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Science News for May 23, 2023


NTT and OIST make the first simultaneous atmospheric and marine observations directly beneath a violent, Category 5 typhoon in the North-West Pacific

Researchers from NTT and OIST successfully conducted the world's first simultaneous marine and atmospheric measurements directly beneath a violent, Category 5 typhoon in the North-West Pacific. The study aimed to improve typhoon prediction accuracy by understanding the mechanisms of interaction between the atmosphere and ocean using ob...

Primary care clinicians report benefits and challenges in using telemedicine during COVID-19 pandemic

A study of primary care clinicians reveals benefits and challenges of telemedicine, including ease of adoption depending on prior experiences, unclear visit triage rules, and positive impacts on physicians and patients. The technology also presents challenges such as conducting physical exams and diagnostic testing.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

Global flows of toxic mercury

The global biogeochemical mercury cycle is closely tied to international trade routes, with emissions primarily linked to artisanal gold mining and smelting. Strategies to mitigate mercury exposure include production-side controls and consumption taxes to influence consumer behavior.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 23, 2023

Cultural threats can lead to violent extremism

A study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that violent extremism is largely driven by a perception of cultural threat, particularly among individuals with specific personality traits. The researchers identified the 'Need for Cognitive Closure' (NFC) as a key psychological mechanism behind this phenomenon.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 23, 2023

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces for 6G: Nine fundamental issues and one critical problem

Researchers at Tsinghua University reveal fundamental issues with RIS technology, including its potential for noise introduction, power consumption, and limited gain in strong direct links. Active RISs are proposed as a solution to overcome these challenges, offering amplified reflected signals and substantial capacity gain.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalTsinghua Science & Technology·DateMay 23, 2023

Establishing a wildflower meadow at King’s College, Cambridge bolstered biodiversity and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, study finds.

A new study found that establishing a wildflower meadow in the historic grounds of King's College, Cambridge increased species richness and abundance by three times compared to adjacent lawn. The meadow also reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1.36 tonnes CO2-e per hectare per year.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEcological Solutions and Evidence·TypeSurvey·DateMay 23, 2023

HKU Oral and Maxillofacial study shows internal fixation surgery linked with improvement in long jaw patients’ quality of life

A study led by Dr Mike YY Leung found that internal fixation surgery using titanium plates and screws (SSRO) improves patients' oral health-related quality of life faster than traditional IVRO. Patients who underwent SSRO had better physical and mental health-related QoL, with improvements starting as early as 2 weeks after surgery.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalClinical Oral Investigations·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 23, 2023

Stroke drug offers neuroprotection without long term impact on memory and learning

Scientists at CU Anschutz Medical Campus developed a neuroprotective peptide that targets a key protein in the brain, providing significant benefits without lasting harm to memory and learning. The temporary inhibition of CaMKII showed no pre-formed memory erase and prevented brain cell damage even at low doses.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Biomarkers may help ID treatment of acute kidney injury

Researchers propose using blood and urine biomarkers to classify subpopulations of acute kidney injury (AKI) patients, identifying therapies specific to individual patient populations. The study found two molecularly distinct AKI subgroups associated with differing risk profiles and long-term outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Precipitation variations indicate the northern boundary and climate regimes of the Asian summer monsoon over the Tibetan Plateau in present-day

The study defines the northern boundary of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) over the Tibetan Plateau, indicating its position and variability. The results show that the northern boundary roughly coincides with the boundaries of endorheic and exorheic basins and is characterized by changes in wind patterns and precipitation.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateMay 23, 2023

The pros and cons of using ChatGPT in clinical radiology: An open discussion

Researchers investigate the potential of ChatGPT in clinical radiology, highlighting its positive considerations, such as enhancing patient care and radiologist education, as well as negative concerns, like accuracy and transparency issues. The paper aims to initiate an engaging discussion on the use of AI-powered chatbots in this field.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 23, 2023

