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Science News for October 31, 2024


Veterinarians struggle with alcohol stigma and fear seeking help, Oxford Brookes University research finds

Oxford Brookes University research highlights the entrenched drinking culture within the veterinary profession, where alcohol use is normalized. Veterinarians struggle with recognizing problem drinking as an issue, fearing scrutiny or disciplinary action from the RCVS. The study emphasizes the need to address alcohol-related stigma to ...

Rice’s David Abraham honored for sustainability leadership with Global Citizen Award from the United Nations Association of Houston

David Abraham, Rice University lecturer and research scientist, was honored for his work in fostering sustainable urban development and climate resilience. He launched Houston's first community resilience portal and directed a flood resilience plan after Hurricane Harvey, showcasing his commitment to building resilient communities.

Univ. of Tenn. physician co-principal investigator on $11.4 million clinical trial grant to study treatment of critically ill newborns

The NoNO Trial, a seven-year randomized controlled trial, aims to study the efficacy of using nitric oxide in treating congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in newborns. The study will compare outcomes before and after de-implementation of nitric oxide at participating centers.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 31, 2024

New ESO image captures a dark wolf in the sky

The Dark Wolf Nebula, located 5300 light-years from Earth, is a cold cloud of cosmic dust that obscures the light of stars and other objects. The image, captured by the VLT Survey Telescope, showcases the nebula's ghost-like presence against a bright background, highlighting its unique features.

SourceESO·DateOct 31, 2024

How COVID-19 transformed family dinners

A study by the American Psychological Association found that families who ate together more often during the pandemic had more positive interactions, shared news, and even used videoconferencing to connect with distant family members. This increased frequency was linked to improved quality of family time.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalCouple and Family Psychology Research and Practice·DateOct 31, 2024

Expert publication recommends considering dietary factors in probiotics and prebiotics research

A new perspective paper emphasizes the critical role of diet in shaping the efficacy of prebiotics and probiotics. The authors found that diet significantly affects gut microbiome composition and function, potentially impacting the success of these interventions. Researchers are urged to collect data on participants' background diets a...

SourceInternational Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 31, 2024

Between night and day: The power of flies to adapt

Scientists studied Drosophila species' ability to adapt to day length fluctuations, revealing the critical role of the Pdf gene in regulating circadian plasticity. The study found that Drosophila melanogaster has a wider distribution due to its flexibility in responding to environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Lausanne·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2024

Novel digital pet game within smoking cessation app increases user engagement with app’s tools to quit smoking

A new study found that embedding a customizable digital pet game within a popular smoking cessation app increased user engagement and direct use of the app's smoking cessation tools. Overall engagement with the app increased by 20 percent, and direct use of the tool increased by 30 percent among participants who had access to the game.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 31, 2024

“Wearable” devices for cells

MIT researchers have developed battery-free wearable devices that can snugly wrap around neurons, allowing for precise control over electrical and metabolic activity. The devices, made of a soft polymer, can be wirelessly actuated with light to measure or modulate a neuron's activity at a subcellular level.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateOct 31, 2024

Quitting smoking after cancer diagnosis improves survival across a wide variety of cancers

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that patients who quit smoking within six months of their cancer diagnosis saw improved longevity. Smoking cessation led to a 22%-26% reduction in cancer-related mortality and increased survival time from 2.1 years for smokers to 3.9 years for abstainers.

How fruit flies achieve accurate visual behavior despite changing light conditions

Fruit flies have a unique mechanism to maintain stable visual processing even when light levels change rapidly, thanks to the identification of neuronal cell types and algorithms that spatially pool information on luminance. This discovery could provide insights into how visual information is processed in mammals, including humans.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 31, 2024

Researchers take broadband high-resolution frequency combs into the UV

Researchers have developed a new ultrafast laser platform that generates ultra-broadband ultraviolet (UV) frequency combs with an unprecedented one million comb lines. This achievement provides exceptional spectral resolution and could enhance high-resolution atomic and molecular spectroscopy. The new approach also produces extremely a...

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateOct 31, 2024

Fiber-optic drug delivery strategy for synergistic cancer photothermal-chemotherapy

A team of scientists has developed a fiber-optic drug delivery strategy that targets cancer tumors with high precision and efficiency. The system uses photons, photothermo-sensitizers, and chemotherapeutics to induce localized hyperthermia, releasing encapsulated drugs and ensuring minimal side effects.

MRSA's double defence against antibiotics

Researchers have found that MRSA has a double defence mechanism against antibiotics, involving an alternative division mechanism that allows it to replicate in the presence of antibiotics. This new insight offers hope in treating the life-threatening superbug and other infectious diseases. Understanding this process is crucial for deve...

