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Science News Archive June 2023 - Page 3


Page 3 of 40

TGI-led research finds climate change, increasing population put Kenya at risk of famine

A recent study by Saint Louis University researchers found that Kenya's population has more than tripled since 1980, while climate-suitable areas for primary crops have decreased by 28% over the same period. This shift is due to increased dryness and higher temperatures reducing agricultural productivity.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalOutlook on Agriculture·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2023

New study reveals a potential big leap for gene therapy

A new study from Aarhus University has found that applying AI predictions of protein structures enhances the CRISPR technology, making the cuts in a patient's DNA more precise. This discovery may lead to better treatments for patients with genetic disorders and potentially develop cures for various genetic diseases.

SourceAarhus University·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2023

New review finds the benefits of a widely-used treatment for gambling problems may be overstated

A new meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials on cognitive-behavioral techniques for treating gambling problems found mixed results, including potential overstatements of treatment benefits. The analysis highlighted publication bias and limited funding as contributing factors to the shortcomings of existing research.

SourceSociety for the Study of Addiction·JournalAddiction·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 29, 2023

WVU faculty, students contribute to cosmic breakthrough uncovering evidence of low-frequency gravitational waves

Researchers from West Virginia University have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting evidence of low-frequency gravitational waves, which can only be perceived with a detector much larger than the Earth. The signal was detected using pulsar timing arrays and has significant implications for understanding spacetime dynamics.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 29, 2023

Expanding large-scale agriculture is escalating flooding in the largest South American breadbasket

Large-scale agriculture is escalating flooding in the Argentinean Pampas by disrupting groundwater reserves, increasing flood coverage, and making precipitation-sensitive lands more vulnerable. This transformation has resulted in floods doubling their coverage and becoming more sensitive to changes in precipitation.

SourceLancaster University·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2023

New study: Mental illness obstructs cancer screening

A new study from Aarhus University found that people with mental health issues are less likely to accept offers of colorectal cancer screening. The research showed that those with severe mental disorders had a 13.8 percentage point lower participation rate compared to those without mental illness.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2023

Gullies on Mars could have been formed by recent periods of liquid meltwater, study suggests

A new study led by Brown University researchers reveals that Martian gullies could have been formed by on-and-off periods of meltwater from ice on and beneath the planet's surface. The study found that when Mars tilts on its axis to 35 degrees, conditions become dense enough for brief episodes of melting to occur.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 29, 2023

Lessons learned from first genetically-modified pig heart into human patient

Researchers analyzed data from the first genetically-modified pig heart transplant into a human patient and found that several overlapping factors contributed to heart failure, including poor pre-transplant health, immunocompromised state, and use of intravenous immunoglobulin. The study provides crucial insight into how these factors ...

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·TypeCase study·DateJun 29, 2023

Honey bees more faithful to their flower patches than bumble bees

A study by US Department of Agriculture scientists found that honey bees are more faithful to their flower patches than bumble bees. Honey bees returned to 76% of the same alfalfa flowers, while bumble bees visited only 47%. The difference may be due to honey bees' communication system and risk aversion.

SourceUS Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service·JournalEcosphere·TypeObservational study·DateJun 29, 2023

Exclusion of Black and Hispanic women from health studies masked racial disparities on menopausal aging

Researchers found that Black and Hispanic women experienced an earlier onset of menopause than white women when weathering biases were accounted for. This study highlights the importance of considering selection bias in future health studies to better understand and address racial disparities in women's health.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateJun 29, 2023

Staging pancreatic cancer early with minimally invasive surgery shows positive results in patient prognosis, Mayo Clinic study finds

A Mayo Clinic study reveals that minimally invasive surgical procedure staging laparoscopy can identify cancer spread early and determine the stage of pancreatic cancer. The research found a higher risk of cancer spread in patients with certain factors, such as age and tumor markers.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJun 29, 2023

Which state is the best in the world?

The Stateness Index, developed by Theresa Paola Stawski, assesses a country's functionality based on factors like law enforcement, administration, and provision of essential services. According to the index, Germany ranks as one of the world's best-performing states, with Singapore taking the top spot.

Unveiling the origins of merging black holes in galaxies like our own

A team of scientists from UNIGE, Northwestern University, and the University of Florida used POSYDON code to simulate binary-star populations, predicting the existence of massive 30 solar mass black hole binaries in Milky Way-like galaxies. This challenges previous theories and provides new insights into the astrophysical origins of me...

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeNews article·DateJun 29, 2023

How the cat nose knows what it’s smelling

Researchers created a detailed analysis of the domestic cat's nasal airway, revealing two distinct regions of air flow during inhalation. The study suggests that the cat nose functions as an efficient dual-purposed gas chromatograph, capable of detecting and separating chemicals quickly and efficiently.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 29, 2023

CityU awarded invention: Soft, ultrathin photonic material cools down wearable electronic devices

A research team at CityU developed a multifunctional composite polymer coating with both radiative and non-radiative cooling capacity, enhancing heat dissipation in wearable electronics. The cooling interface achieved temperature drops of over 56°C, improving the performance of skin electronic devices.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2023

Progressively declining immune functions in individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed by prospective study of immune responses to COVID vaccines between December 2020 and June 2021

A prospective study of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines found progressively declining immune functions in individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The study, published in PLOS Medicine, showed that CLL patients experienced reduced antibody responses to the vaccines.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 29, 2023

Higher levels of lean muscle might protect against Alzheimer’s disease

A large study suggests that higher levels of lean muscle mass may be associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers used Mendelian randomisation to analyze the relationship between genetically proxied lean muscle mass and Alzheimer's disease risk, finding a modest but statistically robust association.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2023

Disorder lends robustness to the embryonic development of a tiny shrimp

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the developmental biology of Parhyale hawaiensis, a tiny crustacean with unique appendages. By tracking the development of an embryo, they found that cells divide and reorient themselves to maintain alignment with the head-tail axis, resulting in a robust and coordinated body structure.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 29, 2023

Adverse childhood experiences are ‘strong predictor’ for adolescent cannabis use

A new study found that young people exposed to adverse childhood experiences between ages 0-12 are at high risk of developing problematic adolescent cannabis use. The research, led by Dr Lindsey Hines, analyzed outcomes for over 5,000 participants and found a strong correlation between ACEs and regular cannabis use in teenage years.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateJun 29, 2023

First misinformation susceptibility test finds ‘very online’ Gen Z and millennials are most vulnerable to fake news

Researchers developed a validated test to measure misinformation susceptibility, finding younger adults and those spending more time online are worse at identifying false headlines. The study used AI-generated fake headlines and found that social media and political affiliation were significant factors in susceptibility.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalBehavior Research Methods·DateJun 28, 2023

Shattering the myth of men as hunters and women as gatherers

A recent study analyzing data from 63 foraging societies worldwide reveals that women hunt in at least 79 percent of these societies, targeting game of all sizes. Women's involvement in teaching hunting practices and employing diverse weapon choices also challenges the long-held perception of men as primary hunters.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 28, 2023

Menopausal hormone therapy linked to increased rate of dementia

A large Danish study found that use of menopausal hormone therapy is associated with an increased rate of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The study revealed a significant increase in dementia risk among women who received treatment at the age of 55 years or younger, even for short-term users.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateJun 28, 2023