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Science News for October 9, 2024


LANDFEED project kicks off: Transforming agro-food waste into bio-based fertilizers to support Europe’s circular economy

The LANDFEED project aims to develop advanced nutrient recovery technologies and innovative coatings for bio-based fertilisers to improve nutrient release and efficiency. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lessen environmental impact on water resources, and contribute to improved soil health and sustainable agriculture.

Disparities in gastric cancer screening worldwide

Gastric cancer is the sixth most common cancer globally, with high incidence rates in Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe. Screening programs focusing on H. pylori eradication and early detection have shown promise in reducing mortality rates. Emerging research explores serological markers for pre-screening tools and vaccination a...

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalCancer Screening and Prevention·DateOct 9, 2024

Plants save energy when absorbing potassium

Researchers at the University of Würzburg discovered that plants use an energy-saving mechanism to adapt their potassium uptake based on soil conditions. By building a pH gradient across cell membranes, plants can transport potassium into cells without expending energy.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024

Study probes how eating less can extend lifespan

A recent study by The Jackson Laboratory reveals that reducing calorie intake can significantly extend the lifespan of mice, with the most robust animals living the longest. However, the researchers found that losing weight on these diets had a negative impact on lifespan in humans.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024

NYU Tandon School of Engineering study maps pedestrian crosswalks across entire cities, helping improve road safety and increase walkability

Researchers analyzed nearly 49,000 crossings in three diverse cities to identify patterns and correlations between crosswalk lengths and pedestrian safety. Longer crosswalks were associated with higher probabilities of pedestrian-vehicle collisions, highlighting the potential for data-driven improvements to urban infrastructure.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalJournal of the American Planning Association·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 9, 2024

The secret to slimming? Special ‘skinny genes’ double weight loss

A recent study discovered 14 'skinny genes' associated with significant weight loss in response to regular exercise. Participants who carried more of these genes lost up to 5kg during an eight-week period. Exercise was found to be crucial for unlocking the full potential of these genes, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalResearch Quarterly for Exercise and Sport·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024

Simulated forest multifunctionality under climate change and forest management

A recent study applied transition matrix growth models to simulate the effects of various management strategies on forest ecosystem services and multifunctionality in northeastern China. The findings highlighted the significant impact of forest management on ecosystem services, which outweighed the effects of climate scenarios alone.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalForest Ecosystems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 9, 2024

Sexist textbooks? Review of over 1200 English-language textbooks from 34 countries reveals persistent pattern of stereotypical gender roles and under-representation of female characters across countries

A study analyzing over 1200 English-language school textbooks from 34 countries found a persistent pattern of stereotypical gender roles, with male-coded words appearing twice as often as female-coded words. The analysis also revealed under-representation of female characters in textbooks across countries.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 9, 2024

High-dimensional photonics accelerates quantum computing

A new study by Prof. Yaron Bromberg and Dr. Ohad Lib from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has made significant progress in quantum computing through photonic-measurement-based quantum computation. They successfully generated cluster states with over nine qubits at a frequency of 100 Hz, overcoming scalability barriers.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Photonics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 9, 2024

Another step towards decoding smell

A study published in Nature elucidates the role of individual brain neurons in human odor perception, revealing distinct neural responses to smells, images, and names. The research demonstrates that different brain regions process specific functions of olfaction, shedding light on the complex mechanisms behind human scent detection.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalNature·DateOct 9, 2024

New insights into glioblastoma treatment for older adults patients

A recent clinical trial analysis found that patients with truly unmethylated MGMT promoter do not benefit from temozolomide treatment, challenging current treatment protocols. This study aims to transform the treatment landscape for older adults glioblastoma patients by identifying biomarkers for more personalized therapies.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·JournalNeuro-Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 9, 2024

Can adrenaline auto-injectors prevent fatal anaphylaxis?

A recent review published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy suggests that intravenous adrenaline infusions can prevent fatal anaphylaxis, but adrenaline autoinjectors may have little impact in such deadly cases. Fatal anaphylaxis is rare, with a population incidence of 0.03–0.51 per million per year.

