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Science News Archive 2024 - Page 450


Page 450 of 484

KAIST research team develops sweat-resistant wearable robot sensor

A KAIST research team has developed a stretchable and adhesive microneedle sensor that can detect physiological signals without being affected by sweat and dead skin. The sensor allows for long-term stable control of wearable robots, enabling precise movement recognition for rehabilitation treatments.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 30, 2024

Researchers craft new way to make high-temperature superconductors – with a twist

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new method to create high-temperature superconductors by twisting materials, enabling the creation of unusual forms of superconductivity in previously unattainable materials. The technique has confirmed predictions made by theoretical calculations and opens doors to further experiments.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

Research indicates nearly six million American women became pregnant from rape, sexual coercion, or both during their lifetimes

Research indicates nearly six million American women experienced unintended pregnancies as a result of rape and/or sexual coercion. The study also found that a significant portion of these women reported injuries, STDs, and felt fearful or concerned for their safety after the incidents.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 30, 2024

Clear legal rules about the use of sperm and eggs in fertility treatment must remain to protect the vulnerable, study says

A new study emphasizes the importance of strict legal rules governing fertility treatment in the UK, warning that recent court cases could create a common law exception to informed consent. The research highlights the need for rigorous consent regimes to protect vulnerable patients from exploitation and misuse of genetic material.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalLegal Studies·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

Prenatal substance exposure and childhood mental health

Research found associations between prenatal substance exposure and neurobehavioral problems in children, but controlling for environment and genetics eliminated many links. Prenatal alcohol exposure was significantly correlated with sleep problems and mental health issues despite compensatory brain responses.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 30, 2024

Gene-based therapy may slow development of life-threatening heart condition

Researchers have found that a gene-based therapy targeting plakophilin-2 can interrupt the progression of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a rare inherited disorder. The treatment reduced episodes of arrhythmia and slowed the deterioration of the heart's walls in mice.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCirculation Genomic and Precision Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

Tech inefficiencies, piles of (electronic) paperwork, and increased patient volume contribute to burnout of primary care physicians, study finds

Researchers investigated primary care clinicians' perspectives on burnout, finding that tech inefficiencies and high documentation contribute to the issue. Strategies to improve clinician well-being include changes at organizational level, such as work-life balance improvements and electronic health record optimizations.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 30, 2024

Fluvo-aquic soil treated with pig manure present a higher risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria than black and red soils

This study found that fluvo-aquic soil treated with CTC-manure had a higher shift in operational taxonomic units and community composition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria compared to black and red soils. The application of manure led to increased microbial resistance, particularly in fluvo-aquic soil.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalSoil Ecology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

Increase in annual cardiorespiratory fitness by 3%+ linked to 35% lower prostate cancer risk

Research found a strong association between annual improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Men with higher levels of fitness were 35% less likely to develop the disease than those with declining fitness. The study suggests encouraging physical activity may help lower prostate cancer risk.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

Citizen scientists contribute to motor learning research

A new study examined data from citizen scientists using a simple web-based motor test, providing unique insights into how people correct for motor control errors. The results show that adaptation peaks between 35 and 45 years of age, with demographic variables such as gender, age, and visual impairment impacting motor adaptation.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

Structural color ink: Printable, non-iridescent and lightweight

Researchers at Kobe University developed a new approach to producing colors using the scattering of light from tiny silicon crystals. The material enables non-fading structural colors that do not depend on the viewing angle and can be printed, promising significant weight improvements over conventional paints.

SourceKobe University·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

Unprecedented success continues: 2023 employment gains for people with disabilities outshine those of counterparts without disabilities

The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities reached a record high of 37.1% in 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic level and that of people without disabilities. This growth is attributed to significant employer trends, including labor shortages and increased wages, as well as accommodations made during the pandemic.

Mutations in the Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase 1 gene SOD1 can cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) in a process that involves dissociation of the SOD1 dimer

A novel cyclic thiosulfinate cross-linker has favorable drug-like properties and can stabilize the SOD1 dimer in vivo, indicating potential therapeutic benefits for fALS. This study uses a mouse model to evaluate protein cross-linking as a strategy to treat SOD1 variants associated with familial ALS.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 30, 2024

COVID-19: How effective was contact tracing?

A study published in EuroSurveillance found that 40% of COVID-19 infected individuals were identified through contact tracing, with socio-economic factors influencing reporting rates. The effectiveness of contact tracing alone was relative, but its psychological impact on the population should not be overlooked.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeNews article·DateJan 30, 2024

Startups spark more innovations in emerging industries than established companies do

New research from Texas McCombs found that startups have an outsized number of future citations, sparking more innovation in emerging industries like photovoltaic cells. Startups' inventions are more likely to be cited by universities and companies due to resource disparities, academic citations, and prior lawsuits.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

Goats can tell if you are happy or angry by your voice alone

Research suggests goats have developed a sensitivity to human vocal cues over their association with humans. The study found that goats tend to gaze longer at the source of an angrier-sounding voice than a happier one. This ability may contribute to better understanding animal behavior, welfare, and emotional experiences.

SourceCommunications and Institutional Research Office, City University of Hong Kong·JournalAnimal Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

Geoengineering may slow Greenland ice sheet loss

Researchers found that injecting aerosols into the stratosphere can reduce ice sheet loss by up to 37.6 mm sea-level rise, slowing global warming's effects. However, geoengineering addresses only symptoms, not root causes, and may delay necessary changes.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Earth Surface·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 30, 2024