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Science News for August 19, 2024


AI model aids early detection of autism

A new AI model developed by Karolinska Institutet can predict autism in young children with an accuracy of almost 80% for those under two years old. The model uses a combination of limited information to identify patterns and strong predictors of autism, such as age of first smile and eating difficulties.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 19, 2024

Weather pattern as a major contributing factor to complex air pollution

Research finds that weather patterns play a crucial role in triggering complex air pollution in Dongying, China. The study identifies specific synoptic patterns that contribute to the formation of fine particulate matter and ozone pollution, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to mitigate these issues.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateAug 19, 2024

Spread the love (online): study reveals in-party positivity drives online engagement more than out-party hostility

A study published in Scientific Reports suggests that emphasizing positive messages within a party is more effective for political communication on social media, fostering a cohesive and supportive online community. This approach counters the negative effect of out-party hostility, promoting engagement and constructive dialogue.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 19, 2024

Mining the microbiome: Uncovering new antibiotics inside the human gut

Researchers have identified dozens of potential new antibiotics in the human gut microbiome, with one candidate showing promise against multidrug-resistant infections. The discovery uses artificial intelligence to analyze vast amounts of biological data and mine the world's biological information as a source of antibiotics.

Illinois researchers develop index to quantify circular bioeconomy

The Illinois researchers developed a new index called the Circularity Index (CI), which measures circularity on a scale from 0 to 1. It includes eight categories: take, make, distribute, use, dispose, recover, remake, and reuse. The CI can be used to evaluate strategies and impacts in bioeconomic systems.

Cognitive impairment in chronic kidney disease

A Leipzig study found that chronic kidney disease (CKD) activates microglial cells, disrupting potassium balance in nerve cells and leading to cognitive impairment. Researchers identified a mechanism involving the blood-brain barrier and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalKidney International·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2024

Research study examines Alzheimer’s disease drug on tissue samples from people with Down syndrome

Researchers tested lecanemab, an anti-amyloid drug, on brain tissue samples from individuals with Down syndrome, finding it effectively targeted amyloid plaques but also bound to blood vessels. The study highlights the need for careful consideration of safety and potential hemorrhagic complications in people with Down syndrome.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2024

UC Davis Health develops a real-time action plan to help patients with lung disease cope with wildfire smoke

A multidisciplinary team at UC Davis Health has developed a real-time action plan to support patients with preexisting respiratory diseases affected by poor air quality from wildfires. The plan, which considers social, economic, environmental and behavioral factors, aims to mitigate the health threat posed by wildfires.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 19, 2024

Support at work does not make ‘stuck’ employees less likely to retaliate – study

A new study by The Pennsylvania State University and the University of Birmingham found that organizational support policies do not reduce retaliation intentions among 'stuck' employees. Stuck employees, who want to leave their jobs but cannot due to barriers, are more likely to retaliate against perceived organizational injustice.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Business and Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 19, 2024

NUS and A*STAR researchers develop wearable, stretchable sensor for quick, continuous, and non-invasive detection of solid-state skin biomarkers

Scientists created a wearable sensor that can monitor cholesterol and lactate levels on dry skin, enabling early disease detection. The sensor overcomes existing challenges of traditional methods, promising new opportunities for remote patient monitoring and population-wide health screening.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2024

Generative artificial intelligence can not yet reliably read and extract information from clinical notes in medical records

A recent study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that Generative artificial intelligence (LLM) can't yet reliably read and extract information from clinical notes in medical records. The AI, ChatGPT-4, performed well only when given highly detailed prompts and struggled to replicate its work across trials.

New research finds scalable mindfulness interventions delivered via telehealth improve pain and well-being for veterans with chronic pain

A randomized clinical trial tested the effectiveness of two eight-week telehealth mindfulness-based interventions, finding they improved pain and overall well-being among veterans with chronic pain. The scalable format made it accessible for patients, suggesting a potential solution to accelerate non-medication pain treatment.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 19, 2024

Porous-DeepONet: A deep learning framework for efficiently solving reaction-transport equations in porous media

Researchers developed Porous-DeepONet, a deep learning framework that efficiently captures complex features of porous media and learns solution operators. It outperforms traditional FEM methods in solving parameterized reaction-transport equations in porous media, handling complex domain geometries and multiphysics coupled equations.

SourceEngineering·JournalEngineering·DateAug 19, 2024

Researchers shed light on how to make photopolymerization much more efficient

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel strategy to increase the efficiency of photopolymerization reactions by leveraging dynamic UV lighting. This technique produces heavier polymer chains with reduced energy consumption, offering potential for sustainable industrial processes and polymeric materials.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalMacromolecules·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2024

Chloroplast genome study separates C. meiocarpa and C. oleifera to enhance tea-oil camellia breeding and genetic research

Researchers sequenced and analyzed chloroplast genomes of C. oleifera and C. meiocarpa, revealing significant differences that clarify their phylogenetic relationship. This study developed 17 primers for distinguishing between them, providing valuable tools for assessing genetic diversity in tea-oil Camellia.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalTropical Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2024

Obesity-induced inflammation increases the secretion of extracellular vesicles from adipose tissue

Research from the University of Eastern Finland found that obesity-induced inflammation increases the secretion of extracellular vesicles from human adipocytes, which may contribute to the detrimental health effects of obesity. Visceral adipose tissue secretes more extracellular vesicles than subcutaneous adipose tissue.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Translational Medicine·DateAug 19, 2024

Simple alternative criteria identify people with the most to gain from lung cancer screening

