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Science News Archive 2024 - Page 429


Page 429 of 484

Why we hate to wait

A study by Annabelle Roberts explores the internal negotiations that occur when people feel impatient, including the desire for closure. The research finds that people become more impatient as their wait nears an end and offers lessons for marketers to make waiting less annoying.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2024

Asexual propagation of crop plants gets closer

Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a signal that activates the female gamete in thale cress, a model plant species. This breakthrough could lead to the development of apomixis, a form of asexual reproduction that would allow crop plants to be propagated more easily and efficiently.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024

Health and zombie cells in aging

Researchers at Mayo Clinic shed light on the biology of zombie cells and their link to aging-related health issues. A study found that specific senescent biomarkers can predict mortality beyond chronological age and chronic disease presence.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalAging Cell·DateFeb 15, 2024

Helping caregivers help people with dementia eat at home

A new study suggests that caregivers can establish a safe and workable mealtime routine for people with dementia living at home by reducing distractions, clearing away clutter, and leveraging community-based nutrition programs. The strategies aim to address the complex factors surrounding mealtime in the home, including cognitive impai...

SourceOhio State University·JournalThe Gerontologist·DateFeb 15, 2024

Predicting optical fibers failures

A study demonstrates the potential of transceiver-based sensing for actively monitoring and improving the stability of fiber networks. Researchers used a coherent transceiver prototype to detect polarization changes that preceded a cable break in a live network, showing promise for real-time monitoring and proactive network management.

SourceOptica·DateFeb 15, 2024

Burnout: identifying people at risk

A new study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology has developed a tool to identify individuals at high risk of burnout. The Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) measures four main groups of risk factors, including exhaustion, mental distancing, cognitive impairment, and emotional impairment.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalScandinavian Journal of Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2024

New nuclei can help shape our understanding of fundamental science on Earth and in the cosmos

A team of researchers has successfully created five new isotopes at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, bringing the stars closer to Earth. These isotopes, known as thulium-182, thulium-183, ytterbium-186, ytterbium-187 and lutetium-190, represent a significant milestone in nuclear science and offer new opportunities for experimentation.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024

Diverse ancient volcanoes on Mars discovered by HKU planetary scientist may hold clues to pre-plate tectonic activity on Earth

A recent study by Professor Joseph Michalski and his team has revealed a vast number of diverse volcanoes in Mars' ancient crust, including lava domes, stratovolcanoes, calderas, and large shields of ash. These findings suggest that intense volcanism occurred on ancient Mars, causing the crust to collapse into the mantle.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2024

Using written records – and tweets – as a roadmap for plant disease spread

A study using historic and modern writing reveals more information about the effects and spread of Phytophthora infestans, a plant pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine. Researchers tracked the disease's spread across the US and Canada, finding it affected multiple states and provinces between 1843-45.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2024

Increased access to opioids, shrinking economic safety net boost U.S. suicide rates

A new University of Colorado Boulder study suggests that increased access to potentially lethal prescription opioids has made it easier for women to end their lives. The study also found that a shrinking federal safety net has contributed to rising suicide rates during tough economic times, particularly among all adults.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2024

Neolithic groups from the south of the Iberian Peninsula first settled permanently in San Fernando (Cadiz) 6,200 years ago

The first Neolithic farmers and shepherds in Andalusia settled permanently on the island of San Fernando, Cadiz, 6,200 years ago. They collected and consumed shellfish throughout the year, with a greater exploitation during the colder months of autumn, winter, and early spring.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024

New peer-reviewed EWG study finds little-known toxic crop chemical in four out of five people tested

A new EWG study has found chlormequat, a little-known pesticide, in 77% of urine samples from people tested between 2017 and 2023. The chemical is linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animal studies, suggesting potential harm to humans. EWG calls for increased research and regulation on chlormequat.

SourceEnvironmental Working Group·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2024

An important molecular pathway for control of aging is discovered

Researchers found that dysregulation of RNA transfer between cells in different tissues shortens lifespan in roundworms. They demonstrated that this phenomenon, termed Intercellular/Extracellular Systemic RNA imbalance (InExS), can be caused by an increase in RNA uptake from the environment, leading to a reduction in organism's lifespan.

