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Science News for September 17, 2024


Unravelling an ancient European extinction mystery: Disappearance of dwarf megafauna on palaeolithic Cyprus

A new study reveals that palaeolithic hunter-gatherers on Cyprus are responsible for the disappearance of two species of megafauna: dwarf elephants and hippos. The research suggests that these small human populations could have driven both species to extinction due to their hunting practices.

SourceFlinders University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 17, 2024

Researchers identify potential new strategy to slow the development of liver fibrosis

Researchers at the University of Barcelona have identified a potential new strategy to slow the development of liver fibrosis. Activating the PPARβ/δ-AMPK pathway has been found to prevent collagen accumulation and reduce inflammation in the liver, according to a study published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalBiomedicine & Pharmacotherapy·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Ultra-low-dose ketamine can curb opioid withdrawal

A pilot study found that ultra-low-dose ketamine can reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting fentanyl, enabling patients to transition to buprenorphine treatment. The treatment was successful in 16 out of 37 patients who completed the transition, with 92% remaining in treatment for at least 30 days.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalAddiction Science & Clinical Practice·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Police body-camera footage as data

Researchers used body-worn camera footage to study changes in police behavior after procedural justice training, finding a significant increase in respectful communication techniques with drivers of all races. Post-training stops were twice as likely to use formal titles and express concern for the driver's safety.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 17, 2024

‘Marine identity’ can help restore the ocean

A new definition of marine identity has been agreed upon by an international group of researchers, which could help restore society's relationship with the ocean. The concept emphasizes how the ocean supports our sense of self and is rooted in traditions, customs, and dependency on the sea for recreation and livelihoods.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPeople and Nature·DateSep 17, 2024

Public housing service outages are frequent and prolonged, endangering residents’ health

A study found NYCHA residents experience frequent electrical, elevator, heat, hot water, and water outages, averaging 94 daily elevator outages. The duration of these outages has not improved over time, posing health risks to vulnerable populations such as seniors and those reliant on electricity-powered medical devices.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Urban Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 17, 2024

New understanding of the limits on nano-noise

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have made a significant step in understanding the fundamental constraints on noise, paving the way for future nanoelectronics. The study investigated thermoelectric heat engines at the nanoscale and found a critical trade-off between noise and power.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Black hole pairs may unveil new particles

Physicists from Amsterdam and Copenhagen suggest that a careful analysis of merging black hole pairs' gravitational waves could reveal the existence of new ultralight bosons. This process, called superradiance, provides an opportunity to probe these particles, which may resolve puzzles in astrophysics and particle physics.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2024

New age electrode with densely functionalized polymeric binder for high-performance lithium and sodium-ion batteries

Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed a densely functionalized polymeric binder for high-performance lithium and sodium-ion batteries. The new material showed exceptional electrochemical performance, high capacities, and great cycle stability.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateSep 17, 2024

New method improves understanding of light-wave propagation in anisotropic materials

Researchers have developed a new technique to study anisotropic materials, capturing full complexity of light behavior in these materials. The method revealed detailed insights into how light scatters differently along various directions within materials, allowing retrieval of scattering tensor coefficients.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateSep 17, 2024

Self-reporting of health may lead to underestimation of health inequalities in England

A study analyzing data from the Health Survey for England found that people living in areas of high deprivation are likely to have worse health than those in less deprived areas, even when reporting their own health as 'poor'. This could lead to underestimation of health inequalities and inaccurate allocation of resources.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalBMJ Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2024

Telehealth boosts retention of people on buprenorphine in addiction treatment

A new study found that patients who initiated treatment for opioid use disorder through a telehealth mobile app had higher retention rates over six months compared to those in physical clinics. The study's results suggest that telehealth may be an effective alternative to traditional office-based treatment.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalJournal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 17, 2024

Abnormal electrolyte levels in people with eating disorders may increase risk of death, poor health outcomes

A new study found that individuals with eating disorders have a higher risk of death and poor health outcomes due to abnormal electrolyte levels. The research, led by ICES and The Ottawa Hospital, included over 6,000 individuals with an eating disorder, revealing that 32% had abnormal electrolyte levels.

SourceInstitute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2024

New four-year, $3.26 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke establishes the Mount Sinai Center for Undiagnosed Diseases

The new center aims to provide state-of-the-art genomic services to patients with difficult-to-diagnose diseases, aiming to shed light on undiagnosed conditions and uncover rare variations of more common diseases. The grant will enable the provision of advanced diagnostic services to alleviate the burden of these disorders.

