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Science News for August 14, 2024


New brain-computer interface allows man with ALS to ‘speak’ again

Researchers developed a new brain-computer interface that translates brain signals into speech with up to 97% accuracy, enabling a man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to communicate with friends and family. The system was tested in real-time conversations with continuous updates, achieving high word accuracy rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 14, 2024

Impact of 700 years of Inuvialuit subsistence hunting on beluga whales

A team analyzed 45 zooarchaeological remains and compared findings with contemporary data to assess the effect of sustained subsistence harvests on beluga genetic diversity, population structuring, and foraging ecology. The study found no significant changes in genetic diversity or population structuring over time.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 14, 2024

New mechanism of action kills cancer cells

Researchers have discovered a cobalt complex that triggers ferroptosis in tumor cells, slowing down microtumor growth. The substance has shown promise as an alternative to conventional chemotherapeutic agents but requires further development and targeting of healthy cells.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 14, 2024

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) announces its 2024 award winners for achievements in ornithological research, service, conservation, and publication

The American Ornithological Society has announced its 2024 award winners in recognition of outstanding contributions to the scientific study and conservation of birds. Juan Carlos Reboreda and René Duckworth were awarded for their significant work on behavioral ecology, conservation, and evolutionary changes in bird behavior.

Researchers unveil mysteries of ancient Earth

A Rice-led team studied massif-type anorthosites to understand their formation, revealing they likely originated from melting of subducted oceanic crust beneath convergent continental margins. The research provides new insights into Earth's thermal and tectonic evolution and chronicles the physical evolution of our planet.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 14, 2024

New insights into neural circuit imaging: A comparison of one-photon and two-photon techniques

A recent study by Harvard University researchers compares the effectiveness of one-photon (1P) versus two-photon (2P) voltage imaging in neural circuits. The study found that 2P excitation requires approximately 10,000 times more illumination power per cell compared to 1P excitation, posing significant challenges for 2P voltage imaging.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers find possible inaccuracies in crash-reported child passenger injuries

A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found discrepancies between crash reports and hospital data, suggesting incomplete or inaccurate pictures of child passenger safety. The findings emphasize the importance of enhancing injury data quality to assess transportation safety strategies.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 14, 2024

People with COPD, asthma have higher risk of health problems from increased wildfire activity, smoke

A new perspective article highlights the impact of wildfires on individuals with COPD and asthma. The five-part Population Health Approach, developed by the University of California, Davis Health, identifies high-risk patients and provides interventions to mitigate poor air quality's negative effects.

SourceCOPD Foundation·JournalChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation·DateAug 14, 2024

How bread dough gave rise to civilization

A study by the Open Wild Wheat Consortium explains how Aegilops tauschii, a wild grass, contributed to the genetic diversity of bread wheat, enabling its rapid spread across different climates. This hybridization event allowed humans to settle down and form societies.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalNature·DateAug 14, 2024

New study reveals loophole in digital wallet security—even if rightful cardholder doesn’t use a digital wallet

Researchers at UMass Amherst discovered a vulnerability in digital wallet security that can be exploited by malicious actors even if the rightful cardholder doesn't use a digital wallet. The study found that banks prioritize convenience over security, leaving users' credit cards susceptible to unauthorized transactions.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 14, 2024

Lewis-base ligand optimized electrolyte composition, reconstructing interface hydrogen-bond network, enhancing CO2 electrolysis performance

The study proposes regulating the electrode-electrolyte interface using Lewis-base ligand molecules to enhance CO2 electrolysis. The addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid molecules and similar ligands reconstructs the cation solvation shell and reshapes the interface hydrogen-bond network, boosting performance.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateAug 14, 2024

Climate reporting standards insufficient, must be expanded, say Oxford net zero experts

A new study by the University of Oxford recommends expanding climate reporting standards to capture companies' wider impact on global net zero. This includes their product power, purchasing power, and political influence. The goal is to incentivize systemic change through products, purchases, and policy lobbying.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalCarbon Management·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 14, 2024

Giant fossil seeds from Borneo record ancient plant migration

Researchers discovered large fossil beans in Indonesian Borneo, indicating the ancestors of black bean trees migrated from Asia to Australia during tectonic plate collision. The findings provide first macrofossil evidence of a plant lineage moving from Asia into Australia.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Plant Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateAug 14, 2024

Large study confirms significant frequency of undetected responsiveness in severe brain injury

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that one-fourth of patients in a coma or vegetative state showed clear signs of cognitive function on brain scans despite being unable to move or speak. This significant frequency of undetected responsiveness suggests that many seemingly unconscious patients may be a...

