Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive June 2024 - Page 14


Page 14 of 39

Turning infrared light visible

The Indian Institute of Science has fabricated a device to up-convert short infrared light to the visible range, utilizing a non-linear optical mirror stack made of gallium selenide. This innovation has diverse applications in defence and optical communications, including astronomy and chemistry.

SourceIndian Institute of Science (IISc)·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·DateJun 20, 2024

Iron meteorites hint that our infant solar system was more doughnut than dartboard

New research suggests that our infant solar system resembled a doughnut-shaped protoplanetary disk, where asteroids with metal grains rich in iridium and platinum migrated to the outer disk as it rapidly expanded. This explanation contradicts previous findings of concentric ring structures around other stars.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 20, 2024

Can LSD confer psychological strength and resilience?

A new study published in PLOS ONE found that lifetime LSD use is associated with a higher likelihood of severe psychological distress after losing one's job. The study analyzed data from over 15,000 adults and found that prior LSD use was linked to greater symptoms of psychological distress.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateJun 20, 2024

How can AI cope with changing categories?

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have discovered a new scaling law that governs how artificial neural networks handle an increasing number of categories for identification. This law reveals how the identification error rate increases with the number of required recognizable objects, impacting AI latency and efficiency.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalPhysica A Statistical Mechanics and its Applications·DateJun 20, 2024

Towards cleaner energy: Breakthrough in anode electrode materials for proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells operating at medium temperature

Researchers have developed a novel perovskite-based anode material with mixed hole–proton conduction, achieving high efficiency at low and medium temperatures. The breakthrough could pave the way for important technological advancements in energy technologies.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the Physical Society of Japan·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2024

Making waves: generation of intense terahertz waves with a magnetic material

Scientists at Tohoku University have discovered a new magnetic material that generates terahertz waves with an intensity four times higher than typical materials. This breakthrough enables the development of efficient terahertz wave emitters for various industrial fields, including imaging and medical diagnostics.

A study led by ISGlobal and IDIAPJGol recommends strengthening immunity against COVID-19 in people with cancer

Researchers analyzed data from over 184,000 cancer patients to assess COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. The study found that vaccination significantly reduces mortality and serious complications among cancer patients, especially those who received the booster dose.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJun 19, 2024

New AI tool for rapid and cost-effective drug discovery

PSICHIC uses sequence data and AI to decode protein-molecule interactions with state-of-the-art accuracy, eliminating costly processes like 3D structures. The tool effectively screens new drug candidates and performs selectivity profiling, offering a more efficient and reliable approach to drug discovery.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 19, 2024

Direct observation of a glass hardening process

A research team observed partial crystallization of a glass and developed a model explaining the crystal nucleation mechanisms within a glass at different spatial scales. The team used multiscale structural analysis mainly using synchrotron X-rays, revealing nanosized crystal nuclei forming within Zr-rich regions of the glass.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalNPG Asia Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2024

Walking brings huge benefits for low back pain, study finds

A world-first study found that walking regularly can reduce the recurrence of low back pain by almost twice as long as not exercising. The study, conducted by Macquarie University, followed 701 adults with a history of low back pain and randomly allocated them to either an individualized walking program or a control group.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 19, 2024

More effective cancer treatment with iontronic pump

Researchers at Linköping University and the Medical University of Graz have developed a new cancer treatment using an iontronic pump to deliver continuous, low-dose chemotherapy directly to brain tumors. This approach significantly reduces tumor growth by bypassing the blood-brain barrier, a common obstacle to effective treatment.

SourceLinköping University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2024

For the first time scientists managed to generate kidney organoids with a complex vascular system

Researchers at IBEC successfully generated kidney organoids with a complex vascular system, a breakthrough that could revolutionize disease modeling and drug screening. This achievement was made possible by combining 3D kidney organoids with endothelial organoids in a process that mimics the development of human kidneys.

SourceInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2024

Boosting the synthesis of stable sugar compounds with a novel nature-inspired approach

Researchers have developed a novel approach to convert native sugars into diverse classes of stable glycosides and glycoproteins. This biomimetic concept uses 'cap and glycosylate' technology to selectively activate and substitute the anomeric hydroxyl group in a native sugar, generating a temporary thioglycoside intermediate that unde...

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2024

Decoding depression amidst COVID-19: a comprehensive analysis of genetic and environmental stressors by GCAT

The COVICAT study, involving a Spanish cohort of 9,218 individuals, used innovative approaches to analyze the interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental stressors in determining depression risk. Key findings include the importance of considering both genetic and environmental factors when addressing depression risk.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJun 19, 2024

Interaction with insects accelerates plant evolution

Researchers at the University of Zurich discovered that plants benefit from a variety of interactions with pollinators and herbivores, leading to local adaptation and ecotypes. Plants pollinated by bumblebees adapted best to different soil types, while others showed less significant adaptation.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2024

Biological underpinnings of romantic attraction and bonding

A new study reveals that physiological synchrony significantly enhances perceived romantic attraction. Super Synchronizers, who naturally synchronize well in social and nonsocial contexts, are perceived as more romantically appealing. This study integrates experimental and observational methods to investigate the mechanisms of romantic...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2024

Clinical ageing clocks: NUS and SGH develop algorithm-powered tests to indicate mortality risk

Researchers developed two clinical ageing clocks, PCAge and LinAge, that use blood tests, a urine test, and a health questionnaire to estimate future mortality risk. These clocks show significant predictive efficacy in characterising individual future ageing trajectories.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalNature Aging·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 19, 2024

Immune response study explains why some people don't get COVID-19

Researchers used single-cell sequencing technology to study immune responses in healthy adult volunteers exposed to SARS-CoV-2. They discovered unique immune responses associated with resisting sustained viral infection and disease, including activation of specialized mucosal immune cells and a reduction in inflammatory white blood cells.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2024