Science
press releases.

Science15 Nov 2023

The liking gap is real for second language English speakers, new Concordia research shows

A new study from Concordia’s Applied Linguistics Lab suggests that most people are usually overly harsh on themselves when speaking in a second language. Writing in the journal Languages, PhD student Rachael Lindberg and her co-authors build on the previous understanding of individuals’ metaperception—a person’s idea of how they are perceived by others. The idea that people frequently underestimate how likeable they are, known as the Liking Gap, ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Female MP pioneers lost unique appeal to voters because of increasing party control over campaigning, study shows

Early women parliamentary candidates found it harder to make unique appeals to represent the ‘woman’s point of view’ over time because of increasing national control over campaigning, a new study shows. The increasing trend for men to present themselves as diligent workers for their constituents’ welfare and keen supporters for social reform also meant they challenged the idea that only female politicians could represent their sex properly in parliament, researchers have found. The first women parliamentary candidates built on the suffrage campaigners’ argument that there was a distinctive woman’s point of ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Microbes could help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers

Production of chemical fertilizers accounts for about 1.5 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. MIT chemists hope to help reduce that carbon footprint by replacing some chemical fertilizer with a more sustainable source — bacteria. Bacteria that can convert nitrogen gas to ammonia could not only provide nutrients that plants need, but also help regenerate soil and protect plants from pests. However, these bacteria are sensitive to heat and humidity, so it’s difficult to scale up their manufacture and ship them to farms. To overcome that obstacle, ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Virginia Tech and Arizona State researchers discover way to boost shelter dog adoptions

After a long day at work, you open the door to the place you call home. A chorus of furry happiness rushes toward you, the sound of unconditional canine love. With your return, your dog's world is whole. Virginia Tech and Arizona State University researchers are working to help more shelter dogs experience this kind of love, safety, and happiness in an adoptive home. The research team in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences found that implementing shorter-term fostering programs ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

MD Anderson research highlights for November 15, 2023

HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Research Highlights showcases the latest breakthroughs in cancer care, research and prevention. These advances are made possible through seamless collaboration between MD Anderson’s world-leading clinicians and scientists, bringing discoveries from the lab to the clinic and back. Recent developments at MD Anderson include insights into the role of RNA-binding proteins in DNA damage repair, the functional role of a hidden microprotein in regulating colorectal cancer gene expression, immunotherapy combinations in gynecologic cancers, the benefits of preventive exercise in protecting ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

A new kind of magnetism

For a magnet to stick to a fridge door, inside of it several physical effects need to work together perfectly. The magnetic moments of its electrons all point in the same direction, even if no external magnetic field forces them to do so. This happens because of the so-called exchange interaction, a combination of electrostatic repulsion between electrons and quantum mechanical effects of the electron spins, which, in turn, are responsible for the magnetic moments. This is common explanation for the fact that certain materials like ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Researchers identify the variants responsible for a rare and serious disorder

A research team, led by Tokyo Medical and Dental University（TMDU）, identifies disease-associated variants in a rare case of RAD50 deficiency/Nijmegen breakage syndrome-like disorder Tokyo, Japan – Many disorders are caused by genetic variants; to make matters worse, the genetic origin of most disorders remains unknown. Now, in a study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Immunology, researchers have shed light on the specific variants responsible for one rare and serious disorder: ‘RAD50 deficiency/Nijmegen breakage syndrome-like ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Do extracurricular activities always give children a head start? Research says maybe not

In China, there is an old saying: "Don't let your children lose on the starting line." It highlights parents' desire to jumpstart their child's early development. Especially in recent years, parents have become increasingly anxious about their children's education, making it a trend to encourage children to participate in extracurricular activities from an early age. But is participating in extracurricular classes always advantageous for young children? Recently, a study published in the Journal of School Psychology found that extracurricular activities don't always improve a child's skills or behaviour. The ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

The American Pediatric Society names Dr. Rachel Katzenellenbogen as the recipient of the 2024 Norman J. Siegel New Member Outstanding Science Award

