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Science News for September 28, 2023


Experts present pioneering vision on reducing brain disorders by 2050

A special supplement presents insights on neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, affecting 55 million people worldwide. Researchers explore novel molecular pathways and therapeutic approaches, such as acupuncture therapy, to alleviate the burden of brain disorders.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 28, 2023

Researchers of the School of Science of TalTech revived a method abandoned a century ago. Why?

Researchers at TalTech's School of Science have revived the abandoned Barbier method for creating organometallic compounds, improving efficiency and environmental friendliness. The new technique uses mechanochemistry, a process that avoids organic solvents and produces stable compounds with minimal waste.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 28, 2023

Child Development journal Q&A: Music intervention programs can enhance parent and baby language interactions

A study of Music Together program found increased conversational turns and parent verbal quality in participants, suggesting community-based music programs as a promising population-level intervention for infancy. Future work should include broader populations to generalize results.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2023

Uncovered: the source of sticking power and virulence for an emerging fungal pathogen

Researchers characterized adhesins produced by Candida auris, discovering a previously uncharacterized adhesin called Surface Colonization Factor (SCF1) that governs surface association and virulence. SCF1 relies on cationic interactions for attachment, unlike other fungal adhesins that function through hydrophobic interactions.

Oldest hunter-gatherer basketry in southern Europe, 9,500 years old, discovered in Cueva de los Murciélagos, Albuñol (Granada, Spain)

A team of scientists has discovered and analyzed the oldest direct evidence of basketry among hunter-gatherer societies and early farmers in southern Europe. The esparto grass objects from Cueva de los Murciélagos date back to the Mesolithic period, between 9,500 and 6,200 years ago.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

“Printing” photo-thermoelectric imagers on soft sheet

A new fabrication process for photo-thermoelectric imagers on soft sheets has been developed, enabling highly durable non-destructive inspections. The process simplifies the integration of multi-functional device substrates, contributing to the manufacturing of image sensor sheets.

SourceChuo University·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Data storage of tomorrow

Researchers have developed a novel supramolecular memristor based on bistable [2]catenanes, which can achieve high-density storage and non-volatile memory capabilities. The memristors demonstrated at least 1000 erase-read-write cycles and switching times comparable to commercial inorganic memristors.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

SMU working with transportation nonprofit Feonix Mobility Rising, other universities to improve health disparities in Dallas and Detroit

A community-led research program aims to study the impact of improved transportation on health outcomes for people with chronic medical conditions and women with high-risk pregnancies. The project provides individuals with a mobility wallet, allowing them to access medical services without relying on traditional transportation options.

New study provides evidence for more effective brain-based treatment of chronic back pain

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that reattribution of pain to mind or brain processes can lead to significant reductions in chronic back pain intensity. Participants who received pain reprocessing therapy reported being pain-free or nearly so after treatment, compared to those receiving placebo controls.

3D-printed plasmonic plastic enables large-scale optical sensor production

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed 3D-printed plasmonic plastic, enabling the mass production of optical sensors that can detect hydrogen gas. The composite material has unique optical properties, allowing it to filter out molecules except hydrogen, making it ideal for various applications.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAccounts of Chemical Research·TypeNews article·DateSep 28, 2023

Pharmacist-led intervention can improve medication adherence among Latinos with type 2 diabetes

A pharmacist-led intervention has been shown to improve medication adherence among Latinos with type 2 diabetes, leading to significant reductions in blood sugar levels. The study found that patients who interacted with a pharmacist had an average 0.45% reduction in blood sugar, while systolic blood pressure remained unchanged.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2023

New study reveals promising machine learning model for predicting critical bleeding in immune thrombocytopenia patients

A new machine learning model accurately predicts the risk of critical bleeding in patients with immune thrombocytopenia by analyzing easily accessible clinical variables. The model's performance was validated using various statistical measures, including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateSep 28, 2023

NTU Singapore scientists discover how human cells distribute and maintain their cholesterol levels, aiding in the understanding of cardiovascular and Alzheimer's diseases

Researchers identified key proteins regulating cholesterol distribution within cells, including OSBP1, ORP92, and GRAMD1s. This discovery sheds light on the critical mechanisms underlying cellular cholesterol distribution, offering insights into various health conditions.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 28, 2023

How a suction cup delivers medications to the bloodstream

A team of researchers at ETH Zurich has developed a suction cup capable of delivering large molecule medications like peptides to the bloodstream through the mucosal lining of the cheek. The device uses an endogenous agent to fluidise cell membranes, allowing the drug to penetrate deeper tissue layers and enter the bloodstream directly.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Catch-22s of reservoir computing

Researchers have identified a major weakness in reservoir computing, a powerful machine learning tool used to model complex dynamic systems. The tool requires a lengthy warm-up time and relies on key information about the system being predicted being built in, making it challenging to accurately predict chaotic behaviors.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateSep 28, 2023

Innovative approach reveals environmental mechanisms of the end-Cretaceous extinction

A novel approach combines models with MCMC inversion to predict CO2 and SO2 emissions, carbon export productivity, and remineralization changes across the K/Pg boundary. The results show decoupled CO2 and SO2 emissions, evidence for a two-stage drop in carbon export productivity, and no clear signal of a volatile impulse at the boundary.

