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Science News Archive September 2024 - Page 11


Page 11 of 41

Rensselaer researcher overcomes portfolio optimization limitations with new approach

A new approach has been developed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Chanaka Edirisinghe and Jaehwan Jeong to improve portfolio selection in the context of high-dimensional, small-sample problems. The method uses data-driven techniques such as leverage control and norm constraints to minimize risk and maximize returns.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalThe Journal of Portfolio Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 24, 2024

Clinical trial results show low-intensity therapy can achieve positive outcomes for certain pediatric leukemia subtypes

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that patients with ETV6::RUNX1 and high-hyperdiploid B-ALL can achieve positive outcomes with low-intensity chemotherapy, tailoring treatment based on genetic subtypes and early treatment response. This approach reduces side effects and improves event-free survival rates.

Energy inefficiency and inability to downsize pose even bigger threat to low-income pensioners than loss of Winter Fuel Payments, Cambridge study suggests

A new study by University of Cambridge researchers highlights the disproportionate impact of energy inefficiency on low-income pensioners in England. The study found that even small improvements in home energy efficiency can significantly reduce annual heating costs for households in energy poverty.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEnergy Research & Social Science·DateSep 23, 2024

20-week ultrasound in pregnancy is a key driver of disparities in prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defects

A study found that patients with Medicaid are less likely to receive prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defects due to lower rates of 20-week ultrasounds. The lead author believes increasing 20-week ultrasound utilization can mitigate insurance-related disparities and improve outcomes for children with CHD.

Boston Clinic’s embedded neuropsychological program helps immigrants qualify for crucial naturalization form

The Boston Clinic implemented an innovative embedded neuropsychological assessment program to improve access to disability assessments for US citizenship applicants. The program provided crucial assessments to 34 patients, with 36% qualifying for N-648 forms despite initial normal cognitive screenings.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 23, 2024

Solar-assisted two-stage catalytic membrane reactor for CO₂ splitting

Researchers designed a unique two-stage catalytic membrane reactor that uses solar irradiation to split CO₂ into CO and O₂, achieving a prominent CO₂ conversion of 35.4% and higher H₂ yield compared to traditional reactors. The reactor's design also provides flexibility for selecting membrane configurations.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalGreen Energy & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2024

DECam confirms that early-universe quasar neighborhoods are indeed cluttered

A new study using the Dark Energy Camera has found that early-universe quasars have surrounding companion galaxies within a distance of 15 million light-years, which is consistent with expectations. However, the team also discovered that there are no companion galaxies within 60 million light-years of the quasar.

New study raises questions about validity of standard model of solar flares

A recent study tested the standard model of solar flares by comparing computer simulations with observational data from the McMath-Pierce telescope. The researchers found a significant delay in the paired chromospheric sources, which challenges the current energy transport mechanism by electron beam. This delay suggests that other fact...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 23, 2024

Inexpensive drug can prevent cerebral palsy in premature babies

A recent Cochrane review confirms that giving women at risk of premature birth a simple magnesium sulphate infusion can prevent their babies from developing cerebral palsy. The drug costs approximately £5 (~$6.50) per dose and has been recommended by the World Health Organization since 2015.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 23, 2024

All-night lights change the behavior of fish, even into the next generation

Researchers found that artificial light at night altered the behavior of female zebrafish, causing them to swim less, stick closer together, and exhibit anxiety-like behaviors. These changes were also observed in their offspring, even after they had never been exposed to light pollution themselves.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Animal Behavior·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2024

Technology-assisted health coaching intervention does not improve weight loss in veterans and high-risk patients

A technology-assisted health coaching intervention called Goals for Eating and Moving (GEM) was tested in a cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 19 primary care teams. The study found that patients receiving the GEM intervention did not show significant weight loss compared to those receiving enhanced usual care, highlighting ...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 23, 2024

Dream discovery: Melatonin's key role in REM sleep revealed

Researchers have identified the melatonin MT1 receptor as a crucial regulator of REM sleep, which is essential for dreaming, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation. The discovery holds significant clinical potential for developing targeted treatments to improve the quality of life for patients affected by debilitating diseases.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuroscience·DateSep 23, 2024

How a believer becomes a skeptic

A study of mostly climate science believers found that even the strongest believers felt skeptical claims were more true when encountered a second time. This effect, known as 'truthiness,' can lead people to perceive false claims as valid if repeated enough times.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2024

Study of former NFL players finds 1 in 3 believe they have CTE

A new study of nearly 2,000 former NFL players shows that about one-third believe they have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head trauma. Players who believed they had CTE reported more cognitive problems and higher rates of treatable conditions such as depression and low testosterone.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 23, 2024

New insights into anisotropic dynamics at the Pt(211)/water interface revealed by machine learning molecular dynamics

Researchers from the University of Xiamen developed a machine learning potential to study Pt-water interfaces, revealing distinct types of water molecules and their anisotropic behavior. This understanding is crucial for elucidating interfacial processes in electrochemical reactions.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 23, 2024

Mental health issues are a common phenomenon in elite sport

A study by Amsterdam UMC found that nearly three-quarters of Dutch elite athletes report sport-related distress, while forty percent of their coaches do so as well. The most common mental health problems among athletes are related to their performance and life events, with unfavorable alcohol consumption also prevalent.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateSep 23, 2024

Robust family medicine residency programs help residents meet scholarly output requirements

A study surveyed family medicine residency program directors in the US to assess their scholarly activity output. Most common forms of scholarly output included letters, case reports, and population health projects. Programs that exceeded ACGME standards had robust infrastructure, including mentorship and research support.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 23, 2024

WVU researchers say colleges barred from throwing money at student-athletes are offering them multimillion-dollar coaches instead

Researchers found that colleges offer multimillion-dollar coaches instead of throwing money at student-athletes, leading to an arms race in athletics. The study revealed a significant correlation between head coach salaries and team recruitment success, with higher salaries associated with better teams and more victories.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalApplied Economics·DateSep 23, 2024

Underserved patients reduce blood pressure and heart disease risk using remote monitoring program

A remote monitoring program called DIG IT improved blood pressure control and reduced heart disease risk in underserved patients. The study found that patients who used the program had a 31-point average drop in systolic blood pressure and nearly 73% reached their blood pressure goals within three months.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 23, 2024