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Science News for November 2, 2023


Chimpanzees use high ground to gather information about rival groups

In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that chimpanzees climb hills near territory borders to gather information about rival groups and reduce the risk of encounters. This behavior suggests complex cognitive abilities and tactical use of landscape features in conflict with neighbors.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2023

EU MiFID II unbundling rules damaged research and liquidity in London’s main stock market – new study

New research from the University of Bath shows EU MiFID II reforms reduced research activity and affected liquidity in London's main market, but had a positive impact on the Alternative Investment Market. The reforms required brokers to unbundled research costs, leading to a decline in analyst coverage and market liquidity.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalEuropean Financial Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2023

Bartering light for light: Scientists discover new system to control the chaotic behavior of light

Researchers at CUNY Graduate Center design stadium-shaped cavity to study and control light's complex behavior. By adjusting light intensity and delay, they demonstrate coherent control using reflectionless scattering modes, paving the way for better energy storage, computing, and signal processing.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

New study calls into question the superiority of stem cell therapy for treating knee pain

A recent study published in Nature Medicine calls into question the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for treating knee pain. While some patients showed improvement, there was no significant advantage found in using stem cell therapies compared to corticosteroid injections over a one-year period.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 2, 2023

HKU remote-sensing and landscape scholars reveal an improved human greenspace exposure equality during 21st century urbanization

Global cities have made significant progress in increasing physical greenspace coverage and reducing inequality in human exposure to urban greenspaces. The study found a marked reduction in greenspace exposure inequality over the past two decades, with faster rates of reduction in developing countries.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

Teenagers are most likely to seek help for anxiety or depression at the start of the school year, says new study

A new UK study found that teenagers are more likely to visit their GP about depression and anxiety at the start of the school year. The research analyzed data from over 5 million people in England and suggests that support for adolescents around mental health issues should be focused during the autumn.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalBMJ Mental Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2023

National Jewish Health doctors identify health disparities for indigenous coal miners with black lung disease

Researchers at National Jewish Health found that Indigenous coal miners are more likely to develop disabling black lung disease but have limited access to medical benefits. The study highlights the need for updated lung function standards specific to Indigenous populations to address racial disparities in respiratory health.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateNov 2, 2023

Viral impostors: Breakthrough for virus research

Researchers at the University of Würzburg developed a new method to precisely analyze infection pathways of dangerous virus variants using 'clickable' pseudoviruses. These harmless impostors retain their activity and are highly fluorescent, allowing for better visualization of viral infections in living organisms.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

Research connecting gut bacteria and oxytocin provides a new mechanism for microbiome-promoted health benefits

Researchers have discovered that the gut bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri produces oxytocin, a hormone involved in social behavior and wound healing, in human intestinal tissue. This finding provides a novel explanation for how the microbiome affects distant organs and suggests potential treatments for autism spectrum disorders.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalGut Microbes·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

American Thyroid Association® names Trevor E. Angell, MD new Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Thyroidology®

The American Thyroid Association has appointed Dr. Trevor E. Angell as the new Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Thyroidology. Dr. Angell succeeds Angela M. Leung and aims to continue the journal's upward trajectory. He brings expertise in thyroid diagnosis and treatment, having published research on thyroid nodules and molecular testing.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalClinical Thyroidology·DateNov 2, 2023

Warming world, widening gap: climate change’s toll on poverty and inequality in South Africa

A new study reveals that climate change widens the inequality gap in South Africa, particularly for poorer segments of the population. The research highlights the need for climate change policies to address poverty and inequality, as warming is expected to reduce average growth and exacerbate inequalities by the end of the century.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 2, 2023

Scientists designed the deployment of three-body chain-type tethered satellites in low-eccentricity orbits using only tether

Scientists develop a novel deployment scheme for a 3-body chain-type tethered satellite system, utilizing sequential deployment and hierarchical sliding mode control to ensure accurate trajectory tracking. The proposed scheme simplifies the deployment process while guaranteeing positive tension and avoiding tether rupture.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace Science & Technology·DateNov 2, 2023

International study led by researchers in Singapore reveals critical insights into timely interventions for maternal depression

A large-scale international study found that maternal depressive symptoms can appear from early pregnancy and last up to two years after childbirth. The study emphasizes the importance of early interventions during pregnancy to mitigate symptoms and improve outcomes for both mother and child.

Post-doctoral scientists are effective mentors for graduate students; this article discusses how failures to properly credit them for this role has negative consequence for everyone, and suggests possible solutions

Properly crediting post-doctoral scientists for their mentorship role is vital for the success of graduate students. The article highlights how neglecting to do so can have far-reaching negative effects on individuals and the scientific community.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 2, 2023

Researchers find gravitational lensing has significant effect on cosmic birefringence

New study finds that neglecting gravitational lensing in CMB polarization analysis leads to statistically rejected theories and biased model parameters. Researchers develop tool for correcting gravitational lensing effects, paving way for future missions to reveal nature of dark matter and dark energy.

