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Science News Archive November 2023 - Page 8


Page 8 of 40

Knowledge translation materials can promote discussions between Asian men with diabetes and their physicians about erectile dysfunction

Researchers found that using doctor- and patient-oriented materials improved conversations about erectile dysfunction (ED) among Asian men with diabetes. The study suggests that these materials can encourage treatment of ED, particularly in cultures where sex is viewed as taboo.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 27, 2023

Was “witchcraft” in the Devil’s Church in Koli based on acoustic resonance? – The crevice cave has a unique soundscape

Researchers found a unique resonance phenomenon in the crevice cave that amplifies and lengthens sound at a specific frequency, which may have impacted beliefs associated with it. The study suggests that this resonance could be an exceptional sound phenomenon for the people living in the region centuries ago.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalOpen Archaeology·DateNov 27, 2023

Compact accelerator technology achieves major energy milestone

Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin have demonstrated a compact particle accelerator that produces an electron beam with an energy of 10 billion electron volts (10 GeV) in a chamber less than 20 meters long. The breakthrough uses nanoparticles to boost the energy delivered to electrons, enabling new applications in semic...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalMatter and Radiation at Extremes·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Review article shows key role of Brazil in research on sugarcane for bioenergy

The review highlights Brazil's importance in global sustainability efforts, with the country having twice as many articles on sugarcane as the US. Genetic engineering techniques need improvement to increase ethanol production while minimizing crop expansion. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing is a promising approach for precise modifications.

Reprogramming tissue mechanically

Researchers at PSI and ETH Zurich successfully transplanted mechanically reprogrammed fibroblasts into a model of old, damaged skin tissue, revealing that the tissue can be rejuvenated and injuries heal faster. The technique uses spatially confined conditions to erase functional errors accumulated by aged cells during the aging process.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalAging Cell·DateNov 27, 2023

Orbital-angular-momentum-encoded diffractive networks for object classification tasks

Researchers developed three diffractive deep neural networks using orbital angular momentum to recognize objects in images, achieving accuracy comparable to wavelength and polarization-based models. The technology has potential for real-time processing applications like image recognition and data-intensive tasks.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateNov 27, 2023

Study: Spike in premature births caused by COVID, halted by vaccines

A new study found that COVID-19 caused a significant spike in premature births, but vaccines played a crucial role in reducing the risk of preterm birth to pre-pandemic levels. The research analyzed California birth records and found that maternal COVID infection increased the risk of preterm births by 1.2 percentage points.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 27, 2023

Wave Devouring Propulsion: a revolutionary green technology for maritime sustainability

Researchers at Cranfield University developed a revolutionary wave devouring propulsion technology, reducing fuel costs and enhancing marine craft propulsion. The innovative system harnesses the power of waves using a vessel's submerged flapping foils, offering a sustainable solution for the shipping industry.

SourceCranfield University·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 27, 2023

New study: One week of night shifts per month does not increase the risk of coronary heart disease

A new study from Aarhus University found no association between working up to seven night shifts per month and the risk of coronary heart disease. The study, which analyzed data from over 250,000 employees, suggests that international studies may have been flawed due to reliance on questionnaires.

SourceAarhus University·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 27, 2023

Study shows price discounts on healthful foods like vegetables and zero-calorie beverages lead to an increase in consumption of these foods

A randomized controlled trial found that significant price discounts on healthful foods like vegetables and zero-calorie beverages lead to increased consumption of these items. The study suggests that subsidies or modifications to the Farm Bill could promote healthier dietary intake behaviors.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 27, 2023

Increasing high-temperature strength of materials through collaborative efforts of AI and materials researchers

A team of researchers used AI to optimize thermal aging schedules for nickel-aluminum alloys, resulting in stronger materials at high temperatures. By analyzing unconventional heat treatment patterns, the team discovered a two-step schedule that outperformed conventional methods.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Cannabis use in pregnancy may raise infant health risks

A large Kaiser Permanente study found a connection between prenatal cannabis use and increased risk of low birthweight and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. The study analyzed over 360,000 mothers and infants and found a dose-response relationship between cannabis use and infant health risks.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateNov 27, 2023

Recycled phosphorus fertilizer reduces nutrient leaching, maintains yield

Researchers have found that struvite, a recycled phosphorus fertilizer, can reduce nutrient leaching and maintain soybean yields compared to conventional fertilizers. The study showed that struvite can be a full substitute for traditional fertilizers in terms of yield benefits.

