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Science News for October 14, 2024


How gender biases shape investor response to shareholder activism

Researchers found that female CEOs were viewed more positively when using cooperative approaches, while male CEOs were regarded more highly when adopting dominant or assertive stances. The study suggests that investors' evaluations are influenced by gender stereotypes, leading to potential biases against female CEOs who deviate from th...

SourceCornell University·JournalContemporary Accounting Research·DateOct 14, 2024

Han and Pathak to receive funding for collaborative research: NeTS: Medium: Scaling Up Multi-User Immersive Content Delivery Over mmWave

Bo Han and Parth Pathak from George Mason University have received $720,000 in funding to develop a holistic framework for scaling up multi-user immersive content delivery over mmWave networks. The project aims to overcome bandwidth and latency challenges for applications such as education, training, and healthcare.

Catalytically altering the redox pathway of sulfur in carbonate electrolyte

Researchers have developed a catalytic approach to enhance the compatibility between carbonate electrolytes and sulfur cathodes in lithium-sulfur batteries. The use of dual-nitrogen and oxygen-containing groups on a porous carbon host stabilizes polysulfides, preventing side reactions with the electrolytes.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults have third highest cardiovascular death rate in the U.S.

A nationwide mortality data study found Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) adults have the third highest cardiovascular death rate in the US, with approximately 40% of deaths attributed to coronary heart disease. The study highlights a need for focused interventions to promote cardiovascular health among NHPI adults.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateOct 14, 2024

Culturally supportive school environments contribute to academic, emotional, social success

A new UC Davis study found that culturally relevant support in school positively impacts adolescents' academic engagement, emotional well-being, and social experiences. The research highlights the importance of culturally sensitive educational practices and policies to promote youth development in multicultural settings.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·TypeSurvey·DateOct 14, 2024

New venomous reptile species unearthed in Arizona

A new species of small, venomous reptile has been discovered in the Late Triassic Chinle Formation in northeastern Arizona. The species, Microzemiotes sonselaensis, features distinct grooves on its teeth that likely facilitated venom delivery, indicating a reliance on venom in its feeding strategy.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·TypeObservational study·DateOct 14, 2024

University of Calgary scholars publish first research to show link between dating violence and concussion

Researchers at the University of Calgary found that girls and non-binary youth who experience teen dating violence are at an elevated risk for concussion. The study, published in Journal of Adolescent Health, analyzed data from Canadian Grade 9 and 10 students and found that one in three experienced physical, psychological, and/or cybe...

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 14, 2024

New study traces Alzheimer's 'pathology clock' at unprecedented cellular resolution

Researchers created a detailed picture of how Alzheimer's disease progresses at the cellular level, identifying specific neurons lost to the disease and potential targets for new treatments. The study analyzed over 3.4 million cells from 84 brains, providing a high-resolution view of AD impacts on different cell populations over time.

SourceAllen Institute·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 14, 2024

Research explains why some cyclists don’t wear helmets and what might convince them to wear one

A new study suggests that many cyclists fail to wear helmets due to perceived inconvenience and discomfort, yet incentivizing them with free helmets, education, and reminders can increase helmet use. The research found that 75% of participants who received incentives wore helmets consistently after one year.

Unlocking the genetic mysteries of modern roses

Researchers have decoded the genetic makeup of 'Samantha' rose variety to create a powerful resource for future comparative genomic studies. The study found that human selection has significantly influenced the genetic diversity of modern roses, but preserving genetic traits is essential for their health and adaptability.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2024

Toxic protein may contribute to ALS development

A new study found that toxic SOD1 protein trimers interact with various proteins in different tissues, contributing to cellular dysfunction and degeneration in ALS. Septin-7 is identified as a potential therapeutic target, potentially slowing or disrupting ALS progression.

