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Science News for August 13, 2024


Older adults’ life satisfaction varies by immigrant status, living arrangement and social disposition

A study of 12,000 Canadian respondents aged 65+ found that socially independent older adults born in Canada are most satisfied when living solo, while socially dependent immigrants who live alone experience lower life satisfaction. Personality-based social dispositions play a key role in how older adults feel about their living arrange...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAging and Human Development·TypeSurvey·DateAug 13, 2024

Common equine painkiller disrupts assisted reproduction technique efficiency in mares, Texas A&M research finds

Phenylbutazone, a common horse painkiller, affects the ability of mare egg cells to mature correctly and become viable embryos in assisted reproduction. Researchers discovered that bute can hinder reproduction programs, especially for mares chronically lame and taking bute for pain management.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalTheriogenology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2024

Swipe up! Health apps deliver real results en masse

A new study found that digital health tools can improve health and wellbeing by keeping people active, boosting steps, and improving diet and sleep. The research synthesised data from 206,873 people across 47 studies, indicating that electronic and mobile health interventions can help people achieve positive outcomes.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 13, 2024

The Research Institute of the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital demonstrates how personalized medicine helps to control the effects of acromegaly earlier

A nationwide clinical study has demonstrated the use of biomarkers for predicting treatment effectiveness in acromegaly, enabling personalized therapies that increase success rates to 80%. This breakthrough aims to diagnose and treat the disease earlier, improving patient outcomes.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 13, 2024

Surprising insight into cancer comes from unique plant species that find different solutions to evolutionary challenges

Researchers studied three polyploid plant species that successfully adapted to extra DNA and found distinct molecular solutions. The study identified the CENP-E molecule as a promising target for killing polyploid cancers. Additionally, 'meiosis genes' were found to play a crucial role in rapid adaptation to polyploidy.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2024

Less sleep and later bedtime in childhood linked to future substance use

A study found that children who went to bed later and slept fewer hours during childhood and adolescence were more likely to try alcohol or marijuana by age 15. The researchers suggest that improving sleep in the school-age population could lead to improvements in other aspects of health, such as decision making.

SourcePenn State·JournalAnnals of Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 13, 2024

University of Kansas study explores the transformation of educational system with the advent of artificial intelligence

The University of Kansas study suggests that educational systems must undergo transformation to fully utilize the potential of artificial intelligence tools. Personalized learning and project-based learning are key strategies for harnessing AI's transformative power, enabling students to focus on their strengths and interests.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 13, 2024

Pit-building venom mixers

Researchers found that antlions have a highly effective and complex venom system, producing multiple venom proteins and digestive enzymes to overpower large and defensive prey. Unlike previously thought bacteria-assisted venom production, antlions are free of bacterial symbiotic partners.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2024

A new method for protection from plant pathogens could help support global food security.

Researchers have engineered a plant immune receptor to robustly bind a conserved fungal pathogen effector, demonstrating potential for new resistance traits against rice blast disease and other plant diseases. This approach could lead to improved crop protection and global food supply stability.

SourceDiamond Light Source·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2024

Poverty premium on energy costs impacts poorer households

A recent study by the University of Edinburgh found that people in low-income households pay more for their basic energy tariff and incur higher costs per unit of energy compared to more affluent households. The research suggests that factors such as household size, payment method, and property type contribute to these higher premiums.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalEnergy Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 13, 2024

Lack of purpose and personal growth may precede mild cognitive impairment

A study published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry suggests that psychological wellbeing noticeably declines 2-6 years before mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis. Key findings include lower levels of purpose and personal growth among participants with MCI, even without apparent cognitive impairment.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2024

New UDA framework enhances precision in medical image segmentation

A research team developed an unsupervised domain adaptation approach called DDSP, achieving high-precision cross-modality segmentation without target modality labels. The framework diverges from GANs and incorporates inter-channel similarity feature alignment to boost flexibility and precision.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalMedical Image Analysis·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 13, 2024

The atmosphere in the room can affect strategic decision-making, study finds

A new study by Bayes Business School found that different atmospheres influence people's behavior and decision-making in strategic settings. The researchers discovered that various moods led to distinct interactions and strategies, with pensive atmospheres causing caution and curious ones fostering exploration.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2024

Electromagnetic vortex cannon Launched!

