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Science News for May 2, 2023


Joyful music could be a game changer for virtual reality headaches

Researchers found that joyful and calming music significantly decrease cybersickness intensity, nausea-related symptoms, and impairing effects on memory skills, reaction times, reading speed, and pupil size. The study suggests the potential of music as a solution for cybersickness in virtual reality.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2023

Climate reasoning, prior beliefs, and partisanship

Research finds that people who can deliberate freely from cognitive load or time restrictions show greater coherence between their judgments about climate change and prior beliefs. Accurate information should be the primary focus when discussing climate change, rather than trying to decouple it from politics.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 2, 2023

RIPE researchers model ‘link’ between improved photosynthesis and increased yield

A team from the University of Illinois has modeled improving photosynthesis through enzyme modification and simulated soybean growth with realistic climate conditions. The study found that seasonal climate conditions impact the effectiveness of improving photosynthesis to increase soybean yield.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalField Crops Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 2, 2023

Cooperation benefits from peer-punishment

A multi-lab replication of a 2006 study confirms that peer sanctions enhance cooperation by making investors feel more secure. In groups with sanctioning institutions, participants cooperate and profit more than those without such institutions.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 2, 2023

Researchers determine how to digitalize, optimize and safeguard water management in smart cities

A new study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya researchers has proposed a network architecture and specific hardware requirements to secure the water supply chain, adapting to Industry 4.0 needs and Spanish legislation. The system includes on-site sensors, interference-free networks, data analytics processors, and AI applications.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalSmart Cities·DateMay 2, 2023

Neural networks on photonic chips: harnessing light for ultra-fast and low-power artificial intelligence

Researchers have developed photonic neural networks that can achieve precision comparable to conventional neural networks but with considerable energy savings. The devices use a programmable grid of silicon interferometers to perform calculations in under 0.1 nanoseconds, paving the way for faster and more efficient AI applications.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2023

Can ET detect us?

A team of researchers used crowd-sourced data to simulate radio leakage from mobile towers and predict what an alien civilization might detect. The study suggests that some technical civilizations are likely to have more sensitive receiving systems, making the detectability of our mobile systems increase.

SourceSETI Institute·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 2, 2023

Applying blockchain to digital advertising

A new study suggests that blockchain can combat both invasive advertising and ad fraud, giving consumers more control over their data and experience. By tracking user information and transactions, blockchain can prevent fake ads and fraudulent activities, potentially saving advertisers billions of dollars in losses.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Business Research·DateMay 2, 2023

Machine translation for cuneiform tablets

A new machine learning model can automatically translate Akkadian text written in cuneiform into English, with the first version using Latin transliteration achieving satisfactory results. The program is effective for translating short sentences and can be used as part of a human-machine collaboration to correct and refine its output.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 2, 2023

“Zero plant extinction” is possible, says plant ecologist

A plant ecologist proposes a multi-faceted approach to preventing all future land plant extinctions. Training more plant experts and creating an online 'metaherbarium' with digitized records of species are key components, alongside building microreserves and increasing funding.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Plant Science·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 2, 2023

Trust, strong family ties, and effective leadership in pre-K can mitigate inequality for Black, Latine children

A positive school climate characterized by effective leadership and strong family ties can reduce disparities in emotional support and classroom organization for Black and Latine preschoolers. However, instructional support remains a concern despite improved school climate.

SourceNew York University·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2023

New ACS report finds smoking rates, alcohol use, physical inactivity decreased during COVID-19; worsening trends in obesity, cervical cancer screening

While smoking rates, physical inactivity, and heavy alcohol consumption declined, obesity prevalence increased, and cervical cancer screening declined between 2019 and 2021. Disparities by racial/ethnic and socioeconomic status persisted, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateMay 2, 2023

New research: FAPI PET imaging superior for diagnosing multiple types of cancer, with potential for targeted treatment

A new study has shown that FAPI PET imaging is superior to standard FDG PET in evaluating multiple types of cancer. A newly designed FAP-targeted treatment also suppressed tumor growth in several common cancers, suggesting a powerful tool for the field of clinical nuclear medicine.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateMay 2, 2023

New study shows non-optimal temperature is a significant contributor to cardiovascular disease burden globally

A new study published in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology reveals that non-optimal temperatures have a significant impact on global cardiovascular disease burden, contributing to nearly 1.2 million CVD deaths and 22 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) annually.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateMay 2, 2023

More than 5,000 tons of toxic chemicals released from consumer products every year inside homes and workplaces

A new study by Silent Spring Institute and University of California, Berkeley found over 100 product types contain Prop 65 VOCs, posing significant health risks. The analysis revealed more than 5,000 tons of toxic chemicals are released from consumer products in homes and workplaces every year.