NUS Medicine researchers develop breakthrough nanoparticle technology for targeted diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis

Researchers developed a breakthrough nanoparticle technology that offers an effective solution to diagnose and treat atherosclerosis in a non-invasive manner. The innovative theranostic approach can target atherosclerotic plaques and deliver therapeutic agents directly to inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis.

Auto plants grew their workforces after transitioning to electric vehicle production

Researchers at the University of Michigan found that US auto plants producing battery electric vehicles have required a larger workforce than traditional internal combustion engine plants. The study revealed that assembly jobs increased by up to 10 times during the ramp-up stages of transitioning to full-scale EV production, with one p...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 17, 2024

Moving particle simulation-aided soil plasticity analysis for earth pressure balance shield tunnelling

A team of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a moving particle simulation-aided soil plasticity analysis for earth pressure balance shield tunnelling. The study found that earth pressure is a reliable indicator for analyzing soil plasticity and proposed a computer-aided analysis system that precisely reflects e...

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalTunnelling and Underground Space Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 17, 2024

Quantum speedup and limitations on matroid property problems

Researchers investigate quantum query complexity of basic matroid problems and present asymptotically optimal quantum algorithms for some of them. They apply the quantum adversary method to prove lower bounds on quantum algorithms, demonstrating that fundamental matroid problems can achieve quantum speedup.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Novel triplet regimen yields promising response in advanced-phase chronic myeloid leukemia

A Phase II trial found that a novel combination of decitabine, venetoclax, and ponatinib achieved complete remission in 80% of patients with advanced-phase chronic myeloid leukemia. The treatment showed promise even in patients with high-risk features and those who had received multiple prior therapies.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet Haematology·DateSep 17, 2024

Upcycling e-waste into heterogeneous CuxO nano skeletons for high-performance glucose sensing

Scientists at Shanghai Jiao Tong University created a novel glucose sensing system using heterogeneous CuxO nano skeletons from electronic waste. The method employed laser-induced transfer techniques to fabricate electrodes with high sensitivity and stability, achieving detection limits of 0.34 μM.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

A smoother way to study ‘twistronics’

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new device that can easily twist and study 2D materials, opening up new possibilities for discovering new phases of matter. This innovation uses micro-electromechanical systems to control the twist angle, making it easier to produce unique samples and study their properties.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Enhanced ion diffusion kinetics achieved through interpenetrated structures in electrochemical energy storage devices

Researchers developed interpenetrated electrode structures to enhance ion diffusion kinetics in electrochemical energy storage devices. The design reduced ion concentration gradients and increased surface area, leading to improved performance at low temperatures.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Improved epidemic monitoring via sewage

A new study from European universities has developed a method to analyze wastewater data from seven major cities, identifying thousands of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and antimicrobial resistance. This approach can detect potential health threats simultaneously, potentially preventing epidemics from escalating into outbreaks.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 17, 2024

Evidence shows that estrogen blocker treatment does not increase the risk of coronary heart disease in breast cancer patients

New study finds that extended estrogen suppression using aromatase inhibitors for hormone receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer is safe and does not increase the risk of coronary artery calcification. The duration of treatment and presence of osteoporosis were not associated with increased coronary artery calcification scores.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2024

Identifying body-scan postures suitable for people with hyperactivity tendency

Researchers found that participants with hyperactivity/impulsivity tendency perform body-scan meditation better in supine and upright postures, which can alleviate anxiety and depression. The study developed scales to assess the ease of mindfulness meditation, aiding psychiatrists and therapists in choosing suitable interventions.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalJapanese Psychological Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Can Google street view data improve public health?

Researchers analyzed 2 million Google Street View images to explore the utility of digital data in informing public health decision-making. They found that neighborhoods with more crosswalks had lower rates of obesity and diabetes, but no significant link was found between sidewalks and health outcomes.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2024

Childhood trauma linked to major biological and health risks

A new study found that childhood trauma can have specific consequences for biological health and risk of developing 20 major diseases later in life. The study's findings differ by sex and type of stressor, highlighting the need for a precision medicine approach based on patients' sex and specific stress profile.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 17, 2024

Study shows SIM models improve health data

A study by Tarang Parekh found small but significant improvements in capturing social determinants of health using Internal Classification of Diseases codes. This breakthrough research aims to better understand the impact of social factors on health outcomes and target interventions more effectively.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateSep 17, 2024

Black women have a higher risk of dying from all types of breast cancer, meta-analysis reveals

A meta-analysis by Mass General Brigham researchers found that Black women face higher mortality rates from breast cancer across all tumor subtypes, attributed to socioeconomic inequality, delayed diagnosis, and inadequate access to timely quality treatment. This disparity is not limited to hormone-positive tumors, with differences als...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 17, 2024