Two thirds of childhood physical abuse survivors are psychologically flourishing in adulthood

Research published in Children and Youth Services Review found that approximately two-thirds (63%) of adult survivors of childhood physical abuse are in complete mental health. Barriers to achieving this include a lack of social support, chronic pain, and a history of mental illness like depression or substance use disorders.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·TypeSurvey·DateMay 23, 2023

Very low carbohydrate diets can improve blood pressure, blood sugar levels and weight control compared to diets that only target hypertension

A randomized trial found that very low carbohydrate diets led to greater improvements in systolic blood pressure, glycemic control, and weight compared to the DASH diet. The addition of extra support did not have a statistically significant effect on outcomes.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

Standardized measures are needed to quantify EHR workload outside time scheduled with patients

Researchers propose separating EHR time outside scheduled appointments as 'after-hours' to improve accuracy and replicability of EHR workload studies. Refining vendor-defined measures will facilitate comparative research among health systems, illuminating the link between EHR workload and provider burnout.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

Strategic habitat restoration can generate a win-win for forests and farmers

Carefully planned restoration of agricultural coffee landscapes can increase crop yield by promoting pollinators' habitat, leading to long-term conservation and economic benefits. Over a 40-year period, strategically allocating land to agriculture and forest can double profits for landholders while increasing forest cover by 20%.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 23, 2023

International group of experts redefines concussions

A new standard for diagnosing concussions has been established by an international group of experts, taking into account blood tests and cognitive assessments. The new criteria aim to reduce inconsistencies in diagnosis and improve patient care, as well as facilitate apples-to-apples comparisons between studies.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 23, 2023

New study defines analytical performance specifications for 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D examinations

A new study has defined analytical performance specifications for 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D examinations, which is essential for developing accurate methods to detect this metabolite. The findings show that the variation of 24,25(OH)2D concentration over time was significantly associated with 25(OH)D concentrations and body mass index.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalClinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)·DateMay 23, 2023

Cheap and effective monitoring of glacier discharge

Scientists from Hokkaido University propose a cheap and effective alternative for monitoring glacial runoff by analyzing audible sounds generated at the proglacial run-off site. The method has shown promising results in detecting changes in glacier discharge with high accuracy.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 23, 2023

Leishmania parasite manipulates organism’s defense system to continue replicating, study shows

Researchers at USP in Brazil discovered that Leishmania parasites manipulate the protein gasdermin-D to prevent the immune system from killing them. This allows the parasite to continue replicating and causing disease. The findings offer hope for developing novel treatments for leishmaniasis, a disease affecting 30,000 people annually.

Heat stress can be contagious

A study found that heat-stressed zebrafish embryos release chemical cues that alter the growth rate and behavior of non-stressed embryos, influencing gene expression related to immune response and cell structure. This phenomenon has ecological and animal welfare implications in a warming world.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 23, 2023

Anti-microbial nanonets display multi-functionality by mitigating inflammatory responses during sepsis

Pharmaceutical scientists from the National University of Singapore have developed multi-functional synthetic peptide nanonets for relieving inflammation caused by bacterial infection. These nanonets trap bacterial endotoxins and pro-inflammatory cytokines, achieving anti-inflammatory activity through selective binding.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Boost for the quantum internet

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have created a fully functioning quantum repeater node, enabling entanglement creation and swapping over 50 kilometers. This breakthrough demonstrates the feasibility of connecting distant cities through secure, high-performance quantum communication networks.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Flavonol-rich foods like apples and blackberries can lower chances of developing frailty

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher intake of dietary flavonols, specifically quercetin, was associated with lower odds of frailty onset. Flavonol-rich foods like apples and blackberries may be a useful strategy for preventing frailty in older adults.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateMay 23, 2023

