Science
press releases.

Science31 Aug 2023

Tracking the ol' mutation trail

Kyoto, Japan -- From the early stages of cell mutations starting in puberty to their manifestations as breast cancer in later years, the entire process has remained shrouded in mystery. Now, a team of researchers at Kyoto University has revealed the mechanism by which breast cancer is formed in the cells of the mammalian epithelium, whose main function is to secrete milk. According to the team's first analysis, approximately 20 mutations accumulate annually in each epithelial cell until menopause. After menopause, however, the mutation rate significantlydecreases. "Additionally, our results suggest ...

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Science31 Aug 2023

When the gig is up; gig workers don’t always trust their boss and that might be a good thing

DURHAM, N.H. — As the so-called ‘gig economy’ continues to grow, so do questions about how this type of non-traditional work compares to full time work arrangements and how these new relationships differ and impact performance and commitment. Researchers from the University of New Hampshire took a closer look at gig workers – which include freelancers, independent contractors and temporary workers – and examined relationships between workers and their managers and found that one trait, trust, could be a double-edged sword. “Millions of workers are now considered gig workers, offering them more flexibility ...

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Science31 Aug 2023

Tracking drivers’ eyes can determine ability to take back control from ‘auto-pilot’ mode

A team of UCL-led researchers has developed a new method to determine the attention levels of drivers and their readiness to respond to warning signals when using auto-pilot mode. The research, published in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, found that people’s attention levels and how engrossed they are in on-screen activities can be detected from their eye movements. The findings suggest a new way to determine the readiness of drivers using auto-pilot mode to respond to real world signals, such as takeover requests from the car. Although fully autonomous driverless cars are not yet available for personal use, cars with a “driverless” auto-pilot ...

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Science31 Aug 2023

Avoid cannabis during adolescence, pregnancy and while driving, say experts

Experts recommend avoiding cannabis during adolescence and early adulthood, in people prone to or with mental health disorders, in pregnancy, and before and while driving, based on an in-depth evidence review published by The BMJ today. However, they say cannabidiol (one active compound in cannabis) is effective in people with epilepsy, and cannabis based medicines can help people with multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, inflammatory bowel disease, and in palliative care. Their recommendations are based on an “umbrella review” of 101 meta-analyses on cannabis ...

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Science31 Aug 2023

Call for action over unreliable private online hormone tests

A large private laboratory is still processing finger prick tests for oestrogen levels, which are sold by private retailers online, despite warnings they are unreliable, reveals an investigation published by The BMJ today. Journalist Emma Wilkinson reports that Eurofins, a large laboratory based in the UK, is still carrying out finger prick tests for oestradiol despite problems being identified in 2021 and two other laboratories and one online retailer withdrawing the tests over concerns that the results might not always be accurate. Finger prick tests for oestradiol are sold by online retailers for between £50 and £180, depending on what is included in ...

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Science31 Aug 2023

Home-monitoring during IVF equally safe and successful

Home monitoring of ovulation prior to placing frozen embryos during an IVF process works just as well as hospital checks to determine the best time. In addition, it is more pleasant for women to undergo this in their own environment, and it places less burden on the hospital facilities. "Monitoring ovulation at home means a hospital visit once for the placement of these embryos instead of 3 to 4 times for hospital monitoring. This is more sustainable and reduces the cost of treatment by up to 80%," says Tijtske Zaat, researcher at Amsterdam UMC. The study was published today in The Lancet. To optimize fertility treatments, researchers ...

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Science31 Aug 2023

Boys who smoke in their early teens risk passing on harmful epigenetic traits to future children

EMBARGOED: NOT FOR RELEASE UNTIL 00.01 BST ON THURSDAY 31 AUGUST 2023. Boys who smoke in their early teens risk passing on harmful epigenetic traits to future children People whose fathers smoked in their early teens had epigenetic markers associated with asthma, obesity, and low lung function Biomarkers associated with paternal preconception smoking were different from those associated with maternal or personal smoking ‘We must act now to stop teenage vaping’ say scientists A new study suggests boys who smoke in their early teens risk damaging the genes of their future children, increasing their chances of developing ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Study helps explain SARS-CoV-2 variants’ rapid spread

