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Science News Archive September 2023 - Page 35


Page 35 of 37

Scientists decipher the fingertip’s ‘memory’

Researchers investigated how previous forces affect tactile neuron responses in the fingertip, revealing a viscoelastic memory that influences brain signals. This discovery may aid in navigating daily manual tasks by providing accurate motor commands.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateSep 5, 2023

Why are male kidneys more vulnerable to disease than female kidneys? USC Stem Cell-led mouse study points to testosterone

A USC Stem Cell-led mouse study reveals that lowering testosterone can improve the resilience of male kidneys by reducing their vulnerability to disease. The researchers also found that three months of calorie restriction has a similar effect, suggesting new potential treatments for kidney diseases.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2023

Bit by bit, microplastics from tyres are polluting our waterways

A Griffith-led study found urban stormwater particles from tyre wear are the most prevalent microplastic, with up to 59 particles per litre of water. Researchers developed strategies to capture and remove these contaminants, including a bag made of 0.2 millimetre mesh that reduced microplastics in treated water by up to 88%.

SourceGriffith University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2023

Low loss Mie scatterer enhanced Q and chirality control in silicon microring

Researchers developed lithographically defined asymmetric and symmetric Mie-scatterers for subwavelength control of wave transmission and reflections. The device platform enables pre-defined chiral light propagation and backscattering-free resonances, needed for various applications such as frequency combs and photon blockade.

September Issues of American Psychiatric Association journals cover new solutions addressing structural racism, childhood trauma, suicidal behaviors, and more

The latest issues of American Psychiatric Association journals focus on postpartum depression, structural racism, and suicidal behaviors. The September issue highlights new solutions to address these topics, including Power Redistribution and Upending White Supremacy in Community Mental Health.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateSep 5, 2023

JNM publishes consensus statement on patient selection and appropriate use of Lu-177 PSMA-617 radionuclide therapy

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has issued a new consensus statement to standardize the selection and management of patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with Lu-177 PSMA radionuclide therapy. The statement recommends performing PSMA PET within three months of treatment or sin...

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateSep 5, 2023

Can an artificial nose detect food spoilage?

A new artificial olfactory system, integrated on a single chip, detects food spoilage by identifying low levels of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia gases. The system tracks freshness scores in real-time during the spoilage process.

SourceWiley·JournalAdvanced Science·DateSep 5, 2023

UMass Amherst researcher shines light on effectiveness of school sunscreen legislation

New research by UMass Amherst economist Brandyn Churchill links state-level 'SUNucate' laws to increased interest in sun protection, with a notable increase in sunscreen use among high school students. The legislation is associated with higher Google search volumes and awareness among historically low-users.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalHealth Behavior and Policy Review·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2023

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department use in British Columbia

A new study assesses COVID-19's impact on ED visits in BC, revealing a 42% reduction in respiratory issues and 35% drop in mental health concerns during the pandemic. Visits returned to pre-pandemic levels in May 2021, with some areas experiencing higher volumes due to heat-related overdoses.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 5, 2023

Study of “revolving door” in Washington shows one-third of HHS appointees leave for industry jobs

A new study by USC Schaeffer Center and Harvard University found that almost one-third of HHS appointees transition to private industry jobs, raising questions about potential biases in government decision-making. The study focused on career histories of 766 HHS employees between 2004 and 2020.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 5, 2023

Scientists synthesize new organometallic “sandwich” compound capable of holding more electrons

Scientists at OIST have synthesized a new metallocene compound capable of holding up to 21 electrons, surpassing the traditional 18-electron limit. This breakthrough has significant potential for applications in medicine, catalysis, and energy, and could lead to novel materials with improved stability and performance.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2023

Measuring children’s looking behavior yields new tool to help diagnose autism earlier, research shows

Researchers have developed a new tool that measures children's looking behavior to predict expert clinical diagnosis of autism in children between 16-30 months. The tool provides objective measurements of social disability, verbal ability, and non-verbal learning skills.

SourceChildren's Healthcare of Atlanta·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 5, 2023

Electrifying heavy-duty vehicles could reduce environmental inequalities

A new Northwestern University-led study finds that electrifying 30% of heavy-duty vehicles in the lower Great Lakes region, including Chicago, would significantly reduce pollution and save hundreds of lives annually. The benefits are largely concentrated in disadvantaged communities, where residents face disproportionate health burdens.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 5, 2023

Study reveals disparities within NHS leadership

A recent study from Staffordshire University found that AHPs are underrepresented in strategic leadership positions within the NHS, with only 14% of Chief AHP roles having a presence on executive boards. The report highlights a need for standardised titles and mandated representation to harness the untapped potential of this workforce.

SourceStaffordshire University·JournalBMJ Leader·TypeSurvey·DateSep 5, 2023

Aging alters pancreatic circadian rhythm

Researchers discovered that aging alters the pancreas's circadian rhythm by reorganizing its transcriptome. The study found that fibroblasts play a crucial role in regulating this reorganization, which affects the organ's resilience to aging-related pathologies.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2023

Study examines role of religion in substance use services, finds it's often located in racially diverse communities

A study by University of Kansas and Georgetown University found that facilities with more religious orientation offered a wider range of services and were located in racially diverse communities. This can help service providers make better referrals and provide a roadmap for other communities to better understand their substance use se...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work Social Thought·TypeSurvey·DateSep 5, 2023

A solid battery electrolyte with high performance

A new solid-state electrolyte has been designed with a three-dimensional mesh structure, achieving high ionic conductivity and fast lithium ion migration numbers. This material could be a good choice for next-generation all-solid-state lithium-based batteries with high energy density.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 5, 2023

The limestone spheroids of ‘Ubeidiya: Intentional imposition of symmetric geometry by early hominins?

A team of archaeologists has found evidence of intentionally crafted limestone spheroids at the Ubeidiya site, dating back 1.4 million years. The discovery challenges existing beliefs about early hominin capabilities and technological achievements, suggesting a desire for symmetrical shapes in stone.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2023

Assessing the massive costs of biological invasions to the world

A new study published in BioScience documents the progress of the InvaCost endeavour, which has compiled data on the economic cost of biological invasions. The database now includes over 13,553 entries and provides a clear picture of the major threats posed by invasive species to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBioScience·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 4, 2023

Brain cells living on the edge

A paper published in Nature Communications shows that when neurons are given task-related sensory input, they change how they behave and support the critical brain hypothesis theory. The researchers used DishBrain, a collection of 800,000 human neural cells, to demonstrate near-critical network behavior emerges when the neural network ...

SourceCortical Labs·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2023

Measurement of skeletal muscle mass using the bioelectrical impedance technic in athletes

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba evaluated bioelectrical impedance for estimating skeletal muscle mass in athletes, finding a strong correlation between skeletal muscle mass and impedance indices. This method also effectively estimates intracellular water levels, making it a promising tool for accurate body composition assess...

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateSep 4, 2023

The art of wandering in vertebrates: new mapping of neurons involved in locomotion

Researchers have identified a conserved brain region in vertebrates essential for initiating forward movement. The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) stimulates reticulospinal neurons to control finer details of movement. Mapping this circuit could lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease.

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2023