ScienceDaily: All - March 31, 2024
Today's top research news
Is it the school, or the students?
School quality ratings significantly reflect the preparation of a school's students, not just the school's contribution to learning gains, according to new research.
Image: child standing on a tower of books, Yuganov Konstantin/shutterstock.com
Making the future too bright: How wishful thinking can point us in the wrong direction
Everyone indulges in wishful thinking now and again. But when is that most likely to happen and when could it actually be harmful? A new study demonstrates unequivocally that the greater the insecurity and anxiety of a situation, the more likely people are to become overly optimistic -- even to the point where it can prevent us from taking essential action.
A research consortium provides evidence that social behavior and social status are reflected at the molecular level of gene activation (epigenome) in juvenile and adult free-ranging spotted hyenas. They analyzed non-invasively collected gut epithelium samples from both high-ranking and low-ranking female hyenas and showed that rank differences were associated with epigenetic signatures of social inequality, i.e., the pattern of activation or switching off of genes that regulate important physiological processes such as energy conversion and immune response in several genome regions.
How the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus enters our cells
Researchers have identified how the tick-borne Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus enters our cells. The results are an important step in the development of drugs against the deadly disease.
Genomic research may help explain cancer resistance in Tasmanian devils
Through DNA sequencing of Tasmanian devils and their tumors, researchers have tracked the genomic interactions between the animals and the cancer.
Magnetic avalanche triggered by quantum effects
Scientists have shown that Barkhausen noise can be produced not only through traditional, or classical means, but through quantum mechanical effects. The research represents an advance in fundamental physics and could one day have applications in creating quantum sensors and other electronic devices.
Manganese plays a surprising role in soil carbon sequestration
A recent study reveals an unexpected link between manganese -- a naturally occurring mineral -- and increased carbon emissions from high-latitude boreal forests. The study uncovers how manganese increases carbon emissions from boreal forest soil, over time, challenging conventional understanding of the role of manganese in the carbon cycle.
Single genomic test promises accelerated diagnoses for rare genetic diseases
A single genetic test could potentially replace the current two-step approach to diagnosing rare developmental disorders in children. This shift could enable earlier diagnoses for families and save vital resources.
Mechanism found to determine which memories last
Neuroscientists have established in recent decades the idea that some of each day's experiences are converted by the brain into permanent memories during sleep the same night. Now, a new study proposes a mechanism that determines which memories are tagged as important enough to linger in the brain until sleep makes them permanent.
Blueprint for mandating indoor air quality for public buildings in form of standards
A group of international experts has presented a blueprint for national indoor quality standards for public buildings. The experts addressed setting standards for three key indoor pollutants -- carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and PM2.5 (particles so small they can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream) -- and ventilation rate.
TB vaccine may enable elimination of the disease in cattle by reducing its spread
Vaccination not only reduces the severity of TB in infected cattle, but reduces its spread in dairy herds by 89%, research finds.
Researchers racing to develop Paxlovid replacement
SARS-CoV-2 will eventually become resistant to the only effective oral treatment. The world needs another, say researchers.
New imaging method illuminates oxygen's journey in the brain
A new bioluminescence imaging technique has created highly detailed, and visually striking, images of the movement of oxygen in the brains of mice. The method, which can be easily replicated by other labs, will enable researchers to more precisely study forms of hypoxia in the brain, such as the denial of oxygen to the brain that occurs during a stroke or heart attack. The new research tool is already providing insight into why a sedentary lifestyle may increase risk for diseases like Alzheimer's.
Positive associations between premenstrual disorders and perinatal depression
Women affected by premenstrual disorders have a higher risk of perinatal depression compared with those who do not, according to new research. The relationship works both ways: those with perinatal depression are also more likely to develop premenstrual disorders after pregnancy and childbirth. This study suggests that a common mechanism might contribute to the two conditions.
Cell division quality control 'stopwatch' uncovered
Biologists have uncovered a quality control timing mechanism tied to cell division. The 'stopwatch' function keeps track of mitosis and acts as a protective measure when the process takes too long, preventing the formation of cancerous cells.
Small birds spice up the already diverse diet of spotted hyenas in Namibia
Hyenas are generalist predators (and scavengers) with a broad range of prey species. They are known for hunting (or scavenging) larger mammals such as antelopes and occasionally feed on smaller mammals and reptiles. Being flexible in the choice of prey is a strategy of generalists -- and this even extends to small passerine birds, as scientists observed in Namibia: Spotted hyenas pursued red-billed queleas, picked them from the ground or the surface of a waterhole and swallowed them whole, at a success rate of approximately one bird every three minutes.
