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Science News for December 17, 2024


New insights into blood vessel formation

Research team at the University of Basel uncovers new mechanisms in blood vessel formation, highlighting the critical role of dynamic forces and protein regulation. The study reveals that contraction forces enable continuous vascular lumen formation, while Rasip1 plays a key role in initial steps of lumen formation.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 17, 2024

The high cost of carbon

A new study by University of California, Davis, found that the current estimate of the social cost of carbon is too low, increasing to over $280 per ton of CO2 emitted. This higher estimate reflects the impact of climate change on human welfare, including economic growth and unique natural systems.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2024

Do teachers view parents as partners in the education of their child? Not so much…

A new study from Ben-Gurion University found that teachers often label parents as the problem, rather than viewing them as partners in their child's education. Researchers recommend increased professional training to help teachers diagnose and address various parenting styles, increasing professionalism and school legitimacy.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalTeachers and Teaching·DateDec 17, 2024

Flavonoids in polyphenols: Activating gut hormones to improve health

Researchers found that flavonoids in everyday foods like green tea and dark chocolate regulate glucose levels through gut receptors, paving the way for better health management. The study highlights the potential of polyphenol-rich diets to improve public health and offers a foundation for developing new therapies.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalCurrent Research in Food Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 17, 2024

Paranoia may be, in part, a visual problem

A Yale study found that individuals with greater paranoid and teleological thinking performed worse in a visual perception task, claiming one dot was chasing another when it wasn't. The findings suggest a potential link between social perception errors and psychosis, potentially leading to new diagnostic tools.

SourceYale University·JournalCommunications Psychology·DateDec 17, 2024

Being digitally hyperconnected causes ‘techno-strain’ for employees

A new study found that digital hyperconnection leads to techno-strain, causing cognitive and affective effort associated with constant connectivity and high work pace. Employees experience stress, overload, anxiety, and fear of missing out due to the proliferation of messages, applications, and meetings in the digital workplace.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalFrontiers in Organizational Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2024

Salmon genes unlock secrets of puberty and evolution

Researchers discovered a single gene, vgll3, regulating thousands of genes in salmon sexual maturation, influencing traits like reproductive cell development and growth patterns. This study sheds light on how genetic variation can impact complex traits like puberty onset and has significant implications for managing wild populations.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2024

New virtual reality-tested system shows promise in aiding navigation of people with blindness or low vision

A new system combines vibrational and sound feedback to help users navigate complex environments safely and effectively. The research, tested in a virtual reality setting, shows promise in reducing collisions and improving mobility for individuals with visual impairments.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalJMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2024

String figures shed light on cultural connections and the roots of mathematical reasoning

Researchers analyzed 826 string figures from 92 cultures worldwide and found 83 recurring designs, suggesting ancient cultural origins. The study's computational method enabled the construction of a 'family tree' for string figures, offering insights into human creativity, cognitive evolution, and mathematical thinking.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateDec 17, 2024

Study shows drop in use of antiviral medications in young children with influenza

A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that adherence to national medical guidelines for using antiviral medications in young children with influenza is limited. Almost half of hospitalized children did not receive antiviral therapy, highlighting the need for improved clinical testing and treatment.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateDec 17, 2024

Simulating natural selection in assisted reproduction

Researchers highlight the risks of bypassing natural selection in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), which can lead to deleterious epigenetic changes and increased health problems. They propose applying evolutionary principles to ART protocols to improve outcomes for human ART and animal production.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 17, 2024

Technion to award the prestigious Harvey Prize to three groundbreaking researchers in cancer epigenetics

Prof. Stephen Baylin, Prof. Peter Jones, and Prof. Andrew Feinberg will receive the Harvey Prize for their groundbreaking work in cancer epigenetics, transforming our understanding of cellular function and disease progression. Their research has led to new diagnostic approaches and accelerated treatments targeting epigenetic mechanisms.

Parents’ childhood predicts future financial support for children’s education

A new study from Penn State found that parents who experienced difficult childhoods provided an average of $2,200 less for their children's college education. This suggests that intergenerational monetary exchanges could influence the next generation's success, with even parents' current socioeconomic status mattering.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 17, 2024

Step forward in generating solar-powered hydrogen

Researchers at Flinders University and Baylor University have made a breakthrough in generating sustainable and efficient hydrogen from water using solar power. A novel solar cell process, combined with a catalyst, could be used to produce pollution-free hydrogen energy.

SourceFlinders University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2024

Dogs can recognize familiar speakers

Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University found that dogs can recognize their owners based on pre-recorded speech, demonstrating an ability to discriminate between familiar voices. Dogs performed well in matching the correct owner with their voice, with performance best when hearing their main owner's voice.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateDec 17, 2024

New research reveals how the body clock regulates inflammation

Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have discovered that macrophages, a type of immune cell, work differently throughout the day due to the body's internal clock. This daily rhythm determines when immune cells are most efficient at detecting threats and mounts a response.

SourceRCSI·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateDec 17, 2024

New polymer ramps up quest for better data storage

A new polymer material can store more data than traditional hard disk drives, with the ability to be erased and recycled in a sustainable way. The polymer's unique structure allows for mechanical force to encode data via indents, which can then be rapidly reorganized upon heating.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2024

Generative AI against diseases: Insilico Medicine announced Pharma.AI-powered HPK1 inhibitor series in peer-reviewed publication trilogy, as potential immunotherapy options

The study uses generative AI to identify and optimize potent and selective HPK1 inhibitors for immunotherapy. The results show a relatively balanced candidate compound with adequate in vitro ADME, in vivo PK properties, good oral bioavailability, and robust in vivo efficacy in various cancer models.