Supposedly rare diseases aren’t as rare as previously thought

Researchers found that individuals with only one defective allele can suffer from life-threatening diseases, challenging the assumption that defects in one allele are asymptomatic. The study highlights the importance of considering haploinsufficiency, where a single functioning gene is insufficient to prevent disease.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMay 23, 2023

Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

Researchers at Stanford Medicine have discovered that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treats depression by reversing abnormal brain signals. The treatment, which involves powerful magnetic pulses applied to the scalp, changes the flow of neural activity in the brain. By analyzing fMRI data, the team identified a key connection ...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 23, 2023

Updated literature review reinforces link between care continuity, lower health care costs and more appropriate care usage

A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature links continuity of the doctor-patient relationship to reduced healthcare costs and increased appropriate care utilization. The study found that interpersonal continuity remains significantly associated with lower healthcare costs and more effective care usage across various studies.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

Viral transmission in schools

A study on Chinese schoolchildren found that younger kids had higher close contact rates than older peers, with most face-to-face interactions occurring during breaks. The authors recommend a classroom ventilation rate to mitigate airborne transmission, suggesting improved ventilation can reduce COVID-19 risk.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 23, 2023

Mays Cancer Center conducts only clinical trial in America of a specific drug combination for lethal brain cancer glioblastoma

A clinical trial combining TVB-2640 and bevacizumab showed a six-month progression-free survival improvement in patients with recurrent high-grade glioblastoma, warranting further study. The treatment's side effects were mild, but the overall survival of participants was not statistically significant compared to historic controls.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Propellers are louder over ground, researchers find

Researchers have measured the effects of ground on propeller noise for the first time, finding clear differences in noise characteristics. The study aims to inform strategies to reduce aircraft noise while taking off or landing, which is crucial for urban air services.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Sound and Vibration·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes after SARS-CoV-2 infection: Researchers find possible correlation

A study found that children with COVID-19 were 57% more likely to develop type 1 diabetes, with the increase occurring shortly after the virus diagnosis. The researchers hope to explore this correlation further using prospective cohorts of children.

Element creation in the lab deepens understanding of surface explosions on neutron stars

Scientists have produced a signature nuclear reaction on Earth that mimics the process occurring on neutron stars. The experiment uses a unique gas jet target system to understand nuclear reactions that occur when material falls onto the surface of these celestial bodies, providing new insights into element formation and stellar dynamics.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

The aging mouse prostate: kinetics of lymphocyte infiltration

Researchers tracked immune cell clusters in the aging mouse prostate using highly multiplexed immune profiling. Early adulthood sees myeloid cells, while between 6-12 months old, there's a profound shift to T and B lymphocyte-dominance. The study reveals new insight into prostatic inflammaging and the window for interventions.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 23, 2023

Vaccine hesitancy persists among parents

A new review of published research finds that vaccine hesitancy among parents is a persistent issue, with concerns about childhood vaccines persisting over time. The study highlights significant disparities in vaccination rates across states and demographic groups, including lower rates among Black and Hispanic children.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalPediatric Clinics of North America·DateMay 23, 2023

Tree species diversity increases likelihood of planting success

A new study published by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and The Nature Conservancy found that forests with diverse species are more likely to thrive, reducing the risk of planting failure. This diversity brings benefits such as pest and disease resistance, climate change resilience, and increased wildlife habitat.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalRestoration Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Lessons from blockbusters to help teams adapt

Researchers argue that negative emotions can be beneficial when leveraged correctly, rather than seen as counterproductive. By analyzing scenes from three blockbuster movies, they show how teams can shift fear to anger and use shared identity and values to overcome challenges. To help teams adapt, experts recommend paying attention to ...

