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Science News Archive September 2023 - Page 25


Page 25 of 37

Natural compound found in plants inhibits deadly fungi

A water-soluble tannin known as PGG blocks 90% of the growth in four different species of Candida fungi by grabbing up iron molecules, starving the fungi of an essential nutrient. This mechanism does not promote drug resistance, unlike existing antifungal medications, and shows minimal toxicity to human cells.

SourceEmory University·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2023

Wolves and dogs appear to remember where people hid food

A study involving wolves and dogs found that both species can remember where people hid food if they observed the hiding process. However, wolves outperformed dogs in finding caches, suggesting differences in traits like persistency and food-related motivation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2023

Long COVID: lower risk after an Omicron infection

A recent study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases found that individuals infected with the Omicron variant have a significantly lower risk of developing long COVID compared to those infected with earlier variants. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 people and found that around half of all wild-type infe...

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeSurvey·DateSep 13, 2023

Alzheimer’s: An M.D./Ph.D. graduate student’s request for Yuhua Song as mentor leads to two NIH R01 awards totaling $5 million

The collaboration has garnered $5.68 million of grant support, with a five-year $2.13 million National Institutes of Health R01 grant and a five-year $2.89 million NIH R01 grant. Researchers are using computational biology to model a key Alzheimer's protein called TREM2 and its interactions with small chemical molecules.

Immunity to COVID-19 reduces contagiousness

A study of 50,000 COVID-19 cases found that immunity following infection provides better protection against transmission than vaccination, but only for a short period. Vaccination reduces contagiousness over a longer time, making it essential to consider simple public health measures like air filtration and mask-wearing.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateSep 12, 2023

Ocean acidification in colored stripes

Researchers use ocean acidification stripes to visualize ocean acidification trends worldwide. Studies confirm global decrease in pH and aragonite saturation due to human-made CO2 emissions, posing critical threat to marine ecosystems.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·TypeObservational study·DateSep 12, 2023

New neural insights into processing uncertainty in obsessive-compulsive disorder

A new study uses brain imaging to explore the neural underpinnings of uncertainty processing in OCD, finding that patients struggle with certainty and decision-making, particularly when outcomes are more certain. This understanding may offer new hope for developing therapies targeting uncertainty processing in OCD.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 12, 2023

Human Brain Project celebrates successful conclusion

The Human Brain Project has achieved major breakthroughs in understanding the complex structure and function of the brain, enabling novel medical and technological applications. The project's digital atlas and personalized virtual models have provided unprecedented insights into brain conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.

Exposure to air pollution while in the womb is linked to adverse changes in cell processes in new-born babies

Research found alterations in proteins that can affect autophagy, a self-eating process of damaged cells. Healthy newborns showed individual responses to prenatal exposure to air pollution, with some more vulnerable than others. The study aims to understand the impact on breathing problems during infancy and childhood.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 12, 2023

Both high-protein and normal-protein diets are effective for T2D management

A randomized controlled trial found that high-protein and normal-protein diets were both effective in improving glucose control, weight loss, and body composition in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that individuals can choose a dietary pattern that suits their preferences while still achieving significant health benefits.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalObesity·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 12, 2023

LSU Health New Orleans research quantifies effect of chronic diseases on racial disparity in Covid-associated hospitalizations

A first-of-its-kind study by LSU Health New Orleans found that chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, explained nearly two-fifths of the racial disparity in COVID-associated hospitalizations. Non-Hispanic Black cancer patients had a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and were more than twice as likely to live in high-p...

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 12, 2023

Communicating stability, strong connections to stakeholders versus shareholders are priorities in Chinese financial reporting, Rotman research finds

Researchers found that Chinese executives prioritize communicating long-term stability and inspiring confidence among diverse stakeholders. In contrast to US firms, Chinese companies tend to work closely with stakeholders like debt holders and controlling shareholders to reduce fluctuations.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Accounting and Economics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2023

265-million-year-old fossil reveals oldest, largest predator in South America, long before the rise of dinosaurs

A 265-million-year-old fossil discovery in Brazil yields the oldest and largest known predator in South America, predating the rise of dinosaurs. The exquisitely preserved Pampaphoneus biccai had a skull over 40cm long and sharp canine teeth adapted for capturing prey.