SourceWiley·JournalClinical & Experimental Allergy·DateOct 9, 2024

Ancient climate analysis reveals unknown global processes

A new Stanford review of hundreds of studies found little to no sediment dating back to the 34 million-year-old Eocene-Oligocene climate transition, contradicting conventional models. The researchers attribute this globally extensive gap in the geologic record to vigorous ocean bottom currents triggered by major climate shifts.

SourceStanford University·JournalEarth-Science Reviews·DateOct 9, 2024

Study finds persistent infection could explain long COVID in some people

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that people with wide-ranging long COVID symptoms were twice as likely to have SARS-CoV-2 proteins in their blood compared to those without long COVID symptoms. This persistent infection could explain some of the long COVID sufferers' symptoms, suggesting a potential treatment target.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalClinical Microbiology and Infection·DateOct 9, 2024

Sludge sequencing surprise: High-throughput single-cell method reveals novel species and genetic diversity

A pioneering study applies high-throughput single-cell sequencing to demystify the microbial universe within activated sludge, a cornerstone of wastewater treatment. The analysis detects antibiotic resistance genes, previously unknown microbial species, and reveals intricate genetic networks within microbial communities.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateOct 9, 2024

Thirty years of Alzheimer's disease research: Preventive strategies hold promise for risk reduction while cure remains elusive

A new supplement celebrating the 100th volume of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease presents insights into the state of art in AD research. Recent advancements in geroscience have led to the development of preventive medical strategies targeting aging, holding promise for reducing disease risk.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeObservational study·DateOct 9, 2024

Fossils and fires: Insights into early modern human activity in the jungles of Southeast Asia

A new study reconstructs cave conditions in Tam Pà Ling, Laos, identifying human activities and environmental changes over 52,000 years. The findings suggest that early Homo sapiens fossils were deposited in the cave during periods of heavy rainfall, with possible forest fires or human use of fire nearby.

SourceFlinders University·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·TypeObservational study·DateOct 9, 2024

Cutting-edge LSTM technology strengthens cybersecurity in SWaT industrial control systems

Researchers used LSTM networks to detect cyber threats in SWaT plant industrial control systems, capturing complex time-dependent patterns missed by traditional methods. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of LSTM technology in safeguarding industrial control systems from cyberattacks.

SourceELSP·JournalArtificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 9, 2024

New study determines higher dosage for radioembolisation to treat liver cancer, improves survival rates by almost 15 months and facilitates curative treatment

A new study has found that using a higher dosage of radioembolisation treatment with yttrium-90 microspheres can improve overall survival outcomes for liver cancer patients. Patients who received this elevated dose had significantly better results, with some experiencing prolonged survival and even curative treatments.

SourceSingHealth·JournalLiver Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 9, 2024

Light pollution disturbs moths even in the dark

Researchers found that light pollution disturbs moth behavior outside the illuminated area, causing them to fly in curvy paths. The study also revealed an interaction between artificial light and the moon's phase, affecting moths' orientation and flight patterns.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024

New research highlights the overlooked dangers of subtle and covert abuse in intimate relationships

A scoping review reveals a lack of understanding about subtle and covert abuse in intimate relationships, with potential widespread impact. The study identifies key behaviours, including undermining, limiting, and withholding, which can lead to long-term emotional and psychological harm for victims.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalTrauma Violence & Abuse·TypeContent analysis·DateOct 9, 2024

Toddlers show increased physical activity with a robot playmate moving around the room

Researchers found that toddlers' activity levels increased in the presence of an active robot, particularly when the robot moved autonomously. The study's findings suggest that assistive robots like GoBot may be effective in promoting physical activity in young children.

SourceOregon State University·JournalIEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024

Octopus-inspired adhesive works well in wet conditions

Researchers developed an octopus-inspired adhesive with elastic, curved stalk and membrane that adheres to multiple surfaces in wet environments. The adhesive demonstrated strong attachment to complex objects and could be rapidly attached and released.