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2024

Research spotlight: improving the surveillance of medical product safety with the real-world evidence data enterprise

The Real-World Evidence Data Enterprise (RWE-DE) combines longitudinal electronic health records with insurance claims data to improve the validity of studies on medical products in clinical practice. This new infrastructure will enable the FDA to conduct studies using granular clinical information to identify medication safety issues.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety·DateOct 31, 2024

Unraveling the link between hepatitis and kidney damage

Researchers from the University of Zurich have discovered a link between hepatitis E and kidney damage, finding that viral envelope-antibody complexes can accumulate in kidney filters and cause glomerulonephritis. The study uses tissue samples from patients to understand the disease mechanism.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2024

Development of a simple, revolutionary printing technique for periodic nano/microstructures

Researchers developed a simple, repeatable printing technique to create periodic nano/microstructures on glass substrates with useful functions like water-repellency and structural colors. The technique enables fabricating materials without expensive equipment and complex processes, paving the way for innovative gas sensors.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2024

Sleeping for 2: Insomnia therapy reduces postpartum depression, study shows

Researchers found that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) during pregnancy significantly improves sleep patterns and reduces postpartum depressive symptoms. The treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression similar to antidepressant medications.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 31, 2024

The harmful frequency and reach of unhealthy foods on social media

A study analyzing social media posts found fast food restaurants and sugar sweetened beverages are the most common, with millions of mentions reaching billions of users. The research argues that normalizing unhealthy eating in the digital environment contributes to obesity challenges worldwide.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeObservational study·DateOct 31, 2024

Biodiversity law that forces builders to compensate for nature loss could be twice as effective, experts claim

Experts argue that current implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain policy is flawed, with localized offsetting leading to double conservation gains when targets are placed where they benefit biodiversity most. This approach can greatly improve benefits to wildlife and help nature-deprived areas.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalOne Earth·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2024

Sugar rationing in early life lowers risk for chronic disease in adulthood, post-World War II data shows

A recent study found that early-life sugar restriction can protect against diabetes and hypertension later in life. The research, using post-World War II data from the UK, suggests that exposure to sugar rationing during the first 1000 days of life can lower the risk of chronic diseases by about 35% for diabetes and 20% for hypertension.

Identified 51 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated mutations that could help diagnose the disease

A recent study has identified 51 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-associated mutations in mitochondrial DNA that could help diagnose the disease. The mutations, which include 13 that increase the risk of ALS and 38 protective ones, were found to be significantly associated with an increased or decreased risk of developing the disease.

Why elephants never forget but fleas have, well, the attention span of a flea

Researchers develop model to calculate ideal learning rate based on environmental change and life cycle. The optimal pace of learning increases in the same way regardless of environmental changes, suggesting a generalizable phenomenon underlying learning in various ecosystems.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 31, 2024

High-tech tracking technology streamlines drug discovery

Researchers have developed a large-scale drug screening technique that tracks drug targets inside cells, allowing for the identification of potential new drugs. The technology screens candidate drugs 100 times faster than standard manual techniques, enabling the discovery of previously unknown drugs.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 31, 2024

Refugee children with mental health issues can benefit from innovative telephone therapy, new research suggests

A pilot randomized controlled trial found that telephone-delivered therapy reduced mental health symptoms and improved treatment completion rates among refugee children. The adapted programme, called t-CETA, was delivered by local trained lay counsellors and showed significant benefits compared to in-person treatment.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalConflict and Health·DateOct 31, 2024

Moffitt study links methylmalonic acid to weakening of immune cells in lung cancer

Researchers found a surprising link between high levels of methylmalonic acid and the weakening of CD8+ T cells, shedding light on potential pathways through which aging may promote lung cancer progression. Elevated methylmalonic acid levels disrupt energy production in immune cells, making it harder for them to fight cancer.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalOncogene·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2024

Restricting sugar consumption in utero and in early childhood significantly reduces risk of midlife chronic disease

A new study finds that restricting sugar consumption in utero and early childhood significantly reduces the risk of midlife chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Low sugar intake by mothers before birth and continued restriction after birth increased health benefits.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2024

Genomic databases need more diversity

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have created a large genomic database of Latin Americans to tackle health disparities. The Genetics of Latin American Diversity Database (GLADdb) includes genome-wide information from almost 54,000 individuals and allows other scientists to easily add population data to their...

