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Science News for March 21, 2023


Shining a light into the ‘‘black box’’ of AI

An international team developed a novel method for evaluating AI interpretability methods to decipher the basis of AI reasoning and possible biases. The approach helps users understand what influences AI results and whether they can be trusted, especially in medical applications where AI-powered decisions can impact health and lives.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeNews article·DateMar 21, 2023

Researchers develop a drug effective in a rare hereditary muscle disease, as well as in severe statin-associated muscle disease

Researchers have discovered a novel medication that effectively treats a rare hereditary muscle disease causing complete immobility and death. The treatment has also shown promise in treating severe statin-associated myopathy, with improved symptoms in patients awaiting treatment.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2023

Study shows ‘obesity paradox’ does not exist: waist-to-height ratio is a better indicator of outcomes in patients with heart failure than BMI

A new study published in the European Heart Journal shows that using waist-to-height ratio instead of BMI provides a clearer picture of patient outcomes in heart failure. The researchers found that greater adiposity is associated with worse outcomes, including high rates of hospitalization and reduced health-related quality of life.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2023

Insomnia, sleep apnea contribute to reports of cognitive decline in women with multiple sclerosis

Researchers found that women with multiple sclerosis were more likely to report sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and sleepiness. Insomnia mediated more than 10% of the cognitive problems reported by women with MS, while sleep apnea accounted for 34%.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalMultiple Sclerosis Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2023

Study shows physical activity prevents, not just delays, cancer recurrence in patients previously treated for colon cancer

Researchers found that physical activity can prevent cancer recurrence in stage III colon cancer patients by lowering the recurrence rate within the first year of treatment. This association persisted for approximately three years after surgery, suggesting a long-term survival benefit.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 21, 2023

Research Brief: Weight stigmatizing experiences associated with disordered eating behaviors

Research from the University of Minnesota Medical School found weight stigmatizing experiences are common among adolescents and associated with higher prevalence of disordered eating behaviors. Positive family and parenting factors can help alleviate this stressor but cannot completely protect young people from negative effects.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 21, 2023

Public acceptance of fossil fuel subsidy removal could be improved in developing countries

A recent study by the University of Gothenburg found that public acceptance of fossil fuel subsidy removal could be improved in developing countries if the revenue is invested in social and economic development. The researchers analyzed attitudes towards removing subsidies on fossil fuels in five developing countries, including Ecuador...

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeSurvey·DateMar 21, 2023

New possibilities in the theoretical prediction of particle interactions

A team of scientists at Mainz University has developed a method to efficiently compute a new class of Feynman integrals associated with Calabi–Yau geometries. This allows for high-precision theoretical predictions of particle interactions and better understanding of their mathematical structure.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 21, 2023

CHOP researchers find strong adolescent-parent relationships lead to better long-term health outcomes in young adults

CHOP researchers found that adolescents with strong relationships with their parents have improved mental and physical health, lower substance use, and higher relationship satisfaction. The study analyzed data from over 15,000 participants and controlled for various factors.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2023

Singapore’s Nutri-Grade labelling influences consumers to make healthier choices, Duke-NUS trial reveals

A trial by researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School found that the Nutri-Grade system encourages consumers to purchase beverages with lower sugar content, especially those with chronic conditions. The study showed a significant increase in purchases of A-rated drinks with 1.5g less sugar per serving.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateMar 21, 2023

Local manure regulations can help reduce water pollution from dairy farms

A new study from the University of Illinois finds that local enforcement of manure management regulations can effectively reduce nutrient concentrations in rivers and lakes. The study focuses on Wisconsin's unique approach, which allows counties to participate in enforcement without state approval.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 21, 2023

Defunding prevention and climate change drive rebound of malaria in Peru

A recent study found that malaria control programs in Amazonian Peru reduced the disease by 78% but saw a rebound when funding was cut, driven by climate change. Climate change has exacerbated malaria transmission, with rising temperatures and intense rainfalls contributing to the resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease.