New treatment for a rare and aggressive cancer improves survival rates in breakthrough clinical trial

A new treatment combining a novel drug with traditional chemotherapy has been shown to increase the survival of patients with malignant mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. The ATOMIC-meso trial found that this treatment quadrupled the survival at 36 months compared to placebo-chemotherapy.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 15, 2024

A new design for quantum computers

Natalia Chepiga's new design for quantum computers allows for more complex simulations and enables the creation of a 'steering wheel' to tune into interesting phenomena. This upgrade will facilitate breakthroughs in understanding nature and revolutionize society, with applications in finance, encryption, and data storage.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 15, 2024

Study finds new inhalable therapy is a big step forward in lung cancer research

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new inhalable therapy that delivers IL-12 mRNA directly to the lungs, demonstrating potential as a tumor suppressor. The therapy uses nanobubbles called exosomes to deliver the mRNA, which kickstarts lung immune cells to fight cancer.

Pusan National University researchers reveal how diabetes weakens gum defense

Researchers from Pusan National University discovered a link between diabetes and periodontitis, showing pro-inflammatory cytokines rise in classical monocytes. The study highlights the systemic impact of these conditions on immune regulation and suggests a potential therapeutic target to reduce diabetes risk.

SourcePusan National University·JournalClinical and Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024

1,000 atomic qubits and rising

Researchers at TU Darmstadt have successfully demonstrated a quantum-processing architecture with over 1,000 individually controllable atomic qubits. This breakthrough enables the development of highly beneficial applications in fields such as drug development and traffic optimization.

Researchers observe highly excited ‘roaming’ energy pathway in chemical reactions

Chemical reactions were long thought to occur along minimum energy paths. However, researchers have now observed 'roaming' reactions that stray from this path even in highly excited energy states. This discovery has significant implications for understanding atmospheric chemistry and the production of molecular oxygen.

Oxygen increased in the tropical ocean during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum

Researchers found that oxygen availability increased in shallow subsurface waters despite global warming during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. This increase was consistent with predictions from ocean circulation models, which suggest a compensation effect may help explain moderate levels of extinction observed during this period.

Methane emissions from wetlands increase significantly over high latitudes

Researchers from Berkeley Lab found significant increases in wetland methane emissions in Arctic and Boreal ecosystems, with emissions rising by approximately nine percent since 2002. Temperature and plant productivity were identified as major drivers of these changes, highlighting the urgent need to quantify natural sources of methane.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 15, 2024

Scientists develop color-changing dyes that light up cellular activity and enable “time travel” within cells

Researchers have created fluorescent, colour-changing dyes that can visualise multiple distinct biological environments using only one dye. These dyes enable 'time travel' within cells by allowing scientists to distinguish between cellular and delivery vessel environments in real-time. The breakthrough has significant implications for ...

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalChem·DateFeb 15, 2024

Studies with more diverse teams of authors get more citations

A recent study by the University of Surrey analyzed articles published in the Journal of Management Studies over the last decade and found that diverse research teams lead to more citations. The study reveals that internationality, interdisciplinarity, and gender diversity among authors all contribute to increased citation rates.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Management Studies·DateFeb 15, 2024

PSEP: an innovative wearable device for fashionable personal thermal comfort

Researchers develop PSEP, a compact and silent wearable thermal control device that offers real-time flow-rate monitoring and self-sensing capability. The device can adjust temperatures by up to 3°C, enhancing personal comfort and features an intuitive smartphone interface for seamless wireless control.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024

Introducing Cresomycin, a synthetic antimicrobial molecule highly effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria

Researchers developed cresomycin, a conformally restricted antibiotic molecule that optimizes for ribosomal binding, inhibiting Gram-negative and positive bacteria, including multi-drug resistant strains. The findings portend favorably for the future discovery of antibacterial agents broadly effective against antimicrobial resistance.

Earthquake fatality measure offers new way to estimate impact on countries

The EQFL measurement calculates earthquake-related fatalities as a ratio to the country's population size, revealing Ecuador, Lebanon, Haiti, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Portugal have experienced the greatest impact. Smaller countries suffer more from earthquake fatalities due to their larger proportion of their population.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2024