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Science News for August 23, 2023


NIH/National Institute on Aging’s $3 million R01 Grant supports study evaluating probiotic/prebiotic combination’s impact on maintaining bone health of older women

The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a synbiotic medical food, SBD111, in maintaining lumbar spine bone mineral density with aging. The researchers hope to provide new dietary interventions for preventing osteoporosis and fractures.

Biologist gets the scoop on squash bug poop

A graduate student's accidental discovery sheds light on how squash bug nymphs acquire essential bacteria. Researchers found that the nymphs eat adult feces to obtain the necessary microbes, an elegant solution to a basic problem. This finding may offer insights for improved methods to control squash bugs, a significant agricultural pest.

SourceEmory University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2023

Lower-middle class Americans near retirement are worse off than 20 years ago, new USC and Columbia study shows

A new study by USC and Columbia University reveals that lower-middle class Americans nearing retirement age face poorer health, worse economic outcomes, and lower homeownership rates. The 'forgotten middle' group lacks adequate resources to cover healthcare and housing costs.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 23, 2023

A fitness tracker for brain health: How a headband can identify early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in your sleep

Researchers developed a digital biomarker that detects early signs of Alzheimer's disease using EEG headbands, identifying abnormal levels of proteins in sleep patterns. The study found measurable problems with memory reactivation in 205 aging adults, paving the way for affordable devices to monitor brain health.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAlzheimers Disease & Dementia·DateAug 23, 2023

Despite fears to the contrary, Canadian wildfire smoke exposure was not much worse than a bad pollen day in New York City

Researchers found that Canadian wildfire smoke exposure led to a slightly higher bump in asthma-related hospital visits compared to high-pollen days. However, other potential health effects, such as heart attacks and strokes, require further investigation.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2023

Solar powered irrigation: a game-changer for small-scale farms in sub-Saharan Africa

A new study suggests that solar-powered irrigation systems could increase yields and profits for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, addressing the region's high yield gap and food insecurity. The innovative system, developed by an international team of researchers, estimates a potential economic benefit of over USD 5 billion pe...

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateAug 23, 2023

National estimates of gender-affirming surgery

Gender-affirming surgeries in the US increased nearly threefold from 2016 to 2019, with breast and chest procedures being the most common. The number of genital surgical procedures performed rose with increasing age, indicating a growing trend among older individuals seeking gender-affirming care.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 23, 2023

Case study: overcoming barriers to venom immunotherapy for fire ant allergy patients

A recent case study highlights the challenges faced by families seeking venom immunotherapy for fire ant allergies, particularly in low-income communities. Despite proven safety and effectiveness of treatment, access remains a significant issue due to transportation barriers, lack of childcare, and work constraints.

SourceOchsner Health System·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateAug 23, 2023

Newly discovered “primitive cousins of T rex” shed light on the end of the age of dinosaurs in Africa

Two new species of primitive carnivorous dinosaurs, belonging to the Abelisauridae family, have been discovered in Morocco. The findings suggest that dinosaurs thrived in North Africa until their mass extinction by an asteroid 66 million years ago, providing a diverse picture of African dinosaurs from the end of the age of dinosaurs.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalCretaceous Research·DateAug 23, 2023

Education levels and child age shaped caregivers’ concerns amid Covid-19 pandemic, NIH study suggests

A recent NIH study found that caregivers' education levels and child ages played significant roles in determining their primary sources of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caregivers with lower education levels reported more financial concerns, while those with higher education levels were more worried about social distancing.

SourceDuke Clinical Research Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 23, 2023

Do measurements produce the reality they show us?

Researchers from Hiroshima University found that measurements shape observable reality, suggesting a context-dependent understanding of quantum superpositions. This approach resolves the paradox of conflicting results in quantum experiments and provides evidence against reducing reality to material building blocks.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateAug 23, 2023

Adding immunity to human kidney-on-a-chip advances cancer drug testing

A new immune-infiltrated human kidney organoid-on-chip model enables the assessment of on-target, off-tumor effects of immunotherapeutic T cell bispecific antibody drugs. The study's findings provide important insights into which cells are targeted by a given TCB and what, if any, off-target damage arises.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2023

Fungus gnats as pollinators not pests

A new study reveals that fungus gnats are crucial pollinators of certain Euonymus plant species with red-petaled flowers. The unique traits of these flowers, such as their yogurt-like scent and short stamens, have evolved to attract the fungus gnats, highlighting the importance of Diptera in plant diversity and evolution.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAnnals of Botany·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 2023

Buffalo slaughter left lasting impact on Indigenous peoples

The mass slaughter of bison by European settlers led to devastating economic shock for Indigenous peoples, with adult height dropping by over an inch within a generation. The study also found that child-mortality rates were higher and occupation reporting lower among bison-reliant nations compared to non-bison reliant nations.

SourceEmory University·JournalThe Review of Economic Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 23, 2023

Which is better—casts or surgery—for older adults with arm fractures?

A recent study found that cast immobilization is as effective as surgery in treating older adults with arm fractures. After one year, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of disability or range of motion. The study included 276 patients aged 70–89 years who suffered a distal radius fracture.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Research®·DateAug 23, 2023

For children with fever, the proportion taken for treatment across Africa, Asia and Latin America has increased significantly in the last 30 years from 61% to 71%, but "significant gaps" in access to healthcare remain

The proportion of children with fever treated across Africa, Asia, and Latin America has risen significantly from 61% to 71% over the past 30 years. Despite this increase, significant gaps in access to healthcare persist.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateAug 23, 2023

Could microplastics in soil introduce drug-resistant superbugs to the food supply?

