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Science News for October 16, 2023


Genomic analysis in snakes shows link between neutral, functional genetic diversity

Researchers found that neutral genetic diversity correlates with functional genetic diversity in Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, suggesting a more efficient approach for species conservation. This discovery has implications for endangered species conservation, as it may not be necessary to sequence entire genomes for all cases.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 16, 2023

Empathetic cancer clinicians promote psychological well-being in breast cancer patients

A Rutgers study examines how oncology doctors facilitate psychological well-being, finding that providers who show more empathy promote better psychological health among breast cancer patients. The research also highlights the importance of addressing uncertainty throughout the cancer trajectory to facilitate psychological adjustment.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPatient Education and Counseling·TypeSurvey·DateOct 16, 2023

Marine bacteria take a bite at plastic pollution

Researchers at Hokkaido University found a bacterium that can break down the eco-friendly polymer polybutylene succinate in marine environments. The discovery of the enzyme PBSase has the potential to improve recycling technologies and develop new marine biodegradable polymers.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

Scientists present the first set of global maps showing geographic patterns of beta-diversity in flowering plants

Scientists have mapped global patterns of beta-diversity in flowering plants, finding that tropical dry climates exhibit higher levels of beta diversity than wet tropical climates. The study also shows consistent geographic patterns across different metrics of beta diversity.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalPlant Diversity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 16, 2023

Local retail outlets for legal marijuana may be associated with alcohol co-use among high school students: Study

A recent study found that areas with local retail availability of legalized marijuana have higher rates of marijuana and alcohol co-use among high school students. The study suggests that 'greater retail availability may normalize' marijuana use for young people, even if they can't purchase it directly from retail businesses.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeSurvey·DateOct 16, 2023

New study assesses safety and efficacy of radial access for peripheral artery interventions

A new study assesses the safety and efficacy of radial access for peripheral artery interventions, finding it associated with favorable safety profiles and comparable procedural success rates. Radial access was also found to reduce bleeding complications and improve patient comfort, making it a potential alternative to traditional femo...

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalJournal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions·DateOct 16, 2023

Geotechnical centrifuge modeling for simulating long-term radionuclide migration in large-scale fractured rocks

Researchers from Zhejiang University developed a new method to simulate radionuclide transport in fractured granite, using hyper-gravity experiments and 3D-printed fracture networks. This breakthrough could improve deep geological disposal methods and mitigate the risk of nuclear waste leakage.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalRock Mechanics Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

Research in the Special Issue of Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis uncovers previously unexplored cellular mechanisms

Researchers have discovered new insights into microglia-astrocyte communication and its impact on intracerebral hemorrhage, as well as the testicular toxicity of triptolide. Additionally, a study on epicardial cells has identified key gene markers associated with cardiac regenerative therapy strategies.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

Rising seas will tighten vise on Miami even for people who are not flooded, says study

A new study finds that four out of five Miami-Dade County residents may face disruption or displacement due to sea-level rise, with lower-income people bearing the brunt. As habitable areas shrink and housing prices rise, only a small number of affluent residents can relocate, while many others are trapped in low-lying properties.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 16, 2023

The new robot is taking its first intuitive steps

A team of engineers at the University of Pittsburgh has created a new robot that can navigate complex environments using bio-inspired neural networks. The robots will be able to avoid obstacles and learn from their experiences, enabling autonomous navigation for various applications such as commercial transport and disaster response.

Novel hydrogel finds new aptamers, or ‘chemical antibodies,’ in days

Researchers developed a novel method to find high-affinity aptamers, short DNA or RNA molecules that can bond to specific target molecules. The 'hydrogel for aptamer selection' (HAS) method uses a porous polymer network to retain well-fitting aptamers, reducing the time and effort required to identify suitable candidates.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

When one size doesn't fit all

The Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh is launching a personalized learning model to cater to students' unique career aspirations. The program offers one-credit modules and professional development streams in industry, entrepreneurship, and academia to help students forge their own path.

Can ChatGPT diagnose your condition? Not yet

A study by Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that ChatGPT's diagnoses and recommendations for carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical myelopathy, and hip osteoarthritis were inaccurate. The chatbot was consistent in some areas but inconsistent in others, highlighting the need for further development to ensure patient safety.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateOct 16, 2023

High-performance ICUs reduce mortality rates during pandemics and other health crises

A recent study published in CHEST Science Journal reveals that high-performance ICUs exhibited lower mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a range of 3.6% to 63.2%. The research also found that these ICUs had better patient outcomes before and after the pandemic, regardless of disease severity or comorbidities.

VA study provides new insights into COVID-19 pandemic death rates

A recent VA study analyzed electronic health records of over 5.9 million veterans to provide insights into COVID-19 mortality rates. The research found that absolute numbers of deaths were higher in younger age groups and healthier individuals, despite older adults experiencing the highest rate of excess mortality.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 16, 2023

U of I researchers develop organic nanozymes suitable for agricultural use

U of I researchers have developed organic nanozymes that mimic the properties of natural enzymes, exhibiting peroxidase-like activities and detecting glyphosate with adequate accuracy. The OC nanozyme is quicker to produce, cost-effective, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly.

A clean-energy future for legacy coal?

