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Hidden moles in hidden holes

Scientists have identified two new mole species in eastern Turkey, belonging to the Talpa genus, which has been living undiscovered for up to 3 million years. The study, using cutting-edge DNA technology, confirms their biological distinctness from other moles in the group.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2023

Use of wastewater metrics to track COVID-19

A study using wastewater metrics found accurate assessments of county SARS-CoV-2 incidence and may be the best metric for monitoring virus circulation. Home testing increases and vaccination treatment decrease disease acuity, making wastewater surveillance a reliable option.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 26, 2023

Employment dynamics: a closer look at rising exports and ICT penetration

The article explores how export diversification and ICT shape employment patterns, with research highlighting the importance of diversified trade baskets to minimize economic uncertainties. Tailored trade policies can unlock employment opportunities for both high-skilled and low-skilled workers, fostering sustainable growth.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalJournal of International Commerce Economics and Policy·DateJul 26, 2023

Survey suggests geographic inequalities in patient registration versus primary care physician density can exclude patients from comprehensive care access

A simulated study found that patients face challenges registering with primary care physicians, even when they have a nearby doctor. The research revealed that doctors are less likely to accept new patients requiring time-consuming procedures or working in areas with low PCP density.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 25, 2023

Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine study uncovers trends in the global burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer

The study found a decreasing trend in the global TBL cancer burden from 1990 to 2019, but regional variations persisted. The burden was highest in upper-middle-income countries and lowest in high-income countries.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 22, 2023

When local economic inequality is high, the rich tend to be more generous

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that individuals with higher incomes tend to be more generous when living in areas with high levels of economic inequality. In contrast, the lowest-income groups show less generosity in more unequal areas. The researchers used local data from the US and UK to examine this relationship.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJun 14, 2023

Experts uncover the water and emissions footprint of snowmaking: Can we rely on it in an era of climate change?

A national study in Canada found that snowmaking requires 17,000 homes' worth of annual energy and 43.4 million cubic meters of water to produce 42 million cubic meters of machine-made snow. Collaboration between ski operators, policymakers, and environmental organizations is needed to develop sustainable practices.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalCurrent Issues in Tourism·DateJun 7, 2023

Significant citizen participation: Study examines the fate of plastic particles

A multidisciplinary team of scientists conducted a comprehensive study to understand the sources and sinks of plastic debris in the Southern North Sea. Local citizen scientists played a crucial role in tracking the distribution pathways of plastic particles, revealing that two-thirds were washed ashore within 25km of their release site.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023

Availability of LGBTQ mental health services for youth

The study found that only 28% of US youth-serving mental health facilities offered LGBTQ-specific services, highlighting the need for expansion of these services, particularly in underserved areas. Public mental health facilities were less likely to provide such services due to cost concerns.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJun 5, 2023

In years after El Niño, global economy loses trillions

A recent study by Dartmouth researchers finds that global economic losses from El Niño can persist for several years after the event, with a significant impact on the world's poorest nations. The study projects total losses of $84 trillion for the 21st century, highlighting the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2023

A new understanding of human origins in Africa

A recent study published in Nature challenges traditional views on human origins in Africa, proposing that modern humans emerged from the interaction of multiple populations across the continent. By analyzing genomic data from diverse African groups, researchers found evidence of gene flow and mixing over hundreds of thousands of years.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 17, 2023

Declines in racial disparities in COVID mortality in 2021 were largely driven by increases in white mortality and changing pandemic geography

A study found that declines in racial disparities in COVID-19 mortality rates were largely due to increases in mortality among White individuals, rather than decreases in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations. The shift from urban to rural areas also contributed to the decline.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Three US regions hit the hardest by deaths of despair since 2010

A new study found six suicide clusters, four overdose clusters and nine alcohol-related liver disease clusters in the US west, southeast and Appalachia/rust belt. These co-occurring clusters suggest specific regions at increased risk for deaths of despair warranting public health intervention.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 26, 2023

African penguins: climate refugees from a distant past?

The study reveals that the African penguin's geographical range has shrunk significantly over the past 22,000 years due to rising sea levels, leaving only a few small islands as suitable nesting habitats. This decline has been exacerbated by human pressures such as climate change, habitat destruction, and competition for food.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAfrican Journal of Marine Science·DateApr 20, 2023

Warming climate will affect streamflow in the northeast

A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2023

LSU Health New Orleans LA Tumor Registry releases 6th Census Tract Cancer Incidence Report

The LSU Health New Orleans Louisiana Tumor Registry released the sixth report of statewide cancer incidence rates by census tract, finding that 81% of tracts met criteria for all cancers combined. Census tracts with statistically higher incidence rates were found in parishes including Orleans, Lafourche, and St. Bernard.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 3, 2023

Improving the efficiency of maps

Researchers are developing cartographic visualisations that tap into internal brain processes to enhance spatial orientation skills. The project, funded by the European Research Council, involves adding distinctive lines or graphic patterns to maps to stimulate grid cell activity in the brain.

