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Science News for November 30, 2023


Pickier dogs have pickier brains

A new study found that pickier dogs exhibit distinct brain responses when rewarded with higher-quality food, which influences their motivation. The research used behavioral observations and neuroimaging techniques to investigate the relationship between food quality and dog behavior.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 30, 2023

New research explores future limits of survival and livability in extreme heat conditions

A new study explores the future limits of survival and livability in extreme heat conditions, finding that current estimates may not accurately represent impacts on human health. The research provides a range of safe temperatures based on factors like humidity, age, activity level, and sun exposure.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 30, 2023

Sea fireflies synchronize their sparkle to seek soulmates

Researchers discovered that male ostracods create distinct patterns of bioluminescence to attract females, which are then mirrored by other males, creating a spectacular underwater display. The synchronized swim occurs after sunset at nautical twilight and is used to entice groups of females.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateNov 30, 2023

Replacing animal products with a plant-based diet leads to weight loss, finds new analysis

Replacing animal products with plant-based foods leads to significant weight loss, reduced cholesterol and fat intake, and increased fiber consumption among overweight adults. A new analysis found that a vegan diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans results in an average weight loss of about 13 pounds.

SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 30, 2023

Choice of intravenous fluid therapy could improve survival in critically ill patients

A new meta-analysis found that intravenous fluid therapy using balanced solutions can reduce the risk of in-hospital death in critically ill patients by four percent. Balanced solutions are more closely matched to human blood chemistry than commonly used saline, and may be associated with lower mortality rates.

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 30, 2023

Progress toward improved vaccines

A research team has introduced a spectrum of potential adjuvants, including α-GalCer analogs with improved activity. The new compounds trigger stronger immune responses in mice, with some demonstrating better adjuvant properties than previously optimized variants.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

New model allows for learning and prediction of microbial interactions

Researchers developed a new framework to predict how microbes interact with each other in unique compositions. Most microbes had minimal impact on the final outcome, with only select few playing crucial roles. The model has potential applications in personalized medicine and understanding microbiome assembly.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 30, 2023

Tis the season to recognize chocolate: researchers highlight high quality cacao in Colombia

A study published in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture proposes a framework to characterise the unique properties of cacao beans in the Buenaventura region. The research highlights the benefits of establishing Denominations of Origin for cacao, including higher market prices, cultural preservation, and sustainable practices.

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateNov 30, 2023

Scientists uncover how fermented-food bacteria can guard against depression, anxiety

Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered how Lactobacillus, a bacterium found in fermented foods and yogurt, influences mood disorders. The findings suggest that maintaining a healthy level of Lactobacillus may help prevent depression and anxiety by regulating immune response to stress.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·DateNov 30, 2023

Can artificial intelligence improve life science? As much as life science can improve AI, researchers say

Recent publications in Quantitative Biology assess AI's potential to improve life science research, including applications in medicine and bioinformatics. Researchers propose frameworks for integrating AI in digital investigation, such as Digital Life Systems, which aims to comprehensively integrate AI into system modeling.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalQuantitative Biology·DateNov 30, 2023

Researchers profile pollutants present in an important river basin in São Paulo state, Brazil

A study by UNICAMP researchers found high concentrations of contaminants in the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí River Basin, including PFAS compounds, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. The study highlights the severity of pollution in the region, which supplies water for drinking, irrigation, and industry.

Illuminating the benefits of marine protected areas for ecotourism, and vice versa

A new study by researchers at UC Santa Barbara's Marine Science Institute found that marine protected areas (MPAs) have a significant impact on the scuba diving industry in Southern California. Ecotourism activities such as underwater wildlife viewing and photography tend to occur within MPAs, while recreational lobster fishing prefers...

Early rhythm control, lifestyle modification and more tailored stroke risk assessment are top goals in managing atrial fibrillation

The new guideline emphasizes the importance of disease prevention, risk factor modification, and optimized therapies to manage atrial fibrillation. It also updates guidelines for catheter ablation, anticoagulants, and heart rate management, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce stroke risk.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 30, 2023

One of the largest magnetic storms in history quantified: Aurorae covered much of the night sky from the Tropics to the Polar Regions

A recent solar coronal mass ejection caused aurorae at low latitudes, while a historically significant event in 1872 was found to be one of the most extreme geomagnetic storms in history. The storm's impact on modern society could be severe, with potential disruptions to power grids, communication systems, and satellite communications.

SourceNagoya University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateNov 30, 2023

Inoculation against diseased fields

Researchers found that mycorrhizal fungi can significantly improve crop yields by up to 40% in fields with high levels of fungal pathogens. The inoculation was most effective when the soil had already been contaminated with pathogens, serving as a protective shield against further damage.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

More than $13M awarded to study childhood obesity interventions in rural and minority communities in Louisiana and Tennessee

Researchers aim to determine optimal duration and intensity of behavioral interventions for childhood obesity among rural and minority children. The five-year study, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, will enroll 900 parent-child pairs and compare different 'dosing' combinations of face-to-face intervention time.