SourceSilent Spring Institute·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2023

Study identifies a new potential target for treating vascular disease

Researchers found that when FXR1 is absent, vascular smooth muscle cells proliferate more slowly, become senescent, and scar tissue development is reduced. This suggests that drugs targeting FXR1 may treat vascular proliferative diseases such as atherosclerosis, restenosis, hypertension, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2023

Oil and gas infrastructure hurting nesting birds in globally important breeding area in arctic Alaska

A WCS-led study found that nest survival decreased significantly near high-use oil and gas infrastructure, impacting millions of migratory bird species. Factors associated with industrial development, including habitat degradation, noise, air pollution, and increased predator populations, contributed to the negative effects.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalJournal of Avian Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 2, 2023

Endovascular treatment more likely to avoid amputation or death for limb-threatening artery disease

A randomized controlled trial shows that a best endovascular treatment first revascularisation strategy is more effective in preventing major amputation and death than a vein bypass first strategy for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia. The study, BASIL-2, recruited 345 patients from the UK, Sweden, and Denmark and found ...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 2, 2023

Swedish research about different forms of type 2 diabetes is relevant for Indian people

Researchers at Lund University have identified five subgroups of type 2 diabetes in India, characterized by genetic differences and varying levels of severity. The study suggests that early life undernutrition may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in India, while vitamin B12 deficiency is also a significant factor.

SourceLund University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia·DateMay 2, 2023

Forced water-use cuts made California more waterwise

A study found that California's mandatory water-use cuts in 2015 and 2016 resulted in ongoing water efficiencies, with higher-end water users adopting technology and achieving smaller rebound effects. Lower-end users, however, resumed watering their lawns after the mandate was lifted, contributing to a modest increase in water use.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalWater Resources Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2023

Video-based smoking cessation program helped HIV-positive smokers quit tobacco

A video-based smoking cessation program developed by a University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher has helped nearly 40% of HIV-positive smokers in Nepal quit tobacco. The program, which includes 11 video sessions and is accessible via smartphone app, was found to be highly effective in promoting abstinence among participants.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalAIDS and Behavior·TypeObservational study·DateMay 2, 2023

GAME-Net: a graph neural network for fast evaluation of the adsorption energy in heterogeneous catalysis

Researchers developed GAME-Net, a graph neural network that rapidly evaluates adsorption energy for large molecules like plastics and biomass. The model achieves accuracy comparable to density functional theory (DFT) while utilizing simple molecular representations.

SourceInstitute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)·JournalNature Computational Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 2, 2023

Boxing can take the fight to Parkinson’s Disease

A new study published by Edith Cowan University found that boxing programs can improve symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, including fatigue and sleep, in early-stage patients. The program combined elements of exercise, computerized cognitive training, and socialization into a single activity.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation·TypeObservational study·DateMay 2, 2023

Dementia and self-harm: why it's crucial to support patients in first year after diagnosis

A large study found that people with dementia are at higher risk of self-harm within the first 12 months after diagnosis. The researchers emphasize the importance of providing psychosocial and mental health supports to patients upon diagnosis, particularly men, who are more likely to develop dementia after self-harm.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 2, 2023

New Family Heart Foundation study reveals systemic underdiagnosis and undertreatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

A new study reveals delayed diagnosis of HoFH leads to premature cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for increased lipid screening and aggressive treatment. Despite available therapies, most patients require further lipid-lowering treatments.

SourceFamily Heart Foundation·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeObservational study·DateMay 2, 2023

Wiggly proteins guard the genome

Researchers have discovered that nuclear pore IDPs form a dynamic barrier that allows essential cellular factors to pass while blocking viruses and pathogens. The team used synthetic biology, multidimensional fluorescence microscopy, and computer-based simulations to study IDPs in living cells.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 2, 2023

Behavior patterns of people who achieve clinically significant weight loss

Researchers analyzed data from over 20,000 US adults, finding that those who lost at least 5% of their body weight showed higher diet quality and more moderate physical activity. However, the study also found that many individuals relied on unsustainable non-evidence-based approaches for weight loss, highlighting the need for a paradig...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2023

Engineering graphene-based quantum circuits with atomic precision

A team of scientists has engineered a new method for building carbon nanocircuits with adaptable bridges, allowing for the fine-tuning of electronic properties and enabling potential applications in advanced electronics and sustainable energy. The breakthrough could also lead to the development of thermoelectric materials with signific...

SourceCenter for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 2, 2023