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Science News for July 11, 2024


Climate change: Thick sea ice flowing from Arctic Ocean shortening shipping season in Northwest Passage

A recent analysis found that thick sea ice flowing south from the Arctic Ocean has shortened the shipping season in several parts of the Northwest Passage between 2007 and 2021. This means the region is unlikely to become a viable alternative to traditional shipping routes despite hopes fueled by global warming.

SourceSpringer·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 11, 2024

MSK discovery suggests opportunity to improve effectiveness of KRAS inhibitors against pancreatic cancer

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have identified a new mechanism of resistance to KRAS inhibitors in pancreatic cancer, suggesting an opportunity to make the treatment more effective. The study found that a more aggressive subtype of pancreatic tumor is likely to respond well to KRAS inhibitors.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024

Metformin and other antidiabetic drugs can help reduce the risk of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes

Researchers analyzed over 1.5 million patient records to find that metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors lowered dementia and Alzheimer's disease risks compared to other antidiabetic drugs. The study suggests individualized treatment approaches considering patient-specific factors for optimal diabetes management.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 11, 2024

‘Check out’ that power

The Grid Event Signature Library provides an online collection of anonymized datasets containing waveforms, enabling utilities and research institutions to understand the increasingly complex grid. Machine learning can be trained to recognize waveforms that provide early warnings of equipment malfunction, preventing blackouts and damage.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalIEEE Access·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024

2000th ERC Proof of Concept grant awarded

The European Research Council has awarded a €150,000 Proof of Concept grant to the DeepSpacePulse project, led by Prof. Nanda Rea, to develop an efficient and autonomous navigation system for deep space exploration. The new system aims to improve existing space navigation systems and be competitive in both public and private markets.

Weight loss surgery reduces widespread pain among people of color, although disparities persist

A new study found that surgical weight loss significantly reduces widespread pain in Black and Hispanic patients, with the greatest benefit seen within the first three months after surgery. However, disparities persist, with these groups still experiencing a higher pain burden than the general population.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Pain·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 11, 2024

Researchers develop a way to make lifesaving phages accessible, transportable and much easier to use

Scientists have developed a user-friendly system to quickly match specific infections to the phages that can stop them. The new technology combines a biobank and testing lab in one small package, enabling phages to be stored at room temperature for months, making them more accessible to patients who need them.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024

Popular climate assessment method can be enhanced to improve tipping point accuracy

A recent analysis suggests that the optimal fingerprinting method (OFM) can be improved to enhance its usefulness and accuracy in assessing climate tipping points. The study highlights the limitations of current methods and proposes a new approach that combines theoretical and dynamical reasoning.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJul 11, 2024

Article tracks history of state history education standards, how teachers can use them as lessons

A new article from a University of Kansas scholar examines the history of state history education standards, highlighting their evolution and potential as a tool for teaching critical thinking and nuanced historical understanding. The author argues that standards can be a way for teachers to guide students in analyzing historical docum...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalThe American Historical Review·TypeContent analysis·DateJul 11, 2024

Neighborhood impact on children's well-being shifted during COVID-19 pandemic, ECHO study suggests

A new ECHO study reveals that neighborhood characteristics played a lesser role in child well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods. The pandemic altered how people interacted with their neighborhoods, making factors like green spaces and recreation less important.

SourceEnvironmental influences on Child Health Outcomes·JournalEnvironmental Research·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

Narcissism decreases with age, study finds

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people tend to become less narcissistic as they age from childhood through older adulthood. However, those who are more narcissistic as children tend to remain so as adults. The research analyzed data from 51 longitudinal studies and found a small decline in agentic...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 11, 2024

A new study reveals the underuse of a key drug in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia

A new study analyzed clozapine prescription patterns in patients with first-episode psychosis, finding that approximately 20-30% do not respond to conventional treatments. The use of clozapine can significantly reduce psychotic symptoms and improve quality of life for these patients.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalSpanish Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024