The omicron variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which have rapidly spread around the world over the past year, latch onto our cells more tightly, invade them more efficiently, and elude many of the antibodies induced by previous infections and vaccines. These are some of the key findings from a multinational team of researchers reporting today in the journal Nature. The lead authors of the study were Amin Addetia, a graduate student, and Young-Jun Park, a research scientist, in the laboratory of David Veesler, professor of biochemistry at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and Luca Picolli, director ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Experiencing the texture of skateboard sounds can mediate divisions new research says

Experiencing the harsh sounds of skateboarding can help bridge the gulf between the joy and distaste of the noises created by the sport, a new study says. Skate sounds can also help individuals sense and feel the urban environment in new and novel ways. Skateboarders have a specialised knowledge of the texture of cities, and sharing this with the public could help to soothe conflict, according to the research. Paying attention to sound can give both sides “sonic” agency over spaces in the city. Skate sounds, are a common basis of complaint from the general public. Yet these sounds can act as a source of inspiration and joy for ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Kindergarten conduct problems could cost society later, researchers find

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A new economic analysis has linked, for the first time, conduct problems among kindergarten students with significant costs to society in terms of crime and associated medical expenses and lost productivity when they are adults. “Providing effective, evidence-based programming designed to address behavioral problems early on has the potential to improve students’ wellbeing in the long term,” said project collaborator Damon Jones, associate research professor in the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center (PRC). “This study implies that there could be an additional benefit ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Algae provide clues about 600 million years of plant evolution

The Earth's surface is covered by plants. They make up the majority of biomass on land and exhibit a wide range of diversity, from mosses to trees. This astounding biodiversity came into existence due to a fateful evolutionary event that happened just once: plant terrestrialization. This describes the point where one group of algae, whose modern descendants can still be studied in the lab, evolved into plants and invaded land around the world. An international group of researchers, spearheaded by a team from the University of Göttingen, generated large ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Editorial: Epigenetic aging in oocytes

“In summary, our group demonstrates basic principles in the early aging of mammalian oocytes.” BUFFALO, NY- August 30, 2023 – A new editorial paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 15, entitled, “Epigenetic aging in oocytes.” Aging-related phenotypes span many different tissues and cell types, and start to occur at different ages - a different typical age for every cell type. In their new editorial, researchers Peera Wasserzug-Pash and Michael ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Can taking statins after a bleeding stroke lower risk of another stroke?

MINNEAPOLIS – People who have had a stroke called an intracerebral hemorrhage who take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins may have a lower risk of having another stroke, especially ischemic stroke, compared to people who also had an intracerebral hemorrhage but were not taking statins, according to a new study published in the August 30, 2023, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Intracerebral hemorrhage is caused by bleeding in the brain. Ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain and is the most common type of stroke. “Previous research has had mixed results on the risk of ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Stanford-led study reveals way to help prevent childhood stunting

A relatively small intervention could have a huge impact on a damaging condition that stalks children in the developing world. A new Stanford-led study shows that adding zinc to farmland soil can help prevent childhood stunting, a condition due to chronic undernutrition that is associated with poor brain development and long-lasting harmful consequences, such as reduced school performance and increased disease risks. The paper, published Aug. 21 in Scientific Reports is the first large-scale study to examine the association between children’s nutritional status or health outcomes and soil mineral availability in India, ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Validation of a comprehensive genomic profiling assay: NeXT Dx™

“NeXT Dx incorporates a range of features and comprehensive genome variant detection methods that lead to improved disease management and possible enhanced clinical utility.” BUFFALO, NY- August 30, 2023 – A new research paper was published in Oncotarget's Volume 14 on August 30, 2023, entitled, “Analytic validation of NeXT Dx™, a comprehensive genomic profiling assay.” In this new research paper, researchers Juan-Sebastian Saldivar, Jason Harris, Erin Ayash, Manqing Hong, Prateek Tandon, Saloni Sinha, Patricia Miranda Hebron, Erin E. Houghton, ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

How to write in water?

