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Science News for January 23, 2023


Community health information exchanges may reduce likelihood of re-hospitalizations and follow-up emergency department visits

Researchers found that primary care physicians using community health information exchanges (HIEs) reduced the likelihood of re-hospitalizations and follow-up emergency department visits. By accessing data about patient care transitions, doctors increased hospital admission lengths from 99 to 238 days.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 23, 2023

New enzyme could mean better drugs

Rice University scientists identified a new Diels-Alderase enzyme, CtdP, which catalyzes the Diels-Alder reaction with precise stereochemistry control. This discovery could lead to improved pharmaceutical synthesis and development of more effective drugs.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

American College of Physicians recommends cognitive behavioral therapy or second-generation antidepressants for adults with major depressive disorder

The American College of Physicians recommends using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or second-generation antidepressants as initial treatment for adults with moderate to severe major depressive disorder. The guideline also suggests considering combination therapy and discussing patient preferences when selecting a treatment.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 23, 2023

Asteroid findings from specks of space dust could save the planet

Researchers discovered that asteroid Itokawa is resistant to collision and has survived for nearly 4.2 billion years due to its rubble pile composition. This finding could lead to more effective defense strategies against potentially hazardous asteroids, including the use of nuclear blasts to nudge them off course.

SourceCurtin University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2023

Ben-Gurion University researcher and international colleagues hot on the trail of a key component of aging

Researchers found that SIRT6 maintains mitochondrial function through transcription regulation of mitochondrial genes. Without SIRT6, mitochondrial gene expression is down-regulated, leading to increased ROS production and impaired ATP generation, similar to changes observed in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalCell Death and Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

Anti-ageing gene shown to rewind heart age by 10 years

Researchers have discovered an anti-ageing gene that can rewind the heart's biological age by 10 years, offering a potential target for patients with heart failure. The study found that administering the healthy mutant gene to elderly patients with severe heart problems improved their cardiac function and rejuvenated their immune system.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

Portland State study discovers immense diversity and interdependence in high temperature deep-sea microorganism communities

A new study by Portland State University researchers found that deep-sea microorganisms thrive in high-temperature environments and exhibit a staggering level of diversity, with over 500 new genera discovered. The microbes also rely on each other for survival through metabolic handoffs, revealing a complex interdependence.

SourcePortland State University·JournalMicrobiome·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 23, 2023

New study shows that the odds of suffering severe post-operative pain are six times lower with NOL

A new study shows that Medasense's NOL monitoring during major abdominal surgery can significantly reduce the proportion of patients with severe post-operative pain. The study found that intraoperative opioid dosing based on the NOL index reduced PACU pain scores by a median of 1.5 points at 90 minutes post-surgery. This technology use...

SourceMedasense Biometrics·JournalFrontiers in Pain Research·DateJan 23, 2023

Bacteria really eat plastic

A laboratory experiment shows that bacteria can digest and break down plastic, producing CO2 and other harmless substances. While microbial digestion is not a solution to the massive problem of oceanic plastic, it may provide part of the explanation for where plastic 'missing' in oceans stays.

SourceRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

Researchers identify the origin of endothelial cells that constitute the vascular niche for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in zebrafish

A team of researchers found that endoderm-derived endothelial cells contribute to zebrafish's functional vascular niche for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The study proposes a new concept that endothelial specialization in the HSPC niche is determined, at least partially, by the origin of the ECs.

SourceNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJan 23, 2023

Midlife obesity linked to heightened frailty risk in older age

Research published in BMJ Open found that carrying excess weight from mid-life onwards increases the risk of physical frailty in older age. The study tracked over 4500 participants and found that obesity and high waist circumference were associated with a higher risk of pre-frailty/frailty, highlighting the importance of maintaining a ...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·TypeObservational study·DateJan 23, 2023

Chicory, surrogate and roasted coffee provide new insights into mechanisms of taste perception

Researchers investigated how the order of eating affects bitter taste perception using chicory and coffee substitutes. They found that consuming chicory or coffee substitute after roasted coffee reduces bitterness, while consuming roasted coffee before chicory has no effect.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

