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Science News for February 7, 2024


Innovative hybrid models enhance soil moisture forecasting

The study introduces attention-based hybrid models that combine the strengths of physics-based models and deep learning capabilities to improve soil moisture predictions. The research shows that ensemble hybrid model outperforms current models for long-term predictions, while attention hybrid model excels in drought predictions.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2024

Predicting neurodevelopmental disease in children from parent’s traits

Researchers found that parents' manifestation of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric traits can predict the prevalence and severity of disorders in children. The study analyzed 97,000 families and revealed a correlation between parental traits, suggesting that assortative mating may contribute to increased disease severity.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2024

Incheon National University researcher examines proactive change-oriented behaviors by public service providers

A study by Incheon National University researcher finds that job autonomy alone is not enough for public servants to engage in proactive change-oriented behavior. The study identifies factors over which public managers have control, including information, norms, incentives, and human relationships, as levers to encourage change.

SourceIncheon National University·JournalReview of Public Personnel Administration·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2024

Study: 'Legacy' phosphorus delays water quality improvements in Gulf of Mexico

Research by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests that phosphorus legacy in riverbeds can delay water quality improvements in the Gulf of Mexico. It may take years or even decades for the reductions to be seen at the Gulf, according to a study published in Science of the Total Environment.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 7, 2024

Understanding jasmonic acid: A switch that activates autophagy in Arabidopsis petals

A team of researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology discovered a phytohormone-mediated switch controlling autophagy, leading to terminal cell differentiation for petal abscission. They found that jasmonic acid promotes petal abscission by activating autophagy at the base of petals.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Daily intake of tree nuts, including pistachios, does not lead to weight gain, body fat gain, or changes in energy intake in Millennials

Millennial-aged adults who snack on pistachios and other tree nuts experience better weight control and more efficient use of dietary fat as an energy source. The study's results support the inclusion of tree nuts as part of a healthy self-care routine in 2024.

SourceAmerican Pistachio Growers·JournalNutrients·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2024

BESSY II: Molecular orbitals determine stability

Researchers at BESSY II used RIXS and DFT simulations to analyze the electronic structures of fumarate, maleate, and succinate dianions. The study found that maleate is potentially less stable than fumarate and succinate due to its delocalized HOMO orbital, which can lead to weaker binding with molecules or ions.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

UTHealth Houston report in NEJM: Deadly fungal infection acquired during surgery in Mexico led to death and brainstem, blood supply injuries

A life-threatening mold infection known as Fusarium solani meningitis can cause devastating brainstem and blood supply injuries among healthy patients. The fungus was resistant to all antifungal agents except Fosmanogepix, leading to the development of an experimental treatment.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2024

Japan's electric vehicle transition by 2035 may be insufficient to combat the climate crisis, but there are solutions

A team of researchers at Kyushu University found that Japan's current policy may not be enough to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve decarbonization goals. To address this, the government must extend vehicle longevity, invest in a cleaner energy mix, and decarbonize the supply chain.

SourceKyushu University·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 7, 2024

Many hookah manufacturers have not complied with FDA-mandated nicotine warning labels

A recent study found that only half of hookah packages included the required nicotine warnings, two years after federal regulation was implemented. The study led by Boston University School of Public Health researcher Dr. Jennifer Ross highlights the importance of warning labels in communicating health risks to consumers.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Reducing harmful health screenings and overtreatment in older adults

Researchers at Northwestern University found a significant decrease in screenings for prostate cancer and urinary tract infections after implementing point-of-care alerts. The study showed a 9% reduction in PSA screenings and a 5.5% reduction in urine testing, with minimal changes in overtreatment of blood sugar.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2024

Replacing animal-based foods with alternative proteins would unlock land for carbon removal

Researchers suggest replacing 50% of animal products with alternative proteins by 2050 to unlock vast energy and negative emission potentials via BECCS. This transition could free up large agricultural areas, generating enough renewable energy equivalent to today's coal-generated power while removing substantial CO2 from the atmosphere.