SourceDuke University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2023

Imaging the proton with neutrinos

Researchers have made the first accurate image of the proton using neutrinos instead of light as the probe in the MINERvA experiment. The study provides measurements of the proton's structure with unbound protons, helping to build more complete theories of neutrino interactions.

SourceDOE/US Department of Energy·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2023

Family Heart Foundation research finds high-risk Americans who do not maintain guideline recommend LDL-C targets have 44% higher rate of cardiovascular events

A real-world analysis found that high-risk Americans who fail to reach guideline-recommended LDL-C levels experience a 44% higher rate of cardiovascular events. The study, presented at the AMCP Conference, used data from over 300 million Americans and compared those who met and maintained recommended targets with those who did not.

Lower energy consumption thanks to daylight-saving time

A study by Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology found that daylight-saving time can reduce cooling energy by up to 6%, while increasing heating demand by 4.4%. This overall effect contributes to climate protection and highlights the importance of considering office building energy balances.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 21, 2023

New MU study shapes understanding of adaptive clothing customer needs

Researchers at the University of Missouri found that adaptive clothing customers face challenges with website usability, limited design and functionality, and sizing issues. The study provides guidelines for retailers to design products that cater to people with disabilities, promoting confidence and workplace wearability.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Consumer Studies·TypeContent analysis·DateMar 21, 2023

Richard McIndoe, PhD, will direct Coordinating Unit for new, national research initiative in diabetes, obesity

Richard McIndoe is leading a national research initiative to advance understanding of diabetes and obesity through the National Centers for Metabolic Phenotyping in Live Models of Obesity and Diabetes (MPMOD). The MPMOD initiative provides access to advanced testing services, including bariatric surgery on mice, to enable new insights ...

Uracil found in Ryugu samples

Scientists have detected uracil and nicotinic acid in asteroid Ryugu samples collected by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. The discovery suggests that important building blocks for life were created in space and delivered to Earth via meteorites, supporting current theories on the source of nucleobases.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2023

Children with autism far less likely to have vision screening despite high risk of serious eye disorders

Young children with autism spectrum disorder are less likely to undergo vision screening than their peers, despite a high risk of developing serious eye disorders. A recent study found that only 36.5% of children with ASD had completed vision screenings at well visits, compared to 59.5% for children without ASD.

SourceNemours·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 21, 2023

Unmasking the secret of broadly neutralising COVID-19 therapeutic antibodies

A study published in Nature Immunology found that antibodies from previously infected patients can neutralize variants of the COVID-19 disease, including the Omicron variant. These broadly neutralizing antibodies have unique biochemical and structural features that enable them to block the virus from entering human cells.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 21, 2023

Smart light traps

Scientists create nanomaterial that mimics photosynthesis to produce syngas from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight. This innovation has potential for large-scale chemical industry applications and could lead to sustainable battery production.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 21, 2023

LSU Health New Orleans study suggests interprofessional team training could prove effective in AUD prevention & treatment

A new LSU Health New Orleans study suggests that single, focused Interprofessional Education-based exercises can significantly decrease stigma associated with alcohol use and improve knowledge and confidence in screening for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The exercise led to substantial improvements in student understanding of AUD risks, ...

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalBMC Medical Education·TypeSurvey·DateMar 21, 2023

Cracking the concrete code

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new type of metamaterial concrete that can be designed to have specific attributes like brittleness, flexibility, and shapeability. This material can generate electricity and can also be used to monitor damage inside concrete structures or earthquakes, reducing their impact o...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 21, 2023

HonorHealth Research Institute is Arizona’s first to adopt new radiation protection technology in treatment of heart disease

The study found substantial drop in laboratory radiation, with most cases producing undetectable radiation exposure to cardiology staff. The new radiation protection system reduces overall room radiation and eliminates head and face exposure, promoting workplace safety.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalJournal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions·DateMar 21, 2023

