ScienceDaily: All - October 26, 2024
Today's top research news
Researchers unlock a 'new synthetic frontier' for quantum dots
Image: atdigit/Shutterstock.com
Asthma and fine particulate matter
Drawing on evidence involving about 25 million population worldwide, an international research team demonstrates that long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 significantly increases the risk of asthma, affecting both children and adults. The researchers find that approximately 30 percent of new asthma cases worldwide were linked to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure, highlighting the dramatic threat air pollution poses to public health.
Advancement in 3D-printed concrete promises strength, durability and lower carbon emissions
Researchers have created a graphene-enhanced, 3D-printable concrete that improves strength and reduces carbon emissions by 31%, advancing sustainable construction.
Slowing ocean current could ease Arctic warming -- a little
The Arctic is warming at three to four times the global average. However, new research suggests the slowing of a key ocean current could reduce projected Arctic warming by up to 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
Scientific discovery scratching beneath the surface of itchiness
A collaborative study has revealed how a specific species of mammal-targeting worms found a way around itch, allowing researchers to better understand the mammalian urge to scratch.
Studying Wikipedia browsing habits to learn how people learn
A collaborative team of researchers led by Dale Zhou, who did his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, and Dani Bassett in Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Science looked at how nearly half a million people around the world use Wikipedia's knowledge networks. They found stark differences in browsing habits between countries offering insights into cultural differences and potential drivers of curiosity and learning.
Invisible anatomy in the fruit fly uterus
Drosophila is one of the most thoroughly studied lab animals -- with the exception of the female reproductive tract. Now a team of biologists has taken the first deep look at the Drosophila uterus and found some surprises, which could have implications not just for understanding insect reproduction and potentially, pest control, but also for understanding fertility in humans.
Skeletal muscle health amid growing use of weight loss medications
A recent article highlights the critical importance of skeletal muscle mass in the context of medically induced weight loss, particularly with the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications, celebrated for their effectiveness in treating obesity, have raised concerns regarding the potential for substantial muscle loss as part of the weight loss process.
Novel role of BRCA1 in tumor suppression
Research shows that the breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) not only pushes accurate DNA repair to guard against cancer but promotes subsequent activity in tumor suppression.
Researchers complete the largest compilation of cancer prevalence across vertebrates
For all its pervasiveness and the efforts to study it, cancer is still somewhat of a mystery. Why do some animals get it at a higher rate than others? This is the question at the heart of Peto's paradox, the observation that large animals, by virtue of their number of cells, are statistically more likely than smaller animals to develop and accumulate genetic mutations that lead to cancer, yet they don't. In fact, some large animals, including whales and elephants, get much less cancer than expected for an animal of its body size and number of cells.
Worldwide, deforestation and farming practices are responsible for the degradation of vital ecosystems. While there is a significant amount of interest in climate mitigation by restoring those degraded lands with forests and other ecosystems, it is unclear how feasible that would be and the resulting benefits. Previous studies have not considered the effects of ecosystem restoration on available water resources and in environments with water constraints. Water scarcity is already a key issue worldwide that is likely to only get worse in the future.
Watershed moment: Engineers invent high-yield atmospheric water capture device for arid regions
As a megadrought stresses the water supply throughout the Southwest, revolutionary research is answering this problem with a groundbreaking technology that pulls large amounts of water from the air in low humidities.
Saturn's moon Titan has insulating methane-rich crust up to six miles thick
A new study has revealed that methane gas may be trapped within the icy surface of Saturn's moon Titan, forming a distinct crust up to six miles thick, which warms the underlying ice shell and may also explain Titan's methane-rich atmosphere.
Developing new high-performance and recyclable materials
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking new material poised to advance high-sensitivity recyclable sensor technology. The team created a recyclable high-sensitivity sensor based on the dynamic polymer network. This next-generation material is garnering attention for its ability to combine environmental sustainability with high performance.
Ultra-sensitive electronic skin modeled after the human brain
Researchers have successfully developed an ultra-sensitive pressure sensor for electronic skin modeled after the nervous system in the human brain. This technology is applicable to future devices, including AI-based digital healthcare devices, and is expected to be utilized across various fields, such as transparent displays and wearable devices, due to its transparency and physical flexibility.
Next-generation solar cells become more powerful with silver (Ag) doping technology
Researchers have significantly improved the performance of kesterite (CZTSSe) thin-film solar cells. They developed a new method for doping silver (Ag) in solar cells to suppress defects that hinder cell performance and promote crystal growth, thereby dramatically increasing efficiency and paving the way for commercialization.
- DGIST, KAIST, and Korea University collaborated to develop a three-dimensional device with reversible heating/cooling based on the thermal radiation phenomenon -- Research published as a cover article in Advanced Materials
Pitchers rejoice? Plasma irradiation might prevent tendon re-tears
Researchers have found that using non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma on rotator cuff tears resulted in accelerated healing of the tendon-bone junction with improved strength in comparison to a control group.
