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Science News Archive August 2023 - Page 12


Page 12 of 38

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