Researchers developed alternative criteria using a prediction model to identify people with the most to gain from lung cancer screening. The study found that high-benefit groups include those who smoked for a long duration but at a lower intensity, heavy smokers who quit over 15 years ago, and racial and ethnic minority groups.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateAug 19, 2024

Heart data unlocks sleep secrets

Researchers at USC developed an approach that matches polysomnography using a single-lead echocardiogram, allowing anyone to create their own low-cost, DIY sleep-tracking device. The software significantly outperformed other EEG-less models and assesses sleep stages at the highest level.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalComputers in Biology and Medicine·DateAug 19, 2024

More than just medicine: Proactive approach responds to ethical issues facing medical care teams

A research group at Osaka University proposes two proactive ethics consultation methods: inter-professional ethics rounds and patient note reviews. These methods aim to improve clinical decision-making by addressing ethical issues in a more proactive manner, leading to better medical care and alleviated moral anguish among medical staff.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAsian Bioethics Review·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 19, 2024

Does women’s empowerment help prevent underweight and wasting children?

A recent study by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT found that women's empowerment is associated with improved child nutrition, health, and education. The research shows that empowered women contribute to fewer underweight and wasted children, as well as improved household dietary diversity.

Searching old stem cells that stay young forever

Researchers have identified multipotent stem cells in sea anemones that are regulated by highly conserved genes, which could provide insights into human aging. These stem cells express genes like nanos and piwi, essential for germ cell formation, and may hold the key to understanding the potential immortality of sea anemones.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 19, 2024

Number of pediatric inpatient psychiatric beds in the U.S. did not increase 2017-2020 despite youth mental health crisis

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that US pediatric inpatient psychiatric bed capacity remained steady between 2017 and 2020, despite growing demand. The research also revealed substantial geographic variation in access to inpatient psychiatric care, with rural areas facing a severe shortage of beds.

Expanded child tax credit and food insecurity

A cohort study found that expanded child tax credit (ECTC) enacted substantially lowers food insecurity, whereas ECTC expiration significantly raises it. The monthly payment structure and lack of earnings requirements may play a crucial role in preventing food insecurity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 19, 2024

A galactic conspiracy disproven

An international team of astronomers has disproven a 'conspiracy' that stars and dark matter interact in inexplicable ways. By using advanced modeling techniques, they found that the similarity in galaxy density is due to how astronomers measured and modeled galaxies, rather than an actual interaction between stars and dark matter.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2024

Progression of oral leukoplakia to cancer: importance on collection of leukoplakia and cancer tissues from disparate or same patients

The review explores the progression of oral leukoplakia to oral squamous cell carcinoma, highlighting genetic and epigenomic alterations, as well as sample collection methods for research and diagnosis. Advances in sequencing technologies and single-cell analyses are providing deeper insights into cancer progression.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalCancer Screening and Prevention·DateAug 19, 2024

Preliminary study shows potential of Manuka honey as a nutraceutical for breast cancer

A new study by UCLA investigators found that Manuka honey contains compounds that can help reduce tumor growth in preclinical models. The research suggests that Manuka honey could potentially be developed into a natural supplement or standalone treatment for ER-positive breast cancer, which accounts for most breast cancer cases.

Whole-exome sequencing identifies three novel TTN variants in Chinese families with dilated cardiomyopathy

This study identified three novel TTN variants associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in Chinese patients. The variants were found through whole-exome sequencing and are expected to contribute to the disease's molecular mechanisms. The discovery broadens the spectrum of TTN variants and may aid in genetic screening for related diseases.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateAug 19, 2024

Swiping through online videos increases boredom, study finds

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that digital switching, such as swiping through videos, actually increases boredom and reduces satisfaction with content. Participants reported feeling less engaged when watching a single video versus rapidly switching through multiple short videos.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2024

Forest loss intensifies climate change by increasing temperatures and cloud level, which leads to decrease of water

Research reveals that deforestation in Africa's montane forests has induced a higher warming and cloud level rise than climate change alone, leading to decreased water supply. The study found that air temperature increased by 1.4°C and cloud levels rose by 230 meters over the last 20 years.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateAug 19, 2024

BU researcher receives grant to test whether neurofeedback technique may improve memory in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease

A Boston University researcher is testing whether neurofeedback can improve memory consolidation in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to amplify theta oscillatory brain activity during waking rest to boost memory in both healthy older adults and those with the condition.

From city streets to open skies: the new frontier in smartphone GNSS accuracy

Recent study evaluates Redmi K60 Ultra's multi-frequency GNSS capabilities, demonstrating significant improvements in positioning accuracy and speed. The device sets a new standard for consumer GNSS technology, with broad implications for applications like autonomous driving and augmented reality.

Achieving enhanced energy storage performance and ultra-fast discharge time in tungsten-bronze ceramic

Researchers developed a new approach to enhance energy storage performance and ultra-fast discharge time in tungsten-bronze ceramic, achieving energy densities of up to 5.3 J/cm³ and efficiencies of up to 81.5%. The unique properties of the ceramics, including small-sized polar nanoregions, contribute to their excellent performance.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateAug 19, 2024

UC Irvine team says urban street networks, building density shape severity of floods

A new formula developed by UC Irvine researchers can project neighborhood-scale flood hazards anywhere in the world, taking into account the urban form and building density of a neighborhood. This tool has the potential to greatly improve flood risk assessments globally, helping cities prepare for more severe weather events.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 19, 2024