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Science News for September 1, 2023


Hot Jupiter blows its top

Researchers used 3D simulations on Stampede2 to model the flow of HAT-P-32b's atmosphere, revealing a gigantic helium gas tail. The planet is losing significant atmospheric mass, which could help explain the mystery of intermediate-mass planets.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2023

Landscape-based methodology reveals ecological stability in the Qingzang plateau

A new landscape-oriented framework assesses ecological stability in the Qingzang Plateau, showing medium-high stability levels with minimal changes over recent years. The study highlights the impact of anthropogenic factors and climate change on ecosystem stability, recommending site-specific conservation measures.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateSep 1, 2023

Precarious employment conditions can increase risk of early death

A Swedish study found that precarious employment conditions increase the risk of early death, with workers who shifted to standard employment experiencing a 20% lower risk of mortality. The study used registry data from over 250,000 workers and found that job security is crucial in reducing premature deaths.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2023

Statins linked to lower risk of colorectal cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that statin treatment was associated with a lower risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis. After a follow-up period of 5.6 years, the study showed that 70 statin users had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer compared to 90 non-statin users.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2023

Research explores why daughters in Chinese families of son preference fail to break from sustained exploitation

Research reveals Chinese families' strong son preference can lead to daughters' emotional and financial exploitation, causing severe mental health consequences. Daughters are socialized from birth to prioritize their family's needs over their own, resulting in feelings of debt and low self-esteem.

SourceLancaster University·JournalMarketing Theory·TypeContent analysis·DateSep 1, 2023

Air pollution has decreased across the US, but new Yale research finds health burdens remain unequal among racial groups

A new study by Yale researchers found that despite reductions in fine particulate air pollution, racial and ethnic minorities still experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease-related deaths. The study found that Black people face the highest burden, with a mortality rate 4.59 times higher than white people in 2001.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateSep 1, 2023

Native American patients were sicker and more likely to die during the COVID-19 pandemic, UNM researchers find

Researchers found that Native American patients were sicker and more likely to die in the hospital due to COVID-19, despite having fewer pre-existing conditions. They also had higher viral loads in their blood, which may be linked to immunological responses or social determinants of health.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico Health Sciences Center·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2023

Immune cells shape their own path

Researchers at ISTA discovered that immune cells actively shape their environment by consuming chemokine signals, allowing them to generate their own guidance cues. This dynamic regulation enables collective migration of immune cells and has significant implications for enhancing immune response coordination.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2023

Adding immune modulator to targeted therapy does not improve survival in difficult-to-treat thyroid cancer

A phase II clinical trial shows that adding an immunomodulatory agent to treatment with a targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor did not improve disease-free survival for patients with advanced differentiated thyroid cancer. The study found cediranib to be an active agent, but combining it with lenalidomide didn't yield better results.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateSep 1, 2023

Why breast cancer survivors don't take their medication, and what can be done

Breast cancer survivors often struggle to take their life-extending medication due to side effects and high costs. A new study found that interventions such as cost-cutting policies, mobile apps, and psychological counseling can increase medication adherence by nearly 1.5 times. Addressing mental health issues, particularly depression,...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 1, 2023

Telehealth vs in-clinic medication abortion services

A recent study found that telehealth medication abortion services (tele-MAB) can facilitate access to abortion care for individuals with limited mobility, reducing travel costs and logistics. Additionally, tele-MAB may better meet the needs of those with prior abortion experience due to increased familiarity with the process.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 1, 2023

Network-based approaches open a new avenue to classify and treat rare diseases

Scientists at CeMM and Max Perutz Labs have reclassified approximately 200 rare immune system disorders using a network-based approach. The study reveals strong similarities between rare diseases and autoimmune conditions, enabling the prediction of treatment efficacy and personalized approaches for diagnosis and treatment.

Could insights from ants help people build better transportation networks?

A UCLA study found that ants' nest structures are influenced by their foraging strategies and environmental conditions, rather than evolutionary history. The researchers suggest that designing roads with dedicated lanes for trucks traveling to logistics hubs could improve traffic congestion.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateSep 1, 2023

Software developed at UC Davis analyzes calcium ‘sparks’ that can contribute to arrhythmia

Researchers at UC Davis have developed SparkMaster2, an open-source software that analyzes normal and abnormal calcium activity in human cells. The tool can identify calcium sparks associated with irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmia, enabling better understanding of the underlying biology.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalCirculation Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 1, 2023