Lyrebird synchronizes elements of its mating dance
To woo a mate, the Albert's Lyrebird of Australia becomes a real song-and-dance bird. Each male first chooses a stage of entangled vines, then in performance he shakes the vines as part of his courtship footwork, synchronizing each shake with the beat of his striking song.
Virtual rehabilitation provides benefits for stroke recovery
A stroke often impacts a person's ability to move their lower body from the hips down to the feet. This leads to diminished quality of life and mental health in addition to increased susceptibility to falls. But now, researchers are exploring new treatment methods to help bridge the service delivery gap, and recovery outcomes, for patients after a stroke.
Suppressing boredom at work hurts future productivity, study shows
New research shows that trying to stifle boredom at work prolongs its effects and that alternating boring and meaningful tasks helps to prevent the effects of one boring task from spilling over to reduce productivity on others.
Ancient DNA reveals the appearance of a 6th century Chinese emperor
What did an ancient Chinese emperor from 1,500 years ago look like? A team of researchers reconstructed the face of Chinese Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou using DNA extracted from his remains. The study suggests the emperor's death at the age of 36 might be linked to a stroke. It also sheds light on the origin and migration patterns of a nomadic empire that once ruled parts of northeastern Asia.
New DNA sequencing technologies have identified the historical remains of George Washington's grandnephews, Samuel Walter Washington and George Steptoe Washington Jr., and their mother, Lucy Payne Washington, from unmarked, fragmentary bones left at the Harewood family cemetery in Charles Town, West Virginia, in the mid-1800s.
Familial Alzheimer's disease transferred via bone marrow transplant in mice
Familial Alzheimer's disease can be transferred via bone marrow transplant, researchers show. When the team transplanted bone marrow stem cells from mice carrying a hereditary version of Alzheimer's disease into normal lab mice, the recipients developed Alzheimer's disease -- and at an accelerated rate.
Artificial intelligence boosts super-resolution microscopy
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) might be best known from text or image-creating applications like ChatGPT or Stable Diffusion. But its usefulness beyond that is being shown in more and more different scientific fields.
For younger women, mental health now may predict heart health later
Younger women are generally thought to have a low risk of heart disease, but new research urges clinicians to revisit that assumption, especially for women who suffer from certain mental health conditions. A new study found that having anxiety or depression could accelerate the development of cardiovascular risk factors among young and middle-aged women.
Eggs may not be bad for your heart after all
Whether you like your eggs sunny-side up, hard boiled or scrambled, many hesitate to eat them amid concerns that eggs may raise cholesterol levels and be bad for heart health. However, results from a prospective, controlled trial show that over a four-month period cholesterol levels were similar among people who ate fortified eggs most days of the week compared with those who didn't eat eggs.
Alcohol raises heart disease risk, particularly among women
Young to middle-aged women who reported drinking eight or more alcoholic beverages per week--more than one per day, on average--were significantly more likely to develop coronary heart disease compared with those who drank less, finds a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session. The risk was highest among both men and women who reported heavy episodic drinking, or 'binge' drinking, and the link between alcohol and heart disease appears to be especially strong among women, according to the findings.
Can metalens be commercialized at a fraction of the cost?
Researchers suggests a groundbreaking strategy to expedite the commercialization of metalens technology.
Unlocking supernova stardust secrets
New research has discovered a rare dust particle trapped in an ancient extra-terrestrial meteorite that was formed by a star other than our sun.
How built environment correlates with risk of cardiovascular disease
Researchers have studied hundreds of elements of the built environment, including buildings, green spaces, pavements and roads, and how these elements relate to each other and influence coronary artery disease in people living in these neighborhoods. Their findings show that these factors can predict 63% of the variation in the risk of coronary heart disease from one area to another.
Parental avoidance of toxic exposures could help prevent autism, ADHD in children, new study shows
Researchers have found that parents with chemical intolerance are more likely to report children with autism and ADHD.
ALMA finds new molecular signposts in starburst galaxy
The ALMA radio telescope has detected more than 100 molecular species, including many indicative of different star formation and evolution processes, in a galaxy where stars are forming much more actively than in the Milky Way. This is far more molecules than were found in previous studies. Now the team will try to apply this knowledge to other galaxies.
Open waste burning linked to air pollution in Northwestern Greenland
A case study on the effects of open waste burning on air quality in Northwestern Greenland calls attention to the importance of no-one-left-behind sustainable air quality monitoring in the Arctic region.