Buzz around new centralized pollination portal for better global bee data

The BeeBCD project brings together over 18 million bee occurrence records to improve accuracy and accessibility of species data worldwide. This consolidated dataset will support future plant and crop production, as well as scientific communications, and inspire more reporting from under-reported regions such as Asia and Africa.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScientific Data·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2023

Potential inheritable effects and ethical considerations of epigenome editing

This study examines the ethics and practical questions of epigenome editing for therapeutic purposes, including its potential for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. The authors propose criteria for evaluating the validity of human applications, highlighting the need for stringent regulations to ensure safe and ethical use.

Study reveals untapped potential to increase eye donations needed for sight-restoring surgeries

Researchers found that a small fraction of eligible patients are being approached to consider eye donation, despite both healthcare professionals and patients having favorable views towards it. The study highlights the need for practice change to offer patients who wish to donate as part of routine end-of-life care.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalHealth and Social Care Delivery Research·DateNov 2, 2023

Optical-fiber based single-photon light source at room temperature for next-generation quantum processing

Scientists create a low-cost, room-temperature single-photon light source by doping optical fibers with ytterbium ions, paving the way for affordable quantum technologies. The innovation overcomes cooling system limitations, enabling applications in true random number generation, quantum communication and high-resolution image analysis.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysical Review Applied·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

Research examines why mask usage in Japan persists

Research out of Osaka University reveals that many Japanese people continue to wear masks for socio-psychological reasons, including relief and norm. The study found correlations between mask usage motivations and actual mask usage before and after the government downgraded COVID-19's legal status.

SourceOsaka University·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2023

Practicing mindfulness can help people make heart-healthy eating choices

A study led by Brown University researchers found that mindfulness-based blood pressure reduction programs improve health behaviors associated with lower blood pressure. Participants in the program showed significant improvements in adherence to a heart-healthy diet and self-awareness, which influences dietary choices.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 2, 2023

New antibodies neutralize resistant bacteria

Researchers have discovered highly effective antibodies against P. aeruginosa that can block its type III secretion system and are effective against highly resistant bacteria. These 'pathoblockers' offer a potential therapeutic approach for treating acute and chronic infections with multi-resistant pathogens.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

Damaging thunderstorm winds increasing in central U.S.

New research by the National Center for Atmospheric Research shows a fivefold increase in damaging thunderstorm straight line winds in the central U.S. over the past 40 years, resulting from warmer temperatures and increasing wind speeds. The study used high-resolution computer modeling to estimate changes in winds and found that clima...

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 2, 2023

Novel concept of ‘metabolic elasticity’ offers new screening strategy for metabolic health; provides potential means of curbing metabolic decline in ageing and obesity

Researchers developed a new framework to measure metabolic health, introducing the concept of metabolic elasticity. The study found that metabolic elasticity declines with age and obesity, affecting the body's ability to adapt to changing energy needs.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

Contrary to common belief, artificial intelligence will not put you out of work

A new study in Management Science found that AI favors junior workers over senior colleagues due to their lower sensitivity to imperfections, despite the latter's greater task-based experience. This challenges conventional wisdom and highlights the importance of considering worker experience types when introducing AI into the workplace.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalManagement Science·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2023

Spatiotemporal mode-locking and dissipative solitons in multimode fiber lasers

Recent review highlights research progress on spatiotemporal mode-locking (STML) and dissipative solitons (STDSs) in multimode fiber (MMF) lasers, outlining breakthrough perspectives for STML. Achieving ultrahigh pulse energy and arbitrary mode profiles is crucial, enabling diverse applications such as nonlinear microscopy.

Unraveling the mysteries of the brain with the help of a worm

A team of neuroscientists and physicists at Princeton University studied the brain of Caenorhabditis elegans to understand how information flows through a network of interacting neurons. They used optogenetics to activate individual neurons and observe how other neurons responded, shedding light on the complex neural connections.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

Researchers identify the mutations that drive resistance to PI3K inhibitors in breast cancer that can be overcome by next generation agents

Mutations in the PIK3CA gene lead to elevated production of the PI3Ka protein, found in approximately 40% of hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. Next-generation PI3Kalpha inhibitors targeting a different region of the mutant protein show promise in overcoming resistance.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

Alternative antibiotic selection can reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections for patients with pneumonia

A VA study found that doxycycline use in high-risk pneumonia patients with a prior C. diff infection reduced new infections by 45% compared to azithromycin. Doxycycline's optimal absorption and minimal impact on the gut microbiome may contribute to this effect.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2023

Exploding stars

Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf are studying near-Earth cosmic explosions to understand their potential impact on the Earth's biosphere. They found that ejected debris can reach our solar system, with some isotopes, such as iron-60 and plutonium-244, potentially coming from supernovae or other galactic events.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalAnnual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 2, 2023

Chinese Medical Journal study analyzes recent global and national trends of atherosclerosis

A recent study analyzing global and national trends of atherosclerosis found an increasing trend in incidence from 1990 to 2019, driven by adults aged 20–54. The burden of the disease is particularly concerning in low- and middle-income countries, where it is rising significantly due to lifestyle factors and aging populations.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2023

New study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid recycling within cells

A recent study published in the Journal of Cell Biology has made significant progress in understanding autophagy and lipid recycling. Researchers used yeast as a model organism to identify key players in the process, including Atg15, Pep4, and Prb1, and demonstrated that Pep4 and Prb1 activate Atg15 to break down phospholipid bilayers.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

Physicians advocate to combat physicians' moral injury and lift the stigma associated with it

The Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine addresses the rising stressors causing mental health issues among healthcare professionals, including revenue generation, administrative issues, and patient satisfaction metrics. Physicians advocate for meaningful reforms, including adjustment of healthcare system expectations, cultural ...

