Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for April 17, 2023


Beneficial bacteria a double-edged sword

Researchers found that a patented microbe, UD1022, protects alfalfa plants from fungal diseases, but it also disrupts the beneficial relationship between plants and rhizobium bacteria. This discovery highlights the complexity of bacteria-bacteria interactions and their impact on plant health.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPlants·DateApr 17, 2023

Researchers help AI express uncertainty to improve health monitoring tech

Researchers developed an AI algorithm that allows electronic devices to express uncertainty when faced with unexpected data, improving cough detection technology. The new approach enables more precise detection with fewer sound samples per second, reducing computing power and addressing privacy concerns.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2023

Warming climate will affect streamflow in the northeast

A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2023

Executives ignore SEC legal requirements to warn investors about inflation risk, new research finds

New research finds that most corporations that face significant inflation risk have failed to disclose it, causing $0.9 trillion to $2.8 trillion in shareholder damages. Companies with high exposure to inflation risk have seen their share prices drop following inflation shocks.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalJournal of Monetary Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 17, 2023

Risks of removing ovaries at benign hysterectomy may outweigh the benefits for women at low risk for ovarian cancer

Researchers found that removing ovaries during a benign hysterectomy increases the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular disease in premenopausal women, but not necessarily for cancer. The study supports current recommendations to conserve ovaries in premenopausal patients at low risk for ovarian cancer.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 17, 2023

New discovery stops bacterial virus contamination

A new discovery by researchers at the University of Warwick has found a simple material that can prevent bacterial viruses from contaminating laboratories and microbial factories. This breakthrough aims to develop next-generation industrial biotechnologies and remove a bottleneck in fundamental research.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 17, 2023

Targeting nurse and patient ‘supercontactors’ in hospitals and long-term care facilities can help minimize spread of infectious diseases

Researchers found that identifying and targeting 'supercontactors', including nurses and patients with neurological disorders, can significantly reduce the incidence of MRSA colonization. Simulation studies showed that reinforced contact precautions and vaccination targeting these individuals can be more effective than random selection.

New approach estimates long-term coastal cliff loss

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new tool to estimate long-term coastal cliff loss, finding that rates are similar to those over the past 2,000 years. The study's approach provides a relative assessment of driving factors behind cliff retreat over longer periods, with implications for managing coastal erosion.

SourceStanford University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Earth Surface·DateApr 17, 2023

Preventing a measles outbreak: steps taken by London hospital to protect patients and staff potentially exposed to the virus

A London hospital recently took swift action to contain a potential measles outbreak, highlighting the importance of vaccination and prompt contact tracing. The hospital identified nine patients at high risk, including pregnant women and those with severe immunosuppression, and administered post-exposure prophylaxis to those not immune.

Salmonella solution

McMaster University researchers developed a rapid and inexpensive test for Salmonella contamination in food, which provides accurate results in an hour or less. The test improves food safety, reduces the cost of processing fresh poultry and other foods, and helps limit broad recalls to batches identified as contaminated.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

Resident T-cells key to salmonella immunity

Researchers at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine discovered that tissue resident memory cells are crucial for inducing a powerful immune response against Salmonella. Molecules like interleukin-1 and 2 enhance the formation of these cells in the liver, providing a rapid-response force.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

Poverty is the fourth greatest cause of U.S. deaths, analysis published in JAMA finds.

A new analysis published in JAMA found that poverty is the fourth leading cause of US deaths, claiming an estimated 183,000 lives in 2019 among people aged 15 and older. Poverty was associated with significantly higher mortality rates compared to other causes such as heart disease, cancer, and smoking.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 17, 2023

University of Rochester researchers discover how to steer army of immune cells toward cancer

A team of researchers from the University of Rochester has discovered a molecule that guides T cells toward tumors, which could lead to improvements in CAR T-cell therapy for breast, lung, and brain cancers. The findings will help scientists develop a drug to manipulate this key protein, ST3GAL1, to ensure T cells hit their targets.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

Researchers discover how some brain cells transfer material to neurons in mice

Researchers at UC Davis discovered how oligodendrocyte-lineage cells transfer cell material to neurons in the mouse brain, providing a new mechanism for understanding brain maturation and finding treatments for neurological conditions. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and P...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateApr 17, 2023

