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Science News Archive 2024 - Page 198


Page 198 of 484

St. Jude identifies SARS-CoV-2 “mimic” contributing to pediatric inflammatory syndrome

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found a link between a SARS-CoV-2 protein and the onset of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). A region of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein shares high sequence and immunogenic similarities to human protein SNX8, sparking an inflammatory response.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2024

Demystifying APE1: New findings on direct activation of ATM signaling by DNA single-strand breaks

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the function of APE1 in DNA damage response, showing that it promotes SSB-induced ATM DDR through two mechanisms. The study provides direct evidence for APE1's active role in activating ATM kinase to promote the repair of single-strand DNA damage.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2024

Breakthrough study reveals molecular subtypes of Down syndrome, offering insights for personalized medicine approaches

Researchers have identified distinct molecular and immune subtypes across individuals with Down syndrome, providing new insights for personalized medicine approaches. The study's findings could lead to tailored diagnostics and therapeutic approaches, addressing the unique manifestations of co-occurring conditions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 7, 2024

Pixels to pasture: how AI can help farmers predict their pasture

Researchers developed a machine learning-based system to analyze satellite data and provide farmers with information on pasture productivity and quality. The approach uses remote sensing and AI-driven processing to gather data on large areas, providing a scale-neutral solution for small- and large-scale farms.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalRemote Sensing Applications Society and Environment·DateAug 7, 2024

Wake Forest University School of Medicine receives $3.2 million grant to study financial hardship intervention in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will test a multilevel intervention, FinFit, to address financial hardship among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. The five-year trial aims to reduce financial burden by targeting education, insurance, and financial asset levels.

World’s highest-performance superconducting wire segment fabricated at UB

Researchers at the University of Buffalo have successfully fabricated the world's highest-performing high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wire segment, achieving critical current density and pinning force values previously unseen. The breakthrough could significantly improve the price-performance metric for commercial coated conducto...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2024

Work emails, calls on golf course worsen performance, study finds

Researchers from Stellenbosch University discovered that using work-related content during golf sessions reduces performance, whereas personal activities have little to no effect. The study suggests a clear distinction between leisure and professional use of smartphones in recreational settings.

SourceStellenbosch University·JournalInternational Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 6, 2024

Increased ventilation not effective in reducing influenza virus spread in play-based model, Emory study finds

A new study by Emory University researchers found that increased ventilation in childcare settings may not be effective in preventing flu virus spread. The team used a play-based model using ferrets to study the spread of flu viruses in a setting that closely mimics a childcare venue.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2024

Youth mental health-related emergency room trips declined significantly after Illinois ended COVID-19 lockdown

In Illinois, youth emergency room visits for depression and anxiety decreased significantly after the COVID-19 shutdown and plateaued at lower rates. Social media use is believed to be a contributing factor, with increased smartphone usage leading to reduced social interaction and sleep disturbances.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe American Journal of Emergency Medicine·DateAug 6, 2024

Ketogenic Diet reduces friendly gut bacteria and raises cholesterol levels - University of Bath study

A new study published in Cell Reports Medicine found that a ketogenic diet can reduce beneficial gut bacteria and increase unfavorable fats in the blood. The diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, may have long-term health implications such as increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 6, 2024

Competition over millions of years preserves genetic diversity

Researchers have found that the coevolution between water fleas and a parasitic bacterium has been ongoing for at least 15 million years, preserving genetic diversity. This process, known as balancing selection, ensures that multiple genetic variants for surface molecules are always preserved in the water flea without one ever prevailing.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 6, 2024

ALS diagnosis and survival linked to metals in blood, urine

A University of Michigan-led study found that higher levels of metals in blood and urine are associated with a greater risk for ALS and shorter survival. Occupational exposure to metals was also linked to increased metal levels, emphasizing the need for accounting for environmental factors when evaluating overall exposure risk.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 6, 2024

No room for nuance in polarized political climate: SFU study

A recent study from Simon Fraser University's Beedie School of Business found that people who express ambivalence about political topics are disliked by those who disagree and those who agree but feel their position isn't strong enough. The study exposes a mismatch between expectation and social reality, suggesting that nuanced positio...

