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Science News for February 14, 2023


Hospitality and real estate sectors have highest rates of common mental health problems, study finds

Common mental health problems, such as depression, are prevalent in the hospitality and real estate sectors, with significant gender disparities found across various industries. The study highlights the need for industry leaders to address underlying issues contributing to higher rates of mental health problems among female workers.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2023

How the brain's immune system worsens epilepsy

Researchers have definitively linked the brain's immune system to worsening epilepsy, identifying a chain of events that causes seizures to worsen. The study suggests repurposing anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants could help control epilepsy progression.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Researchers identify compounds that could lead to an on-demand, short-term contraceptive for men

In a mouse study, researchers have identified a potential non-hormonal contraceptive that men can take before sexual activity to prevent pregnancy. The compound temporarily disables an enzyme essential for sperm maturation, rendering sperm immobile and preventing fertilization.

Cystatin C shows promise as an additional biomarker to calculate kidney function and stage chronic kidney disease

A study found that cystatin C-based eGFR was strongly correlated with creatinine-based eGFR and that 27% of patients would be classified as having a more severe chronic kidney stage based on cystatin C test results. The use of cystatin C can lead to changes in CKD staging, which can impact clinical management.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalKidney Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Sensory cells taste cerebrospinal fluid to fight brain infections

Researchers discovered that sensory cells in the spinal cord's central canal can detect bacteria in cerebrospinal fluid and trigger an inflammatory response to fight brain infections. These 'taste' receptors recognize bitter substances, such as those from Streptococcus pneumoniae, and increase cytokine production to combat pathogens.

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

New technique maps large-scale impacts of fire-induced permafrost thaw in Alaska

A new technique maps the effects of fire-induced permafrost thaw in Alaska, revealing widespread topographic change and vegetation shifts. The study used a machine learning-based approach to quantify thaw settlement across 3 million acres of land, with results showing a significant loss of evergreen forest and shrubland encroachment.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 14, 2023

Scientists find world’s oldest European hedgehog

A team of scientists found a 16-year-old European hedgehog in Denmark, exceeding the previous record by seven years. The discovery contradicts previous studies suggesting that inbreeding reduces lifespan. The study's results provide valuable insights into the basic life history of hedgehogs and may improve conservation efforts.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalAnimals·DateFeb 14, 2023

The roar and crackle of Artemis 1

Researchers measured noise levels at locations around the launch pad, finding maximum sound levels exceeded predicted values by nearly 20 decibels. The study's findings will help validate and improve existing noise prediction models to protect equipment and surrounding environments.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJASA Express Letters·DateFeb 14, 2023

Marshall University study shows daily, consistent parental reading in the first year of life improves infants’ language scores

A recent study by researchers at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine found that daily reading improved language development in infants 12 months and younger. Infants who received consistent daily reading started showing improvements in language scores as early as nine months of age.

SourceMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 14, 2023

Whale warning as clock ticks towards deep-sea mining

Researchers warn of significant risks to ocean ecosystems and cetaceans from commercial-scale deep seabed mining. The study highlights the need for urgent research to assess potential impacts on cetaceans, which are highly sensitive to sound and already facing multiple stressors like climate change.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 14, 2023

Climate change portends wider malaria risk as mosquitos spread south and to higher elevations in Africa

Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that Anopheles mosquito populations are gaining an average of 6.5 meters per year in elevation and moving south by 4.7 kilometers annually. Climate change is helping these species reach colder parts of the continent, potentially explaining recent changes in malaria transmission.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalBiology Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2023

When it comes to financial uncertainty, men go out on a limb

Men are more likely to interpret uncertain information optimistically and make riskier financial decisions, especially with increasing amounts of available information. Women, on the other hand, show a more cautious approach in uncertain situations, with missing information bothering them more than men.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

HKU neuroscientists discover a novel neural mechanisms of secretin receptor in regulating water intake Providing new ideas for solving hydromineral imbalance symptoms

Researchers from HKU School of Biological Sciences reveal the important role of SCT Receptor in regulating drinking behaviour under thirst. The study demonstrates how SCTR participates in SFO to regulate thirst and provides new insights into gut-brain axis regulation.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Four classes of planetary systems

The study reveals that 'similar' planetary systems are the most common type, followed by 'ordered' and then 'anti-ordered' systems. The researchers found that factors such as gas and dust disk mass and star abundance play a crucial role in determining system architecture.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateFeb 14, 2023

Let’s talk to a moth about sex: Polish chemists have 'made a deal' with a butterfly threatening pine forests

Scientists from Poland's Institute of Physical Chemistry have discovered a way to control the population of the pine-tree lappet moth, which threatens coniferous forests. A new pheromone blend based on biocomponents of the sex pheromone has been developed to monitor and potentially control the moth's abundance.

