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Science News for July 5, 2023


Children’s nature drawings reveal a focus on mammals and birds

UK schoolchildren aged 7-11 drew mammals and birds most commonly, with reptiles and amphibians appearing less frequently. The study suggests children's perceptions of local wildlife are skewed towards mammals and birds, hinting at a wider problem of nature disconnect.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2023

Friendly teasing or traumatic bullying? Homophobic name-calling leaves scars

A new study found that homophobic name-calling, even from friends, has a negative impact on teenagers' mental health, including depressive symptoms and decreased sense of belonging. The research highlights the importance of clear anti-bullying policies, teacher education, and supportive interventions to prevent such behavior.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of School Violence·TypeSurvey·DateJul 5, 2023

Solving the industry's sticky recycling issues

Scientists at the University of Surrey have developed a new degradable adhesive that can dissolve adhesive residue left on recyclable materials, improving recycling processes and product quality. The additive, similar to commercial packaging tape, allows for faster label detachment and reduces environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 5, 2023

Factors associated with learning disabilities and autism led to requests for euthanasia and assisted suicide in the Netherlands, study finds

A study found that people with learning disabilities and autism in the Netherlands chose euthanasia or assisted suicide due to feelings of loneliness, struggling to form friendships, and a lack of resilience. The research highlights the need for individualized support services and an international debate on criteria for euthanasia and ...

SourceKingston University·JournalBJPsych Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 5, 2023

New study aims to assess bleeding complications in patients undergoing high-risk PCI

The SAFE-MCS study evaluates the safety of complex high-risk PCI using the Impella Heart Pump in conjunction with the Saranas Early Bird Bleed Monitoring System. The primary clinical endpoint is the incidence of access site-related Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type III or V bleeding.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalJournal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions·DateJul 5, 2023

Research led by UW undergrad shows ultrafine air pollution reflects Seattle’s redlining history

A study from the University of Washington found that ultrafine particle exposure is not felt equitably in Seattle, with racial and socioeconomic disparities observed. The research used mobile monitoring to examine long-term average levels of four pollutants, including ultrafine particles, fine particles, and nitrogen dioxide.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 5, 2023

An international team identifies the mutations that cause the most frequent congenital heart defects

A new study reveals that biscuspid aortic valve is caused by mutations in the MINDBOMB1 gene, with significant implications for developing alternative treatments to surgery. The research combines genome sequencing and gene editing techniques to analyze the mechanisms of this congenital defect.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalJAMA Cardiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2023

The time is right to attract new public health workers with evidence-based job descriptions and eye-catching job postings

A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health provides evidence-based job descriptions and short, attention-grabbing job postings for recruitment. The findings suggest that clear job postings with specific requirements can generate targeted applicants and help attract a diverse candidate pool.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Public Health Management and Practice·DateJul 5, 2023

Scientists unlock the dog epigenome

Researchers have successfully mapped the dog epigenome, creating a high-quality reference map that provides insights into gene regulation and environmental influences. The study offers fresh perspectives on complex traits, genetic disorders, and diseases like cancer, with potential implications for human health.

SourceSeoul National University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 5, 2023

Webb locates dust reservoirs in two supernovae

Researchers use Webb to detect large amounts of dust within supernova ejecta, supporting the theory that supernovae supply dust to the early universe. The study reveals over 5,000 Earth masses of dust in one supernova, rivaling previous measurements and suggesting dust can survive internal shocks.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 5, 2023

Practitioners report that greater integration of lifestyle medicine into their medical practice helps manage and reduce burnout

A study found that lifestyle medicine clinicians experienced a 43% decrease in burnout and reported positive impacts on professional satisfaction. Practitioners credited factors such as improved patient outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, and personal fulfillment for their reduced burnout.

SourceAmerican College of Lifestyle Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion·DateJul 5, 2023

Five steps to a world of intelligent life

The study reveals five distinct brain types, each suited for its purpose, from a jellyfish's diffuse neural network to the human brain's reflective capabilities. Researchers suggest that autonomous machines can learn from coordination in bees, rapid thinking in birds, and single-mindedness in worms.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 5, 2023

Treating childhood ADHD with stimulant meds not associated with increased substance use later in life, study finds

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found no evidence that prescription stimulant treatment in childhood increases the risk of substance use disorder (SUD) later in life. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, suggests that stimulants are an effective treatment for ADHD with few side effects.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJul 5, 2023

“Telekinesis”: Scientists develop new technology for targeted cancer therapy

Researchers have developed a new technology that uses acoustic tweezers to precisely control bacterial clusters in live mice, demonstrating a promising approach for targeted drug delivery and cellular therapy in cancer treatment. The technology, called PAHAT, enables precise non-contact manipulation of cells in living organisms.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 5, 2023

Scent of a woman: Hand odor can reveal a person’s sex

A new study using mass spectrometry analyzed hand scent compounds from 60 individuals and achieved a 96.67% accuracy rate in predicting sex. The analysis can be used to uncover details about a potential perpetrator, such as age and racial or ethnic group, when other evidence is lacking.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2023

International migrants left behind in HIV response: study

A recent study found that international migrants in Australia are at increased risk of HIV infection due to reduced access to PrEP, a highly effective prevention measure. The study identified multiple barriers, including lack of awareness, low risk perception, and provider discrimination, which hinder their ability to access PrEP.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 5, 2023

Testing for chronic traumatic encephalopathy among former professional football players

A new study investigated the use of positron emission tomography (PET) with radiotracer (18F)-Flortaucipir to detect chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former professional American-style football players. The study found no significant differences in (18F)-FTP uptake between former players and age-matched male control participan...

