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Science News Archive 2024 - Page 223


Page 223 of 484

New NIPT-based method reveals 33 pathogenic CNVs in the DMD gene

Researchers developed a new NIPT-based method that reveals 33 pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene. This study provides valuable insights into the frequency and spectrum of maternal CNV carriers in the Chinese population.

SourceBGI Genomics·JournalClinical and Translational Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 17, 2024

Paleolithic diets are not without risks

A recent UNIGE study highlights the risks of high-protein diets, also known as Paleolithic diets, which can lead to severe neurological disorders. Excess protein increases ammonium production, overwhelming the liver and potentially causing coma in severe cases.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeNews article·DateJul 17, 2024

7 in 10 surveyed US adults believe humor can be an effective parenting tool, with those whose parents used humor being more likely to say their parents had done a good job and to report high-quality relationships with them

A survey of 7 in 10 US adults found that humor can be an effective parenting tool, with individuals whose parents used humor more likely to report positive relationships. Those who grew up in households using humor reported better parental bonding and stronger family ties.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 17, 2024

New study shows how organic molecules impact gold nanoparticles

A new study by Prof. Daniel Mandler and his team found that organic molecules can significantly influence the electrical properties of gold nanoparticles, up to 71 mV. The research highlights the importance of capping agents in controlling nanoparticle behavior and provides insights for customizing their interactions.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

Cuttlefish can form false memories, too

Researchers found that cuttlefish can create false memories by mentally reconstructing events from different features, but not scents. This suggests an efficient memory strategy where smaller building blocks are stored and reconstructed, reducing memory costs.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

Advanced deep learning and UAV imagery boost precision agriculture for future food security

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining AI and UAV imagery for precision agriculture, showcasing AlexNet's superior performance in crop classification. The research highlights the importance of early stopping techniques to prevent overfitting, suggesting further optimization for broader applications.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalTechnology in Agronomy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

WIYN 3.5-meter telescope at Kitt Peak discovers extremely strange orbit of rare exoplanet

A team of astronomers has discovered an exoplanet with an elongated and backwards orbit, which holds clues to the formation history and future trajectories of high-mass gas giants. The exoplanet, named TIC 241249530 b, is approximately five times more massive than Jupiter and orbits its host star in a highly eccentric path.

How our brains learn new athletic skills fast

A new study from University of Florida researchers found that quick learners rely on the visual cortex in their brains when acquiring new motor skills. The study used brain-monitoring electrodes to analyze how people learn to walk at different speeds, revealing a clear difference between fast and slow learners.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournaleNeuro·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

A study led by the Universitat Politècnica de València detects the largest methane leak ever recorded in an oil well

An international team of scientists led by Dr Luis Guanter has documented the largest methane leak ever recorded in an oil well. The study reveals that this massive emission outperformed previous events such as Aliso Canyon, Ohio and Louisiana, releasing approximately 131 tonnes of methane into the atmosphere.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJul 17, 2024

Designing safer opioids

Researchers have identified a strategy to design safer opioids that suppress pain with fewer side effects. An experimental opioid, RO76, was found to produce a signal within cells that differs from those initiated by classic opioids, leading to reduced breathing rates and withdrawal symptoms.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateJul 17, 2024

Stress-related cell damage linked to negative mental and physical health effects among caregivers

Researchers at Rice University found that chronic stress impacts cellular health, leading to decreased energy levels and increased inflammation, which can result in dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other health problems. Caregivers with less leftover cellular energy experience fewer positive emotions and have lower physical functioning.

SourceRice University·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

Research tracks 66 million years of mammalian diversity

A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln examines fossil records going back 66 million years, tracking changes in mammalian ecosystems and species diversity. The research reveals that following the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, mammalian communities experienced a surge in functional diversity for 10 million years.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 17, 2024

Risk of long COVID declined over course of pandemic

The risk of developing long COVID has decreased significantly over time, primarily attributed to vaccination against COVID-19. Despite this decline, the researchers found that vaccinated individuals still face a substantial risk of long COVID, with an estimated 3.5% rate in some groups.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 17, 2024

What fat cats on a diet may tell us about obesity in humans

Researchers analyzed fecal samples from fat cats undergoing different dietary changes and found striking similarities to human studies, particularly in the presence of short-chain fatty acids. The study suggests that feline gut microbiome shifts may correlate with metabolic outcomes and provide valuable insights for obesity treatment.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 17, 2024

Heritable chronic cholestatic liver diseases

These disorders, including CHF, CD, CS, ALGS, and BA, result from genetic mutations affecting bile formation and transport. Management focuses on symptom control, prevention of complications, and definitive treatment with liver transplantation when indicated.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateJul 17, 2024

New technology to control the brain using magnetic fields developed

Researchers have developed Nano-MIND technology, which uses magnetism to selectively activate specific deep brain neural circuits, modulating complex brain functions such as cognition and emotion. The technology has been successfully tested in animals, demonstrating its potential to regulate feeding behaviors and maternal instincts.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

When the brain speaks, the heart feels it

Activation of the brain's reward system may improve recovery from a heart attack by reducing infarct scarring and improving clinical outcomes. The study found that stimulation of the reward system resulted in favorable modulation of the immune response within the damaged myocardium, leading to an improvement in cardiac performance.

SourceTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

Researchers identify brain circuits tied to the behavior of schooling fish

Studies in glassfish reveal that vision plays a crucial role in coordinated schooling behavior, with maturity also essential for developing this ability. Researchers discovered that older fish can distinguish between movement patterns of their social partners, allowing them to align their bodies and swim together effectively.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

Researchers propose an improvement in the identification of human remains using craniofacial superimposition

A new system for evaluating evidence in craniofacial superimposition uses likelihood ratios to provide quantitative support for forensic experts. The proposed method excels in calibration and discriminating power, offering a tool for integrating and evaluating evidence objectively.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalInformation Fusion·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 17, 2024

The eyes have it: Visual inspection experience essential for airport security screening

Researchers studied airport security screeners' performance using eye-tracking technology, finding that less experienced screeners rely on slower and weaker strategies. The study suggests that training is essential for critical safety tasks like x-ray screening, and that expertise can be developed in six months of on-the-job experience.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalApplied Ergonomics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 17, 2024

Gender inequality across US states revealed by new tool

A new tool has been developed to compare gender inequality among different US states, revealing substantial gender disparities across the country. States with higher gender inequality scores tend to have lower measures of women's wellbeing and fewer tweets about the #MeToo movement.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 17, 2024

A hydrogel implant to treat endometriosis

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a hydrogel implant to treat endometriosis by preventing retrograde menstruation and acting as a barrier to sperm. The implant can be easily destroyed and is compatible with native tissue, offering a promising non-surgical solution for women suffering from the condition.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 17, 2024