SourcePenn State·JournalStructure·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2024

Smaller vial size for Alzheimer’s drug could save Medicare hundreds of millions per year

A new study suggests that introducing a smaller vial size for the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab could reduce waste by 74% and save Medicare up to $336 million per year. This is due to the high amount of unused medication being discarded, with each patient often receiving a dose lower than the available vial sizes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 14, 2024

Patients say access to health care is about more than just travel time and being seen quickly

A first-of-its-kind study assesses how closely patients' perceptions of network adequacy align with those of insurers. The survey found strong support for definitions related to timely access, specialty care, and mental health care, as well as broader concepts like public transportation access and cultural competency.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateOct 14, 2024

Tunable and controllable monoatomic layer two-dimensional electron gas discovered at the heterointerface of 5D iridates

A team of scientists has created a new type of electronic device by manipulating the properties of 5D iridates. They discovered that by controlling the number of transferred electrons, they can create nonmagnetic band insulators and ferromagnetic metals.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalACS Applied Electronic Materials·DateOct 14, 2024

Wild horse overabundance harms sage grouse, UW researchers find

A recent study led by University of Wyoming scientists found that managing free-roaming horses within the Bureau of Land Management's maximum appropriate management levels would benefit sage grouse populations. Grazing by wild horses can reduce shrub density, vegetation cover, and abundance of key forbs used by sage grouse.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·TypeObservational study·DateOct 14, 2024

Touching the future: Mastering physical contact with new algorithm for robots

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new consensus complementarity control (C3) algorithm that allows robots to react to complex physical contact in real-time. The algorithm enables robots to control the motion of sliding objects, a challenging task previously thought to be impossible for autonomous robots.

A new study reveals a promising therapy using a molecule that blocks microRNAs to treat myotonic dystrophy type 1

A new study reveals a promising therapy using antimiRs to treat myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a genetic disorder caused by abnormally high CTG repeats in the DMPK gene. The treatment increased MBNL1 levels and improved muscle cell functions, reducing disease symptoms.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2024

How swamps on the silver screen reflect how we feel about wetlands

A new study from the University of Illinois looks at how wetlands are portrayed in film, suggesting they play specific roles in story development and reflect society's attitudes towards these ecosystems. The research team analyzed 163 films and found that wetlands were often depicted as perilous pathways and psychological barriers, but...

On electrostatic interactions of adenosine triphosphate–insulin‐degrading enzyme revealed by quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics

Researchers used quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics to investigate the interaction between ATP and insulin-degrading enzyme in Alzheimer's disease. The study revealed crucial information for developing IDE inhibitors against ATP interactions, potentially slowing down AD progression.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalQuantitative Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2024

Six proteins implicated in early-onset preeclampsia

A study published in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research found six proteins that could be used as targets for diagnosing and treating early-onset preeclampsia. These proteins may be linked to cardiovascular complications or the estrogen cycle, suggesting a promising first step toward improved detection and treatment.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateOct 14, 2024

El Niño–southern oscillation caused the spike in 2023 temperatures, new study found

A recent study by University of Miami researchers identifies El Niño-Southern Oscillation as the primary cause of the rapid warming of the planet in 2023. The analysis shows that nearly all temperature spikes were associated with an El Niño event, highlighting the significant impact of this climate phenomenon on global temperatures.

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong reshape the understanding of grain boundaries

Grain boundaries, common defects in polycrystalline materials, can migrate unidirectionally without a net driving force, exhibiting directionality. This phenomenon, similar to the unidirectional rotation of a Brownian ratchet, challenges traditional views on grain boundary mobility.

Tumor evolution is written in the genome

A research team at IIT has identified a molecular signature in triple-negative breast cancer cells that can predict the formation of metastases and chemotherapy resistance. The study used single-cell sequencing to track the evolution of cancer cells over time, revealing key epigenetic features involved in tumor development.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2024

Cellular liquid droplets can cut membranes

Scientists have found that biomolecular condensates can cross membranes without specialized cutting proteins, a process called wetting, which is essential for plant survival. The study shows that these liquid droplets can exert large capillary forces on membranes, cutting them in two and enabling material exchange between cell parts.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2024