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Science News Archive October 2024 - Page 43


Page 43 of 44

Researchers receive grant to boost colorectal cancer screening follow-up in underserved communities

A new study aims to increase follow-up care for patients who receive abnormal stool-based fecal immunochemical tests, focusing on improving coordination between primary and specialty clinics. The goal is to improve colorectal cancer screening processes in underserved populations, increasing survival and reducing mortality.

Melanin’s impact on oxygen measurement accuracy using near-infrared spectroscopy

The study found that individuals with higher melanin levels experience decreased signal quality and lower oxygen saturation readings. To enhance reliability, researchers advocate for incorporating melanin level measurements and using specific wavelengths less absorbed by melanin.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2024

People infer the past better than the future, study finds

A Dartmouth-led study found that people are more skilled at inferring past events from conversations than predicting future events. This phenomenon is attributed to the asymmetrical nature of human knowledge about their own lives and experiences, which influences how people converse.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2024

Using antimatter to detect nuclear radiation

Researchers developed a detector that senses and analyzes antineutrinos emitted by nuclear reactors, enabling detection of reactor use even from hundreds of miles away. The device exploits Cherenkov radiation to characterize energy profiles and can distinguish between operational cycles and specific isotopes in spent fuel.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateOct 1, 2024

Structure of a eukaryotic CRISPR-Cas homolog, Fanzor2, shows its promise for gene editing

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital studied the structure of Fanzor2, a eukaryotic genome-editing protein, to understand its potential for gene editing. The findings reveal that Fanzor2 has a unique RNA-guided nuclease system, which could be harnessed to create more functional and smaller proteins.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2024

Discovery of orbital angular momentum monopoles enables orbital electronics with chiral materials

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery in chiral materials, enabling the creation of orbital electronics. The study reveals that certain materials naturally possess orbital angular momentum monopoles, which can be harnessed for memory devices and other applications.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut für Mikrostrukturphysik·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2024

Researchers observe hidden deformations in complex light fields

Researchers at Tampere University have observed hidden deformations in complex light fields for the first time. These deformations carry significant information about the object, such as its material properties. The study has implications for measuring material properties with structured waves and will inspire new optical technologies.

SourceTampere University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 1, 2024

Nudges fail to reduce online hate

A pre-registered experiment found that seven nudges aimed at reducing hateful speech online had no effect, but unexpectedly increased engagement with harmless posts. The study recruited over 4,000 Americans and showed participants one of the nudges before engaging with a website featuring varied content.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 1, 2024

Climate scientists express their views on possible future climate scenarios in a new study

A new study reveals that climate experts believe the Earth is headed for a rise in global temperatures far higher than the 2015 Paris Agreement targets. Two-thirds of respondents think we may succeed in achieving net zero CO2 emissions during the second half of this century, indicating some optimism about mitigation efforts.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeSurvey·DateOct 1, 2024

Antibodies in breast milk provide protection against common GI virus

A study by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that high levels of specific antibodies in breast milk provide protection against rotavirus, a common gastrointestinal disease. The findings highlight the importance of optimized breastfeeding practices to improve infant health globally.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2024

Do coyotes have puppy dog eyes? New study reveals wild canines share dog's famous expression

Researchers at Baylor University found that coyotes possess a well-developed muscle for raising their inner eyebrow, similar to dogs, contradicting the idea that this feature evolved specifically during domestication. The study suggests that 'puppy dog eyes' may be an ancestral trait shared by multiple species in the Canis genus.

SourceBaylor University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2024

Looking deeper into the mirror

Researchers have made a promising breakthrough in understanding the origins of mirror movements disorder by identifying the cellular mechanism behind the condition. A defect in axon guidance is revealed to be the underlying cause of the disorder, which can lead to difficulties in performing tasks requiring left-right coordination.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalScience Signaling·DateOct 1, 2024

Survival gap eliminated for Black cord blood recipients with blood cancers, study finds

A retrospective analysis of over 2,600 patients found that Black children were more likely to suffer severe graft-versus-host disease but overall survival rates improved across all racial groups. The study suggests that cord blood transplants are a vital lifeline for many patients and improve care for those without a matched donor.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalTransplantation and Cellular Therapy·DateOct 1, 2024

New MBARI research reveals the dynamic processes that sculpt the Arctic seafloor

Researchers have discovered large underwater ice formations at the edge of the Canadian Beaufort Sea, revealing an unanticipated mechanism for submarine permafrost ice formation. The newly formed ice is created by melting ancient permafrost and refreezing as brackish groundwater approaches the seafloor.

SourceMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Earth Surface·DateOct 1, 2024

Different adaptation strategies to saline soils identified in neighbouring populations of the same plant species

Two populations of the same wild species, Brassica fruticulosa, have evolved differently under similar environmental conditions, revealing distinct adaptation strategies to soil salinity. The study identifies two adaptive responses, one involving sodium restriction and the other through efficient osmotic adjustment mechanisms.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2024

More clarity on hereditary colorectal cancer

A large proportion of gene variants previously classified as 'variants of uncertain significance' (VUS) have been reclassified as benign, according to a study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics. This reduces the total number of VUS by 37%, providing relief for carriers worldwide.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateOct 1, 2024

Researchers develop method to obtain fine spatial and temporal resolution land surface temperature data

A new spatio-temporal fusion method called RES-STF combines VIIRS LST and Landsat LST data to create high-resolution images with both spatial and temporal details. This approach offers improved accuracy and robustness compared to traditional methods, providing critical data for studying urban heat environment changes and guiding agricu...

SourceJournal of Remote Sensing·JournalJournal of Remote Sensing·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2024

The picture book that doesn't exist

A new study reveals that bais, vast treeless clearings in the Congo Basin, are home to numerous endangered species, including Western lowland gorillas and African forest elephants. The researchers found over 2,000 distinct bais, covering less than 0.2% of the national park's landscape.

SourceHarvard University·JournalEcology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2024