The American Pediatric Society (APS) is pleased to announce Rachel Katzenellenbogen, MD, as the 2024 Norman J. Siegel New Member Outstanding Science Award recipient for her considerable contributions to pediatric science. The award will be presented to Dr. Katzenellenbogen during the APS Presidential Plenary at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2024 Meeting. The award was created in honor of one of the world’s leading nephrologists, Norman J. Siegel, MD, FASN. Dr. Siegel was an outstanding teacher and mentor, nurturing the early careers of numerous fellows and residents. He was a leader within the medical community and educated the ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

New study finds association between insecticide exposure and lower sperm concentration in adult men

EMBARGOED until November 15, 2023 Contact: Michelle Thompson George Mason University mthomp7@gmu.edu 703-993-3485 New study finds association between insecticide exposure and lower sperm concentration in adult men Comprehensive systematic review of 25 studies over nearly 50 years reveals consistent evidence of associations between insecticide exposure and lower sperm concentration FAIRFAX, Va – Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS, dean of the George Mason University ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Study finds increasingly popular oral nicotine pouches do little to curb smokers’ cravings

Oral nicotine pouches, a tobacco-leaf-free product marketed as an alternative to cigarettes, do little to curb current smokers’ nicotine cravings, according to a new study. Public health scientists with The Center for Tobacco Research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute report these findings in the medical journal Addiction. Nicotine pouches are small pre-portioned bags filled with nicotine powder, flavorings, artificial sweeteners and other chemicals that extend shelf life. Marketed ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Underworld marketplace exposed: Fake IDs for sale on the dark web

Counterfeit Australian identity documents, especially driver’s licences, rank among some of the most frequently listed and sold identity documents on anonymous dark web marketplaces, according to new research from the Centre of Forensic Science at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). These documents are used by crime rings, terrorist organisations and other criminals for a wide range of illicit activities, including identity crime, money laundering, human and drug trafficking, illegal immigration, scams and ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Shark fear: Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water…

It’s one of the most famous taglines in film history, immortalising sharks as ruthless predators. But beyond the horror generated by Spielberg’s Jaws series, a persistent fear of sharks remains, with consequences that extend into reality. Following human-shark interactions in South Australia, this fear has prompted the Education Department’s ban on school-based sea activities for at least the remainder of the term. And while safety is at the core of such decisions, we should be cautious of scaremongering, says UniSA shark ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

The role of iron in blindness caused by ocular toxoplasmosis

Researchers from Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine have identified the role of iron in ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), a form of toxoplasmosis that causes blindness. They found reduced iron concentration in the clear gel part of the eye of human patients and iron accumulation in the retina of mice. Treatment of mice with a compound that decreases iron was successful in reducing their symptoms. Their findings show the important role of iron in the disease and that controlling it may lead to a successful treatment. Their ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Sex differs in intestinal MCT1 function

Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) plays a crucial role in the transport of lactate, pyruvate, ketone bodies, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), as well as MCT1-targeted drugs in various tissues. How MCT1 and lactate in the intestine modulate the physiology and pathophysiology of the body is unclear. A recent study published in Life Metabolism reveals that intestinal MCT1 regulates intestinal inflammation and metabolism in a sex-dimorphic pattern, which further confirms that metabolic homeostasis is ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

SFI Press releases new editions of Murray Gell-Mann books

The opening lines of Homer’s Odyssey describe its eponymous hero as polytropos, a man of many turns. It’s no coincidence that SFI co-founder Murray Gell-Mann invoked Homer’s crafty, long-voyaging hero when he envisioned the pinnacle of the scientific endeavor. “Murray described his ideal scientist as an ‘Odyssean,’ one who lives somewhere between the analytical Apollonian and the intuitive Dionysian, one who loves to simplify yet is equally enamored of complication,” says David Krakauer, SFI President and Editor-in-Chief of the SFI Press. “Over the course of Murray’s life, he realized this ideal in his own ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

The Lancet: Deferred clamping of umbilical cord reduces risk of death in premature babies by at least a third, suggest two studies with the most comprehensive analysis to date

Peer-reviewed / Systematic review and meta-analysis / People The Lancet: Deferred clamping of umbilical cord reduces risk of death in premature babies by at least a third, suggest two studies with the most comprehensive analysis to date Meta-analysis of 3,292 infants across 21 studies finds premature babies whose umbilical cord is clamped 30 seconds or more after birth are less likely to die before leaving the hospital, compared to those whose cord is clamped immediately after birth. A second companion meta-analysis of 47 trials including 6,094 babies suggests waiting at least ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Delaying cord clamping could halve risk of death in premature babies

Waiting for two minutes or longer to clamp the umbilical cord of a premature baby soon after birth could help reduce the risk of death, compared with immediately clamping the umbilical cord, or waiting a shorter time before doing so. Delaying clamping could decrease the child's risk of death by more than half relative to immediate clamping. The new findings, published today in two companion papers in The Lancet, examined clinical trial data and outcomes of thousands of premature babies which had delayed cord clamping compared to those whose cord was clamped immediately after birth. Delaying clamping of the umbilical cord allows ...