Researchers warn that microplastics and nanoplastics in agricultural soils could contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria entering the food chain. This phenomenon is not well known, but studies suggest that plastics can act as vectors for transmitting pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

Blink and you'll miss these plants shooting their seeds

Researchers found that witch hazel species with heavier seeds can fling them just as fast as lighter ones due to their spring-loaded fruits. The plants' unique mechanism involves the seed capsule drying out and deforming, releasing elastic energy to propel the seed forward.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2023

Biodiversity protects against invasions of non-native tree species

A global study reveals that proximity to human activity and native biodiversity are crucial factors in determining the likelihood and severity of non-native tree invasions. Native species help buffer the intensity of these invasions by filling available niches, making it harder for non-native trees to spread.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 23, 2023

MSU research suggests natural selection can slow evolution, maintain similarities across generations

A new study from Michigan State University finds that natural selection can slow down evolution and keep similar traits across generations. Researchers used the wild radish plant as a model organism and selectively bred individuals with varying stamen lengths to test the influence of selection and constraint on this trait.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNew Phytologist·DateAug 23, 2023

2024 Hertz Fellowship application now open

The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation is accepting applications for the 2024 Hertz Fellowship awards. The five-year fellowship program provides funding, flexibility, and independence to pursue research and advance national security and economic vitality. Past recipients include Nobel laureates and leaders in various scientific disciplines.

New dual-arm robot achieves bimanual tasks by learning from simulation

Researchers at the University of Bristol developed a novel Bi-Touch system enabling robots to perform manual tasks with human-like dexterity. The system uses simulation-based training for AI agents, which are then applied to real-world scenarios, achieving precise sensing, gentle interaction, and effective object manipulation.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2023

AI recommendation vs. user subscription: analyzing in-feed digital advertising performance on platforms like Twitter, Google News, and TikTok

Researchers found that subscription channels have greater source credibility and content control, leading to higher conversion rates despite perceived ad intrusiveness. In contrast, AI-recommended channels elicit more clicks but with smaller proportions of genuine interest and purchases.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateAug 23, 2023

Human activities appear to drive insect declines in Europe

A review of 82 studies found human activities influencing insect habitats, leading to declines in Central and Western Europe. Agricultural activities, urbanization, and climate change are identified as primary drivers of observed changes in insect populations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 23, 2023

Male sex chromosome finally deciphered

A team of researchers has fully sequenced the Y chromosome, completing the human genome puzzle and unveiling new insights into male-specific development, fertility, and disease. The achievement reveals detailed structures of sperm-regulating gene families and discovers additional genes in the Y chromosome.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature·DateAug 23, 2023

Breast cancer study altered guidelines in Sweden

A Swedish study revealed that including all eleven associated genes in the screening test doubled the proportion of women with genetically confirmed hereditary breast cancer. The study included 4759 individuals and found that around 85% of women investigated for suspected hereditary breast cancer had a genetic abnormality.

SourceLund University·JournalBMC Cancer·DateAug 23, 2023

Heavy drinking, handgun-carrying linked among rural youth

A study published in The Journal of Rural Health found that rural US youth who engage in heavy drinking are more likely to carry a handgun, with a 43% increased risk. The study suggests that evidence-based prevention programs can address both behaviors and potentially lower firearm-related harm among adolescents.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Rural Health·TypeSurvey·DateAug 23, 2023

A better understanding of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome could benefit long COVID patients

A special section of WORK journal provides insights into the overlap and differences between ME/CFS and Long COVID, highlighting the importance of early recognition of post-exertional malaise (PEM) for symptom management. Researchers emphasize the need for specialized care and pacing as a therapeutic strategy to improve quality of life.

SourceIOS Press·JournalWork·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 2023

Sci­en­tists develop fermionic quan­tum pro­ces­sor

Researchers have designed a new type of quantum computer that uses fermionic atoms to simulate complex physical systems. The processor can efficiently simulate fermionic models in a hardware-efficient manner using fermionic gates, making it ideal for simulating systems where fermionic statistics play a crucial role.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2023

Noncoding DNA explains a majority of the heritability of dairy cattle traits, like milk production and fertility

A study published in Cell Genomics reveals that noncoding DNA accounts for 69% of the heritability of dairy cattle traits, including milk production and fertility. This breakthrough could improve the efficiency of agricultural breeding programs and provide a new model system for future studies in humans and other animals.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Genomics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2023

People taking adult education classes run lower risk of dementia

Researchers found that participants taking adult education classes had a 19% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not. This association held true for both Caucasian and non-Caucasian individuals, as well as those with pre-existing health conditions.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 2023

Deadly communication

Researchers developed a new strategy for T-cell-based immunotherapy using aptamers, which directly activates immune cells against cancer cells without genetic modifications. The innovative regulatory circuit establishes an artificial interaction between T cells and cancer cells.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2023

Gregarious locusts wear contrasting black-brown ‘clothes’ to warn predators

The study reveals the ability of organisms to achieve distinct body color patterns through precise control of pigment deposition. Gregarious locusts use their black-brown warning coloration to enhance aposematism by stimulating both visual and olfactory senses, facilitating recognition of conspecifics and maintaining large swarms.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 2023

Health claims and doses of fish oil supplements

Fish oil supplements often make health claims without sufficient trial data, leading to potential variability in safety and efficacy due to differing doses of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. The study highlights the need for more rigorous regulation of these products.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateAug 23, 2023

Knowledge of building blocks of words plays an important role when deaf children learn to read, analysis shows

Morphological awareness plays a crucial role in deaf children learning to read and expand their vocabulary. The study found that this knowledge is more important for deaf students than phonology or phonics, offering opportunities for them to actively construct words.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalThe Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 23, 2023