Wearable device data reveals that reduced sleep and activity in pregnancy is linked to premature birth risk

A study using wearable device data found that reduced sleep and physical activity during pregnancy are linked to an increased risk of preterm birth. The research, led by Stanford Medicine, collected data from over 1,000 women throughout pregnancy and identified patterns that can help prevent early deliveries.

SourceStanford Medicine·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Life satisfaction may not enhance cognitive functioning among some older adults

A new study suggests that life satisfaction has limited benefits for cognitive function in older adults experiencing health or socioeconomic challenges. High life satisfaction was associated with increased cognitive functioning among most individuals, but it was less beneficial for those with low SES, poor health, or adverse psychologi...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalSSM - Mental Health·TypeSurvey·DateSep 28, 2023

Capturing CO2 with electricity: A microbial enzyme inspires electrochemistry

Scientists have isolated a microbial enzyme that converts CO2 to formate with high efficiency when attached to an electrode, making it a potential candidate for capturing the greenhouse gas. The system uses renewable energy from wind or solar power to drive the conversion process, storing energy in the form of formate.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 28, 2023

The application of metabolomics based on mass spectrometry offers profound insights into the intricate interplay between health and diseases, unraveling metabolic processes spanning from subcellular organelles to complex tissues

Novel metabolomics techniques offer insights into metabolic processes from subcellular organelles to complex tissues. Single-cell and single-organelle metabolomics reveal cellular heterogeneity, capturing the diverse nature of metabolism.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateSep 28, 2023

Shoring up the West's grid against extreme weather

A new interdisciplinary center at the University of Utah aims to fortify the region's power infrastructure against climate-related threats, including floods, high winds, and drought. The $14 million center will gather and distribute climate and grid data to develop customized models for risk quantification and forecasting.

Alcohol 'promotion' detracted from success of Women's World Cup

Alcohol promotion detracted from the success of the record-breaking Women's World Cup tournament, say researchers. The 'thorny issue of alcohol' was highlighted in a broadcast of the final match between England and Spain, where a fan celebrating with beer was featured.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateSep 28, 2023

Sexy Instagram images can affect body image

A new study by Flinders University researchers found that viewing sexualized Instagram posts increases negative mood and body dissatisfaction among young female adults. Exposure to influencer imagery led to greater negative mood, body dissatisfaction, appearance comparison, and self-objectification compared to control images.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBody Image·TypeSurvey·DateSep 28, 2023

Why are killer whales harassing and killing porpoises without eating them?

Researchers analyzed 78 documented incidents of porpoise harassment by Southern Resident killer whales from 1962 to 2020. The study suggests three plausible explanations: mismothering behavior, limited opportunities to care for young due to malnutrition, and a specialized salmon diet that makes eating porpoises highly unlikely.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalMarine Mammal Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 28, 2023

Specific interneurons are important in aging-associated cognitive decline, study finds

Researchers identify somatostatin-positive interneurons as crucial in maintaining cognitive function, and their dysfunction leads to impaired memory and learning. The study uses a toxin to ablate these cells, resulting in mice exhibiting cognitive deficits similar to those seen in aging humans.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalMolecular Neurobiology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Cannabis use disorder may be linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease

A new study has found a significant association between cannabis use disorder and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease events such as heart attacks and strokes. Adults with cannabis use disorder in Canada experienced a 60% higher risk of first-time cardiovascular disease events compared to those without the disorder.

SourceSociety for the Study of Addiction·JournalAddiction·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2023

What makes a carrot orange?

A genome study of over 600 carrot types finds that recessive genes controlling orange carotenoids are essential for the vegetable's orange color. The study also sheds light on carrot domestication in Western Asia and Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, respectively.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Plants·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2023

Learning critical Black history can change white perspectives on racism in health care

A UCLA study found that exposure to critical Black history can contribute to white people's recognition of health disparities faced by Black Americans and lead to support for policies aimed at equity. The study also found that perspective-taking, regardless of instruction, leads to greater recognition of racism in healthcare.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology General·DateSep 28, 2023

Researchers uncover why a gene mutant causes young children to have strokes

Researchers discovered that a mutation in the gene ACTA2 causes moyamoya disease and strokes in young children. The mutation leads to dysfunctional smooth muscle cells in arteries, resulting in blockages and increased risk of stroke. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new treatments for moyamoya disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·DateSep 28, 2023

Brief dialysis may be best for some kidney patients

A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that patients with acute kidney injury on outpatient dialysis may not need lifelong treatment if they have the potential to recover. The study tracked data from over 1,700 patients and showed that approximately three-quarters of those who recovered kidney function discontinued dialysis with...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 28, 2023

University of Cincinnati research shows widespread naloxone distribution not enough to impact overdose death rate

A recent study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that a community-wide naloxone distribution program did not significantly reduce opioid overdose deaths. The study, which ran from 2017 to 2019, saw no significant change in median monthly opioid overdose rates despite widespread availability of the medication.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 28, 2023

