Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive March 2024 - Page 29


Page 29 of 42

Rope entanglement cause of low breeding rates in right whales

A new study published in Proceedings B of the Royal Society found that every injury from rope entanglements impacts North Atlantic right whale population recovery. Modelling data shows female whales who get tangled in fishing gear are less likely to calve, potentially leading to extinction.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

Shopping study in a virtual supermarket

A recent study by the University of Bonn and TU Munich found that banners with information on animal welfare had no effect on purchasing decisions in a virtual supermarket. Researchers invited test subjects to shop in a simulated environment, but even prominent labeling did not change buying behavior.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalJournal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2024

Rice paddy snake diversification was driven by geological and environmental factors in Thailand, molecular data suggests

A University of Kansas study reveals that rice paddy snakes in Southeast Asia diversified after the Khorat Plateau rose, driven by environmental factors. The research uses molecular data and ecological niche modeling to shed light on the snakes' evolution and habitat suitability.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 12, 2024

Study finds higher risk for fracture from falls in men than in women

A recent study found that self-reported falls and prior falls increase fracture risk more significantly in men than women. The meta-analysis recommends integrating previous falls into FRAX algorithms to enhance predictive accuracy and improve patient outcomes for both men and women.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalOsteoporosis International·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

Global ecosystem contribute trillions in its services with key synergies and trade-offs

A study estimates that global ecosystems provide USD 112-197 trillion to the economy, with forests and wetlands accounting for nearly 80% of this value. Strong synergies are found among oxygen release, climate regulation, and carbon sequestration services, while trade-offs occur between flood regulation and other services.

SourceEurasia Academic Publishing Group·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2024

You didn’t see it coming: the spontaneous nature of turbulence

Researchers have discovered that a tiny disturbance in a fluid system can amplify into large-scale patterns of randomness, making it difficult to predict turbulent flows. This phenomenon, known as spontaneous stochasticity, occurs regardless of the initial disturbance and has implications for weather forecasting and astrophysics.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 12, 2024

Lower survival rates for women than men with germ cell tumors

A new study from Uppsala University found that women with germ cell tumors have a significantly lower five-year survival rate (85.2%) compared to men (98.2%). The researchers suggest that concentrating patients in fewer hospitals and using treatment strategies for testicular cancer could improve survival rates and reduce side effects.

SourceUppsala University·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 12, 2024

New traffic signal would improve travel time for both pedestrians and vehicles

A new traffic signal concept, known as the 'white phase,' uses autonomous vehicles to expedite traffic flow at intersections. The concept has been shown to improve travel time for both pedestrians and vehicles, especially when autonomous vehicles make up a higher percentage of traffic.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalComputer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 12, 2024

When a team is less than the sum of its parts: tensions between individual and team wellbeing

A study of 69 people across 12 teams found that prioritizing individual needs over team wellbeing can lead to burnout, while prioritizing team needs at the expense of individual wellbeing increases risk of burnout. Effective communication and reflection are key to striking a balance between individual and team wellbeing.

SourceAalto University·JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior·DateMar 12, 2024

Who benefits from direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising?

A UMass Amherst study found that government vaccine recommendations can benefit drugmakers like Pfizer, while also increasing vaccine uptake among seniors. However, the study suggests that direct-to-consumer advertising did not lead to a significant reduction in infection and mortality rates from pneumococcal disease.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalJournal of Policy Analysis and Management·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2024

Gun manufacturers’ ads appeal to women as ‘serious students’ of firearms to boost sales

A new study reveals that gun manufacturers have shifted their marketing strategy to appeal to women, portraying them as responsible and capable gun owners. The study found that the 'serious student' framing became popular between 2016 and 2020, depicting armed American women as pursuing expertise with firearms through focused training.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Macromarketing·TypeContent analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

School-age girls with obesity are more likely to experience joint and muscle pain

Research by Queen Mary University of London found that girls with obesity are 1.7 times more likely than those with a healthy weight to have at least one GP consultation for musculoskeletal symptoms or diagnosis in childhood. Knee pain was the most common symptom reported, and researchers hope their findings will raise awareness about ...