“The Trust Circle” promotes inclusion of American Indian and Alaska Native populations in clinical trials

A new model called 'The Trust Circle' was developed to increase recruitment of AI/AN populations into clinical trials. The model takes into account the trust between trial participants, researchers, and community leaders, with physicians and ministers playing a key role in promoting trust.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 23, 2023

A new model for dark matter

Researchers have proposed a new model for dark matter, the HYPER model, which explains how its interaction with normal matter changes abruptly after the formation of dark matter in the early universe. This phase transition could make dark matter detectable and explain its abundance.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 23, 2023

Grassland ecosystems become more resilient with age

A new study analyzing a two-decade long grassland experiment found that plant species complement each other to produce stable biomass at the community level. This 'compensatory' effect is more pronounced in diverse communities, which also show increased stability and resilience over time.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

New soft robots poised to be more agile, controlled

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new system of fluid-driven actuators that enable soft robots to achieve more complex motions. The team's design allows for antagonistic motions and predicts the actuator's possible motions with a single fluid input, resulting in an actuator that can achieve far more complex movements.

SourceCornell University·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·DateJan 23, 2023

Mid-life moderate + vigorous physical activity quota associated with brain power

Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that daily moderate and vigorous physical activity is positively associated with mid-life brain power. However, replacing these activities with just 6-7 minutes of sedentary behavior negatively impacts cognitive performance. The study analyzed data from over 4,4...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·TypeObservational study·DateJan 23, 2023

Global study of hypoxia in rivers shows it is more prevalent than previously thought

A recent study compiled over 125,000 river locations across 93 countries, showing that hypoxia in rivers is more prevalent than previously thought. The research found that 12.6% of all locations exhibited at least one hypoxic measurement, with warmer, smaller, and lower-gradient waters being most affected.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 23, 2023

UTHSC team’s COVID data system highlighted as model for public health preparedness, population health surveillance

A UTHSC team developed a unique community-focused COVID-19 data registry, MEMPHI-SYS, to guide public health policies and interventions nationwide. The registry collects demographic information, geographic locations, medical history, and risk factors, providing insights into the spread and presentation of COVID.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center·JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·DateJan 23, 2023

Click beetle-inspired robots jump using elastic energy

Researchers have developed insect-sized jumping robots capable of navigating tight spaces, with a new study demonstrating two configurations that can successfully jump without manual intervention. The robots use a dynamic buckling cascade process to store and release elastic energy, allowing them to propel themselves upward.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

CHOP researchers develop tool that reduces errors in stem cell transplant reporting

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a custom-built application to automate the determination of engraftment after hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The tool has been shown to improve accuracy of reported engraftments, reducing errors in neutrophil and platelet engraftment reporting.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalTransplantation and Cellular Therapy·DateJan 23, 2023

Meat import ban in Africa hurts local population

Researchers analyzed Ghana's chicken market, finding that EU imports depress local prices, harming poor and smallholder households. Higher tariffs would increase domestic prices, but benefits few, while cheap imports improve nutrition for low-income groups.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalFood Security·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 23, 2023

Researchers find that to achieve long-term sustainability, urban systems must tackle social justice and equity

Researchers emphasize the importance of inclusivity and understanding past policies affecting marginalized communities in urban planning, design, and public policy efforts. The study identified three core focus areas: social justice and equity, circularity, and digital twins, to address environmental issues and infrastructure challenges.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Industrial Ecology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 23, 2023

Dietary nitrate – found in beetroot juice - significantly increases muscle force during exercise

A new study found that consuming dietary nitrate from beetroot juice significantly increases muscle force while exercising. The researchers discovered a 7% increase in muscle torque production, providing the best evidence to date on the mechanisms behind why dietary nitrate improves human muscle performance.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalActa Physiologica·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

Insulin underuse in primary care requires clinicians to remove barriers to patient access

A survey of primary care clinicians revealed that 44% of patients experience cost-related insulin underuse, with those experiencing poor diabetes control not being more likely to report underuse. Clinicians can address this issue by using empathy to discuss cost barriers and increase the likelihood of changing insulin prescriptions.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 23, 2023

