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Science News for November 29, 2023


What smoking does to oral bacteria

A study conducted by Eurac Research Institute found that cigarette use alters the oral microbiome, leading to an increased risk of periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking results in a gradual increase in aerobic bacteria, which can lead to improved blood pressure regulation.

SourceEurac Research·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2023

Social media use linked to risky health behaviors in young people

A systematic review of over 250 social media measures found frequent or daily social media use associated with higher odds of alcohol consumption, drug use, tobacco use, risky sexual behaviors, and anti-social behavior. Exposure to content such as alcohol advertising had the strongest evidence of harm.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 29, 2023

A long-acting biologic with transmucosal transport properties that arrest SARS-CoV-2 virus variants

A long-acting biologic with transmucosal transport properties has been developed to block cellular infection of all SARS-CoV-2 variants. The biologic utilizes a soluble recombinant human ACE2 protein fused to an engineered human albumin variant, offering improved pharmacokinetic properties and delivery across selective barriers.

Fish brains may provide insight into the molecular basis of decision-making

Researchers found that male sticklebacks have a unique molecular response when faced with conflicting demands, including genes related to dopamine and neurogenesis. The study provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of animal behavior, suggesting that complex decision-making processes are ancient and widespread among animals.

Actively monitoring cervical lesions linked to heightened long term risk of cervical cancer

A recent study published in The BMJ suggests that actively monitoring abnormal cells on the cervix rather than removing them immediately may be associated with a higher long-term risk of cervical cancer. Women who underwent active surveillance had a nearly fourfold higher risk of cervical cancer after 20 years compared to those who rec...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateNov 29, 2023

An astronomical waltz reveals a sextuplet of planets

Researchers uncover six transiting planets around HD110067, a bright star with a chain of resonances spanning five pairs. The precise gravitational dance enabled the team to solve the previously unsolvable puzzle of the system's arrangement, revealing planetary orbits and orbital periods.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 29, 2023

Can't un-cook an egg

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a new reactant demonstrating efficacy on proteins with drug-resistant mutations. The new inhibitor, ArNASA, reacts with lysine residues and is highly stable in physiological environments.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJACS·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Detoxifying gold mining

Researchers are working to better understand and reduce the health risks associated with mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. A new approach has been piloted, which can help reduce mercury emissions in these mines.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalCleaner Production Letters·DateNov 29, 2023

Are you at risk for diet-related disease? Where you spend your day plays a role

A research team led by USC's Abigail Horn used smartphone mobility data to find a strong correlation between location visits and diet-related diseases. The study reveals that physical food environments play a crucial role in shaping people's eating decisions, with environments like fast-food joints contributing to unhealthy choices.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalDigital Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 29, 2023

Disruptive ideas rely on old fashioned meetings

Studies have shown that collaborative teams working remotely produce fewer truly disruptive ideas compared to their in-person counterparts. In-person teams tend to engage in more conceptual work, such as conceiving hypotheses and writing, which is more likely to lead to radical new ideas.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2023

Coronary heart disease before age 45 may increase risk of dementia later in life

Research found a significant linear relationship between age of coronary heart disease onset and dementia, highlighting the detrimental influence of premature cardiovascular events on brain health. Adults diagnosed with coronary heart disease at a young age may be at increased risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascu...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateNov 29, 2023

Study: cannabis use disorder increasing among veterans with psychiatric disorders

Research published in The American Journal of Psychiatry finds that cannabis use disorder is disproportionately increasing among veterans with psychiatric disorders, particularly those with more severe mental health conditions. The study suggests that factors like increased legalization and potency may contribute to this trend.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2023

Long-standing hormone treatment for donated hearts found to be ineffective

A clinical trial by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found routine thyroid hormone intervention to be ineffective in preserving heart function and increasing organ availability for transplantation. The practice may even cause harm, prompting the authors to recommend halting its use.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 29, 2023

OCD therapy retrains the brain

A new study finds that exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy for OCD improves cognitive control by strengthening connections between brain networks. This breakthrough sheds light on the mechanisms underlying EX/RP's effectiveness in treating OCD, paving the way for targeted therapies.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 29, 2023

Scientists create framework to guide development and assessment of urban climate action plans

A new framework for urban climate action planning has been developed to aid local governments in developing and assessing their climate action plans. The framework includes 43 globally recognized criteria across three stages of climate planning, with over half of existing urban plans having a medium level of suitability.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·DateNov 29, 2023

Substance abuse treatment helps reduce reported methamphetamine use among men who have sex with men

A UCLA study found that substance abuse treatment can lead to reduced methamphetamine usage and longer periods of abstinence. The study, which analyzed responses from nearly 300 men in Los Angeles, suggests that even limited treatment options can be effective in reducing methamphetamine use.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment·TypeObservational study·DateNov 29, 2023

Releasing brakes on biocatalysis

Researchers have elucidated the molecular mechanism of formaldehyde poisoning in a class of efficient hydrogen-producing biocatalysts. The study suggests that modifying the enzyme to resist formaldehyde inhibition could enable its use in bio-based industrial processes and understanding metabolic pathways.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Digital emblem for humanitarian law in cyberspace

The ETH Zurich-developed Authentic Digital EMblem (ADEM) aims to protect humanitarian organizations' digital infrastructure from cyberattacks. The system uses a combination of security protocols, including web PKI and CT ecosystem, to ensure authenticity, accountability, and covert inspection.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of the ACM·DateNov 29, 2023

