Science
press releases.

Science31 Dec 2024

Renowned scientist reveals vital link between inflammation and depression through groundbreaking research

JERUSALEM, Israel, 31 December 2024 - In a comprehensive Genomic Press Interview, distinguished neuroscientist Professor Raz Yirmiya unveils transformative insights into the relationship between inflammation and depression. As head of the Laboratory for Psychoneuroimmunology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Professor Yirmiya's work has fundamentally changed our understanding of depression's biological underpinnings. "Most depressed patients do not have any overt inflammatory disease. However, we and others found that exposure to stress, which is the most significant trigger of depression in humans and animals, also ...

Read the release

Science30 Dec 2024

Study of Sherpas highlights key role of kidneys in acclimatization to high altitudes

(Calgary) — A study from a Mount Royal University physiologist and his team demonstrates the key role of the kidneys in acclimatization to high altitude, and illustrates another way that Sherpas are better adapted to high altitude ascent. Results from the study were recently published in in the prestigious international science journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The paper, “Comparing integrative ventilatory and renal acid-base acclimatization in lowlanders and Tibetan highlanders during ascent to 4,300 m”, describes findings ...

Read the release

Science30 Dec 2024

People who are immunocompromised may not produce enough protective antibodies against RSV after vaccination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have shown that people 60 years or older with weakened immunity — primarily organ transplant recipients who take immunosuppressive medications to reduce the risk of rejection and others with immune system disorders — do not respond as strongly to vaccines against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as people in the same age group with normal immune function. The study, conducted by a research team at the Johns Hopkins Transplant Research Center, was published today in the Journal of the American ...

Read the release

Science30 Dec 2024

A rising trend of 'murderous verbs' in movies over 50 years

The amount of murdering and killing in movies has increased overall over the past 50 years, according to a new study that analyzed a massive database of film dialogue. Researchers used machine learning to search a database of subtitles from more than 160,000 English-language movies produced from 1970 to 2000. They calculated the amount of dialogue from characters using variations of the words “murder” or “kill” in each of the films. While the total use of these “murderous verbs” varied widely from year to year, there was a clear increasing trend over the five-decade ...

Read the release

Science30 Dec 2024

Trends of violence in movies during the past half century

About The Study: The results of this study suggest that speech about committing murder in movies is increasing over time, even in non-crime movies, regardless of character gender. These results are consistent with previous findings that highlighted increasing trends of violence using smaller datasets. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Brad J. Bushman, PhD, email bushman.20@osu.edu. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.5741) Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, ...

Read the release

Science27 Dec 2024

Urgent action needed to protect the Parma wallaby

The creation of more fox-free safe havens and greater collaboration between government and landowners is needed to ensure the survival of a species of wallaby, an expert from The Australian National University (ANU) argues. The Parma wallaby, also known as the white-throated wallaby, is listed as a vulnerable species in Australia, while the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies it as Near Threatened. The marsupial is found along the Great Dividing Range in northern New South Wales. According to ANU Professor George Wilson, who is a co-author of a new ...

Read the release

Science26 Dec 2024

Singles differ in personality traits and life satisfaction compared to partnered people

Although being married or in a long-term relationship is often seen as the norm, more people are staying single for life. But singlehood can bring economic and medical disadvantages, especially as people get older and may become more reliant on others. New research in Psychological Science reveals that lifelong singles have lower scores on life satisfaction measures and different personality traits compared to partnered people, findings that point to the need for both helpful networks and ways to create such networks that are better catered to single people. “When there are ...

Read the release

Science26 Dec 2024

New hope for male infertility: PKU researchers discover key mechanism in Klinefelter syndrome

Peking University, November 7, 2024: Imagine the deep frustration of countless men who long to become fathers, only to face infertility due to a genetic condition they can't control. For those with Klinefelter syndrome, this painful reality is a constant struggle. How does an extra X chromosome lead to infertility in men? Professor Qiao Jie and her team at Peking University Third Hospital revealed why Klinefelter syndrome, a common genetic condition affecting one in every 600 men, often leads to infertility—and they’ve ...

Read the release

Science26 Dec 2024

Starlight to sight: Breakthrough in short-wave infrared detection

Peking University, December 3rd, 2024: Prof Zhang Zhiyong’s team developed a heterojunction-gated field-effect transistor (HGFET) that achieves high sensitivity in short-wave infrared detection, with a recorded specific detectivity above 1014 Jones at 1300 nm, making it capable of starlight detection. Their research was recently published in the journal Advanced Materials, titled “Opto-Electrical Decoupled Phototransistor for Starlight Detection”. Why it matters: Highly sensitive shortwave infrared (SWIR) detectors are essential for detecting weak radiation (typically below 10−8 W·Sr−1·cm−2·µm−1) with high-end ...

