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Science News Archive April 2024 - Page 31


Page 31 of 41

Sandia studies subterranean storage of hydrogen

Researchers found that hydrogen can be stored in depleted oil and gas reservoirs without getting stuck, as long as the rock is properly sealed. The study also showed that residual natural gas can be released from the rock into the hydrogen when injected, making it a potentially viable option for seasonal and long-term storage.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 9, 2024

Can large language models replace human participants in some future market research?

A new study published in Marketing Science found that large language models (LLMs) can generate similar outputs to human surveys, with agreement rates between 75%-85%. This means that LLMs can be used to conduct market research for certain product categories, increasing efficiency and potentially reducing costs.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·TypeObservational study·DateApr 9, 2024

Bacteria in cancer unmasked

A study published in Cell reveals a detailed catalogue of bacteria living in cancer metastases, including links to therapy efficacy and tumor cell activity. The research provides new insights into how bacteria interact with cancer cells and their surroundings.

Humans can increase biodiversity

Researchers argue that human interaction with nature is more complex than previously thought, suggesting a positive effect on biodiversity. Studies of past human interactions with ecosystems reveal both negative and positive impacts, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of human influence.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateApr 9, 2024

Growth mindset messages can close grade gap for first-generation students

A Washington State University study found that growth mindset emails improved the grades of first-generation students in an introductory science course by an average of a third of a letter grade. The intervention, which included personalized messages and strategies for improvement, helped bridge the gap with continuing-generation stude...

SourceWashington State University·JournalCBE—Life Sciences Education·DateApr 9, 2024

Do some mysterious bones belong to gigantic ichthyosaurs?

Fossilized bone fragments from Western and Central Europe have been identified as belonging to gigantic ichthyosaurs due to their unique microstructure. The discovery sheds new light on an ongoing debate among paleontologists, suggesting that these massive sea creatures could have reached lengths similar to the modern blue whale.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPeerJ·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2024

People with hypothyroidism and type D personality may be more likely to experience poor treatment outcomes

Researchers discovered that people with hypothyroidism are more likely to have a type D personality, which is characterized by pessimism and negative emotions. Those with both conditions experienced high levels of anxiety, depression, and dissatisfaction with treatment, highlighting the need for further research to improve outcomes.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateApr 9, 2024

Breeding more resilient soybeans may come down to test site selection

A new study from the University of Illinois recommends redistributing soybean testing sites to better represent the growing environment and improve crop resilience. The researchers analyzed long-term climate data and records of soybean trials to develop two new sets of maps that would help breeders strategize test site placement.

A microbial plastic factory for high-quality green plastic

Kobe University researchers develop a bacterial plastic factory that produces highly transparent, biodegradable plastics with improved properties. By blending polylactic acid with ultra-high molecular weight LAHB, they create a material that exhibits all the desired properties.

SourceKobe University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2024

No link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability says large sibling study from Drexel University and Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet

Researchers analyzed data from 2.4 million children born in Sweden to find no evidence linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Sibling comparisons controlled for shared genetic and environmental factors, providing reassurance for expectant parents considering medication use.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateApr 9, 2024

A natural touch for coastal defense

A new study found that hybrid coastal defenses, which combine natural and hard measures, are more cost-effective and provide higher hazard reduction in low-risk areas. In contrast, soft measures such as restoring or rehabilitating natural ecosystems are also beneficial in terms of environmental benefits.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 9, 2024

Cognitive decline may be detected using network analysis, according to Concordia researchers

Concordia researchers use network analysis to study cognitive decline, identifying key variables that predict subtle changes in brain function. Executive function and processing speed are found to be strongly influential, with age affecting cognition differently for those with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCortex·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 9, 2024

High-brightness green InP-based QLEDs enabled by in-situ passivating core surface with zinc myristate

Researchers have developed a method to improve the optoelectronic properties of InP-based QDs, resulting in high-brightness green InP-based QLEDs. The new synthesis strategy uses zinc myristate to protect the core surface from oxidation, leading to improved quantum yields and luminescence performance.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2024

How does China’s Agricultural Green Development promote the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals?

