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Science News Archive March 2024 - Page 28


Page 28 of 42

Explicit socioemotional learning can have a key role in PE lessons, study says

Researchers found that explicitly teaching socioemotional skills in PE lessons can have a key role in supporting students' communication skills, handling stress and accepting failure. This approach can be integrated into everyday teaching to ensure young adolescents enjoy positive outcomes linked to wellbeing and academic success.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPastoral Care in Education·TypeObservational study·DateMar 13, 2024

A breakthrough in all-solid-state battery technology, enhancing the performance of the lithium from the bottom

A research team developed an anode protection layer to prevent random electrodeposition of lithium, promoting stable 'bottom electrodeposition' and reducing unnecessary consumption. The breakthrough results in all-solid-state batteries with stable electrochemical performance over extended periods using ultrathin lithium metal anodes.

“Find pearls in the soil” unveiling the magic of hydrogen production from municipal sewage

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology created a novel catalyst that enhances the efficiency of reactions using contaminated municipal sewage to produce hydrogen. The catalyst, called nickel-iron-oxalate (O-NFF), successfully lowers the voltage required for hydrogen generation and promotes the urea oxidation reaction.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 13, 2024

Explaining a supernova's 'string of pearls'

Researchers found that the Crow instability predicts the number and distribution of hydrogen gas clumps around supernovas, including SN1987A. The study suggests that the same mechanism responsible for breaking up airplane contrails may be at play, creating the 'string of pearls' effect.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 13, 2024

ANYmal can do parkour and walk across rubble

Researchers at ETH Zurich taught ANYmal, a quadrupedal robot, to perform parkour and navigate rubble using machine learning. The robot uses its camera and artificial neural network to determine obstacles and perform movements likely to succeed based on previous training.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Robotics·DateMar 13, 2024

Drought, soil desiccation cracking, and carbon dioxide emissions: an overlooked feedback loop exacerbating climate change

Tufts scientists highlight the overlooked feedback loop between drought, soil desiccation cracking, and carbon dioxide emissions, which could accelerate climate change. The study suggests that soil's 80% carbon storage capacity is releasing increasing amounts of greenhouse gases as droughts trigger cracks in soils.

SourceTufts University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2024

Steroid drugs used for HRT can combat E. coli and MRSA

Researchers from the University of Kent have identified steroid drugs used for hormone replacement therapy that can stop the growth of antibiotic-resistant E. coli and effectively kill MRSA. These findings suggest an alternative to conventional antibiotics, providing a potential solution to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 13, 2024

Tirzepatide reduces body weight and waist circumference in people living with overweight or obesity regardless of duration of their condition

New research shows tirzepatide consistently reduces bodyweight and waist circumference, with greater reductions in participants with longer disease durations. Tirzepatide also achieves higher weight loss targets and reduces waist circumference more significantly than placebo across all disease duration categories.

A simple intervention benefits cancer patients while saving hospitals money, Pitt study showed

A Phase III clinical trial showed that cancer patients who received specialized mental health support experienced lasting improvements in quality of life, reduced pain, depression, and fatigue. The intervention also led to lower risk of cardiovascular disease in family caregivers and substantial cost savings for the healthcare system.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 12, 2024

Discovery of a natural protective response in the brain could lead to treatments for concussions

A team of researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina has discovered a novel protective response by which the brain naturally repairs itself after traumatic brain injury. Protein p17 plays a crucial role in this process, triggering the restorative mechanism of mitophagy to remove damaged tissue and initiate healing.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2024

Study reveals the role of the protein Kdm1a in maintaining neuronal identity

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that the Kdm1a protein is essential for preserving neuronal identity, and its loss or natural aging triggers the expression of genes that normally should not be expressed in neurons. The researchers found that eliminating this protein accelerates neuronal aging at an epigenetic level.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2024

Maternal obesity may promote liver cancer

A study found that maternal obesity increases the risk of developing liver disease and liver cancer in offspring, due to the transmission of an altered gut microbiota. The risk is significantly higher in mice fed a junk food diet, highlighting the importance of microbiome health.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalJHEP Reports·TypeNews article·DateMar 12, 2024

Human activity on Curaçao began centuries earlier than previously believed, study finds

A team of international partners has extended the earliest known human settlement of Curaçao by centuries, adding pieces to the puzzle of pre-Colombian Caribbean history. The study, published in the Journal of Coastal and Island Archaeology, places human occupation on the island as far back as 5735 – 5600 cal BP.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalThe Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology·DateMar 12, 2024

US drug approvals 2010-2019 align with US, but not global, burden of disease; expedited approval programs may make the gap worse

A study from Bentley University's Center for Integration of Science and Industry found that US drug approvals were aligned with the US, but not global, burden of disease. The increasing number of expedited approval programs may make this gap worse, as these programs tend to favor conditions with lower disease burden.

