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Science News Archive February 2023 - Page 15


Page 15 of 36

Whales give up singing to fight for love

Researchers from the University of Queensland found that humpback whales have shifted their mating behaviour, with males giving up singing and instead fighting for dominance. This change is believed to be due to the increased population size after whaling cessation, as larger groups may deter other males from approaching potential mates.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 16, 2023

Study quantifies global impact of electricity in dust storms on Mars

Researchers find that electrical discharge in Martian dust storms could be a major driving force of the planet's chlorine cycle. The study reveals high yields of chlorine gases from common chlorides when electrified by Martian conditions, indicating a promising pathway for converting surface chlorides to atmospheric phases.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Troubling discovery

Researchers found that gadolinium nanoparticles from MRI contrast agents can infiltrate kidney cells, causing severe side effects like nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. The study used electron microscopy to detect tiny deposits of gadolinium in the kidneys of people who had been injected with contrast agents prior to their MRIs.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico Health Sciences Center·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Climate change disrupts core habitats of marine species

A modelling study by an international team of researchers found that climate change will likely disrupt core habitats of marine species, reducing suitable ranges by the end of this century. The results highlight the need for effective conservation management to protect marine biodiversity and resources.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 16, 2023

Two Rhode Island coastal flood defense projects provide lessons for making future infrastructure projects more successful

Researchers analyzed two US Army Corps of Engineers flood megaprojects in Rhode Island that emerged simultaneously after hurricane activity around the 1950s. The study found that strong public support and political backing were crucial factors in advancing one project, while the other failed to gain momentum due to environmental concer...

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalJournal of Water Resources Planning and Management·TypeCase study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Engineered wood grows stronger while trapping carbon dioxide

Rice University scientists have developed a method to engineer wood that traps carbon dioxide while increasing its strength. This process involves removing lignin and hemicellulose from the wood and replacing them with metal-organic framework particles, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional materials.

SourceRice University·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

THE LANCET: Most comprehensive study to date provides evidence on natural immunity protection by COVID-19 variant and how protection fades over time

A comprehensive review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet suggests that natural immunity from COVID-19 infection provides significant protection against hospitalization, symptomatic disease, and severe illness for at least 10 months. However, this protection declines over time, with an estimated 85% protection rate at one month ...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 16, 2023

SUTD researchers developed novel 2D material with virus to kill cancer cells

Scientists from SUTD design a novel thermal-based therapy nano-system that destroys over 20% of pancreatic cancer cells using microsecond electrical pulses, improving cancer cell targeting accuracy and bio-compatibility. The introduction of the M13 virus enhances electro-thermal therapy performance by assembling more on cancer cells.

Travellers as sentinels: what are the most common vector-borne diseases among European travellers arriving from Africa?

Researchers analyzed data on European travellers arriving from Africa between 2015 and 2019, finding malaria as the most common arthropod-borne disease. The study highlights the importance of using travellers' health data to complement local surveillance systems in Africa.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 16, 2023

Avoiding a global chocolate disaster – how tracing and recalls avoided a worldwide Salmonella outbreak

A European-wide recall of Kinder Chocolate products, including eggs, prevented thousands of extra cases of Salmonella Typhimurium. The recall, triggered by intensive collaboration between public health experts, food safety agencies, and regular surveillance, saved lives and reduced the risk of devastating global outbreak.

AI could improve mental health care

A new study from Lund University suggests that allowing patients to describe their mental health in free language can provide more precise diagnoses than traditional rating scales. The AI-tool, developed by researchers, enables doctors to analyze patients' answers and provides individualized care.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 16, 2023

Discovery in zebrafish may lead to a better understanding of a wide range of mental health disorders related to stress, anxiety

Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified a critical molecule in the development of brain's stress response, which may lead to better understanding of stress-related mental health disorders. Deficiencies in DSCAML1 disrupt brain development and increase cortisol levels, leading to imbalanced stress responses.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·DateFeb 16, 2023

