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Science News Archive October 2023 - Page 24


Page 24 of 37

Roundup ingredient connected to epidemic levels of chronic kidney disease

A Duke University study found glyphosate, active in Roundup, in high levels of wells supplying drinking water to Sri Lankan communities plagued by chronic kidney disease (CKDu). Elevated fluoride and vanadium also linked to CKDu were discovered. Glyphosate's persistence in hard water poses concerns for exposure.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2023

New insights on Neanderthal cuisine. Plos One has just published a study that sums up twenty years of archaeological excavations with a striking conclusion: Neanderthals were as intelligent as Homo sapiens

Neanderthals demonstrated intelligence and symbolic thought through their ability to control fire and cook food. Their varied diet consisted of cooked meats, fish, and other food sources, showcasing their advanced cognitive abilities.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2023

Large swings in past ocean oxygen revealed

Scientists have found evidence of past oxygen loss in the world's oceans during glacial periods, indicating that current climate change may not be permanent. The discovery was made by analyzing seafloor sediments from the past 145,000 years, which showed a build-up of cobalt during the last ice age.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeContent analysis·DateOct 11, 2023

No benefit of common shoulder treatment over placebo

A new trial suggests that ultrasound-guided lavage and steroid injections for calcific tendinopathy provide no meaningful benefits over placebo. The study's findings question the use of these treatments and should lead to a critical reconsideration of existing treatment guidelines.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 11, 2023

Mummified poop reveals pre-Columbian cultures of the Caribbean consumed a diversity of plants, with peanuts, papaya, maize, and even cotton and tobacco detected

A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that pre-Columbian Caribbean cultures consumed a wide variety of plants, including sweet potato, chili peppers, and domesticated tomatoes. The analysis also detected tobacco and cotton, challenging the traditional staple food narrative.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2023

New research finds greater continuity of psychotherapy after shift to telehealth

A large population-level study found that patients with mental health conditions experienced fewer disruptions in care after the transition to virtual psychotherapy, with a shorter time between appointments. Individuals with depressive, anxiety, or bipolar disorders were more likely to maintain consistent visits.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalPsychiatric Services·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 11, 2023

Plastic use in agriculture must be reduced, according to new research

A recent study emphasizes the need to reduce plastic use in agriculture to mitigate pollution and prevent toxic chemicals from entering the soil and food chain. Innovative recycling methods are crucial to protecting the environment and human health. The researchers suggest adopting a strategic approach, including responsible usage, red...

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 11, 2023

Sustainable living technology

New technology enables self-sustaining modules to assemble, disassemble and recycle, offering unprecedented sustainability for electronic devices. The innovation is part of a larger field of Microelectronic Morphogenesis, which aims to replicate living systems through controlled form creation.

SourceChemnitz University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 11, 2023

Researchers unravel cross-species pain-preferential neural pathway

A study published in Nature Human Behaviour has uncovered a neural pathway preferentially involved in pain perception across species. The researchers identified the central role of the medial-dorsal thalamic nucleus in pain perception, which exhibited a more pronounced activation in response to painful stimuli.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2023

“Starquakes” could explain mystery signals

Researchers found distinct similarities between starquakes and earthquakes, but a difference with solar flares. The team analyzed nearly 7,000 bursts from three repeater FRB sources, comparing them to earthquake and solar flare data.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2023

Scientists raised key questions of solar wind–moon interaction

Researchers examine the complex interactions between solar wind and the Moon's surface environment, including small-scale magnetic fields, lunar swirls, and regolith layer dynamics. The study highlights the need for further in-situ observations to understand these processes and their implications for human activities on the Moon.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace Science & Technology·DateOct 11, 2023

Absorption of light by molecules has applications in microscopy, medicine and data storage

A Brazilian physicist has developed an alternative method that reduces calculation time for simulating light absorption by molecules from two days to a few hours. This allows for high-resolution microscopy and the creation of precise 3D structures for data storage, with potential applications in medicinal treatments.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 11, 2023

Trial results indicate potential for organ transplantation without long-term immunosuppression

A new clinical trial has shown that infusing immune cells from living donors into recipients before transplantation may reduce the need for lifelong immunosuppressant medication. The treatment involves infusing donor-derived regulatory dendritic cells, which help the recipient's immune system distinguish between foreign and self-cells.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 11, 2023

Phonon engineering in Yb:La2CaB10O19 crystal for extended lasing beyond the fluorescence spectrum

Researchers successfully extend lasing beyond the fluorescence spectrum of Yb-doped La2CaB10O19 crystal through phonon engineering. Theoretical calculations predict a broadband emission spectrum with increased phonon numbers, demonstrating potential for self-frequency doubling and various applications.

NIA grant supports training of next generation of translational scientists for Alzheimer’s disease therapeutic development

Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences will train the next generation of translational scientists in Alzheimer's disease research through a $1.4 million grant. The program aims to develop highly trained, cross-disciplinary researchers to address the complex challenges of this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.

Risk for dementia varies by ethnicity, study finds

A new study analyzing English primary care records found that hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol confer a higher risk of dementia in South Asian and Black people compared to White individuals. The results suggest tailored dementia prevention efforts should be targeted towards minority ethnic groups.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2023

Significant development in mild cognitive impairment treatment revealed in Australia

A clinical trial led by Western Sydney University's NICM Health Research Institute has revealed that Sailuotong, a novel herbal extract, shows promise as a potential treatment for mild cognitive impairment. The study found improvements in memory and executive function in participants taking SLT compared to those on a placebo.

SourceNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 11, 2023

New methodology to study the intricacies of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have developed a new microscopy technique using STED technology to visualize individual fibers in amyloid plaques, providing higher resolution than conventional light microscopy. This breakthrough allows for better understanding of the structure and morphology of Aβ aggregates and their role in Alzheimer's disease progression.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalCell & Bioscience·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 11, 2023

Study links selfies to higher ratings of slimness

A study found that participants rated women's bodies as slimmer when viewed in selfie photographs compared to external perspectives. The researchers also discovered a link between self-viewing and disordered eating thoughts, suggesting potential harm from social media consumption.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2023

The good and bad uses of biomass for California

The study identifies 34 pathways that reduce greenhouse gases or specific air pollutants, while 13 increase harmful emissions. Effective uses of biomass include combustion for renewable energy, biodiesel production, and biogas conversion. Conversely, bad pathways include wildfires, open composting, and burning forest material.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalGCB Bioenergy·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 11, 2023

A step towards AI-based precision medicine

Researchers at Linköping University developed an AI-based method applicable to various medical and biological issues, accurately estimating people's chronological age and determining smoking status. The models identify previously known epigenetic markers used in other models, but also new markers associated with conditions.

SourceLinköping University·JournalBriefings in Bioinformatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 11, 2023

First large study of hair relaxers among black women finds increased risk of uterine cancer

A large study of hair relaxer use among Black women found a significant association between frequent or long-term use and an increased risk of uterine cancer. Postmenopausal women who used chemical hair relaxers more than twice a year or for over five years had a greater than 50% increased risk.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalEnvironmental Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 11, 2023

Manipulating nonlinear exciton polaritons in a WS2 monolayer with artificial lattices

Researchers have created deterministic potential wells to trap and manipulate exciton polaritons in WS2 monolayers at room temperature. This enables the achievement of strong nonlinearity while maintaining thermal stability, paving the way for integrated polariton-based devices.