SourceBentley University·JournalBMJ Open·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2024

Exploring the transferability of extracytoplasmic function switches across bacterial species

A recent study successfully transferred ECF switches from Escherichia coli to Sinorhizobium meliloti, demonstrating high transferability and functionality across species. The findings suggest that these bacteria could serve as universal hosts for synthetic biology applications.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalBioDesign Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2024

How does AI work?

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University discovered that each filter recognizes small clusters of images, with sharpened recognition as layers progress. This breakthrough can improve AI performance by reducing latency and memory usage while maintaining accuracy.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 12, 2024

Multi-objective multigraph feature extraction for the shortest path cost prediction

Researchers develop novel feature extraction methods for multigraphs to predict shortest path costs, improving airport operations and sustainability. The proposed statistics-based and learning-based approaches show promising results, outperforming traditional exact search algorithms in computational efficiency.

SourceGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·JournalGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

‘Curved’ walking and a depth camera: new tool detects early cognitive decline

A first-of-its-kind study uses gait analysis to detect subtle impairments in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, suggesting curved path walking as a more sensitive detection method. The novel system employs a non-invasive depth camera to record gait and provides detailed information on functional performance.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Alzheimer s Disease Reports·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

Ultrablack coating could make next-gen telescopes even better

Researchers have created an ultrablack thin-film coating that absorbs nearly all visible light, enhancing the performance of advanced telescopes and optical systems. The coating, developed using atomic layer deposition, is durable enough to withstand harsh conditions and has been applied to magnesium alloys used in aerospace applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Vacuum Science & Technology A Vacuum Surfaces and Films·DateMar 12, 2024

Expertly engineered saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain in the optimized production of carotenoids

A novel S. cerevisiae yeast strain has been successfully developed to selectively overproduce carotenoids, overcoming the challenges of extraction and purification from natural sources. The optimized strain can increase carotenoid output by 5-fold and store carotenoids within the yeast microorganisms.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalBioDesign Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2024

IMS developing Japan's first "Cold (neutral) atom" quantum computers: new collaboration with 10 industry partners toward commercialization

The Institute for Molecular Science (IMS) is accelerating the development of novel quantum computers based on 'cold (neutral) atom' technology, leveraging expertise from 10 industry partners. The partnership aims to launch a start-up company and develop practical applications of quantum computers by end FY2024.

Maternal health support critical in the development of children born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes

A meta-analysis by Associate Professor Diana Arabiat found that children born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes have lower mental and psychomotor development scores compared to those without previous exposure. This delay in psychomotor development can be related to numerous risk factors, including premature birth or intrauterine gr...

SourceEdith Cowan University·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

Researchers expand our understanding of how the body and brain communicate

Researchers have discovered that specific neurons in the thalamus are actively involved in processing cardiac and respiratory signals. This breakthrough understanding of brain-body integration may help characterize how subcortical regions process signals through a functional pathway from internal organs.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2024

CHLA researchers find that length of opioid treatment for hospitalized infants differs by institution and geography

Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found significant variation in opioid treatment for critically ill infants across different institutions and geographic regions. The study reports wide variability in opioid prescribing practices, which can impact hospitalization length of stay, healthcare costs, and long-term outcomes.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

Researchers provide recommendations for understanding music therapy’s impact on chronic pain

A recent article recommends measuring meaningful outcomes such as pain interference, self-efficacy, and physical functioning to improve the evidence-base for music therapy within sickle cell disease populations. Music therapists can play an important role in chronic pain management by addressing stress, depressed mood, and loneliness.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalNordic Journal of Music Therapy·DateMar 12, 2024

“In−N−Out” design enabling high-content triethyl phosphate−based non−flammable and high−conductivity electrolyte for lithium−ion batteries

Researchers have developed a novel 'In−N−Out' strategy to mitigate safety issues in flammable electrolytes. The design allows for high-phosphate-content electrolytes without compromising Li+ insertion at the graphite anode. Excellent ion conductivity is achieved, making it suitable for extended battery application.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateMar 12, 2024