New technology revolutionizes the analysis of old ice

Researchers at the University of Bern and Empa have developed a new technique to measure greenhouse gases in ancient ice cores, enabling more accurate climate records. The method allows for high-resolution analysis of the oldest ice, which contains 15,000 to 20,000 years of climate history compressed into one meter.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalAtmospheric Measurement Techniques·DateFeb 16, 2023

New UC San Diego model predicts housing prices to fall as much as 18% this year

A new UC San Diego model uses internet search data to predict housing price declines, with a national forecast of a 5% decrease. Cities like San Diego and Phoenix are predicted to experience significant price drops, while others, such as Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton and Kansas City, are expected to see stable prices.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalManagement Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 16, 2023

CHOP study finds multidisciplinary approach best when assisting families with limited English proficiency

Pediatric patients with LEP face challenges in emergency rooms, but a CHOP study shows that implementing quality improvement measures can increase the use of medical interpreters and improve documentation of language needs. The research team introduced new processes to identify language needs and offer interpreters as needed, leading t...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Long COVID symptoms vary among racial and ethnic groups

A new study found that Black and Hispanic patients are more likely to experience persistent symptoms or be diagnosed with a new medical condition after COVID-19. The study analyzed data from over 60,000 patients and found significant racial and ethnic disparities in the frequency and types of post-COVID-19 symptoms.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2023

Swapping meat for Quorn’s mycoprotein may protect against bowel cancer, says study

Replacing red and processed meat with Quorn's mycoprotein reduces intestinal genotoxins, a risk factor for bowel cancer, and increases beneficial gut bacteria. The study found significant reductions in harmful chemicals and improvements in gut health in participants consuming the mycoprotein diet.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 16, 2023

High intensity fires do not reverse bush encroachment in an African savanna

A decade-long experiment found that high-intensity fires did not reverse bush encroachment in the long term, despite an initial decline in woody plant cover. The study suggests that fire management strategies must be tailored to each local context and that long-term monitoring is crucial for effective conservation.

SourceStellenbosch University·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 16, 2023

The secrets of polydopamine coatings revealed

Researchers at the University of Groningen have discovered the exact structure of polydopamine coatings, which could lead to new applications in surface adhesion and neurodegenerative disease treatment. The study found that these coatings form through auto-oxidation, crosslinking and isomerization processes.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

CBD shows promise for reducing cigarette smoking

Researchers at Washington State University found that CBD inhibits a key enzyme for nicotine metabolism, slowing down its effects and allowing smokers to wait before feeling the urge to smoke. The study suggests that CBD could be a useful tool in reducing harm from smoking and quitting nicotine addiction.

SourceWashington State University·JournalChemical Research in Toxicology·DateFeb 16, 2023

Study demonstrates energy-efficient conversion of nitrate pollutants into ammonia

A new study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign demonstrates an approach for integrated capture and conversion of nitrate-contaminated waters into valuable ammonia using a single electrochemical cell. The device shows significant enhancements in energy efficiency, nitrate removal, and ammonium production rate compared to ...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

American Society for Nutrition publishes comprehensive summary of historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

The American Society for Nutrition has published a comprehensive summary of the landmark White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The conference outlined ambitious goals to end hunger and improve nutrition security by 2030, with recommendations from President Biden's National Strategy.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeNews article·DateFeb 16, 2023

New study settles long-standing debate: Does agricultural erosion create a carbon sink or source

A new study published in Biogeosciences suggests that agricultural soil erosion may actually create an organic carbon sink, rather than a source. The researchers argue that the 'geomorphic OC pump' transfers organic carbon from the atmosphere to upland soils, which can be stored in sedimentary environments.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalBiogeosciences·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 16, 2023

Recent advance on structural design of high-performance Pt-based nanocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Researchers have made significant progress in developing high-performance Pt-based nanocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions, focusing on increasing activity per site and active sites. The study aims to reduce the cost of PEMFCs by overcoming the challenges associated with Pt metal catalysts.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalAdvanced Sensor and Energy Materials·DateFeb 16, 2023

Resistance is futile

Researchers developed an antibiotic that cured mice infected with nearly untreatable bacteria, with virtually undetectable resistance to the drug. The unique mechanism of action targets multiple bacterial functions, disrupting the bacterial membrane and leading to broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.