Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for August 16, 2023


HKUMed & CityU researchers jointly generate human neural stem cells with powerful therapeutic potential for the treatment of spinal cord injury, paving the way for new therapeutic opportunities

Researchers from HKUMed and CityU have generated human neural stem cells with enhanced therapeutic potential for treating spinal cord injuries. The new findings, published in Advanced Science, show that reducing the expression of the SOX9 gene promotes motor neuron formation and improves survival and integration of the stem cells.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Can we assess our own immune system?

A study by the University of Konstanz found that people's self-assessments of their immune response to vaccination corresponded surprisingly well with actual antibody levels, especially when the immune response was weak. The researchers suggest that patients' self-perceptions provide valuable clues about their state of health, and phys...

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalBiological Psychology·DateAug 16, 2023

For a new generation of antibiotics, scientists are bringing extinct molecules back to life – and discovering the hidden genetics of immunity along the way

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have discovered dozens of small protein sequences with antibiotic qualities in extinct organisms like Neanderthals and Denisovans. They then synthesized these molecules using artificial intelligence and tested their efficacy against pathogens.

Directly involved war veterans exhibit nearly twice the PTSD symptoms years after 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, affecting parents' well-being

A study by Hebrew University researchers found that directly involved war veterans exhibited almost double the level of PTSD symptoms compared to indirectly active veterans. Parents of active veterans experienced heightened secondary traumatic stress, with mothers bearing a greater burden than fathers.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 16, 2023

New study reveals temperature-coupled song preferences in an eavesdropping parasitoid fly

Researchers found that the acoustic parasitoid fly Ormia ochracea exhibits temperature-coupled song temporal pattern preferences, shifting its preference with ambient temperature. This discovery suggests a new possibility for eavesdropping flies to recognize host cricket songs across a wide range of temperatures.

SourceSt. Olaf College·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Long-lived quantum state points the way to solving a mystery in radioactive nuclei

A team of scientists led by Timothy Gray has discovered a long-lived excited state in radioactive sodium-32 nuclei, which has an unusually long lifetime of 24 microseconds. This finding challenges traditional nuclear structure models and raises questions about how nuclear shapes evolve over time.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 16, 2023

Protective particles allow engineered probiotics to report gut disease

Researchers developed a platform that allows engineered biosensor bacteria to safely pass through the gastrointestinal tract in animal models. The platform enables real-time monitoring of gut health and can be used to diagnose and monitor various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. It has the potential to revolutionize pati...

SourceRice University·JournalBiomaterials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Why killer bacteria affect some people more severely

Researchers found that genetic variants of the STING gene and bacterial NADase enzyme activity interact to determine disease severity. People with the risk variant of STING have a higher risk of life-threatening conditions, while those with the protective variant are less affected.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 16, 2023

Building muscle in the lab

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to grow functional human muscle stem cells in the lab using mRNA technology. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for muscular dystrophy and other muscle disorders. The team successfully converted connective tissue cells into muscle stem cells, producing fully functional muscl...

SourceETH Zurich·Journalnpj Regenerative Medicine·DateAug 16, 2023

Several vaccines associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease in adults 65 and older

Researchers found that vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, and shingles, as well as pneumococcus, may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 25-30% in adults over 65. Vaccination is hypothesized to change how the immune system responds to toxic proteins contributing to Alzheimer’s disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·DateAug 16, 2023

Harnessing big data reveals birds’ coexisting tactics

Scientists at Michigan State University used big data to study bird coexistence in the Albertine Rift ecosystem. They found that birds partition their habitat use along environmental gradients and adopt different strategies to survive, allowing them to coexist without driving each other to extinction.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateAug 16, 2023

Genetically modified neural stem cells developed by CityU and HKUMed researchers show promising therapeutic potential for spinal cord injury

Researchers at CityU and HKUMed developed genetically modified human neural stem cells that promote neural circuit reconstruction, reduce glial scar accumulation, and enhance axon outgrowth. The therapy demonstrates potential for treating severe spinal cord injuries with functional recovery.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Universal linear processing of spatially incoherent light through diffractive optical networks

A team of researchers led by Professor Aydogan Ozcan has developed methods for designing all-optical universal linear processors of spatially incoherent light. These processors use successive diffraction of light to perform arbitrary linear transformations without external digital computing power, enabling fast and energy-efficient com...

Children and adolescents of the 1959-61 Chinese famine: Survivors face increased risk of non-communicable diseases 50 years later, with those exposed in utero or under age 2 at double the risk

Researchers found that children and adolescents exposed to the 1959-61 Chinese famine in utero or under age 2 are at double the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. The study, published in PLOS Global Public Health, examined the long-term health effects of early exposure to famine on later life.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateAug 16, 2023

Attitudes toward minorities with dual social identities appear to be driven more by the positive influence of the shared identity than the potential negative influence of the unshared foreign identity

A new study found that exposure to groups with dual social identities improves intergroup attitudes, especially when individuals identify strongly with both parts of their identity. This suggests that embracing both identities can be beneficial for minorities in terms of intergroup relations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateAug 16, 2023

Nauseous territory: outfoxing predators using baits that make them barf

A team of international researchers have successfully conditioned red foxes to avoid native prey by associating it with nauseous chemicals. The study, published in Conservation Science and Practice, used levamisole to induce nausea and vomiting in the predators. By hiding the taste and smell of the chemical, the researchers were able t...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalConservation Science and Practice·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Bee populations at risk of one-two punch from heat waves, pathogen infection

A global research team found that extreme heat exposure and prior infection from a protozoan pathogen can severely negatively impact solitary bees' thermal physiology and behavior. The study showed that healthy bees can tolerate high temperatures, but infected ones are less tolerant, affecting their ability to forage and pollinate crops.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