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

AI analysis of historical satellite images show USSR collapse in 1990s increased methane emissions, despite lower oil and gas production

Research using historical satellite images shows that methane emissions in Turkmenistan increased following the Soviet Union's collapse, contradicting previous theories. This finding suggests that economic decline led to reduced oversight and more deliberate off-gassing of methane from oil and gas wells.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2024

Women with depression face higher cardiovascular risk than men

A Japanese study published in JACC: Asia found that women with depression are at a greater relative risk of developing heart-related negative health outcomes compared to men. The study identified sex-specific factors contributing to the increased CVD risk and emphasized the need for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 12, 2024

Researchers reveal interfacial confinement on open space of oxide-oxide catalysts

A study by researchers from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics reveals the interface confinement effect on open space in In2O3-TiO2 catalyst, leading to enhanced activity and stability. The formed InOx nanolayers show distinct chemistry and can be confined on various oxide surfaces.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 12, 2024

Climate policies to reduce motor vehicle emissions can improve children’s health, save money

A new study finds that reducing CO2 emissions from motor vehicles can bring large benefits to children's health, saving over $82 million annually. The Transportation and Climate Initiative policy framework is proposed to achieve this goal, with significant health co-benefits for vulnerable populations.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

Beer byproduct behind Marmite could help us recycle metal waste

Researchers discovered that spent brewer's yeast, used in Marmite production, can selectively capture metals from electronic waste streams, recovering over 50% of aluminum, copper, and zinc. The yeast can be reused multiple times, making the process economically feasible.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2024

Spiral wrappers switch nanotubes from conductors to semiconductors and back

Duke researchers have developed a new technique to engineer carbon-based semiconductors by wrapping metallic nanotubes in spiral polymers, transforming them into semiconducting forms that can be switched on and off. This method enables the creation of semiconductors that can control electricity with low-energy light wavelengths, openin...

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2024

Same ER. Same patient. Different visit. Different race and ethnicity?

A new study shows that hospitals struggle to consistently collect accurate racial and ethnicity data from patients who visit their emergency department multiple times. The findings suggest that nearly a quarter of adult patients and up to 32% of children receive different race or ethnicity designations on subsequent visits, indicating ...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

Major typhoid fever surveillance study in sub-Saharan Africa indicates need for the introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccines in endemic countries

A new study finds that the high burden of typhoid fever in sub-Saharan African countries calls for stronger prevention strategies, including the use and implementation of typhoid conjugate vaccines. The study estimates that there are 12.5 to 16.3 million cases of typhoid every year with 140,000 deaths.

SourceInternational Vaccine Institute·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2024

A coral superhighway in the Indian Ocean

Researchers at Oxford University have discovered a network of ocean currents that scatter coral larvae between remote islands in the Seychelles. This 'coral superhighway' suggests that centrally located reefs may play a crucial role in linking distant islands, supporting regional reef resilience.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 12, 2024

In the resuscitation discussion, do words matter between doctors and patients?

A pilot study found that highly satisfying conversations about CPR preferences occurred regardless of the terms used by doctors. Discussions took less than five minutes on average and were satisfactory to participants. The study suggests physicians should ask all patients their code status, regardless of phrasing used.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeSurvey·DateMar 12, 2024

Study finds pronghorn population declining due to human development

A new paper published in Global Ecology and Conservation found that pronghorn productivity is declining due to oil and gas development and woody encroachment. The study recommends preemptive management of woody vegetation to ensure sufficient forage for pronghorns, a crucial step in preventing population decline.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

Scientists propose ten key components to foster climate-smart marine spatial planning globally

A new study identifies ten key components to promote sustainable, equitable, and climate-smart ocean planning initiatives worldwide. The proposed components include foundational principles and operational pathways that aim to support marine managers and planners in developing climate-smart ocean plans.

SourceFaculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon·Journalnpj Ocean Sustainability·DateMar 12, 2024