SourceCell Press·JournalOne Earth·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2024

The Medical University of South Carolina will be one of four sites exploring the genetic basis of Parkinson’s disease in the Black community

The Medical University of South Carolina will be one of four sites exploring the genetic basis of Parkinson’s disease in the Black community. The study, known as BLAAC PD, aims to genotype over 150,000 people worldwide and develop targeted treatments for this subtype of PD.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2024

NTU Singapore scientists develop artificial ‘worm gut’ to break down plastics

Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed an artificial 'worm gut' that can efficiently break down plastics using microbes found in worms' guts. The artificial system replicates the natural process of worms breaking down plastics and has potential for biotechnological approaches to process plastic waste.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalEnvironment International·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

How the brain’s internal compass guides the body

A recent study published in Nature sheds light on how the brain's internal compass guides behavior, using fruit flies as a model organism. Three distinct groups of neurons enable communication between the compass and steering regions, translating signals into behavior to keep the fly moving in the right direction.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2024

Time to treatment with intravenous thrombolysis before thrombectomy and functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke

Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) plus thrombectomy demonstrates significant benefits over thrombectomy alone when administered within a short timeframe after symptom onset. This study, based on individual participant data from six randomized clinical trials, found IVT before thrombectomy to be time-dependent and statistically significant.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 7, 2024

HKU astrophysicists crack the case of “disappearing” Sulphur in planetary nebulae

Astrophysicists from the University of Hong Kong have solved a 20-year-old mystery surrounding the lower-than-expected amounts of sulfur found in planetary nebulae. Using high-quality data, they found that sulfur and oxygen exhibit strong correlations, effectively dispelling previous claims about the anomaly.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Does your community have a personality type?

Researchers developed a novel approach to measuring community personality and found that people in like-minded communities tend to be happier, healthier, and more highly achieving. Communities differ significantly in terms of personality traits, with some counties having high proportions of open-minded or conscientious individuals.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalCurrent Research in Ecological and Social Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2024

AI as a physicist

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich have programmed an AI that can recognize patterns in complex data sets and formulate them in a physical theory. The AI uses physics for machine learning to simplify complex interactions and build up a new theory.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 7, 2024

New guidelines for reporting clinical trials of biofield therapies

A new set of guidelines for reporting clinical trials of biofield therapies has been introduced, providing a 15-item intervention checklist to include detailed information on intervention protocols. The goal is to expedite peer review, facilitate trial replication, and inform decision-making in the clinical practice of biofield therapies.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Rice’s Santiago Segarra wins NSF CAREER Award

Assistant Professor Santiago Segarra at Rice University has won the NSF CAREER Award to develop a new approach for AI-powered climate prediction by leveraging structural properties in real-world data. The research aims to create more effective learning algorithms for structured domains.

Towards a better understanding of endothelial cell transformation in cancer progression

A novel reporter cell experimental system enables the visualization of sequential changes during endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) induced by transforming growth factor-β. Researchers identified CD40 as a potential partial EndoMT marker, which suppresses the transition from partial to full EndoMT.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalCancer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Group rehabilitation improves quality of life for people with long covid

A new trial published in The BMJ found that an online programme of physical and mental health rehabilitation can improve fatigue, pain, and depression in adults with long COVID. The REGAIN programme was well-tolerated and led to sustained improvements in quality of life at three and 12 months compared to usual care.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2024

KIST-LLNL raises expectations for commercialization of high-energy-density all-solid-state batteries

A KIST-LLNL research team developed a fluorine-substituted high-voltage stable chloride-based solid-state electrolyte through computational science. The new material showed excellent electrochemical stability under high-voltage conditions, exceeding 4V, comparable to commercial lithium-ion batteries.

Mount Sinai study shows that circulating immune cells drawn to the brain during stress can control emotional behaviors

Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have discovered that circulating immune cells can be drawn to the brain during stress and alter emotional behavior. The study found that these immune cells release an enzyme called MMP8, which breaks down proteins in the brain and impairs social behavior.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

UK austerity politics correlated with increased frailty in the oldest adults

Researchers analyzed data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and found that public spending cuts during austerity (2012-2018) led to a steeper increase in frailty with age compared to pre-austerity period. This association was observed across all population groups, but particularly among the oldest people.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Resting boosts performance of lithium metal batteries

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that resting lithium metal batteries in the discharged state can restore capacity and boost overall performance. By reprogramming the battery management software, lost capacity can be recovered without additional cost or changes needed for equipment, materials, or production flow.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2024

Chapman scientists code ChatGPT to design new medicine

Researchers have created a genAI model called 'drugAI' that can generate unique molecular structures for potential drugs with high binding affinity and efficacy. The model outperforms traditional methods in terms of speed and cost, opening up new possibilities for disease treatment.

SourceChapman University·JournalPharmaceuticals·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

New study finds corn genome can gang up on multiple pathogens at once

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified genomic regions associated with resistance to four diseases in corn: Goss's wilt, gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, and southern corn leaf blight. The study found that multiple genes working together can provide durable resistance against different pathogens.

