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Science News for September 19, 2022


Traditoinal medicine could give new hope to heart patients

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified a new mechanism in ARVC that could lead to a potential treatment strategy. They found that activating sirtuin-3 can slow down disease progression, and honokiol, a natural product extracted from the tulip tree, has been shown to work similarly.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalCirculation·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022

New in Ethics & Human Research, September-October 2022 issue

The Hastings Center introduces five ethical criteria to improve human subject protections in phase I healthy volunteer trials and research biopsies. These guidelines focus on translational science value, fair opportunity and burden sharing, fair compensation for service, experiential welfare, and enhanced voice and recourse.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalEthics & Human Research·TypeObservational study·DateSep 19, 2022

Crop disruption from war in Ukraine could increase global carbon emissions, food prices

A new study predicts that the disruption of crop production in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion will lead to increased global carbon emissions and food prices. However, other countries are stepping up their production to compensate for the loss, which may alleviate food insecurity but with significant environmental impacts.

SourceIndiana University·JournalNature Food·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 19, 2022

Deformation fingerprints will help researchers identify, design better metallic materials

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to capture and predict the fatigue strength of metallic materials using automated high-resolution electron imaging. This approach allows for rapid prediction of metal failure and breakage, leading to design of safer and more resilient materials for various applications.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022

How can surveys inspire more women to report abortions?

Researchers found that certain survey question sets can minimize stigma and increase disclosure among women. The study suggests redesigning surveys to improve data quality and support maternal, child, and reproductive health. The findings have the potential to influence national surveys and provide guidance to the field.

SourceRutgers University·JournalCulture Health & Sexuality·TypeSurvey·DateSep 19, 2022

Climate change: A threat to urban trees

A global risk assessment reveals that 56-65% of urban tree species are already at risk due to increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation. By 2050, this figure could rise to 68-76%, with France expecting a 71% risk for common ash species.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 19, 2022

Moss repair team also works in humans

A team of researchers has successfully transplanted the RNA editing machinery from a moss into human cells, including kidney and cancer cells. The corrected mechanism was found to work on over 900 targets in nuclear transcripts, offering a potential basis for inducing specific changes in human cells and treating hereditary diseases.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022

Heart medication shows potential as treatment for alcohol use disorder

A new study has found that a medication typically used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure may also reduce alcohol consumption in humans. The study's findings support further research into spironolactone as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder, which affects millions of people in the US.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022

Wistar scientists identify key biomarkers that reliably predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for melanoma

Researchers found mutations in leukocyte and T-cell proliferation regulation processes that contribute to ICI treatment response and resistance. The study provides a framework to develop predictors for melanoma, potentially enhancing responses and increasing patient numbers.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 19, 2022

Amino acid supplement key to reproductive health in dairy cows

A University of Illinois study shows rumen-protected lysine can improve uterine health in dairy cows during the transition period. The supplement reduced genes involved in inflammatory proteins and increased genes keeping the uterus clean, leading to less inflammation and improved reproductive outcomes.

Rheumatoid arthritis drug effective against myasthenia

A randomized clinical trial found that rituximab significantly improved disease control in patients with new-onset myasthenia gravis, reducing the need for cortisone treatments and hospitalizations. The study's results offer hope for a more effective treatment strategy, but larger studies are needed to assess long-term effects.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 19, 2022

COVID-19 zaps placenta’s immune response, study finds

A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that COVID-19 damages the placenta's immune response, leading to increased rates of preterm birth. The study, led by UW Medicine researchers, suggests that babies born to mothers infected with COVID-19 may need to be monitored for potential long-term effects.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·TypeCase study·DateSep 19, 2022

How might eliminating race-based adjustments in estimates of kidney function affect kidney transplant waitlisting?

A new study finds that using race-free equations for estimating kidney function can minimize racial differences in accrued preemptive waiting time. The research suggests that a specific equation, creatinine-based, reduces racial disparities more effectively than another equation, cystatin C-based.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 19, 2022

India’s troubled history of monsoon droughts of the last millennium revealed by stalagmites and historical documentary sources

A new record of past Indian monsoon drought history has been developed using oxygen isotopes in stalagmites, correlating with historical accounts of severe droughts and societal changes. Protracted droughts tend to occur in clusters within decades-long intervals of weaker monsoon rainfall.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong University, Institute of Global Environmental Change·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 19, 2022

