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Science News for February 27, 2023


To promote exercise, planners must look beyond cities

Researchers from Cornell University recommend that planners in suburban and rural communities focus on promoting recreational programs, expanding transportation options, and creating safer environments to help an aging population get more exercise. The study found that demographic factors, such as minority populations and lower incomes...

SourceCornell University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateFeb 27, 2023

How common is face blindness?

A new study by Harvard Medical School suggests that face blindness, a condition where individuals struggle to recognize faces, may be more common than previously thought. The research estimates that as many as one in 33 people (3.08%) meet the criteria for face blindness, affecting over 10 million Americans.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCortex·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 27, 2023

Watch weekend tech as teens settle into school

A recent study from the University of South Australia found that teenagers with a 'late sleep chronotype' who use technology before bed on weekends are at greater risk of disturbed sleep. This can lead to a serious sleep deficit, negatively impacting their daily tasks and wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalChild and Adolescent Mental Health·TypeCase study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Improving diagnosis of chronic lung, ear and sinus infections in young children

University of Southampton researchers propose a new method for diagnosing primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in young children using nasal nitric oxide measurement while they breathe normally. This approach aims to improve early diagnosis and treatment, reducing the need for invasive procedures and enhancing patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 27, 2023

Chaos on the nanometer scale

Researchers at TU Wien have detected clear indications of chaos in chemical reactions on nanometer-scale rhodium crystals, a phenomenon previously unseen in atomic scale systems. The coupling behavior can be controlled by changing the hydrogen concentration, leading to a transition from ordered to chaotic behavior.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Nanomedicine targeting hypothalamic lipid metabolism can be a potential approach for controlling obesity

A new nanomedicine platform targets brain lipid metabolism to reduce food intake and body weight in mice, offering a promising approach for managing metabolic diseases like obesity. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of this novel treatment, which could potentially provide an innovative solution for controlling energy balance.

SourceInnovation Center of NanoMedicine·JournalBiomaterials Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Amazon develops algorithm to improve collaboration between robots and humans

A new study by Amazon uses robotics and operations research to enable humans and robots to work together effectively, reducing distance traveled by robots by 62% and resulting in $500 million in annual savings. The algorithm has also reduced storage footprint by 29%, leading to more efficient use of space and a productive human workforce.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalINFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Forgoing one food treats eosinophilic esophagitis as well as excluding six

A new study found that eliminating animal milk alone from the diet of adults with eosinophilic esophagitis is just as effective as eliminating six common foods, including animal milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and nuts. The one-food elimination diet may be a more manageable option for people with EoE.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateFeb 27, 2023

Consulting Dr. YouTube: How digital misinformation may keep you from a good night’s sleep

A Brigham and Women's Hospital study reveals that popular YouTube videos on sleep health often contain misinformation, despite expert-led content receiving significantly fewer views. The study highlights the prevalence of consumer bias in popular videos, which may lead to patients avoiding care or receiving wrong care.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2023

Human-wildlife conflicts rising worldwide with climate change

A new study reveals climate-driven conflicts between humans and wildlife are on the rise globally, with six continents experiencing exacerbation of these conflicts. The research identifies trends in human-wildlife conflicts linked to climate change, including altered animal habitats, resource availability, and changes in wildlife behav...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 27, 2023

LSU Health New Orleans pain protocol eliminates need for opioids following knee replacement in most patients

A novel surgical pain management strategy has been developed to reduce opioid use after total knee arthroplasty. The study found that changing prescriptions for opioids at discharge from automatic to upon request dramatically decreased opioid use, with over half of patients recovering without opioid use.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of Experimental Orthopaedics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

USTC realizes quantitative analysis of crucial intermediates in low-temperature combustion processes

A USTC research team has developed a gentle synthesis method for alkyl peroxides and measured their photoionization cross-sections, enabling accurate quantitative analysis of chain-branching intermediates in low-temperature combustion. The findings improve the kinetic model and provide a foundation for future optimization.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 27, 2023

More than 80% of American adults with type 2 diabetes meet treatment criteria for GLP-1 RAs or SGLT2is but most are not getting them

A study found that over 80% of American adults with type 2 diabetes meet the criteria to use GLP-1 RAs or SGLT2is, but only a small percentage are using them. The medications have a substantially higher cost than current first-line treatments, making it difficult for patients to access them.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 27, 2023

The Texas Heart Institute delivers a new first in heart failure treatment using cell therapy

A new cell therapy has demonstrated significant benefits in improving the heart's pumping ability and reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke in patients with chronic heart failure. The therapy, using mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs), also showed a strong signal in reducing inflammation and improving microv...

