Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive June 2020 - Page 43


Page 43 of 48

Certain personality traits may affect risk of 'pre-dementia'

A study of 524 adults aged 65+ found that openness was linked to a 6% reduced risk of motoric cognitive risk (MCR), while neuroticism increased the risk of non-amnestic MCI. Personality traits played an independent role in pre-dementia syndromes, emphasizing their importance in dementia risk assessment.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 3, 2020

A promise to restore hearing

Harvard University researchers successfully used base editing to correct a recessive genetic mutation causing complete deafness in mice. The treatment restored partially functional hearing, and the scientists hope to apply this technique to humans with similar conditions.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 3, 2020

Fear of COVID-19 keeping more than half of heart attack patients away from hospitals

A global survey by the European Society of Cardiology found that heart attack patients are avoiding hospitals due to fear of COVID-19, resulting in a 50% drop in urgent hospital care. Most respondents reported delays in treatment, with 48% arriving late and beyond optimal window for life-saving intervention.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes·DateJun 3, 2020

New laser system provides 3D reconstructions of living deep-sea animals and mucus filters

A new laser-based system provides 3D models of diaphanous marine animals and their mucus structures, allowing researchers to understand how they function and what roles they play in the ocean. The study focused on larvaceans, which create complex mucus filters that remove vast amounts of carbon-rich food from the surrounding water.

A new immunotherapeutic agent for children and adolescents with advanced lymphoma

A new immunotherapeutic agent has been shown to significantly improve treatment outcomes for children and adolescents with advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly Burkitt lymphoma. The agent, rituximab, in combination with chemotherapy, has a cure rate of over 95% and reduces the risk of disease progression by up to 70%.

SourceComprehensive Cancer Centre Gustave Roussy·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 3, 2020

What are the risks and benefits of low-dose aspirin?

The review found that low-dose aspirin significantly lowers cardiovascular disease risk by 17% and increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and intracranial bleeding. The benefits should be weighted against the risks in formal decision analyses to guide aspirin use.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateJun 3, 2020

'Terminator' protein halts cancer-causing cellular processes

Researchers at Cornell University have identified a protein called TiPARP that acts as a terminator for several cancer-causing transcription factors, including HIF-1. This discovery establishes TiPARP as a potential tumor suppressor and offers new insights into the mechanisms of cancer growth.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2020

Australian researchers set record for carbon dioxide capture

Researchers from Monash University and CSIRO have developed a magnetized Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) nanocomposite that captures carbon dioxide with remarkable speed and low energy cost. This technology is 45% more efficient than commercially deployed materials, making it a promising solution for emissions reduction and renewable e...

SourceMonash University·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateJun 3, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found asymptomatic persons account for approximately 40-45% of SARS-CoV-2 infections, emphasizing the need for symptomless testing. The pandemic has highlighted a shortage of infectious disease (ID) experts in the US, with nearly two-thirds of Americans living in counties with below-average ID physician access.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 3, 2020

Key gene in leukemia discovered

Researchers at Lund University have identified CXCR4 as essential for the survival of leukemia stem cells, which can be controlled by cutting off the gene using CRISPR technology. This discovery reveals a fundamental difference in how leukemia stem cells and normal blood stem cells are regulated.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 3, 2020

Science snapshots May 2020

New research evaluates how US wind plant performance changes with age, finding that older plants experience relatively low levels of decline in peak performance compared to European fleets. Fungi food choices study reveals enzymes used for breaking down plant cell walls can be mass-produced and used in industrial processes.

Economic Development Quarterly announces a special issue on business incentives

A recent special issue of Economic Development Quarterly examines the impact of local and state financial incentives on business location decisions. Research suggests that simply expanding incentives may not be effective in creating jobs, while some types of incentives work better for specific industries in certain local economies.

SourceSAGE·JournalEconomic Development Quarterly·DateJun 2, 2020

Genetic risk scores may improve clinical identification of patients with heart attack risk

Researchers found that genetic risk scores can identify at-risk patients who are not presently identified through standard clinical evaluations. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that individuals with high PRS were more likely to develop coronary artery disease and should be recommended fo...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 2, 2020