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Science News Archive April 2023 - Page 9


Page 9 of 37

For eco-friendly ammonia, just add water

Stanford researchers develop a simple and environmentally sound method to produce ammonia by combining nitrogen from the air with tiny water droplets, requiring minimal energy and low cost. This innovative approach could revolutionize agriculture and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with current industrial methods.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2023

Study finds stool transplants more effective than antibiotics for treating recurring, life-threatening gut infections

A new Cochrane Review found that stool transplantation can increase the number of people recovering from Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection by 77%, compared to 40% with standard antibiotic treatment. The study also showed a decrease in side effects with stool transplantation.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 24, 2023

Testing antibiotic resistance with a fast, cheap, and easy method

Researchers have developed a fast, cheap, and easy method to test antibiotic resistance in bacteria, using optical nanomotion detection. The technique can determine sensitivity or resistance of bacterial cells to antibiotics in under two hours, with significant implications for clinical and research applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2023

A more precise model of the Earth's ionosphere

A new model of the Earth's ionosphere has been developed using neural networks, which can reconstruct the topside ionosphere with high accuracy. This improvement is crucial for satellite navigation systems, such as global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), which require precise correction of radio signals to mitigate ionospheric delays.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 24, 2023

Scientists detect seismic waves traveling through Martian core for the first time

Researchers used NASA InSight data to directly measure Mars' core properties, finding a completely liquid iron-alloy core with high percentages of sulfur and oxygen. This discovery provides new insights into Martian formation and geological differences between Earth and Mars, potentially impacting planetary habitability.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 24, 2023

Drug combination restores ability of leading treatment to signal for death of blood cancer cells

Researchers found that resistance to leukemia treatment occurs due to rapid increase in mitochondria breakdown and turnover, allowing cells to evade death signals. A new combination of chloroquine and venetoclax restores the drug's ability to kill cancer cells by targeting a specific mitochondrial process.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2023

It’s not as difficult as you think to shout upwind

A new study reveals that our perception of difficulty in shouting upwind is incorrect. It's not the wind itself that makes it hard, but rather our inability to hear ourselves due to the convective attenuation effect. The study found that sound carries better within the first 100 meters upwind, making it easier for others to hear us.

SourceAalto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 24, 2023

HKUMed finds global prevalence of H. pylori infection steadily declining over 40 years Combination of antibiotics in treating H. pylori could alter the virus community in the gut

The study found that the global prevalence of H. pylori infection declined from 58.2% in 1980-1990 to 43.1% in 2011-2022, with a decline of about 0.39-0.83% per year. Despite this decline, over 40% of the adult population still carries the infection, posing a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalThe Lancet·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2023

Red blood cell particles are effective drug carriers in suppressing muscle loss caused by cancer: NUS study

Researchers at NUS found that vesicles released by red blood cells can deliver RNA-based drugs to increase muscle growth and suppress cancer-associated skeletal muscle weakening. The study showed improved efficacy compared to traditional delivery methods without inducing toxicity or inflammatory reactions.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2023

Differentiation landscape of acute myeloid leukemia charted with new tool

A new method, CloneTracer, distinguishes between cancerous and healthy stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study reveals two distinct stem cell compartments and shows that progenitor cells respond better to therapy. This finding paves the way for developing new techniques to predict patient response to chemotherapy.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2023

SHMFF users proposed new method for efficient biomimetic catalysts

Scientists at Hefei Institutes of Physical Science proposed a facile method to design efficient biomimetic catalysts using mechanical induced spin transition. The results show that the mixed-spin nanosheet catalyst exhibits high CO yield and selectivity, outperforming its high-spin counterpart.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 24, 2023

Multiple-model GWAS identifies optimal allelic combinations of quantitative trait loci for malic acid in tomato

A study using multiple-model GWAS identified optimal allelic combinations of quantitative trait loci for higher malic acid content in tomatoes. The researchers deciphered the polygenic architecture of malic acid content and provided new genetic insights into its evolution during breeding.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2023

Keeping a tighter rein on blood pressure in adults over 50 is desirable for brain health

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that intensive blood pressure treatment significantly reduces the risk of adverse cerebrovascular events such as stroke. Participants with hypertension who received intensive treatment showed reduced white matter lesions and improved blood flow, indicating better overall brain health.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 24, 2023

Women’s reactions to states’ breast density information varies by sociodemographic characteristics

A new study by Boston University School of Medicine found that non-Hispanic Black, Asian, and Hispanic women, as well as those with low literacy, experience increased anxiety and confusion when receiving breast density information. These groups are also less likely to feel informed about their breast cancer risk.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalWomens Health International·TypeSurvey·DateApr 24, 2023

If it pays to be a jerk, why isn’t everyone that way?

Research on 28 male chimps found that certain personality traits like dominance and low conscientiousness are linked to high rank and reproductive success. The study suggests that the best personality for males varies depending on environmental or social conditions, rather than being a fixed trait.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateApr 24, 2023

Winter cover crops could reduce nitrogen in Illinois drainage water by 30%

A new University of Illinois study suggests that widespread planting of cereal rye could significantly reduce nitrate levels in Illinois' tile drainage water. The research found that adopting winter cover crops, such as cereal rye, can help minimize nitrogen loss and improve water quality.

Researchers team up with national lab for innovative look at copper reactions

A team of researchers at Binghamton University partnered with Brookhaven National Laboratory to investigate copper oxide peroxides and their effects on oxidation reactions. They used two spectroscopy methods to observe changes in the surface of copper oxide and found that peroxides enhance H2 oxidation but inhibit CO oxidation.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2023

Monkeys are smarter than we thought

A groundbreaking study published in Nature Neuroscience shows that monkeys can think deeply about problems, consider multiple factors, and find optimal outcomes. This discovery challenges traditional views on animal intelligence and highlights the complexity of monkey cognition.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 24, 2023

Pioneering research sheds new light on the origins and composition of planet Mars

Researchers at the University of Bristol used NASA's InSight lander data to detect seismic waves traveling into Mars' core, revealing a denser and smaller core comprising iron and numerous other elements. The study found that the core's composition is distinct from Earth's, with a high fraction of light elements alloyed with iron.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2023

Trends in the prevalence of stroke

A nationally representative sample of community-dwelling adults found that stroke prevalence remained stable overall, but increased among men. The study's estimates underestimate the total burden due to institutional settings not included in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 24, 2023