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Science News Archive 2023 - Page 388


Page 388 of 444

New pumping strategy could slash energy costs of fluid transport by 22%

A new pumping strategy has been developed to slash energy costs of fluid transport by up to 22%. By switching pumps on and off, turbulent flows can be reduced, resulting in more efficient fluid transport. This approach could bring significant economic and environmental benefits, particularly for the transition to green energy.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 17, 2023

Opportunistic pathogens are less likely to be present in the nose and throat of people vaccinated against COVID-19, who are also less likely to get severe disease compared to non-vaccinated individuals

A study found that vaccinated people are less likely to have opportunistic pathogens in their nose and throat, and also experience milder symptoms of COVID-19. This is attributed to the presence of transcriptionally active nasopharyngeal commensals, which play a key role in defining mild symptoms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 17, 2023

NIH researchers discover new gene involved in a toxic competition among yeast

Researchers at NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute identified a gene, KTD1, that provides resistance to the K28 toxin in yeast. This discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying toxin resistance and has implications for understanding human toxin resistance.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

New antioxidants found in beef, chicken, and pork!

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have identified new antioxidants in meat, including beef, chicken, and pork, which show high antioxidant activity. These discoveries were made using a highly sensitive detection method, enabling the quantification of these compounds in living organisms.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalAntioxidants·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

Daily rhythm detected for cerebral blood flow in stroke patients

A new study found that stroke patients experience a daily rhythm in cerebral blood flow regulation, with greater regulation during afternoon hours compared to morning and night times. This discovery may improve health outcomes by guiding daily activity and personal care during stroke recovery.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 17, 2023

Review: No proof that indwelling catheters cause more UTIs than intermittent catheterization

A systematic review published in Topics in SCI Rehabilitation suggests that indwelling catheters do not increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) compared to intermittent catheterization. The review found that only three studies reported significantly higher UTI rates with indwelling catheters, but all three had critical flaws.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalTopics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation·DateFeb 17, 2023

Humans don't hibernate, but we still need more winter sleep

Researchers found that patients undergoing polysomnographies experienced longer REM sleep in winter than summer, but less deep sleep in autumn. The study suggests that humans may need more winter sleep to adapt to seasonal changes.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2023

Space travel influences the way the brain works

A study by the University of Antwerp and University of Liège found that prolonged microgravity affects human cerebral connectivity, with some changes persisting even after returning to Earth. The research used MRI data from 14 astronaut brains before and after their space missions.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 17, 2023

Keeping drivers safe with a road that can melt snow, ice on its own

Researchers have developed a chloride-free salt mixture that can melt snow and ice on roads for seven to eight years. The new asphalt additive, made from waste products and polymers, provides effective winter road safety without the downsides of traditional salt-based solutions.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Omega·DateFeb 16, 2023

Reimagining drugs for rare brain disorder

A team of researchers has developed a new method to screen FDA-approved drugs to determine if they could be repurposed or improved to help patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5), a rare and debilitating disease. The pipeline uses cutting-edge spectroscopy to examine the interaction between mutant β-III-spectrin and actin, i...

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Earthquake scientists have a new tool in the race to find the next big one

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a frictional phenomenon that governs how quickly faults heal after an earthquake. This discovery could help scientists understand when and how violently faults move, providing valuable new insights into the causes and potential for large earthquakes.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Cybersecurity defenders are expanding their AI toolbox

Scientists have developed a simulation environment to test multistage attack scenarios using deep reinforcement learning, achieving success rates of up to 95% in stopping cyberattacks. The AI-powered approach offers promise for proactive cyber defense and the ability to detect changes in the cyber landscape earlier.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 16, 2023

How to pull carbon dioxide out of seawater

Researchers at MIT have developed a membrane-free electrochemical process to remove carbon dioxide from seawater, potentially reversing ocean acidification. The system could be integrated with existing desalination plants or ships to help mitigate emissions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 16, 2023

Newly discovered virus can kill resistant bacteria

Scientists have discovered a new virus that can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The virus, named Fyn8, was found in local creeks near the University of Southern Denmark campus and has been fully sequenced.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalMicrobiology Resource Announcements·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 16, 2023

CityU scientists engineer a breath-to-charge electrostatic face mask for prolonged air filtration, reducing the environmental burden

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong develop a self-charging electrostatic face mask that can continuously replenish its electrostatic charge through the user's breathing. The mask provides high-efficiency airborne particle removal with 95.8% effectiveness after 60 hours of testing.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Charting a course in the brainy frontier

Kyoto University researchers have created a map comparing circuit structure with neural activity in mammals, revealing a new mechanism behind visual cortex activities. This discovery sheds light on the hidden connections between neurons and could provide directions for constructing power-efficient deep neural networks.

SourceKyoto University·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Research network yields significant findings related to obesity

The Strategically Focused Research Network on Obesity has published its findings, revealing new information about the causes of obesity and its link to cardiovascular disease. The research team made significant strides in understanding the interface between obesity and cardiovascular disease, including the role of a specific drug target.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateFeb 16, 2023

Canine distemper now threatens big cats in Nepal

Researchers confirmed the first cases of canine distemper virus in tigers and leopards in Nepal, which can cause fatal neurological disease. The study found that 11% of tigers and 30% of leopards had antibodies to CDV, indicating prior infection with the virus.

