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Science News for October 8, 2024


Women are less likely to share negative experiences

A significant gender rating gap has been discovered in online reviews, with women's average ratings significantly higher than men's, driven by societal pressures to avoid backlash. The researchers emphasize the need for platform changes and societal shifts to create conditions where people feel comfortable sharing their true experiences.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 8, 2024

How diabetes risk genes make cells less resilient to stress

Studies discovered that DNA sequence changes associated with diabetes predisposition alter pancreatic cell stress response, leading to reduced insulin production and increased cell death. The findings point toward a druggable target, MAP3K5, which may help prevent or treat type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

Recent advances in cation effects for electrocatalytic reduction reactions

Researchers have discovered various ways to optimize electrocatalytic reduction reactions by tuning the type and concentration of cations, improving their activity, selectivity, and efficiency. The study provides a comprehensive overview of cation effects on catalytic reduction reactions, highlighting both opportunities and challenges.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateOct 8, 2024

Attention seniors! It’s never too late to stop smoking

A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that quitting smoking even at 75 can significantly increase life expectancy. The research showed that older individuals who quit smoking can avoid an average loss of 4-9 years of life, with some regaining up to 8 years or more.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 8, 2024

Holographic 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize multiple industries, say Concordia researchers

Concordia researchers develop a novel method of 3D printing using acoustic holograms, capable of creating complex objects quickly and at once. This technique, called holographic direct sound printing (HDSP), stores information of multiple images in a single hologram, allowing for the creation of multiple objects simultaneously.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

Rates of a tick-borne parasitic disease are on the rise

A new study found that babesiosis rates rose 9% annually between 2015 and 2022, with 42% of cases linked to other tick-borne illnesses. Co-infection with Lyme disease did not increase mortality risk, but patients received doxycycline treatment more frequently.

SourcePenn State·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 8, 2024

Skill and technique in Bronze Age spear combat

Researchers at University of Göttingen studied Bronze Age spear combat using multi-stage experiments to understand fighting styles and mark formation on spearheads. The study provides insights into wear formation, trauma, and combat contexts, benefiting future research and museum curation.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

Recreating a hallmark of Parkinson's disease in human neurons

Researchers create Lewy bodies in living dopaminergic neurons using human stem cells and find that immune challenge is crucial for their formation. The study identifies a previously unknown link between the immune system and neurological disease, suggesting that genetic predisposition may not be necessary for Parkinson's development.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

University of Barcelona team designs a drug capable of acting simultaneously against three different therapeutic targets

A University of Barcelona team has designed a drug capable of acting against three different therapeutic targets in breast cancer cells. The new compound, based on oligonucleotide-based drugs, successfully inhibits the expression of key proteins contributing to poor prognosis and drug resistance.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalBioorganic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

New model identifies best candidates for epilepsy surgery

A new scoring system helps doctors predict which patients will likely become seizure-free after minimally invasive epilepsy surgery. The model is based on eight clinical factors and has been shown to outperform other predictive models in predicting seizure freedom.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 8, 2024

Duke-NUS alumnus and mentor develop new precision tool to better predict outcomes for patients with liver cancer

A new algorithm, Modified Metroticket, has been developed to predict overall survival and recurrence-free survival in patients with intermediate-stage liver cancer. The tool takes into account tumour burden, biological aggressiveness, liver function, and age, and has been validated using local and international datasets.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalInternational Journal of Surgery·DateOct 8, 2024

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation survey reveals more than 40% of IBD patients made significant financial sacrifices to pay for their healthcare

A recent survey by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation found that over 40% of IBD patients have made substantial financial trade-offs to access their care. Among these respondents, 22% increased their credit card debt, while 21% cut back on essential items like food and clothing.

