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Science News for June 20, 2023


A Space: Science & Technology study advances numerical research for optimizing micronozzle performance

Researchers optimize micronozzle design through numerical simulation and design optimization to improve thrust force and specific impulse. The study finds that wall heat transfer, convergence duct design, throat shape, and expander structural parameters significantly affect nozzle performance.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateJun 20, 2023

New details about the strongest spider silk in the world

Scientists have studied the internal parts of spider silk using an optical microscope without cutting it open. The analysis revealed that the fiber consists of at least two outer layers of lipids and numerous fibrils running in a straight, tightly packed arrangement. Understanding how to create such strong fibers is crucial for produci...

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJun 20, 2023

Topological bulk BICs enable compact, single-mode, and beam-engineered QCLs

Researchers developed an electrically-pumped compact topological bulk laser for single-mode emission and cylindrical vector beams. The device utilizes band-inverted topological band edges that support high quality factors, enabling miniaturization and single-mode laser emission.

Patient-led intervention first to successfully address multiple difficult symptoms in dialysis patients

A new patient-guided intervention using telemedicine has been shown to improve symptoms of fatigue, pain, and depression in dialysis patients. The Technology Assisted Stepped Collaborative Care (TĀCcare) trial found significant improvements in energy levels and pain severity that persisted for six months after treatment.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 20, 2023

Company culture shapes willingness of workers to act sustainably, research shows

A nationwide study found that social and organizational factors play a critical role in shaping sustainable behaviors among employees. Employees are more likely to act sustainably at work if they feel supported by their company and coworkers. The study also uncovered a link between eco-friendly behaviors and higher job satisfaction, su...

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalCurrent Research in Ecological and Social Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateJun 20, 2023

UK's young people at risk of leaving school without vital knowledge of reproductive health, study finds

A new study found significant gaps and variations in UK schools' curricula for sexual and reproductive health, with important topics like endometriosis and miscarriage missing. The research suggests better education is crucial for young people to understand their reproductive systems and make informed decisions about their lives.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalHuman Fertility·TypeObservational study·DateJun 20, 2023

Less-invasive cardiac MRI is a valuable diagnostic tool in the early evaluation of patients with acute chest pain

A new study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine reveals that cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe and accurate tool to evaluate complex patients. Cardiac MRI reduced the need for invasive angiography over the long-term follow-up period, making it a highly reliable first-line testing option.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalCirculation Cardiovascular Imaging·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 20, 2023

Research identifies factors that make correcting misinformation about science more successful

A meta-analysis of 60,000 participants found that corrections are more successful when issues are emotionally positive, match ideology, and provide abundant details. However, polarized misinformation proves harder to correct, with corrections failing twice as often.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 20, 2023

Intranasal CRISPR psychotropics

A study reports a CRISPR/Cas9 delivery system that reduces anxiety-related behavior in mice by modulating neuronal receptor pathways. The treatment, delivered through the nose, shows a 35.7% increase in time spent in light areas and a 14.8% decrease in marble burial compared to controls.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJun 20, 2023

Brands beware! Even loyal customers distance themselves after socially unacceptable mentions of the brand on social media

A new study published in Journal of Marketing finds that consumers become motivated to distance themselves from brands after observing socially unacceptable social media mentions. Consumers with stronger self-brand connections experience vicarious shame, driving their desire to disengage from the brand.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJun 20, 2023

When a rat smells a rat

Scientists at the University of Tokyo have discovered a pheromone that reduces fear in rats, which could lead to more humane methods of pest control. The researchers found that this pheromone, 2-methylbutyric acid, can calm both lab and wild rats, reducing their fear responses.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2023

Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine article decodes patterns of pneumoconiosis among miners

The study analyzed historical data on coal miners in China, revealing a strong correlation between raw coal production, mining technology, and CWP incidence. The researchers identified key turning points in disease incidence, linked to changes in diagnostic criteria and labor management, as well as coal industry policy reforms.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 20, 2023