SourceCornell University·JournalPathogens·DateFeb 16, 2023

Cell type key to successful immunotherapies for chronic viral infections identified

Researchers from the Infection Biology Laboratory have identified XCR1+ cross-presenting dendritic cells as crucial for reactivating exhausted lymphocytes and controlling chronic viral infections. The study suggests that these dendritic cells can be a promising therapeutic target to improve virus control.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Study finds watching TV is good for the planet

A new study by Oxford University Press USA found that watching nature documentaries, such as BBC's Green Planet, increases public awareness of plants and their importance. The researchers measured online behavior and found a significant effect on viewers' interest in portrayed plant species.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalAnnals of Botany·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 16, 2023

Prof. Wang Yangming’s team identifies new mtDNA editing tool

A team of researchers from Peking University's College of Future Technology has identified a DddA homolog from Simiaoa sunii that can efficiently deaminate cytosine in double-stranded DNA. This discovery expands the sequence compatibility of mitochondrial base editors, enabling efficient and highly specific editing.

SourcePeking University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 16, 2023

Breast cancer disparity equally impacted by social determinants of health, tumor biology

A recent study published in JAMA Oncology found that Black women with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer are more likely to experience higher mortality rates due to both social determinants of health and tumor biology. The research analyzed data from 60,137 women between 2004-2015 and discovered that these factors co...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 16, 2023

Tadpole Playing Around Black Hole

Researchers have identified a unique gas cloud, nicknamed the Tadpole, revolving around a massive black hole 100,000 times more massive than the Sun. The team used advanced telescopes to detect the unusual cloud's curved shape and motion, suggesting it is being stretched by gravitational forces.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 16, 2023

New neural network method improves microscopic distance measurements between colored points in three dimensions

A new neural network method has been developed to measure the 3D distance between two differently-colored spots in microscopic samples. This approach combines PSF engineering with machine learning to overcome accuracy limitations due to diffraction and provides accurate measurements for studying cellular processes.

SourceIntelligent Computing·JournalIntelligent Computing·DateFeb 16, 2023

AI analyses cell movement under the microscope

Researchers at University of Gothenburg developed AI method using graph theory and neural networks to analyze cell movement, enabling better understanding of biological processes and development of new medical technologies. The method can reconstruct cell paths and test medication effectiveness as potential cancer treatments.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

New ultrafast water disinfection method is more environmentally friendly

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new ultrafast water disinfection method that uses locally enhanced electric field treatment, killing bacteria with nanosecond pulses. This technology reduces energy consumption by eight times and shortens treatment time by 1 million times, making it an affordable sanitatio...

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Water·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Pluripotent stem cells take over from blood stem cells for future transplant therapies

Researchers have successfully converted pluripotent stem cells into hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells using optimized transcription factors. The resulting PSC-derived cells generated all types of white blood cells in mice without giving rise to tumors or leukemias, suggesting a promising future for PSC-based transplant therapies.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateFeb 16, 2023

Study of US hydroelectric dams shows benefits to local economies decline with improvements in transmission capabilities

A study by Carnegie Mellon University researcher Edson Severnini found that large-scale hydroelectric dams constructed in the US before 1950 spurred short- and long-term growth, while those built after 1950 had modest effects on local economies. The decline is attributed to advancements in high-tension transmission lines.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalThe Economic Journal·DateFeb 16, 2023

Better understanding of craniofacial birth defects opens new roads for regenerative medicine

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine investigated neural crest cell development to better comprehend and treat craniofacial birth defects. They discovered that changes in chromatin accessibility are regulated by the miR-302 microRNA family, which can be used to generate healthy cells for regenerating craniofacial defects.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

New quantum sensing technique reveals magnetic connections

A team of scientists developed a new method to distinguish between correlated and independent magnetic fields detected by multiple quantum sensors. This technique uses sophisticated computation and signal-processing techniques, enabling the detection of subtle relationships between microscopic magnetic fields.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateFeb 16, 2023

Tsunami in a water glass

Hydrated electrons play a significant role in various processes, and researchers have observed their effect on the water solution. The study reveals that the electron causes a 'water quake' or 'tsunami,' which is caused by sudden charge separation during its formation.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Covid-19: Interactive risk communication formats can help overcome vaccine hesitancy

Researchers found that interactive simulation formats were more effective than conventional text-based formats in convincing vaccine-hesitant adults to get vaccinated. The study suggests that interactive simulations can boost people's decision-making competence, leading to positive changes in vaccination intentions and benefit-to-harm ...

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Development·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 16, 2023

Significant funding boost for research on Alzheimer’s and ALS

The Brain Canada Foundation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research have invested $663,000 in two groundbreaking projects: REBALANCE and HiCALS. REBALANCE explores focused ultrasound as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, while HiCALS investigates the link between high-fat diets and ALS survival.

SourceBrain Canada Foundation·DateFeb 16, 2023

New superalloy could cut carbon emissions from power plants

Researchers have discovered a new 3D-printed superalloy that can withstand high heat, essential for power plant turbines. The alloy, composed of 42% aluminum, 25% titanium and other metals, is stronger at high temperatures than state-of-the-art materials.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalApplied Materials Today·DateFeb 16, 2023

Whales give up singing to fight for love

Researchers from the University of Queensland found that humpback whales have shifted their mating behaviour, with males giving up singing and instead fighting for dominance. This change is believed to be due to the increased population size after whaling cessation, as larger groups may deter other males from approaching potential mates.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 16, 2023

Study quantifies global impact of electricity in dust storms on Mars

Researchers find that electrical discharge in Martian dust storms could be a major driving force of the planet's chlorine cycle. The study reveals high yields of chlorine gases from common chlorides when electrified by Martian conditions, indicating a promising pathway for converting surface chlorides to atmospheric phases.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023