SourceWiley·JournalAdvanced Science·DateOct 9, 2024

Microscopic study of milk teeth reveals mystery of death of Iberian culture newborns buried inside homes

A microscopic study of milk teeth reveals that newborn Iberian infants died mainly from natural causes like birth complications or premature births. Researchers applied innovative methodology to analyze the neonatal line in baby teeth, identifying moments of birth and death with precision.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024

Medicare prior authorization affecting plastic and reconstructive surgery didn’t have hoped-for effect

A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that the Medicare prior authorization policy aimed at reducing hospital outpatient department based surgical volume had no significant impact. The policy, which requires doctors to get prior authorization from Medicare officials before scheduling certain outpatient procedures, did...

‘We must do more’: Non-Indigenous businesses struggling to boost Indigenous staff numbers

A new study from the Australian National University found that non-Indigenous-owned businesses employ Indigenous staff at a rate 12 times lower than Indigenous-owned businesses. The research highlights the need for non-Indigenous businesses to incorporate Indigenous-led approaches to improve employment outcomes.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalThe Economic and Labour Relations Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 9, 2024

Should doctors be suspended for unlawful climate activism?

Experts debate whether doctors should face sanctions for protesting against climate change, with some arguing that civil disobedience can lead to positive social change. Doctors like Sarah Benn have been suspended after breaching an injunction order, but others argue that the GMC's actions erode trust in the medical profession.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateOct 9, 2024

Extreme rainfall linked to heightened risk of death

An analysis of global data from 34 countries found a strong association between extreme rainfall events and increased mortality rates. The study identified locations with lower rainfall variability and scarce vegetation as having higher risks of deaths after extreme rainfall events.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateOct 9, 2024

Adding vagus nerve stimulation to training sessions may boost how well sounds are perceived

Researchers found that vagus nerve stimulation can improve sound discrimination in mice, suggesting a potential new approach to treating hearing disorders. The technique may also speed up hearing improvements from cochlear implants, enabling implant recipients to communicate more effectively.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024

Study: Rise in English learner students in “new destination” states helps, does not hurt, academic outcomes for existing students

A new study by RAND finds significant positive spillover effects of new English learner students in new destination states on existing students' test scores, particularly in reading. The study found benefits mainly concentrated among former or current English learners, with no adverse effects on non-English learners.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateOct 9, 2024

Snowflake dance analysis could improve rain forecasts

A new study has found that analyzing the physical motion of falling snowflakes can improve rainfall predictions by estimating where and when ice crystals will melt into raindrops. The research revealed four main types of ice crystal motion, including stable, zigzag, transitional, and spiralling movements.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·TypeObservational study·DateOct 9, 2024

Why people think they’re right, even when they are wrong

A new study found that people naturally assume they have all the necessary information to make a decision or support their position, even when they don't. Researchers call this phenomenon the 'illusion of information adequacy,' which leads people to be more confident in their decisions despite lacking full knowledge.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024

In studying the mating rituals of fruit flies, scientists may have learned something about how brains evolve

Researchers found that fruit fly brains use modular circuits to quickly adapt to different mating signals, allowing species to develop unique courtship strategies without rewiring their brains. This discovery sheds light on the flexibility of neural circuits in the face of new sensory inputs and has implications for understanding brain...

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateOct 9, 2024

Do fungi recognize shapes?

Researchers found that fungi can communicate information throughout their network and adjust growth patterns based on shape. The mycelial network demonstrated pattern recognition abilities, suggesting a form of cognition that is both fascinating and unexplored in the fungal kingdom.

SourceTohoku University·JournalFungal Ecology·DateOct 9, 2024

Effects of environmental factors on Southeast Brazil’s coastal biodiversity surpass those of ecological processes

A study found that environmental factors like sea surface temperature, wave energy, and freshwater discharge have a greater impact on marine organisms' size and abundance than ecological processes. In colder waters, marine organisms are larger, with filter feeders growing up to 130% larger.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMarine Environmental Research·DateOct 9, 2024

Tiny antibodies to fight the dangerous effects of opioids

Researchers have discovered molecules capable of limiting the side effects of opioids by blocking the receptor responsible for their action. The scientists created even smaller molecules that retain the same properties, which could prove far more effective than current treatments in mitigating the harmful effects of opioids.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateOct 9, 2024

Optimizing sustainable development in arid river basins: A multi-objective model balances water, energy, economy, carbon, and ecology

A collaborative research team introduced a new approach to sustainable development in arid river basins through a Grey Fractional Multi-Objective Programming (GFMOP) model. The study found that improving water use efficiency can reduce carbon emissions while safeguarding the environment.