Locating executive functions in fish brains

Research suggests that guppies with enlarged telencephalon exhibit improved cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and working memory. The study found that up-selected fish performed better than down-selected fish in tasks requiring self-control and delayed gratification.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJun 20, 2023

Lasers enable internet backbone via satellite

Researchers demonstrated terabit optical data transmission through the air in a European Horizon 2020 project, enabling more cost-effective and faster backbone connections via near-earth satellite constellations. The team used laser systems to transmit high-data rates over a free-space distance of 53km.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateJun 20, 2023

Chemiluminescent carbon nanodots for dynamic and guided antibacteria

Researchers developed chemiluminescent carbon nanodots (CDs) that exhibit excellent in-vivo imaging quality and bacteriostatic rate against various bacteria. The CDs can be used as activatable imaging agents for inflammation-related ROS detection and have potential applications as nanomedicine for antibacterial treatments.

Study explores climate change impacts on seagrass meadows

A new Stanford University study models the distribution of seagrass species around the world at two different timepoints in the future, predicting widespread reductions in species diversity and composition under all scenarios. The research highlights the need for more intentional conservation efforts and emphasizes that even the curren...

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Plants·DateJun 20, 2023

THE LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH: Prolonged rise in eating disorders and self-harm among adolescent girls in the UK following the COVID-19 pandemic, best evidence to date suggests

A nationwide study in the UK found a significant rise in eating disorders and self-harm among adolescent girls between March 2020 and March 2022. The rate of eating disorder diagnoses was 42% higher than expected, with 3,862 observed cases compared to 2,713 projected cases.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 20, 2023

Women without children at age 35 are at highest risk of binge drinking, alcohol use disorder

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that women who turned 35 in recent years and those without children are most at risk of excessive alcohol consumption. The study's findings highlight the need to address unhealthy drinking habits among middle-aged women, particularly those without children.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAddiction·TypeSurvey·DateJun 20, 2023

Walkable neighborhoods help adults socialize, increase community

A study published in Health & Place found that walkable neighborhoods foster social interactions with neighbors, promoting a sense of community. Researchers analyzed data from 1,745 adults living in Seattle, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., revealing that these environments encourage active behaviors like walking and socializing.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalHealth & Place·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 20, 2023

Open-source software to speed up quantum research

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed open-source software, SuperConga, to explore new superconducting properties and advance quantum computing. The program operates at the mesoscopic level, enabling simulations that can 'pick up' the strange properties of quantum particles.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 20, 2023

New study reveals irrigation’s mixed effects around the world

A recent study analyzed over 200 previous studies to assess the impact of irrigation on regional climates and environments. The researchers found that while irrigation supplies 40% of the world's food, it also has significant effects on regional climates and environments, with some areas being already unsustainable or verging on scarcity.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·DateJun 20, 2023

Metformin's role in preventing metabolic syndrome during androgen deprivation therapy: a Phase II study

A randomized phase II study found that adding metformin to androgen deprivation therapy did not reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome or improve PSA response in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Metformin showed some antitumor effects through mTOR inhibition, but these were not significant.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 20, 2023

Pusan National University researchers develop new adsorbent for removing radioactive cesium ions from nuclear wastewater

Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a new adsorbent that utilizes problematic protons in acidic wastewater to enhance the removal of radioactive cesium ions. The adsorbent, potassium calcium thiostannate, shows improved capacity under strongly acidic conditions.

SourcePusan National University·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2023

A new type of atomic nucleus discovered in the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä belongs to the rarest naturally occurring element

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä have produced a previously unknown atomic nucleus, 190-Astatine, which decays via alpha particles. The discovery is significant for understanding the structure of atomic nuclei and the limits of known matter.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalPhysical Review C·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2023

Scientists show way to mitigate extreme weather events

Researchers at RIKEN have demonstrated a method to prevent severe weather events by inducing small perturbations in the Lorenz 96 model. This approach utilizes the inherent chaos in weather systems to limit extreme events, which become more common due to climate change.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNonlinear Processes in Geophysics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 20, 2023

Cuttlefish brain atlas first of its kind

A team of scientists has created the first-ever brain atlas of the dwarf cuttlefish, a master of camouflage. The atlas maps the animal's 32-lobed brain structure and cellular organization, providing valuable insights into its remarkable ability to change skin color in response to visual stimuli.

