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Science News Archive January 2024 - Page 3


Page 3 of 37

Some plastic straws degrade quicker than others, new study shows

A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists found that bioplastic straws made from cellulose diacetate (CDA) degrade up to 50% in 16 weeks, projecting an environmental lifetime of 10-20 months. This rate is faster than paper straws and could be a promising alternative to conventional plastic straws.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

AI-powered app can detect poison ivy

A new AI-powered app can identify poison ivy in real-time, providing a measure of certainty for detection. The app uses convolutional neural networks to recognize unique leaf arrangements and shapes, helping to minimize health concerns caused by the plant.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalMultimedia Tools and Applications·DateJan 30, 2024

Ethnic disparities in cancer mortality in the capital and northeast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Cancer kills more Black people than White individuals in the Barretos region, whereas in São Paulo city, it is the opposite, according to a study published in Cancer Causes & Control. The disparity is most pronounced for breast and cervical cancer among Black women.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCancer Causes & Control·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 30, 2024

Study provides new explanation for why placenta may not properly separate at birth, putting mother and newborn at risk

Researchers have identified genetic and cellular changes underlying placenta accreta spectrum disorder, which can cause the placenta to fail to separate from the uterus at birth. The study sheds new light on this increasingly prevalent disorder, which has devastating implications for maternal and neonatal health.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

A tie between the most common obesity surgeries

A study of over 1,700 adult patients found that gastric bypass and sleeve surgeries have few short-term complications and are equivalent in terms of risk. The results suggest that patients and doctors can choose between the two procedures without worrying about short-term surgical risks.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

Floating algae a raft for juvenile pelagic fish

A new study found that floating macroalgal rafts in the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area provide habitat for a diverse array of juvenile oceanic fish. The rafts, formed by dislodged algae, attract large numbers of juvenile fish and other animals, serving as a potentially important transitional habitat for pre-settlement coastal fishes.

SourceGriffith University·JournalEstuarine Coastal and Shelf Science·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

Deciphering brain connections between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia

A multicenter study confirms that up to 50% of ALS patients develop cognitive symptoms, with 35.5% also presenting pathological features of frontotemporal dementia. The study highlights the marked heterogeneity of neuropathological characteristics, suggesting possible different pathophysiological mechanisms.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalBrain·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

Alzheimer’s treatment roadblocks can be eased by engaging primary care providers in screenings

A new RAND report suggests that engaging primary care providers in Alzheimer's disease screening and diagnosis could significantly reduce wait times and increase the number of people treated. Primary care practitioners are technically capable of performing cognitive assessments but often do not due to time constraints, researchers say.

SourceRAND Corporation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 30, 2024

KAIST research team develops sweat-resistant wearable robot sensor

A KAIST research team has developed a stretchable and adhesive microneedle sensor that can detect physiological signals without being affected by sweat and dead skin. The sensor allows for long-term stable control of wearable robots, enabling precise movement recognition for rehabilitation treatments.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 30, 2024

Researchers craft new way to make high-temperature superconductors – with a twist

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new method to create high-temperature superconductors by twisting materials, enabling the creation of unusual forms of superconductivity in previously unattainable materials. The technique has confirmed predictions made by theoretical calculations and opens doors to further experiments.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

Research indicates nearly six million American women became pregnant from rape, sexual coercion, or both during their lifetimes

Research indicates nearly six million American women experienced unintended pregnancies as a result of rape and/or sexual coercion. The study also found that a significant portion of these women reported injuries, STDs, and felt fearful or concerned for their safety after the incidents.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 30, 2024

Clear legal rules about the use of sperm and eggs in fertility treatment must remain to protect the vulnerable, study says

A new study emphasizes the importance of strict legal rules governing fertility treatment in the UK, warning that recent court cases could create a common law exception to informed consent. The research highlights the need for rigorous consent regimes to protect vulnerable patients from exploitation and misuse of genetic material.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalLegal Studies·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

Prenatal substance exposure and childhood mental health

Research found associations between prenatal substance exposure and neurobehavioral problems in children, but controlling for environment and genetics eliminated many links. Prenatal alcohol exposure was significantly correlated with sleep problems and mental health issues despite compensatory brain responses.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 30, 2024

Gene-based therapy may slow development of life-threatening heart condition

Researchers have found that a gene-based therapy targeting plakophilin-2 can interrupt the progression of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a rare inherited disorder. The treatment reduced episodes of arrhythmia and slowed the deterioration of the heart's walls in mice.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCirculation Genomic and Precision Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

Tech inefficiencies, piles of (electronic) paperwork, and increased patient volume contribute to burnout of primary care physicians, study finds

Researchers investigated primary care clinicians' perspectives on burnout, finding that tech inefficiencies and high documentation contribute to the issue. Strategies to improve clinician well-being include changes at organizational level, such as work-life balance improvements and electronic health record optimizations.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 30, 2024

Fluvo-aquic soil treated with pig manure present a higher risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria than black and red soils

This study found that fluvo-aquic soil treated with CTC-manure had a higher shift in operational taxonomic units and community composition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria compared to black and red soils. The application of manure led to increased microbial resistance, particularly in fluvo-aquic soil.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalSoil Ecology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

Increase in annual cardiorespiratory fitness by 3%+ linked to 35% lower prostate cancer risk

Research found a strong association between annual improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Men with higher levels of fitness were 35% less likely to develop the disease than those with declining fitness. The study suggests encouraging physical activity may help lower prostate cancer risk.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

Citizen scientists contribute to motor learning research

A new study examined data from citizen scientists using a simple web-based motor test, providing unique insights into how people correct for motor control errors. The results show that adaptation peaks between 35 and 45 years of age, with demographic variables such as gender, age, and visual impairment impacting motor adaptation.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

Structural color ink: Printable, non-iridescent and lightweight

Researchers at Kobe University developed a new approach to producing colors using the scattering of light from tiny silicon crystals. The material enables non-fading structural colors that do not depend on the viewing angle and can be printed, promising significant weight improvements over conventional paints.

SourceKobe University·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

Unprecedented success continues: 2023 employment gains for people with disabilities outshine those of counterparts without disabilities

The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities reached a record high of 37.1% in 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic level and that of people without disabilities. This growth is attributed to significant employer trends, including labor shortages and increased wages, as well as accommodations made during the pandemic.

Mutations in the Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase 1 gene SOD1 can cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) in a process that involves dissociation of the SOD1 dimer

A novel cyclic thiosulfinate cross-linker has favorable drug-like properties and can stabilize the SOD1 dimer in vivo, indicating potential therapeutic benefits for fALS. This study uses a mouse model to evaluate protein cross-linking as a strategy to treat SOD1 variants associated with familial ALS.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 30, 2024

COVID-19: How effective was contact tracing?

A study published in EuroSurveillance found that 40% of COVID-19 infected individuals were identified through contact tracing, with socio-economic factors influencing reporting rates. The effectiveness of contact tracing alone was relative, but its psychological impact on the population should not be overlooked.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeNews article·DateJan 30, 2024

Startups spark more innovations in emerging industries than established companies do

New research from Texas McCombs found that startups have an outsized number of future citations, sparking more innovation in emerging industries like photovoltaic cells. Startups' inventions are more likely to be cited by universities and companies due to resource disparities, academic citations, and prior lawsuits.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024