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Science News Archive July 2024 - Page 11


Page 11 of 41

Chung-Ang University researchers study real-time electricity pricing model to enhance power grid balance

A new study proposes a predictive home energy management system with a customizable bidirectional real-time pricing mechanism to promote residential demand response and reduce peak loads. The system enhances user comfort and accuracy of forecasting, while also providing cost savings.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalIEEE Internet of Things Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 24, 2024

SIAT team investigates nonlinear current response in perovskite X-ray detectors

Researchers proposed a design strategy to mitigate nonlinear responses in polycrystalline metal halide perovskite X-ray detectors, addressing issues like 'delay' and 'ghosting'. The study demonstrated high-resolution X-ray imaging with suppressed ghosting contrast and top sensitivity for similar X-ray energies among polycrystalline per...

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 24, 2024

'Gene misbehavior' widespread in healthy people

A recent study found that 'gene misbehaviour' is a common phenomenon in the healthy human population, with over half of inactive genes showing misexpression. The researchers used advanced techniques to analyze blood samples from 4,568 healthy individuals and identified mechanisms behind these gene activity errors.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 24, 2024

Toward a quantum electron microscope: a compact pulse hollow cone hybrid TEM/SEM by CityUHK to revolutionize electron microscopy

A team from City University of Hong Kong has designed a compact hybrid transmission and scanning electron microscope that can operate at room temperature, offering high-resolution imaging capabilities without cryogenic temperatures. The new system reduces radiation damage to samples and provides improved image contrast using pulse elec...

The ocean is becoming too loud for oysters

Research from the University of Adelaide reveals that human activity is interfering with oysters' natural settlement process due to increased noise pollution. The study found that acoustic enrichment techniques may not be effective in areas with high levels of anthropogenic noise.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJul 24, 2024

Schematics for the transition-state structure for enantioselectivity determining step. (Image by FU et al.)

A study published in PNAS reveals that active matter and shear flows exhibit similar thinning behaviors due to micro-mechanism of breaking up percolating particle clusters. This finding offers a possible explanation for the 'superfluid'-like phenomena observed in biological organisms.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2024

NUS researchers develop new battery-free technology to power electronic devices using ambient radiofrequency signals

A team of NUS researchers developed a compact and sensitive rectifier technology that uses nanoscale spin-rectifiers to convert ambient wireless radio frequency signals into DC voltage. The technology overcomes challenges in existing energy harvesting modules, enabling battery-free operation for small electronic devices.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Preventing brain damage in preterm babies

A recent study has identified a blood protein called fibrin as the root cause of developmental delays and brain damage in preterm infants. The researchers found that fibrin interferes with a cell-signaling pathway essential for neuron creation, particularly in the cerebellum.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2024

Neurons in the frontal cortex help macaque monkeys decode social interactions

Research on macaque monkeys reveals that neurons in the frontal cortex respond differently to real and filmed partners during turn-taking exercises. This finding suggests that these neurons may be involved in spatial perspective-taking, a cognitive operation that enables individuals to mentally rotate themselves into others' positions.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Foam fluidics showcase Rice lab’s creative approach to circuit design

Engineers have shown that air flow through open-cell foam can be used to perform digital computation, analog sensing, and combined digital-analog control in soft textile-based wearable systems. The researchers designed foam-based fluidic resistors to create two-dimensional pneumatic logic circuits embedded in textile-based devices.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Electrical stimulation for brighter persistent luminescence

Researchers create a new yellow-green luminescent material to address growing industrial demand for brighter afterglow. They successfully apply an electric field stimulation method, increasing the initial luminance of the SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphor and demonstrating its potential for high brightness long afterglow emission.

Large genetic study on severe COVID-19

Researchers found that mutations in the TLR7 gene significantly increase the risk of severe COVID-19, as well as changes in the TBK1, INFAR1, and IFIH1 genes. The study also suggests gender-specific differences in how genetic factors influence disease progression.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalHuman Genetics and Genomics Advances·DateJul 24, 2024

First long term study shows use of socially assistive robot improves stroke rehabilitation

Researchers found that socially assistive robots improved stroke rehabilitation outcomes by encouraging people to continue their treatment in a non-judgmental setting. Participants who used the robots showed significant improvements in kinematic and clinical measures, including smoothness of movement and upper-extremity assessments.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 24, 2024

Can anxiety increase the risk of developing dementia?

A prospective cohort study found that both chronic and new anxiety were associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. The presence of chronic anxiety was linked to a 2.8-time higher risk, while new onset anxiety was associated with a 3.2-time higher risk.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 24, 2024

Under pressure: how cells respond to physical stress

Researchers at UNIGE have discovered how yeast cells respond to physical stress on their membranes. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed that specific lipid domains can stabilize and trigger cellular responses to mechanical stimuli. This study sheds light on the role of membrane compartmentalization in cell survival.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateJul 24, 2024

High-speed camera for molecules: entangled photons enabled raman spectroscopy

Researchers developed a microscopic theory for ultrafast stimulated Raman spectroscopy with quantum-light fields, enabling high-speed imaging of molecules. The technique leverages the quantum advantages of entangled photon sources to enhance both temporal and spectral resolution.

The aroma of tomato resistance

The IBMCP team has identified a new volatile compound, alpha-terpineol, that effectively protects plants from Pseudomonas syringae, a pathogenic bacterium causing severe crop damage. This natural strategy could serve as a protective barrier against bacteria and even protect plants from drought.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Preventing cancer cells from colonizing the liver

Cancer cells can attach themselves to liver cells when specific proteins are present, allowing them to colonize and form new tumors. This discovery provides insights into the metastatic process and may lead to potential treatments that prevent cancer from establishing new tumors.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Tiny deletion in heart muscle protein briefly affects embryonic ventricles but has long-term effects on adult atrial fibrillation

Researchers found that a tiny deletion in the titin protein causes developmental defects in embryonic ventricles, leading to increased potassium ion current and abnormal ANP expression. This remodeling leads to impaired atrial contractility and an increased risk of adult atrial fibrillation.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Trajectory planning could boost safety in medical robotics

Researchers have developed a complex algorithm to choreograph the movement of two robotic arms, ensuring a clear space between them and maintaining a consistent magnetic field. This innovative system uses two robotic arms to steer magnetic medical devices, such as vine robots, with precise control and accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe International Journal of Robotics Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Dark matter seen through a forest

Researchers used hydrogen to track dark matter's presence in the universe, revealing a tension between observations and theoretical predictions. The findings suggest that an unknown particle or new physics may be responsible for this discrepancy.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 24, 2024

Lower dose prostate cancer treatments retain efficacy while improving tolerability

Researchers found that lower doses of radiopharmaceutical therapy approaches for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer were just as effective as the standard dose, with better tolerability among patients. The study showed improved PSA response rates and comparable median overall survival in both groups.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJul 24, 2024