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 2, 2023

Rats have an imagination, new research finds

Researchers at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus have discovered that rats can think about places and objects not in front of them, generating specific neural activity patterns in the hippocampus. This ability is fundamental to remembering past events and imagining future scenarios, indicating that animals possess a form of imagination.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateNov 2, 2023

Researchers launch first study of a vaginal film that dissolves in 30 days to assess its acceptability as a potential HIV prevention method for women

A vaginal film designed to dissolve in 30 days is being tested for its feasibility and acceptability as a potential HIV prevention method for women. The study will enroll 100 women and assess the comfort, usability, and safety of two prototype films with different shapes.

Hollings researchers uncover new targets for breast cancers resistant to standard therapies

Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center have identified new targets for treating breast cancer that has become resistant to hormone therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors. By understanding the molecular mechanisms of resistance, the team has found potential solutions using epidermal growth factor receptors and PARP inhibitors.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2023

How a climate model can illustrate and explain ice-age climate variability

Researchers used a well-tested climate model to depict changes in natural climate variability during the last peak glacial period. The study found that internal mechanisms, such as variations in salinity and temperature, drove the multi-centennial climate variability, resulting in fluctuations in sea ice extent and Greenland temperatures.

Black holes are messy eaters

Research reveals that supermassive black holes consume about 3% of the gas flowing towards them, while the remaining 97% is ejected and recycled back into the host galaxy. Gravitational instability drives the inflow, and most expelled outflows are not fast enough to escape the galaxy.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2023

New strategy attacks treatment-resistant lymphomas

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a new mechanism that makes some cancers treatment-resistant, involving the shuttling of messenger RNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The approach targets this mechanism with a combination of approved chemotherapies, showing promise in treating persistent cases.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalCancer Research·DateNov 2, 2023

Jurassic worlds might be easier to spot than modern Earth

Researchers analyzed Earth's evolution over the past 540 million years, finding that telescopes could better detect signs of life on exoplanets with a similar atmospheric composition to ancient Earth. The study suggests that planets resembling Phanerozoic Earth would have a stronger light fingerprint, making them more promising targets...

SourceCornell University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters·DateNov 2, 2023

Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers create machine learning model to calculate chemotherapy success in patients with osteosarcoma

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine created a machine learning model to calculate percent necrosis in osteosarcoma patients after chemotherapy. The model achieved an 85% positive correlation with musculoskeletal pathologist results, increasing accuracy to 99% when one outlier was removed. This could help provide patients with earlier...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Research®·DateNov 2, 2023

Development of a retina-like biochip

Researchers have developed a retina-like biochip that mimics the eye's visual pathways, using conductive polymers and light-sensitive molecules. The chip's non-toxic organic components and flexibility make it suitable for integration into biological systems, paving the way for new treatments for neurological diseases.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

UMBC team makes first-ever observation of a virus attaching to another virus

Researchers observed a satellite bacteriophage consistently attaching to a helper bacteriophage at its neck, revealing a new viral relationship. The discovery suggests that this system may be more common than previously thought and could have significant implications for understanding the evolution of viruses.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalThe ISME Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2023

Human insulin less temperature-sensitive than previously thought

A new Cochrane review has found that human insulin can be stored at room temperature for up to six months without losing potency. This breakthrough research offers hope to millions of people living with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries, particularly those with limited access to refrigeration or healthcare.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 2, 2023

Sight loss in working-age people is under-researched

A new study by Anglia Ruskin University and University of Oxford highlights the lack of clinical research on severe sight impairment (SSI) among working-age individuals in the UK. The study finds that inherited retinal disorders, such as IRDs, are under-researched despite being a leading cause of SSI certifications in this population.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalClinical Ophthalmology·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 2, 2023

NIH grants support UCLA and Charles Drew University researchers' efforts to end HIV epidemic

Researchers at UCLA and Charles Drew University are receiving NIH funding to tackle the HIV epidemic, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as youth, transgender individuals, and Black Americans. The projects will explore innovative implementation strategies to enhance community engagement and support high-quality services.

Self-powered microbial fuel cell biosensor for monitoring organic freshwater pollution

Researchers from Ritsumeikan University developed a low-cost, self-powered biosensor for monitoring organic wastewater in freshwater lakes and rivers. The biosensor uses a microbial fuel cell to detect the level of organic contamination in water samples, providing an early warning system for water quality management.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalBiochemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

At least 14% of Americans have had long COVID

A large-scale investigation found that one in seven people in the US reported having had long Covid by the end of 2022. Long Covid is associated with anxiety, low mood, and physical mobility problems. The risk of these symptoms appears to be lower for those who have been vaccinated.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2023