Writing is an age-old cultural technique. Thousands of years ago, humans were already carving signs and symbols into stone slabs. Scripts have become far more sophisticated since then but one aspect remains the same: Whether the writer is using cuneiform or a modern alphabet, a solid substrate, such as clay or paper, is required to fix the written structures in place. However, researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), TU Darmstadt, and Wuhan University asked themselves how to write in a bulk fluid like water without fixing substrates. The concept would not be unlike the way aircraft leave three-dimensional vapor trails behind them when they ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

First-time fathers seem to experience a steeper decline in relationship satisfaction in the first two years post-partum than second-time fathers

First-time fathers seem to experience a steeper decline in relationship satisfaction in the first two years post-partum than second-time fathers, who appear to recover lost relationship satisfaction by the time their second child is 14 months old, according to a study published August 30, 2023 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Judith T. Mack and Lena Brunke from Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, and colleagues. Having a strong primary relationship can help couples more successfully weather potentially-challenging transitions like the birth of a child. Most research on ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Detailed analysis of two Late Bronze Age urn burials uncovers animal bones and jewelry amidst the cremated remains of a woman and child, and reveals insights into prehistoric funerary rites

Detailed analysis of two Late Bronze Age urn burials uncovers animal bones and jewelry amidst the cremated remains of a woman and child, and reveals insights into prehistoric funerary rites ### Article URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0289140 Article Title: More than urns: A multi-method pipeline for analyzing cremation burials Author Countries: Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Belgium Funding: This study was funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) in the framework of the project ‘Unlocking the secrets ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Pedal power pays off: Mountain biking benefits outweigh risks

New Curtin research into injuries sustained by trail users has found mountain biking is not the dangerous, injury-plagued sport reserved for thrill-seekers that it is often perceived to be and that the health benefits outweigh the risks. Researchers analysed data from dozens of studies across the world, including Australia, encompassing 220,935 injured mountain bikers and 17,757 injured hikers. The study aimed to pinpoint the injury types and affected body areas in order to gain insights into the medical treatment of such cases. Lead author PhD candidate Paul Braybrook, from Curtin’s School of Nursing, said mountain bikers were primarily injured on their upper limbs, ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Do driverless cars feel safe? New study shows gradual introduction needed to build comfort among all road users

While self-driving vehicles (SDVs) are being hailed as a solution for safer, more efficient roads, new research suggests British Columbians are not quite ready to embrace self-driving cars wholeheartedly – and will need a period of gradual transition before adoption. The study, conducted by the Research on Active Transportation Lab (REACT) at the University of British Columbia, reveals mixed perceptions of automated vehicles, particularly their effects on pedestrian comfort and safety. Do self-driving cars feel safe? Four out of 10 participants (41 per cent) thought that pedestrians faced reduced safety and comfort levels ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

MD Anderson research highlights for August 30, 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 include a novel computational tool to detect single base pair DNA changes in single-cell sequencing data, a potential target to treat hypertension caused by drugs commonly used in organ transplants, further insights into the steps involved in ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Robustness of the world's skyscrapers stress-tested by Surrey model

The safety of tall buildings in the world's cities, in the face of extreme external traumas like vehicle impacts, blasts or fires, has been tested using a model developed by structural engineers at the University of Surrey – with reassuring results. Surrey's structural engineers partnered with industry experts to check and enhance the robustness of skyscrapers. Surrey's researchers collaborated with experts at the respected collective of architects, designers, engineers and planners, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), famous for buildings like the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, and the Sears ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Study reveals important associations between gut microbiome and eczema in infancy

Washington, D.C. – A new study has revealed important associations between the gut microbiome and eczema in infancy and has established the basis for the potential prevention and treatment of eczema via modulation of the gut microbiota. The study was published in mSystems, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology. “The problem of eczema is increasing, and our study shows it could be a result of unwanted changes in the gut bacterial content. The first year of life could be a critical period to restore the gut bacteria to a more desirable composition,” said the study’s principal investigator ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Adapting Ritalin® to tackle cocaine abuse

Cocaine use continues to be a public health problem, yet despite concerted efforts, no drugs have been approved to resolve cocaine addiction. Research suggests that the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin®) could serve as a cocaine-replacement therapy, but clinical results have been mixed. Although several labs have produced MPH derivatives for testing, parts of the molecule remained chemically inaccessible. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Central Science have cleared that hurdle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 5 million Americans ...

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Science30 Aug 2023

Alcohol makes you more likely to approach attractive people but doesn’t make others seem better looking: Study

PISCATAWAY, NJ — It’s “liquid courage,” not necessarily “beer goggles”: New research indicates that consuming alcohol makes you more likely to approach people you already find attractive but does not make others appear more attractive, according to a report in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. The conventional wisdom of alcohol’s effects is that intoxication makes others seem better looking. But, according to the new study, this phenomenon has not been studied systematically. Earlier research typically ...

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