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Science News Archive October 2023 - Page 27


Page 27 of 37

Syphilis transmission in US higher among transgender women and Black gay and bisexual men, study finds

A new study by Northwestern University found that syphilis rates are nearly twice as high among transgender women and Black gay and bisexual men compared to white gay men. The study suggests that preventing and treating syphilis requires outreach to key populations, particularly those from communities of color.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateOct 10, 2023

Improving follow-up of abnormal cancer screening results

A multilevel primary care intervention, including electronic health record reminders and patient outreach, improved timely follow-up of overdue abnormal cancer screening test results for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer. The intervention was found to be effective in reducing missed screenings.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 10, 2023

Stellar fountain of youth with turbulent formation history in the centre of our galaxy

A young star cluster, IRS13, has been found to be significantly younger than expected, with stars only 100,000 years old, despite being near the supermassive black hole Sgr A*. The cluster's turbulent history suggests it was 'captured' by the black hole's gravity, leading to a bow shock and increased star formation.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2023

Large clinical trial by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, HCA Healthcare, and UCI Health identifies best strategy to prevent life-threatening health care-associated ICU infections

A large multi-state study found that mupirocin ointment is highly effective at preventing Staphylococcus aureus infections in critically ill patients, outperforming an antiseptic solution. The study involved over 800,000 ICU patients in 137 hospitals and showed a durable benefit from mupirocin.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 10, 2023

Extreme sports: How body and mind interact

A study published by Vienna University of Technology analyzed the effects of extreme physical and mental stress on a rowing athlete's body. The research found that the variability in heart rate, sleep quality, and regeneration during sleep phases were closely related to the athlete's psychological condition.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·TypeCase study·DateOct 10, 2023

New study offers improved strategy for social media communications during wildfires

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame found that social media engagement improves when national and local levels mismatch audiences during recovery phases, increasing user engagement by 29.6%. The study suggests a nuanced approach to content coordination, with national headquarters leading production and local accounts following.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateOct 10, 2023

Researchers developed novel multi-sensor data fusion methods for rapid and accurate compound fertilizer quality detection

A research team developed a data fusion strategy combining near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for fast and accurate detection of compound fertilizer components. The approach improved accuracy by up to 33.5% compared to LIBS alone.

Chinese government’s corporate subsidies have had little effect on firms’ productivity

A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University and ShanghaiTech University found that China's government subsidies have had limited effect on promoting firms' productivity. The study analyzed firm-level data from 2007 to 2018 and found that subsidies often flowed to less productive firms, leading to a decline in their relative productivity.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Comparative Economics·DateOct 10, 2023

Role of methylation in vernalization and photoperiod pathway: a potential flowering regulator?

This study investigates the regulatory role of methylation in vernalization and photoperiod pathways, revealing its potential as a flowering regulator. The authors summarize current knowledge on methylation's involvement in these pathways, highlighting its heritability and potential replacement of vernalization/photoinduction.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2023

Molecular mechanisms of fungal infections clarified

A research team from Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf has clarified an important mechanism in how fungal infections are regulated at the molecular level. They discovered a single RNA-binding protein called Khd4 that controls the growth of infectious hyphae by determining mRNA stability, which in turn regulates membrane trafficking.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2023

Powering AI could use as much electricity as a small country

The author estimates that AI-related electricity consumption could increase by 85-134 TWh annually by 2027, comparable to the annual electricity consumption of countries like the Netherlands and Sweden. The growth highlights the need for mindful AI adoption to minimize energy-intensive applications.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2023

Killing remains a threat to Bornean orangutans

Research reveals that the illegal killing of orangutans on Borneo remains a significant threat to the species, with 30% of villages reporting killings in the last 5-10 years. Conservation efforts may not be effectively preventing killing and addressing human-orangutan conflict is crucial.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalConservation Science and Practice·TypeSurvey·DateOct 10, 2023

Study compares health information exchange data versus patient self-reports to measure cancer screening uptake

A recent study compared using health information exchange (HIE) data with patient self-reported data as a means of gathering intelligence on cancer screening uptake. HIE data provided more information about laboratory screening tests, while patient self-reports offered more details about cancer screening procedures.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalBMC Medical Research Methodology·DateOct 10, 2023

Study shows little improvement in mandated disaster plans, despite required updates

A new study from the University of Kansas found that mandated disaster plans have mediocre quality and modest improvements over time. Despite regular updates, the plans fail to address key issues such as public engagement and land use policies, leading to repeated mistakes in areas prone to natural disasters.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Planning Education and Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 10, 2023

New research highlights the role of TikTok in spreading videos that encourage violence against women

Researchers found that incel ideology on TikTok uses emotional appeals and pseudo-science to share extremist views, normalising harmful ideologies. The study highlights the need for policymakers to understand the growing incel activity on mainstream platforms like TikTok.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalEuropean Journal on Criminal Policy and Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 10, 2023

Scientists discover the reassembly of parallel trimolecular G-quadruplex via novel hoogsteen strand displacement reaction

Researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science discovered a novel reassembly process for G-quadruplexes through Hoogsteen SDR, revealing unique recognition modes between probes and targets. This breakthrough offers new possibilities for GQ reassembly and insights into G-rich DNA interactions.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 10, 2023

Listen to your heart: AI tool detects cardiac diseases that doctors often miss

Researchers developed an AI tool that can detect valvular heart disease with 93% sensitivity and 98% specificity. The tool analyzes audio data from a short burst of sound vibrations using a contact microphone and neural networks, allowing for quick identification of five different valvular diseases.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 9, 2023

Capturing immunotherapy response in a blood drop

A phase 2 clinical trial found that serial blood tests can identify patients who benefit from additional immunotherapies, suggesting a potential early marker of treatment response. The study also showed that ctDNA analyses correlated with tumor size and survival, making it a promising strategy for guiding therapy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateOct 9, 2023

Tropical ecosystems more reliant on emerging aquatic insects, study finds, potentially putting them at greater risk

Researchers found tropical forest ecosystems rely more on aquatic insects than temperate forests, making them vulnerable to disruptions in land-water connections. This increased reliance poses a threat to tropical environments, which are already under pressure from human activity and climate change.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalEcology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2023

Nature is inventive - the same substance is produced differently by plants

Researchers have found that benzoxazinoids, a special plant defense compound, evolved independently in distantly related plant families. The study used two species, golden dead-nettle and zebra plant, to elucidate the metabolic pathway of these compounds, revealing unexpected diversity in enzymes performing the same reactions.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2023

Micro/nanoscale 4D printing revolution: Manufacturing high-resolution transformable 3D structures

Researchers introduce a game-changing technology that enables fabrication of high-resolution, transformable 3D structures at the micro/nanoscale using Two-photon polymerization-based (TTP-based) 4D printing. The technology has vast potential for applications in biomedicine, flexible electronics, soft robotics, and aerospace.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateOct 9, 2023