgery, women reported increased overall frequency, enjoyment and willingness to exercise in a group.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJPRAS Open·TypeSurvey·DateAug 17, 2023

Research gives new insights into fighting antimicrobial resistance

A new study from the University of Nottingham models how antibiotic resistance genes build up in gut bacteria through lifetime exposure to food intake and antibiotic treatment. The research suggests that reducing exposure to resistance genes is particularly effective during periods of antibiotic treatment, and that dietary advice shoul...

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2023

Chung-Ang University study validates the simple view of reading for enhancing second and foreign language learners’ experience

Researchers expand simple view of reading framework using meta-analytic structural equation modeling, validating its effectiveness for SFL learners. Decoding skills and language comprehension skills are identified as primary components for effective SFL reading instruction.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalReview of Educational Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

Molecule identified that could be key for a new wave of drugs to target obesity and bone diseases

Scientists have identified a molecule that regulates nerve cell sensors, which could lead to new therapeutics for obesity, osteoporosis, and inflammatory diseases. The molecule can be modified into peptide-based therapeutics to boost the activity of channels involved in bone strength and satiety.

SourceVictor Chang Cardiac Research Institute·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023