SourceCrohn's & Colitis Foundation of America·JournalInflammatory Bowel Diseases·TypeSurvey·DateOct 8, 2024

New insights into ammonia decomposition

Researchers from Ruhr University Bochum have gained new insights into the operation of an iron catalyst that can split ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen. The team's findings enable more efficient catalysts for ammonia decomposition, paving the way for a promising energy carrier transport solution.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalACS Catalysis·DateOct 8, 2024

USC’s Rong Lu and Caltech’s Michael B. Elowitz win the NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award for their new approach to study blood and immune cell production in bone marrow

Researchers from USC and Caltech develop a new method to study hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells within the bone marrow without extracting them. This breakthrough could inform efforts to optimize bone marrow transplantation and provide insights into various health conditions, including cancer and heart disease.

Will AI tools revolutionize public health? Not if they continue following old patterns, researchers argue

Researchers argue that AI's impact on public health depends on its development and deployment, warning of potential biases, lack of transparency, and exacerbation of existing harm. However, the authors also highlight AI's potential to improve healthcare systems, access to care, and provide essential services.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateOct 8, 2024

A new image processing strategy for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging identifies culprit areas underlying complex tachycardias

A new image processing strategy for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging identifies areas responsible for complex ventricular tachycardias, enabling preoperative planning and reducing procedure times and complications. The systematic approach eliminates operator bias and increases sensitivity for detecting these regions.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalEP Europace·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 8, 2024

How academia drives sustainability: Discover the impact of science on the SDGs

The study reveals a positive trend in scientific production on sustainability topics, with the US leading research. Academic clusters focus on education for sustainable development, engineering education, and environmental projects. Higher education is strongly committed to sustainability, aligning programs with SDGs.

SourceEscuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral·JournalInternational Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 8, 2024

Asymmetric placebo effect in response to spicy food

Researchers found that positive expectations lead to increased activity in pleasure-related brain regions, while negative expectations prime pain processing. The study suggests a dissociable impact of hedonic information, with positive expectations facilitating reward processing and negative expectations heightening anxiety.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

Sperm whale departure linked to decline in jumbo squid population in Gulf of California: new study unveils long-term impact on ecosystem health

A new study reveals a significant correlation between the decline of jumbo squid and the disappearance of sperm whales from the region. The research suggests that sperm whales play a crucial role in controlling energy flow within marine ecosystems, highlighting their importance as indicators of oceanic health.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·TypeObservational study·DateOct 8, 2024

What makes a home garden program successful?

A new case study in India found that home garden interventions struggled due to verbal training, lack of demonstrations, and limited household engagement. However, flexibility and participatory techniques like Process Net-Mapping revealed positive outcomes on nutrition and sustainable agriculture practices.

Applied Biological Laboratories, maker of Biovanta, to present at American Society of Microbiology’s Clinical Virology Symposium 2024

Researchers will showcase results of a randomized clinical trial demonstrating Biovanta's efficacy in reducing common cold symptoms by strengthening the respiratory barrier and controlling inflammation. The presentation will also include preclinical data on antiviral formulas targeting rhinovirus and influenza.

Study reveals how parasites thrive by balancing specialisation with exploiting diverse species communities

A new study published in Journal of Biogeography finds that malaria-like blood parasites increase in prevalence with the number of bird species present, highlighting the importance of host diversity. The research also shows that parasites can spread more rapidly when they specialize in closely related or functionally similar bird species.

SourceSwansea University·JournalJournal of Biogeography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 8, 2024

Increase access to nature in all daily environments and in education

A Kobe University research team analyzed conditions for access to nature across generations, finding that availability of green spaces, nature-relatedness, and childhood experiences drive visits. The study highlights the importance of effective environmental education and urban planning policies to address inequalities in nature access.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·TypeSurvey·DateOct 8, 2024

What we can learn from hungry yeast cells

Scientists discovered a unique way in which yeast cells adapt to starvation by coating their mitochondria with massive molecular complexes called ribosomes. This adaptation has potential implications for cancer treatment as it may help overcome the challenges faced by cancer cells when they are starved of nutrients.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

Researchers link El Niño to accelerated ice loss in tropics

Researchers have confirmed that El Niño causes a drastic reduction in the snow-covered area of the Quelccaya Ice Cap in the Peruvian Andes. The study used NASA Landsat satellites to measure the ice cap's sensitivity to climate shifts, finding that it lost about 58% of its snow cover between 1985 and 2022.

