Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New Psychological Science findings link local prejudice to police militarization, offer hope for fostering belief in science

Recent research suggests that racial prejudice within communities predicts the militarization of local police departments. In contrast, communicating scientific consensus appears to be an effective way to change factual beliefs about contested science topics. Additionally, studies have found that happy people tend to overestimate their...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 8, 2022

Real-time air quality data ‘life saving’

Sharing real-time air quality readings can reduce fine particulate concentration levels by 2-4 micrograms per cubic metre each year, leading to significant health benefits. The research estimates annual health benefits of $171 million AUD for the median city.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2022

OCD on TV

A new study published in GigaScience has made available an enormous amount of behavioral data from an animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), comprising over 2 years of continuous recording. The data set, which is the culmination of a 15-year study, provides insights into the mechanisms of OCD and potential treatments.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 19, 2022

Bright colors in the animal kingdom: Why some use them to impress and others to intimidate

Research at the University of Arizona found a strong link between bright color use and ancestral day-night activity patterns. Species that use bright colors for sexual signals were descended from diurnal ancestors, while those using aposematism had nocturnal ancestors. This pattern holds across land vertebrates with over 40,000 species.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalEvolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2022

Fourteen per cent decrease in live births in Europe nine months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdowns

A 14% decrease in live births was observed in Europe nine months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdowns. The decline may be linked to lockdowns rather than COVID-19 infection, with countries experiencing longer lockdowns having lower birth rates.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·TypeObservational study·DateOct 13, 2022

Chromosome-scale genome of a gentle giant

Researchers have completed and released a chromosome-scale genome sequence of the Aldabra giant tortoise, providing a much-needed genetic resource for rescue efforts. The data will aid in breeding efforts, comparative studies with other tortoise species, and understanding the species' remarkable size.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2022

Improvements for Man and Machine in Scientific Publishing

The use of Frictionless Data enhances both machine readability and human engagement with scientific outputs, turning articles into dynamic entities. Interactive figures enable readers to directly interact with data points, making the publication process more efficient and reproducible.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigabyte·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 5, 2022

Improving hospital stays and outcomes for older patients with dementia through AI

Researchers developed a machine learning model to quickly recognize predictive risk factors and their importance for undesirable hospitalization outcomes. The model achieved an accuracy of 95.6% and identified modifiable risk factors that can be mitigated through clinical interventions.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia Translational Research & Clinical Interventions·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2022

Join the challenge to explore the Moon!

The 2022 EXPLORE Lunar Data Challenge identifies hazards on the Moon's surface using images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Participants train models to recognize craters and boulders, then create a map of optimal rover routes to avoid hazards.

COVID-19 infections increase risk of long-term brain problems

New research shows that COVID-19 infections can lead to a range of neurological complications in the first year after infection, including strokes, cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, and migraine headaches. The study analyzed over 14 million medical records and found that COVID-19 survivors were at increased risk of developing the...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

Study: Astronomers risk misinterpreting planetary signals in James Webb data

A new MIT study suggests that current opacity models used by astronomers may not be accurate enough to interpret the precise light-based signals from the James Webb Space Telescope. The researchers predict that properties of planetary atmospheres, such as temperature and elemental composition, could be off by an order of magnitude if e...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 15, 2022

New flavored nicotine gums, lozenges, and gummies rank second among nicotine products used by U.S. teens

A study by researchers at Keck School of Medicine found that flavored oral nicotine products, such as gum and gummies, are increasingly popular among US teens, with 3.4% having used them at least once and 1.7% in the past six months. The use of these products was more common among Hispanic teens, teen girls, and LGBTQ+ teens.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeSurvey·DateAug 8, 2022

Smoking, vaping linked to higher risk of severe COVID-19 complications, including death

A recent study found that people who smoke or vape prior to hospitalization for COVID-19 are more likely to experience severe complications, including death. The study, which analyzed data from the American Heart Association's COVID-19 CVD Registry, also showed that young individuals are particularly at risk.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJul 26, 2022

Preterm birth is more likely with exposure to phthalates

A Rutgers researcher contributed to a National Institutes of Health study confirming a link between phthalate exposure and increased risk of preterm birth. The study examined data from 6,045 pregnant women in the U.S., finding that higher concentrations of phthalate metabolites were associated with slightly higher odds of preterm birth.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 22, 2022

The world’s rivers are changing, here’s how

The construction of dams and changes in land use have significantly impacted the amount of sediment rivers carry to oceans. Sediment transport has decreased by 49% globally due to dam construction, while increasing on 36% of rivers in the south, primarily driven by deforestation.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateJun 29, 2022

SwRI researcher shows how elliptical craters could shed light on age of Saturn’s moons

A SwRI study examines elliptical craters on Saturn's moons Tethys and Dione, finding unique patterns that indicate the satellites' age and formation conditions. The research suggests a planetocentric impactor population, pointing to the importance of considering gravity-driven impacts when studying object ages.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJun 21, 2022

Breastfeeding duration associated with cognition

A new study published in PLOS ONE found a significant association between breastfeeding duration and cognitive test scores in children up to age 14. After adjusting for socioeconomic position and maternal cognitive ability, the researchers discovered that longer breastfeeding durations were linked to higher cognitive scores.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 25, 2022

Waking up to an interactive coffee cup of data

A team of researchers has made a large collection of coffee samples' NMR data freely available to assess the variety under which coffee is sold. The dataset can be interactively explored using software called NMRium-browser, allowing users to visualize the molecular structure of coffee beans from different origins.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigabyte·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Open sharing of biotechnology research – transparency versus security

A recent study published in PLOS Biology explores the intersection of open science practices and biosecurity risks, proposing solutions to mitigate catastrophic misuse. The authors argue that controlling access to research materials and software is necessary to prevent the spread of risky information.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 14, 2022

Not all dietary fiber is created equal: cereal fiber but not fruit or vegetable fibers are linked with lower inflammation

Researchers found that cereal fiber, but not fruit or vegetable fibers, was associated with lower inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk in older adults. The study used data from a large cohort of elderly individuals and confirmed previous associations between dietary fiber and CVD.

Study: Vaccine protects most cancer patients from COVID, but risk remains higher for patients with blood cancers

A study using the nation's largest COVID-19 data resource found that the vaccine protects most cancer patients from getting COVID, but those with certain types of cancer have a higher risk of breakthrough infections. The research also highlights the importance of continued vaccination efforts to protect cancer patients.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 4, 2022