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Science News Archive October 2023 - Page 36


Page 36 of 37

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