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 14, 2024

Hydrometeorology and location affect hospitalizations for waterborne infectious diseases in the US

A study published in PLOS Water found associations between weather, geographic location, and urban/rural settings with waterborne infectious disease hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates were higher for enteric and biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens in areas using groundwater, while precipitation increased parasitic infections.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Water·TypeObservational study·DateAug 14, 2024

Resistance to the main drugs used in Brazil against Leishmania is found in parasite infecting cutaneous leishmaniasis patient

Researchers found a Leishmania amazonensis strain resistant to amphotericin B, a widely used treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis. The study highlights the urgent need for alternative drugs to combat the disease, which affects over 15,000 people in Brazil annually.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateAug 14, 2024

Patterns of intelligence

Researchers identify neural basis for abstraction and inference processes in the human brain, showing coordinated brain cell activity represents learned knowledge. The study used artificial intelligence to extract relevant responses from thousands of brain cells.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 14, 2024

Tropical Atlantic mixing rewrites climate pattern rules

Researchers have discovered that changes in the ocean's mixed layer are the primary force behind Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) in the tropics. This phenomenon influences weather patterns across North America, Europe, and Africa, affecting hurricane activity and rainfall in regions like the Sahel.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateAug 14, 2024

Beige fat cells with a “Sisyphus mechanism”

Researchers have discovered a new type of beige fat cells that consume energy and produce heat through a futile-cycle mechanism, known as the 'Sisyphus mechanism'. These cells are found in adults and help break down excess fat, leading to improved metabolic health and reduced risk of obesity.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell Metabolism·DateAug 14, 2024

Sex and the flu

A team of researchers, led by Jason Shoemaker, are studying the effects of hormones on the immune system's response to the flu. Their goal is to develop targeted therapies based on a person's sex or hormone levels. The study aims to identify the molecules or pathways that affect the cells and begin to develop personalized treatments.

New research from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Jude poised to transform approach to diagnosing and treating acute leukemia in children

Researchers found that approximately 60% of genetic changes driving T-ALL cancer cells are non-coding changes, significantly altering the understanding of disease biology. This leads to innovative treatments, including new immunotherapies developed at CHOP and St. Jude.

Sugar intake decreasing but still too high

A long-term study analyzing sugar intake among children and adolescents in Germany found a decline in free sugar consumption since 2010, but average daily intake remains high. The study suggests that awareness campaigns may have contributed to the decline, while age groups showed varying levels of sugar intake.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition·DateAug 14, 2024

Patients with unexplainable chronic itch have unique blood biomarkers that could eventually lead to new targeted treatments

Researchers have identified lower levels of certain amino acids in the blood plasma of patients with unexplainable chronic itch, offering a potential breakthrough in treating this debilitating condition. These findings may pave the way for new targeted therapies.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 14, 2024

US companies' global market reach linked to cloud computing use

A new study by Penn State researchers found that US firms using cloud computing services are more likely to export goods and services, especially those located outside large cities. The study suggests that accessing cloud services may help level the playing field for non-urban firms and promote their expansion into international markets.

SourcePenn State·JournalTelecommunications Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 14, 2024

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research announces awards for eight research teams developing innovative ways to diagnose and treat cancer

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research is providing nearly $6 million to eight research teams across Ontario, supporting studies that aim to diagnose and treat cancers more effectively. The Clinical Translational Pathway program will advance new discoveries and bring them to the healthcare system.

New FSU research shows statistical analysis can detect when ChatGPT is used to cheat on multiple-choice chemistry exams

Researchers at Florida State University have developed a statistical analysis method that can detect when AI chatbot ChatGPT is used to cheat on multiple-choice chemistry exams. The study uses Rasch modeling and fit statistics to identify patterns in student responses that are different from those of ChatGPT.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalJournal of Chemical Education·DateAug 14, 2024

CNIO researchers discover a 'switch' for the desire to engage in physical activity: Two proteins that get activated in the muscle during exercise

CNIO researchers have discovered a 'switch' for the desire to engage in physical activity, revealing a muscle-brain pathway that controls eagerness to train more when we exercise. Two proteins, p38α and p38γ, get activated in the muscle during exercise, influencing interest in physical activity.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 14, 2024

