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Science News Archive March 2023 - Page 23


Page 23 of 44

Cyprus’s copper deposits created one of the most important trade hubs in the Bronze Age

The discovery of Hala Sultan Tekke, a Cypriot village with extensive copper production and trade hubs, reveals that Cyprus was the largest copper producer around the Mediterranean during the Bronze Age. The city's well-protected harbour and central location facilitated lively trade with neighbouring regions.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·TypeCase study·DateMar 16, 2023

Greenlandic glacial rock flour can help fight climate change

Researchers found that Greenlandic glacial rock flour can capture large amounts of CO2 through enhanced weathering, improving crop yields by up to 24% in Danish fields. The fine powder also acts as a natural fertilizer, providing a wider array of nutrients than commercial organic fertilizers.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control·TypeCase study·DateMar 16, 2023

Study reveals your loveable pet dog or cat could lead to restless nights

A recent study found that dog owners are more likely to experience sleep disorders than non-dog owners. Cat ownership was also linked to higher odds of leg jerks during the night. The research suggests that pets may disrupt their owner's sleep due to increased activity at night, particularly with cats.

SourceCABI·JournalHuman-Animal Interactions·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 16, 2023

Connecting the dots

A team of researchers at Kyoto University has established a method to identify individual inbred medaka killifish by analyzing the characteristic patterns of dark spots on their heads. This identification method may contribute to biometrics for medical and drug discovery research.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Nano cut-and-sew: New method for chemically tailoring layered nanomaterials could open pathways to designing 2D materials on demand

Researchers developed a chemical scissor to split and stitch nanoscopic layers of two-dimensional materials, opening pathways to sustainable energy technologies. This new process allows for structurally splitting, editing, and reconstituting layered materials with exceptional properties.

SourceDrexel University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Fomepizole helps overcome antibiotic-resistant pneumonia in mice

Researchers found that fomepizole blocked energy production in bacteria and reduced bacterial burden in mice with pneumonia. The combination treatment prevented invasive disease development, suggesting a potential novel treatment for multidrug-resistant pneumococcal disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023

New study from Japan shows SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 variant is highly transmissible and infectious

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 variant has been characterized for its high transmissibility and infectivity, with a novel mutation in the spike protein facilitating invasion of human cells. Experimental results show that the variant binds to the human ACE2 receptor with high affinity and exhibits strong immune evasion properties.

SourceThe Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Short night-time sleep linked with nearly doubled risk of clogged leg arteries

A new study published in European Heart Journal Open found that sleeping less than five hours a night is associated with a 74% raised likelihood of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD). The study also suggests that lifestyle changes such as being physically active and optimising pain management could lower the risk of PAD.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 15, 2023

Characterizing abnormal neural networks in dogs with anxiety

Researchers found that dogs with anxiety have altered brain connectivity, particularly between the amygdala and hippocampus. The study used fMRI to characterize abnormal neural networks in anxious dogs, providing insight into anxiety disorders in both animals and humans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 15, 2023

Filling a niche: Neural stem cells help maintain their microenvironment

A new study from Tokyo Medical and Dental University sheds light on the neural stem cell niche's composition during development. Researchers found that vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) plays a crucial role in maintaining NSPCs under hypoxic conditions, promoting lower rates of cell death and increased cell proliferation.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalInflammation and Regeneration·DateMar 15, 2023

Test for spiking to reduce psychological distress – new study

A new study highlights the need for testing patients who arrive at hospital intoxicated by drink or drunks to understand how they become intoxicated and reduce feelings of self-blame. The review authors argue that this lack of clarity can exacerbate psychological distress, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and fear.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 15, 2023

Study compares NGO communication around migration

A recent study by Iowa State University researchers highlights the varying approaches of NGOs in Turkey and Bulgaria when communicating with the public about migration. Turkish NGOs tend to use a one-way communication mode, while those in Bulgaria are more innovative and engaging, emphasizing personal stories. The findings suggest that...

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Borderlands Studies·TypeSurvey·DateMar 15, 2023

Honey bees receive flight instruction and vector source by following dance

Researchers found that honeybee foragers use waggle dance to provide both polar flight instructions (bearing and distance) and Cartesian-location vectors to approach the source. This new understanding reveals the complexity of symbolic communication in honeybees, adding new insights to the study of their navigational abilities.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Participation in Johns Hopkins program for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 increases likelihood of home discharge

The Johns Hopkins ARISE program, developed in 2020, may increase the chances of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 getting discharged to their home rather than to a rehabilitation facility. The program's care model promotes early and individualized intensive rehabilitation to help patients regain functionality.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateMar 15, 2023

Tak W. Mak, PhD, FAACR, selected for 2023 Pezcoller Foundation-AACR International Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Cancer Research

Dr. Tak W. Mak is being recognized for his groundbreaking work on cancer immunology, including the cloning of the human T-cell receptor beta chain and development of CAR T-cell technology. His research has led to significant advances in understanding immune responses and has paved the way for the development of new cancer therapies.

Visually navigating on foot uses unique brain region

A small study funded by the National Eye Institute found that a unique brain region called the occipital place area (OPA) supports visually guided navigation when walking, but fails to activate during crawling. This finding may help explain how children learn to navigate their surroundings and develop motor skills.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalCerebral Cortex·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Entangled pairs get sensitive very fast

Researchers develop new way to generate squeezing that overcomes fundamental quantum imprecision, enabling more precise atomic clocks and improved quantum sensors. The new approach leverages bosonic pair creation and enables entangled states with minimal fuss, reducing experimental challenges.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Protected areas may not serve as ‘stepping stones’ under climate change

A study found that protected areas are unlikely to provide connectivity for species shifting ranges due to climate change, with two-thirds of the world's 30,000 protected areas expected to fail. Conservation strategies must prioritize effective use of protected areas to help species adapt to a warming planet.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Research Station·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 15, 2023

A crystal – but not as we know it

The study reveals hydrated salts can lose their facets and become soft when slowly dissolved in humid air, exhibiting liquid-like molecular mobility at their surfaces. This finding challenges the conventional understanding of crystal formation and behavior.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 15, 2023

Maintaining heart function in donors declared ‘dead by circulatory criteria’ could improve access to heart transplantation

Researchers found that restoring function to donor hearts through taNRP can significantly increase the donor pool, leading to more transplantations. The study showed comparable survival rates between DCD and DBD heart transplants, with 97% of patients surviving for over 30 days.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 15, 2023

Debunking pain myths could help teens recover faster

A world-first study from the University of South Australia is providing valuable insights into how young people understand chronic pain, potentially helping thousands of sufferers to better manage their symptoms and long-term wellbeing. Researchers found that young people tend to make sense of chronic pain by explaining it as a softwar...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalEuropean Journal of Pain·TypeCase study·DateMar 15, 2023