Researchers estimate survival chances during CPR for cardiac arrest

A US study published in The BMJ found that a person's chance of surviving while receiving CPR for cardiac arrest declines rapidly from 22% after one minute to less than 1% after 39 minutes. The likelihood of leaving hospital with no major brain damage also decreases significantly after 32 minutes without heartbeat.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Clarity needed for businesses to achieve greenhouse gas mitigation

A new study reveals conflicting national and sectorial targets, as well as differing availability of abatement options, hinder companies' ability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers propose introducing a carbon measurement and management process alongside a dynamic framework to align climate targets and actions.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalBusiness Strategy and the Environment·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 7, 2024

New direct links discovered between the brain and its surrounding environment

Researchers have found a connection between the brain and its tough protective covering, the dura mater, allowing waste fluid to leave the brain while exposing it to immune cells. This discovery has implications for neural-immune system responses and aging, potentially leading to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Spent hemp biomass: A feed use that supports milk production in dairy cows

A new study published in the Journal of Dairy Science explores the use of spent hemp biomass as a feed ingredient for lactating dairy cows. The research shows that hemp biomass is safe and does not negatively affect milk production or animal health, despite being less palatable due to its characteristic smell. The study suggests potent...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

After prison, perpetrators of genocide say they’ve changed

A new study reveals that former Rwandan genocide perpetrators who returned to their communities articulating a 'narrative of redemption,' saying they were good people despite past crimes. The researchers found that many received warm welcomes from families and/or their communities, leading to an identity shift and a sense of belonging.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Scientists discover that a protein associated with neurodegenerative diseases is also linked to childhood brain cancer

A study conducted at a FAPESP-supported research center discovered a link between the protein VAPB and tumor cell proliferation in medulloblastoma, one of the most common and aggressive brain tumors in children. High expression of VAPB correlated with reduced patient survival.

Johns Hopkins researchers make progress toward developing blood tests for psychiatric and neurological disorders

Johns Hopkins researchers have made progress toward developing a blood test to identify disease-associated changes in the brain linked to postpartum depression and other psychiatric disorders. They identified 26 placental mRNAs present in maternal blood only during pregnancy, which reflected changes occurring inside the tissues.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateFeb 7, 2024

Charting the course to eco-friendly steel: China's blueprint for cleaner air and a cooler planet

A comprehensive analysis of China's iron and steel industry reveals the urgent need for greener practices to mitigate climate change and enhance air quality. The study advocates for energy-efficient technologies, advanced techniques, and ultra-low emission standards to pave the way for a sustainable future.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateFeb 7, 2024

BU & Howard study finds neighborhood socioeconomic status may play an important role in suicides

Researchers found that attempted suicide risk increases as individuals move up the economic ladder in prosperous neighborhoods, highlighting the need for universal suicide screening and prevention strategies. The study's findings call for more research on risk and protective factors at community and societal levels.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2024

HZDR team develops a new approach for fast and cost-effective pathogen detection

A research team at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf develops a new approach for fast and cost-effective pathogen detection using miniaturized biosensor devices and systems. The system can simultaneously carry out up to thirty-two analyses of one sample, offering significant advantages over traditional electronic FET-based biosensors.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateFeb 7, 2024

Will this new solar maximum solve the puzzle of the Sun’s gamma-ray picture?

Researchers led by Bruno Arsioli have observed a non-uniform distribution of high-energy photons in the Sun's gamma-ray emissions, with polar regions emitting more radiation than expected. This finding suggests a possible link between cosmic rays and the solar magnetic field, which could inform space weather forecasts.

SourceFaculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateFeb 7, 2024

Promising results in cancer treatment with immunotherapy and Danish technology

Researchers have developed a new treatment combining immunotherapy with lab-cultivated T-cells from patients' blood, which significantly inhibits triple-negative breast cancer growth and metastasis. The treatment has shown promising outcomes in animal models, but further testing in humans is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalMolecular Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2024

High-precision thermometry — straight from the snake pit

Researchers create a mathematical model that explains how pit vipers amplify small signals and transmit them to their brain with high fidelity. The study reveals that the snakes' sensory organ can detect milli-Kelvin changes in temperature, requiring it to be 1,000 times more sensitive than its underlying molecular sensors.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2024

Pregnant women should avoid ultraprocessed, fast foods

A study found that diets high in ultraprocessed foods increase phthalate levels in pregnant women, potentially causing oxidative stress and adverse fetal development. Pregnant women are advised to limit their consumption of fast food and packaged goods, opting for fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats instead.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalEnvironment International·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2024

Study finds easy things we can do to cope with traumatic loss

A new study by North Carolina State University finds that daily activities called 'uplifts' can significantly improve emotional well-being after a traumatic loss. These uplifting activities, such as engaging in hobbies or spending time with loved ones, are found to be particularly beneficial on days when individuals report feeling older.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalApplied Psychology Health and Well-Being·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024