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2023

Fossils reveal how ancient birds molted their feathers— which could help explain why ancestors of modern birds survived when all the other dinosaurs died

Researchers studying ancient bird fossils discovered that molting, the process of shedding and regrowing feathers, was more complex than previously thought. The discovery sheds light on how ancient birds, including those that survived the mass extinction event, developed this crucial survival strategy.

SourceField Museum·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJul 5, 2023

Black Americans may face relatively accelerated biological aging because they tend to experience lower socioeconomic status, more neighborhood deprivation and higher air pollution than White Americans

A recent study suggests that Black Americans experience accelerated biological aging compared to White Americans, primarily due to lower socioeconomic status and exposure to air pollution. The findings highlight the significant impact of environmental factors on epigenetic aging disparities between racial groups.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 5, 2023

Utah seismologists peer into Earth's inner core

Scientists have confirmed that Earth's inner core is not a homogenous mass, but rather a textured solid metal sphere. The research, led by Guanning Pang and Keith Koper, used seismic data from naturally occurring earthquakes to study the inner core's structure.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2023

Cannabis use associated with increased risk of surgical complications, according to UTHealth Houston study

A UTHealth Houston study found that regular cannabis users are more likely to experience complications before, during, and after surgery. Patients with a cannabis use disorder (CUD) were approximately 20% more likely to suffer significant postoperative complications than those without CUD.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJAMA Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 5, 2023

Why the day is 24 hours long: Astrophysicists reveal why Earth’s day was a constant 19.5 hours for over a billion years

For over a billion years, the sun's atmospheric tide countered the moon's gravitational pull, keeping Earth's rotational rate steady and day length at 19.5 hours. This balance was disrupted by climate change, resulting in our current 24-hour day stretching to over 60 hours if not for the pause.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 5, 2023

Earth formed from dry, rocky building blocks

A study by Caltech scientists reveals that Earth primarily consisted of dry, rocky materials during its early stages, with a major addition of life-essential volatiles occurring only in the last 15% of its formation. This finding provides crucial insights into the planet's formation process and has important implications for theories o...

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 5, 2023

Study shines light on why companies use a variety of dark money strategies

Researchers found that companies use a variety of strategies to hide their political activities, including those below the surface not observable by public, according to McCombs School of Business Associate Professor Tim Werner. The study provides insight into corporate decision-making and can inform policies related to transparency

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAcademy of Management Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 5, 2023

Fewer than half of new drugs add substantial therapeutic value over existing treatments

Fewer than half of new drugs approved for multiple indications in the US and Europe between 2011 and 2020 offered significant benefits over existing treatments. A study found that supplemental approvals were substantially less effective, suggesting a need to clearly communicate this information to patients and reflect it in drug prices.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2023

New study shows glutaminase 2 regulates glucose metabolism in pancreatic β-cells

A recent study published in Scientific Reports has uncovered the crucial role of glutaminase 2 in maintaining glucose homeostasis in pancreatic β-cells, particularly under conditions of hyperglycemia. The research team found that impaired GLS2 activity drives the onset of diabetes mellitus by disrupting insulin and glucagon regulation.

SourceChiba University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2023

Study finds younger kidney cancer survivors at significant risk for heart problems

Researchers found that younger age is associated with an increased risk of heart failure in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors treated with sunitinib or sorafenib. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of health complications and death among AYAs diagnosed with cancer, with hypertension being a common complication.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 5, 2023

Orbital angular momentum boosts multiplexed holography

Researchers have implemented Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) as an independent information carrier for optical holography, leading to OAM multiplexed holography. The new design approach, MHC-OAM, uses spatial light modulators to achieve multiramp helical conical beams with different parameters serving as information encryption or decryp...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateJul 5, 2023

Polarized imaging dynamic light scattering measures the nanoparticle size, morphology, as well as their distributions simultaneously, thus finding applications in various fields including catalysts, abrasives, fillers, nanodrugs, and battery materials

Researchers developed a fast and convenient method called polarized imaging dynamic light scattering (PIDLS) to evaluate nanoparticle size, morphology and distributions. The method uses optical sphericity to describe the degree of deviation from spheres and provides statistical morphological distribution.

SourceParticuology·JournalParticuology·DateJul 5, 2023

Potent greenhouse gas produced by industry could be readily abated with existing technologies

Researchers have found that industrial sources of nitrous oxide emissions can be readily abated with existing technology. The study suggests that low-cost technologies already exist to reduce nitrous oxide emissions to nearly zero, providing a double benefit for the environment and humanity by also protecting the ozone layer.

