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Science News Archive April 2024 - Page 19


Page 19 of 41

Interspecies competition led to even more forms of ancient human – defying evolutionary trends in vertebrates

A new study reveals that competition between species played a major role in the rise and fall of hominins. The research found that the Homo lineage experienced an unprecedented number of new species emerging, contradicting traditional views on evolutionary patterns. Technology, such as stone tools and fire, may have driven this process.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 17, 2024

38 trillion dollars in damages each year: World economy already committed to income reduction of 19 % due to climate change

The study projects significant economic losses globally, particularly in the tropics, with countries least responsible for climate change facing 60% greater income loss. A transition to renewable energy is crucial to mitigate catastrophic consequences and stabilize the planet's temperature.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2024

New study uncovers why boys born to mothers with HIV are at greater risk of health problems and death in infancy

Researchers found that children born to mothers with HIV infection have an increased risk of immune abnormalities, impaired growth, and development. Infants exposed to HIV had a 41% higher mortality rate than those not exposed, with systemic inflammation being strongly associated with infant mortality.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateApr 17, 2024

Advanced nuclear magnetic resonance technique developed to reveal precise structural and dynamical details in zeolites

Researchers have developed a novel technique to analyze zeolites using 17O solid-state NMR. They improved the spectral resolution by addressing an often-neglected interaction and gained valuable information on zeolite structures. The technique revealed atomic-scale local environments of catalytically important moieties.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 17, 2024

Examining sex differences in autism heritability

A study of over 1 million Swedish children reveals that genetic differences contribute to phenotypic variation in autism spectrum disorder, differing significantly between males and females. The findings suggest underlying causes of autism may differ between the sexes, partly explaining the skewed sex ratio in the condition.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 17, 2024

Older adults with diabetes experienced functional decline during the COVID-19 pandemic

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes found that approximately 1 in 5 older Canadian adults with diabetes developed functional limitations for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with lower incomes faced a significantly higher risk of developing functional limitations compared to their peers.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCanadian Journal of Diabetes·TypeObservational study·DateApr 17, 2024

An international sample of adolescents shows almost 17% experience weight-related bullying online, especially for social media users—with almost 70 percent of Twitter users reporting being bullied

A study found that almost 17% of adolescents experience weight-related bullying online, with the highest rates reported by Twitter users. The survey also revealed a strong association between screen time, social media use, and weight-related bullying, with a 13% increase in bullying for every additional hour of screen time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateApr 17, 2024

USC study links lack of diversity in Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials to differences in amyloid levels

Researchers found that individuals from certain racial and ethnic groups are less likely to be eligible for Alzheimer's disease clinical trials due to lower amyloid levels at early stages of the disease. Amyloid buildup in the brain varies across different populations, contributing to underrepresentation in clinical trials.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 17, 2024

Study finds ChatGPT shows promise as medication management tool, could help improve geriatric health care

A new study found that ChatGPT can consistently recommend deprescribing medications in patients without a history of cardiovascular disease. However, the AI model was more cautious when considering patients with cardiovascular disease and varied its responses depending on the chat session.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Medical Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2024

Highly efficient and stable NIR phosphor for night vision and bio-imaging

A new NIR phosphor with broadband emission, high luminous efficiency, and thermal stability has been developed for multi-functional applications. The phosphor is composed of Cr³⁺ activated in Y₂Mg₂Al₂Si₂O₁₂ host materials, showing potential for night visualization, bio-imaging, and non-intrusive detection.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalAdvanced Powder Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2024

New SPECT/CT technique shows impressive biomarker identification, offers increased access for prostate cancer patients

A novel SPECT/CT acquisition method utilizing lead-212 (212Pb) can accurately detect radiopharmaceutical biodistribution in a convenient manner. This technique has the potential to change practice and increase access for patients around the world by providing more precise treatment options.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateApr 17, 2024

NC State researchers use machine learning to create a fabric-based touch sensor

Researchers at NC State University developed a fabric-based touch sensor that can control electronic devices through touch, utilizing machine learning algorithms to improve accuracy. The device, integrated into clothing, activates and controls functions like mobile apps, passwords, and video games with gestures on the sensor.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalDevice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 17, 2024

Making crops colorful for easier weeding

Researchers suggest altering crop genomes to express pigments like anthocyanins and carotenoids, making them visually distinct from weeds. This approach could enable accurate discrimination using weeding robots trained with machine learning.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Plant Science·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 17, 2024

From defects to order: Spontaneously emerging crystal arrangements in perovskite halides

A new defect-ordered layered halide perovskite was discovered, shedding light on how order can emerge through defects in hybrid organic–inorganic compounds. The compound's optical bandgap increased with the concentration of ordered defects in the lattice, presenting a new strategy for tuning perovskite properties.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACS Materials Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2024

Researchers develop energy-efficient computer by combining CMOS with stochastic nanomagnet

Researchers have created a probabilistic computer prototype that combines CMOS with stochastic nanomagnets, achieving superior computational performance and energy-efficiency. The new technology reduces area and energy consumption by four and three orders of magnitude compared to current CMOS circuits.

Protecting brain cells with cannabinol

Scientists at Salk Institute explore the clinical potential of cannabinol (CBN) in treating traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. They identify four CBN analogs with improved neuroprotective ability and drug-like efficacy.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalRedox Biology·DateApr 17, 2024

Shorten the blanking period after atrial fibrillation ablation, experts say

Research published in Heart Rhythm suggests that the three-month blanking period after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation may not be necessary, as early AF recurrence is a predictor of late recurrence. The authors propose shortening the blanking period to one month, citing studies that show higher risks of long-term recurrence for patie...

SourceElsevier·JournalHeart Rhythm·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 17, 2024