Researchers from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have successfully created an electromagnetic vortex cannon using coaxial horn antennas. The device produces air vortices with remarkable resilience and self-healing properties, showcasing complex topological f...

Childhood maltreatment is associated with greater cognitive difficulties than previously thought

Research from King's College London suggests that childhood maltreatment, particularly neglect, is associated with significant cognitive deficits. The study, published in Lancet Psychiatry, used court-documented records and adult recall to test the relative associations of maltreatment with cognitive abilities.

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2024

House call: A new study rethinks early Christian landmark

A new study published in the Journal of Roman Archaeology argues that an ancient structure known as the 'Christian building' was not a domestic house church, but rather a space renovated for worship. The findings suggest significant differences between the building's features and those of other domestic structures in Dura-Europos.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Roman Archaeology·DateAug 13, 2024

Rare archaeological site reveals ‘surprising’ Neanderthal behaviour at Pyrenees foothills

A new research from Australian National University sheds light on the poorly known period of Neanderthal history in Spain, revealing their adaptability and hunting skills. The study provides significant data about the Neanderthals' way of life during MIS 4, including their ability to exploit the surrounding fauna and process animal bones.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 13, 2024

Exciting advance in stem cell therapy

A new technique developed by McGill researchers allows for precise targeting of stem cells to become specific cell types, such as bone or fat cells. This breakthrough has the potential to lead to new stem cell treatments for various diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Type 1 diabetes.

SourceMcGill University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateAug 13, 2024

Dairy nutrition is leading the sustainability charge

New nutrition strategies could slash methane emissions from dairy cows by a staggering 60%, according to a Journal of Dairy Science review. Diet reformulation, using feed additives like seaweed and 3-NOP, may be key to achieving this goal.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 13, 2024

Reduce, reuse, reflycle

Scientists at Macquarie University propose using genetically engineered black soldier flies to transform waste management and sustainable biomanufacturing. The flies can consume large volumes of waste quickly, producing valuable industrial inputs such as enzymes and lipids.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 13, 2024

‘Symptom triggered’ testing can pick up early-stage aggressive ovarian cancer in 1 in 4 of those affected

Researchers found that symptom-triggered testing can pick up early-stage aggressive ovarian cancer in 1 in 4 of those affected. The UK's protocol for picking up early-stage disease is an effective way to diagnose even early-stage ovarian cancer, with complete surgical removal possible in more than three quarters of women.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2024

Offering women further screening opportunities when they visit healthcare providers for breast cancer screening may significantly increase their participation and enable early diagnosis of other cancers, per clinical trial of more than 27,000 in Denmark

A clinical trial in Denmark found that offering women further screening opportunities during breast cancer screenings significantly increased their participation and enabled early diagnosis of other cancers. The study used a cluster-randomized crossover design and involved over 27,000 participants.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2024

Histopathologic features and differential diagnosis in challenging cases of nodular lymphocyte predominant B-cell lymphoma/Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma

Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by a nodular growth pattern and distinctive lymphocyte-predominant cells. The disease typically presents with localized lymphadenopathy and an indolent course, but can transform into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in approximately...

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Pathology·DateAug 13, 2024

New study looks at drug exposures of COVID-19 therapy for pregnant people

A new study provides first-of-its-kind data on the pharmacokinetics and safety of intravenous remdesivir in treating SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in pregnant women. The research reveals that no dose adjustments are necessary for remdesivir when used in pregnant women, with no safety concerns or adverse pregnancy outcomes identified.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateAug 13, 2024

Singapore scientists discover breakthrough method to activate dormant stem cells in the brain

Researchers have discovered a novel pathway to wake up dormant neural stem cells, which can produce new neurons aiding brain repair and growth. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that astrocytes play a key role in reactivating neural stem cells, offering potential new therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2024

Teams forge communication shortcuts across large organizations to keep information flowing

A new study from North Carolina State University uncovers the crucial role of position in successful communication dynamics within a large organization. Researchers identified 'shortcuts' across the hierarchy that enable information to flow more quickly than traditional stepwise communication.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalThe Annals of Applied Statistics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 13, 2024

Crnic Institute clinical trial shows JAK inhibitor improves multiple autoimmune conditions in patients with Down syndrome

A clinical trial shows that JAK inhibitors improve autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis in people with Down syndrome. The study also observed improvements in arthritis and decreased biomarkers of autoimmune thyroid disease.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournaleLife·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 13, 2024

Australia offers lessons for increasing American life expectancy

A study published in BMJ Open suggests that Australia's high life expectancy can serve as a model for the US to improve its own life expectancy. The research found that Australians have a lower mortality rate from drug overdose, car accidents, and homicide compared to Americans. By adopting similar policies such as investing in public ...