Miscarriages linked to health risks in later pregnancies
Researchers analyzed 52 studies involving more than 4 million pregnancies across 22 countries to investigate the health impacts of miscarriage, abortion and recurrent pregnancy loss (more than two miscarriages in succession) on subsequent pregnancies. The study found different health risks for each group.
Study unlocks the power of visible light for sustainable chemistry
A breakthrough in sustainable molecular transformations has been announced. Chemists have developed an important way to harness the power of visible light to drive chemical processes with greater efficiencies, offering a greener alternative to traditional methods.
Synaptic protein change during development offers clues on evolution and disease
An analysis of how synaptic proteins change during early development reveals differences between mice and marmosets but also what's different in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. The findings offer first insights into the mechanism behind synaptic development and open up routes for research on possible treatments.
'Exhausted' immune cells in healthy women could be target for breast cancer prevention
People carrying BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are at high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Researchers have found that changes occur in the immune cells of breast tissue in carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations long before breast cancer develops. This raises the possibility of early intervention to prevent the disease, as an alternative to risk-reduction surgery. Drugs already approved for late-stage breast cancer treatment could reactivate the faulty immune cells and keep the breast cells healthy. If successful in mouse models, this preventative therapeutic approach could pave the way for clinical trials in human carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.
New method developed to isolate HIV particles
Researchers have developed a new method to isolate HIV from samples more easily, potentially making it easier to detect infection with the virus. They focus on peptide nanofibrils (PNFs) on magnetic microparticles, a promising tool and hybrid material for targeted binding and separation of viral particles.
Nuclear fusion, lithium and the tokamak: Adding just enough fuel to the fire
Building upon recent findings showing the promise of coating the inner surface of the vessel containing a fusion plasma in liquid lithium, researchers have determined the maximum density of uncharged particles at the edge of a plasma before certain instabilities become unpredictable. The research includes observations, numerical simulations and analysis from their experiments inside a fusion plasma vessel called the Lithium Tokamak Experiment-Beta (LTX- ). This is the first time such a level has been established for LTX- , and knowing it is a big step in their mission to prove lithium is the ideal choice for an inner-wall coating in a tokamak because it guides them toward the best practices for fueling their plasmas.
Going 'back to the future' to forecast the fate of a dead Florida coral reef
How coral populations expand into new areas and sustain themselves over time is limited by the scope of modern observations. Going back thousands of years, a study provides geological insights into coral range expansions by reconstructing the composition of a Late Holocene-aged subfossil coral death assemblage in an unusual location in Southeast Florida and comparing it to modern reefs throughout the region. Findings offer a unique glimpse into what was once a vibrant coral reef assemblage and discover if history can repeat itself in the face of climate change.
Ocean-atmosphere coupling, the exchange in energy between the ocean and atmosphere, influences teleconnection patterns, the climate effects across vast geographical areas. However, its impact outside the tropics is unclear. A group of researchers examined the effect of ocean coupling on atmospheric circulation patterns in the Northern Hemisphere. They found that extratropical ocean-atmosphere coupling enhances teleconnection patterns and causes more meandering westerly jet streams, which are linked to extreme weather events.
COVID-19 antibody discovery could explain long COVID
Researchers discover that the COVID-19 virus can trigger the production of 'abzymes' -- antibodies that act like enzymes -- which may explain why long COVID symptoms persist even after the infection is cleared.
Revolutionary biomimetic olfactory chips to enable advanced gas sensing and odor detection
A research team has addressed the long-standing challenge of creating artificial olfactory sensors with arrays of diverse high-performance gas sensors. Their newly developed biomimetic olfactory chips (BOC) are able to integrate nanotube sensor arrays on nanoporous substrates with up to 10,000 individually addressable gas sensors per chip, a configuration that is similar to how olfaction works for humans and other animals.
Reverse effects of trauma? Older brain cells linger unexpectedly before their death
Researchers report that mature oligodendrocytes -- the central nervous system cells critical for brain function -- cling to life following a fatal trauma for much, much longer than scientists knew. The findings suggest a new pathway for efforts to reverse or prevent the damage that aging and diseases such as multiple sclerosis cause to these important cells.
Clear shift in arterial diseases in diabetes
There has been a redistribution in the risk of arterial disease in type 1 and 2 diabetes. The risks of heart attack and stroke have decreased significantly, while complications in more peripheral vessels have increased in relative importance, according to new studies.
