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Science News Archive August 2024 - Page 38


Page 38 of 38

Judging your own happiness could backfire

Researchers found that having concerns or judgments about one's own level of happiness were associated with lower well-being, due in part to greater negativity and disappointment about positive events. Thinking too much about one's own happiness could be related to fears about not measuring up or not being as happy as other people.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalEmotion·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

Conformational dynamics and allostery elucidate how GPCR couple to multiple G-proteins, offering mechanistic insights into coupling-promiscuity and novel drug discovery strategies

The study elucidated the mechanisms behind G protein selectivity and efficacy in the human adenosine A2A receptor, discovering changes in activation conformations as the primary cause of coupling promiscuity. The research team used experimental and computational techniques to understand allosteric mechanisms and their role in selective...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

Can targeted therapies be applied to patients with Alzheimer's?

University of Utah researchers have developed a targeted therapy approach using alpha particles to break down harmful amyloid beta plaques, potentially slowing the devastating neurodegenerative disease. The treatment, called Targeted Alpha Therapy, delivers particles directly to the plaques while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 1, 2024

Tipping risks from overshooting 1.5 °C can be minimised if warming is swiftly reversed

A recent study warns that overshooting 1.5°C of global warming poses significant risks to the Earth's climate system, but swiftly reversing warming can minimize these risks. The study suggests that achieving and maintaining net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2100 is crucial to limit tipping risks.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 1, 2024

Circular RNAs – the new frontier in cancer research

Researchers predict that circular RNAs will play a crucial role in cancer diagnosis and treatment, enabling innovative diagnostic and therapeutic developments. The study highlights the potential of circRNAs as biomarkers, therapy targets, and even immune response inducers against cancer cells.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNature Reviews Cancer·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 1, 2024

Fossil shows how penguins’ wings evolved

A new species of fossil penguin discovered in New Zealand shows how penguins' wings evolved into their present form and function. The study highlights the unique combination of bones that allowed penguins to dive and swim, contributing to their ecological diversity.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of New Zealand·TypeCase study·DateAug 1, 2024

Stacked up against the rest

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new method to reduce optical interference and measure the quantum coherence time of moiré excitons, which are electron-hole pairs confined in moiré interference fringes. This breakthrough enables the realization of quantum functionality in next-generation nano-semiconductors.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

Which strains of tuberculosis are the most infectious?

Researchers found that close household contacts of people diagnosed with geographically restricted TB strains had a lower rate of infection and active TB disease compared to those exposed to widespread lineages. This suggests a shared evolution between humans and microbes, amplifying the risk for infection.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 1, 2024

Demographics of north African human populations unravelled using genomic data and artificial intelligence. For the first time, this study places the origin of the Imazighen in the Epipaleolithic, more than twenty thousand years ago

A study using genomic data and artificial intelligence has revealed that the Imazighen and Arab populations of North Africa have distinct genetic origins. The research found that these two populations separated more than 20,000 years ago, shedding light on the region's complex demographic history.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalGenome Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

Talking about regeneration

Researchers discovered that transferring regenerative genes from simple organisms into fruit flies can suppress age-related issues and promote greater intestinal stem cell division. This breakthrough has implications for developing new strategies to rejuvenate stem cell function and extend healthy lifespans, particularly in humans.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

$2.4 million grant helping MCG scientists better understand what happens to our skeleton as we age

Researchers are studying the role of stress hormones and mineralocorticoid receptors in bone health as we age. The goal is to understand how balance between these factors affects our skeletons. By investigating this complex relationship, scientists hope to develop new insights into osteoporosis and other age-related bone disorders.

Trying to limit calories? Skip the dip, researchers advise

Researchers found that serving a dip with a salty snack significantly increased overall energy intake, with participants consuming more calories from the combination. The study suggests that adding dip to snacks can substantially increase energy intake without people realizing it.

SourcePenn State·JournalFood Quality and Preference·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

Research catalogs greenhouse gas emissions tied to energy use for interbasin water transfers

A new study catalogs greenhouse gas emissions tied to energy use for interbasin water transfers, with a significant portion attributed to agriculture. The research found that irrigation-related emissions are substantial in certain locations, particularly those with high concentrations of agricultural land.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Water·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 1, 2024