Dogs show things to humans but pigs do not

Researchers found that companion dogs, but not pigs, would show their owners the location of a food reward out-of-reach. This suggests that directing humans' attention to interesting locations may not be a universal ability among domestic animals. Dogs and other visually communicative species were more likely to use this behavior.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 23, 2023

Scientists have named regional factors that can affect the spread of COVID-19

Researchers found that regional factors such as ambient humidity, temperatures, population mobility, and household incomes significantly impact COVID-19 mortality rates. The study revealed that high humidity, low average temperatures, intensive migration, and higher incomes are associated with increased mortality.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalPopulation and Economics·DateJan 23, 2023

Too little good quality sleep during teenage years may heighten subsequent MS risk

Insufficient sleep during teenage years is linked to a higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality are associated with a 40% and 50% increased risk, respectively. The study suggests that sufficient restorative sleep may be an important preventive factor against MS.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·TypeCase study·DateJan 23, 2023

Hospitals without highest stroke care designation may miss them after heart procedure

A Michigan Medicine study found that hospitals with the highest stroke care designation reported significantly higher rates of stroke detection after TAVR. The study suggests that comprehensive stroke centers are better at detecting smaller strokes, but this does not necessarily mean they are finding more strokes overall.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJACC Cardiovascular Interventions·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 23, 2023

Can elephants save the planet?

A recent study reveals that elephants play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and storing atmospheric carbon in African rainforests. The loss of forest elephants would lead to reduced carbon sequestration, amplifying planetary warming. With critically endangered populations, conservation efforts must prioritize protecting these...

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJan 23, 2023

Pheasants at risk on unfamiliar ground

Researchers found that pheasants are more likely to be killed by predators on unfamiliar ground, with 40% of the birds meeting their demise. The study suggests that experience within an area plays a critical role in determining survival rates.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJan 23, 2023

A recent study finds that choosing a lucky CEO means bad luck for the hiring company

A recent study by Mario Daniele Amore and Sebastian Schwenen found that firms that hire lucky CEOs experience declining results. Lucky CEOs possess greater bargaining power, leading to higher compensation and more attractive job assignments. However, this is associated with poorer company performance and slower growth.

SourceBocconi University·JournalThe Journal of Law Economics and Organization·DateJan 23, 2023

Annals of Family Medicine - Holroyd

Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with primary care practitioners and patients to document experiences with digital surveillance of infectious diseases. The study identified five frequently-mentioned concerns, including ambiguity around informed consent and the potential for discrimination against certain groups.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 23, 2023

Primary care plays a role in helping patients with long COVID symptoms by providing holistic, trustworthy care

Researchers found that patients used various therapeutic strategies to alleviate symptoms, including mind-body medicine, nutritional supplements, exercise, and olfactory training. Many patients need more understanding, recognition, and specific post-COVID health care services, as well as empathy from their doctors.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 23, 2023

Academic and public health partnership creates data bridge to promote information sharing during COVID-19 pandemic

The authors created a data bridge between primary care and public health stakeholders in Alberta, Canada, to enhance the province's response to the pandemic. The data bridge enabled champions to emerge, trust to evolve, and integrative healthcare practices to take place, ultimately improving community-based responses.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 23, 2023

Environment law fails to protect threatened species

Research by University of Queensland finds that the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is not effectively protecting threatened habitats. Projects deemed 'significant' or 'not significant' have resulted in similar habitat destruction, highlighting inconsistencies in referral decision-making processes.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalConservation Science and Practice·DateJan 23, 2023

New brain map reveals secrets of camouflage

Researchers from the University of Queensland created a detailed outline of the cuttlefish brain structure and neuronal network, shedding light on their camouflage abilities. The study reveals that the cuttlefish's brain adaptations reflect their daily life requirements and ecology.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateJan 23, 2023

Despite benefits, use of clinical decision support systems is curbed by workload challenges

French researchers found that human and organizational factors negatively impact clinical decision support system use, whereas technological factors have a neutral effect. Despite benefits, PCPs report decreased efficiency due to increased workload, highlighting the need for developers to address these issues.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 23, 2023