Vocal tract size, shape dictate speech sounds

Researchers found that anatomical variations in a speaker's vocal tract affect speech production, with factors such as horizontal and vertical length, head inclination, and hard palate shape influencing vowel frequencies. The study suggests that understanding anatomy is crucial for producing speech.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateMar 21, 2023

Researchers identify new genes that modulate the toxicity of the protein β-amyloid, responsible for causing Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers have identified 238 genes that regulate Alzheimer's disease, including Surf4, which contributes to the disease by altering the regulation of calcium within the cell. The study found that most of these genes are involved in mitochondrial activity, protein translation and intracellular calcium regulation.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2023

Readers found to rely on word spelling rather than sound in reading

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology found that Russian-speaking readers, including both children and adults, rely on orthographic information during parafoveal pre-processing. The participants were able to recognize words with incorrect letter order more easily than those with pseudohomophones.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateMar 21, 2023

New intracellular "smoke detector" discovered

Researchers have identified a molecule called NLRP10 as an intracellular 'smoke detector' that warns of mitochondrial damage. This detection triggers a process that eliminates damaged cells, preventing chronic inflammation and tissue damage. The discovery could lead to new therapies for skin and intestinal diseases.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2023

Pusan National University researchers develop portable color-changing food spoilage sensor

Researchers at Pusan National University have created a portable molecular sensor that detects biogenic amines released from spoiled food using polydiacetylene-based beads. The sensor, which changes color to red upon binding with BAs, can be used for rapid visual detection of spoiled food during storage and distribution.

SourcePusan National University·JournalFood Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2023

Researchers get to the “bottom” of how beetles use their butts to stay hydrated

Researchers have shed light on the molecular mechanisms allowing beetles to absorb water rectally, a property enabling them to survive in extremely dry environments. This knowledge could be used to develop more targeted and eco-friendly methods to combat beetle species that destroy food production.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 21, 2023

CABBI/GLBRC team explores leaf microbiome in perennial bioenergy crops

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that microbes living on the leaves of perennial crops like miscanthus and switchgrass play a crucial role in plant resilience. The research identifies specific microbial functions that could be targeted for future management, promoting crop growth and reducing environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 21, 2023

Healthy men who have vaginal sex have a distinct urethral microbiome

A study found that healthy adult men with vaginal sex have a unique bacterial community in their urethra, with a core community supporting health and a secondary group more commonly found in the vagina. Vaginal sex has lasting effects, reshaping the male urinary-tract microbiome and increasing bacterial variation.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2023

A recipe for 3D-printing food

University of Ottawa researchers Ezgi Pulatsu and Chibuike Udenigwe identified crucial factors impacting the print quality and shape complexity of edible materials produced by additive manufacturing. By optimizing these features, food quality can be improved, control increased, and printing speed enhanced.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMar 21, 2023

University of Illinois researchers present new theory of convection for understanding fast charging of batteries

Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a new theory that explains how convection occurs inside reactive porous media, shedding light on mass and heat transfer principles. The theory introduces a spectral Sherwood number and extends Newton's law of cooling for convection heat transfer to transient conditions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Power Sources·DateMar 21, 2023

Study highlights complicated relationship between AI and law enforcement

A recent NC State University study examines the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and law enforcement. The study reveals that law enforcement agencies must be involved in developing public policies regarding AI technologies, such as autonomous vehicles. Key findings also suggest that many officers lack understanding of ...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalApplied Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateMar 21, 2023

Analysis by NYUAD researchers offers new insights into causes of persistent inequities affecting non-white scientists and their research

A team of NYU Abu Dhabi researchers analyzed 1 million papers to reveal disparities in editorial boards, review times, and citation rates for non-white scientists. Non-white editors are underrepresented, with Black researchers facing the longest review times and lowest citation rates.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 21, 2023

Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System awarded $30 million from NIH to support its Institute for Clinical and Translational Research

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System have received a seven-year, $30 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue supporting the Harold and Muriel Block Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. The grant will advance translational science and health equity by accelerating th...