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Science News for January 4, 2024


Historic urban Landscape Paradigm—A tool for balancing values and changes in the urban conservation process

The Historic Urban Landscape paradigm shifts focus from iconic buildings to city communities, highlighting the importance of nostalgia in understanding the past's impact on present and future development. This approach provides a balance between preserving cultural heritage and adapting to urban changes.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalLandscape Architecture Frontiers·TypeCase study·DateJan 4, 2024

Women undergoing fertility treatment who are stressed may have heart health issues during pregnancy

A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society found that stressed women undergoing fertility treatment may experience higher blood sugar levels during pregnancy, which can lead to weaker cardiovascular health. Women who conceived through intrauterine insemination (IUI) had higher stress and blood sugar levels than those...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·DateJan 4, 2024

The (wrong) reason we keep secrets

A new study reveals that people's expectations of being judged negatively by others are often miscalculated when revealing adverse information. In reality, recipients rate the revealers' honesty and trustworthiness more highly than expected. This finding suggests that secrecy may not have the negative impact we think it will.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

Scientists use high-tech brain stimulation to make people more hypnotizable

Researchers found that less than two minutes of electrical stimulation targeting a precise area of the brain could increase participants' hypnotizability for about one hour. Highly hypnotizable individuals have stronger functional connectivity between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex.,

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 4, 2024

Gender parity in autism research: Synaptic similarities challenge focus on male models

A new study challenges traditional male-focused autism research by revealing striking similarities in synaptic abnormalities and behavioral patterns between male and female mouse models. This finding emphasizes the necessity of considering both sexes to comprehensively grasp the complexities of autism spectrum disorder.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

Social impact assessment of the Giant Panda National Park in China: a comparative analysis of the inside, gateway, and fringe communities

A comparative analysis of three communities surrounding the park found that social relations, local culture, and equity and rights were highly valued. However, fringe communities perceived the most negative impacts in all four dimensions, emphasizing the need for government support and attention to non-economic social impacts

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalLandscape Architecture Frontiers·TypeSurvey·DateJan 4, 2024

Conflict in full swing: Forest bats avoid large areas around fast-moving wind turbines

A recent study by Leibniz-IZW and Philipps-Universität Marburg found that forest bats reduce their activity by 77% within a radius of 80-450 meters around operational wind turbines. The researchers suggest noise emission from turbine rotors is the primary cause of this avoidance behavior.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·TypeObservational study·DateJan 4, 2024

Classifying the natural history of asymptomatic malaria

A recent study in Uganda found that asymptomatic individuals with low-level malaria infections had highly variable parasite dynamics and species present. Frequent sampling every other day or daily was sufficient to detect a proportion of infections similar to daily testing, but less frequent tests may miss up to one-third of cases.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

Study finds preconception stress may affect health of women undergoing fertility treatment

A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that women who experienced more preconception stress had higher blood sugar levels during pregnancy, a predictor of current and long-term cardiovascular health. The study also discovered that socioeconomic status was associated with preconception stress and blood glucose levels.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·TypeObservational study·DateJan 4, 2024

Better mental, physical health in older people tied to living near nature

A Washington State University study found that living near nature can reduce serious psychological distress and improve general health in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from over 42,000 people aged 65 and older, finding a strong association between access to green spaces and better mental and physical health outcomes.

SourceWashington State University·JournalHealth & Place·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 4, 2024

Unlocking the secrets of disease-causing fungus Aspergillus fumigatus

A ground-breaking study published in Nature Communications sheds light on the intricate mechanisms underlying the virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus, specifically focusing on the crucial role of mycotoxin gliotoxin production. The research team identified pivotal roles played by GliT oxidoreductase and GtmA methyltransferase in the sel...

SourceMaynooth University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

Studies reveal the evolutionary origin of unique traits in pitcher plants and marine snails

Studies reveal the evolutionary origin of unique traits in carnivorous pitcher plants, where a composite trapping mechanism emerged through 'spontaneous coincidence' of distinct structural, chemical, and mechanical innovations. Marine snails also evolved new biological functions through the recruitment of many alleles, challenging the ...

AI-driven study redefines right heart health assessment with novel predictive model

Researchers harness AI power to predict right ventricle issues from electrocardiograms, promising more innovative tools and improved patient outcomes. The study departs from traditional methods, predicting something not easily quantifiable by other common tests.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 4, 2024

Does self-checkout impact grocery store loyalty?

Research from Drexel University finds that customers are more likely to remain loyal to a grocery store when using regular checkout service. The perceived ease of checkout, sense of entitlement, and number of items purchased play a role in explaining the effect of loyalty.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Business Research·DateJan 4, 2024

Worm study raises concern about DEET's effect on reproduction

A study published in iScience found that DEET can affect meiosis, leading to abnormal chromosome structure and reduced egg cell quality. This raises concerns about the potential reproductive effects of DEET-containing products in humans. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and inform recommendations for balancing disea...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

A KAIST research team develops high-performance stretchable solar cells​

A KAIST research team developed a new conductive polymer material that achieved both high electrical performance and elasticity, introducing the world’s highest-performing stretchable organic solar cell. The team built a device that can be stretched up to 40% during operation, demonstrating its applicability for wearable devices.

