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Science News Archive September 2023 - Page 31


Page 31 of 37

“Green nudges” greatly reduce single-use cutlery waste in China’s food delivery industry

A new study found that 'green nudges' significantly reduced single-use cutlery waste in China's food delivery industry, increasing environmentally friendly orders by 648%. The intervention of defaulting to 'no cutlery' options and rewarding customers for choosing eco-friendly options saved over 21.75 billion sets of SUC annually.

Era of hydrogen-fueled vehicles to begin -- World-class technology technology for a 2-liter class hydrogen engine (or a passenger car hydrogen engine) capable of running entirely on hydrogen has been developed for the first time in the country

A new direct injection hydrogen engine developed in Korea can run entirely on hydrogen, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 99% and fine dust by 90%. The engine's high thermal efficiency and power performance also help minimize harmful nitrogen oxide emissions.

Researchers grow embryonic humanized kidneys inside pigs for 28 days

Scientists have created chimeric embryos containing a combination of human and pig cells, which developed into structurally normal kidneys with 50-60% human cells. The researchers successfully grew humanized organs inside pigs, offering new possibilities for studying human development and developmental diseases.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2023

Classic Georgia accent fading fast

Researchers found that white English speakers' accents have shifted away from traditional Southern pronunciation since Generation X. The study, published in Language Variation and Change, used archived and new recordings to analyze vowel patterns, finding distinct changes between baby boomers and Gen X.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalLanguage Variation and Change·DateSep 7, 2023

Many people have biased perceptions of EDI leaders

A recent study from the UBC Sauder School of Business found that people's perceptions of EDI leaders are influenced by racial stereotypes. Participants in the study were asked to identify necessary traits for EDI leaders and associate different traits with various racial groups, revealing a strong bias towards non-white individuals bei...

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2023

Machine learning contributes to better quantum error correction

Researchers from RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing have used machine learning to perform efficient quantum error correction using an autonomous system that can determine the best corrections despite being approximate. Machine learning plays a crucial role in addressing large-scale quantum computation and optimization challenges.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 7, 2023

Take a deep breath: early detection of vascular disease in chronic lung disease of premature infants

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich developed a non-invasive method using MR imaging to detect early signs of vascular disease associated with chronic pulmonary impairment in premature infants. The study presents a new tool for risk stratification and potential prevention of complications later in life.

New compound unleashes the immune system on metastases

Researchers developed nanoparticles that accumulate in cancer cells and eliminate them after photoactivation, also labeling immune cells to target similar cells throughout the body. This technology has shown promise in treating mice with implanted human tumor cells and could lead to a new treatment approach for metastatic cancers.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 7, 2023

Study seeks to explain widespread inequality for developing diabetes mellitus following gestational diabetes

A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health reveals substantial racial and ethnic inequities in developing type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes. The findings show a fourfold increased risk among Black individuals, with 18.5% incidence rate, compared to 5% in White individuals.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateSep 7, 2023

Implantable device enables earlier detection of kidney transplant failure in rats

Researchers developed an implantable bioelectronic device to monitor thermal characteristics of the kidney, detecting inflammation and perfusion issues associated with rejection. The device identified onset of rejection ~3 days before blood biomarkers in non-treated rats and ~2-3 weeks earlier in immunosuppressed animals.

Measurement campaign on small-scale variability of sunlight in the USA successfully concluded

A global network of radiation sensors measured incoming sunlight at 60 locations in Oklahoma, providing important climate data for efficient use of weather satellites and photovoltaic systems. The campaign complements previous data sets and aims to improve short-term forecasts of sunlight for renewable energy.

Amsterdam UMC study finds elite athletes safely return to top-level sports after COVID-19: no issues found in more than 2 years of follow-up

A study from Amsterdam UMC followed over 250 elite athletes who had contracted COVID-19 and found no severe heart issues impacting their careers. Despite some athletes showing slightly elevated resting heart rates, there were no significant differences in overall heart function or ventricular arrhythmias.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalHeart·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 7, 2023

Echoes of extinctions: Novel method unearths disruptions in mammal trait-environment relationships

A team of researchers used a novel methodology to investigate the impact of large mammal extinctions on their environments. They found that earlier biodiversity losses did not necessarily hinder mammal community functioning, but later losses were linked to changes in climate and vegetation patterns.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2023

NTU Singapore scientists develop new method to recover high-purity silicon from expired solar panels for upcycling into lithium-ion batteries

Researchers have devised an efficient method of recovering high-purity silicon from expired solar panels, which can help meet the increasing global demand for electric vehicles. The new extraction method using phosphoric acid achieved a recovery rate of 98.9% and purity of 99.2%, comparable to existing methods.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalSolar Energy Materials and Solar Cells·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2023

Culture-friendly therapies for treating anxiety and depression in Japanese youth

Researchers found that culturally adapted Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CBT) are effective in treating anxiety and depression in Japanese youth. The studies highlight the importance of cultural adaptation, user-centered design, and careful implementation of CBT programs to improve learning and treatment outcomes.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalClinical Child and Family Psychology Review·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 7, 2023

Specialized T cells in the brain slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered a subset of immune cells that slows Alzheimer's disease progression by interacting with microglia. The cells, called CD8+ T cells, use a molecular handshake to signal to the microglia to stop causing uncontrolled inflammation, which in turn slows plaque growth and symptoms.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Immunology·DateSep 7, 2023

Stability inspection for West Antarctica shows: marine ice sheet is not destabilized yet, but possibly on a path to tipping

Researchers found no indication of irreversible retreat in West Antarctica's ice sheet, but warn that current climate conditions could trigger slow and certain loss of ice over hundreds to thousands of years. The study suggests that even with no additional warming, an irreversible collapse is possible in 300-500 years.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalThe Cryosphere·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 7, 2023

How bright-light treatment improves sleep in stressed mice

Researchers identified the neural pathway behind chronic stress-induced sleep disturbances and found that bright-light treatment counteracts these effects by targeting the lateral habenula. The study reveals a critical connection between the habenula and the rostromedial tegmental nucleus, which is essential for regulating non-REM sleep.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 7, 2023

CAR-T-cell therapy without side effects? Hollings researchers show results in preclinical models

Researchers at Hollings Cancer Center have made a breakthrough in CAR-T-cell therapy by eliminating the need for lymphodepleting chemotherapy, which reduces the risk of severe side effects. In preclinical models, their method showed promising results in controlling cancer and creating memory cells trained on specific proteins.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateSep 7, 2023

Elucidating the mechanism of aripiprazole action in treating circadian rhythm sleep disorders

Researchers at University of Tsukuba found that aripiprazole modulates the mammalian central circadian clock by disrupting synchronization among clock neurons and enhancing responsiveness to light stimuli in mice. This discovery expands the potential clinical usage of aripiprazole as a treatment for circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateSep 7, 2023

West Antarctic ice sheet has not reached its tipping point towards irreversible collapse – yet, new research finds

New research from Northumbria University suggests that the West Antarctic ice sheet has not yet reached a tipping point towards irreversible collapse. The study, which used three different computer models to simulate the ice sheet's behavior, found that large-scale, irreversible ice loss in Antarctica is possible but not imminent.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalThe Cryosphere·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 7, 2023

High levels of depression found among Canadian older adults with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

A new study published in Cancer Management and Research found that 1 in 8 older adults with a history of cancer experienced depression for the first time during the early stages of the pandemic. Those with functional limitations, family conflict, and women were particularly vulnerable to depression.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCancer Management and Research·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2023