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Science News Archive July 2024 - Page 41


Page 41 of 41

Rutgers researchers examine how fungal toxins impact hormones in pregnancy

Rutgers researchers found that exposure to Zearalenone, a fungal toxin common in processed foods, was associated with altered estrogen and androgen levels in pregnant women. High levels of ZEN were linked to lower estrone and free testosterone in male fetuses and higher 17β-estradiol in female fetuses.

SourceRutgers University·JournalInternational Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·TypeObservational study·DateJul 1, 2024

Pusan National University researchers assess the impact of repeated item development faculty training on item difficulty prediction

A study by Pusan National University researchers found that repeated item development training enhances faculty members' accuracy in predicting and adjusting item difficulty levels, leading to better educational outcomes. The training improved the quality of MCQ assessments in medical education.

SourcePusan National University·JournalBMC Medical Education·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2024

Can a computer chip have zero energy loss in 1.58 dimensions?

Theoretical physicists at Utrecht University have discovered that fractals might hold the key to making electric currents flow without energy loss. By growing fractal structures on top of semiconductors, scientists have created materials with zero-dimensional corner modes and lossless one-dimensional edge states.

SourceUtrecht University, Faculty of Science·JournalNature Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 1, 2024

July Issues of APA Journals cover new research on pharmacogenomics, ADHD medication use, associations between mental health and cardiometabolic complications later in life, and more

The July issues of APA journals feature new research on pharmacogenomics, ADHD medication use and associations between mental health and cardiometabolic complications later in life. The studies highlight the importance of personalized medicine and effective treatment strategies for psychiatric disorders.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJul 1, 2024

Salt-stress survival: AI-powered study decodes the resilience of Spartina alterniflora

A collaborative research team used machine learning to investigate the transcriptomic responses of Spartina alterniflora to various salt concentrations. The study revealed significant transcriptional changes and identified a key gene family member that shows potential for genetic engineering to improve crop resilience.

Medication choice may affect weight gain when initiating antidepressant treatment

A study of over 183,000 adults found that certain antidepressants can cause significant weight gain or loss, while others have little to no effect. Bupropion was consistently associated with the least weight gain among 8 first-line antidepressants, which may impact medication adherence and patient treatment decisions.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJul 1, 2024

Immunotherapy in colorectal cancer

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach in treating metastatic colorectal cancer, especially for patients with dMMR/MSI-H tumors. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown favorable outcomes in clinical trials, including improved progression-free survival and disease control rates.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalExploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine·DateJul 1, 2024

Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

The NTU Singapore-led study found that mothers whose parents help with childcare are more likely to show their children parental warmth. Mothers who received childcare support from maternal grandparents also reported engaging in more positive parenting, characterized by warmth and responsiveness.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateJul 1, 2024

Diversifying China’s urban heating systems will reduce risk of carbon lock-in

A Princeton-led study suggests that diversifying China's urban heating systems will reduce the risk of carbon lock-in. The researchers examined three hypothetical investment scenarios and found that under a low-coal scenario, electric technologies can meet up to 34% of total district heating demand in 2030.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalNature Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 1, 2024

Ripe for discovery: Unraveling the genetic switches of pear maturation

Researchers at Nanjing Agricultural University identified a crucial transcription factor PbHB.G7.2 that enhances ethylene biosynthesis during pear fruit ripening, significantly impacting the ripening process. The study sheds light on genetic mechanisms underlying fruit ripening, offering potential for improved breeding strategies and c...

Shrinking glaciers: Microscopic fungi enhance soil carbon storage in new landscapes created by shrinking Arctic glaciers

In a study published in PNAS, researchers found that microscopic fungi play a key role in enhancing soil carbon storage in newly formed landscapes created by shrinking Arctic glaciers. The team discovered diverse communities of microbes thriving in the barren soils, and pioneer fungi sequester carbon in the soil.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 1, 2024

A research team develops hyperspectral library for rice nutrient stress, achieving up to 100% accuracy with deep learning

A research team developed a hyperspectral library for rice nutrient stress detection using deep learning, achieving accurate results up to 100%. The study improved the precision of nutrient stress detection and contributed to better crop management in precision agriculture.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2024

Common respiratory infections may have protected children from COVID-19, study suggests

Researchers found that frequent respiratory infections in children may have elevated their innate immune activity, protecting them from severe COVID-19 symptoms. The study suggests that childhood exposure to common cold viruses and bacteria boosted the kids' immune systems, allowing them to better fight off SARS-CoV-2.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 1, 2024

New radiative transfer modeling framework enhances deep learning for plant phenotyping

A new radiative transfer modeling framework using Helios 3D software simulates RGB, multispectral, thermal, and depth images of plants with high accuracy. The framework reduces the need for manual data collection, enabling efficient training of deep learning models for high-throughput plant phenotyping and advancing agricultural research.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2024

Everybody needs good neighbors: resident quolls help newcomers settle in at Mulligans Flat

A new study by ANU researchers found that eastern quolls who were born at the sanctuary accepted their new neighbors with open paws. The quolls who were introduced from other sanctuaries settled into similar-sized home ranges to the residents, suggesting a positive impact of reintroduction on the population.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalBiodiversity and Conservation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 1, 2024

Dampening the "seeds" of hurricanes

Researchers found that higher atmospheric moisture produced weaker and slower-moving African easterly waves, making it harder for hurricanes to form. The study used innovative modeling capabilities to simulate the effects of increased regional moisture on hurricane formation.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalJournal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 1, 2024

World’s most accurate and precise atomic clock pushes new frontiers in physics

Researchers at JILA have built an atomic clock that is more precise and accurate than any previous clock, enabling pinpoint navigation in space and searches for new particles. The clock's high precision could reveal hidden underground mineral deposits and test fundamental theories like general relativity with unprecedented rigor.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 1, 2024

Harvard researchers find that gratitude is a useful emotional tool in reducing desire to smoke

Researchers found that evoking feelings of gratitude in smokers decreases their craving for cigarettes and increases their likelihood of enrolling in a smoking cessation program. The study suggests that public health campaigns should consider inducing gratitude instead of negative emotions to promote effective smoking cessation.

SourceShorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2024