Finding the flux of quantum technology

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a way to efficiently separate and harness individual photons, a critical component in quantum photonics. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly increase the speed of quantum technology applications.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNanophotonics·DateJul 5, 2023

Reichman University researchers develop a model to enable the efficient and accurate diagnosis of postpartum depression and appropriate treatment

Researchers at Reichman University developed a comprehensive biological model that unifies the processes impacting postpartum depression (PPD) and its symptoms. The model highlights four main factors leading to PPD: immune system activity, continuous stress, hormonal imbalance, and reduced activities involving closeness.

SourceReichman University·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 5, 2023

Lasering lava to forecast volcanic eruptions

University of Queensland researchers have developed a new technique using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma quadruple mass spectrometry to analyze the chemical composition of magma. This high-resolution method provides clearer data on the eruption style and lava flow, enabling better forecasting of volcanic eruptions.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 5, 2023

Holograms for life: Improving IVF success

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have created 3D holographic images of embryos to aid in selecting the best quality embryos for IVF, potentially improving success rates. The non-invasive approach uses miniscule amounts of light to provide insights into embryo development.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateJul 5, 2023

Memories of childhood abuse and neglect has greater impact on mental health than the experience itself

Researchers found that people who retrospectively reported childhood maltreatment had more depressive episodes than those without a record of maltreatment, regardless of whether they had an official court record. Early interventions may help prevent emotional problems by addressing memories of abuse and neglect.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2023

No increase in mortality for most overweight people, study finds

A large US study of over half a million adults found that BMI was not significantly linked to increased all-cause mortality in most cases. The study suggests that further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between BMI and mortality risk, particularly among younger adults.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2023

Antisense therapy restores fragile X protein production in human cells

A novel antisense therapy has restored fragile X protein production in human cell samples, revealing aberrant alternative splicing of messenger RNA as a key factor in fragile X syndrome. This finding offers real hope for developing new treatments and improving the lives of individuals affected by the condition.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2023

New ferroelectric material could give robots muscles

A new type of ferroelectric polymer holds promise as a high-performance motion controller, offering a promising avenue for the development of soft actuators. The research demonstrates the potential of ferroelectric polymer nanocomposites to overcome limitations of traditional piezoelectric polymers.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2023

Scientists link genes to diet in inflammatory bowel disease

Researchers have identified two candidate genes, EPHA6 and MUC4, that may play a role in gut chronic inflammation leading to IBD. The study used genetically diverse mice to mirror human populations and found that increased expression of MUC4 in part of the colon may increase IBD risk in humans.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateJul 5, 2023

Stressed for a bit? Then don’t click it, cybersecurity experts advise

A study by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that workers experiencing high levels of work-related distress are more likely to fall victim to phishing attacks. The researchers identified a statistically significant relationship between stress and response to simulated phishing emails, with every one-point increase in self-rep...

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2023

Different areas of the brain activated depending on structural complexity of music, language

Research from UTHealth Houston reveals that different brain regions are engaged when processing simple versus complex melodies and sentences. The study used intracranial electrodes to map brain activity during music and language tasks, finding shared temporal lobe activity but distinct sensitivities to melodic and syntactic complexity.

Public support for militarily defending NATO allies

A recent study found that voters in NATO member states are more willing to defend another country if it joins the alliance, with benefits varying by country. NATO membership boosts support for military defense, particularly among non-member countries, and perception of the alliance's value plays a critical role.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJul 5, 2023

A two-for-one approach to boost melanoma immunotherapy

A new study from Sanford Burnham Prebys identified a protein called NR2F6 that helps melanoma cells evade the immune system, but also promotes anti-tumor immunity when targeted. The researchers hope to develop new drugs that can block this protein's activity, potentially doubling the effectiveness of immunotherapy for melanoma patients.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 5, 2023

Oregon State scientists find a better way to capture carbon from industrial emissions

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new, cost-effective way to capture carbon dioxide from industrial emissions. The method uses a nanomaterial called a metal-organic framework (MOF) that can selectively adsorb CO2 in humid conditions, making it suitable for post-combustion applications.

SourceOregon State University·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2023

Lack of sleep lessens cognitive benefits of physical activity

A recent study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity found that people who were more physically active had better cognitive function, but this benefit was reduced for those with short sleeps. The research suggests that getting sufficient sleep is essential to reap the full cognitive benefits of physical activity.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 5, 2023

In search of rice to reduce methane emissions

Researchers have discovered that breeding high-yielding rice hybrids with lower methane emissions can help farmers achieve food security without significantly increasing emissions. The study highlights the potential for low-emission rice production systems to mitigate methane emissions in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Helping plants make better use of sunlight

Researchers at Technical University of Munich have discovered that the outer envelope membrane of chloroplasts plays a crucial role in regulating metabolite transport, which is essential for optimizing photosynthesis. By understanding this process, scientists hope to develop new strategies to boost crop yields and produce more biomass.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJul 5, 2023

Health professions requiring advanced degrees have few Latinos

A new study by George Washington University researchers reveals that Mexican Americans and other Latinos face significant barriers to occupations in the healthcare field that require an advanced degree. The study found that despite being the largest Latino subpopulation, Mexican Americans represent one-quarter or less of the professions.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 5, 2023