Significant link found between heme iron, found in red meat and other animal products, and type 2 diabetes risk

A new study found a significant association between higher heme iron intake and type 2 diabetes risk. Participants with the highest heme iron intake had a 26% higher risk of developing T2D than those in the lowest intake group. The researchers also identified key metabolic biomarkers associated with this increased risk.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2024

‘Symptom triggered’ testing can pick up early stage aggressive ovarian cancer in 1 in 4 of those affected

Researchers analyzed data from 1741 women diagnosed with high-grade serous ovarian cancer and found that symptom-triggered testing can lead to diagnosis of low-disease spread cases. In most cases, complete surgical removal of the cancerous tissue was possible, challenging the assumption that symptoms always signal advanced disease.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 13, 2024

Enhancement of H2O2 generation rate in porphyrin photocatalysts via crystal facets regulation to create strong internal electric field

Researchers discovered that regulating porphyrin crystal facets can enhance the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in photocatalysts. The study found that exposing certain crystal surfaces created a strong internal electric field, which increased H2O2 generation rates.

SIAT researchers reveal systemic health impact of microplastic exposure using fruit fly model

A study by SIAT researchers found that microplastic exposure can cause intestinal damage, disrupt sleep patterns, reduce ovary size, and shorten lifespan in fruit flies. The research also revealed genotoxic effects on metabolic processes in the brain and ovary, emphasizing the urgent need to address environmental microplastic pollution.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·Journal动物学研究·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 13, 2024

Generative AI enables a new paradigm for brain network construction

A new Diffusion-based Graph Contrastive Learning (DGCL) method constructs brain networks with unique features, capturing key connections and eliminating redundant ones. DGCL outperforms existing tools in terms of efficiency and prediction accuracy for brain disease analysis.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 13, 2024

Measuring Martian winds with sound

A team of researchers has created a new sonic anemometer that can track wind speeds on Mars with remarkable precision and speed. The system uses sound pulses to measure wind direction and speed in three dimensions, providing valuable insights into the Martian climate and atmosphere.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateAug 13, 2024

Innovating sustainable hydrogen production via seawater electrolysis: Self-reconstructed stable and active surface on carbonized wood electrodes

Researchers have developed a new approach to enhance the stability of NiFe-based electrodes in seawater electrolysis, showcasing improved anti-corrosion properties and efficiency. The innovative W-NiFeS/WC electrode demonstrated superior activity and stability in both oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateAug 13, 2024

Veterans transitioning to civilian life deserve better support

A recent study reviewed current research and methods used to support Australian military veterans' psychological, physical, and social well-being, highlighting the need for holistic and tailored programs. The researchers emphasize the importance of addressing social, organizational, and environmental factors alongside mental health con...

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 13, 2024

Chinese scientists elucidate age and gender disparities in cardiometabolic phenotypes and lipidomic signatures

A nationwide cohort study of 254,670 Chinese adults aged 40-80 years reveals significant interactions between age, gender, and sleep duration on lipid levels. The study highlights the importance of considering age in studies of gender differences in metabolic diseases and advocates for personalized prevention and management strategies.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalLife Metabolism·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2024

The mother of all motion sensors

Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories have successfully miniaturized a motion sensor using silicon photonic microchip components, achieving unprecedented accuracy and reducing size by a thousand times. This breakthrough enables precise navigation even in GPS-denied areas, posing significant national security risks.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 13, 2024

Study reveals urban trees suffer more from heat waves and drought than their rural counterparts

A recent study reveals that urban trees are more negatively impacted by heat waves and drought than their rural counterparts. The research highlights the challenges urban trees face in the context of climate change, underscoring the importance of tailored urban forestry management to protect tree species and reduce urban heat islands.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalEcological Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2024

Method to separate microplastics from water could also speed up blood analyses

Researchers developed a faster and more precise method to separate particles in fluids, enabling quicker sorting of cells in blood samples and removal of pollutants in water. The improved technique uses specially engineered channels and high polymer concentrations to guide particles and increase accuracy.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2024