Long-period oscillations control the Sun's differential rotation
The interior of the Sun does not rotate at the same rate at all latitudes. The physical origin of this differential rotation is not fully understood. It turns out, long-period solar oscillations discovered in 2021 play a crucial role in controlling the Sun's rotational pattern. The long-period oscillations are analogous to the baroclinically unstable waves in Earth's atmosphere that shape the weather. In the Sun, these oscillations carry heat from the slightly hotter poles to the slightly cooler equator.
Researchers introduce enhanced brain signal analysis technique
Researchers have introduced a new, refined method for analyzing brain signals, enhancing our understanding of brain functionality. This research has the potential to improve treatments for neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, pain, epilepsy and depression.
Could AI play a role in locating damage to the brain after stroke?
Artificial intelligence (AI) may serve as a future tool for neurologists to help locate where in the brain a stroke occurred. In a new study, AI processed text from health histories and neurologic examinations to locate lesions in the brain. The study looked specifically at the large language model called generative pre-trained transformer 4 (GPT-4).
New tool provides researchers with improved understanding of stem cell aging in the brain
Researchers can use the light naturally thrown off by biological specimens to better study the different states of stem cells in the nervous system, thanks to a tool brightening their chances for studying the way stem cells age.
Artificial reef designed by MIT engineers could protect marine life, reduce storm damage
Engineers designed an 'architected' reef that can mimic the wave-buffering effects of natural reefs while providing pockets for marine life. The sustainable and cost-saving structure could dissipate more than 95 percent of incoming wave energy using a small fraction of the material normally needed.
Understanding cattle grazing personalities may foster sustainable rangelands
New research finds that not all cattle are the same when it comes to grazing, and knowing that could lead to better animal health and range conditions.
Researchers have found that approved drugs that were originally shown to normalize blood vessels surrounding tumors (to improve drug delivery to cancer cells) can enhance the delivery of anti-microbial medications to kill tuberculosis bacteria residing in the lungs.
Astronomers conduct first search for forming planets with new space telescope
Planets form in disks of dust and gas called protoplanetary disks that whirl around a central protostar during its final assembly.
Climate change policies lose popularity when combined with pausing regulations or social justice
Legislators love bundling things together. It lets them accomplish more with less hassle and attempt to make legislation more appealing to a broader group. But a new study suggests that this can sometimes backfire. The authors found that pairing climate policies with other policies does not necessarily increase their popular appeal, and can actually reduce public support.
North American cities may see a major species turnover by the end of the century
Climate change may dramatically affect the animal species observed in North American cities, according to a new study.
Experiencing puberty earlier, compared to same-age peers, may be one of the mechanisms through which childhood risk factors influence adult cardiometabolic health issues, according to a new study.
Persistent hiccups in a far-off galaxy draw astronomers to new black hole behavior
Astronomers have found that a previously quiet black hole, which sits at the center of a galaxy about 800 million light years away, has suddenly erupted, giving off plumes of gas every 8.5 days before settling back to its normal, quiet state.
A pair of medications that make malignant cells act as if they have a virus could hold new promise for treating colorectal cancers and other solid tumors, reports a new study. The preclinical research determined how low doses of a DNMT inhibitor sensitize cancer cells to an EZH2 inhibitor, resulting in a one-two punch that combats cancer cells better than either drug alone. The findings are the foundation for an upcoming Phase I clinical trial to evaluate this combination in people with colorectal cancer or other solid tumors.
Food matters: Healthy diets increase the economic and physical feasibility of 1.5°C
A global shift to a healthier, more sustainable diet could be a huge lever to limit global warming to 1.5 C, researchers find. The resulting reduction of greenhouse gas emissions would increase the available carbon budget compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5 C, and allow to achieve the same climate outcome with less carbon dioxide removal and less stringent CO2 emissions reductions in the energy system. This would also reduce emission prices, energy prices and food expenditures.
Land under water: What causes extreme flooding?
If rivers overflow their banks, the consequences can be devastating -- just like the catastrophic floods in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate of 2021 showed. In order to limit flood damage and optimize flood risk assessment, we need to better understand what factors can lead to extreme forms of flooding and to what extent. Using methods of explainable machine learning, researchers have shown that floods are more extreme when several factors are involved in their development.
What would you do if you walked up to a robot with a human-like head and it smiled at you first? You'd likely smile back and perhaps feel the two of you were genuinely interacting. But how does a robot know how to do this? Or a better question, how does it know to get you to smile back?