Breakthrough in designing complicated all-α protein structures

A team of researchers created five unique all-α protein structures with non-uniformly arranged α-helices, holding immense potential for designing functional proteins. The novel approach enables the generation of a diverse set of all-α protein structures by combining typical motifs and canonical α-helices.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

Breaking new ground in aerial imaging: the AVIID dataset and visible-to-infrared image translation

The study introduces a novel dataset and evaluation system for aerial visible-to-infrared image translation, offering advantages in lower costs, higher efficiency, and enhanced downstream task performance. This technology has significant potential applications in surveillance, environmental monitoring, and disaster response.

A molecular anchor

A team of scientists identified VAP as a molecular anchor that stabilizes mitochondria near synapses in dendrites, supporting memory formation and plasticity. The discovery links VAP to ALS-linked protein and suggests that mitochondrial stabilization is critical for neuronal function and health.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

The snail or the egg?

Researchers discovered 50 genetic changes underlying the switch from egg-laying to live-bearing in marine snails, which evolved within the past 100,000 years. The findings provide insights into the evolutionary process and potential benefits of live-bearing, including increased reproductive success in new habitats.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 4, 2024

More lives can be saved if ambulance staff receive AI-support

Researchers developed mathematical models based on real events data from the Swedish Trauma Registry, showing that AI models outperformed clinical outcomes. The study highlights the potential of AI-powered decision support to improve ambulance staff's ability to assess injury severity and potentially save more lives.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalBMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 4, 2024

Sudden hearing loss: high-dose therapy does not lead to better outcomes than the standard treatment

A large-scale German-wide randomized controlled trial found that high-dose therapy with glucocorticoids is not more effective than standard treatment for sudden hearing loss. However, it was associated with a higher risk of side effects. Several hundred thousand people worldwide suffer from sudden hearing loss each year.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalNEJM Evidence·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 4, 2024

UMass Chan researchers identify molecular link between gut bacteria and excitatory brain signaling in C. elegans

Researchers established a molecular link between specific B12-producing gut bacteria and acetylcholine production in C. elegans, a neurotransmitter important to memory and cognitive function. A diet rich in these bacteria reduced seizure-like behavior in mutant worms by restoring excitatory/inhibitory balance.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

Polarization-independent liquid-crystal phase modulators

Researchers have developed a new approach to creating liquid-crystal phase modulators that are polarization-independent and can achieve large phase depths. The devices use a light-controlled azimuth angle (LCAA) process to create multi-microdomain, orthogonally twisted structures with precise alignment.

Skin-deep resilience: Hidden physical health costs for minority youth overcoming adversity

A new study from the University of Illinois finds that high-striving minority youth in early adolescence may experience accelerated puberty development, a potential indicator of 'skin-deep resilience,' which can lead to physiological changes such as inflammation and metabolic disorders.

Progress in the investigation of ultrafast electron dynamics using short light pulses

Scientists have made significant progress in understanding ultrafast electron dynamics by tracking the motion of electrons released from zinc oxide crystals using laser pulses. The research team combined photoemission electron microscopy and attosecond physics technology to achieve temporal accuracy, enabling them to study the interact...

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalAdvanced Physics Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

Study finds paxlovid treatment does not reduce risk of long COVID

Researchers from UC San Francisco have found that Paxlovid treatment does not reduce the risk of developing long COVID. They also discovered a higher proportion of individuals with acute symptoms rebounding after treatment, and those who took Paxlovid were just as likely to develop severe Long COVID symptoms as those who did not.

SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Medical Center·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 4, 2024

Resurrection consent: New study on attitudes to digital cloning of the dead

A recent study investigates how deceased individuals' consent affects societal acceptance of digital resurrection. The research found that explicit consent increases acceptability by two points, while 59% of respondents disagree with their own digital resurrection, highlighting the need for clear legal regulations on the subject.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalAsian Journal of Law and Economics·TypeSurvey·DateJan 4, 2024

Nanoparticle transport across the blood brain barrier increases with Alzheimer’s and age, study finds

Researchers develop nanoparticles that selectively bind to activated astrocytes and microglia cells in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's patients, demonstrating increased nanoparticle transport across the blood brain barrier with age. The study provides valuable insights into advancing nanoparticle-based drug delivery for treating neurode...

Low-cost microscope projection photolithography system for high-resolution fabrication

Researchers have developed a low-cost and user-friendly technique called UV-LED-based microscope projection photolithography (MPP) for rapid high-resolution manufacturing of optical elements. This approach can fabricate features down to 85 nm, comparable to expensive methods like multi-photon and electron beam lithography.

Chung-Ang University study reveals a higher market valuation of cash holdings of firms adopting electronic voting

A study by Chung-Ang University found that electronic voting enhances shareholders' perception of corporate governance, increasing the market value of a firm's cash holdings. Firms with larger free cash flows and minority ownership saw stronger governance effects from adopting electronic voting.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalInternational Review of Financial Analysis·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 4, 2024

HKUST researchers develop efficient and accessible single-molecule platform for detecting various amylin species associated with type 2 diabetes

Researchers at HKUST have developed an optical plasmonic tweezer-controlled SERS platform to detect pH-dependent amylin species, revealing the secrets behind amyloid aggregation mechanisms. The platform enables efficient and high-throughput single-molecule characterization of various amylin species.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

The Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine highlighted as a leader in precision medicine in research and clinical care

The Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine has hit a major milestone of returning clinical genetic results to over 30,000 patients, making it a leader in providing personalized patient care. The center is also studying pharmacogenomics and providing results to guide drug selection and dosing.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe American Journal of Human Genetics·DateJan 4, 2024