SourceColumbia University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 20, 2023

Sustainability of a 12-month lifestyle intervention delivered by community health workers in reducing blood pressure in Nepal: 5-year follow-up of an open-label, cluster randomised (COBIN) trial

A 12-month lifestyle intervention led by community health workers reduced systolic blood pressure in Nepal. However, a 5-year follow-up found that the benefit was not maintained, with blood pressure rising again after the intervention ended. This highlights the need for ongoing education and follow-up to prevent potential harm.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 20, 2023

Machine learning helps researchers identify hit songs with 97% accuracy

Researchers applied machine learning to brain responses and achieved near-perfect classification accuracy for songs that may become hits. The approach, called 'neuroforecasting,' uses data from a small group of people to predict population-level effects without needing to measure the brain activity of hundreds of people.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 20, 2023

New research shows promising results for the development of a nonsurgical treatment for degenerative rotator cuff injury in the elderly

A novel study found that honokiol promotes healing of rotator cuff injury and may be an effective treatment for humans. The study suggests that SIRT3 activation plays a protective role in alleviating aging-induced fibrocartilage degeneration and promoting rotator cuff healing.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2023

Modeling human behavior for autonomous vehicles

A computational psychological model predicts subtle behaviors in real traffic, such as hesitating before crossing and speeding up to deny pedestrians a crossing opportunity. The model accurately simulates 32 pairs of participants interacting as driver and pedestrian in a driver-pedestrian simulator.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJun 20, 2023

SRI seeks to learn how insects speak through smells

Researchers at SRI International have identified genes that enable insects to produce terpenes, a key component of their chemical communication. This breakthrough provides a roadmap for understanding how these chemicals are used and could lead to new ways to protect crops and prevent insect-borne diseases.

SourceSRI International·JournalProtein Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 20, 2023

Precious1GPT: multimodal transfer learning for aging clock development and target discovery

Researchers developed Precious1GPT, a multimodal transformer-based approach for aging clock development and feature importance analysis. The model utilizes methylation and transcriptomic data to predict biological age and identify disease-related genes, providing a pathway for therapeutic drug discovery.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 20, 2023

Computational mid-infrared photothermal imaging unveils intracellular tau aggregates

A new technique, FBS-IDT, enables high-resolution imaging of intracellular tau aggregates in their native environments. It demonstrates potential correlations between tau fibrils and lipid accumulation, offering a cost-effective solution for neurodegeneration research.

Adapting to climate change: Researchers find natural gene variant that allows barley to flower earlier

Scientists have identified a natural gene variant in barley that enables plants to flower up to 18 days earlier, allowing for improved adaptation to climate change. This discovery could lead to the development of climate-resilient barley varieties with stable yields.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2023

Restoring the blood-brain barrier?

Researchers developed a new therapeutic molecule that activates WNT signaling to restore the blood-brain barrier's normal function. The treatment showed promise in treating conditions such as multiple sclerosis and ischemic stroke by reducing the severity of strokes and improving survival rates.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 20, 2023

Wonderful and weird

Ferroelectric materials like hafnia show promise for non-volatile random-access memory (RAM) due to their stability at high temperatures. Hafnia's unique properties, including the movement of oxygen vacancies, make it an attractive candidate for memristors that mimic brain-like computer architectures.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 20, 2023

The Good Fight: Advance in flexible photodetector could improve monitoring of greenhouse gases

Researchers have developed flexible photodetectors that can detect visible to long-wave infrared radiation, covering the full spectrum of greenhouse gases without complex optical components. The new detectors are simple and cost-effective to make, with production at room temperature.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2023

How good or evil are you when gaming?

A study by Macquarie University researchers explores how players respond to morality meters in games, showing that most ignore clear moral choices but use them when ambiguous. The research provides insights into the impact of morality meters on player behavior and has implications for moral education and awareness.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2023