Peptide-guided nanoparticles deliver mRNA to neurons

Researchers have developed peptide-guided nanoparticles that can target specific cells in the brain, including neurons, marking a significant step toward potential mRNA treatments for neurological diseases. The innovation uses peptides to precisely deliver mRNA to endothelial cells lining blood vessels and neurons.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2024

Study using more reliable measure of wine consumption finds possible protective effect for low to moderate drinking in people at risk of cardiovascular disease

A new study found that low to moderate wine drinking reduces the risk of serious cardiovascular disease by 50% in people at high risk who follow a Mediterranean diet. The researchers measured tartaric acid in urine to provide an objective measure of wine consumption, showing a greater protective effect than previous studies.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2024

Teens with a reduced response to rewards are more susceptible to depression

Researchers found that a blunted response to reward feedback in teens predicts the first onset of depression, but not anxiety or suicidal ideation. This study contributes to understanding neural risk factors for mental health disorders and developing new methods to assess mental health risks.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 17, 2024

Travelers weigh in on weight-based airfares for eco-friendly skies

A recent University of New Hampshire study gauges public opinion on three fare policies aimed at reducing emissions. The standard policy, where all passengers pay a uniform price, is the most accepted approach, while nearly 60% express concerns about weight-based policies citing potential fairness issues and discrimination.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalTransportation Research Part A Policy and Practice·DateDec 17, 2024

World’s only bonobo sanctuary helps orphaned apes overcome trauma to develop social skills and empathy

A study by Durham University found that bonobos orphaned by the illegal trade in bushmeat and pets can develop social abilities despite early life trauma. Researchers observed 83 bonobos at different stages of their lives, finding that female bonobos' social skills increased with age, while males' decreased, similar to wild interactions.

SourceDurham University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2024

Physicists ‘bootstrap’ validity of string theory

A team of physicists has validated string theory by developing an innovative mathematical method that points to its inevitability. This breakthrough uses the bootstrap principle to show that string theory is the only consistent answer for scattering amplitudes, bringing researchers closer to understanding the universe.

SourceNew York University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 17, 2024

Researcher defines 'kindness' in healthcare

A researcher has defined kindness in healthcare as a set of actions to help others flourish, informed by empathy or proactively chosen. This definition aims to improve patient safety, experiences, and outcome measures by enhancing communication within healthcare teams and with patients.

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalBMJ Leader·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 17, 2024

A modified Delphi consensus of the Youth Fitness International Test (YFIT) battery

Researchers from the University of Granada and the Public Health Agency of Canada identified the most important physical fitness tests for children and adolescents, with a degree of scientific agreement exceeding 85%. The top tests include the 20-meter shuttle run test, handgrip strength test, standing long jump test, and body mass index.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeSurvey·DateDec 17, 2024

Fraunhofer IAF expands technology capabilities for chiplet innovations within the APECS pilot line

The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics is expanding its technology capabilities in chiplet innovations through the APECS pilot line, supported by €4.35 million in funding from Baden-Württemberg. This initiative aims to drive chiplet innovation and increase research and manufacturing capacity for semiconductors in Europe.

The longevity factor Foxo3 mediates “unfit” cell elimination to ensure healthy body construction

Researchers from Osaka University found that Foxo3 mediates erroneous cell elimination during vertebrate development, ensuring precise development and cancer prevention. The study identified a specific pathway involving Foxo3, N-cadherin, and reactive oxygen species to eliminate unfit cells with abnormal Shh activity levels.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2024

Rubisco's role in food and energy security

Increasing Rubisco, the plant enzyme responsible for capturing atmospheric CO2, can complement existing efforts to enhance yields while research on complex innovations progresses. This approach may offer benefits sooner than other strategies, particularly in conditions with decreased CO2 concentration, such as drought or heat stress.

NIH study finds no significant link between time spent in childcare and young children's mental health, even amid early adversity

A new NIH study has found that spending time in childcare does not significantly affect young children's mental health, even among those facing early adversity. The study followed over 2,000 parent-child pairs and found no link between hours spent in childcare and symptoms of anxiety, depression, or aggression.

SourceEnvironmental influences on Child Health Outcomes·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2024

Worsening heat waves pose unique risks to people living with neurodegenerative disease

Worsening heat waves exacerbate symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and dementia due to impaired sweating and blood flow. Doctors can take proactive steps by regularly screening for social isolation, providing resources, and utilizing telemedicine to monitor high-risk patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 17, 2024

Pediatric investigation study confirms the safety of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy

A recent study in the Netherlands has found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is not associated with adverse health outcomes in infants. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,600 participants and found no significant associations between maternal COVID-19 vaccination and neonatal health issues, including breathing difficul...

SourcePediatric Investigation·JournalPediatric Investigation·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2024

How loss of urban trees affects education outcomes

A study by University of Utah social scientists finds that loss of urban trees leads to reduced test scores and decreased attendance among low-income students, while wealthier schools experience fewer impacts. The research highlights the complex interplay between environmental degradation and social inequities.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 17, 2024

More calories – more consumption: Individuals with and without obesity both prefer high-calories food

A study published in PLOS Biology found that individuals with and without obesity prefer high-calorie foods, regardless of their taste or texture. The researchers used a large group of healthy volunteers to compare food preferences among three groups: individuals with obesity, post-bariatric surgery patients, and non-obese controls.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2024

Gruyère cheese, or a history of the domestication of bacteria

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that bacteria used to produce Gruyère, Emmental, and Sbrinz cheese show signs of ancient domestication. The researchers analyzed genetic and phenotypic characteristics of the bacterial strains over a 50-year period, finding low genetic diversity and high stability of traits specific to...

SourceUniversity of Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2024