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Science News Archive January 2024 - Page 32


Page 32 of 37

EMBARGOED UNTIL JAN. 8 @ 3 PM EST: UTHealth Houston study: EBV-specific T-cells play key role in development of multiple sclerosis

Researchers from UTHealth Houston discovered that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T-cells are present in high numbers in the cerebrospinal fluid of people with multiple sclerosis at its earliest stages. The study suggests that these cells may be contributing to the disease's pathogenesis.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

Building on CO2

Researchers at Empa's Concrete & Asphalt lab have developed a process for integrating biochar into concrete, achieving net zero emissions. The process involves processing biochar into pellets and incorporating them into concrete, resulting in a 20% by volume carbon content that offsets all emissions produced during production.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

Ultrasensitive molecular sensing with synthesize complex-frequencey waves

Researchers demonstrate a new method to synthesize complex-frequency waves (CFW) to amplify molecular signals in graphene-based surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA). This approach increases the sensitivity of traditional SEIRA technologies, enabling the detection of trace molecules currently undetectable. CFWs enhance molecular...

Virginia Tech researchers find drugs used to treat Type 2 diabetes reduce alcohol cravings, use in individuals with obesity

A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, can decrease cravings for alcohol and lead to reduced consumption in individuals with obesity. The findings add to a growing literature on the potential of GLP-1 agonists to curb dangerous drinking habits.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScientific Reports·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 8, 2024

Researchers unveil useful strategies for sustainable gas storage and separation with clathrate hydrates

A new study by GIST researchers provides efficient hydrogen storage solutions using clathrate hydrates, overcoming limitations such as limited gas storage capacities and slow formation rates. The study offers crucial insights for developing clathrate hydrate-based technologies for carbon dioxide separation and hydrogen storage.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAccounts of Chemical Research·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 8, 2024

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers say accounting for plastic persistence can minimize environmental impacts

A new approach to designing plastic products with low environmental persistence could significantly reduce the environmental costs of single-use plastics. By analyzing the environmental degradation rate of different materials, researchers have identified alternative materials like cellulose diacetate and polyhydroxyalkanoates as potent...

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateJan 8, 2024

Evolution is not as random as previously thought, finds a new study

A new study has found that evolution is influenced by a genome's evolutionary history, allowing scientists to predict gene interactions and tackle real-world issues like antibiotic resistance. This discovery opens the door to new possibilities in synthetic biology, medicine, and environmental science.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 8, 2024

UC Study: Thirdhand smoke may harm children

A recent University of Cincinnati study found nicotine and a potent carcinogen called NNK on surfaces in children's homes, highlighting the persistence of thirdhand smoke pollutants even in homes with voluntary indoor smoking bans. The research emphasizes the importance of protecting children from tobacco exposure.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateJan 8, 2024

Study from ECNU Review of Education redevelops framework for teaching artificial intelligence and robotics

A study redevelops a framework for teaching artificial intelligence and robotics to preschool children, providing five big ideas that can be grasped by young kids. The framework aims to prepare children to understand and use AI tools effectively, promoting healthy and responsible learning in the rapidly developing digital society.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 8, 2024

Participants in school-based gardening and food programs benefit from lasting impacts on dietary behaviors

A new study found that participants in school-based gardening and food programs experience lasting impacts on their dietary behaviors, including increased enjoyment of fresh foods, confidence in making healthy decisions, and appreciation for the benefits of experiential education. The FRESHFARM FoodPrints program, which has been operat...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeObservational study·DateJan 8, 2024

A novel strategy for extracting white mycelial pulp from fruiting mushroom bodies

A team of researchers at Shinshu University has successfully extracted mycelial pulp and fibers from fruiting mushroom bodies using sunlight, preserving their intricate mycelial structures. The fibers show excellent formability and potential applications in packaging materials, textiles, and soundproofing.

SourceShinshu University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

Putting your toddler in front of the TV? You might hurt their ability to process the world around them, new data suggests

Research from Drexel University found that toddlers exposed to more screen time may exhibit disengaged and disinterested behavior, seeking intense stimulation, or being overwhelmed by sounds and lights. This could have implications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2024

Revolutionizing stable and efficient catalysts with Turing structures for hydrogen production

Researchers from City University of Hong Kong developed a novel strategy to engineer stable and efficient ultrathin nanosheet catalysts using Turing structures. This approach effectively resolves the instability problem associated with low-dimensional materials in catalytic systems, enabling efficient and long-lasting hydrogen production.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

Bottled water can contain hundreds of thousands of previously uncounted tiny plastic bits, study finds

Researchers used a new technique to count tiny plastic particles in bottled water, finding an average of 240,000 detectable fragments per liter, 10 times greater than previous estimates. Nanoplastics, smaller than microplastics, can pass through the bloodstream and reach organs like the heart and brain.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 8, 2024

Colorado State researcher leads global study of extreme drought impacts on grasslands and shrublands

A global study led by Colorado State University scientists shows that extreme drought has been greatly underestimated for grasslands and shrublands. The study found that the loss of aboveground plant growth was 60% greater when short-term drought was extreme, exceeding previously reported losses.

SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

Unlocking Earth's ammonia mysteries: China's HIRAS/FY-3D satellite reveals first global map

Researchers from China have developed an algorithm to derive atmospheric ammonia concentrations from the HIRAS instrument on the FY-3D satellite. This marks the first global map of atmospheric ammonia observed by the HIRAS instrument, providing crucial insights into its environmental impact and climate change implications.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

Protecting coral ‘nurseries’ as important as safeguarding established coral reefs

A new study demonstrates that identifying and protecting marine ecosystems, known as coral nurseries, is crucial to future coral conservation and restoration efforts. These areas, where coral larvae can survive and thrive, are connected to established coral reefs via nearshore currents and reef structure.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

Cracking the case for non-glass wine bottles

Researchers found that non-glass wine bottles are up to 51% more carbon efficient than glass, but Australian consumers prefer traditional glass due to perceptions of heritage and luxury. Alternative formats like cask and flat plastic bottles gained popularity, especially among younger generations.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·TypeSurvey·DateJan 8, 2024

Preventing the destruction of Eucalyptus forest plantations: naturally occurring pathogenic fungi to control the Eucalyptus snout beetle

Scientists have identified two fungi, Beauveria pseudobassiana and Metarhizium brunneum, with high insecticidal activity against the Eucalyptus snout beetle. These naturally occurring pathogenic fungi could be used to develop a bio-pesticide for controlling the beetle in forest plantations.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalBiological Control·DateJan 8, 2024

Uncovering self-recoverable NIR mechanoluminescence from Cr³⁺ doped perovskite type aluminate

Researchers have successfully synthesized a new material that exhibits self-recoverable near-infrared (NIR) mechanoluminescence, a property useful for biomedical imaging and other applications. The material's mechanism is attributed to its piezoelectricity, which generates excited states in Cr³⁺ ions upon mechanical stimulation.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalAdvanced Powder Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2024