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Science News Archive August 2024 - Page 13


Page 13 of 38

Kessler Foundation scientists investigate effects of robotic postural stand training combined with spinal cord epidural stimulation

The study found that robotic postural stand training with epidural stimulation improved trunk control during standing tasks, but had no significant impact on sitting outcomes for high-level motor-complete individuals with SCI. This suggests that rehabilitation strategies should be tailored to target specific postures.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 21, 2024

Living plastics: a new solution for plastic degradation through synthetic biology

Researchers at Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology developed a novel approach to create degradable living plastics by programming spores to secrete enzymes that break down plastic. The 'living plastics' degrade efficiently within 6-7 days, outperforming regular plastics even with surface damage.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 21, 2024

New Data: MedPearl clinical decision platform improves specialty referrals, boosts productivity, and reduces clinician time spent in the EMR

The MedPearl platform improved primary care clinician productivity, decreasing time waste on administrative tasks and enhancing the quality of referrals to specialists. Clinician users reported a 72% improvement in clinical management and workups, with a high user retention rate after system-wide integration.

SourceProvidence Health & Services·JournalNEJM Catalyst·TypeCase study·DateAug 21, 2024

Can flexibility help people live longer?

A recent study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports found that reduced body flexibility is associated with poor survival in middle-aged men and women. After analyzing data from 3,139 participants, researchers discovered an inverse relationship between Flexindex scores and mortality risk.

SourceWiley·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateAug 21, 2024

Gene scissors switch off with built-in timer

Researchers discovered a timer integrated into CRISPR gene scissors that enables them to switch themselves off after a viral attack. The CalpL protein triggers a signaling cascade to help the cell survive the viral attack, but breaking down cyclic oligoadenylates regulates the immune response and returns the cell to normal conditions.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateAug 21, 2024

Advanced OAM mode switching in multimode fiber utilizing optical neural network chip

A team of scientists developed a flexible mode-switching system utilizing an optical neural network chip to switch between different Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) modes in a multimode fibre. The system achieved low-crosstalk mode switching, enabling efficient and flexible optical networks capable of meeting growing demands.

How personality traits might interact to affect self-control

A study found that neuroticism can negatively affect general and inhibitory self-control, while a positive correlation was seen for extraversion and conscientiousness. Understanding the nuanced interplay between personality traits and self-control is essential for developing effective interventions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 21, 2024

USAMMDA commercial partner receives FDA emergency use authorization for plasma powder

Octapharma USA, a US Army Medical Materiel Development Activity commercial partner, has received FDA emergency use authorization for octaplasLG Powder, a potentially lifesaving treatment option for blood replacement therapies in certain operational circumstances. The EUA authorizes military medical commands to procuring and administeri...

New molecules from IOCB Prague decrease appetite and protect the brain against Alzheimer’s-type diseases

Scientists at IOCB Prague have developed a new compound that suppresses appetite and protects the brain against Alzheimer's disease. The modified molecule, derived from the neuropeptide CART, is effective in reducing pathology associated with Alzheimer's.

SourceInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague)·JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2024

RECOVER study determines most common long COVID symptoms in children and teens

A new measure identifies school-age children and adolescents with the highest chances of having Long COVID based on long-term symptoms. Researchers found that prolonged symptoms affect almost every organ system, with distinct patterns in children and teens, highlighting the need for further study and monitoring.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2024

Obese children are more likely to develop skin conditions related to the immune system

A large-scale study investigated the relationship between childhood obesity and immune-mediated skin diseases (IMSDs), such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. The study found that obese children were more likely to develop these conditions, with changes in body weight affecting their risk of developing these diseases.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 21, 2024

Dormant capacity reserve in lithium-ion batteries detected

Researchers at TU Graz have observed where lithium ions are stored and released from battery material during charging and discharging cycles. They found that even fully charged batteries retain lithium ions in the crystal lattice of the cathode, leading to a capacity loss. This knowledge can help increase battery capacity further.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 21, 2024

The power of face time: Insights from zebra finch courtship

Researchers at McGill University found that zebra finches deprived of early social experiences can still form strong bonds with a partner later in life. Female finches developed a preference for their partner's song only when they lived together, suggesting quality time is essential for forming strong bonds.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2024