Racial disparities in dementia determined by social factors

A new study by researchers at WashU Medicine found that people of predominantly Native American or African ancestry have a higher prevalence of dementia due to social determinants of health. These factors include lower education levels, rural residency, and high blood pressure, which raised their risk of cognitive decline.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

User control of autoplay can alter awareness of online video ‘rabbit holes’

Researchers designed an experimental platform to test the effect of user control on perception of falling down the rabbit hole. Participants watched videos with varying levels of extreme content under different autoplay modes, showing that altering aspects of online media technology can influence people's perceptions.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Studies·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024

Three-dimensional acoustic quantum Hall effect

Researchers have successfully demonstrated the three-dimensional acoustic quantum Hall effect in a Weyl acoustic crystal, creating one-dimensional edge states that can be directly observed. The discovery opens up new avenues for exploring Hall physics and manipulating acoustic waves with unconventional functions.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJul 11, 2024

Understanding the origin of superconductivity in high-temperature copper oxide superconductors

A team of researchers has discovered a long-range charge-density wave order in a high-temperature superconductor induced by tensile-compressive strain, challenging conventional beliefs about magnetism as the primary driver. The findings have immense promise for elucidating the underlying mechanisms of high-temperature superconductivity.

SourceOkayama University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024

UMA scientists find a natural quicksand trap dated to more than one million years ago in the ‘elephant graveyard’ of Orce

Scientists at the University of Malaga have uncovered a natural quicksand trap in the 'elephant graveyard' of Orce, dated to over 1.4 million years ago. The discovery provides insights into human presence in Western Europe and competition with large carrion hyenas for meat resources.

SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalJournal of Iberian Geology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024

Artificial intelligence speeds up heart scans, saving doctors’ time, and could lead to better treatment for heart conditions

Researchers developed an AI model to analyze heart MRI scans, which can save NHS time and resources. The model provides a complete analysis of the entire heart using a view that shows all four chambers, leading to faster and more accurate diagnosis of heart failure and other cardiac conditions.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEuropean Radiology Experimental·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 11, 2024

Introducing co-cultures: When co-habiting animal species share culture

Co-cultures refer to mutual cultural sharing between distinct animal species, influencing each other in substantial ways. These relationships have been observed between humans and nonhuman animals, as well as between different species of nonhuman animals, driving evolutionary adaptations and preferences.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 11, 2024

Bacteria form glasslike state

Researchers at University of Tokyo discovered E.coli bacteria exhibit similar characteristics to colloidal glass when densely packed, exhibiting a glassy state with restricted movement. The study reveals novel properties beyond standard glass-like behavior, including spontaneous microdomain formation and collective motion.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024

Urban seagulls still prefer seafood

Researchers found that herring gull chicks fed a marine diet preferred fish over urban foods, indicating they may prioritize seafood for nutrition. The study suggests that early life dietary influences do not impact adult fish preferences in herring gulls.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPeerJ·DateJul 11, 2024

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers find parent and caregiver support linked to decreased depression and suicidal thoughts in LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ youth

A study from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to experience depression and suicidal thoughts compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. However, those who reported parental support showed significantly reduced rates of these symptoms.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

Illinois clean energy transition excludes key constituents in energy justice equation

A recent study from the University of Illinois suggests that Illinois' clean energy transition has led to a lack of equity in the distribution of renewable power benefits. The state prioritized historically marginalized communities but failed to consider the burdens on rural, white communities, resulting in perceived injustices and opp...

