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Science News Archive August 2023 - Page 8


Page 8 of 38

Historic red tide event of 2020 fueled by plankton super swimmers

A historic red tide event in 2020 was caused by an exceptionally dense bloom of Lingulodinium polyedra, a plankton species that can swim and outgrow its competitors, leading to harmful algal blooms. The study validated a 50-year-old hypothesis and highlighted the exceptional swimming ability of dinoflagellates.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateAug 28, 2023

Researchers at Mainz University and Evonik have developed an innovative method to cleave and oxidize double- and triple-bonds in hydrocarbons

Mainz University and Evonik researchers have created an environmentally friendly process to generate dicarboxylic acids, a crucial chemical building block for polyamides. The new technique uses only oxygen, electricity, and hydrocarbon compounds, eliminating heavy metals and strong acids, and resulting in no nitrogen oxide emissions.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 28, 2023

MU researchers study barriers and facilitators to accessing health care in rural Missouri

A recent MU study found that health and healthcare organizations are increasingly offering basic social services, such as transportation, housing, food, and mental health support, to address disparities in health outcomes. The research team explored innovative solutions implemented by care coordinators and social services to help overc...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProfessional Case Management·TypeSurvey·DateAug 28, 2023

NIH study shows association between better neighborhood conditions and lower childhood asthma rates

A new NIH study found that living in a well-resourced neighborhood with access to healthy food, parks, and clean air reduces the risk of childhood asthma. Children born in high-opportunity neighborhoods had significantly lower asthma incidence rates compared to those from low-opportunity areas.

SourceDuke Clinical Research Institute·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 28, 2023

5mC DNA methylation modification-mediated regulation in tissue functional differentiation and important flavor substance synthesis of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.)

This study reveals that 5mC DNA methylation modification regulates tissue functional differentiation and important flavor substance synthesis in tea plants. The researchers found that hypomethylation of specific genes is responsible for the production of theanine in roots.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2023

Past abrupt changes in North Atlantic Overturning have impacted the climate system across the globe

Research reveals that Dansgaard-Oeschger events triggered drastic global changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation, impacting tropical monsoon domains severely. The study's findings support improved models to represent abrupt climate changes, shedding light on the potential impacts of future human-made global warming scenarios.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 28, 2023

‘Thermometer’ molecule confirmed on exoplanet WASP-31b

Researchers have confirmed the presence of chromium hydride in the atmosphere of hot Jupiter exoplanet WASP-31b using high-resolution spectral observations. This detection opens the possibility of using chromium hydride as a 'thermometer' to determine the temperature and other characteristics of exoplanets.

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 28, 2023

KMOU researchers develop a novel algorithm for mitigating COVID-19 spread in ships

Researchers at National Korea Maritime and Ocean University developed a close contact identification algorithm that outperforms conventional clustering algorithms. The algorithm enables accurate tracking and physical isolation of individuals in ship environments, contributing to the health and safety of passengers.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalJournal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 28, 2023

Once rhabdomyosarcoma, now muscle

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have made a significant breakthrough in transforming rhabdomyosarcoma cells into regularly functioning muscle cells using differentiation therapy. This innovative approach has the potential to spare patients and their families from pain and suffering by offering a new treatment option.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 28, 2023

New type of visible-light responsive photocatalyst is efficient, stable and very economical

Researchers developed a new type of photocatalyst harnessing the visible portion of sunlight spectrum. The photocatalyst achieved high photo-to-chemical conversation efficiency and was found to be extremely stable under various conditions, including high temperatures and different pH levels.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalJournal of Science Advanced Materials and Devices·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2023

Brain cancer linked to nuclear pore alterations

Researchers at Kanazawa University found a link between nuclear pore complex alterations and glioblastoma. They demonstrated that NUP107 proteins overexpression degrades the function of p53, a crucial cancer-preventing protein. Further studies are needed to uncover the molecular pathways at play.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 28, 2023

Australian woman found with parasitic roundworm in her brain caught from carpet python

A 64-year-old Australian woman was infected with Ophidascaris robertsi, a parasitic roundworm common to carpet pythons, after handling native grass contaminated with the parasite's eggs. The case highlights the risk of zoonotic diseases and the importance of food safety when foraging in areas where wildlife is present.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateAug 28, 2023

UEA researchers develop new tool to reduce stroke risk

Researchers have identified four specific factors that can predict atrial fibrillation, a condition that increases stroke risk by up to five times. The team developed an easy-to-use tool for doctors to identify high-risk patients, which may lead to targeted treatment and reduced future strokes.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 27, 2023

Clarifying the effective allocation of research funding to facilitate Nobel-prize-class research results and innovations

A study found that distributing small amounts of funding to a large number of researchers generates more new results and innovations than concentrating funds on a few excellent researchers. Research funding above 50 million yen leads to stagnant results, highlighting the importance of efficient allocation strategies.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 27, 2023

Unraveling the influence of residual aluminum hydrolyzed species on activated sludge properties in industrial wastewater pre-treatment

The study explores the impact of residual aluminum hydrolyzed species on activated sludge properties, revealing that moderate polymeric RAS stimulate EPS secretion and improve flocculation performance. In contrast, excessive RAS lead to loose flocs structure and cellular inhibition, affecting physico-chemical and biological properties.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·DateAug 27, 2023

Paper cups are just as toxic as plastic cups

A study by the University of Gothenburg found that paper cups, made from bioplastics like PLA, leach toxic chemicals into water and sediment, affecting aquatic life. Researchers call for transparency in plastics industry reporting to minimize plastic production.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2023

The recovery of European freshwater biodiversity stops, urgent action needed

A comprehensive study reveals a stagnation in European freshwater biodiversity recovery, highlighting the need for intensified mitigation strategies. The analysis of 1,816 time series of freshwater invertebrate communities between 1968 and 2020 shows promising increases until the 2010s, but a significant slowdown since then.

SourceHun-Ren Ökológiai Kutatóközpont·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateAug 25, 2023

Augusta University researcher calls for modernizing the UN's traditional approach to population replacement measurement

Augusta University researcher Arni S.R. Srinivasa Rao calls for updating the UN's traditional approach to measuring population replacement levels. He proposes a new formula that allows for more timely and accurate measurement, which is essential for understanding emerging global demographics.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalMathematical Biosciences·DateAug 25, 2023

Families with a team mindset strengthened their bonds during COVID-19 pandemic

A new study found that families with a cohesive, family-oriented mindset were more likely to improve their well-being during the pandemic. Individuals in these families reported higher levels of personal fulfillment and lower stress and loneliness compared to those with weaker family dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·TypeSurvey·DateAug 25, 2023