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Science News Archive February 2023 - Page 23


Page 23 of 36

Cocaine use disorder alters gene networks of neuroinflammation and neurotransmission in humans

Research found that cocaine use disorder causes significant gene expression changes in brain regions associated with reward and habit formation, contributing to persistent behavioral abnormalities. The study also identified overlapping molecular changes between cocaine and opioid use disorders, offering potential for targeted treatments.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2023

Sowing the seeds of fruitful labor

A team of researchers at Kyoto University found that the brown lemur is responsible for regenerating large fruit trees in Madagascar's Ankarafantsika National Park. The study shows that lemur seed dispersal can lead to a 1.5% survival rate of seeds, contributing significantly to forest diversity.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2023

Metabolites better reflect consumption of the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy compared to self-reported dietary measures, study finds

Researchers found that metabolites associated with the Mediterranean diet may serve as an objective measure to assess adherence among pregnant individuals. The study identified several key metabolites linked to maternal physiology and outcomes, including gestational diabetes and chronic diseases.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalClinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 9, 2023

Self-fulfilling prophecy: When physicians associate race and culture with poor health outcomes

A novel study found a direct relationship between belief in race as a cultural phenomenon driving health disparities and the use of race in care among family physicians. The study suggests that using race without recognizing social, political, and economic factors can stigmatize racially minoritized people and worsen health disparities.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 9, 2023

The coastal cod population is not extinct

A study by University of Gothenburg researchers identifies two distinct types of cod, 'offshore cod' and 'coastal cod', genetically adapted to different environments. The coastal cod remain in the fjords, but their adult stage is uncertain, with possible spawning locations still unknown.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalICES Journal of Marine Science·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 9, 2023

Researchers discover potential way to prevent life-threatening allergic reactions for those with peanut allergies

Scientists at Indiana University School of Medicine have developed a new treatment that blocks anaphylaxis caused by peanut allergies, potentially saving lives. The covalent heterobivalent inhibitor (cHBI) was tested in animal models and showed promise in preventing allergic reactions for over two weeks.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 9, 2023

Geography, language dictate social media and popular website usage, study finds

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that people's use of popular websites and social media platforms differs significantly based on their location and language. The study analyzed data from 124 countries and found that YouTube and Twitter are used in distinct ways across regions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 9, 2023

Fossil discovery reveals complex ecosystems existed on Earth much earlier than previously thought

A 250.8 million-year-old fossil find reveals complex marine ecosystems on Earth just one million years after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, contradicting long-held theories. The discovery provides insights into life's rapid recovery from extreme crises and necessitates a re-evaluation of early Triassic ocean conditions.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 9, 2023

Scientists discover receptor that blocks COVID-19 infection

Researchers identified a protein in lung cells that blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection and forms a natural protective barrier. The discovery opens up an entirely new area of immunology research around LRRC15 and offers promising prospects for developing new drugs to prevent viral infection or treat fibrosis in the lungs.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023

New research finds salary transparency with low monitoring costs helps close the gender pay gap

Research published in Strategic Management Journal found that salary transparency reduces gender pay inequality by placing pressure on high-profile organizations to reduce gaps. However, the study did not find women using salary information to negotiate higher pay, highlighting the need for organizational-level changes.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 9, 2023

Single dose of common antibiotic reduces mothers’ risk of death during childbirth, study finds

A single dose of azithromycin has been shown to decrease sepsis and death by half in women in labor, making it an important tool for keeping mothers safe before, during, and after delivery. The antibiotic was found to be beneficial for vaginal childbirth as well, reducing mortality rates and the risk of developing sepsis.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 9, 2023

New research finds single dose of popular antibiotic given during labor significantly reduced risk of maternal death or sepsis in developing countries

A new study found that a single dose of azithromycin given during labor significantly reduced the risk of maternal death or sepsis in women in low- and middle-income countries. The antibiotic was administered to over 29,000 participants in eight sites across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Researchers find substantial portion of U.S. public potentially interested in using genetic technologies to enhance offspring education

A survey found that a substantial portion of Americans are willing to use polygenic embryo screening and gene editing to increase the chances of having a baby admitted to a top-100 ranked college. The study suggests growing interest in using genetic technologies to influence offspring traits, including educational attainment.

SourceGeisinger Health System·JournalScience·DateFeb 9, 2023

Incoming CEO's political views may drive director departure in a firm, new study shows

A new study published in Strategic Management Journal reveals that the political ideology of an incoming CEO influences whether directors choose to continue or leave their positions. Directors tend to depart when a new CEO with opposing political views joins the company, while they stay if the CEO shares similar views.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 9, 2023

MU researcher studies childhood obesity prevention programs in rural schools

A recent study by Crystal Lim found that obesity prevention programs combining nutrition and exercise components over an extended period had the most success in changing students' daily behaviors. Successful programs also included evidence-based strategies like goal setting, problem solving, and self-regulation techniques.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJBI Evidence Synthesis·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 9, 2023

How could we evolve such a huge brain?

A new study found that children in a modern forager society developed specialized foraging skills from an early age, which may have enabled the human species to afford larger brains. The research also showed gender-specific differences in foraging skills, with girls collecting tubers and boys climbing trees to collect fruits.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 9, 2023

Study identifies human microRNAs linked to type 2 diabetes

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has identified 14 pancreatic islet miRNAs associated with human type 2 diabetes. The study used a large sample size of nearly 65 human pancreatic islets to uncover these miRNAs, revealing potential mechanisms for disease development and novel therapeutic targets.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 2023

Tobacco and e-cigs may put healthy young people at risk of severe COVID illness, new UCLA research suggests

New UCLA research finds that tobacco smoking and vaping can predispose healthy young people to increased inflammation and severe COVID-19. The study, published in Journal of Molecular Medicine, found higher levels of key proteins in plasma from smokers and vapers compared to non-smokers.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023

Study finds association of genetic disease and infant mortality higher than previously recognized: 41% of infant deaths associated with genetic diseases

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that single-locus genetic diseases were the most common cause of infant mortality, accounting for 41% of deaths. The research suggests that diagnostic whole genome sequencing may have prevented some deaths and that treatments for these conditions are available for 30% of cases.

SourceRady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 9, 2023

New AI technology could change game prep for Super Bowl teams

Researchers at Brigham Young University have developed an AI algorithm that can accurately locate players and determine formations in football game footage. The system has achieved over 90% accuracy on player detection and 85% accuracy on formation identification, potentially eliminating the need for manual annotation and analysis.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalElectronics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 9, 2023

Successive, extreme cold events in the Northern Hemisphere this winter may be linked

Research found that abnormally weak meridional potential vorticity gradients in the Northern Hemisphere atmosphere facilitated the development of stationary blocking weather patterns, leading to extreme cold weather and snowstorm events in East Asia and North America. The team predicts improved forecasting with more accurate PV modeling.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateFeb 9, 2023

New compound inhibits influenza virus replication

Researchers have identified a compound that inhibits the body's own methyltransferase MTr1, thereby limiting influenza virus replication. The compound proved effective in lung tissue preparations and mouse studies, showing synergistic effects with already approved influenza drugs.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023