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Science News for October 2, 2023


A surprising way to disrupt sleep

A new study reveals the critical importance of post-transcriptional processes in regulating circadian rhythms and their impact on sleep. Researchers identified a structure in the circadian mRNA Period2 that alters the amplitude of circadian rhythms and disrupts sleep patterns, particularly during transitions between light and dark.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Trivalent vaccine candidate fights measles, mumps, SARS-CoV-2

Scientists have developed a trivalent vaccine candidate that provides broad and long-lasting protection against COVID-19 infection by delivering the vaccine via the nose. The vaccine triggers a strong neutralizing antibody response and protects mucosal areas, preventing disease symptoms.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Pharmacists can improve access to life-saving vaccines

Researchers found that using electronic prompts during appointment scheduling for seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines can identify willing participants for HPV and shingles vaccines. Only 30% of those booking for these vaccines were already vaccinated against HPV, presenting a significant opportunity for targeted campaigns.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue des Pharmaciens du Canada·DateOct 2, 2023

FAU Engineering study employs deep learning to explain extreme events

Researchers from FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science employ a computer-vision deep learning technique to analyze wall-bounded turbulent flows. They successfully identify the sources of extreme events in a data-driven manner, providing new insights into non-linear relationships in fluid dynamics simulations.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 2, 2023

Iron atoms discovered on the move in Earth’s solid inner core

A study led by the University of Texas at Austin found that certain groupings of iron atoms in the Earth's inner core are able to move about rapidly, changing their places in a split second. This collective motion could help explain numerous intriguing properties of the inner core and shed light on its role in powering Earth's geodynamo.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 2, 2023

The latest issue of NeuroRehabilitation focuses on the important role of neuropsychiatry in evaluating and managing the emotional and behavioral consequences of neurological injury

The journal highlights the complexities of neurological injury and neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing virtual care as a potential solution. Identifying and treating neuropsychiatric symptoms is crucial for effective rehabilitation.

SourceIOS Press·JournalNeuroRehabilitation An International Interdisciplinary Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2023

Not the usual suspects: New interactive lineup boosts eyewitness accuracy

Researchers found that interactive digital face lineups improved identification accuracy, allowing witnesses to actively explore faces and match them to their recollection. The study revealed a significant reduction in misidentifications, with improvements of 27-35% over traditional photo arrays and 35-75% over video lineups.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2023

‘Impossible’ millimeter wave sensor has wide potential

Researchers developed a proof-of-concept sensor that detects vibrations and changes in target position with high accuracy, using an innovative design to cancel out noise. The sensor's compact size, low cost, and long battery life make it suitable for various applications, including plant water status tracking and structural integrity d...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalIEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

CU School of Medicine researchers find potential target for prompting fat cells to expend energy

A CU School of Medicine research team has identified histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11) as a potential target for treating obesity and metabolic disease. Inhibiting HDAC11 stimulates the expression of uncoupling protein 1, inducing fat cells to expend energy and potentially overcoming catecholamine resistance.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Researchers blow whistle on forensic science method

A new study from Iowa State University researchers reveals that mismatches are more likely than matches to be reported as 'inconclusive' in cartridge-case comparisons. This can lead to innocent people being 'defenseless' against wrongful convictions, according to experts.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 2, 2023

October issues of American Psychiatric Association journals look at factors influencing depression and PTSD, guidance on handling drugs laced with fentanyl, and more

The latest American Psychiatric Association journals offer insights into depression and PTSD factors, as well as guidance on handling drugs laced with fentanyl. The October issues also feature a joint commentary on nuclear war's impact on health professionals.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateOct 2, 2023

Discrimination alters brain-gut ‘crosstalk,’ prompting poor food choices and increased health risks

UCLA researchers found that people exposed to discrimination exhibit altered brain responses to food cues, increasing cravings for unhealthy foods and changing gut chemistry. This leads to a higher risk of obesity and related disorders, highlighting the potential role of discrimination in food choices and health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 2, 2023

Dense measurement network revealed high level of PM2.5 in Punjab due to crop residue burning and its transport to Haryana and Delhi NCR

A recent study used a dense measurement network to track the transport of crop residue burning pollutants from Punjab to Delhi NCR, revealing high levels of PM2.5. The measurements showed that the Indian national air quality standard for PM2.5 were frequently exceeded in the region.