SourceIowa State University·JournalAcademy of Management Review·DateMay 23, 2023

Breakthrough in computer chip energy efficiency could cut data center electricity use

Researchers at Oregon State University and Baylor University have made a breakthrough in reducing the energy consumption of photonic chips used in data centers and supercomputers. By using a new, ultra-energy-efficient method to compensate for temperature variations, they were able to reduce energy needs by over 1 million times.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Artificial intelligence can help categorize and triage primary care patients with respiratory symptoms

A machine learning model trained on clinical text notes can effectively categorize patients into 10 risk groups, allowing for targeted care. The study found that patients in lower-risk groups had lower rates of lung inflammation and were less likely to receive antibiotics or chest X-ray referrals.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

Ready, set, go: New study shows how marathon running affects different foot muscles

A new study found that marathon running causes significant damage to extrinsic foot muscles, while intrinsic muscles are less affected. The research suggests that marathon runners can take steps to prevent injuries by prioritizing recovery and muscle fatigue management.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·TypeObservational study·DateMay 23, 2023

Are we truly “inattentionally blind”? New study revisits “invisible gorilla” experiment for new insights

A new study challenges the long-standing view that our ability to see the unexpected is impaired when our attention is directed elsewhere. Researchers found that people are more likely to spot unexpected objects moving quickly, but less adept at noticing them when they move slowly.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Organizations must go beyond medical views on menopause to support women’s professional aspirations - study

A new study calls on organizations to adopt a 'dialectic of zest' tool to destigmatize menopause and encourage women's liberation in the workplace. The research highlights the need for a holistic approach to organizational care, considering both objective and ambitious concerns of women experiencing menopause.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalGender Work and Organization·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 23, 2023

NASA's Hubble hunts for intermediate-sized black hole close to home

Astronomers using Hubble have found evidence for an intermediate-mass black hole in the globular star cluster Messier 4, weighing approximately 800 solar masses. The discovery uses precise measurements of stellar motion to rule out alternative theories and suggests a single, compact black hole at the center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateMay 23, 2023

Failed antibiotic now a game changing weed killer for farmers

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a failed antibiotic that can effectively kill two of Australia's most problematic weeds, annual ryegrass and wild radish, without harming bacterial or human cells. This finding could lead to faster development of new weed killers, saving farmers billions of dollars each year.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Too few primary care doctors address obesity with their patients, highlighting need for weight loss tool

A new weight loss tool called PATHWEIGH was developed to address clinician barriers in providing patient care that addresses weight. The tool has shown early success and has been implemented in a health system's primary care clinics, improving weight management efforts among patients with obesity.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

Study finds school improvement plan (SIP) templates continue to be enacted out of compliance rather than as mechanism for spurring and sustaining improvement efforts in schools

Researchers found that educators tend to use SIP templates as a mere compliance exercise, rather than as a tool for improving their schools. The study suggests that SIP templates can shape educators' approaches to developing and implementing improvement plans.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Oxygen restriction helps fast-aging mice live longer

Researchers have found that reduced oxygen intake is associated with a 50% increase in lifespan and delayed onset of aging-associated neurological deficits in fast-aging mice. The study's findings suggest that oxygen restriction may hold anti-aging potential for mammals, including humans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

EMBARGOED: Mount Sinai Pulmonologists to Present New Research on Asthma and Sleep Disorders at ATS 2023 International Conference

Researchers from Mount Sinai Health System will present studies on pediatric pulmonary vascular disease, asthma, and sleep disorders. The findings focus on prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in children with severe obstructive sleep apnea and associations between diet and lung function decline.

A troubling reaction to school violence compounds the crisis

A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that US high school students who experience violence at school are more likely to carry weapons. The study analyzed data from over 28,000 participants and found that nearly half of males who experienced violence carried a weapon, as did nearly a third of fema...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateMay 23, 2023

Racial disparities in outcomes for pregnant and postpartum veterans and their infants

A new study published in Journal of Women’s Health reveals racial disparities in outcomes for pregnant and postpartum veterans and their infants, with Black veterans experiencing higher rates of postpartum re-hospitalization and low-birth-weight infants. The findings underscore the need for further research to address health equity gaps.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Women s Health·TypeCase study·DateMay 23, 2023