Diabetes: When circadian lipid rhythms go wrong

A study by the University of Geneva team shows that disrupted circadian clocks lead to a rigidity in the membrane of pancreatic endocrine cells, affecting their function. The researchers also found that lipid profiles oscillate more during the day than previously thought, particularly in phospholipids and sphingolipids.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeNews article·DateSep 19, 2022

New software platform advances understanding of the surface finish of manufactured components

Scientists developed a software platform to analyze surfaces, creating digital twins that predict material properties like adhesion and durability. The contact.engineering platform standardizes procedure and facilitates open science, allowing users to share measurements and collaborate.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalSurface Topography Metrology and Properties·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 19, 2022

Collaborative network led by Cincinnati Children’s receives $8 million grant to fund rheumatic heart fever research

A collaborative network led by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has received an $8 million grant to identify and validate biomarkers for acute rheumatic fever. This will enable the development of a sensitive and specific diagnostic test, crucial for diagnosing rheumatic heart disease, which is caused by a slow but progress...

HPV vaccinations before, during pandemic

Researchers found that HPV vaccination rates rose significantly during the pandemic, particularly among younger children and adolescents. The study suggests that the increased vaccination rates may be attributed to changes in healthcare access and scheduling.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 19, 2022

Online yoga programs may improve knee function in the short term

A randomized trial found that a 12-week online yoga program improved knee function in participants, but did not significantly reduce knee pain during walking. The study suggests that unsupervised online yoga programs can be feasible and improve physical function, but more research is needed to sustain the effectiveness.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 19, 2022

Earth Summit mission 2022: Scientific Expedition and Research on Mt. Qomolangma helps reveal synergy of westerlies and the monsoon as well as their climatic and environmental effects

Researchers conducted the Earth Summit Mission 2022 to investigate the interaction mechanisms between westerlies and monsoonal flow near Mt. Qomolangma. They discovered strong glacial wind and vertical momentum exchange between large-scale westerlies and boundary layer in the region.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateSep 19, 2022

SwRI scientist helps identify new evidence for habitability in Enceladus’s ocean

Scientists have discovered new evidence of phosphorus availability in Enceladus's ocean, making it a prime target in the search for extraterrestrial life. The discovery suggests that Enceladus's subsurface ocean is likely habitable due to its high levels of dissolved phosphorus.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 19, 2022

Genomic analysis reveals true origin of South America’s canids

A recent genomic analysis reveals that all South American canid species descended from a single ancestral population that arrived on the continent between 3.5 million and 4 million years ago. The study found that genetic mutations leading to extreme variations in height, size, and diet were introduced artificially through selective bre...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 19, 2022

New recommendations address the use of integrative therapies for pain management in cancer populations

The new SIO-ASCO guideline recommends the use of acupuncture, massage therapy, and other integrative therapies for managing breast cancer-related joint pain, general cancer pain, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The guidelines also acknowledge areas that need further research to support their recommendations.

SourceThe Reis Group·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateSep 19, 2022

Greener crypto mining possible with industry incentives

A new study by Cornell University researchers suggests that green policy incentives for carbon capture and renewable energy can help reduce the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining. States with lower electricity prices and a higher share of renewable energy in their grids are best suited for this approach.

SourceCornell University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateSep 19, 2022

A better understanding of crop yields under climate change

Researchers found that models using soil moisture explain 30-120% more year-to-year variation in yield than those relying on rainfall, revealing a critical link between temperature and water supply for crops. Extreme heat is less damaging to crop yields than previously estimated, while drought and flooding sensitivity increases.

How far can a proton make its presence felt when embedded in water?

Researchers have gained insight into the electronic structure of hydrated proton complexes, revealing that three inner water molecules are drastically modified by the proton. The first hydration shell senses the electric field of the proton through Coulomb interactions.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022

Fit for work at over 50

A study by researchers from University of Bonn found that a multi-component training programme can improve mental speed, concentration, perception of competence, self-efficacy, and stress management in employees aged 50-plus. The program showed statistically significant improvements after completion and six months.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalEuropean Journal of Ageing·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022

Mimicking the Earth’s crust: Examining solidification of Mg–C–O–H systems by cold sintering

Researchers from Nagoya Institute of Technology investigated the solidification mechanism of magnesium carbonate and hydroxide systems using cold sintering. The study found that water played a crucial role in promoting dissolution-precipitation reactions, enabling densification at lower temperatures.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalCeramics International·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022