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Science News for January 17, 2023


New research shows humans impact wolf packs in national parks

A recent study found that human-caused mortality triggers instability in wolf packs in national parks, decreasing the chance of pack persistence and reproduction. Wolves living outside park boundaries are at a higher risk of being killed by humans, with poaching being the most common cause of death.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 17, 2023

Separation leads to significant but temporary gender differences in parent-child time

A study by sociologists from Trinity College Dublin and UNED Madrid found that parental separation results in significant but temporary increases in gender inequalities in parent-child time. After separation, mother-child time doubles while two-parent time declines threefold, with father-child time remaining low.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalEuropean Journal of Population / Revue européenne de Démographie·TypeSurvey·DateJan 17, 2023

Forest landslides’ frequency, size influenced more by road building, logging than heavy rain

A long-term study of forest landslides in the Pacific Northwest reveals that management history has a greater impact on landslide frequency and severity than rainfall. The research, led by Oregon State University, found that decades of road building and logging practices affected flooding, landslides, and erosion patterns.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEarth Surface Processes and Landforms·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 17, 2023

Study explores effects of resistance training in older adults at the cellular level

A new study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University explored the effects of resistance training on older adults' cellular level. The study found that resistance training did not significantly affect inflammatory proteins or redox balance markers, but showed a significant reduction in a specific protein ratio. This may support the...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalAntioxidants·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Exposure to World Trade Center dust exacerbates cognitive impairment in an animal model of Alzheimer’s

Researchers found that mice exposed to WTCPM dust exhibit impaired spatial recognition and memory, as well as changes in genes related to immune-inflammatory responses. The study suggests a peripheral-brain immune inflammatory 'cross-talking' mechanism that may increase cognitive decline risk.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 17, 2023

New molecular blocker halts breast cancer metastasis

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have discovered a new molecular blocker that successfully halted breast cancer metastasis by targeting the Pyk2 and cortactin interaction. The study's findings provide significant hope for fighting breast cancer, as the blocker inhibited metastasis formation in breast cancer-bearing mice.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalOncogene·DateJan 17, 2023

Intelligent Computing: The state of the art

The field of intelligent computing has made significant progress, focusing on autonomous perception, information gathering, analysis, and reasoning. Key findings include the need to develop more flexible systems that can accommodate diverse forms of intelligence through computing.

SourceIntelligent Computing·JournalIntelligent Computing·DateJan 17, 2023

Modified CRISPR-based enzymes improve the prospect of inserting entire genes into the genome to overcome diverse disease-causing mutations

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital created a new class of technologies called CRISPR-associated transposases (CASTs) to overcome diverse disease-causing mutations. The optimized approach improves product purity and genome-wide specificity, offering a potential solution for inserting entire genes into the genome.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Study finds narrative medicine is an important tool to help care for older adults

A new study finds that narrative medicine is an effective tool for caring for older adults, with medical students and faculty reporting improved patient care and reduced burnout. The My Life, My Story project enables clinicians to take a deeper social history of their patients, leading to more holistic care.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeSurvey·DateJan 17, 2023

A blood vessel protein reduces mortality in infectious disease

A new study by Osaka University researchers demonstrates that the endothelial cell-specific protein Robo4 plays a crucial role in reducing mortality in severe infection. By upregulating Robo4 expression, a drug treatment can decrease vascular permeability and increase survival rates.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Team completes review study of functionalized copper current collectors for lithium metal anodes

A team of researchers completed a comprehensive review study on functionalized copper current collectors for lithium metal anodes, revealing promising improvements in electrochemical performances. The study showed that planar modified copper foils and nanostructured 3D copper substrates can stabilize lithium nucleation and deposition, ...

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalNano Research Energy·DateJan 17, 2023

Living on the edge: Small mammals in threatened, biodiverse hotspot hold clues for conservation

Researchers from DePaul University studied small mammals in eastern Paraguay's Atlantic Forest remnants to understand biodiversity and its relation to forest edges. They found that species richness and abundance increase closer to the edge, while phylogenetic diversity is higher in interior sites.

SourceDePaul University·JournalDiversity and Distributions·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 17, 2023

A plethora of plant molecules provides a ple"flora" of data

A searchable library of 1,600 chemically-diverse plant extracts has been established, providing valuable insights into plant metabolites' roles in drug development. The library shares both data and methods, making it an exceptional resource for advancing chemodiversity digitization.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Will the airline industry ever steer away from gender conformity?