Polarization-independent liquid-crystal phase modulators

Researchers have developed a new approach to polarization-independent liquid-crystal phase modulation using a light-controlled azimuth angle (LCAA) process. This process creates single-layer, multi-microdomain, orthogonally twisted structures with precise alignment, enabling high phase retardation and low polarization dependence.

Photonic chip that ‘fits together like Lego’ opens door to semiconductor industry

Researchers at the University of Sydney have invented a compact silicon semiconductor chip integrating electronics with photonic components, significantly expanding radio-frequency bandwidth and filter control. The new technology has potential applications in advanced radar, satellite systems, wireless networks, and telecommunications,...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

A mixed origin made maize successful

A new study published in Science reveals that modern maize originated from a hybrid of two teosintes created around 5000 years ago in central Mexico. The hybridization event led to the spread of maize across the Americas and later worldwide, becoming one of the world's most important crops.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

Traumatic memories are represented differently than regular sad memories in the brains of people with PTSD, new research shows

A new study found that traumatic memories in people with PTSD are represented in the brain in a distinct way, deviating from regular memory processing. The hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex regions showed different neural responses to traumatic and sad autobiographical memories.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2023

A patch of protection against Zika virus

A new vaccine patch has delivered an effective immune response to Zika virus in mice, providing rapid protection against the disease. The patch, which uses a high-density microarray platform, targets a specific protein crucial to the virus's survival and evokes T-cell responses up to 270% higher than traditional vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·DateNov 30, 2023

Climate: why disinformation is so persistent

A study by UNIGE researchers found that six psychological interventions had a small and temporary impact in preventing the spread of climate misinformation. The interventions targeted factors such as trust in climate scientists, transparency, and accuracy, but only one group showed a slight advantage in resisting disinformation.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeNews article·DateNov 30, 2023

Riding the whims of the wind

Researchers develop a mathematical model that analyzes the future survival of plants in a changing climate by studying how far wind can carry seeds. The model provides fast and reliable predictions of seed movement, considering factors like seed type, plant height, and wind speed.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEcological Modelling·DateNov 30, 2023

TPL for photonic packaging: a promising solution

A team of scientists has developed new packaging technologies using TPL to address the challenges of photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The technology offers several unique advantages, including high-resolution 3D structures and customizable connections, which relax the alignment tolerance during PIC assembly.

EU/EEA: HIV diagnoses rise for the first time in a decade

New HIV diagnoses rose by 31% in the EU/EEA in 2022, with migrants accounting for 49% of cases. Ukrainian refugees made up a significant proportion of new diagnoses, with women disproportionately affected. The increase highlights the need for tailored early testing and treatment approaches to address this growing public health threat.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 30, 2023

HRS-AKI treatment options could be expanded

A new study provides an updated assessment of hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI), a potentially reversible but often fatal condition. The study's findings highlight the importance of early recognition and standard pharmacological treatment, with only 40%–50% of patients experiencing restored kidney function.

SourceFirst Hospital of Jilin University·JournaleGastroenterology·DateNov 30, 2023

Low-cost microscope projection photolithography system for high-resolution fabrication

Scientists have developed a low-cost and user-friendly technique called UV-LED-based microscope projection photolithography (MPP) for rapid high-resolution manufacturing of optical elements. MPP can fabricate microfluidic devices, biosensors, and other optical devices with feature sizes down to 85 nm.

Research suggests sentinel warning calls may be universally understood across continents

A recent study found that flocks of birds in North America, Europe, and Asia responded equally strongly to the alarm call of an unfamiliar dusky-throated antshrike. This suggests that sentinel calls may contain a universal signal that allows birds to recognize them across different species and continents.

Broadband buzz: Periodical cicadas' chorus measured with fiber optic cables

A new proof-of-concept study demonstrates the use of distributed fiber optic sensing to detect and analyze the sound of periodical cicadas. The technology shows promise for charting the populations of these famously ephemeral bugs, with potential applications in monitoring insect abundance across seasons and years.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Insect Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

Brain waves usually found in sleep can protect against epileptic activity

Researchers at University College London have discovered that slow waves typically present during sleep can also occur during wakefulness in people with epilepsy, potentially protecting against increased brain excitability. These 'wake' slow waves decrease the impact of epileptic spikes on brain activity and may protect against seizures.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

Structural racism and lung cancer risk

A new study finds that structural racism is a significant contributor to unequal lung cancer risk factors, affecting different racial and ethnic groups differently. The research highlights the need for tailored preventive interventions to address these disparities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateNov 30, 2023

INU researchers develop novel deep learning-based detection system for autonomous vehicles

A new deep learning-based detection system has been developed by INU researchers to improve the detection capabilities of autonomous vehicles. The system, aided by IoT technology, generates bounding boxes and confidence scores for visible obstacles using point cloud data and RGB images as input.

SourceIncheon National University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 30, 2023

ROP signaling: Origin at dawn of multicellular plant life

Researchers found that ROP proteins evolved during the transition from unicellular to multicellular plant life. ROP proteins are highly conserved between land plants and streptophyte algae, excluding certain species. The study suggests that ROP signaling may have contributed to the evolution of multicellularity in plants.

SourceGregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

Hope for autoimmune skin disorder sufferers with new immunotherapy strategy

Researchers discovered distinct mechanisms controlling different types of immune cells and found a way to selectively eliminate 'problematic' cells driving autoimmune disorders. This breakthrough offers precise targets for potential treatment strategies, potentially revolutionizing the way we treat skin conditions.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

Women may struggle more than men in involuntary temporary employment, with 12.8% increases in mental health drug prescriptions for Danish women in this work for at least 18 months, but no such change for men

A study in Denmark found that women experience a significant increase in mental health medication use after involuntary temporary work, but men do not. The research suggests that women may struggle more with the emotional and psychological impacts of temporary employment.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateNov 30, 2023

Platoon control of connected vehicles with heterogeneous model structures considering external disturbances

A hierarchical platoon control framework is designed to address the influence of external disturbances on CV platoons. The ISM controller eliminates disturbance effects, ensuring stability and string stability in the platoon. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the control strategy.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 30, 2023

Using public incentives for negative emissions increases economic inequality

A new study finds that public incentives for negative emissions can exacerbate economic inequality, especially in countries with concentrated equity ownership and expensive mitigation options. Researchers propose alternative policy provisions to mitigate the increase in inequality while ensuring decarbonization at reasonable cost.

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC scientist identifies a connection in the brain between stress and emotional eating

A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified a key brain molecule responsible for triggering overconsumption of comfort foods after stressful events. The lateral hypothalamic proenkephalin neuron plays a crucial role in driving threat-induced eating associated with negative emotional states.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

Structural racism persists in radiotherapy

Outdated medical tools cause delayed recognition and management of adverse reactions in patients of color, leading to significant distress. A more inclusive approach is urgently needed to address structural racism in radiotherapy treatment and education.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 30, 2023

Unsafe lead levels in school drinking water: new UMass Amherst study IDs building risk factors

A UMass Amherst study identifies building age as key factor in elevated lead levels; facilities built in the 1960s and 1970s are at greatest risk. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recommends achieving lowest lead levels possible, with a goal of 1 ppb or less.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalAmerican Water Works Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 30, 2023

Taking antibiotics back in time

A team of researchers successfully synthesized a 1.5-million-year-old antibiotic called paleomycin, which displays potent properties against human pathogens. By tracing the evolutionary path of glycopeptide antibiotics, the team gained insights into the development of new drugs and uncovered a common precursor molecule.

SourceCluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI)·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 30, 2023

‘Bone biographies’ reveal lives of medieval England’s common people – and illuminate early benefits system

Researchers analyzed skeletal remains from medieval Cambridge to recreate everyday lives of residents, revealing diet, activities, and bodily traumas. A new study investigates the hospital's inhabitants, showing how a medieval benefits system operated, with selection criteria based on material want, politics, and spiritual merit.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAntiquity·DateNov 30, 2023

CityU researchers tackle a century-old teletraffic challenge to enhance medical and public service efficiency

A research team at City University of Hong Kong has developed a novel performance evaluation method called Information Exchange Surrogate Approximation (IESA) to calculate blocking probabilities in queueing systems with overflow. IESA provides ways to allocate limited resources better, enhancing resource allocation and capacity plannin...

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalIEEE Access·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 30, 2023

Antarctica's ancient ice sheets foreshadow dynamic changes in Earth’s future

Researchers analyzed Antarctic sediment records to understand past ice sheet behavior, finding frequent and rapid growth and recession cycles over thousands of years. The study suggests that climate factors beyond Earth's orbit may trigger these changes, potentially leading to unexpected ice sheet dynamics in the coming centuries.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 30, 2023

No sex please - marine life turned off by swimming in plastic chemicals

Research on marine amphipod Echinogammarus marinus found that exposure to toxic plastic additives compromises their ability to reproduce successfully. The study, published in Environmental Pollution, tested four widely used chemicals and found that all of them reduced the overall percentage of animals that formed pairs.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2023

New study: Lost brain function restored after stroke

Researchers have developed a treatment that partially restores lost brain function in mouse models of stroke using metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 inhibitors. The treatment improves somatosensory functions, which are lost in around 60% of stroke patients, and can be initiated several days after the stroke.

SourceLund University·JournalBrain·DateNov 30, 2023

Meteorites likely source of nitrogen for early Earth

A study of Ryugu samples suggests that micrometeorites from icy celestial bodies in the outer Solar System transported nitrogen compounds to near-Earth regions. This discovery could provide clues about the origins of nitrogen on our planet, potentially serving as a building block for life.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

Project SEARCH graduates achieved high success in obtaining employment, and continued support is needed for maintaining employment

A new study published in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation found that Project SEARCH graduates with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieved high job retention rates (>77%) and overall satisfaction. However, challenges persist, including unmet ongoing support needs and limited follow-up services after graduation.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Vocational Rehabilitation·TypeSurvey·DateNov 30, 2023