Algorithmic recommendation technology or human curation? Study of online news outlet in Germany suggests both

A study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University suggests that combining human curation with automated recommender technology can improve user engagement in online news outlets. The research found that algorithmic recommendations outperformed human-curated choices on average, but the human editor did better under certain conditions.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManagement Science·DateNov 27, 2023

Non-profit organisations can act as drivers of sustainability for multinational companies

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland highlights the potential for non-profit organisations to promote sustainable practices in multinational businesses. By using a Strategic Confrontation and Collaboration Interaction Model (SCCIM), non-profits can influence stakeholders such as employees, investors, and politicians to ad...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalNonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly·DateNov 27, 2023

Next generation semiconductors: Diamond device shows highest breakdown voltage

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a diamond semiconductor device with the highest breakdown voltage and lowest leakage current. The device operates at high voltages and currents without losing electrical performance, making it suitable for applications such as solar panels and wind turbines.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalIEEE Electron Device Letters·DateNov 27, 2023

Kids who feel their parents are less reliable take fewer risks vital to learning and growth

A study found that children with unpredictable parental support tend to avoid exploratory risks, even in games designed to encourage them. This self-imposed limit on risk is not related to stress or anxiety levels, but rather a brain response to uncertainty, where familiar options are preferred over potentially uncertain outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

New study: Immersive engagement in mixed reality can be measured with reaction time

Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a system to measure presence in mixed reality using reaction time. The findings suggest that slow reaction times indicate low presence and high reaction times indicate high presence with 80% predictive accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 27, 2023

Future floods: Global warming intensifies heavy rain – even more than expected

A recent study published in the Journal of Climate confirms that global warming is increasing the intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall extremes exponentially. The study's findings suggest that extreme rainfall will be heavier and more frequent, impacting social welfare, economies, and social stability.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalJournal of Climate·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 27, 2023

Unlocking long-term genetic memory: Dormant bacterial spores offer key insights into evolutionary survival strategies

Researchers discover a central chromosomal domain that enables dormant spores to revive and activate essential genes, shedding light on bacterial survival in harsh conditions. The study's findings have broader implications for sustaining long-term transcriptional programs across diverse organisms.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Oral delivery a possibility for silica-based C’Dots

Researchers at Cornell University have found that silica-based C’Dots can be taken up by the bloodstream after oral administration, making them a potential therapeutic delivery method. The particles' ability to induce ferroptosis, a cell death program, may also provide health benefits due to their natural presence in food.

SourceCornell University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 27, 2023

The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University collaboration finds semaglutide treatment is associated with remarkable reductions in Alcohol Use Disorder symptoms

A case series published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry reveals semaglutide's potential therapeutic applications in managing Alcohol Use Disorder, demonstrating significant reductions in AUDIT scores. Further research is needed to validate these findings through larger clinical trials.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateNov 27, 2023

Unlocking the genetic mysteries: DNA methylation of gene silencers sheds light on disease variation

Researchers uncover intricate interplay between enhancers and silencers influenced by DNA methylation, providing crucial insights into dynamic gene control. High-resolution mapping reveals how genes are controlled and modified, paving the way for precision medicine tailored to individual patients.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalGenome Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 27, 2023

A novel quantification method for ribonucleotides, which are needed in almost all cellular processes

Researchers have developed a novel method to quantify all 12 ribonucleotides from small tissue and cell samples, enabling easy measurement without specialized equipment. This breakthrough has significant implications for basic research in biology and medicine, particularly in understanding mitochondrial diseases and cancer.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateNov 27, 2023

European parrots have dialects

Researchers found that monk parakeets in Europe have unique vocal patterns in each city, varying in frequency modulation structure. However, within parks in the same city, there were no significant differences in calls, suggesting dialects developed early and remained stable over time.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBehavioral Ecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 27, 2023