A recent study found that the airline industry maintains feminine cabin crews through strict appearance standards and grooming guidelines. Researchers discovered that female flight attendants are expected to maintain a slim body and adhere to traditional gender norms, with subtle forms of resistance occasionally employed.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAnnals of Tourism Research·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2023

NREL develops systematic framework to compare performance of plastics recycling approaches

Researchers at NREL developed a framework to compare the performance of various plastics recycling technologies. They examined technical metrics such as material quality and retention, as well as environmental metrics including energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 17, 2023

Survey reveals physical and mental problems among health workers during pandemic

A study by researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos found that 86% of health workers reported burnout and 81% suffered from stress. They also experienced depression, slept badly, and complained of aches and pains. The study aimed to assess the effects of long working hours and burden on physical and mental health.

Study explores effects of dietary choline deficiency on neurologic and system-wide health

A new study finds that dietary choline deficiency can cause profound negative effects on the body, including organ damage and changes in brain pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease. The research highlights the importance of adequate choline intake to protect against neurodegeneration and improve overall health.

SourceArizona State University·JournalAging Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Optimal genome mapping offers high-resolution method to better see, then target cancer-causing gene variants

A new study standardizes the use of optical genome mapping (OGM) for patients with blood cancers, demonstrating its potential as a frontline test for diagnosing hematologic malignancies. OGM outperforms existing tests in detecting cancer-causing gene variants and identifying additional information that can improve patient outcomes.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateJan 17, 2023

Lifestyle adjustments may reduce painful menstrual symptoms, study suggests

A systematic review and meta-analysis found common risk factors for primary dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, including physical characteristics, menstrual characteristics, and lifestyle factors. Lifestyle changes such as maintaining regular sleep patterns, a healthy BMI, and stress management may help alleviate symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJan 17, 2023

Children with persistent speech disorder are more likely to have problems making friends, research finds

A new study found that children with persistent speech disorder are more likely to experience peer problems and emotional difficulties in school. The researchers analyzed data from over 7,300 participants and found no significant associations between speech disorders and depressive symptoms or antisocial behavior.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJCPP Advances·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2023

Clever birds need caring parents

A comparative study of over 1,000 bird species found that parental care is the key factor influencing brain size. The researchers concluded that parental energy input, via egg size and active feeding after hatching, drives brain growth. This finding has implications for understanding differences in brain size across various animal groups.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 17, 2023

new study presents novel behavioral barrier-based framework for sustainable plastic management

A new framework identifies barriers and context-specific measures for plastic use and disposal, guiding policymakers in selecting effective intervention measures. The framework has been tested in Kyoto City, revealing potential desirable behavioral changes, critical barriers, and corresponding intervention measures.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·TypeSurvey·DateJan 17, 2023

Unravelling auger recombination in bipolar devices under high carrier injection

Scientists from Nagoya Institute of Technology have discovered that Auger recombination rate decreases with increasing excited carrier concentration under high injection conditions. This finding has significant implications for optimizing SiC bipolar device efficiency and development of next-generation high-power devices.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalJapanese Journal of Applied Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Combining multiple maps reveal new genetic risk factors for blindness

Researchers have identified a new genetic risk factor for adult-onset macular degeneration by combining multiple maps. The study reveals that variations in the TRPM1 gene promoter alter LHX2 transcription factor binding, reducing gene activity and increasing disease risk. This finding advances our understanding of AMD's complex pathology.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Comparison of diuretics shows no difference in heart failure survival

A large clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health found that two widely used diuretics, furosemide and torsemide, did not differ in improving patient survival when compared. The study suggests a need for better treatments for heart failure patients and highlights the importance of optimizing diuretic doses to improv...

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateJan 17, 2023

Scientists offer a new explanation for a mystery surrounding Jupiter’s two massive asteroid swarms

An international team of scientists suggests that an outward, fast migration of Jupiter can distort the configuration of Trojan swarms, resulting in more stable orbits in one swarm than the other. This new mechanism provides a natural explanation for the observed asymmetry in the number of asteroids in the L4 and L5 swarms.

SourceNew York University·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateJan 17, 2023

Fruit flies grow brainy on a poor diet

Researchers at Kyoto University found that a poor, low-yeast diet causes fruit flies' larvae to grow dendrites in an unexpected way. The hyperarborization phenotype is triggered by a simultaneous deficiency in vitamins, metal ions, and cholesterol, which increases the production of Wingless signaling molecules from body wall muscle.

SourceKyoto University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

New tropical kelp forest discovered in the Galapagos Islands

A new species record of mesophotic kelp was discovered in the Galapagos Islands, characterized by its extensive and dense kelp forest at depths of ~50m. The research highlights the importance of these forests as ecosystem engineers and supports for marine life, with potential implications for carbon sequestration.

SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalMarine Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

"Smart patch" could be used to detect Alzheimer's

Swansea University scientists developed a smart patch that can detect proinflammatory biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, using microneedle technology. The patches can be self-administered for point-of-care diagnosis and have the potential to change the landscape of early disease detection.

SourceSwansea University·JournalACS Omega·DateJan 17, 2023

A mobile breakthrough for water environment monitoring: a novel colorimetric multi-channel sensor on cell phone platform

Researchers developed a cellphone-based colorimetric multi-channel sensor for simultaneous detection of various environmental contaminants. The compact sensor achieved high sensitivity, specificity, and reliability, with improved sensitivity by over six folds compared to direct photography.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Nanoscopic tool assesses alternative COVID-19 prevention

Researchers from Kanazawa University have developed a nanoscopic tool using high-speed atomic force microscopy to assess alternative COVID-19 prevention methods. They found that viral surface roughness can enhance the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants, but spike-neutralizing antibodies neutralize the Delta variant spike protein.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 17, 2023

RNA lipid nanoparticle engineering stops liver fibrosis in its tracks, reverses damage

Researchers developed a novel approach to ionizable lipid synthesis for RNA therapy, targeting activated liver-resident fibroblasts with selective siRNA delivery. The treatment, shown to be successful in mice, stops fibrosis in its tracks by silencing Heat Shock Protein 47 and inhibiting collagen production.

How clean hospitals can reduce antibiotic resistance and save lives

A new study published in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health found that proper hand hygiene in clinical work can reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The researchers developed a mathematical model to predict how good or poor hygiene affects resistance evolution, and tested it against data from 691 long-term care facil...

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalEvolution Medicine and Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 17, 2023

New fluorescent dye can light up the brain

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new fluorescent dye that can cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing for noninvasive brain imaging and differentiation between healthy tissue and tumor cells. The dye's long-lasting fluorescence enables stable imaging over extended periods.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

THE LANCET CHILD & ADOL. HEALTH: Newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy leads to more children being able to walk at two years post diagnosis, new study suggests

A new study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal suggests that newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) can lead to better movement ability and independence in affected children. At two years post diagnosis, 11/14 children diagnosed by NBS were walking independently or with assistance.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Study shows SMART Recovery holds potential to help LGBTQ population with alcohol, substance use

A University of Kansas study found that SMART Recovery holds promise in addressing specific concerns of the LGBTQ population, but improvement is still needed. Participants appreciated being part of an LGBTQ-specific group, but faced challenges such as emotion regulation, coping with stigma, and recalling cognitive tools.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalFamilies in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services·TypeSurvey·DateJan 17, 2023

Black and hispanic patients treated for retinal detachment with surgery had worse vision results than white patients

Researchers at Boston Medical Center discovered that Black and Hispanic patients had significantly worse vision outcomes after surgical treatment for retinal detachment compared to their White counterparts. The study suggests higher rates of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) may contribute to these findings.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalCanadian Journal of Ophthalmology·DateJan 17, 2023

Even preschoolers can spot a cop-out

A new study shows that preschoolers as young as 3-5 years old understand that some reasons for reneging are more defensible than others. Children agree that breaking promises is generally wrong, but are more understanding when good excuses are given. The children's responses revealed that lame excuses are just as bad as none at all.

SourceDuke University·JournalCognitive Development·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Study suggests vitamin D benefits and metabolism may depend on body weight

Researchers analyzed data from the VITAL trial and found that vitamin D supplementation increased biomarkers associated with vitamin D metabolism in people, regardless of their weight. However, these increases were significantly smaller in people with elevated BMIs, suggesting a blunted response to supplementation.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2023

Simple nasal spray significantly reduces snoring and breathing difficulties in children

A simple saline nasal spray was found to be as effective as an anti-inflammatory steroid nasal spray at easing sleep disordered breathing in children. The study showed that the nasal spray cleared symptoms while asleep in about 40% of cases and reduced the need for tonsil removals by half.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 17, 2023

EWG study: Eating one freshwater fish equals a month of drinking ‘forever chemicals’ water

A new study by Environmental Working Group scientists reveals that consuming one serving of freshwater fish per year is equivalent to ingesting water with high levels of the toxic chemical PFOS for a month. The study analyzed data from over 500 fish samples and found median amounts of PFAS in freshwater fish to be 280 times greater tha...

SourceEnvironmental Working Group·JournalEnvironmental Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 17, 2023

USC study reveals the key reason why fake news spreads on social media

A USC-led study of over 2,400 Facebook users found that social media platforms' reward structures encourage habitually sharing information, leading to the spread of fake news. The researchers suggest that platforms should pursue structural changes to limit misinformation, rather than just moderating posted content.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateJan 17, 2023