Read the release

Science26 Dec 2024

Aerobic exercise and weight loss in adults

About The Study: In this meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, engaging in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per week was associated with modest reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and body fat measures among adults with overweight or obesity. However, aerobic training exceeding 150 minutes per week at moderate intensity or greater may be needed to achieve clinically important reductions. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Ahmad Jayedi, PhD, email a.jayedi@imperial.ac.uk. To access the embargoed ...

Read the release

Science26 Dec 2024

Cooking sulfur-containing vegetables can promote the formation of trans-fatty acids

Trans-fatty acids (TFA) are a major cause of cardiovascular diseases. These harmful fats can accumulate along artery walls, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attacks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TFAs are responsible for over 278,000 annual deaths worldwide, and it recommends that TFA consumption should be limited to less than 1% of daily energy intake. Common sources of TFAs include fried (junk) foods and processed foods such as margarine, ghee, biscuits, cakes, etc. In processed foods, TFAs are produced through the hydrogenation of vegetable oil, a chemical process that saturates the oil with hydrogen. While the formation process of TFAs in ...

Read the release

Science26 Dec 2024

How do monkeys recognize snakes so fast?

Dr. Nobuyuki Kawai from Nagoya University in Japan has found that the rapid detection of snakes by monkeys is because of the presence of snake scales as a visual cue. His findings highlight an evolutionary adaptation of primates to identify snakes based on specific visual characteristics. Understanding these mechanisms provides insight into the evolution of visual processing related to threat detection. The findings were published in Scientific Reports. Rapid detection of dangers and threats is important for personal ...

Read the release

Science26 Dec 2024

Fish-friendly dentistry: New method makes oral research non-lethal

Can we examine the teeth of living fish and other vertebrates in detail, repeatedly over time, without harming them? Previously, small animals often had to be euthanized to obtain precise information, but now scientists have found a new way to humanely study detailed dental characteristics of vertebrates. This customizable method can be used for both living animals and museum specimens and has been published in the Journal of Morphology. Customizable trays for precise impressions Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and their collaborators applied human dental impression techniques to study fish teeth in a species called Polypterus ...

Read the release

Science24 Dec 2024

New scan method unveils lung function secrets

A new method of scanning lungs is able to show the effects of treatment on lung function in real time and enable experts to see the functioning of transplanted lungs. This could enable medics to identify sooner any decline in lung function. The scan method has enabled the team, led by researchers at Newcastle University, UK, to see how air moves in and out of the lungs as people take a breath in patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and patients who have received a lung transplant. Publishing two complementary papers in Radiology and JHLT Open, the team explain how they ...

Read the release

Science24 Dec 2024

Searching for hidden medieval stories from the island of the Sagas

Iceland has a long and rich literary tradition. With its 380,000 inhabitants, Iceland has produced many great writers, and it is said that one in two Icelanders writes books. The literary tradition stretches all the way back to the Middle Ages. “Previously, the theory was that Iceland was so dark and barren that the Icelanders had to fill their lives with storytelling and poetry to compensate for this. But Icelanders were certainly part of Europe and had a lot of contact with Britain, Germany, Denmark and ...

Read the release

Science23 Dec 2024

Study identifies genetic cause for yellow nail syndrome

Embargoed for release until 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday 23 December 2024 @Annalsofim Below please find summaries of new articles that will be published in the next issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. The summaries are not intended to substitute for the full articles as a source of information. This information is under strict embargo and by taking it into possession, media representatives are committing to the terms of the embargo not only on their own behalf, but also ...

Read the release

Science23 Dec 2024

Unraveling the power and influence of language

A choice was made to include each word in this sentence. Every message, even the most mundane, is crafted with a specific frame in mind that impacts how the message is perceived. The study of framing effects is a multidisciplinary line of research that investigates when, how, and why language influences those who receive a message and how it impacts their response. This multifaceted science is in the spotlight in the latest issue of Psychological Science in the Public Interest. Stephen Flusberg of Vassar College and his team provide a comprehensive review of ...

