ScienceDaily: All - November 28, 2024
Today's top research news
Sound of traffic increases stress and anxiety, study finds
Manmade sounds such vehicle traffic can mask the positive impact of nature soundscapes on people's stress and anxiety, according to a new study.
Image: EAKARAT BUANOI/Shutterstock.com
Global food yields have grown steadily during last six decades, study finds
Contrary to widespread concerns that global crop yields have stagnated in recent decades, a comprehensive study of worldwide food production finds yields have continued to grow at roughly the same rate since the 1960s.
Discovering the traits of extinct birds
Analysis of 216 extinct species by biologists found birds endemic to islands, occupied ecologically specific niche, lacking flight, with large bodies and sharply angled wings were the ones likely to disappear the soonest after 1500.
For those with CTE, family history of mental illness tied to aggression in middle age
People who have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) who have a family history of mental illness may have a higher risk of aggression in middle age, according to a new study.
Gold beats platinum for chemo drugs in new lab study
Researchers have used a new gold-based drug to slow tumor growth in animals by 82% and target cancers more selectively than standard chemotherapy drugs, according to a new study.
Moving 'hotspot' created world's longest straight underwater mountain belt
New research has revealed that the Ninetyeast Ridge -- the Earth's longest straight underwater mountain chain -- formed through a different process than previously believed. Stretching 5000 km along the Indian Ocean's 90-degree east longitude and nearly matching the length of North America's Rocky Mountains, the ridge offers crucial new insights into the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates.
Making a difference: Efficient water harvesting from air possible
A research team has found a way to make more efficient the desorption of water-adsorption polymers used in atmospheric water harvesting and desiccant air conditioning.
Soccer heading damages brain regions affected in CTE, study finds
Soccer heading may cause more damage to the brain than previously thought, according to a new study.
Shells, teeth and bones of 'weird and wonderful organisms' provide historical environmental clues
A groundbreaking international study shows how chemical fingerprints left by 'underappreciated' aquatic organisms could help scientists monitor global environmental change.
Caregivers experience decline in well-being
New research, based on data from more than 28,000 caregivers in three countries, shows that the longer individuals spend caring for loved ones, the more their well-being suffers, regardless of the caregiving context. These findings underscore the need for policy discussions to alleviate the burden of informal care.
AI can predict study results better than human experts, researchers find
Large language models, a type of AI that analyses text, can predict the results of proposed neuroscience studies more accurately than human experts, finds a new study. The findings demonstrate that large language models (LLMs) trained on vast datasets of text can distil patterns from scientific literature, enabling them to forecast scientific outcomes with superhuman accuracy. The researchers say this highlights their potential as powerful tools for accelerating research, going far beyond just knowledge retrieval.
Brains grew faster as humans evolved
Brain size increased gradually within each ancient human species rather than through sudden leaps between species.
New discovery could offer significant answers on Alzheimer's disease
A new study represents a significant step forward in scientists' understanding of Alzheimer's disease. A team of investigators has examined the role of two proteins found in the brain and suggest the stability of their relationship to one another is crucial for memory formation and maintenance. Disruptions in this mechanical signalling pathway could lead to the disease. This is the first time this connection has been identified and could pave the way for therapeutic interventions.
How fungi colonize plant roots
Researchers have identified two fungal enzymes that hijack the immune system of plants, playing a critical role in the colonization of plant roots. These findings open new avenues for interventions in both medicine and agriculture.
'Genetic time machine' reveals complex chimpanzee cultures
Chimpanzees are known for their remarkable intelligence and use of tools, but could their cultures also evolve over time like human cultures? A new, multidisciplinary study suggests that some of their most advanced behaviors may have been passed down and refined through generations.
No 'one size fits all' treatment for Type 1 Diabetes
Factors beyond carbohydrates have a substantial influence on blood glucose levels meaning current automated insulin delivery systems miss vital information required for glucose regulation, a new study has found.
The food additive carrageenan (E 407) can be responsible for the development of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, and increased blood sugar levels in animals. Researchers have now investigated the effects of carrageenan on the human intestine and sugar metabolism. They found increased permeability of the small intestine, most likely due to intestinal inflammation.
