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Science News Archive June 2024 - Page 20


Page 20 of 39

Physical activity in the evening shown to improve glucose regulation in overweight and obese adults

Researchers from the University of Granada found that accumulating moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the evening improves glucose regulation in overweight and obese adults. The study's results have significant implications for individuals at risk of developing insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, highlighting the importance o...

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalObesity·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 14, 2024

Fasting primes the immune system’s natural killer cells to better fight cancer, new study in mice finds

A new study finds that periods of fasting can reprogram the immune system's natural killer cells to better fight cancer. The research suggests that fasting may help improve immune responses and make immunotherapy more effective by training NK cells to survive in the tumor environment and produce more cytokines.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

New study emphasizes tradeoffs between arresting groundwater depletion and food security

A new study emphasizes the need to balance water conservation with food security, finding that ending groundwater depletion would lead to significant declines in food production, particularly for rice and wheat. The study warns that such efforts could push up international prices, making food less affordable for the poor.

SourceInternational Food Policy Research Institute·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJun 14, 2024

Tiny New Zealand bird delivers a lesson in birdsong evolution

Scientists studying the rifleman bird found that its vocal signatures are similar when birds live near each other, suggesting they may learn their sounds. This challenges the traditional view of birds as either vocal learners or non-learners, and raises the possibility that many bird species possess rudimentary learning abilities.

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 14, 2024

Nano-immunotherapy developed to improve lung cancer treatment

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new nanomedicine therapy that delivers anticancer drugs to lung cancer cells and enhances the immune system's ability to fight cancer. The therapy shows promising results in cancer cells in the lab and in mouse lung tumor models, with potential applications for improving care...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

Infectious H5N1 influenza virus in raw milk rapidly declines with heat treatment

A recent study by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found that the amount of infectious H5N1 influenza viruses in raw milk rapidly declined with heat treatment. However, small amounts of infectious virus remained detectable in some samples even after high-temperature pasteurization.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 14, 2024

Synthetic data holds the key to determining best statewide transit investments, new NYU Tandon School of Engineering study finds

Researchers used synthetic population data to assess equity impacts of transportation investments in New York State, finding that microtransit services were more viable in disadvantaged areas. The study's findings aim to create a way to analyze and allocate transportation resources nationally for equitable outcomes.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalTransportation Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 14, 2024

New carbon nitride membrane revolutionizes lithium extraction from salt lakes

Researchers developed a crystalline carbon nitride membrane that outperforms traditional polymer membranes in separating lithium ions from magnesium ions in salt-lake brine. The innovative design mimics biological ion channels, achieving an impressive selectivity ratio of 1,708 for highly dilute lithium ions.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

New approach to identifying altermagnetic materials

Researchers developed a new method to identify altermagnets using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and theoretically predicted its fingerprint. The approach was successfully applied to manganese telluride (α-MnTe), revealing the material's hidden fingerprint of altermagnetism, which could accelerate spintronics applications.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 14, 2024

The genetic “switches” of bone growth

Researchers at UNIGE have identified 2700 genetic enhancers that regulate genes responsible for bone growth, providing insights into adult height and potential causes of bone diseases. The study suggests that variations in these enhancers could explain differences in human size and potentially contribute to developmental pathologies.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateJun 14, 2024

High out-of-pocket costs may be barrier to filling naloxone prescriptions, study shows

A study published in JAMA found that high out-of-pocket costs are a significant barrier to filling naloxone prescriptions. The study, which utilized data from a national pharmacy transactions database, estimated that a $10 increase in cost would decrease the rate of filling prescriptions by about 2-3 percentage points.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 14, 2024

Global trial confirms benefit of antacids on bleeding prevention for ventilated patients

A global study and meta-analysis confirm pantoprazole's effectiveness in preventing upper GI bleeding in critically ill adults on a breathing machine. The research, led by McMaster University, shows that pantoprazole reduces the risk of clinically important upper GI bleeding but has no significant impact on mortality.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 14, 2024

Improving soil health yields unexpected benefits for farmers

A study by Dartmouth College finds that regenerative agriculture's impact on farmers extends beyond financial gain, influencing their relationships and quality of life. By adopting practices like reduced tillage and cover cropping, farmers experience reduced dependence on agrochemicals and improved soil fertility.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAgriculture and Human Values·TypeSurvey·DateJun 14, 2024

Quasicrystal metasurface projects holographic images and light patterns simultaneously

Scientists have developed a quasicrystal metasurface that projects holographic images and creates unique diffraction patterns. This innovative design simplifies device design and offers precise control over light manipulation, paving the way for high-resolution thin holographic displays, ultra-fast light-switching devices, and advanced...

Bringing data to life: New interactive dashboard provides analysis and visualization of sickle cell disease prevalence and burden in an entire state

The Indiana Sickle Cell Dashboard presents interactive visualizations of the disease's prevalence and burden across an entire state, offering a comprehensive picture of those living with sickle cell. The dashboard provides rates per 100,000 population, allowing for comparisons between states or areas around the world.

Disparities in the distribution of flood adaptation resources could be curbed by equity-weighting, research suggests

Researchers found that conventional benefit-cost analyses favor affluent communities, while an equity-weighted approach could reduce bias in hazard mitigation funding. This new method has the potential to improve resource allocation for socio-economically vulnerable areas.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 14, 2024

How human activities affect groundwater storage?

The study finds a significant negative correlation between human activities and groundwater storage, with temporal analysis revealing long-lasting effects up to seven years. Economically developed regions favor groundwater storage, highlighting the need for sustainable practices.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeObservational study·DateJun 13, 2024

After major traumatic brain injury, more blood transfusions could mean better outcomes

A new study found that a liberal blood transfusion strategy may improve outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury, leading to better functional independence and quality of life. Six months after the injury, patients who received more frequent blood transfusions showed higher levels of recovery and improved quality of life compa...

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 13, 2024

Mysterious mini-Neptunes

Four transiting short-period mini-Neptunes orbiting red dwarfs have been discovered, with radii 2-3 times that of Earth and orbital periods under eight days. Their interiors likely contain volatiles and atmospheres, suggesting non-rocky composition.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 13, 2024

Exploring the link between brain topological resilience and cognitive performance in the context of aging and vascular risk factors: A cross-ethnicity population-based study

A cross-ethnicity study investigated the relationship between brain topological resilience, aging, and vascular risk factors on cognition. BTR showed negative correlations with age and positive correlations with cognition, and SEM supported pathways where BTR mediated the effect of aging and atherosclerosis on cognition.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJun 13, 2024