A taste for carbon dioxide

Researchers discovered that the iron nitrogenase can convert CO2 into methane and formic acid, making it a promising starting point for developing novel CO2 reductases. The enzyme's low selectivity for CO2 also suggests its potential for widespread use in nature.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 14, 2024

Magnetostrictive strain-sensitivity synergy in polycrystalline Fe₈₁Ga₁₉ alloys prepared by laser-beam powder bed fusion and magnetic field annealing

The study proposes a combined process route of laser-beam powder bed fusion and magnetic field annealing to enhance magnetostrictive strain and sensitivity. This results in improved effective magnetic anisotropy constant, reduced domain motion resistance, and increased magnetostrictive strain-sensitivity synergy.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalAdvanced Powder Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 14, 2024

Massive biomolecular shifts occur in our 40s and 60s, Stanford Medicine researchers find

A Stanford Medicine study reveals significant biomolecular changes in the mid-40s and early 60s, affecting cardiovascular disease, immune function, and other age-related health risks. The researchers analyzed thousands of molecules and microbiomes across 108 participants, tracking rapid fluctuations in molecular abundance.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Aging·TypeObservational study·DateAug 14, 2024

Leading AI models struggle to identify genetic conditions from patient-written descriptions

Researchers found large language models are more accurate with concise, textbook-like medical questions than patient-written summaries. The models achieved higher accuracy when using standardized language, but struggled with variable phrasing and format of patient write-ups.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 14, 2024

Purdue physicists throw world’s smallest disco party

Physicists at Purdue University have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in levitated optomechanics by observing the Berry phase of electron spins in nano-sized diamonds. By levitating and spinning these tiny diamonds at incredibly high speeds, they were able to study the effects of fast rotation on spin qubits.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2024

Climate model biases in global monsoon: Insights from interhemispheric energy transport

A new study reveals that climate models exhibit pronounced biases in simulating the global monsoon, with the dry and wet biases found in earlier models persisting. However, CMIP6 models show significant improvements over CMIP5, attributed to reduced dry biases and better representation of energy transport.

New research identifies early sensorimotor markers for autism spectrum disorder

A study published in iScience has uncovered significant findings related to the early sensorimotor features and cognitive abilities of toddlers who are later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The research suggests that a higher IQ may confer resilience to atypical sensorimotor functioning, highlighting the need for more pr...

SourceThe Graduate Center, CUNY·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 14, 2024

Policing may play a role in youth mental health crises

A new study finds that policing incidents are linked to higher rates of psychiatric hospitalization among young people in heavily policed neighborhoods. The association is stronger in neighborhoods with a larger proportion of Black residents and persists even after controlling for crime levels.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 14, 2024

Ben-Gurion University researchers offer proof of concept for unique aquaponics system

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have created a proof-of-concept for a unique aquaponics system that grows fish and vegetables together, producing more produce while using less energy than traditional systems. The closed-loop system recycles fish waste through anaerobic digestion, reducing waste production and carbon emissions.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalResources Conservation and Recycling·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 14, 2024

As election approaches, national poll shows which health topics concern older adults most

A new study shows that healthcare costs, including medical care, prescription drugs, and long-term care, are among the top health-related concerns of older adults heading into the US election. Financial scams and fraud also made the top six concerns, with significant differences among age, gender, and political ideology.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA·TypeSurvey·DateAug 14, 2024

Hand washing is important – but is your handbasin clean?

A new study from Flinders University found handbasin biofilms in residential settings have a more diverse bacterial community than hospitals, with higher Legionella bacteria counts. Regular cleaning and infection control practices are crucial to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeObservational study·DateAug 14, 2024

Study reveals that memories of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns predict declines in psychological well-being of children and adolescents

A study reveals that memories of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns predict declines in psychological well-being among children and adolescents. The research found that adolescent females fared the worst, with memories containing more factual information about COVID-19 predicting more robust declines in mental health.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateAug 14, 2024

Galaxies in dense environments tend to be larger, settling one cosmic question and raising others

A new study published in the Astrophysical Journal has found that galaxies in denser environments are up to 25% larger than isolated galaxies. Researchers used a machine learning tool to analyze millions of galaxies and found a clear trend: galaxies with more neighbors are also on average larger.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 14, 2024

International study detects consciousness in unresponsive patients

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that brain scans can detect consciousness in some unresponsive patients with severe brain injury. The study, co-led by Mass General Brigham, discovered that 25% of participants with severe brain injury who appeared unresponsive responded to instructions covertly.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 14, 2024