Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive December 2024 - Page 20


Page 20 of 39

Secret of the female orgasm uncovered by psychologists

A study by University of Essex researchers found that women who notice and attend to internal bodily signals, such as heartbeats and sensual touch sensations, experience more frequent orgasms. The research suggests that focusing on the body rather than the mind can lead to increased orgasm satisfaction.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalBrain Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateDec 11, 2024

Persistent tobacco smoking from childhood may cause heart damage by the mid-twenties

A new study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that persistent childhood tobacco smoking significantly increased the risk of premature heart damage by age 24. The study followed 1,931 children from age 10 to 24 and found that active smoking was associated with a 52% increased risk of heart damage.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateDec 11, 2024

Chemical Insights Research Institute launches a new public service website with key information on protecting public health during wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires

The Chemical Insights Research Institute has launched a new public service website offering valuable guidance and tips for protecting community health before, during, and after wildfires. The site provides up-to-date information to help residents prepare for the health risks of wildfires in WUI areas.

Chung-Ang University researchers unveil the biogenesis and role of transfer RNA fragments in cancer progression

Researchers at Chung-Ang University have identified a crucial role for specific tRNA fragments in cancer progression, revealing their ability to regulate gene expression and influence tumor growth. The study suggests that these fragments could serve as biomarkers for early-stage cancer detection and targets for therapeutic interventions.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2024

Pre-seed funding to recolor the world greener

Kobe University has developed a new way to produce colors using nanospheres, which could reduce the environmental impact of paints and cosmetics. The technology uses silicon spheres to scatter light, creating bright and brilliant colors that do not fade or change with viewing angle.

Is ozone pollution harming unborn children?

A new study found a strong link between pregnant mothers' ozone exposures and increases in the chances of babies developing intellectual disabilities. The research, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, analyzed public health and air quality data from Utah's Wasatch Front.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 11, 2024

New proteomics method enables sensitive identification of ligand-binding proteins and their binding sites in complex system

A new proteomics method, peptide-centric local stability assay (PELSA), enables the simultaneous identification of ligand-binding proteins and their binding sites in complex systems. PELSA has been shown to have superior sensitivity in target protein identifications, identifying more kinase targets than state-of-the-art methods.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Methods·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 11, 2024

US veterans report average happiness levels of 5.41 out of 7, with greater happiness most associated with reporting greater purpose in life, lower depressive symptoms, and higher optimism, emotional stability, and resilience

US veterans reported an average happiness level of 5.41, with higher happiness tied to greater sense of purpose and lower depressive symptoms. The study also found strong associations between optimism, emotional stability, and resilience and increased happiness in veterans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 11, 2024

Nature Biotechnology | Generative chemistry enables Insilico to develop gut-restricted PhD inhibitors promising for intestinal mucosal barrier repair and immunomodulation

Scientists at Insilico Medicine developed a novel gut-restricted PHD inhibitor using generative chemistry engine Chemistry42, promising to repair intestinal mucosal barriers and regulate immune responses in IBD. The compound, ISM5411, demonstrated significant anti-colitis activity without systemic side effects.

SourceInSilico Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateDec 11, 2024

Climate and Economy: Even less extreme but more frequent weather events, such as thunderstorms, have significant and lasting impacts that can exacerbate inequalities. Labor incomes are among the most affected

Researchers analyzed over 200,000 US weather events between 1991 and 2019 to find that wages experience persistent losses while incomes recover gradually. The poorest counties suffer more severe losses, highlighting the need for public intervention and adaptation policies.

SourceSant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateDec 11, 2024

AI thought knee X-rays show if you drink beer — they don't

A study found that AI models can predict unrelated traits, such as whether patients abstained from eating refried beans or beer, with surprising accuracy by exploiting subtle patterns in data. The researchers emphasize the need for rigorous evaluation standards to prevent misleading conclusions and ensure scientific integrity.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 11, 2024

Milestone 10-GeV experiment shines light on laser-plasma interactions

Researchers successfully accelerated high-quality beams of electrons to over 10 billion electronvolts in 30 centimeters, producing a 'dark current-free' beam without wasting energy. The dual-laser system and advanced gas injector system enabled this record-breaking acceleration, marking a major step forward in laser-plasma acceleration.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 11, 2024