SourceOhio State University·JournalThe Cryosphere·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 8, 2024

Scientists from IOCB Prague help to improve medical drugs

Researchers at IOCB Prague successfully isolated the proteasome enzyme complex of the T. vaginalis parasite, enabling them to develop new medicines that can target this parasite without harming humans. This breakthrough has critical implications for treating trichomoniasis and reducing HIV risk.

Transition to low-carbon futures: New research uncovers rise in legal challenges to climate action

A new study highlights the emergence of 'just transition litigation', challenging climate policies and projects that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. The phenomenon emphasizes the need for balancing climate action with social justice considerations, particularly for Indigenous Peoples, workers, and local residents.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalNature Sustainability·DateOct 8, 2024

Stressed bees lack the buzz in life

New research reveals stressed bees make pessimistic choices and lack a buzz in life. They reduce their expectations of reward when agitated, which could impact how they approach and pollinate flowers.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 8, 2024

Wavelength-independent and photoinitiator-free laser 3D nanolithography

A team of scientists developed a new method for 3D nanolithography using low peak power laser oscillators, enabling the creation of non-photosensitized materials without photo-initiators. Wavelengths of 517 nm, 780 nm, and 1035 nm are suitable for producing 300 nm polymerized features with high linear writing speeds.

Green education can create new generation of eco-leaders - study

A new study reveals that green education can nurture a generation of eco-leaders to tackle climate change and environmental issues in the Middle East and North Africa. The study recommends integrating sustainability into national curricula, providing sustainable funding for education initiatives, and monitoring evaluation systems.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalSustainable Development·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 8, 2024

New seed fossil sheds light on wind dispersal in plants

Researchers have discovered a new plant seed fossil, Alasemenia, which provides insight into the origin and early evolution of wind dispersal strategies in plants. The study found that Alasemenia's three-winged seeds are more adapted to wind dispersal than one, two, or four-winged seeds.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateOct 8, 2024

A new technique that makes competition between tumour cells visible can help personalise treatments for multiple myeloma

A new technique called Clonal competition assays helps understand the evolutionary advantages of multiple myeloma cells over available treatments. It allows researchers to see how each population of cells in the same myeloma reacts to treatments, getting closer to understanding heterogeneity and resistance.

Transition to a circular bioeconomy requires getting prices right

A circular bioeconomy aims to reduce waste, transform industries, and regenerate natural systems for environmentally sustainable food and energy production. The concept needs a values-based economic lens with the right policies and incentives to persuade consumers and producers.

The secret strength of our cell guards

A team from UNIGE and EPFL has demonstrated the Entropic Pulling mechanism of Hsp70 chaperones, a long-debated theory that explains their role in controlling protein quality. The study uses nanopore single-molecule technology to show that Hsp70s generate a strong force to manipulate protein structure, ruling out previous models.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateOct 8, 2024

Study: One-time cooperation decisions unaffected by increased benefits to society

A new study found that individuals' willingness to cooperate in one-time situations is remarkably stable, regardless of the potential benefits. Across two experiments involving over 2,000 participants, the researchers found no significant change in cooperation rates when benefits were increased.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

4+ hour emergency care wait linked to heightened risks of death and longer hospital stay for hip fracture patients

A study found that patients with hip fractures who wait over 4 hours for treatment in emergency care are at higher risk of death and longer hospital stays. The researchers analyzed data from a single trauma center in Scotland, where over 1 in 3 patients waited longer than the required standard time frame.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 8, 2024

Scientists at The Wistar Institute discover novel series of SARS-CoV-2 mpro inhibitors for potential new COVID-19 treatments

Scientists at The Wistar Institute have identified a novel series of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors that effectively inhibit viral replication in vitro against multiple COVID variants. These compounds also synergize with existing antivirals, offering promise for developing future therapies.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

New research calls for transparency in Medicare Advantage operations

A new study reveals that some Medicare Advantage plans engage in strategic cross-subsidization, offering extra benefits to healthier patients while providing fewer benefits to sicker patients. This practice can lead to reduced care quality for vulnerable populations and exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare access.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·TypeObservational study·DateOct 8, 2024