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateAug 6, 2024

We can be heroes – Research reveals how ordinary people can become ‘situational heroes’

Research from the University of Birmingham found that British society has shifted towards 'situational heroism', where heroic actions and situational awareness are valued over traditional heroic figures. Ordinary people like Darryn Frost and Steve Gallant, who confronted a terrorist attacker, exemplify this new mode of heroism.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalCritical Studies on Security·DateAug 6, 2024

Study finds refined corn flour with added corn bran can lower cholesterol

A randomized crossover clinical trial reveals that swapping refined corn flour for a blend of refined corn flour and corn bran lowers LDL cholesterol concentrations by 5-13.3%. The study found significant reductions in LDL cholesterol among 70% of participants who consumed the blend, while whole-grain corn meal had no impact.

SourceWild Hive·JournalJournal of Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 6, 2024

Eating more fruits & vegetables to reduce dietary acid lowers blood pressure and improves kidney and heart health in patients with hypertension

A five-year randomized control trial found that diets high in fruits and vegetables lower blood pressure, reduce cardiovascular risk, and improve kidney health. The study also suggests that incorporating fruits and vegetables into treatment plans can be more effective than traditional medication approaches.

SourceElsevier·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2024

Live longer, die healthier

Researchers discovered a monthly treatment that extended the lives of mice by 9%, allowing them to live healthier for longer periods. The treated mice retained their physical function and overall frailty until the end of their lives, unlike controls, which showed significant declines in health.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2024

Future enterovirus outbreaks could be exacerbated by climate change

Researchers at Brown University found that temperature increases enterovirus transmission, with a similar effect seen in polio historically and more recent enteroviruses causing hand, foot and mouth disease. Climate change may lead to increased intensity of outbreaks, particularly in regions with larger seasonal temperature ranges.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 6, 2024

Novel machine learning-based cluster analysis method that leverages target material property

Researchers developed a novel clustering technique that considers both basic characteristics and target material properties, enabling the categorization of over 1,000 oxides into material groups. This approach uses machine learning to predict target properties and incorporates basic feature information into the analysis.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2024

Nudges fail to motivate vaccination

A recent study found that behavioral nudges in social media ads had limited ability to encourage COVID-19 vaccination across countries. Nudge ads with messages appealing to norms and family/ community protection performed better than placebo ads, but only in certain contexts.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateAug 6, 2024

Social and structural factors are key drivers of disparities in obesity rates

Research reveals that social determinants such as access to healthy food, health insurance, and physical activity spaces are key drivers of obesity disparities. Successful interventions like community-based programs can reduce disparities, but more work is needed to expand these initiatives at local, state, and national levels.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalCurrent Obesity Reports·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 6, 2024

Vertically stacked skin-like active-matrix display with ultrahigh aperture ratio

Researchers develop a general strategy for fabricating vertically stacked skin-like active-matrix displays, eliminating obstacles in existing parallel structures. This approach enables the creation of high-quality AMOLEDs with ultrahigh aperture ratios and improved resolution.

Sport or snack? How our brain decides

Studies in mice reveal that orexin plays a key role in deciding between physical activity and consuming food, particularly when both options are available. By understanding this process, scientists aim to develop strategies to overcome exercise barriers and address the global obesity epidemic.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2024

Study revisits Texas seismic activity occurring before 2017, confirming connection to wastewater injection

A new study by SMU seismologists confirms that earthquakes in the Permian Basin occurring before 2017 were causally linked to underground wastewater injection. The study uses advanced earthquake location methods to reveal a spatial and temporal correlation with shallow injection activities since 2009.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalThe Seismic Record·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 6, 2024

Machine learning and better radar solve the ‘cloud cover’ problem

A new approach incorporating machine learning and a novel radar technique has solved the 'cloud cover' problem in remote sensing, improving land surface temperature tracking accuracy. This is achieved by combining better elevation models with multiple radar echoes from SAR images to reconstruct optical data.

SourceJournal of Remote Sensing·JournalJournal of Remote Sensing·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 6, 2024

Controlling lipid levels with less side effects possible with new drug

Scientists have developed a new compound, ZTA-261, which selectively binds to the thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRβ) to treat lipid disorders. Mice administered the drug showed decreased lipid levels in the liver and blood with fewer side effects compared to existing compounds.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2024