SourceResearch Institute for Humanity and Nature·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2023

Fatty liver disease patients likely to suffer from personality disorder

Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that individuals with fatty liver disease are three times more likely to have a personality disorder than those without. Lifestyle modifications, such as changes in diet and exercise, can prevent disease progression but often fail to be implemented due to mental health factors.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBMC Gastroenterology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 2, 2023

Is AI in the eye of the beholder?

Researchers discovered that users' prior beliefs about an AI chatbot's motives significantly impact their interactions with the agent. Priming users to believe certain things about the AI's empathy, neutrality, or manipulation influences their perception of its trustworthiness and effectiveness.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateOct 2, 2023

Scientists film soundwaves in a crystal

Researchers used a unique X-ray technique to capture soundwaves' propagation in a diamond crystal, revealing ultrafast structural phenomena that were previously beyond scientific reach. The breakthrough enables real-time imaging of solid materials with unprecedented resolution and speed.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 2, 2023

How the hippocampus distinguishes true and false memories

Researchers found that electrical signals in the hippocampus differ immediately before recalling true and false memories. The study used epilepsy patients to measure neural activity leading up to correct or false recall, revealing a reduction in low-frequency activity associated with contextual similarity.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

One in 3 adults with new-onset AFib occurring during hospitalization will have recurrent episode within a year

A study of hospitalized adults with new-onset atrial fibrillation found that 1 in 3 patients experienced a recurrent episode of AF within a year. This rate is approximately 7 times higher than in matched control participants, suggesting that oral anticoagulation therapy may be warranted for these patients.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateOct 2, 2023

Swap red meat for Quorn protein to improve heart health and reduce waist circumference, study finds

A new study by Northumbria University found that consuming Quorn protein for two weeks reduced 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels by 12% and waist circumference by almost 1cm. This could lead to a 9% lower risk of dying from a stroke or coronary heart disease, according to the research.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 2, 2023

Water makes all the difference

Computer simulations reveal that water molecules play a key role in the formation of biomolecular condensates, which act as specific microreactors for biochemical reactions. The confinement of water molecules inside these condensates is an unfavorable driving force, while their freedom outside is favorable.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2023

How new plant cell walls change their mechanical properties after cell division

New plant cell walls exhibit significantly different mechanical properties compared to surrounding parental walls, enabling cells to alter their local shape and influence the growth of plant organs. Researchers have discovered that new cell walls in some plants are 1.5 times stiffer than the parental cell walls.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Semaglutide significantly improves blood sugar control and weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes for up to 3 years in real-world study

A real-world study of over 23,000 adults with type 2 diabetes found that semaglutide significantly improved blood sugar control and weight loss for up to 3 years. The study showed that patients who had never taken a GLP-1 RA or those with higher adherence achieved more pronounced reductions in blood sugar levels and weight loss.

Loneliness and risk of Parkinson disease

A large study of 491,000 participants found that loneliness was associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The findings suggest that loneliness is a significant psychosocial determinant of health and may contribute to the development of the neurodegenerative disorder.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateOct 2, 2023

Data-driven regional ocean models essential for planning

Researchers developed a precise historical reconstruction of the Red Sea circulation using fine-grained regional data. The new analysis reveals new characteristics of current circulation, temperature, salinity, and oceanic behavior, improving decision-making for megadevelopments like those in Saudi Arabia.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateOct 2, 2023

Researchers propose a unified, scalable framework to measure agricultural greenhouse gas emissions

Researchers developed a scalable framework to quantify field-level agricultural carbon outcomes, integrating sensing techniques and advanced ecosystem models. The study provides a reliable method for measuring individual farm field-level greenhouse gas emissions and offers insights into the impact of farming practices on climate change.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 2, 2023

A hygiene program for chromosomes

A new compartment in mammalian cells, the exclusome, has been discovered to house DNA rings that can be ejected from the nucleus. This process helps protect chromosomes from foreign DNA that could disrupt cellular function. The discovery sheds light on a potential link between the exclusome and autoimmune diseases.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2023

Study shows how ‘superbacteria’ were prevented from spreading in a large tertiary hospital

A recent study conducted at the University of São Paulo's Medical School found that isolating patients with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in emergency departments (ER) for over two days can significantly reduce CRE transmission. The researchers also discovered that the ER structure, including bed layout and hand hygiene...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateOct 2, 2023

Boston Children’s Hospital researchers uncover insights into the developmental trajectory of autism

A groundbreaking study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that 37% of children diagnosed with autism as toddlers no longer meet the criteria for ASD around the age of six. Children with lower adaptive skills are more likely to have ASD persist later in life. The findings underscore the need for ongoing assessments throughout a child's ...