SourceTexas Heart Institute·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 27, 2023

HKU Dentistry invents new material to replace extracted human teeth for dental research

A research team developed a new dentine analogue material that can substitute extracted human teeth in laboratory-based mechanical and fatigue tests. The materials were tested for their mechanical strength, elastic modulus, indentation hardness, and fatigue behaviour, showing comparable results to those based on extracted human teeth.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalDental Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

New spider genus named after pop band ABBA

A new spider genus, Abba transversa, has been discovered in Australia, featuring distinctive dark spots and thick macrosetae on the legs. The genus was named after the Swedish pop group ABBA and is the result of a comprehensive study of orb-weaving spiders.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalEvolutionary Systematics·DateFeb 27, 2023

‘Dead zone’ within tumor promotes cancer spread, helped by a protein secreted by cancer cells

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that a protein secreted by cancer cells, angiopoietin-like-7, promotes tumor necrosis and metastasis in breast cancer. The study used a new rat model to investigate mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis and identified the protein as a potential target for treatment.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Complex seismic tremor detected at Italy’s Mefite d’Ansanto gas field

Researchers have detected a complex variety of seismic tremor signals at Mefite d'Ansanto, a non-volcanic carbon dioxide emission site in southern Italy. The analysis reveals three main types of tremor signals over different frequencies, which may be related to fluid discharge and changes in flow velocities.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Shrinking age distribution of spawning salmon raises climate resilience concerns

Researchers suggest that returning to spawn at different ages can lessen the impact of a bad year and increase population stability for Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon. Changes in hatchery practices and fishery management could help restore the age structure of the population, making it more resilient to climate change.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences·DateFeb 27, 2023

Key laboratory conducted a literature review on advancement in microfluidic actuated & controlled systems and application for lab-on-chip in space life science

Key laboratory conducted a literature review on microfluidic actuated and controlled systems for lab-on-chip applications in space life science. The research highlights the challenges and advancements in microfluidic chip technology, including micropumps and microvalves.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateFeb 27, 2023

RNA modification ‘pivotal’ for protein linked to neurodegeneration in ALS

A study found that RNA methylation plays a pivotal role in TDP-43-related neurodegeneration in ALS. The researchers observed highly abundant RNA methylation in the end-stage tissues of patients with ALS. This discovery opens up new avenues for research into the disease, which is linked to environmental exposure.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Reproductive factors in women contribute to risk of cardiovascular disease

A new study from Imperial College London finds that earlier first birth, higher number of live births, and starting periods at a younger age increase the risk of cardiovascular problems in women. The researchers hope their findings will help doctors better understand and monitor women's risk factors.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 27, 2023

One is bad enough: climate change raises the threat of back-to-back hurricanes

Research from Princeton University's engineering school finds that climate change is making sequential damaging hurricanes more likely, with areas like the Gulf Coast facing double hits as frequently as once every 3 years. Rising sea levels and increased precipitation are driving this trend.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 27, 2023

Dinosaur claws used for digging and display

Researchers discovered that some predatory dinosaurs used their claws for digging or display, contrary to previous assumptions. The study focused on two groups of theropod dinosaurs, the alvarezsaurs and therizinosaurs, which had unusual claws that were previously unknown to have a function.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 27, 2023

Report: Science rejected, lives lost – how society can do better

A report by Queensland University of Technology highlights the struggle of international experts who warned about COVID-19 airborne transmission in early 2020. The group's warnings were initially rejected by the World Health Organisation, leading to delays in implementing control measures that could have saved lives.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 27, 2023

New method for image reconstruction in electrical impedance tomography

A new method for image reconstruction in electrical impedance tomography has been developed by Prof. DU Jiangfeng's team, enabling high-quality images without training data. This innovation provides crucial theoretical support for the application of electrical impedance tomography in various diseases.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·DateFeb 27, 2023

Ancient proteins offer new clues about origin of life on Earth

Researchers found that specific amino acids were essential for the evolution of ancient proteins, which then shaped the genetic code of microorganisms. This discovery sheds light on the mystery of how life began on Earth and has implications for understanding evolution and potentially finding life beyond our planet.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Theory sorts order from chaos in complex quantum systems

A new mathematical theory developed by Peter Wolynes and David Logan predicts the nature of motions in a chlorophyll molecule when it absorbs energy from sunlight. The findings suggest that there are exceptions where simple motions persist for long times, influencing processes like photosynthesis.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 27, 2023

Cleveland Clinic study finds common artificial sweetener linked to higher rates of heart attack and stroke

A new study by the Cleveland Clinic found that high levels of erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener, are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Researchers studied over 4,000 people and found those with higher blood erythritol levels were at elevated risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2023

Brandon Levin wins NSF CAREER Award

Brandon Levin, an assistant professor of mathematics at Rice University, has won a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award to pursue his research on major unsolved problems in number theory. He aims to build theoretical bridges between arithmetic world and representation theory.