Enhanced treatment of liver carcinoma with a drug-eluting hydrogel

Scientists have developed a drug-eluting hydrogel that provides sustained, pH-dependent drug co-delivery and promotes anti-tumor immune responses, reducing tumor cell proliferation and growth. The treatment shows promise in treating hepatocellular carcinoma, with enhanced efficacy compared to traditional methods.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

A new bacterial species from a hydrothermal vent throws light on their evolution

A new bacterial species, Hydrogenimonas cancrithermarum, discovered at a deep-sea hydrothermal vent site provides insights into bacterial evolution. The strain represents the first mesophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium in its genus, expanding physiological and metabolic characteristics.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Revisiting gene dosage

A study by Max Planck researchers has discovered an epigenetic regulator MSL2 that ensures the expression of both alleles of haploinsufficient genes, crucial for human health. This mechanism allows for tissue- and cell-type specificity in gene dosage, opening new directions for understanding diseases and developing potential treatments.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Nature's palette reinvented: new fermentation breakthrough in sustainable food coloring

Researchers at DTU Biosustain develop innovative fermentation process to produce natural betalain-type food colors, reducing waste and environmental impact. The new technology can satisfy global demand with just one-tenth of the equivalent land area, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional extraction methods.

The role of marketing in disrupted health care markets: It’s time to move beyond conventional strategies to account for new actors, roles, and exchanges

Disrupted health care markets have changed the creation, provision, and consumption of health care. Marketing strategies need to account for new producers, providers, and consumers. The editorial calls for a research agenda outlining opportunities for marketing scholars to examine the impact of disrupted exchanges on consumer welfare.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateNov 29, 2023

The chip that makes calculations with light

Scientists at Politecnico di Milano have created photonic chips that can mathematically calculate the ideal shape of light to pass through any environment, increasing transmission capacity. The devices generate multiple overlapping beams with unique shapes, reducing interference and enabling high-bandwidth data transfer

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Researchers discover new classes of RNA for learning and memory

Researchers from the University of Queensland have identified a noncoding RNA called Gas5 that coordinates neuronal excitability in real time, contributing to learning and memory. The study found that this RNA is uniquely required for fear extinction memory, a type of critical input processing that leads to the formation of memory.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Breakthrough study shows exercise improves cognitive health for people with Down syndrome

A breakthrough study found that light exercise can improve cognitive health in adults with Down syndrome, leading to improved information processing and attention. After just eight weeks of walking, participants showed significant increases in physical fitness and reductions in errors during cognitive assessments.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateNov 29, 2023

Protection of highly threatened sharks and rays inadequate

A new study by the University of Zurich found that global shark and ray protection is inadequate, with crucial species playing vital ecological roles in maintaining biodiversity. The research identified 18 unique functional diversity hotspots concentrated along continental shelves and oceanic islands.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2023

The venom preceded the stinger: Genomic studies shed light on the origins of bee venom

Researchers examined venom genes in bees and other hymenopteran taxa using comparative genomics. They found that 12 'families' of peptides and proteins were present in all analyzed hymenopterans, indicating a common ancestor possessed these genes. This suggests that Hymenoptera insects are venomous as an entire group.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Applications of macrocyclic molecules in cancer therapy: Target cancer development or overcome drug resistance

Researchers have identified macrocyclic compounds as a potential solution for targeting proteins critical to tumorigenesis, blocking nearly 80% of cancer's signature characteristic events. Additionally, these small compact molecules can effectively overcome drug resistance by binding to mutant proteins and inhibiting their activities.

SourceSichuan International Medical Exchange and Promotion Association·JournalMedComm – Oncology·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 29, 2023

Brittle stars can learn just fine -- even without a brain

Researchers found that brittle stars, brainless marine creatures, can associate darkness with food and react accordingly, demonstrating classical conditioning. They retained this association even after a break from training, suggesting potential learning capabilities in these animals.

SourceDuke University·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Greener solution powers new method for lithium-ion battery recycling

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new, efficient, and environmentally-friendly solution for lithium-ion battery recycling using organic citric acid. This approach recovers critical metals like cobalt and lithium, reduces pollution and reliance on foreign sources, and eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalEnergy Storage Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Variety is key

A University of Bonn study found that nearly half of the world is suitable for diversified farming for sustainable intensification. The study suggests that regions with developed infrastructure near urban centers are particularly promising for profitable diversified farming practices.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateNov 29, 2023

Quantum tool opens door to uncharted phenomena

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a new approach to study entanglement in quantum materials. By using a quantum simulator with 51 particles, they were able to extract information about the existing entanglement with drastically fewer measurements than previously thought possible.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

To build better tuberculosis vaccines, Saint Louis University researchers develop a new model by leveraging an old vaccine

Researchers tested the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in healthy adults to gather data about TB immune responses. The study found associations between BCG and gene expression changes in blood, providing insights into optimal protection against TB.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 29, 2023

Being prepared for storm surges on the Baltic Sea coast

Researchers at Kiel University modelled various storm surge and sea level rise scenarios to assess the effectiveness of dike lines and managed realignment. They found that current defence lines are insufficient to withstand sea level rise, but managed realignment could provide greater protection when combined with raising existing dikes.

SourceKiel University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 29, 2023

Social media posts that promote tobacco are increasing, AI detection technology finds

A study led by Keck School of Medicine of USC used AI detection technology to analyze influencer content on TikTok between 2019 and 2022, finding an increase in posts that promote e-cigarettes. The prevalence of pod devices, e-juice flavor names, and nicotine warning labels increased significantly over time.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·TypeContent analysis·DateNov 29, 2023