ScienceDaily: Society - October 08, 2024
Top society research news
Using antimatter to detect nuclear radiation
Discerning whether a nuclear reactor is being used to also create material for nuclear weapons is difficult, but capturing and analyzing antimatter particles has shown promise for monitoring what specific nuclear reactor operations are occurring, even from hundreds of miles away. Researchers have developed a detector that exploits Cherenkov radiation, sensing antineutrinos and characterizing their energy profiles from miles away as a way of monitoring activity at nuclear reactors. They proposed to assemble their device in northeast England and detect antineutrinos from reactors from all over the U.K. as well as in northern France.
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Autobiographical memory in the digital age: Our lives in the mirror of our data
Never before have people recorded more information about their lives than today. But what does this mean for the way we remember our lives and how we talk about them? Researchers are trying to find answers to these questions.
Researchers confront new US and global challenges in vaccinations of adults
Over the past decade, decreasing vaccination rates now threaten the huge beneficial impacts of vaccinations in the U.S. and globally. Researchers discuss the multifactorial barriers including increasing vaccine hesitancy and new clinical and public health challenges in vaccinations of U.S. adults.
Despite medical advances, life expectancy gains are slowing
After nearly doubling over the 20th century, the rate of increase in life expectancy has slowed considerably in the last three decades, according to a new study.
Protecting confidentiality in adolescent patient portals
Researchers found that the possibility of parental disclosure through online patient portals led older adolescents to hesitate in sharing complete health information with doctors, putting them at risk of missed diagnoses and treatments. The paper noted that confidentiality concerns were increased among females and those who are sexual and gender minorities.
Are auditory magic tricks possible for a blind audience?
Magic tricks make the impossible seem possible. Magicians have long captivated audiences with visual tricks, such as pulling a bunny from a hat or sawing someone in half, but tricks that rely on sound are scarce. A new article explores why creating a magical experience using only sound may be challenging and underscores the importance of making magic accessible to people with blindness.
Liquefied natural gas carbon footprint is worse than coal
Liquefied natural gas leaves a greenhouse gas footprint that is 33% worse than coal, when processing and shipping are taken into account, according to a new study.
Green subsidies may have hidden costs, experts warn
Government subsidies for business practices and processes should be approached with caution, even when they seem to be environmentally friendly, writes a group of scientists and economists. They argue that subsidies can alter market pressures, leading to unintended consequences that not only perpetuate harmful subsidies over time but also diminish the overall effectiveness of those intended to promote environmental sustainability.
The true global impact of species-loss caused by humans is far greater than expected
The extinction of hundreds of bird species caused by humans over the last 130,000 years has led to substantial reductions in avian functional diversity -- a measure of the range of different roles and functions that birds undertake within the environment -- and resulted in the loss of approximately 3 billion years of unique evolutionary history, according to a new study.
Outdoor businesses and venues could benefit from boosting biodiversity
Visitors to vineyards enjoyed their tours more when they heard enhanced sounds of diverse birdsong, new research has found.
Early foster care gave poor women power, 17th-century records reveal
A rare collection of 300-year-old petitions gives voice to the forgotten women who cared for England's most vulnerable children while battling their local authorities.
Medical and psychological harms of obesity depend on where you live, study indicates
Researchers collected archival data on more than 3.4 million people living in the United States and United Kingdom. They found evidence that obesity tends to spur lighter medical and psychological harms when those who struggle with the disorder feel less conspicuous.
Environmental quality of life benefits women worldwide
Global evidence has revealed that women's environmental quality of life is key to their overall quality of life and health, according to a new study.
Satisfying friendships could be key for young, single adults' happiness
A new analysis assesses the heterogeneity of factors linked with happiness among single Americans who are just entering adulthood, highlighting a particularly strong link between happiness and satisfying friendships.
Storms, floods, landslides associated with intimate partner violence against women two years later
Climate change-related landslides, storms and floods are associated with intimate partner violence against women two years after the event, according to a new study.
New study explores how universities can improve student well-being
Despite growing evidence of the importance of student well-being and an abundance of best practices, most institutions have yet to prioritize it as much as they do enrollment, graduation and grades. A new study provides guidance on how institutions can support and enhance student well-being, and breaks down the various benefits for learners during and beyond their university career. It identifies general student experiences that have resulted in improved well-being later in life, and shares guiding principles for institutions looking to create their own.
Chronic pain patients are more supportive of cannabis access than doctors
A study reveals a gap between patient and physician attitudes on medical marijuana policies.
Hurricanes linked to higher death rates for 15 years after storms pass
U.S. tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, indirectly cause thousands of deaths for nearly 15 years after a storm. Researchers estimate an average U.S. tropical cyclone indirectly causes 7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths. All told, they estimate tropical storms since 1930 have contributed to between 3.6 million and 5.2 million deaths in the U.S. -- more than all deaths nationwide from motor vehicle accidents, infectious diseases, or battle deaths in wars during the same period.
Eyes on the fries: how our vision creates a food trend
Research shows that how we rate food is influenced by 'serial dependence' -- our judgement cascades on from the food we've just seen.
Bridging the gap: How pragmatic trials can better serve healthcare systems
A new thought piece highlights the challenges facing healthcare researchers and decision makers in the quest to improve population health in a constantly evolving healthcare landscape. The authors offer strategies to enhance the effectiveness of pragmatic clinical trials and increase their impact on real-world healthcare settings.
AI simulation gives people a glimpse of their potential future self
'Future You' is a generative AI tool that enables users to have a simulated conversation with a potential version of their future selves. The chatbot is meant to reduce users' anxiety, improve positive emotions, and guide them toward making better everyday choices.
New security protocol shields data from attackers during cloud-based computation
Researchers developed a technique guaranteeing that data remain secure during multiparty, cloud-based computation. This method, which leverages the quantum properties of light, could enable organizations like hospitals or financial companies to use deep learning to securely analyze confidential patient or customer data.
Climate scientists express their views on possible future climate scenarios in a new study
A new survey of climate experts reveals that a majority believes the Earth to be headed for a rise in global temperatures far higher than the 2015 Paris Agreement targets of 1.5 to well-below 2 degrees Celsius. It also shows that two-thirds of respondents believe we may succeed in achieving net zero CO2 emissions during the second half of this century. This indicates some optimism that mitigation efforts may be starting to bend the emissions curve toward what would be needed to achieve the Paris temperature goal.
Inadequate compensation for lost or downgraded protected areas threatens global biodiversity
Conservation scientists have highlighted substantial gaps in the compensation for lost or downgraded protected areas. These gaps risk undermining global efforts for the protection of biodiversity and threaten the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets, which aim to conserve 30% of the planet by 2030.
Cool roofs could have saved lives during London's hottest summer, say researchers
As many as 249 lives could have been saved in London during the 2018 record-setting hot summer had the city widely adopted cool roofs, estimates a new study.
High costs slow widespread use of heat pumps, study shows
The high cost of installing heat pumps for home heating could slow down people widely adopting the technology and leave government targets missed, research suggests.