Risk of clots, stroke from incorrect blood thinner dosing reduced using online dashboard

Researchers found that adopting an electronic patient management system for direct oral anticoagulants reduced off-label dosing by 8%, while also decreasing the rate of blood clots and strokes. The online dashboard, used at over 120 hospitals, highlights treatment optimization and improves patient safety.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2024

ChatGPT and cultural bias

A recent study found that ChatGPT exhibits cultural values similar to those in English-speaking and Protestant European countries. The model's responses consistently reflected a focus on self-expression values, such as environmental protection and tolerance for diversity.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 17, 2024

What numbers do you see? A new bistable perceptual phenomenon on symbolic numbers

A team of researchers from the National Institute for Physiological Sciences in Japan found that partial occlusion of digital numerals can induce bistable interpretations of their semantic meanings. Long-time visual exposure to normal numerals biases perception, favoring a specific number interpretation.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalJournal of Vision·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Amsterdam UMC led research sets a step forward in the battle against MRSA

A recent study published in Cell Reports Medicine has discovered an important immune component that offers protection against MRSA infection. The researchers found that IgM antibodies are required for clearance of S. aureus during an infection, suggesting a new direction for future vaccine strategies and therapies.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Researchers present ranges of normal glucose levels among non-diabetic adults wearing continuous glucose monitors

Non-diabetic adults who use continuous glucose monitoring sensors spend significantly more time with elevated glucose levels than previously thought. The study found that normoglycemic participants experienced glucose levels above 140mg/dL for an average of three hours per day.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 17, 2024

No major concerns about risks to offspring for would-be dads taking epilepsy meds

A systematic review of studies on antiseizure drugs in men with epilepsy suggests that there is no clear evidence of a detrimental impact on offspring outcomes. While some isolated harmful side effects were found, they were not replicated in other investigations. The review casts doubt on the stance taken by the UK drugs regulator and ...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 17, 2024

Scientists urge new conservation approach to save vulnerable species from climate change impacts

Climate scientists have proposed a new approach to conserve vulnerable ecosystems, focusing on sites with favorable weather conditions. The 'climate-change refugia' concept aims to reduce species extinctions by identifying and protecting areas least impacted by changing weather.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 17, 2024

Recent study reveals reduced maths performance of adults with Dyspraxia

A recent study from the University of Surrey found that adults with Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder) exhibit lower math performance compared to neurotypical peers. The research highlights the crucial role of working memory in math tasks for individuals with DCD, suggesting a need for tailored educational approaches.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalActa Psychologica·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2024

Shrinking the pint can reduce beer sales by almost 10%

Research published in PLOS Medicine found that reducing the serving size for beer, lager and cider in UK pubs resulted in a 9.7% decrease in daily mean volume of beer sold. The study suggests smaller serving sizes could contribute to reducing alcohol consumption and decreasing the risk of various diseases.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

New study increases understanding of HIV drug’s negative effects on the brain

A new study in ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science investigates the molecular mechanisms behind Efavirenz's negative effects on brain function. The research reveals that the drug alters lipid metabolism and downregulates certain enzymes, which could lead to the development of new drugs to block its negative activity.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalACS Pharmacology & Translational Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Scientists from 33 European countries join forces to generate reference genomes for the continent's rich biological diversity

The European Reference Genome Atlas pilot project successfully assembled high-quality reference genomes for 98 European species, including the Cretan wall lizard and Aristotle's catfish. These genomes will enable scientists to make accurate assessments of endangered species' genetic status and inform conservation actions.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·Journalnpj Biodiversity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 17, 2024

LJI discovery paves the way for antivirals against Ebola virus and its deadly relatives

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have captured the first detailed images of the Ebola virus nucleocapsid structure, which is crucial for replicating in host cells. This breakthrough may accelerate the development of universal antivirals that target this viral structure to combat multiple filoviruses.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Study discovers that fruit flies’ visual navigation tactics differ by environment

Researchers discovered that urban and desert fruit flies use distinct visual navigation strategies to maintain balance and orient towards interesting objects. The study suggests that the visual environment plays a crucial role in shaping these navigation tactics, with implications for human vision and autonomous vehicle development.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 17, 2024

Two common surgeries equally effective for treating blinding condition of the eyelid

A large NIH-funded trial compares three surgical approaches for treating trachomatous trichiasis, finding that one technique is just as effective as another in reducing post-operative complications. The study suggests that existing standard surgeries are better options than a modified method with a larger incision height.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 17, 2024