FunMap reveals a functional network of genes and proteins in human cancer

The study revealed a comprehensive functional network of 10,525 genes constructed using supervised machine learning that integrates protein datasets and RNA sequencing data from 11 cancer types. The approach identified protein modules and a hierarchical modular organization linked to cancer hallmarks and clinical characteristics.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Cancer·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 11, 2024

Global healthspan-lifespan gaps among 183 WHO member states

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals significant disparities in healthspan-lifespan gaps among 183 WHO member states. Women globally exhibit a larger healthspan-lifespan gap compared to men, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities and promote healthy aging.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 11, 2024

New study reveals provincial and territorial inequities and inadequacies in access to medications and treatment for cardiovascular conditions in Canada

A new study reveals significant provincial and territorial variations in reimbursement criteria for cardiovascular medications in Canada. The current system leads to unequal access to evidence-based treatments, with the most vulnerable groups facing restricted access to life-saving medications.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 11, 2024

Low dielectric loss in vanadium-based zircon ceramics via high-entropy strategy

Researchers developed novel vanadium-based zircon ceramics using a high-entropy strategy, achieving optimal microwave dielectric properties including low εr and high Q×f values. The ceramics exhibit improved structural stability and binding forces due to the high-entropy effect, making them suitable for high-performance microwave devices.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateDec 11, 2024

Plasma bubbles in the skies: Hong Kong leads research on aviation safety threats

A study from Hong Kong Polytechnic University reveals the impact of EPBs on satellite navigation systems, providing a novel three-dimensional model to predict disruptions. The findings confirm that GBAS can maintain its integrity even under EPB-induced disruptions, ensuring continued safety and reliability.

Next-generation SERD protects against progression in some patients with advanced breast cancer resistant to standard hormone therapy

The EMBER-3 clinical trial showed that imlunestrant improved progression-free survival in patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, particularly those with ESR1 mutations. The combination of imlunestrant and abemaciclib also demonstrated a significant reduction in risk of progression or death.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 11, 2024

Study finds new blood test predicts prognosis for advanced prostate cancer patients

A new DNA sequencing test called AR-ctDETECT has been found to distinguish between patients with poor and favorable prognoses in advanced prostate cancer. The test identified circulating tumor DNA in 59% of patients and showed that detectable ctDNA was associated with worse overall survival.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 11, 2024

PARP inhibition shows long-term survival benefits for patients with high-risk, BRCA-positive breast cancer in OlympiA trial

The OlympiA trial found that olaparib significantly improves survival outcomes in patients with high-risk, BRCA-positive breast cancer. After a median follow-up of 6.1 years, patients treated with olaparib showed better rates of invasive and distant disease-free survival compared to those who received placebo.

Smoking tobacco from childhood can cause premature heart damage

A study published in JACC found that children who started tobacco smoking at age 10 were significantly more likely to experience premature cardiac injury and increase their risk of cardiovascular mortality. Researchers also discovered that continued smoking from childhood can cause lasting damage to heart muscle and function.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateDec 11, 2024

Hiring people with disabilities positively influences hotel guest perceptions, finds study

A new study from the University of Surrey found that employing people with disabilities in hotels boosts customer intentions to recommend and revisit hotels. Guests perceive hotels that employ PWD as more socially responsible, leading to increased positive word-of-mouth communication and repurchase intention.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management·TypeObservational study·DateDec 11, 2024

Study finds tonsil removal not linked to undesirable weight gain, contrary to popular belief

Researchers found no correlation between adenotonsillectomies and undesirable weight gain in children with mild sleep-disordered breathing. The study used data from a clinical trial involving 458 children and showed that adenotonsillectomy improved symptoms, blood pressure, and quality of life but not primary neurodevelopmental outcomes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 11, 2024

A new galaxy, much like our own

Astronomers from Wellesley College have discovered a newly forming galaxy that resembles a young Milky Way, with 10 distinct star clusters forming at different times. The galaxy, dubbed the 'Firefly Sparkle', has a mass similar to the Milky Way's when it was in its early stages of development.

SourceWellesley College·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateDec 11, 2024