‘Magic’ solvent creates stronger thin films

A new technique uses reactive vapors to create thin films with enhanced properties, such as mechanical strength, kinetics, and morphology. The synthesis process is gentler on the environment than traditional methods and could lead to improved polymer coatings for microelectronics, advanced batteries, and therapeutics.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Synthesis·DateFeb 14, 2023

Rice scientists reengineer cancer drugs to be more versatile

Researchers from Rice University have developed a new approach to control gene expression using proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). By reengineering the PROTAC molecular infrastructure, they demonstrated the ability to achieve chemically induced dimerization (CID), allowing for precise control over gene activation in specific loc...

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Spinal muscular atrophy patients’ walking distance improved after Nusinersen treatment

A study published in Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases demonstrates a positive effect of nusinersen treatment on motor function in ambulant pediatric and adult SMA patients. Clinically meaningful improvements in walking distance were observed in a subgroup of patients, with only five adult walkers showing a decline.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Neuromuscular Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2023

Forensic Sciences Research volume 7, issue 4 publishes

This special issue explores the reality of identifying the dead in Brazil through various perspectives, including personal identification initiatives, forensic data management, and case reports. The articles shed light on best practices for procedures related to evidence chain of custody in forensic anthropology in Brazil.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalForensic Sciences Research·DateFeb 14, 2023

Oncotarget | Novel prognostic index to predict survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients

Researchers have developed a novel prognostic index to predict survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients. The inflammation-combined prognostic index (ICPI) combines three biomarkers - lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio - to provide a personalized prognosis for each patient.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

USC study: Concern about water driven more by concerns about severe weather than climate change

A new USC study found that people's concerns about severe weather are significantly more predictive of their concerns about water safety than concerns about climate change. This suggests that warning people about water safety and other environmental threats is more effective when linked to extreme weather rather than climate change.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2023

Cocaine addiction makes the brain age faster, suggests study

Researchers have discovered that cocaine addiction is associated with faster brain aging, with changes in DNA methylation in the prefrontal cortex contributing to this effect. The study, which analyzed cryo-preserved brains of deceased male donors, found that cells in this region appeared biologically older in individuals with CUD.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Lower fracture risk for older wheelchair users

A University of Gothenburg study found that wheelchair users had significantly lower rates of fractures compared to ambulatory older adults. The study, which included 55,442 wheelchair users in Sweden, showed that wheelchair use was associated with a reduced risk of fractures, particularly osteoporotic and hip fractures.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Snakes can hear more than you think

A University of Queensland study found that snakes can hear airborne sound and react to it, contrary to popular belief. The research used soundproof rooms and observed reactions from captive-bred snakes, revealing differences in responses based on genus and evolutionary pressures.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Breast cancer risk models may incorrectly classify many women

A recent study found that breast cancer risk models can lead to vastly different recommendations for individual women, depending on the model used and threshold applied. The study highlighted the importance of considering both sensitivity and inaccurate classification when using these models.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis studies explore key traditional and modern therapeutics

Studies elucidate key aspects of traditional Chinese compounds and modern cancer therapeutics, highlighting the efficacy of R. serra in treating colitis and identifying active components of Gan Cao in treating pneumonia. A new radiolabeled antibody-based probe for detecting PD-L1 expression in cancers also provides a novel approach to ...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

CSIC completes the first network of robotic telescopes present on the five continents

The BOOTES network, a pioneer in space surveillance and transient cosmic phenomena study, has been successfully deployed on all continents. With seven facilities, it provides an automated response in real time for the detection of gamma-ray bursts, neutrino sources, and other astrophysical events.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalFrontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences·DateFeb 14, 2023

Study finds only about half of AI-generated ads only labeled as such

A University of Kansas study analyzed over 1,000 AI-generated ads and found that they are only labeled as ads about half the time, often appealing to consumers in positive ways. The prevalence of AI in programmatic advertising raises concerns about consumer deception and the need for updated guidelines to require transparency.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Strategic Marketing·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2023

Protecting bats with better wind turbine control

Researchers develop site-specific mitigation strategy for wind turbines, significantly reducing bat fatalities. The approach uses wind speed, temperature, and rainfall data to adapt curtailment strategies, resulting in a 86% reduction in bat deaths.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalMammalia·TypeCase study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Pungent ginger compound puts immune cells on heightened alert

A recent study by Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at TUM found that a pungent ginger compound puts immune cells on heightened alert. The compound, [6]-gingerol, stimulates white blood cells via the TRPV1 receptor, which plays a role in the perception of painful heat stimuli and spiciness.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Better understanding on the way to a carbon-neutral economy

A team of researchers has identified the importance of rifted margins in the transition to a green economy. These continental margins harbor vast accumulations of rocks and hydrocarbon reserves, making them a potential location for new resources needed for a carbon-neutral economy. The study provides an overview of the processes that s...

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 14, 2023

Oral bacteria may increase heart disease risk

A study published in eLife has linked infection with the bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers found that individuals with high genetic risk scores for coronary heart disease were at elevated risk for cardiovascular events.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateFeb 14, 2023