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateOct 2, 2023

DNA from discarded whale bones suggests loss of genetic diversity due to commercial whaling

A study from Oregon State University found that commercial whaling in the 20th century led to a loss of maternal DNA lineages among blue and humpback whales, potentially resulting in cultural memory loss. Whale populations near South Georgia Island have begun to recover, but the genetic diversity remains low.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Heredity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 2, 2023

Pumped for frigid weather: study pinpoints cold adaptations in nervous system of Antarctic octopus

Researchers have pinpointed the crucial changes in a membrane protein that allow Antarctic octopuses to function normally in freezing temperatures. By swapping specific amino acids, scientists discovered three key modifications that together enable the pump to work efficiently, allowing the octopus's nervous system to adapt and thrive.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Fair and sustainable futures beyond mining

A researcher from Göttingen University advises on overcoming difficulties faced by mining communities in transition, suggesting a three-step approach centered around stakeholder collaboration. This approach combines early planning, local-based solutions, and targeted investments to foster economic and workforce transformation.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Energy·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2023

Blame and Compliance: Just deserts and support for lockdowns in the time of COVID-19

A study by Osaka University found that belief in just deserts (BJD) was highest in Japan and lowest in the UK, while human rights restriction (HRR) was highest in China and lowest in Japan. The research suggests that BJD and HRR are positively correlated in some countries, leading to increased disease-related prejudice and discrimination.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPeerJ·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2023

Great expectations vs reality of food healthiness in online grocery shopping

A new study found that consumers tend to write negative reviews when their expected and actual nutritional values for food products do not match. This mismatch is the number one driver of negative reviews on online grocery sites. Consumers may be misinformed about the healthiness of foods due to inadequate nutritional information.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateOct 2, 2023

Genetics of attraction: mate choice in fruit flies

Research reveals that female fruit flies pre-select for males with superior genes before influencing sperm storage to ensure compatible fertilization. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms and consequences of mate choice, shedding light on genetic variation and species evolution.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 2, 2023

Study reveals high accuracy of MR-guided radiotherapy for intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery

Researchers demonstrated the accuracy of an MR-guided radiotherapy system for intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery, achieving up to 99% precision in treating brain tumors. The study enables novel MR-guided radiotherapy technology for intracranial SRS, which has not been used with MR Linac systems.

SourceBaptist Health South Florida·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Scientists identify evolutionary gateway helping pneumonia bacteria become resistant to antibiotics

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered a genetic scar that enables pneumonia-causing bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. The study found that mutations in the pde1 gene act as an evolutionary gateway for this resistance, threatening patient treatment and highlighting the need for control measures.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Differences in mortality rates for fatal cerebral haemorrhage between Finnish university hospitals

A study of nearly 10,000 subarachnoid hemorrhage cases in Finland found significant variations in mortality rates among university hospital districts. Patients treated at Helsinki University Hospital and Oulu University Hospital had the lowest mortality rates, with a difference of 52% compared to Turku University Hospital.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNeurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 2, 2023

Pheromones influence death feigning behavior in beetles

Researchers found that exposure to the aggregation pheromone 4,8-dimethyldecanal reduces death-feigning duration in red flour beetles, allowing them to save time and increase survival chances. Sex-related differences in death feigning behavior were also observed, with males exhibiting longer durations.

SourceOkayama University·JournalJournal of Ethology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

DeepMB: a deep learning framework for high-quality optoacoustic imaging in real-time

Researchers have developed DeepMB, a neural network that reconstructs high-quality optoacoustic images about 1,000 times faster than state-of-the-art algorithms. This enables clinicians to access optimal MSOT image quality in real-time, positively impacting clinical studies and patient care.