Immunotherapy costs drive increase in Medicare spending for outpatient cancer care at the end of life

A recent study found that immunotherapy costs accounted for 84% of the net increase in Medicare spending on outpatient cancer care at the end of life. Payments for radiation oncology decreased by 2%, while palliative care spending rose, reflecting a shift towards hypofractionated radiation treatments.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·DateFeb 27, 2023

Experts demand fire safety policy change over health impact of widely used flame retardants

Experts call for a comprehensive review of UK's fire safety regulations to address the environmental and health risks of chemical flame retardants. The chemicals are found in various products, including furniture and building materials, and have been linked to health risks such as cancer and DNA damage.

SourceLancaster University·JournalEnvironment International·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 27, 2023

Evolutionary history of detoxifying enzymes reconstructed

Scientists have reconstructed the evolutionary history of flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), a class of detoxifying enzymes present in all lifeforms. The study reveals that a single ancestral gene diverged into two distinct functions, with one gene triggering a different breakdown reaction.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 27, 2023

Babies born preterm decreased slightly and stillborn rates unchanged during first wave of COVID-19 lockdowns

A large-scale international study found that COVID-19 lockdowns led to a 3-4% reduction in preterm births worldwide, averting nearly 50,000 preterm pregnancies during the first month of lockdown. However, this decrease was limited to high-income countries, including Australia.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Trauma causes high levels of intergenerational substance use among Black women

A new study found that trauma leads to high levels of intergenerational substance use among Black women, with 30% increased odds of drug use and 40% increased odds of Child Protective Services cases. The researchers also highlighted the importance of understanding the prevalence and impacts of these issues among minority populations.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment·DateFeb 27, 2023

New York City’s open streets program during COVID pandemic has unintended consequences on noise complaints

A new study found that New York City's Open Streets program, which allocated more public spaces for physical activity and recreation, was associated with higher daily street and sidewalk noise complaints. The researchers also found that census tracts with more affluent populations had more Open Streets segments.

First study to show childhood obesity is linked to increased risk of four of the five newly proposed subtypes of adult-onset diabetes

A new study published in Diabetologia found that childhood obesity is associated with a higher risk of four out of the five recently proposed subtypes of adult-onset diabetes. The study used Mendelian randomization to investigate the link between childhood body size and the risk of different diabetes subtypes occurring in adults.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateFeb 27, 2023

Study shows one in 25 patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography-guided transcatheter structural cardiac intervention suffered a major complication

A study analyzing over 12,000 patients found that transesophageal echocardiography-guided transcatheter structural cardiac interventions were associated with a major complication rate of 3.6%. The most frequently reported complication was gastrointestinal bleeding.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of the American Society of Echocardiography·DateFeb 27, 2023

Study examines COVID-19 pandemic's effect on Black, Latina women's mental health

A study by University of Illinois researchers found that nearly one-third of Black and Latina women experienced depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Women who prayed reported different effects on depression rates among these two groups, highlighting the need for targeted coping strategies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 27, 2023

Black women of childbearing age more likely to have high blood pressure, raising pregnancy risks

A new study found that Black women of childbearing age are twice as likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure as their white peers, increasing their risk of heart-related complications during pregnancy. Food insecurity was also a significant issue among Black and Hispanic women, with one in four experiencing food insecurity.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateFeb 27, 2023

Post-COVID syndrome visible in DNA

Researchers found epigenetic changes in post-COVID patients, including genes associated with taste and smell, as well as cell metabolism. These findings may lead to the development of new diagnostic tools for this and similar diseases.

SourceLinköping University·JournalClinical Epigenetics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Rare insect found at Arkansas Walmart sets historic record, prompts mystery

A giant lacewing with a wingspan of roughly 50 millimeters was discovered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, setting a historic record for its appearance in the region. The insect's reappearance suggests there may be relic populations yet to be discovered, and its presence has sparked debate about the impact of human activities on biodiversity.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Don’t be like Darth Vader – study shows negative emotions spark success... but there’s a price

A study by University of Essex found that negative emotions such as anxiety and anger can fuel success, but are linked to poor health and lack of strategic thinking. Positive perceptions and feelings of control, on the other hand, lead to enjoyment of learning and desire for success.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Cells avoid multitasking

Researchers at the University of Groningen discovered that cells separate essential biochemical reactions into different time periods. This separation explains metabolic oscillations leading up to cell division and has implications for our understanding of cellular physiology, cancer, and aging.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Nanosatellite shows the way to RNA medicine of the future

Scientists at Aarhus University and Berkeley Laboratory developed a method called RNA origami to design artificial RNA nanostructures. The technique allowed for the discovery of rules and mechanisms for RNA folding that will make it possible to build more ideal RNA particles for use in RNA-based medicine.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023