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Science15 Nov 2023

Increased threat of war enhances pup survival

Animal offspring may survive better when their groups are in greater conflict with rival factions, research from the University of Bristol has shown for the first time. Battles between competing groups can lead to serious injury or death and intergroup conflict has always been thought to have a negative effect on reproductive success. But findings published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B turn that long-held belief on its head. Using a decade of life-history data from a wild population of dwarf mongooses, University of Bristol researchers found that ...

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Science14 Nov 2023

US men die 6 years before women, as life expectancy gap widens

We’ve known for more than a century that women outlive men. But new research led by UC San Francisco and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows that, at least in the United States, the gap has been widening for more than a decade. The trend is being driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid overdose epidemic, among other factors. In a research paper, published Nov. 13, 2023, in JAMA Internal Medicine, the authors found the difference between how long American men and women live increased to 5.8 years in 2021, the largest it’s been since 1996. This ...

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Science14 Nov 2023

Alcohol consumption and epigenetic age acceleration across human adulthood

“Our findings may help to understand the role of alcohol-associated biological aging in the development of age-related diseases such as CVD and cancer.” BUFFALO, NY- November 14, 2023 – A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 20, entitled, “Alcohol consumption and epigenetic age acceleration across human adulthood.” The alcohol-associated biological aging remains to be studied across adulthood. In their new study, ...

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Science14 Nov 2023

Teaming up to beat the heat

This summer marked the Earth’s hottest on record. The Roanoke Valley was no exception to the heat, with news reports naming 2023 as the region’s second-hottest summer. But the rising temperatures were particularly stifling for some neighborhoods in Roanoke — those impacted by harmful urban planning practices. Theodore Lim, assistant professor of urban affairs and planning in the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech, has been working with the City of Roanoke to address the underlying issues that led to the Urban Island Heat Effect. The phenomenon happens in cities when ...

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Science14 Nov 2023

Hope takes root in Uganda

In front of a mud brick house, a woman started a fire. Using wood harvested from a grove of nearby acacia and river bushwillow trees, she arranged kindling and then layered over larger pieces culled from the fast-growing trees. When the fire was hot enough, she set a pot over the center to boil water for beans, a vital food source that will take hours to cook. This daily ritual — enacted by many of the 1.5 million refugees displaced in Uganda — raises critical questions about how countries, communities, and humanitarian actors can efficiently and effectively provide safety and food for ...

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Science14 Nov 2023

TOS past presidents comment on select study results

ROCKVILLE, Md.— New findings show that the medication known as Wegovy® (semaglutide) can reduce existing heart disease in patients with obesity by 20%, according to a study co-authored by past presidents of The Obesity Society (TOS) and published in The New England Journal of Medicine. "The SELECT trial is the first study showing that prescription of an anti-obesity medication in people with overweight or obesity and existing cardiovascular disease can be life-saving,” said co-author and TOS Past President Robert F. Kushner, MD, FTOS, professor, Departments ...

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Science14 Nov 2023

Franck Marchis of SETI Institute honored as 2023 Fellow by California Academy of Sciences

November 14, 2023, Mountain View, CA - Dr. Franck Marchis, a senior planetary astronomer at the SETI Institute, was appointed as a 2023 Fellow by the California Academy of Sciences (Cal Academy). Recognized for his exceptional contributions to the natural sciences, Marchis joins a distinguished group of scientists, including other notable SETI Institute Fellows of Cal Academy, such as Dr. Jill Tarter, Dr. Nathalie Cabrol, Dr. Seth Shostak, and Trustee Andrew Fraknoi. “As an astronomer, I am constantly amazed by the vastness and complexity of the universe,” ...

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