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalCell Genomics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2024

Temperature at Roque de los Muchachos Observatory rose 1.1 ºC in 20 years, twice as much as predicted by climate models

Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found a 1.1 ºC temperature increase in the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory over 20 years, more than double predicted by climate models. The study also revealed an increase in diurnal temperature range and seasonal oscillations.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateOct 31, 2024

Differences in Drug Shortages in the US and Canada

A study published in JAMA found that drug-related reports of supply chain issues were 40% less likely to result in meaningful drug shortages in Canada compared to the US. This highlights the importance of global cooperation to curb the effects of drug shortages and strengthen pharmaceutical supply chains.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 31, 2024

Previous cryo-EM structures of synucleinopathy patient-derived α-synuclein fibrils revealed a ‘mystery density’ at the core of the protofilaments

Researchers have identified polyphosphate as a universal biomolecule that binds to the lysine-rich pocket of α-synuclein protofilaments. This binding contributes to the stability of the fibers, which are associated with synucleinopathy patient-derived fibrils.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 31, 2024

Autistic traits shape how we explore

Researchers found that individuals with stronger autistic traits displayed distinct exploration patterns and higher levels of persistence, leading to better performance in a computer game. These findings suggest that tailored learning environments can benefit individuals with autistic traits.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2024

New anti-cancer agent works without oxygen

A new anti-cancer agent has been developed that targets glutathione in cancer cells, switching it off and causing tumor shrinkage. The catalyst-based therapy accumulates specifically in tumor tissue, showing promising results in animal studies and potential for further human trials.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2024

Remote control eddies: Upwelled nutrients boost productivity around Hawaiian Islands

A new study reveals that ocean eddies off the leeward side of Hawaiian Islands supply nutrients to both sides of the island chain, stimulating blooms of phytoplankton and boosting biological productivity. This mechanism may also impact fisheries near Hawaii and other nutrient-poor regions.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Oceans·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 31, 2024

A universal cooperative assembly-oriented strategy for VS4 nanorods decoration on carbon nanostructures with enhanced magnesium storage properties

The study demonstrates a solvothermal approach to in situ construct V–O–C covalent bonds between VS4 nanorods and surface oxidized CNTs interfaces, promoting ion diffusion and electron transfer. This results in excellent magnesium storage properties, including high reversible capacity and impressive capacity retention.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateOct 31, 2024

Study reveals acceleration in Pacific upper-ocean circulation over past 30 years, impacting global weather patterns

A new study reveals significant acceleration in the upper-ocean circulation of the equatorial Pacific, driven by intensified atmospheric winds. The research provides a spatial view of long-term trends from observations, with potential impacts on regional and global climate patterns.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Oceans·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2024

Electrically tunable planar liquid-crystal singlets for simultaneous spectrometry and imaging

Researchers have developed a new planar spectral singlet lens that unifies optical imaging and spectrometry, enabling simultaneous data acquisition. The device uses planar liquid crystal optics to achieve precise phase controls and spectral filtering, resulting in high-quality hyperspectral images.

Can America’s political environment be detoxed?

A massive study of 25 video interventions found that correcting exaggerated perceptions about the other side is effective in reducing partisan animosity. The strategy was also successful in decreasing anti-democratic attitudes and support for violent behaviors, suggesting a common underlying factor between these issues.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·TypeSurvey·DateOct 31, 2024

Human proteins identified that explain inter-individual differences in functional brain connectivity

Researchers identified hundreds of brain proteins associated with inter-individual differences in functional connectivity and structural covariation. The proteins were enriched for those involved in synapses, energy metabolism, and RNA processing, providing insights into the mechanistic basis of human cognition and behavior.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2024

Study shows broader screening methods help prevent spread of dangerous fungal pathogen in hospitals

A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control finds that expanding hospital screening for Candida auris to high-risk patients detects more cases early, preventing hospital outbreaks. This approach identifies eight additional patients who would have been missed by previous protocols.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeObservational study·DateOct 31, 2024

A new strategy for high-valent metal-oxo generation in Fenton-like reactions: high work-function supports favor the generation of high-valent metal-oxo in single-atom catalysts

Researchers discover that high work-function supports favor the generation of high-valent metal-oxo species in single-atom catalysts. The study finds that supports like TiO2 facilitate binding of oxo-ligand to Co sites, leading to higher concentrations of Co(IV)=O.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateOct 31, 2024

The silk thread that can turn clothes into charging stations

A research group at Chalmers University of Technology has developed a silk thread coated with a conductive plastic material that can generate electricity from temperature differences. The thread shows promising properties for turning textiles into electricity generators, which could be used to monitor health or charge mobile phones.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2024

NIH announces prize winners in year-long challenge to develop fetal diagnostic and monitoring technologies

The National Institutes of Health has announced the winners of a $2 million prize competition to develop innovative medical technologies for fetal health diagnosis, detection, and monitoring. Two top winners have developed devices that can detect fetal stress and congenital heart disease, while another technology aims to monitor fetal ...

Not all “review bombing” is bad for business

A new study by Rutgers researcher Will B. Payne found that Yelp's tough moderation policies can unnecessarily constrain reasonable opinions and cultural context in response to review bombing incidents. This can result in local customers being censored for supporting a business owner who spoke out on social issues, highlighting the need...

SourceRutgers University·JournalBig Data & Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2024