SourceHarvard University, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateSep 12, 2023

Mount Sinai receives NIH grant to develop vaccines that can protect against many different types of coronaviruses

The Mount Sinai Hospital received a $13 million NIH grant to create vaccines that can protect against various types of coronaviruses. The project aims to develop variant-proof, universal vaccines that offer broad protection against existing and future SARS-CoV-2 variants, pandemic, zoonotic, and seasonal coronaviruses.

Researchers uncover NSMF protein’s role in relieving DNA replication stress

Researchers discovered NSMF protein's role in alleviating DNA replication stress by displacing weakly bound RPA proteins and promoting phosphorylation. This mechanism accelerates relief of replication stress, offering a new direction for treating various diseases, including cancer and age-related conditions.

Large amounts of sedentary time linked with higher risk of dementia in older adults, study shows

A new study published in JAMA found that adults over 60 who spend more than 10 hours a day engaging in sedentary behaviors like sitting are at increased risk of developing dementia. The study used wearable accelerometers to track physical activity and found that the total time spent sedentary each day was a significant predictor of dem...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateSep 12, 2023

Study finds heavy alcohol consumption linked to ectopic fat

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that heavy alcohol consumption is associated with higher levels of ectopic fat, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The research team used CT scans to measure and analyze data on body fat distribution, revealing a J-shaped pattern between alcoho...

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateSep 12, 2023

Mount Sinai researchers develop novel, automated measure of sleep studies to determine severity of obstructive sleep apnea

Researchers have developed an automated breath-by-breath measure to assess the severity of obstructive sleep apnea, predicting cardiovascular disease and mortality. The ventilatory burden tool provides a validated alternative to AHI, offering stable results and risk predictions.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateSep 12, 2023

Freshwater connectivity can transport environmental DNA through the landscape

Research finds that water movement between lakes can transport environmental DNA, making eDNA a promising tool for tracking aquatic species and monitoring biodiversity. The study highlights the importance of considering landscape connectivity when designing eDNA surveys to ensure accurate biodiversity assessments.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateSep 12, 2023

Socializing boosts mood more than screentime

A new study from the University of Georgia found that people generally enjoy conversation over smartphone use, with a significant emotional boost from talking to strangers. In contrast, sitting alone was found to be the least preferred task, even when participants were given a choice.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalThe Journal of Social Psychology·DateSep 12, 2023

Umass Amherst research finds benefits, risks in state-mandated school-based BMI assessments

State-mandated school-based BMI assessments may help overweight students recognize their weight status but also lead to distorted self-image and body perception among non-overweight girls. The research found a small decrease in teens' BMI, primarily among those on the margin of being overweight.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalJournal of Policy Analysis and Management·TypeObservational study·DateSep 12, 2023

Combination of stressors key to testing perovskite solar cells

A NREL-led research team identified accelerated testing protocols to understand perovskite solar cells' behavior under real conditions. The study found that high temperature and illumination are the most critical combination of stressors for predicting outdoor performance, with cells retaining over 93% of their maximum efficiency after...

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateSep 12, 2023

Contributions to white matter injury in Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers highlight microvascular contributions to white matter injury in Alzheimer's disease, sparking calls for exploration of connections between AD, WM injury and cerebral small vessel disease. The study emphasizes the critical need to define mechanisms and diagnostic features of mixed vascular and AD neuropathological change.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 12, 2023

CityU and Asian Fund for Cancer Research sign MoU to jointly promote biomedical innovation and entrepreneurship; Harvard Medical School experts speak at the inaugural ‘Innovation Series in Biomedicine’ forum

CityU and AFCR have signed a MoU to promote cutting-edge cancer-related innovative inventions and commercialization. The partnership aims to foster the development of biomedicine and related innovation, with world-leading scholars from Harvard Medical School attending the inaugural 'Innovation Series in Biomedicine' forum.

Global droughts differ by coastal or inland location; only 40% accompanied by heatwaves

Research from Fudan University reveals that global droughts exhibit distinct characteristics based on their geographical location, with only 40% of coastal droughts accompanying heatwaves. The study developed a clustering algorithm to analyze drought events and found significant differences in symmetry between inland and coastal types.

SourceOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research (OLAR)·JournalOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 12, 2023