A natural climate change laboratory in Japan reveals the adaptation dynamics of fishers
A new scientific study reveals the complex relationship between the impacts of climate change and the adaptive responses of coastal fishers in the southern coasts of Japan.
Invasive silver carp reduce movement in Chicago-area water
Invasive silver carp have been spreading throughout the Mississippi River Basin since their introduction a half-century ago. Yet, try as they might, the fish have not advanced beyond a particular stretch of the Illinois River north of Kankakee. Research shows the fish are likely avoiding contaminants from the Chicago Area Waterway, which flows south before petering out around Kankakee.
Sliver of cool surface water helps the ocean absorb more carbon
Subtle temperature differences at the ocean surface allow more carbon dioxide (CO2) to be absorbed, new research shows.
Researchers uncover novel role of protein GPNMB in heart repair
Scientists have identified the protein GPNMB as a critical regulator in the heart's healing process after a heart attack.
Lymph node-like structures may trigger the demise of cancer tumors
A newly described stage of a lymph node-like structure seen in liver tumors after presurgical immunotherapy may be vital to successfully treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, according to a new study.
One of the characteristics of depression is a tendency to perceive sensory stimuli and everyday situations in an excessively negative way. But the mechanisms underpinning this 'negativity bias,' which can fuel the development of depressive symptoms, had previously remained largely unknown. To shed light on the question, scientists decided to explore the amygdala and observe how it functions during depressive episodes. Their findings suggest that a depressive state alters certain specific neural circuits, leading to a reduction in the activity of neurons involved in pleasant perceptions of positive stimuli and an overactivation of those responsible for the perception of negative stimuli.
A new spectroscopy reveals water's quantum secrets
Researchers have exclusively observed molecules participating in hydrogen bonds in liquid water, measuring electronic and nuclear quantum effects that were previously accessible only via theoretical simulations.
Daylight saving time clock changes have substantial, but short-lived effect on how much sleep we get
With the clocks going back this weekend, a new study has found that moving the clocks one hour forward in Spring and one hour back in Autumn has a substantial, but short-lived effect on sleep duration.
Barriers prevent everyone enjoying nature equally
A major international study involving 56,968 adults, aged 18 to 99, has found that levels of nature connectedness and nature exposure are associated with several socioeconomic and demographic factors. Higher scores were significantly associated with being female, being older, having greater financial security, living in a rural location, being in a committed relationship, having a higher level of education, and being in a racial majority in that country.
Curbing air pollution control devices would cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars
A new commentary found that power plants' use of these devices saved up to 9,100 lives and up to $100 billion in health costs in 2023. These estimates reveal the substantial health benefits that could be at stake if the next presidential administration implements policies that aim to weaken the Clean Air Act and limit the regulatory authority of the EPA.
Pushing the boundaries of traditional ceramic techniques
Art and science are sometimes poles apart, but that isn't the case in a new research project. For this work, an interdisciplinary team merged scientific research, technological advancements and artistic exploration to experiment with the production, properties and application of a new kind of ceramic.
New optical technique could revolutionize medical diagnostics
A researcher has developed a new technique using light which could revolutionize non-invasive medical diagnostics and optical communication. The research showcases how a type of light called the Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) can be harnessed to improve imaging and data transmission through skin and other biological tissues.
Professional ice hockey: Depressive symptoms and burnout linked to more concussions
Elite ice hockey players with a history of concussion report heightened mental health symptoms, according to a new study.
'Well-man' thrown from castle identified from 800-year-old Norse saga
A passage in the Norse Sverris Saga, the 800-year-old story of King Sverre Sigurdsson, describes a military raid that occurred in AD 1197, during which a body was thrown into a well at Sverresborg Castle, outside Trondheim in central Norway, likely as an attempt to poison the main water source for the local inhabitants. A new study describes how researchers used ancient DNA to corroborate the events of the saga and discover details about the 'Well-man,' blending history and archaeology with science and setting a precedent for future research on historical figures.
A new study found that higher levels of stereotypical male gender expression were associated with a decrease in reported diagnoses and treatment for cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Study finds bariatric surgery declined with rise in GLP-1 drugs to treat obesity
A new study has examined a large sample of privately insured patients with obesity and found that use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) as anti-obesity medications more than doubled from 2022 to 2023.
Researcher trains AI to predict diarrheal outbreaks related to climate change
Climate change-related extreme weather, such as massive flooding and prolonged drought, often result in dangerous outbreaks of diarrheal diseases particularly in less developed countries, where diarrheal diseases is the third leading cause of death among young children. Now a study offers a way to predict the risk of such deadly outbreaks using AI modeling, giving public health systems weeks or even months to prepare and to save lives.
Researchers discover that errors in protein location are a common cause of disease
An international team has assembled the first large-scale, publicly available map to show the impact of mutations on where proteins end up in the cell.
Ripples of colonialism: Decarbonization strategies perpetuate inequalities in human rights
A new study of a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo finds that the necessary process of decarbonization is repeating and recreating colonial inequalities.