Read the release

Science23 Dec 2024

Twisted Edison: Bright, elliptically polarized incandescent light

ANN ARBOR—Bright, twisted light can be produced with technology similar to an Edison light bulb, researchers at the University of Michigan have shown. The finding adds nuance to fundamental physics while offering a new avenue for robotic vision systems and other applications for light that traces out a helix in space. "It's hard to generate enough brightness when producing twisted light with traditional ways like electron or photon luminescence," said Jun Lu, an adjunct research investigator in chemical engineering at U-M and first author of the study on the cover of this week's Science. "We ...

Read the release

Science23 Dec 2024

Vector winds forecast by numerical weather prediction models still in need of optimization

Vector winds play a crucial role in triggering and maintaining convective weather, such as squall lines and typhoons, as well as the effective utilization of wind energy resources. The mesoscale model of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA-MESO) and the highest-resolution model of the European Center for Medium Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) are widely used in weather forecasting. However, little attention has been paid to the ability of such models to simulate vector winds. Moreover, the modeled wind field is often divided ...

Read the release

Science23 Dec 2024

Trends in buprenorphine dispensing among adolescents and young adults in the US

About The Study: Between 2020 and 2023, buprenorphine dispensing increased among adolescents but decreased among young adults. The increases likely reflect successful outreach to pediatricians, enhanced prescribing through telehealth, and elimination of waiver requirements; these changes might differentially affect young adults, who might be less likely to access health care. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Andrew Terranella, MD, MPH, email aqt1@cdc.gov. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jama.2024.24121) Editor’s ...

Read the release

Science23 Dec 2024

Association of state cannabis legalization with cannabis use disorder and cannabis poisoning

About The Study: In this longitudinal cohort study, medical cannabis laws were associated with increased cannabis use disorder and cannabis poisoning diagnoses, and recreational cannabis laws were associated with increased cannabis poisoning in adults ages 18 to 64 with employer-sponsored health insurance. Communities with increased access to cannabis may experience increased health care use and costs due to increases in cannabis poisoning and cannabis use disorder, and new clinical and policy interventions are needed to curb these rising diagnoses. Corresponding ...

Read the release

Science23 Dec 2024

Unlocking the mysteries of the human gut

When making decisions about nutrition and diet, the focus is often on the potential impacts to the heart or brain; and gut health can frequently end up an afterthought despite a whole industry revolving around probiotics and digestive aids. With its direct link to those two important organs, should gut health be prioritized more? Imagine an entire civilization of trillions of microorganisms living in harmony inside of your digestive system. This microbiome is unique to each individual and varies greatly based on many genetic and environmental factors. The complexity of gut health can often make diagnosis of maladies difficult, especially when new ...

Read the release

Science23 Dec 2024

Evolution of fast-growing fish-eating herring in the Baltic Sea

Atlantic and Baltic herring are typical plankton-eating fish of central importance for the northern Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea ecosystems. A new study published in Nature Communications led by scientists from Uppsala University (Sweden) documents the discovery of the evolution of genetically distinct, fish-eating herring in the Baltic Sea, a young water body that has only existed since the end of the last glaciation. Atlantic and Baltic herring have a key role in the ecosystem, acting as a critical link between plankton production and other organisms, like predatory fish, sea birds, sea mammals, and humans. Previous research from the Uppsala group has documented that herring is subdivided ...

Read the release

Science21 Dec 2024

Scientists unlock secrets behind flowering of the king of fruits

Tokyo, Japan – Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered that around 15 days of dry weather can trigger the flowering of durian. Observations of 110 durian plants revealed that flowering occurred around 50 days after an approximately 15-day dry spell, independent of whether the plant was grafted or grown from a seed. The team’s work might not only impact the production of a valuable agricultural asset but deepen our understanding of tropical ecosystems. Known in many countries as the “king of fruits,” the durian is known for its distinctive strong odor, large size, ...

Read the release

Science20 Dec 2024

Uncovering key molecular factors behind malaria’s deadliest strain

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Nearly half the world’s population lives in regions where malaria is endemic, with the parasite Plasmodium falciparum accounting for approximately 95% of malaria-related deaths globally. Now, a new research project funded by the National Institutes of Health and led by a malaria expert at the University of California, Riverside aims to uncover the molecular factors that govern gene regulation and chromatin organization in P. falciparum, with a particular focus on long non-coding RNAs, or lncRNAs. Chromatin is a combination of DNA and proteins that makes up the chromosomes in the cells of humans and other higher organisms. “Malaria ...

Read the release