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Science News Archive August 2023 - Page 36


Page 36 of 38

Study exposes plight of deported noncitizen veterans

A study by UC Riverside-led researchers reveals that deportation causes social, economic, and political insecurities among noncitizen veterans. The study found that many veterans struggle to maintain access to necessities, experience chronic stress, and face poor health outcomes after deportation. The researchers emphasize the need for...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateAug 2, 2023

Correlation between neutron pairs observed in helium-8 nuclei

A research team led by Associate Professor Wataru Horiuchi and Professor Naoyuki Itagaki from Osaka Metropolitan University successfully demonstrated the existence of dineutron-dineutron clusters in helium-8 nuclei. Their findings provide new insights into the binding forms of neutrons and shed light on the origins of elements around us.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPhysical Review C·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 2, 2023

Unveiling cellular composition and zpatial architecture of tumor microenvironment in multiple primary lung cancers

A study published in Cell Death & Disease has characterized the cellular composition and spatial architecture of tumor microenvironment in human multiple primary lung cancers. The researchers identified a previously undescribed sub-population of epithelial cells, CLDN2+ alveolar type II (AT2), specifically enriched in MPLCs.

Many people feel their jobs are pointless

A sociological study by the University of Zurich confirms that many professionals consider their work to be socially useless. Office jobs were found to be more than twice as likely to feel pointlessness compared to other occupations. The study suggests that factors such as routine work, job autonomy, and management quality also contrib...

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalWork Employment and Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2023

New study: Political animosity is global

A new study found that affective polarization, a global bias against opposing political parties, is fueled by shared cognitive frameworks and disagreements over issues. The research suggests interventions like highlighting shared opinions and unique perspectives may reduce polarization.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateAug 2, 2023

Novel fatty acids-governed cannibalism in beneficial rhizosphere Bacillus enhances biofilm formation via a two-component system OmpS/R and toxin transporter

Researchers discovered that Bacillus velezensis SQR9 uses a two-component system OmpS/R and toxin transporter to regulate fatty acid-mediated cannibalism, promoting biofilm formation. This precision system allows the strain to gain an evolutionary benefit by sacrificing cells involved in cannibalism.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateAug 2, 2023

Cost of translating consent documents may serve as a barrier to participation of members of underrepresented groups in clinical trials

Researchers found that translating consent documents can discourage investigators from recruiting patients with limited English proficiency, contributing to low rates of participation from underrepresented groups. By relieving investigators of these costs, studies can become more inclusive and results more accurate and generalizable.

In states that legalized cannabis, frequent cannabis use became more common in young adults who are not in college, OSU study finds

An Oregon State University study found that young adults not in college became more frequent users of cannabis and met criteria for cannabis use disorder after state legalization. The prevalence of frequent cannabis use increased by 5 percentage points among non-college young adults, while college students saw a smaller increase.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2023

Duct tape evidence holds up in court using innovative method from WVU forensic scientists

Forensic scientists at West Virginia University have developed a systematic approach to compare pieces of trace evidence, including duct tape, using a novel method. The technique evaluates fracture edges and demonstrates physical fit, providing a foundation for evaluating error rates and improving accuracy in crime scene investigations.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalForensic Chemistry·DateAug 2, 2023

Interest in bird feeding surged in over 100 countries worldwide during the COVID-19 lockdowns

A study published in PLOS ONE found a significant surge in bird feeding interest worldwide during the pandemic, with countries having higher bird diversity exhibiting more Google search activity. The researchers analyzed data from 115 countries and found an average increase of 511 bird species in countries with higher search interest.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2023

Scientists discover mechanisms that could explain high risk of complications from lung infections in Down syndrome

Researchers have discovered two major mechanisms that contribute to the high risk of complications from lung infections in individuals with Down syndrome: poor ciliary function, which impairs the respiratory tract's ability to clear mucus and viral particles, and immune hyper-reactivity, which leads to an overactive immune response. Th...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2023

Faster thin film devices for energy storage and electronics

Researchers have successfully grown high-quality single-crystalline T-Nb2O5 thin films with two-dimensional vertical ionic transport channels, enabling fast and dramatic changes in electrical properties. The material undergoes a significant electrical change upon Li insertion, allowing it to switch from an insulator to a metal.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut für Mikrostrukturphysik·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2023

Researchers map cadmium in cacao: “The problem isn’t as bad as we thought”

Researchers in Peru found that the majority of cacao can meet EU cadmium limits, but areas like Piura face significant challenges due to high levels of cadmium in their soils. The study provides an interactive map predicting cadmium levels across the country.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2023

Scientists tie obesity to sex- and age-specific genes

Researchers identified five genes influencing BMI in women and two in men, with faulty variants of three genes linked to higher BMI in women. Age-specific factors also emerged, with genes OBSCN and MADD associated with childhood body size and fat.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Genomics·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2023

Human vs machine

A Pitt Professor believes oligodendrocytes, the nerve insulating cells, hold the solution to BCI's nagging problem. By understanding and preserving these cells, researchers aim to improve BCI's performance and expand its applications beyond paralysis.

Moderna is safest, most effective mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 for older adults, study shows

A large head-to-head comparison study of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines found that the Moderna vaccine was associated with a slightly lower risk of adverse events for older adults. The study also showed that the Moderna vaccine was linked to a 4% lower risk of pulmonary embolism and a 15% lower risk of diagnosed COVID-19.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2023