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Science News Archive May 2023 - Page 35


Page 35 of 40

Mobile phone calls linked with increased risk of high blood pressure

Research published in European Heart Journal – Digital Health found a 12% increased risk of high blood pressure among mobile phone users who spent 30 minutes or more per week on calls. This association held true even after adjusting for other risk factors, suggesting that the duration of phone conversations may be a crucial factor.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Digital Health·DateMay 4, 2023

A calculator identifies a group of cancer patients with favorable prognosis

Researchers developed a calculator to identify patients with multiple myeloma and primary systemic amyloidosis who have a more benign profile, allowing for personalized treatment. The tool predicts survival based on clinical-biological characteristics and has been validated in international series.

SourceCentro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA) Universidad de Navarra·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

Vanishing glaciers threaten alpine biodiversity

Researchers warn that climate change will lead to the loss of habitats for invertebrates in the European Alps, with many species forced to seek refuge in colder areas. The study predicts that by the end of the century, most species will have experienced consistent losses of habitat.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

Engineering molecular interactions with machine learning

Researchers at EPFL have computationally designed novel protein binders that attach seamlessly to key targets, including the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, using deep learning-generated 'fingerprints' to characterize millions of protein fragments. This method demonstrates therapeutic potential for rapidly designing protein-based therapeutics.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 4, 2023

Research reveals longstanding cultural continuity at oldest occupied site in West Africa

A study from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology found technological continuity spanning 140,000 years at Bargny 1 site in Senegal, suggesting Middle Stone Age toolkits persisted longer than thought. The research highlights long-term cultural stability in West Africa's diverse habitats.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Nitrogen addition and mowing alter drought resistance and recovery of grassland communities

A five-year field experiment found that nitrogen addition increases biomass recovery but decreases structural recovery after drought, while annual mowing improves both biomass and structural recovery. The study highlights the importance of dominant species and plant functional groups in determining grassland stability under drought.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateMay 4, 2023

Radiation damage simulation software developed for defect accumulation mechanisms study in polycrystalline materials

Researchers developed a new simulation software to study defect accumulation mechanisms in polycrystalline metals. The software clarifies the dependence of vacancy accumulation on grain boundary character and grain size, revealing new interaction processes and their coupling.

Braided current collectors

Researchers at Fudan University have developed braided current collectors that increase the energy density of fiber lithium-ion batteries. The new design improves ion transport within the electrode, increasing charge density and reducing obstruction to lithium ion transport.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Biofortification of microgreens with zinc could mitigate global ‘hidden hunger’

Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to biofortify microgreens with zinc, which can increase their nutritional value and potentially address 'hidden hunger.' The study found that seeds soaked in a 200 parts per million solution of zinc sulfate resulted in higher zinc accumulation in pea and sunflower microgreens.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Novel faraday rotation spectroscopy sensor enables simultaneous two-component detection of nitrogen oxides

A new FRS sensor enables simultaneous two-component detection of nitrogen oxides, addressing slow measurement rates and lack of selectivity in traditional methods. The sensor achieves high detection sensitivity using wavelength modulation spectroscopy and a static magnetic field.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalSensors and Actuators B Chemical·DateMay 4, 2023

Team led by Columbia University wins $20M NSF grant to develop AI Institute for Artificial and Natural Intelligence

The National Science Foundation has awarded Columbia University a $20 million grant to establish the AI Institute for Artificial and Natural Intelligence (ARNI), an interdisciplinary center focused on connecting AI systems to brain research. ARNI will bring together top researchers from across the U.S. to advance neuroscience, cognitiv...

`Space waves' offer new clues to space weather, Embry-Riddle researchers report

Embry-Riddle researchers have discovered that seasonal and daily variations in the Earth's magnetic tilt can trigger changes in large-wavelength space waves, known as Kelvin-Helmholtz waves. These waves occur at the boundary between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetic shield, affecting astronaut safety and satellite communications.

SourceEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 4, 2023

Neutron star’s X-rays reveal ‘photon metamorphosis’

A Cornell astrophysicist explains how the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) satellite detected polarized X-rays from a magnetar, revealing 'photon metamorphosis' – a transformation of X-ray photons. The phenomenon is a natural consequence of quantum electrodynamics under strong magnetic field conditions.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2023

Converging ocean currents bring floating life and garbage together

A community science survey reveals an abundance of floating sea creatures in the North Pacific Garbage Patch, including jellyfish, snails, and crustaceans. The study found a positive correlation between plastic waste and three groups of sea creatures, highlighting the complex relationships within this ecosystem.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Criteria for selecting who can enroll in multiple myeloma clinical trials may exclude patients from racial and ethnic minorities

A study found that clinical trial eligibility criteria may be a barrier to enrollment of patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Black patients were most likely to be deemed ineligible due to blood cell counts or lack of prior treatments, while Asian patients had the lowest rate of ineligibility.

Study presents new clues about the rise of earth’s continents

A study from Smithsonian researchers deepens understanding of Earth's crust by testing and eliminating the garnet hypothesis about why continental crust is lower in iron and more oxidized. The findings suggest that intense heat and pressure cannot produce the necessary conditions for garnet formation, contradicting a popular explanation.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Understanding self-directed ageism

Self-directed ageism is common among older people due to internalized ageist beliefs, which can lead to decreased lifespan, poorer health, and reduced confidence. Interventions like positive social interactions between younger and older adults may help prevent negative views of ageing.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

How diet quality affects the gut microbiota to promote health

A new study from the University of Illinois found that following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans promotes a diverse gut microbiota composition. The researchers analyzed data from the American Gut Project and discovered that individuals with higher diet quality had a greater abundance of beneficial bacteria involved in fiber metabo...

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

Astronomers witness star devouring planet: possible preview of the ultimate fate of Earth

For most of its life, a Sun-like star fuses hydrogen into helium in its hot core, causing it to expand and engulf nearby planets. The first direct evidence of this event was observed using the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager, revealing a long-lasting outburst with ejected material containing about 33 Earth masses of hydrogen.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateMay 3, 2023