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Science News Archive June 2024 - Page 24


Page 24 of 39

Brain regions that bias the brain’s response to pleasure in bipolar disorder identified

Researchers discovered that brain regions, including anterior insula and striatum, are involved in the biased response to pleasure in people with bipolar disorder. In those with bipolar disorder, these brain regions show reduced communication, leading to a 'vicious cycle' of escalating mood and risk-taking behavior.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalBiological Psychiatry Global Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

Ambivalence + polarized views can promote political violence

A new study suggests that ambivalence about a political issue can lead people with polarized views to compensate for their discomfort by supporting extreme actions. Researchers found that those with strong but conflicted views were more likely to support extreme actions, such as getting opponents fired from their jobs, than others.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

Greek Island was home to Bronze Age purple dye workshop

A Bronze Age purple dye workshop has been found on the Greek island of Aegina, featuring tools, ceramics, and snail shells that reveal the production process. The site provides insights into Mycenaean culture and trade during the Late Bronze Age.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJun 12, 2024

Wayne State’s Community Health Worker Academy receives MDHHS grant to support expansion of Neighborhood Wellness Center initiative

The project aims to enhance workforce and social services provided by community health workers, launching consultations and screenings, providing education and resources, and offering referrals. The goal is to improve living conditions and prevent chronic diseases in Southeast Michigan, particularly in Detroit.

A route to scalable Majorana qubits

The discovery enables experiments with Majoranas that were previously inaccessible, thanks to the flexibility of the new 2D platform. This breakthrough paves the way for the creation of networks of Majoranas and integration with auxiliary elements needed for control and readout.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

Study shows politicians deny misdeeds because we want to believe them

A recent study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people are more likely to support a politician who denies wrongdoing, especially if they share the same party affiliation. The research suggests that partisans tend to have different standards for different politicians, with those from their own party bei...

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

Cocaine trafficking threatens critical bird habitats

A new study finds that two-thirds of critical bird habitats are at increased risk from cocaine trafficking activities. The study highlights the unexpected connection between drug trafficking and biodiversity, revealing that areas with growing levels of cocaine trafficking become more attractive to migratory birds.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJun 12, 2024

Mouse study identifies unique approach for preventing life-threatening complications after spinal cord injury

Researchers identified a unique approach to preventing abnormal nerve growth and autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury. Depleting microglia cells was found to be effective in preventing life-threatening complications, which significantly improves quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

Frailty, not just surgery type, is a major determinant of postoperative outcomes in older adults

A new study found that frailty significantly predicts postoperative outcomes in older adults, including higher mortality rates and increased readmission rates. Frail patients experience substantial home time loss due to more days spent in skilled nursing facilities and longer recovery times.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalAnaesthesia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 12, 2024

Pairing shelter dogs has ‘pawsitive’ results

A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that shelter dogs paired with suitable companions exhibited reduced stress levels and were adopted more quickly. The findings suggest that matching dogs with compatible roommates could alleviate stress and improve their adoptability, leading to better outcomes for animal shelters.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJun 12, 2024

Avoidable deaths during Covid-19 associated with chronic hospital nurse understaffing

A recent study found that hospitals with chronic understaffed nurses had higher mortality rates among Covid-19 patients. The researchers suggest that investing in nursing services prior to the pandemic could have prevented thousands of deaths. Thorough staffing and nurse education are seen as crucial for hospital preparedness.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalInternational Journal of Nursing Studies·DateJun 12, 2024

Discovery of the microfossil Qingjiangonema from the 518-million-year-old Qingjiang biota sheds light on the adaptive evolution of sulfate-reducing bacteria in response to oxygenation in Earth’s history

A 518-million-year-old microbial fossil, Qingjiangonema cambria, provides crucial clues to determine the biological affinity of ancient sulfate-reducing bacteria. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of sulfate-reducing bacteria and cable bacteria in response to oxygenation events.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJun 12, 2024

Study shows role of fathers in seeding the microbiota of newborns and confirms benefits of maternal fecal microbiota transplants

Researchers found that many bacterial strains present in infants at 3 weeks, months, and 12 months originated from the father, not the mother. This discovery highlights the importance of physical and social interactions between newborns and their fathers, as well as with other family members.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

New technique reveals earliest signs of genetic mutations

Researchers developed a new technique called HiDEF-seq to detect early molecular changes in DNA code that precede mutations. The study found higher numbers of single-strand DNA changes in healthy cells from people with genetic syndromes linked to cancer, suggesting a link between these changes and the development of cancer.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

NSF CAREER grant to investigate design of fluorescent protein sensors with computer simulations that may aid human health and disease

Dr. Alice Walker will investigate the design of fluorescent protein sensors using computer simulations, which may aid in tracking diseases and monitoring treatment effectiveness in living cells and organisms. The five-year $690,816 grant also supports undergraduate research opportunities for WSU students.

A Ted Talk in thermo detection

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University propose locally embedded thermoelectric devices (TEDs) to actively cool hot spots in circuits. TEDs remove heat from hot spots using thermoelectric effects, improving cooling efficiency by a factor of 100 compared to conventional materials.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 12, 2024

AI model may yield better outcomes for prostate cancer

A new AI model has been shown to significantly improve the accuracy of diagnosing prostate cancer by 45 times compared to doctors' measurements alone. The system assists in mapping out the boundaries of cancerous tissue, reducing the risk of underestimation and enabling more precise treatment planning and effective surgical procedures.

Pilot study in JNCCN explores new approach for reducing anxiety and improving quality of life after stem cell transplantation

Researchers developed a nine-week, phone-delivered positive psychology program called PATH to improve psychological well-being in blood cancer patients. The intervention had promising effects on patient-reported outcomes, with high participation and completion rates.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateJun 11, 2024

Pennington Biomedical Research Center recruiting participants for lipedema research study

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is conducting a clinical trial to better understand lipedema. Participants will undergo comprehensive assessments and imaging techniques to help advance medical knowledge related to chronic disease. Compensation of up to $475 is offered for participation in the three-month study.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2024

Research on the visual rabbit illusion takes a leap forward

Researchers from Kyushu University discovered new conditions for a three-flash illusion, where the brain misperceives the second flash as near the midpoint between the first and third flashes. This phenomenon occurs regardless of the second flash's location, highlighting the complexity of visual perception.

SourceKyushu University·Journali-Perception·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2024