Drug research: Decoding the structure of nano 'gene ferries'
Researchers have investigated how cationic polymers organize on a molecular level when transporting RNA drugs.
Fowl play: Why the hunt for Thanksgiving's favorite bird could get tougher
If hunters continue to follow their current strategies and prey continue their same routine, turkeys may become tougher to harvest in the future, according to new research.
Making quantum physics easier to digest in schools
A team of physics educators is focusing on a new approach to teaching quantum physics in schools. Traditional classroom teaching has tended to focus on presenting the history of the origins of quantum physics, which often poses problems for learners. Using the quantum measurement process as an example, the researchers have now published their first empirical findings on learning quantum physics -- based on two-state systems.
Scientists discover shared genetic foundations between musical rhythm and human language
A study has revealed that genetic variants associated with higher likelihood of rhythm impairments tended to be also associated with higher likelihood of dyslexia. The reverse was also the case: Genetic variants associated with more accurate musical rhythm skills co-occurred with genes linked to higher performance on language and reading tests, and to language-related educational outcomes.
Newer epilepsy medications used during pregnancy do not affect neurological development in children
Children of mothers who took certain anti-seizure medications while pregnant do not have worse neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 6, according to a long-running study.
Cellular traffic congestion in chronic diseases suggests new therapeutic targets
Chronic diseases such as diabetes are on the rise and are costly and challenging to treat. Scientists have discovered a common denominator driving these diverse diseases, which may prove to be a promising therapeutic target: proteolethargy, or reduced protein mobility, in the presence of oxidative stress.
New research points way to more reliable brain studies
A new study identifies research strategies for tying brain function and structure to behavior and health.
'Alzheimer's in dish' model shows promise for accelerating drug discovery
A decade ago, researchers introduced a new model for studying Alzheimer's disease. Known as 'Alzheimer's in a dish,' the model uses cultures of mature brain cells suspended in a gel to recapitulate what takes place in the human brain over 10 to 13 years in just six weeks. But does the model truly produce the same changes that take place in patients? In a new study, researchers created an algorithm to assess, in an unbiased manner, how well models of Alzheimer's disease mimic the function and gene expression patterns seen in patients' brains. Their results identify crucial shared pathways, confirming that the Alzheimer's in a dish model can be used to assess new drugs accurately and rapidly as well as point the way to drug discovery.
Researchers redefine what it means for a cell to be alive or dead
Cellular death is a fundamental concept in the biological sciences. Given its significance though, its definition depends on the context in which it takes place, and lacks a general mathematical definition. Researchers propose a new mathematical definition of death based on whether a potentially dead cell can return to a predefined 'representative state of living,' which are the states of being that we can confidently call 'alive.' The researchers' work could be useful for biological researchers and future medical research.
What a gut fungus reveals about symbiosis and allergy
A fungus discovered in the mouse stomach may hold a key to fungal evolution within the gastrointestinal tract, according to new research. The finding suggests that preclinical studies until now have overlooked a major influencer of mouse physiology.
Cervical cancer deaths in young women plummet after introduction of HPV vaccine
Researchers found a reduction in cervical cancer mortality in women under the age of 25, which is likely due to the introduction of the HPV vaccine.
Breakthrough could revolutionize future of tick control
Scientists create potential for genetic tools to control disease-spreading ticks.
Long COVID brain fog linked to lung function
In patients with long COVID, lower pulmonary gas exchange may be associated with impaired cognitive function, according to a new study.
Concussions slow brain activity of high school football players
A new study of high school football players found that concussions affect an often-overlooked but important brain signal.
World's most common heart valve disease linked to insulin resistance in large national study
A large new population study of men over 45 indicates insulin resistance may be an important risk factor for the development of the world's most common heart valve disease -- aortic stenosis (AS).
Simple secret to living a longer life
Increasing physical activity levels could extend your life up to 11 more years according to new research using accelometry data. The study found that for the least active people in the population, a single one-hour walk could return a benefit of six additional hours of life.
Same plant, different tactic: Habitat determines response to climate
A research team has found some clues to how plants survive in colder regions.