Lehigh University researchers have developed a technique using machine learning and advanced spectroscopy to characterize waste feedstocks for gasification-produced hydrogen. This process has the potential to eliminate hazards associated with stored coal waste and reclaim valuable resources, while also emitting fewer pollutants than tr...

NUS Medicine researchers unlock the potential of genetic glycoengineering to advance vaccines and therapeutics technology

The team created a glycoengineering platform that simplifies the production of customized sugar carbohydrates, known as glycans, which play a crucial role in various therapeutic applications. This innovation enables the engineering of new glycans with unprecedented flexibility, addressing limitations in existing approaches.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 16, 2023

Clinical trial finds live vaccinations safe for liver, kidney transplant recipients

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found live vaccinations safe and effective for children who have received liver or kidney transplants, offering protection against life-threatening conditions. The study showed high antibody levels and minimal adverse events following vaccination.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 16, 2023

How to scientifically, efficiently, and cost-effectively treat the wastewater generated from anaerobic digestion?

A new method for treating wastewater generated from anaerobic digestion uses coal fly ash to remove pollutants, including COD and TP, with high efficiency. The treatment process also neutralizes pH and reduces heavy metal concentrations, making it suitable for irrigation water.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

ChatGPT may be better than doctors at evidence-based management of clinical depression

A recent study published in Family Medicine and Community Health found that ChatGPT may be better than human doctors at following recognized treatment standards for clinical depression, without gender or social class biases. The AI technology provided fast, objective insights that supplemented traditional diagnostic methods and offered...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalFamily Medicine and Community Health·TypeObservational study·DateOct 16, 2023

Unveiling real-time economic insights with search big data

A team of Japanese researchers created a big data-driven model that accurately forecasts key economic indicators in real time, eliminating the need for aggregated semi-macroeconomic data. The approach leverages search engine query data to identify highly correlated queries and provides timely insights into economic trends.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalThe Journal of Finance and Data Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 16, 2023

Stress levels worse in women who have heart attacks with blockages, study finds

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that stress and depression are common among women at the time of heart attack and for two months after. However, researchers discovered that women with heart attacks due to blockages had higher stress levels than those with open arteries.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 16, 2023

Moffitt research finds non-small cell lung cancer drug lorlatinib targets additional protein

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute demonstrate lorlatinib's activity against protein PYK2 in non-small cell lung cancer cells, revealing a potential path for repurposing the drug for other cancers. The study shows that combination therapy targeting ROS1, PYK2, and SRC results in enhanced cancer cell death ...

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCell Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

Leading scientists, philosophers identify nature’s missing evolutionary law

A team of scientists and philosophers identifies a new law of nature that governs the evolution of complex systems, including plants, animals, stars, and minerals. The law states that complex systems evolve to states of greater patterning, diversity, and complexity, regardless of whether they are living or nonliving.

SourceCarnegie Science Earth and Planets Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateOct 16, 2023

Researchers develop innovative technique for distinguishing tumor from normal tissue

A team of researchers has developed a new visualization tool combining high-speed cameras and fluorescent injection to distinguish tumor tissue from normal tissue across cancer types. The technique, known as fluorescence lifetime (FLT) imaging, achieved an accuracy of over 97% in distinguishing tumor tissue from healthy tissue.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

Reshaping financial content: Enhancing consumer appreciation in Australian professional practice

A recent study found that a reimagined financial content structure improved consumer appreciation, particularly with clarity, organization and formatting. The new structure incorporated language improvements, explanatory videos, and hyperlinks, leading to higher levels of consumer appreciation compared to the existing structure.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalThe Journal of Finance and Data Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

Significant gaps in UK public awareness of tell-tale cancer signs in kids and teens

A nationally representative survey found significant gaps in UK public awareness of tell-tale cancer signs in kids and teens, with only a third expressing confidence in recognising symptoms. The findings highlight the need for initiatives to raise awareness and improve early diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·TypeObservational study·DateOct 16, 2023

A non-exploitative economy favored the splendor of the Iberian Peninsula's Copper Age communities

The study found that Iberian Copper Age communities produced goods with great variability and no signs of economic exploitation or social hierarchies. Researchers believe this 'cooperative affluent society' strategy generated material wealth without exploiting labor, challenging traditional thoughts on historical wealth production.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalJournal of World Prehistory·TypeObservational study·DateOct 16, 2023

New polymer membranes, AI predictions could dramatically reduce energy, water use in oil refining

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed new polymer membranes that can improve distillation processes, reducing the global energy and water use. The DUCKY polymers use a novel combination of characteristics to selectively bind desirable molecules, making them a promising solution for industries.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

Virtual reality helps people with hoarding disorder practice decluttering

A pilot study suggests that virtual reality therapy can help individuals with hoarding disorder practice decluttering by rehearsing organizational and decision-making skills in a simulated environment. Seven of nine participants showed significant improvements in self-reported hoarding symptoms, with an average decrease of 25%, and eig...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·TypeObservational study·DateOct 16, 2023

Amitriptyline helps relieve IBS symptoms

The ATLANTIS trial found that amitriptyline significantly improved IBS symptoms, with participants taking the medication reporting a bigger improvement in symptom scores after six months. The medication was well-tolerated and showed no significant impact on anxiety or depression scores.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 16, 2023