The study found that China's AGD is closely related to 10 of the 17 SDGs, with improvements in agricultural productivity, resource efficiency, and socio-economic benefits. However, challenges remain, including excessive resource inputs and environmental degradation.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2024

Research examines tweets during Hurricane María to analyze social media use during disasters

A study analyzed over 2,000 tweets before and after Hurricane María made landfall, revealing insights into social media use during disasters. The research identified key categories of messages, including information about the disaster, emotional appeals for help, and solidarity efforts among marginalized communities.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Environmental Studies and Sciences·TypeContent analysis·DateApr 9, 2024

Impact of climate change on marine life much bigger than previously known

A new analysis method reveals that climate change affects not only survival, metabolism, and skeleton health but also physiology, reproduction, behavior, and physical development in fish and invertebrates. The study suggests up to 100% of biological processes may be affected, with mitigation efforts potentially reducing impacts.

SourceRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 9, 2024

After being insulted, writing down your feelings on paper then getting rid of it reduces anger

Researchers at Nagoya University discovered that writing down one's reaction to a negative incident on paper and then disposing of it significantly reduces feelings of anger. The study found that participants who threw away the paper experienced a significant decrease in anger levels, while those who kept it saw only a small reduction.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 9, 2024

Researchers at MUSC call for focus on higher stroke risk in women

A new review article highlights the complexities of stroke risk in women, which extends beyond age and includes various modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Women are more sensitive to high blood pressure, and other disorders such as late puberty, early menopause, pregnancy, and hormonal therapy also significantly affect their risk.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 9, 2024

Childhood sedentariness causes excessive insulin, raising the risk of type 2 diabetes

A new study found that increased childhood sedentary time is associated with higher blood insulin concentration and a greater risk of excess insulin and insulin resistance. Light physical activity was shown to reduce the risk of excess insulin by 20%, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity had a smaller effect.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·DateApr 9, 2024

AACR: Trio of studies highlights promising early results with new cancer therapies and targets

Researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center present early-phase clinical data demonstrating the efficacy of a new combination therapy, an antibody-drug conjugate, and molecularly selected patients in treating lymphoma and gastric cancers. The studies show promising initial results with improved response rates and overall survival.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 9, 2024

First-of-its-kind integrated dataset enables genes-to-ecosystems research

A new dataset has been released that combines molecular information about the poplar tree microbiome with ecosystem-level processes. The dataset provides detailed information on 27 genetically distinct variants of Populus trichocarpa, a bioenergy crop, and includes data on gene expression, soil chemistry, and microbial diversity.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScientific Data·TypeObservational study·DateApr 8, 2024

Illinois study identifies atmospheric and economic drivers of global air pollution

A new Illinois study reveals that countries with high production levels emit more air pollutants due to domestic and foreign demand. The researchers found a significant increase in carbon monoxide emissions from China to South Korea, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to address pollution.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalEconomic Systems Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2024

CHLA researchers uncover underlying mechanism driving membranous nephropathy, offering insights into chronic kidney disease in children

A study published in JCI Insight reveals that an unexpected mechanism is responsible for the loss of kidney cells' ability to filter toxins from blood in primary membranous nephropathy. The researchers found that signaling in the C3a/C3aR pathway plays a critical role in disease progression.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalJCI Insight·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2024

Bringing multidrug-resistant pathogens to their knees

Researchers have developed novel antibiotics based on protein building blocks with fluorous lipid chains to fight resistant pathogens. The compounds were shown to be effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in mouse models, killing bacteria without developing resistance.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2024

Pupil contraction indicates hidden cognitive fatigue in prolonged esports play across various skill levels

Researchers found that subjective fatigue did not increase until 2 hours of play, while pupillary constriction occurred at 2 and 3 hours, indicating cognitive fatigue despite varying levels of expertise. This suggests that monitoring pupil constriction could help detect cognitive resource depletion in mentally demanding environments.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateApr 8, 2024

Unnecessary use of beta-blockers after a heart attack

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that half of patients discharged from hospital after a heart attack are treated with beta-blockers unnecessarily. The study shows that these patients have suffered a small heart attack and have retained heart function afterwards.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 8, 2024

AACR: PARP1-selective inhibitor demonstrates early efficacy in breast cancers with DNA repair defects

A Phase I/II trial led by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found saruparib effective against HRR-deficient breast cancers, demonstrating a favorable safety profile and high response rate. The drug's low dose-reduction rate compared to approved PARP inhibitors may enable longer treatment duration.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 8, 2024

Youths with mood disorders 30 percent less likely to acquire driver’s license than peers

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that teens and young adults with mood disorders are 30% less likely to obtain their driver’s license compared to peers without such disorders. These youths also experienced a slightly elevated risk of crashing, particularly when newly licensed.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2024