Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for July 21, 2023


Long-term changes in waves and storm surges have not impacted global coastlines

A new study published in Scientific Reports has investigated the impact of long-term changes in ocean wave and storm surge conditions on sandy coastlines over the past 30 years. The research found no clear linkages between these changes and shoreline recession, with sediment supply, human management, and other factors likely playing a ...

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalScientific Reports·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 21, 2023

Trends in the prevalence of hepatitis C infection during pregnancy and maternal-infant outcomeTrends in the prevalence of hepatitis C infection during pregnancy and maternal-infant outcomes

The study found a significant increase in maternal HCV infection rates during pregnancy from 16-fold higher in 1998 compared to 2018. This is associated with adverse maternal-infant outcomes such as preterm labor, poor fetal growth, or fetal distress.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 21, 2023

Treating bladder infections with viruses

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a rapid test that detects bladder infections using bacteriophages, which can identify the pathogenic bacteria in under four hours. The test also allows for tailored phage therapy, predicting patient response and increasing treatment effectiveness.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2023

Subseasonal transition of sea-ice anomalies in the Barents–Kara Sea in winter modulated by the “warm Arctic–cold Eurasia” pattern

The 'warm Arctic–cold Eurasia' pattern influences winter sea-ice anomalies in the Barents–Kara Sea, with a subseasonal transition from negative to positive ice coverage. This phenomenon is linked to atmospheric and oceanic changes driven by global warming.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJul 21, 2023

HKUMed finds metformin could promote healthy ageing based on genetics

A study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity found that metformin may promote healthy ageing by reducing biomarkers of ageing and increasing telomere length. The research team used genetic analysis to identify variants associated with metformin use, suggesting a potential role for the drug in promoting healthy longevity.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2023

Two types of ultrafast mode-locking operations generation from an Er-doped fiber laser based on germanene nanosheets

Using Germanene, researchers have developed two new methods for generating ultrafast mode-locking operations in fiber lasers. These methods utilize the material's fast carrier relaxation time and large nonlinear absorption coefficient to produce femtosecond pulses and higher energy noise-like pulses.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2023

Mayo Clinic researchers pave the way for individualized obesity therapy, tailoring interventions to a person’s needs

Researchers developed a tailored approach to weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors, showing significant improvement in targeted areas like abnormal fullness and emotional eating. The study suggests the need for an actionable, phenotype-based classification of patients in obesity treatment, moving beyond reliance on scales or bod...

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalEClinicalMedicine·DateJul 21, 2023

New brain cells can replace diseased and aged cells. That may help people with severe brain diseases

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a way to replace diseased and aged brain cells with new ones, which could lead to treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis. The study used humanized mice models to test the effectiveness of glial cell transplantation.

New study uncovers potential risk of arsenic release from sediment under organic matter influence

Researchers found that organic matter can regulate groundwater arsenic mobilization and release, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate environmental risks. The study's findings have important implications for managing and mitigating groundwater pollution caused by the infiltration of organic matter.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2023

Going the distance for better wireless charging

A better way to wirelessly charge over long distances has been developed, utilizing the phenomenon of radiation suppression. The research shows high transfer efficiency, over 80 percent, can be achieved at distances approximately five times the size of the antenna.

SourceAalto University·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateJul 21, 2023

Study: How mother and infant sleep patterns interact during the first two years of life

The study found two distinct groups: low maternal sleep (5-6 hours/night) and average maternal sleep (7-8 hours/night). Children in the low maternal sleep group slept less. Establishing early bedtime routines and consistent sleep patterns improved sleep duration and reduced sleep problems.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 21, 2023

Father’s psychiatric diagnosis increases risk of preterm birth, study reports

A recent study has found that babies born to fathers with psychiatric diagnoses are more likely to be born prematurely. The study analyzed data from over 1.5 million births in Sweden and found a significant increase in preterm births among infants whose father had a psychiatric diagnosis.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 21, 2023

Dark SRF experiment at Fermilab demonstrates ultra-sensitivity for dark photon searches

Scientists trapped ordinary photons in superconducting radio frequency cavities to search for dark photon transitions, demonstrating unprecedented sensitivity and the world's best constraint on dark photon existence. The experiment used SRF cavities with high efficiency and covered new parameter regions for dark photon mass.

SourceDOE/Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 21, 2023

To stick or to bounce: Size determines the stickiness of cosmic dust aggregates

Research suggests that larger cosmic dust aggregates are less likely to stick together after collisions. This limits the growth of planetary building blocks, complicating the process of planet formation. Simulations reveal that size is a critical factor in determining sticking probability, with larger aggregates more prone to bouncing.

SourceTohoku University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 21, 2023

Miocene period fossil forest of Wataria found in Japan

A research team from Hokkaido University has found an exceptionally preserved fossil forest of Wataria parvipora, which was predominantly accompanied by Byttneriophyllum leaves. The discovery helps reconstruct a whole Eurasian plant from the late Miocene epoch and sheds light on the taxonomic identity of plants.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJul 21, 2023