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1st observational evidence linking black holes to dark energy

A team of researchers has discovered evidence of 'cosmological coupling' between black holes and the universe's expanding energy. By studying supermassive black holes in ancient galaxies, they found that these black holes gain mass over billions of years, matching predictions for black holes that cosmologically couple with vacuum energy.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2023

How does biodiversity change globally? Detecting accurate trends may be currently unfeasible

A global picture of local species richness trends is hindered by incomplete and biased data, with regional imbalances leading to a distorted impression. The study advocates for prioritizing local assessments and standardized monitoring programs to address measurement errors and spatial biases.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalEcography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2023

Drinking coffee helps maintain low blood pressure

A study published in the journal Nutrients found that regular coffee consumption is associated with lower blood pressure levels, both peripheral and central. The researchers analyzed data from a sample of Italian adults and discovered that moderate coffee drinkers had significantly lower systolic and pulse pressures.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalNutrients·DateFeb 7, 2023

Risk of SIDS among siblings of children who died of SIDS

A higher rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was observed among siblings of children who died of SIDS compared to the general population. Shared genetic and/or environmental factors may contribute to this clustering of SIDS, warranting consideration of family history in clinical assessments.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 25, 2023

Offshore and coastal risk analyses may misrepresent wave storms from extreme weather like bomb cyclones

Researchers found that global wave models can vary in their estimates of extreme wave heights by up to 20 feet, which can lead to underprotected areas during extreme events. The study emphasizes the need for considering multiple models and modern observational data to better assess offshore and coastal risks.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 11, 2023

Patients with treatment resistant depression at higher risk of death

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry finds that patients with treatment-resistant depression have a 23% higher risk of death, as well as significantly more outpatient care and hospitalization days. The researchers emphasize the importance of identifying patients at risk of developing treatment-resistant depression to improve their ...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateDec 14, 2022

Finding faults deeply stressful

Researchers at Kyoto University have found that the Tohoku earthquake may have occurred upon a complete stress release, with data suggesting normal faults in both sedimentary formations above and below the plate boundary fault. This discovery provides insights into how fault slipping contributed to the devastating tsunami.

SourceKyoto University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2022

Antarctic ice: a better knowledge of the ocean improves the predictability of sea ice variability

Researchers found that using coupled atmosphere-ocean-sea ice circulation models with observation-based datasets, they can predict Antarctic sea ice variability over decadal time scales. The initialization of subsurface ocean temperature and salinity fields significantly improves prediction skills, especially in the west Antarctic region.

Using hearing aids decreases the risk of cognitive decline by 20%, a NUS Medicine study

A new study published in JAMA Neurology found that using hearing aids can decrease the risk of cognitive decline by 20%. The study, conducted by researchers at NUS Medicine, analyzed data from over 130,000 participants and found a significant association between hearing aid use and reduced cognitive decline. The findings suggest that t...

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 5, 2022

Clouds less climate-sensitive than assumed

Researchers analyzed observational data from a major field campaign in 2020 and found that trade-wind clouds' contribution to climate warming has been overestimated. The study shows that the clouds are more resilient to global warming than previously thought, which can improve the accuracy of future climate projections.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2022

Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology develop an intelligent observer for Esports

A new intelligent observer for Esports has been developed using a Mask R-CNN algorithm to learn from human spectating data. This approach overcomes limitations of existing automatic observers, which require extensive domain knowledge and cannot capture undefined events or changes in event significance.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalExpert Systems with Applications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 24, 2022

Chung-Ang University researchers develop algorithm for optimal decision making under heavy-tailed noisy rewards

Chung-Ang University researchers propose a new algorithm, MR-UCB and MR-APE, to tackle stochastic multi-armed bandit problems with heavy-tailed noise distributions. The methods guarantee minimal loss for worst-case scenarios with minimal prior information.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 22, 2022

New study of comets provides insight into chemical composition of early solar system

A new study of 25 comets has found strong evidence that comet outgassing could be the source of the chemical composition of the early solar system. The research, led by Olga Harrington Pinto, measured the ratio of water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide gases from comets to test predictions of solar system formation and evolution.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 4, 2022

Protecting identities of panelists in market research

A new study by Cornell University researchers found that nearly all market research panel participants are at risk of being de-anonymized due to the presence of quasi-identifiers. The reidentification risk can be up to 94% when considering multiple observations per panelist, highlighting the need for improved data privacy measures.

SourceCornell University·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateOct 10, 2022

New published study finds hospital hand hygiene performance rates improve the most when facilities partner with AHHMS vendor

A recent study found that hospitals partner with their automated hand hygiene monitoring system (AHHMS) vendor can achieve greater improvement in hand hygiene performance. The study analyzed data from 58 units in 10 hospitals across North America and found sustained increases in hand hygiene performance when the hospital worked collabo...

SourceGOJO Industries·JournalInfection Control·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2022

Out-of-pocket costs for naloxone

A recent observational study found that out-of-pocket naloxone costs hindered access among the uninsured population, particularly those with opioid use disorder. The study's findings suggest that cost barriers may not significantly limit naloxone use in this vulnerable group.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateAug 19, 2022

No trace of dark matter halos

Researchers from the University of Bonn found that dwarf galaxies in one of Earth's nearest galaxy clusters show signs of disturbance without dark matter halos. The study's results contradict previous models, suggesting an alternative gravity theory might be more accurate.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 5, 2022

Revealing how different parts of mixed convective-stratiform clouds distinctly respond to cloud seeding

Researchers analyzed data from Ka-band radar and satellite observations to study the effects of cloud seeding on mixed convective-stratiform clouds. The study found that the convective region responds with larger precipitation particles, while the stratiform region experiences icing seeding tracks due to faster ice crystal formation.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJul 25, 2022

Examining for possible injuries from seat belt

Researchers analyzed data from trauma centers to determine if patients with seat belt injuries and negative CT scans can be safely discharged. The study found that some patients with abdominal bruising from a seat belt following a car crash may not need hospital admission.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJul 13, 2022

THE LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Study reports first use of antivirals in monkeypox patients, highlighting challenges in understanding and treating this rare disease

A new retrospective study analyzed seven patients with monkeypox in the UK between 2018 and 2021, suggesting potential benefits of antiviral medications like tecovirimat. However, brincidofovir showed little clinical benefit and raised concerns about liver toxicity.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeCase study·DateMay 24, 2022