Novel PET/CT technique accurately detects neuroblastoma in children with short scan time and no anesthesia

A novel PET/CT technique has been developed to detect neuroblastoma in children with high sensitivity and short scan time, eliminating the need for sedation or anesthesia. The new technique uses a novel tracer and next-generation scanner, resulting in improved diagnostic accuracy and reduced radiation exposure.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateAug 21, 2024

Inflammation during childhood linked to onset of mental health issues in early adulthood – study reveals

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children with persistently raised inflammation are at a higher risk of experiencing serious mental health disorders, including psychosis and depression, in early adulthood. The research also discovered that those who experienced inflammation at a young age were more likely to devel...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateAug 21, 2024

New study from Pusan National University uncovers the hidden obviousness of self-deprecating remarks in Korean entertainment

A recent study by Professors Eunseok Ro and Josephine Mijin Lee from Pusan National University reveals that self-deprecation serves different interactional goals, such as defense, reprimand, and accusation, depending on the context. The researchers analyzed three excerpts from Korean TV shows, Infinite Challenge and I Am Solo, demonstr...

SourcePusan National University·JournalJournal of Pragmatics·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 21, 2024

How do the characteristics of historic urban landscapes influence public sentiments, and what implications do these findings have for urban planning and development strategies?

Researchers analyzed public perceptions of historic urban landscapes in Shaoxing, China, revealing that different characteristics affect sentiments differently on weekdays and weekends. Urban designers should develop targeted plans to balance preservation with development, ensuring a sustainable environment and people's well-being.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalLandscape Architecture Frontiers·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2024

Study finds highest prediction of sea-level rise unlikely

A new study led by Dartmouth researchers questions the rapid polar ice collapse model used in the IPCC's sixth assessment report. The team found that the expected rate of retreat is significantly lower than predicted, making the worst-case scenario less likely, but still dire due to ongoing ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2024

Greenhouse gas HFC-23: Abatement of emissions is achievable

A team of researchers from Empa and the University of Bristol used a novel tracer gas method to accurately measure HFC-23 emissions from a Teflon factory. The study found that abatement measures were effective in reducing emissions, but discrepancies between reported and actual emissions suggest need for independent verification.

The Lancet Public Health: Climate change and ageing populations to drive greater disparities in deaths from hot and cold temperatures across Europe, modelling study suggests

A new study suggests that climate change and ageing populations will widen regional disparities in death risk from hot and cold temperatures in Europe. By 2100, heat-related deaths are projected to increase significantly, mostly in southern regions, while cold-related deaths are expected to decline slightly.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2024

Researchers aim to pull back the curtain on long COVID in kids

A comprehensive national study on long COVID in children found that the virus causes tangible and pervasive symptoms, with some children experiencing severe disabilities. The study analyzed data from over 5,000 children and found significant differences in symptoms between infected and uninfected kids.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeSurvey·DateAug 21, 2024

Legal challenges in human brain organoid research and its applications

A recent study categorizes human brain organoid research's legal challenges into five key themes: consciousness, consent, ownership, transplantation, and legal status. This categorization aims to establish regulatory priorities for the future, guiding responsible and ethical advancement in the field.

The real price of the “zero-price effect”

A study by Tel Aviv University researchers found that homes sold through free classified services received fewer clicks, sold more slowly, and at a lower price than identical homes sold through paid services. This resulted in an average net loss of about 3.5% to 3.8% of the transaction price.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalReal Estate Economics·DateAug 21, 2024

Study reveals doubled risk of preterm birth for IVF pregnancies complicated by placental abruption

A Rutgers University study reveals that women who conceive through IVF and experience placental abruption are twice as likely to deliver early compared to those with only one factor. The research analyzed nearly 79 million hospital deliveries in the US over two decades, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of ART pregnancies.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 21, 2024

Gluten is a proinflammatory inducer of autoimmunity

Recent research highlights gluten's role in inducing harmful immune responses in chronic inflammatory diseases, including celiac disease and other autoimmune conditions. Gluten withdrawal can alleviate symptoms, while a gluten-free Mediterranean diet may be a healthier alternative for overall nutritional adequacy.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Translational Gastroenterology·DateAug 21, 2024