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Science News Archive September 2023 - Page 7


Page 7 of 37

Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer

Engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes using genetic engineering could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer. This approach involves bi-directional signaling to release fixed nitrogen, promoting efficient communication between engineered plants and microbes.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Microbiology·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 26, 2023

New research: Acute kidney damage spreads over time

A new study from Aarhus University found that acute kidney injury causes significant cell death in kidneys, which then spreads to healthy tissue over several days. This finding may increase the risk of patients developing chronic kidney damage and highlights the need for timely intervention measures.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 26, 2023

Patients who quit smoking after percutaneous coronary intervention do as well as non-smokers – unless they had smoked heavily

A large study of 74,471 patients found that those who quit smoking after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have comparable rates of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths to non-smokers. However, heavy smokers showed no improvement in cardiovascular outcomes.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 26, 2023

Why faces feel “tight” after being washed

The study reveals that applying cleansers or moisturizers to the skin can alter its state, activating mechanoreceptors and feeding information to the central nervous system. Strong correlations were found between physical stress on the stratum corneum and subjective reports of 'tightness' in surveys of thousands of participants.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 26, 2023

Design ultra-high temperature high-entropy alloys (HEA) by forming nitride phases: NbMoTaWHfN HEA shows compressive yield strengths of 288 MPa at 1800 °C

A new refractory high-entropy alloy (RHEA) has been designed with nitride phases, exhibiting exceptional compressive yield strengths up to 288 MPa at temperatures between 1000 and 1800 °C. This record-breaking strength surpasses that of most known alloys, including superalloys and refractory metals.

SourceEngineering·JournalEngineering·DateSep 26, 2023

The ethics of accepting tainted donations

A study surveyed over 4,500 laypeople and 700 professional fundraisers about acceptance of tainted donations. Respondents generally agreed that institutions should reject donations from criminals but accept those from morally ambiguous individuals.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 26, 2023

Why endangered wildlife needs AML law coverage and banks need to share IWT intelligence

The illegal wildlife trade is a significant financial portfolio that creates state-level security and development risks. Implementing AML laws and sharing intelligence with banks can boost IWT law enforcement. Countries like Singapore, UK, and Australia are making progress in combating money laundering and IWT.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalJournal of Money Laundering Control·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 26, 2023

Successful optical biosensing using dual optical combs: High sensitivity and rapid detection of biomolecules with promising prospects

Dual optical comb technology enables high-sensitivity and rapid biomolecule detection, leveraging the connection between optical and electrical frequency signals. The approach combines the strengths of optical and electrical frequency measurement methods, offering enhanced precision and convenience in biosensing applications.

SourceInstitute of Post-LED Photonics, Tokushima University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2023

Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, according to new CSU research

Earthworms play a significant role in global food production, contributing approximately 6.5% of grain yield and 2.3% of legumes produced worldwide annually. The research highlights the importance of soil biodiversity and its impact on crop productivity, suggesting that earthworms can increase plant growth by up to 25%.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 26, 2023

Gluten-free African grain teff shows antioxidant activity in human cells

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro found that teff increases levels of glutathione, an antioxidant molecule, and gene expression related to glutathione pathways. The study used human leukemia monocytic cells and compared ivory and brown varieties of tef, with brown teff producing higher glutathione levels.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro·JournalAntioxidants·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2023

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai awarded $10.2 million NIH grant to explore the early signs of arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse

Researchers will investigate risk factors for malignant arrhythmias in mitral valve prolapse, aiming to develop novel indicators and improve patient outcomes. The study will use imaging technology and combine it with other markers to predict the development of arrhythmias over a five-year period.

Research reveals why our skin feels ‘tight’

Studies show that shrinking and swelling of skin layers cause mechanoreceptors to fire off signals to the brain, leading to a feeling of skin tightness. The researchers developed a predictive model that accurately predicted human subjects' reported feelings, opening up new possibilities for improving cosmetics formulations.

SourceStanford University·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 26, 2023

Elevated temperatures and climate change may contribute to rising drug and alcohol disorders

Researchers found a significant association between high temperatures and increased hospital visits for alcohol-related disorders. Higher temperatures also led to more hospital visits for other substance disorders, but only up to a certain limit. The study highlights the need for public health interventions during warmer weather.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 26, 2023

Suicide risks of health care workers in the US

A study of 1.84 million US adults from 2008 to 2019 found registered nurses and healthcare support workers were more likely to attempt or die by suicide than non-healthcare workers. The findings highlight the need for improved mental health protections for these workers.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateSep 26, 2023

Unleashing the power of AI to track animal behavior

GlowTrack, a non-invasive movement tracking method using fluorescent dye markers, improves the capture of diverse movements in laboratories. This technique enables easier comparison of movement data between studies, increasing scientific discovery and advancing fields like biology, robotics, and medicine.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2023

New simulations shed light on origins of Saturn’s rings and icy moons

Researchers used supercomputer simulations to model possible collisions between precursor icy moons and discovered that an impact could scatter the right amount of ice into Saturn's Roche limit, forming its iconic rings. The study suggests a massive collision occurred around 200 million years ago, creating the remarkably young and almo...

SourceDurham University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 26, 2023

One-hour training is all you need to control a third robotic arm

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London and their colleagues have found that supernumerary robotic arms can be used as effectively as a partner, enabling tasks like opening doors while carrying packages. The study suggests these arms could aid people with various tasks, such as surgery or industrial work.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalIEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology·DateSep 26, 2023

"Radar" detects active cellular destroyers

A team of scientists has developed a method to detect active Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs), which are responsible for destroying unwanted proteins in cells. The new technology, called a molecular radar, reveals which CRLs are deployed to address cellular stresses and perform the actions of some anti-cancer drugs.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2023