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Science News for August 12, 2024


"All of us urgently need to band together to pass a robust and just earth to future generations," says eminent environmental lawyer Edith Brown Weiss

Edith Brown Weiss advocates for a Planetary Trust to ensure a just and robust Earth system for present and future generations. She proposes six critical commitments for the UN Summit of the Future, including integrating the future into decision-making and practices.

SourceIOS Press·JournalEnvironmental Policy and Law·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 12, 2024

Framing sustainability strategies for the enactment of corporate actions with positive macro-level impact: Evidence from a developing country

Five pioneering firms in agriculture, manufacturing, and pharma retail have demonstrated businesses can catalyze social and environmental change. They address complex issues using scientific methods, partner with NGOs, and prioritize purpose alignment.

SourceEscuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral·JournalBusiness Strategy and the Environment·TypeCase study·DateAug 12, 2024

Possible explanation for link between diabetes and Alzheimer's

A new study by Umeå University found that people with type 2 diabetes have difficulty eliminating beta-amyloids, which may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. The researchers suggest that preventing or managing type 2 diabetes could reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

SourceUmea University·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 12, 2024

Developing a simple, cost-effective method to study an important protein modification

Researchers developed a simple, cost-effective method to study ubiquitination, a critical protein modification process involved in diverse cellular functions. The Ub-POD method quickly labels targets of E3 ligase enzymes directly in human cells, allowing for the identification of new substrates and expanding therapeutic options for dis...

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2024

Pusan National University researchers highlight the carbon-saving potential of compact cities

Researchers at Pusan National University found compact cities reduce consumption-based carbon emissions through efficient public transportation, mixed land use, and pedestrian-friendly communities. This study supports the argument that compact city development is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality.

SourcePusan National University·JournalEnvironment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science·TypeObservational study·DateAug 12, 2024

“Long COVID” continues to evade diagnosis

A national cohort study found that no routine clinical lab test can aid in diagnosing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Ongoing inflammation is thought to contribute to symptoms like anosmia and PASC. Researchers also discovered a link between SARS-CoV-2 and diabetes risk, independent of PASC symptoms.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateAug 12, 2024

UMass Amherst researchers create new method for orchestrating successful collaboration among robots

Researchers developed a learning-based approach called LVWS to schedule robots and enable voluntary waiting, resulting in faster task completion. This method outperformed other approaches by up to 23% suboptimality, demonstrating its potential to improve manufacturing, agriculture, and warehouse automation.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 12, 2024

UMass Amherst researchers ID body’s ‘quality control’ regulator for protein folding

UMass Amherst researchers have identified the 'quality control' regulator for protein folding, a crucial process that ensures essential cellular functions. The discovery of this regulator, Sep15, could lead to new treatments targeting misfolded proteins associated with diseases like Alzheimer's and cystic fibrosis.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 12, 2024

Rice-built reactor yields green ammonia and purified water

A Rice-built reactor system can convert nitrates into green ammonia and purified water, decarbonizing ammonia production and treating nitrate-contaminated water. The innovative three-chamber system uses recyclable ions to improve reaction efficiency and eliminates the need for high concentrations of supporting electrolytes.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Catalysis·DateAug 12, 2024

Early-childhood tablet use and outbursts of anger

Child tablet use at age 3.5 years was associated with more expressions of anger and frustration by the age of 4.5 years, suggesting a potential cycle deleterious for emotional regulation. Later, child proneness to anger/frustration at age 4.5 years was linked to increased tablet use by age 5.5 years.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateAug 12, 2024

Scientists find oceans of water on Mars. It's just too deep to tap.

A team of scientists has found evidence for a large underground reservoir of liquid water on Mars, which could be a promising place to look for life on the planet. The reservoir is estimated to cover most of the Martian surface and is located in tiny cracks and pores in rock beneath the surface.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 12, 2024

Mild Cognitive Impairment could be going unreported in rural areas of west Michigan, study suggests

A recent study analyzing over 1.5 million patients' electronic health records found that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is significantly underdiagnosed in rural areas of West Michigan. Researchers discovered a higher rate of MCI skippers, where patients progress directly to dementia without a prior diagnosis, in these communities.

SourceCorewell Health·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia Translational Research & Clinical Interventions·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 12, 2024

Research spotlight: Generative AI “drift” and “nondeterminism” inconsistences are important considerations in healthcare applications

A Mass General Brigham study highlights inconsistencies in generative AI that can affect patient safety if not addressed. The researchers found 'drift' (model performance changes over time) and 'nondeterminism' (inconsistent results between runs) in their tests, emphasizing the need for repeated testing and monitoring.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNEJM AI·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 12, 2024

Local solvation is decisive for fluorescence of biosensors

Researchers have discovered a direct correlation between the hydration shell of biosensors and their fluorescence behavior. The study used terahertz spectroscopy to analyze energy transfer between carbon nanotubes and water., The findings provide a general design principle for developing optimal biosensors with improved performance.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 12, 2024

USC study: Drug protects against air pollution-related Alzheimer’s signs in mice

A new USC study led by Caleb Finch shows how feeding mice the drug GSM-15606 provided protection against air pollution-related increases in proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. The results indicate that GSM-15606 may one day have a role as a preventive measure against Alzheimer's in people living with air pollution.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2024

Heat caused over 47,000 deaths in Europe in 2023, the second highest burden of the last decade

A study led by ISGlobal estimates that heat caused over 47,000 deaths in Europe in 2023, with southern European countries being the most affected. The mortality rate was higher in women and people over 80 years old, and without societal adaptation processes, it would have been 80% higher.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 12, 2024

Brain electrical stimulation suppresses appetite. A new frontier in obesity treatment?

