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Science News Archive August 2023 - Page 5


Page 5 of 38

A first for ferrocene: Organometallic capsule with unusual charge-transfer interactions

A ferrocene-based capsule with unusual charge-transfer interactions has been synthesized, allowing for reversible encapsulation and release of guest molecules. The capsule can bind to a variety of organic and inorganic dyes and electron-accepting molecules, demonstrating its potential applications in medicine, biotechnology, and chemic...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

Your genes influence whether depression leads to other diseases

A study of 1.3 million people found that those with hospital-treated depression have a high risk of developing conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. Genetic analysis also revealed a link between depression and reduced cognitive abilities, such as abstract thinking and mental flexibility.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

The building industry and forest diversity and resilience

Researchers advocate for a forest-first approach to specifying timber species in forestry and building practices, emphasizing the need for climate-adaptive strategies. By selecting suitable tree species based on ecological and building traits, builders can create resilient forests and support functional diversity.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateAug 29, 2023

Overcoming the challenges to synthesising iron–sulfur proteins outside the glovebox

Researchers overcome challenges in synthesizing iron-sulfur proteins by developing a novel protocol that functions in an oxygen-free environment. The protocol uses a combination of protein systems and enzymes to produce mature Fe-S proteins, which has significant implications for synthetic biology and anaerobic enzymology.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

Smart fabrics’ informed touch can tell you where to go

Researchers at Rice University developed wearable textile-based devices that utilize fluidic control to provide sophisticated haptic cues. The system enables users to navigate through real-world environments using tactile feedback, potentially enhancing visual and auditory inputs for those with impairments.

SourceRice University·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

Rechargable revolution

Researchers at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have developed a new rechargeable battery technology that can be charged and discharged within one minute, lasts ten times as long as a lithium-ion battery, and is insensitive to temperature fluctuations. The thin-film solid-state battery has the potential t...

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

Caloric restriction is known as a dietary intervention that can improve aging health, but this study shows that a dietary change from glucose to galactose, without restriction, can result in healthy aging in yeast

Researchers at PLOS discovered that a diet change from glucose to galactose can slow down aging in yeast, similar to the benefits of caloric restriction. The study found that this dietary shift maintains a youthful profile in ageing yeast cells.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 29, 2023

Study uses motion capture to determine what makes the best free-throw shooters

A new study from the University of Kansas used motion capture technology to analyze the biomechanics of proficient free-throw shooters. Proficient shooters exhibited lower knee and center of mass peak and mean angular velocities, greater release height, and less forward trunk lean compared to nonproficient shooters.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 29, 2023

Innovative therapy for anorexia nervosa shows promise

Researchers at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research found significant effects of floatation-therapy on body image and anxiety in patients with anorexia nervosa. The study showed immediate and sustained reductions in body image dissatisfaction and improved anxiety, which remained after treatment and lasted up to six months.

SourceLaureate Institute for Brain Research·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 29, 2023

Prevalence of disabilities for older Black & White Americans plummeted from 2008 to 2017

The study found a significant decline in the prevalence of serious later-life cognitive impairments among Black Americans, narrowing racial disparities. However, racial disparities persisted in activities of daily living and functional limitations. Improved air quality may have contributed to the narrowing of disparities in cognitive i...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAging and Human Development·TypeSurvey·DateAug 29, 2023

New and improved bioink to enhance 3D bioprinted skeletal muscle constructs

Scientists at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation have developed a new bioink that enhances the formation of mature skeletal muscle tissue from muscle precursor cells, increasing efficiency and potential therapies for muscle loss or injury. The bioink's sustained delivery of IGF-1 promotes muscle regeneration and repair.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalMacromolecular Bioscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

Produce prescription programs yield positive health benefits for participants, study finds

A Tufts University study found that produce prescription programs associated with significant improvements in health outcomes, including halving food insecurity and lowering blood pressure. The programs provided free fruits and vegetables to low-income individuals with diet-related illnesses, resulting in clinically relevant outcomes.

SourceTufts University·JournalCirculation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes·DateAug 29, 2023

Graphene: Perfection is futile

Researchers at TU Wien developed a comprehensive computer model of realistic graphene structures, showing that the material's desired effects are stable even with defects. This means graphene can be used in quantum information technology and sensing without needing to be perfect.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalCarbon·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 29, 2023

Titanium micro-spikes skewer resistant superbugs

Researchers discovered that titanium micro-spikes with rough surfaces can effectively kill drug-resistant fungus and Candida species through apoptosis. The findings suggest that these surface features may be a promising approach to combatting superbug resistance.

SourceRMIT University·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

Potential employers view job candidates differently if they post online about mental health

A new study by North Carolina State University reveals that posting about mental health challenges on LinkedIn can affect how potential employers perceive job applicants. Researchers found that disclosures about anxiety and depression led to viewers viewing candidates as less emotionally stable and less conscientious.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Business and Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

Hemp helps to heal

A study published in Cell Chemical Biology reveals that cannabidiol (CBD) from hemp acts as a molecular switch in innate immune cells to promote the biosynthesis of inflammation-resolving lipid mediators. This finding holds promise for developing new therapeutic strategies to treat inflammatory diseases.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalCell Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

Molecule reduces inflammation in Alzheimer’s models

A new molecule called A11 has been found to reduce inflammation and improve memory in models of Alzheimer's disease. By targeting the genetic transcription factor PU.1, A11 suppresses inflammatory gene expression in microglia immune cells, leading to reduced neurodegeneration and improved cognition.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

Some like it hot

Researchers from Kyoto University have demonstrated the thermal quantum Mpemba effect in a wide range of initial conditions, where hotter quantum systems cool faster than initially colder ones. The team used a quantum dot connected to a heat bath and observed anomalous thermal relaxation at later times.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 29, 2023

Climate change-induced drought may transform parts of the Amazon’s rainforests into savannas

A Rutgers-led study reveals that Amazonian lowland rainforest areas critical for absorbing carbon dioxide and buffering climate change may morph over time into dry, grassy savannas. The findings highlight the impact of double-stress conditions, where alternating flooding and drought limit forest establishment and favor short-lived gras...

SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 29, 2023

Underutilized antidepressant treatment for postnatal depression associated with improved child outcomes at age five

Research found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment for postnatal depression was associated with reduced child behavioral difficulties, ADHD symptoms, and maternal depression. The study also suggested long-term benefits of SSRI treatment on child outcomes up to five years after childbirth.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateAug 29, 2023