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Science News Archive December 2023 - Page 6


Page 6 of 29

Digital training program improves quality of life for care residents with dementia – even during the COVID-19 pandemic

A digital training program improved the lives of people with dementia in UK care homes, reducing sedative medication and increasing social interactions. The iWHELD programme delivered personalized care and encouraged meaningful connections, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 20, 2023

Key health department jobs don’t exist, according to the federal government

Several key public health occupations, including disease intervention specialist and program manager, do not have valid SOC matches, creating challenges in researching the workforce. The study's findings highlight the need for standardization to characterize the public health workforce linked to SOC codes.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateDec 20, 2023

A trillion scents, one nose

Researchers discover a previously undetected mechanism in mice that explains how each sensory cell in mammalian noses becomes tailored to detect a specific odor chemical. The study reveals the genetic molecule RNA plays a crucial role in this process, with RNA winnowing down receptor genes to a single winner.

SourceColumbia University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2023

How does the inability to burp affect daily life?

The inability to burp, known as retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD), significantly impacts daily life, causing symptoms like abdominal bloating, flatulence, and difficulty vomiting. Participants reported feeling embarrassed, anxious, and depressed due to R-CPD, highlighting the need for increased awareness and identification.

SourceWiley·JournalNeurogastroenterology & Motility·DateDec 20, 2023

Natto consumption suppresses arteriosclerosis

A study revealed that natto consumption significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions in mouse models, altering intestinal microflora and regulating cytokine production. High vitamin K2 natto showed the most significant effect, decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines while increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10 production.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 20, 2023

Slimming significantly alters your microbiome and brain activity

A study of 25 obese Chinese individuals reveals that intermittent energy restriction (IER) alters the gut microbiome and brain activity, leading to significant weight loss and reductions in obesity-related comorbidities. The changes are coupled over time, suggesting a complex relationship between the gut microbiome and brain.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2023

The evolutionary timeline of diminished boric acid and urea transportation in aquaporin 10

Researchers analyzed Aqp10s in eight bony vertebrate species to understand the evolutionary timeline of diminished boric acid and urea transportation. The study found that Aqp10.2 in ray-finned fishes restricts urea and boric acid passage, suggesting a loss of solute transport through evolution.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2023

UMass Amherst researchers develop first high-precision dual-color optoelectronic brain probe

The UMass Amherst team has developed a first-of-its-kind dual-color optoelectronic neural probe, enabling bidirectional control of brain activity in specific cortical layers. This innovation holds promise for advancing our understanding of diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2023

City living can pose developmental risks

A new study highlights the wide range of urban exposures during early childhood that can influence growth and development, including air and noise pollution, overcrowding, and limited green space. The first 2000 days of life are a critical period for physical, cognitive, social, and emotional health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalPublic Health Research & Practice·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 20, 2023

Probing for THz radiation directly at the source

A new THz detection method has been developed to measure terahertz radiation directly at the plasma source as it is produced. This method uses nonlinear optics to double the frequency of an optical beam in the presence of a THz wave, providing efficient measurement and characterization of the radiation.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2023

Researchers uncover on/off switch for breast cancer metastasis

A Stanford University study reveals that ENPP1 is produced by both cancer cells and healthy cells around tumors, with high levels linked to immunotherapy resistance and metastases. Researchers found that targeting ENPP1 could improve patient responses to existing medicines and help clinicians better predict patient outcomes

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 20, 2023

Mount Sinai researchers develop novel method to improve disease prediction across diverse ancestries

A team of scientists has developed a statistical technique called BridgePRS to enhance disease prediction in people of non-European ancestry, particularly those of African descent. This advancement aims to reduce health care inequities and enable more personalized medical interventions based on genetic information.

A PEM fuel cell inspired by the structure of a lung

Researchers at the University of Seville have developed a bioinspired PEM fuel cell design that improves the distribution of liquid water inside these batteries. This approach has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and durability of PEM fuel cells, leading to more efficient and sustainable energy systems.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalElectrochimica Acta·DateDec 19, 2023

Can we decode the language of our primate cousins?

Researchers discovered that humans can differentiate between primate vocalizations based on acoustic similarity to human speech. The study suggests that the human brain processes primate calls more efficiently when they are closer in frequency to human language, not just phylogenetically close.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCerebral Cortex Communications·TypeNews article·DateDec 19, 2023

Research finds animated short videos are effective in sharing environmental health information

Research finds that animated short videos are an effective means for disseminating environmental health information to health professionals. The studies showed significant increases in participant knowledge and perceived comfort in identifying at-risk patients impacted by air pollution.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalBMC Medical Education·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2023

Researchers revealed the benefits and risks of continuing oral anticoagulation therapy after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation according to the thromboembolic risk

A nationwide cohort study in Japan found that continuing oral anticoagulation therapy after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation increases the risk of major bleeding but decreases the risk of thromboembolic events. Discontinuing oral anticoagulants in patients with a lower CHADS 2 score may be beneficial.

SourceNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateDec 19, 2023

Assisted reproductive technologies not associated with body mass index in children, except when using frozen embryos – according to new Danish study

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found no association between assisted reproductive technologies and body mass index in children, except when using frozen embryos. The study analyzed data from Denmark and other countries, providing insights into the health outcomes of children born through assisted reproductive technologies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 19, 2023

Groundbreaking discovery at Museums Victoria Research Institute rewrites our understanding of whale evolution

Researchers at Museums Victoria Research Institute uncover evidence that giant baleen whales evolved first in the Southern Hemisphere around 20 million years ago. This finding disrupts previous theories and highlights the importance of the Australian fossil record in shaping our understanding of whale evolution.

SourceMuseum Victoria·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 19, 2023

Scientists in Germany develop a new analytical method, which enables improved insight into (mRNA) nanoparticles and similar pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical products

Scientists in Germany developed a new analytical method to precisely elucidate the size of particles, structure, and RNA molecules in pharmaceutical products. This information can help evaluate product quality, enabling improved development of new products.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2023

How do financial incentives for CEOs affect business outcomes? Bonuses have minimal effect, stock options have none

A systematic review of 20 empirical studies found that CEO financial incentives have a small predictive effect on return on assets, but no effect on other performance metrics or financial restatements. The analysis suggests caution regarding current practices and recommends alternative arrangements to enhance firm performance.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalCampbell Systematic Reviews·DateDec 19, 2023

Antimicrobial resistance leads to more deaths and illnesses in the WHO African region than anywhere else

A new study reveals antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is responsible for a staggering 25% of mortality in the WHO African region, with lower respiratory infections emerging as primary causes. The four most prevalent pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae and others, are individually linked to over 100,000 deaths.

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateDec 19, 2023

Socialization for success: Two recent studies expand our understanding of how early social housing helps dairy calves thrive

Recent studies in JDS Communications have found that paired housing can build behavior skills, shape calf personalities, and set up animals for success in the herd. Early socialization has been shown to boost competitive skills, increase time drinking from a bottle, and make calves bolder towards novel objects and unfamiliar calves.

SourceElsevier·JournalJDS Communications·TypeObservational study·DateDec 19, 2023

JMIR Medical Education accepted for MEDLINE indexing

JMIR Medical Education has been accepted for inclusion in MEDLINE, the US National Library of Medicine's premier bibliographic database, following a thorough review by the Literature Selection Technical Review Committee. This achievement validates the journal's commitment to exploring innovative and unusual ideas in medical education.

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJMIR Medical Education·DateDec 19, 2023