Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive November 2023 - Page 2


Page 2 of 40

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