Uncovering the ritual past of an ancient stone monument in Saudi Arabia

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of ritualistic belief and economic factors intertwined for Neolithic people in northwest Arabia. Excavations at a mustatil east of AlUla revealed animal offerings, human interment, and suggest repeated pilgrimages, challenging previous understandings of the region's culture.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 15, 2023

Allergies in Europe: regional differences in sensitization profiles identified in children for the first time

A comprehensive European allergy atlas has been compiled, revealing regional and climate-related differences in sensitisation to allergens. The study found varying sensitisation patterns across Europe, with certain regions having lower sensitivity to house dust mites and higher sensitivity to peanut and fruit allergens.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalAllergy·DateMar 9, 2023

Mass General Brigham study finds virtual care team strategy improved treatment for heart failure patients

A virtual care team consisting of physicians and pharmacists improved the adoption of life-saving therapies in patients with heart failure, leading to increased use of evidence-based treatments and better patient outcomes. The strategy was safe and effective, with comparable length of stay and safety events between the groups.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 6, 2023

Ethnic minority parents want customized advice, research shows

A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that ethnic minority parents in Inner Mongolia prefer evidence-based knowledge on family education tailored to their local environment and culture. They sought information on how geographical features like the geomagnetic field influence children's growth and well-being.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 6, 2023

Better understanding on the way to a carbon-neutral economy

A team of researchers has identified the importance of rifted margins in the transition to a green economy. These continental margins harbor vast accumulations of rocks and hydrocarbon reserves, making them a potential location for new resources needed for a carbon-neutral economy. The study provides an overview of the processes that s...

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 14, 2023

Geography, language dictate social media and popular website usage, study finds

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that people's use of popular websites and social media platforms differs significantly based on their location and language. The study analyzed data from 124 countries and found that YouTube and Twitter are used in distinct ways across regions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 9, 2023

Glacial flooding threatens millions globally

A global assessment identifies areas most vulnerable to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, highlighting the need for targeted risk management actions. The study reveals 9.3 million people in High Mountain Asia are at highest risk, with India and Pakistan accounting for nearly half of the global total.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2023

Remapping the superhighways travelled by the first Australians reveals a 10,000-year journey through the continent

Researchers used sophisticated models to estimate the peopling of Sahul, revealing a 10,000-year journey across the continent. The ancestors of Aboriginal people first entered the continent 75,000-50,000 years ago from Timor, expanding southward and northward to settle all parts of New Guinea and Australia.

SourceFlinders University·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2023

Black youth aren’t isolated in segregated neighborhoods

A study published in the American Journal of Sociology found that urban Black youth living in segregated neighborhoods spent a substantial amount of time in areas with mostly white residents. They often traveled to predominantly white neighborhoods to access better-resourced schools, stores, and organizations.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Mapping Mexico’s dengue fever hotspots

A Rutgers researcher has analyzed data from Mexico's Ministry of Health to identify dengue fever hotspots, highlighting areas where severe outbreaks occur. The study found that lower socioeconomic status increases risk of dengue fever and that DENV-2 is the deadliest serotype.

SourceRutgers University·JournalEcological Informatics·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 1, 2023

Suicide risk among individuals diagnosed with cancer

Researchers identified geographic, racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics as key contributors to the elevated suicide risk among cancer patients. Timely symptom management and targeted psychosocial interventions are crucial for preventing suicide in individuals diagnosed with cancer.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 20, 2023

Quality of neighborhood residence in early life may be linked to Body Mass Index (BMI) trajectories and obesity risk through adolescence

A new study found that living in neighborhoods with higher opportunity or lower vulnerability can lead to lower mean BMI trajectory and lower risk of obesity in children. The study suggests that investing in neighborhood environments could help mitigate future chronic disease risk, particularly for marginalized communities.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 22, 2022

Trends in homicide rates for US children

A study of 38,000 child homicides from 1999 to 2020 found declining rates in some groups, but recent increases across several subpopulations. The researchers emphasize the need for targeted strategies to address firearm violence and racial disparities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateDec 19, 2022

The Dutch cycle twice as much as Germans in Winter

A study by Dr Ansgar Hudde found that the Dutch cycle around twice as often as Germans during winter months due to differences in mobility culture. This is attributed to a cycling culture in Germany that only encourages seasonal cycling, whereas the Netherlands promotes year-round cycling.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalJournal of Transport Geography·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 16, 2022