Novel battery technology with negligible voltage decay developed at CityU, a world’s first

A breakthrough in battery technology has been achieved by City University of Hong Kong, overcoming the persistent challenge of voltage decay in lithium-ion batteries. The new development stabilises a unique honeycomb-like structure within the cathode material, resulting in longer-lasting and more efficient batteries.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Watch how hammerhead sharks get their hammer

Researchers have documented the development of bonnethead sharks, showing how their skulls widen and distort to form a hammer-like shape. The study provides insight into the formation of this unique feature, which is thought to amplify their field of vision and ability to detect prey.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalDevelopmental Dynamics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2023

Ethics rules needed for human research on commercial spaceflights, panel says

A panel of experts recommends new guidelines for conducting ethical research on humans aboard commercial spaceflights, prioritizing social responsibility and scientific excellence while minimizing risks and balancing benefits. The guidelines aim to ensure that research benefits society at large and respects participants' autonomy.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalScience·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 28, 2023

Fitness and staving off weight gain may be more important than weight loss for preventing kidney disease in obese adults, Drexel study says

A new study published in Obesity found that fitness and preventing weight gain may be more important than weight loss for preventing chronic kidney disease in obese adults. Weight gain was associated with a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease, while low physical fitness was linked to rapid kidney function decline.

SourceDrexel University·JournalObesity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 28, 2023

Study reveals more depression in communities where people rarely left home during the COVID-19 pandemic

A study found that reduced mobility during the pandemic led to greater risk for depressive symptoms, even after controlling for local COVID-19 activity and other factors. The research suggests that increasing social engagement and limiting social isolation may be crucial for mitigating mental health impacts during future pandemics.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateSep 28, 2023

How parents’ work stress affects family mealtimes and children’s development

A new study from the University of Illinois found that children of parents with higher work-related stress have lower socioemotional competency at age 4-5. Meanwhile, mothers' job dissatisfaction does not impact family mealtimes, but fathers' financial dissatisfaction leads to reduced attendance and negative child development outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 28, 2023

Study finds users prefer daily oral PrEP pill despite new options

A new study by UConn researchers found that patients overwhelmingly prefer the traditional daily oral PrEP pill over newer forms, citing its efficacy and minimal side effects as key factors. The study highlights the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities to ensure equitable access to these life-saving technologies.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of the International AIDS Society·TypeSurvey·DateSep 28, 2023

Dartmouth study removes human bias from debate over dinosaurs' demise

A new modeling method powered by interconnected processors removed human bias from the debate over dinosaurs' demise. The study suggests that the outpouring of climate-altering gases from the Deccan Traps alone could have been sufficient to trigger global extinction, consistent with volcanic eruptions contributing to the mass extinction.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 28, 2023

Intravenous immunoglobulin may prevent severe infections associated with anti-BCMA therapy for multiple myeloma

A retrospective analysis of 37 heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients found that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) reduced the risk of severe infections by 90%. Patients with hypogammaglobulinemia experienced a higher rate of severe infections, and IVIg supplementation significantly mitigated this risk.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalBlood Cancer Discovery·DateSep 28, 2023

Intense lasers shine new light on the electron dynamics of liquids

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter demonstrated that intense laser fields can probe electron dynamics in liquids. The team found that the mechanism of high-harmonic generation is unique to liquids, with the maximum photon energy independent of laser wavelength.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Fish reveal cause of altered human facial development

Researchers tested five chemicals on zebrafish embryos and found that all caused impaired migration of bone-forming cells, leading to facial malformation. The study suggests a potential general mechanism underlying teratogenic chemicals and proposes using zebrafish as an alternative method for testing cross-species teratogens.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalToxicological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Characterization and expansion of the recognition sequence of phosphorothioate-DNA recognizing sulfur binding domains facilitate new nucleic acid detection platform

Researchers developed a high-resolution technique SBS-seq to characterize the complete sequence-range of sulfur binding domains, enabling a new nucleic acid detection platform. The technique employed tandem PT-modifications to improve binding affinity and extend the sequence-range of SBDs.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateSep 28, 2023

Tetris to the rescue of women having experienced a traumatic birth: A large-scale study confirms its effectiveness for prevention

A large-scale study confirms that playing Tetris for fifteen minutes can prevent psychological trauma in mothers after a difficult birth. The therapeutic activity was found to interfere with memory consolidation of traumatic images, thereby preventing the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms linked to childbirth.

SourceUniversity of Lausanne·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateSep 28, 2023

Liver fibrosis: Giant cells step in to compensate for impaired immune function

A team of researchers has uncovered a previously unknown compensatory mechanism found in liver disease. Giant cell clusters, formed by immune cells from the bone marrow, take over the filtration function of impaired Kupffer cells. This finding changes the way we think about the role of the immune system in liver fibrosis.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Soil bacteria prevail despite drought conditions

Recent research reveals that certain soil microorganisms persist and even thrive during drought periods, influencing ecosystem balance and plant growth. A novel method using water vapor measurement indicates that specific bacterial species become more active under simulated future climatic conditions.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 28, 2023