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Science News Archive October 2024 - Page 26


Page 26 of 44

Aquaculture uses far more wild fish than previously estimated, study finds

The study, led by an international team of scientists, suggests that global fish farming relies on significantly larger quantities of wild-caught ocean fish than previously calculated. The findings indicate a 27-307% higher ratio of wild fish inputs to farmed fish outputs, with some species relying on twice the farmed biomass produced.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateOct 16, 2024

Increase in air pollution corresponds with more patients at the hospital emergency department

Research finds that increases in air pollution levels correspond with a higher number of patients visiting the hospital emergency department, particularly for cases of trauma, breathing difficulties, and skin conditions. The study suggests that heavy traffic is directly responsible for increased trauma cases and indirectly contributes ...

Despite national efforts, cancer clinical trials are becoming less diverse, study finds

A study by Boston University School of Medicine found that cancer clinical trials in head and neck cancer are becoming less racially and ethnically diverse over time. The situation has worsened in the last 10 years, with only 7-12% of participants being Black or Hispanic compared to 58% in some local trials.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalHead & Neck·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 15, 2024

New study: Digital helpers create more trust

A new study found that interacting with virtual agents designed to resemble people with a migration background can increase trust in the police. The study showed that virtual agents are an effective tool for positive personal interaction with authorities, and their use could be a cost-effective solution for police forces.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2024

Machine learning analysis sheds light on who benefits from protected bike lanes

Researchers use machine learning to analyze optimal bike lane placement in Toronto, balancing accessibility for all with overall efficiency. Key findings include a trade-off between equity and utility, with essential routes like Bloor West's bike lanes serving neighbourhoods far from their endpoints.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalJournal of Transport Geography·DateOct 15, 2024

Canopy structure regulates autumn phenology by mediating microclimate in temperate forests: Study

A study revealed that canopy structure significantly influences local-scale variations in autumn phenology by mediating microclimate conditions. Complex canopies delay leaf senescence through reduced light availability and temperature buffering. The findings improve prediction accuracy for autumn phenology models.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 15, 2024

NTU Singapore scientists apply ancient construction methods to help fabricate modern microparticles

Researchers use tongue and groove technique inspired by ancient East Asian wooden structures to create advanced ceramic microparticles with unprecedented complexity and precision. These particles can be used in various applications across microelectronics, aerospace, energy, and medical engineering.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2024

Around 40% of postmenopausal hormone positive breast cancers linked to excess body fat

Research suggests that up to 42% of postmenopausal hormone-positive breast cancer cases may be linked to excess body fat, a proportion significantly higher than previously estimated using the widely used measure of BMI. The study found that a validated measure of body fat called CUN-BAE yielded more accurate results.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·TypeCase study·DateOct 15, 2024

Election officials can boost voter trust in delayed results with early communication

A study from the University of California - San Diego found that early communication from election officials can reduce voter distrust in delayed results. When voters are informed in advance that counting ballots takes time and security measures are in place, their trust remains steady despite delays. This proactive message can help ma...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2024

Arthropods dominate plant litter decomposition in drylands

A study published in eLife reveals that larger arthropods like woodlice and beetles play a crucial role in leaf litter decomposition across diverse habitats and seasons. Decomposition rates are influenced by climate, leaf quality, and decomposer abundance, with macrofauna dominating decomposition in hot, dry regions.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateOct 15, 2024

New research suggests: To get patients to accept medical AI, remind them of human biases

A study from Lehigh University and Seattle University found that making patients aware of biases in human healthcare decisions increases receptiveness to AI recommendations. By highlighting the limitations of human judgment, healthcare providers can create a more balanced relationship between patients and emerging technologies.

SourceLehigh University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2024

Scientists identify key protein in the inflammatory pathway driving fatty liver disease

Researchers have discovered a promising new target to combat fatty liver disease, a chronic and progressive condition that triggers inflammation. A protein called Rbpj plays a critical role in the Notch signalling pathway, which controls the conversion of monocytes into inflammatory macrophages.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2024

New research reveals how large-scale adoption of electric vehicles can improve air quality and human health

A new study suggests that large-scale adoption of electric vehicles can lead to significant population-level health benefits. The research team used computer simulations to show that aggressive electrification of the US vehicle fleet, coupled with an ambitious rollout of renewable electricity generation, could result in health benefits...

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2024

NIH announces winners of prize competition to improve postpartum maternal health and health equity through innovative diagnostics

The National Institutes of Health has announced the winners of the RADx Tech for Maternal Health Challenge, an $8 million prize competition to develop innovative diagnostics for postpartum maternal health. Six finalists won grand prizes of $525,000 each, and two runner-up teams won prizes of $300,000 each.

Training medical AI with knowledge, not shortcuts

Researchers develop Knowledge-enhanced Bottlenecks (KnoBo) method to emulate human physicians' education, resulting in more accurate and interpretable AI models for medical image recognition. KnoBo-based models outperform existing best-in-class models on accuracy and robustness, especially in handling confounded data.

Study explores how traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers found TBI increases hyperphosphorylated tau, astro- and microgliosis, synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairments linked to developing Alzheimer’s. BAG3 overexpression ameliorates tau hyperphosphorylation, synaptic dysfunction and cognitive deficits through the enhancement of the autophagy-lysosome pathway.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalActa Neuropathologica·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2024

Educational psychologists can play a part in fighting TikTok mental health and neurodiversity misinformation

A new study highlights the need for educational psychologists to engage with TikTok to address self-diagnosis of mental health and neurodiversity conditions. The platform's vast amount of inaccurate content can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate self-assessment, emphasizing the importance of raising accurate content.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEducational Psychology in Practice·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 15, 2024