SourceEurasia Academic Publishing Group·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 9, 2024

The bright and dark sides of Pacific salmon biotransport

A team of researchers estimated Pacific salmon nutrient and contaminant movements over 40 years, revealing the largest fluxes for large animal groups. The study found changes in the Pacific salmon community impacted nutrient and contaminant transport, with pink salmon carrying more nutrients and Chinook salmon higher contaminant loads.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateOct 9, 2024

Uncovering pandemic inequities

A recent study found that non-white individuals were more likely to test positive for COVID-19, highlighting disparities in testing access and community-level factors. The research also identified differences in the prevalence of novel variants of concern among racial and ethnic minority groups.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateOct 9, 2024

Zika virus as a treatment for brain cancer: A systematic review

Researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of using Zika virus for treating CNS tumors, finding that it reduces cell viability, inhibits growth, and decreases Bcl2 expression, potentially enhancing chemotherapy and radiotherapy effects. This ultimately led to significant tumor remission and improved long-term survival through an enh...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 9, 2024

Caffeine is a heart-healthy habit

Researchers found that patients who consumed caffeine had better vascular health, as measured through endothelial cells. The study suggests that caffeine may play a role in controlling disease progression and improving cardiovascular health.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalRheumatology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 9, 2024

Over 160,000 new virus species discovered by AI

A recent study using AI has discovered over 160,000 new RNA virus species, shedding light on the diversity of life on Earth. The machine learning tool, LucaProt, was able to organize and categorize genetic sequence data, revealing a previously unknown branch of life.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalCell·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 9, 2024

Unveiling a new technique for preparing ionic liquid-based membranes for mixture separation

Researchers developed a simpler method to produce IL-immobilized membranes through gas-phase reactions, transforming nanoporous tubes into selective separation tools. The innovative vapor-phase transport treatment enables the creation of tailored membranes with improved performance and potential industrial applications.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Membrane Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024

Dual immunotherapy plus chemotherapy benefits specific subset of patients with lung cancer

A study at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found that adding CTLA-4 immune checkpoint inhibitors to durvalumab and chemotherapy improved overall response rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival for patients with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer harboring STK11 and/or KEAP1 mutations.

Citizen science study sheds fresh light on dementia risk factors and cognition

A new citizen science study has found that a person's subjective impression of their own memory problems is strongly linked to modifiable risk factors for dementia. The research used a smartphone app to gather data from 3,327 people and found a stronger association between subjective memory impairment and risk factors such as depressio...

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 9, 2024

Language model „UroBot“ surpasses the accuracy of experienced urologists

Researchers developed AI chatbot UroBot to answer complex urology questions with high accuracy, exceeding human urologists. The model justifies its answers based on European Society of Urology guidelines and has been tested on 200 specialist questions, achieving an accuracy rate of 88.4%.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalESMO Real World Data and Digital Oncology·DateOct 9, 2024

Reprogramming wood-degrading mushroom enzymes for the biorecycling of plastic

Researchers successfully designed and engineered novel enzyme systems that can degrade various types of plastics. By replacing the binding module with different modules, they created chimera LPMOs capable of recognizing and breaking down different types of plastics, including biosourced polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Symbiotic bacterium Rickettsia affects the reproduction of a predatory insect, an effective biological control agent for agricultural pests

A research team discovered that the Rickettsia symbiont induces cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in the mirid bug, affecting its reproductive biology. This finding has significant implications for effective pest management and highlights the importance of assessing CI frequency in wild populations.

SourceNational Agriculture and Food Research Organization·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024