The Green Mediterranean / high polyphenols diet promotes dramatic proximal aortic de-stiffening, twice as much as the healthy Mediterranean diet

The green Mediterranean diet significantly regressed proximal aortic stiffness by 15% compared to the healthy Mediterranean diet's 7.3% and control diet's 4.8%. A large-scale clinical trial of 300 participants over 18 months showed the diet's powerful effect on vascular aging physiology.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 17, 2023

NUS researchers uncover new differences in bacteria’s sugar coat to aid pneumococcal vaccine development

Researchers from NUS Medicine discovered that specific CPS structures and sugar combinations help Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the human respiratory tract. The study sheds light on the importance of CPS structure in bacterial survival, which will inform future vaccine development.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 17, 2023

Machine learning can help to flag risky messages on Instagram while preserving users’ privacy

A machine learning program can spot risky conversations on Instagram by analyzing metadata clues, such as conversation length and participant engagement. The system was 87% accurate in identifying risky chats using sparse and anonymous details from over 17,000 private chats.

SourceDrexel University·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2023

National Cancer Centre Singapore leads Phase I to IV local and international oncology clinical trials

The National Cancer Centre Singapore has strengthened its position as a leader in shaping local and international clinical trials targeted at improving outcomes for Asian cancers. A pivotal phase III trial co-chaired by a NCCS clinician scientist delivered positive results, increasing recurrence-free survival of patients with hepatocel...

SourceSingHealth·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 17, 2023

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) announces its 2023 award winners for achievements in ornithological research, service, conservation, and publication

The American Ornithological Society has honored outstanding contributions to the scientific study and conservation of birds with its 2023 award winners. The recipients represent collaborative work in research, conservation, publications, and service, exemplifying dedication to fostering the next generation of ornithologists.

Female butterflies breed despite male shortage

Despite a parasite killing most males, female monarch butterflies still find mates about 1.5 times on average, suggesting high reproductive success throughout the year round. Uninfected females produce healthy male offspring, allowing the parasite to be transmitted in rare populations.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateApr 17, 2023

The thrombosis paradox

A study by an international research team has found a mechanism that occurs in brown bears and paraplegics, preventing the formation of blood clots. The discovery could lead to new treatments for venous thromboembolism, a life-threatening condition.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

Lower risk of severe illness and death in newborns of low-income immigrant than Canadian-born females

Research found that newborns of low-income immigrant mothers had a significantly lower risk of severe neonatal morbidity and mortality compared to those of Canadian-born mothers. The study suggests that immigration status may influence birth outcomes, with healthier immigrants possibly being more likely to migrate.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 17, 2023

Sea-level rise in southwest Greenland as a contributor to Viking abandonment

Researchers at Harvard University found that rising sea levels and subsidence of Greenland's land mass made the Viking settlement more prone to flooding, leading to their abandonment. The study, published in PNAS, suggests that the Vikings were faced with a myriad of challenges, including environmental change, social unrest, economic t...

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2023

A study analyzes racial discrimination in job recruitment in Europe

A new study analyzing European job applications found that having a non-white phenotype reduces the likelihood of employment by approximately 20%, while dark-skinned Caucasians face a 10% decrease compared to white applicants. The combined effect of ethnicity and phenotype leads to significant discrimination levels across Europe.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalSocio-Economic Review·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

Cancer prevention with rapamycin

Researchers discuss rapamycin's potential to delay cancer onset by slowing cell proliferation and tumor progression. The mTOR pathway is involved in both cancer and aging, making rapamycin a promising chemopreventive agent.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 17, 2023

How music can prevent cognitive decline

A study found that practicing music and active listening can alter cognitive decline in healthy seniors by promoting brain plasticity. The researchers discovered an increase in grey matter volume in four brain regions involved in high-level cognitive functioning.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNeuroImage·TypeNews article·DateApr 17, 2023

Scientists enhance new neurons to restore memory, elevate mood in Alzheimer’s disease research model

Researchers demonstrate therapeutic potential of new neurons generated in adulthood for modulating Alzheimer's disease pathology and functional deficits. Optogenetics and chemogenetics strategies enhance adult-born neurons, restoring cognitive and affective function in mice with Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County’s Dr. Luis Chiappe co-authors paper on relationship between feathered dinosaurs and beetles

Researchers from Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County have discovered evidence of a symbiotic relationship between Cretaceous dinosaurs and feather-feeding beetles. The study found that the beetles fed on the feathers of theropod dinosaurs during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 105 million years ago.

SourceNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2023

Managing stress with food and alcohol consumption connected with faster lifelong weight gain

A 30-year follow-up study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare found that eating as a means of stress management is correlated with higher body weight, while alcohol consumption is associated with higher weight in middle age. Stress-induced eating is more common among women due to cultural pressures to reduce weight.

SourceFinnish Institute for Health and Welfare·JournalPsychology and Health·TypeObservational study·DateApr 17, 2023

What previous bird flu outbreaks teach us

Researchers studied H7N9 epidemic waves in China from 2013 to 2017, analyzing gene sequences to build phylogenetic trees. They found the virus likely circulated in poultry for months before being detected, and suggest continuous monitoring of animal health is crucial

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 17, 2023

Fossils reveal the long-term relationship between feathered dinosaurs and feather-feeding beetles

The study found fossils of beetle larvae in intimate contact with dinosaur feathers, suggesting a symbiotic relationship where the beetles fed on the feathers. The discovery provides insight into coevolution between vertebrates and arthropods over 500 million years, revealing rare evidence of their interaction.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

Emotion-focused therapy for bipolar disorder targets the amygdala

A new study found that emotion-focused therapy increased activation and connectivity of the amygdala in patients with bipolar disorder, leading to improved emotion processing. In contrast, cognitive-behavioral therapy showed increased activation of brain regions related to social function but not altered amygdala activity.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 17, 2023

Carbon ‘bank’ at risk of failure: Scientists trying to determine what will happen to massive carbon stores as rainforests dry out

Scientists warn that tropical forests' capacity to act as a carbon sink is declining due to persistent drought. The study found that soil nutrients play a significant role in carbon storage and release, contradicting previous models. Researchers are urging action to address emissions and increase carbon sequestration initiatives.

SourceColorado State University·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

KAIST team develops highly-sensitive wearable piezoelectric blood pressure sensor for continuous health monitoring

A KAIST research team has developed a highly sensitive, wearable piezoelectric blood pressure sensor for continuous health monitoring. The sensor's accuracy meets international standards, with errors within ±5 mmHg and a standard deviation under 8 mmHg for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 17, 2023

JNM publishes appropriate use criteria for lymphoscintigraphy in sentinel node mapping and lymphedema/lipedema

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has issued new appropriate use criteria (AUC) for lymphoscintigraphy in sentinel node mapping and lymphedema/lipedema. The AUC covers four clinical categories of cancer, including breast cancer, skin cancer, and others, and addresses pediatric considerations.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateApr 17, 2023

Facile synthesis of high-performance perovskite oxides for acid–base catalysis

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a simple sol-gel method to synthesize highly pure bifunctional solid acid-base catalysts with desirable properties. The new method produces SrTiO3 nanoparticles with high surface area, showing 10 times higher catalytic activity than commercially available titanates.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

Counting the cost of sunshine: Finding a better metric to measure human ecological footprints

Researchers develop 'Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production' (HANNP) metric to accurately estimate human impacts on the earth's systems. This new approach starts at the source, measuring the total biomass produced through photosynthesis and comparing it to what humans have appropriated for their own use.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalEcological Indicators·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 17, 2023

ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2023

The ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2023 will feature presentations on the latest clinical data on breast cancer treatments, including new drugs and technologies such as antibody drug conjugates and checkpoint inhibitors. The congress will also explore personalized therapeutic approaches for better outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer.

Brain images just got 64 million times sharper

Researchers at Duke University have successfully improved the resolution of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), capturing images of a mouse brain with unprecedented sharpness. The breakthrough allows for the visualization of microscopic details within the brain, enabling new insights into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's an...

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 17, 2023

Scientists create powerful, most-accurate tools to research deadliest blood cancer, study says

Researchers at The Mount Sinai Hospital have created versatile disease models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), allowing for accurate study of the cancer's progression and response to drugs. These models, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, can mimic different stages of AML and are nearly identical to those found in patients.

Come health or high water

Researchers are studying the impact of climate change on basement pathogens, moisture, and air quality in urban environments, focusing on Black Americans in Pittsburgh. The study aims to document conditions and understand the link between weather events and cumulative health impacts for residents across the adult lifespan.