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Science News Archive September 2024 - Page 26


Page 26 of 41

Social messaging in soap operas can prevent violence and intergroup conflict

A study by Rezarta Bilali found that narrative interventions in soap operas can increase intergroup trust, promote role-modeling, and encourage people to create change in conflict-ridden areas. The research used experiments with radio and TV dramas across the world, showing positive effects of storytelling in shaping norms and raising ...

SourceNew York University·JournalEuropean Review of Social Psychology·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 12, 2024

Ignore antifungal resistance in fungal disease at your peril, warn top scientists

The World Health Organisation accounts for around 3.8 million deaths annually from fungal pathogens that are either resistant or rapidly acquiring resistance to antifungal drugs. The narrow focus on bacteria will not combat antimicrobial resistance effectively, and the authors demand a broader discussion on fungal pathogens.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalThe Lancet·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 12, 2024

Hot streets, historic bias: effects on neighborhood walking in older adults

A study by Florida Atlantic University found that neighborhoods with poorer redlining scores have higher peak summer temperatures and reduced neighborhood walking time for older adults. However, affluent neighborhoods with more favorable built environments showed reduced walking in extreme heat due to alternative transportation options.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Urban Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 11, 2024

Laughter may be as effective as drops for dry eyes

Researchers found that laughter exercise improved dry eye disease symptoms and clinical signs, such as ocular surface discomfort and tear break-up time, comparable to eye drops. Laughter therapy also showed benefits in mental health scores.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 11, 2024

One of world’s fastest ocean currents is remarkably stable, study finds

A recent study has found that the Florida Current, a key component of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), has remained remarkably stable over the past four decades. The researchers used measurements from a decommissioned submarine cable and hydrographic surveys to correct for changes in the geomagnetic field.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateSep 11, 2024

New look at stroke response: Mobile physicians

Researchers found that bringing specialists to rural patients through mobile physicians provides faster treatment and better outcomes for stroke cases treated with mechanical thrombectomy. The study's findings suggest that transferring physicians can significantly prolong patient transfer times due to complexity and coordination issues.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 11, 2024

How do human and dog interactions affect the brain?

New research reveals that human-dog interactions synchronize brain activity, particularly in the frontal and parietal regions. Dogs with autism-associated genetic mutations show reduced synchronization, but treatment with LSD reverses this effect.

SourceWiley·JournalAdvanced Science·DateSep 11, 2024

Risky play in childhood exercises an ancestral need to push limits

Dartmouth anthropologists argue that jungle gyms and monkey bars are essential for childhood development, allowing children to build resilience and confidence through risk-taking play. The research cites fossil evidence showing early humans spent extensive time in trees, and modern nonhuman primates exhibit similar climbing skills.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEvolution Medicine and Public Health·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 11, 2024

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy increases postpartum depression risk for at least three years, study finds

Researchers found that women exposed to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and inhalable particulate matter during the second trimester face an almost fourfold increased risk of postpartum depression. The study also discovered a sustained effect of air pollution on symptoms of depression for up to three years after birth.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 11, 2024

“Fussy” molecules prefer one direction over the other

Scientists from Osaka University have created a new class of materials, called chiral bifacial indacenodithiophene-based π-conjugated polymers, that can selectively interact with electrical currents in different polarities. These films exhibit strong spin polarization, making them promising for applications in spintronics and clean ene...

SourceOsaka University·JournalChemical Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 11, 2024

Turning seawater into fresh water through solar power

Researchers have designed an energy-efficient device to produce drinking water from seawater using solar power, addressing the critical need for clean water in coastal nations. The new technology can continuously desalinate water without major maintenance, producing up to 20 litres of fresh water per square meter.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 11, 2024

Researchers achieve efficient electro-oxidation of glycerol to formate under room temperature

A new Cu-doped NiCo alloy catalyst has been developed for efficient electro-oxidation of glycerol to formate, achieving high selectivity and activity at room temperature. The catalyst reduces the energy barrier and increases the Faraday efficiency for formate production.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 11, 2024

Light pollution a new Alzheimer’s risk factor

New research from Rush University Medical Center finds an association between outdoor light exposure at night and Alzheimer's disease prevalence in those under 65. The study suggests that higher nighttime light intensity may disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake pattern, leading to increased inflammation and disease risk.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 11, 2024

Influencers promoting sustainable lifestyles on social media should be differently regulated, study says

A new study recommends that influencers promoting sustainable lifestyles on social media be differently regulated to better protect consumers. The current EU consumer protection measures are inadequate, and the proposed changes would provide more legal certainty and facilitate additional training for content creators.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Consumer Policy·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 11, 2024

Microorganisms can travel long distances in the troposphere

A recent study by ISGlobal found a vast range of viable bacteria and fungi transported by air masses from northeast China to Japan, some potentially pathogenic to humans. The research team identified over 266 fungal and 305 bacterial genera in aerosol samples, including species resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateSep 11, 2024

Revolutionary tubular scaffolds boost stem cell-driven bone regeneration in skull defects

Scientists from Sun Yat-sen University developed groundbreaking tubular scaffolds made from electrospun membranes that enhance bone regeneration in critical skull defects. The scaffolds mimic natural bone structures and provide an optimal microenvironment for adipose-derived stem cells to thrive, accelerating healing.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 11, 2024

Rapid control of blood sugar levels in women with gestational diabetes can reverse the risk of their children developing obesity, US study finds

A new US study found that rapidly controlling blood sugar levels in women with gestational diabetes can significantly reduce the risk of their children developing obesity. The study analyzed data from over 258,000 women and their children, revealing a strong correlation between maternal blood sugar control and childhood obesity risk.