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Science News Archive May 2024 - Page 25


Page 25 of 44

Penalties for dropping out of ecosystem services incentive programs should equal lost environmental benefits

A recent study by University of Maryland economists suggests that the current payment structures in Ecosystem Services Incentive Programs limit participation and create incentives to leave early. The new design uncouples penalties from payments, resulting in increased program completion rates, higher payments to farm owners, and more e...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 15, 2024

UNM researchers find microplastics in canine and human testicular tissue

A study published in Toxicological Sciences found significant concentrations of microplastics in both human and canine testicular tissue, with polyethylene and PVC being the most prevalent polymers. The research suggests a potential link between microplastic exposure and reduced sperm count, particularly in dogs.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico Health Sciences Center·JournalToxicological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

What fire ants can teach us about making better, self-healing materials

A Binghamton University professor investigates the adaptive response of fire ant rafts to mechanical load, discovering that they exhibit catch bond behavior under force, which enhances cohesion for survival. This phenomenon is being explored to develop artificial materials with autonomous self-strengthening properties.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

HPV vaccine prevents most cervical cancer cases in more deprived groups, major study shows

The HPV vaccination programme is helping to close health inequalities in cervical cancer, with most cases prevented in more deprived groups. The study found that the vaccine reduced cervical cancer incidence rates by nearly 90% and pre-cancerous conditions by around 95% in women who received routine vaccination at 12-13 years old.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalBMJ·TypeObservational study·DateMay 15, 2024

Patients report significant symptom reduction within a single integrative medicine encounter

A new study by University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center found that patients seeking outpatient integrative health and medicine (IHM) care experience clinically meaningful reductions in symptoms of pain, anxiety, and stress after just one treatment. For all IHM modalities, patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms reported clinical...

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalGlobal Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health·DateMay 15, 2024

Blood pressure drugs more than double bone-fracture risk in nursing home patients

A study of nearly 30,000 nursing home residents found that blood pressure medications increase the risk of life-threatening bone fractures, particularly in patients with dementia and low baseline balance. The medication's tendency to impair balance, especially when patients first stand up, contributes to this increased risk.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 15, 2024

Bluetooth tracking devices provide new look into care home quality

A new study using wearable Bluetooth devices found that staff members dominated social interactions in four UK care homes, with residents having limited social contact. The findings suggest that wearable technology can be used to improve quality of care by reducing isolation and increasing interaction between staff and residents.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 15, 2024

How does exercise benefit the brain?

New research reveals exercise reverts aged microglia gene expression patterns to those of young microglia, supporting the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus. Exercise also reduces T cell accumulation in the brain, a common feature of aging.

SourceWiley·JournalAging Cell·DateMay 15, 2024

Using solar energy to generate heat at high temperatures

Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap to deliver heat at high temperatures needed for industrial processes, overcoming the challenge of fossil fuels. The device, which uses solar radiation, absorbs sunlight and converts it into heat, minimizing radiative heat losses and increasing efficiency.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

Branched glycopolymer prodrug-derived nanoassembly combined with a STING agonist activates an immuno-supportive status to boost anti-PD-L1 antibody therapy

A nanosystem combining a branched glycopolymer prodrug-derived nanoassembly with a STING agonist increases matured dendritic cells and CD8+ T cells, promoting an immuno-supportive microenvironment. This enhances the therapy effect of anti-PD-L1 antibodies in breast and colon tumor mice.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalActa Pharmaceutica Sinica B·DateMay 15, 2024

Dartmouth-led study provides new insights into phage therapy design

A new Dartmouth-led study has provided new insights into the therapeutic potential of bacteriophage therapy for treating diseases like cystic fibrosis. Researchers found that respiratory epithelial cells sense and respond to therapeutic phages, and interactions between phages and epithelial cells are heterogenous in nature.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

Treatment-resistant depression linked to body mass index: Study

A recent study has found a significant link between treatment-resistant depression and body mass index, suggesting new avenues for treatment development. The research identified genes clustered on different chromosomes that correlated with the likelihood of receiving electroconvulsive therapy, an effective treatment for severe depression.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 15, 2024

Cyclin D1 expression in penile cancer

Researchers found cyclin D1 expression in patients with penile cancer (PC) is associated with clinical and histopathological features. Patients with cyclin D1 expression had lower disease-free survival compared to the cyclin D1-negative group.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeObservational study·DateMay 15, 2024

Climate change likely to aggravate brain conditions

A UCL-led team of researchers warn that climate change will aggravate brain conditions such as stroke, migraine, and dementia. The study, which reviewed 332 papers, found that extreme temperatures and weather events can disrupt sleep, exacerbate cognitive impairment, and lead to increased hospital admissions and mortality.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 15, 2024

How much gossip is needed to foster social cooperation?

A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania developed a model that incorporates two forms of gossip to study indirect reciprocity. They found that there is a mathematical relationship between these forms of gossip, allowing them to understand how much gossip is required to foster cooperation and how incorrect information ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 15, 2024

Gene expression analysis reveals clinically significant genes associated with familial hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis

The study identifies key genes differentially expressed in individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and their association with atherosclerosis. These findings provide insights into the development of cardiovascular diseases and suggest potential therapeutic targets for alleviating their impact.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalGene Expression·DateMay 15, 2024

5S-Heudelotinone alleviates experimental colitis by shaping the immune system and enhancing the intestinal barrier in a gut microbiota-dependent manner

The study reveals that 5S-Heudelotinone regulates the immune system by reducing pro-inflammatory immune cell numbers, maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity by modulating tight junctions. It also increases short-chain fatty acids and alters gut microbiota diversity, highlighting its potential as a novel treatment for IBD and CAC.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalActa Pharmaceutica Sinica B·DateMay 15, 2024

An online meeting with your dog?

Researchers trained two dogs to imitate human actions using the Do as I Do training method, with successful replication from frontal and side angles. However, dogs struggled to imitate actions from overhead perspectives. This study expands knowledge on dog perception and interpretation of human actions.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalBiologia Futura·DateMay 15, 2024

BU researchers identify drug compounds to combat neurodegenerative diseases

Boston University researchers have identified 10 drug compounds that can reduce PrP Sc levels in infected cells and prevent toxicity, five of which are already used in humans. The study has significant public health implications for prion disease treatment, particularly considering the absence of effective treatments.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalACS Chemical Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024