Researchers at KERI have developed a novel approach to treat metabolic syndrome by stimulating cerebral cortex electrically through scalp. Clinical trials involving 60 participants showed significant appetite suppression and reduction in emotional eating. The technology has the potential to provide an easy and simple method for daily a...

Pink elephants in the brain?

A study published in Neuron reveals that neurons are wired to connect seemingly unrelated concepts, enhancing the brain's ability to predict what we see based on past experiences. Visual experience influences the organisation of feedback projections, which store information about the world.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2024

Align or die

Researchers at ISTA discovered that misaligned protein filaments 'die' and re-assemble to form a well-aligned ring structure essential for bacterial cell division. This mechanism could lead to the development of synthetic self-healing materials.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 12, 2024

In breakthrough Alzheimer’s discovery, Emory research team finds new targets and biomarkers for potential novel therapies

A team led by Emory researchers found strong evidence supporting a new understanding of the mechanism behind Alzheimer's disease. They identified more than 20 proteins that co-accumulate with amyloid beta, suggesting they may play an important role in brain damage rather than the amyloid itself.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2024

Study: U.S. presidential elections can influence local prosecutor races

A recent study by Binghamton University Political Science Professor Jeffrey L. Yates found that U.S. presidential elections significantly impact local prosecutor races. The researchers analyzed data from the nation's top 200 districts and discovered that incumbent prosecutors with the same party affiliation as a successful president ha...

SourceBinghamton University·JournalPolitical Research Quarterly·TypeSurvey·DateAug 12, 2024

Global study predicts increases in cancer cases and deaths among men, with widening disparities based on age and countries’ economic status

A global study predicts significant increases in cancer cases and deaths among men between 2022 and 2050, with widening disparities by age and country's economic status. Disparities are projected to worsen, with poorer survival rates observed among older men and those living in low-human development index countries.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateAug 12, 2024

Balancing technology and governance are key to achieving climate goals

A new international study underscores the need to integrate technological advancements with robust institutional capacities to formulate effective climate policies. The research found that inadequate institutional capacity could hinder reaching even 2°C targets, while improved global institutional support could enhance the likelihood o...

Black mental health professionals more susceptible to burnout, race-based traumatic stress

A new study reveals that Black mental health professionals experience high rates of burnout and racial trauma, with higher levels of social support and resilient coping predicting lower levels of these negative impacts. The researchers suggest recruiting more Black persons into the mental health professions as a way to build trust with...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalPsychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy·TypeSurvey·DateAug 12, 2024

Parents’ eating behaviour influences how their children respond to food, according to new research at Aston University

A new study at Aston University found that parents' eating styles can shape their children's eating behavior, with parents who exhibit 'avid' or 'avoidant' eating patterns more likely to pass on similar traits. The research suggests that parents can help create a healthy food environment by modeling balanced eating habits.

SourceAston University·JournalAppetite·TypeObservational study·DateAug 12, 2024

HKUST engineering researchers pave the way for advanced wearable display technologies by developing full-color fiber LEDs based on perovskite quantum wires

A team of HKUST engineers has created high-quality full-color fiber light-emitting diodes (Fi-LEDs) based on perovskite quantum wires, paving the way for innovative textile lighting and display applications. The device features excellent spatial luminance uniformity, flexibility, and stretchability.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2024

A simple test can predict whether smokers will manage to quit

Researchers found that a simplified two-question test can predict smoking abstinence in cancer patients with equal accuracy as the full Fagerström Test. However, the test may not work well for Non-Hispanic Black people with a cancer diagnosis. The study aims to help doctors tailor tests for different groups.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·TypeObservational study·DateAug 12, 2024

Alcohol consumption patterns and mortality among older adults with health-related or socioeconomic risk factors

A UK cohort study reveals that even low-risk alcohol consumption is linked to increased mortality among older adults with health-related or socioeconomic risk factors. The findings suggest that healthier lifestyles may play a role in the observed attenuation of mortality for wine drinkers and those who drink only during meals.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 12, 2024

The hidden architect

Researchers discovered that nuclei pack strongly, ordering cells into crystalline arrays, and control tissue stiffness. The study challenges the status quo, revealing a new role for nuclei in organ formation.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Materials·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 12, 2024

New study reveals unique histone tag in adult oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, opening doors for advanced myelin repair therapies

Researchers at CUNY ASRC identify distinct histone tag in adult oligodendrocyte progenitor cells that regulates their proliferation and may lead to innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery holds promise for advancing myelin repair and improving patient outcomes.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2024