NASA’s Hubble traces dark matter in dwarf galaxy using stellar motions

A team of astronomers used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to create the most accurate three-dimensional understanding of stars' movements within the Draco dwarf galaxy. This allowed them to build a more precise model of dark matter distribution, which aligns with cosmological models and suggests a cusp-like structure.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

Unveiling 1,200 years of human occupation in Canada’s Arctic

Researchers detected Paleo-Inuit and Thule-Inuit settlements on Somerset Island using sediment samples, providing new insights into Arctic cultures. The study suggests the Thule-Inuit population arrived earlier than previously estimated, with increased presence from the 13th to 15th centuries.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeContent analysis·DateJul 11, 2024

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä are mapping the world's fungi from air samples

A study published in Nature used DNA sequencing to identify fungi from air samples worldwide, providing groundbreaking knowledge about their occurrence and seasonal variation. The research aims to predict the fate of fungal species under global change and has significant implications for biomonitoring and biodiversity forecasts.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

Seeing inside Alzheimer’s disease brain

Researchers have determined the structure of molecules within an Alzheimer's disease brain for the first time using cryo-electron tomography and fluorescence microscopy. This study revealed the molecular structure of tau protein and its arrangement with amyloid plaques, providing new insights into the pathology of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

Warm or cold: Hibernation status matters when white-nose syndrome pathogen infects bats

The fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome in bats uses different cell entry strategies depending on the host's hibernation status, highlighting potential therapeutic interventions against WNS using epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Bats play a crucial role in mitigating agricultural pests and insect-borne diseases.

Fossils of ancient chromosomes discovered

Researchers have discovered fossils of ancient chromosomes in the skin of a 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth, allowing them to assemble the genomes of extinct species. The discovery provides insights into the history of life on Earth and enables scientists to study the evolution of genes and organisms.

The ‘neural clocks’ in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients are running short

A study published in Brain Communications found that Alzheimer's patients have a disrupted 'neural clock' in the left angular gyrus, leading to unstable brain activity and cognitive decline. The researchers hope this finding can be used as an early biomarker for detecting the disease.

Black Americans develop mental resilience to discrimination early

A Duke University study found that by adulthood, Black men and women in the U.S. have developed mental resilience to everyday discrimination, including microaggressions, potentially limiting its impact on their mental health. White young adults may lack these coping strategies, making them more psychologically distressing.

SourceDuke University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJul 11, 2024

Advanced method for rock engraving analysis: computational answers to riddles on stone

Researchers developed a new method to study rock engravings, integrating technological and visual analysis to uncover the cultural significance of engravings in Timna Park. The approach provides comprehensive insights into the production processes and cultural context of ancient engraving practices.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Archaeological Method and Theory·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 11, 2024

Covid-19: migrants globally at higher risk

A new study published in eClinicalMedicine reveals that migrants are at an increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2, experiencing severe disease courses, and having higher mortality rates. Systemic barriers such as overcrowding, precarious working conditions, and limited access to healthcare contribute to poorer health outcomes.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 11, 2024

IoT sensors tattle on stores that neglect promo displays

A new study from University of Texas at Austin researchers found that poor execution of promotional displays in retail stores can deprive brands of up to 2.3% more sales. The study used IoT technology to track display installations and found that busy managers often view displays as a nuisance, leading to missed sales opportunities.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalManufacturing and Service Operations Management·DateJul 11, 2024

Nearly one in 10 pregnant people who get COVID will develop long COVID

A nationwide study found that nearly one in 10 pregnant people who contract COVID will develop long-term symptoms, including fatigue and gastrointestinal issues. The study provides important insights into the risk of long COVID in this population and emphasizes the need for healthcare practitioners to be vigilant for its symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

Trained peers are as effective as clinical social workers in reducing opioid overdose, new trial finds

A randomized controlled trial found that support from a peer recovery support specialist was as effective in reducing opioid overdose as support from a licensed clinical social worker. The trial included 648 ED patients at high risk of opioid overdose and showed no significant difference between the two groups in fatal opioid overdoses.

SourceSociety for the Study of Addiction·JournalAddiction·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 11, 2024

Movement sensors show promise in identifying horses at injury risk

Researchers used movement sensors to track thoroughbreds' stride patterns and identified miniscule changes associated with increased injury risk. The technology has been shown to prevent catastrophic injuries by alerting trainers and veterinarians to intervene before a major injury occurs, resulting in longer careers for affected horses.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateJul 11, 2024