THE LANCET: Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pill is more effective when taken with an anti-inflammatory medication, study suggests

A recent study published in The Lancet found that taking levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pills with an anti-inflammatory medication called piroxicam significantly prevents more pregnancies compared to taking levonorgestrel alone. The co-treatment increased the pill's efficacy by up to 32%.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 16, 2023

Study finds improved survival for incurable brain tumor, providing ‘a crack in the armor’

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a potential treatment for diffuse midline glioma, a type of childhood brain tumor with no effective treatments. The compound ONC201 nearly doubled survival rates in patients with the disease, and the underlying mechanism behind its success has been explained.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 16, 2023

One team member's effort can jumpstart the whole team's efforts, new analysis of football teams reveals

A new study by Ben-Gurion University researchers measures effort in football teams, finding that peer effort positively affects individual effort. Teammates' social connections also contribute to positive effects. The findings suggest that managers should consider workers' compensation based on effort, not just performance.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalManagement Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 16, 2023

Medications for chronic diseases affect the body’s ability to regulate body temperature, keep cool

Chronic disease medications impair the body's ability to regulate core temperature, increasing the risk of heat-related illness in elderly patients. Exercise and improved fitness levels can help mitigate these effects, but bodily impairments from chemotherapy and medications may limit exercise capacity.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalPharmacological Reviews·TypeObservational study·DateAug 16, 2023

What is the next step in preventative therapies for treating liver cancer?

Recent studies have identified molecular inflammatory mechanisms that trigger the growth and transformation of progenitor cells into cancer stem cells, a key step in liver cancer development. Maintaining progenitor cell compartment integrity could be an attractive therapeutic strategy, while targeting IL-17 production may eradicate CSC...

SourceFirst Hospital of Jilin University·JournaleGastroenterology·DateAug 16, 2023

Common wristbands ‘hotbed’ for harmful bacteria including E. coli, staphylococcus

A study by Florida Atlantic University found that nearly all wristbands (95%) are contaminated with harmful bacteria, including E. coli and staphylococcus. The study suggests using metal types like gold and silver, which had little to no bacteria, and recommends regular sanitizing of wristbands, especially after gym activities.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalAdvances in Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Inhibiting glutamine metabolism impacts tumor cells or the microenvironment?

Glutamine metabolism plays a crucial role in cancer cell growth and survival, with its inhibition shown to block cancer cell growth in vivo and in vitro. A recent editorial paper suggests that glutamine dysregulation may also impact the tumor microenvironment, potentially leading to increased oxidative stress and cancer cell death.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 16, 2023

Adherence to a Mediterranean lifestyle associated with lower risk of all-cause and cancer mortality

A new study finds that people who adhere to a Mediterranean lifestyle have a lower risk of all-cause and cancer mortality. The study, led by La Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, analyzed data from 110,799 participants and found an inverse association between adherence to the Mediterranean lif...

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·TypeObservational study·DateAug 16, 2023

Photonic skin sensing network for cardiovascular health monitoring

Researchers propose a spatiotemporal hemodynamic monitoring technique using skin-like microfiber Bragg grating group for real-time monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral resistance, and vascular elasticity. The device can detect subtle physiological signals and presents the dynamics of the systemic cardiovascular system.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateAug 16, 2023

People are more likely to return to parkrun if they are male, older, and faster runners, and if their event is smaller and near to freshwater and woodland, according to data from over 20,000 first time participants in Scotland

A study of over 20,000 first-time parkrun participants in Scotland found that returning runners were more likely to be male, older, and faster. The event's proximity to freshwater and woodland also played a significant role in retention rates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateAug 16, 2023

Canadian researchers find radiation not necessary for patients with low-risk breast cancer

Women with low-risk breast cancer aged 55 or older can be effectively treated without radiation after surgery, according to new research published in The New England Journal of Medicine. A total of 2.3% of patients experienced recurrence of cancer in the breast five years post-surgery.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 16, 2023

Schizophrenia genetic risk factor impairs mitochondrial function

Researchers have discovered a possible link between mitochondrial function and schizophrenia, highlighting impaired energy production as a key factor in its development. Mitochondrial dysregulation can cause psychiatric symptoms and disorders, and its effects are seen not only in the brain but also in other cells, such as kidney cells.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Layered and traditional semiconductors heterogenous integration open door for post Moore era

Scientists have demonstrated techniques to fabricate layered semiconductors with suitable bandgap and band structure, offering a new class of materials in photoelectronic applications. Heterogeneous integration of TMDs and traditional semiconductors enables the exploration of next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateAug 16, 2023

Good dogs: owners of recently-adopted shelter dogs tend to report high satisfaction with their new pet despite also reporting increases in problem behavior over time

Despite increased problem behaviors like stranger aggression and training problems, shelter dog owners reported high satisfaction rates of 94% due to improved behavior over time. Owners also noted a decrease in separation-related behaviors as their dogs became more assured of return home.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateAug 16, 2023

NTU Singapore scientists develop a sustainable way to convert kale waste into products for health and personal care

A new technique converts kale waste into phytochemicals for use in health and personal care products, preserving potency and using non-toxic solvents. The method reduces energy consumption and emissions, making it attractive for industry adoption and supporting a circular economy.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalSeparation and Purification Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Novel lateral data storage: Two-dimensional ferroelectric semiconductor memory with a bottom contact 100 nm channel using in-plane polarization

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel ferroelectric semiconductor memory device with a 100 nm channel length, enabling high-density storage and seamless integration with existing semiconductor technologies. The device exhibits typical resistive switching, high on/off ratio, large memory window, and good re...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Oceans release microplastics into the atmosphere

A team of researchers has determined that microplastic particles are present in the marine atmosphere, even in remote parts of the world. The study found that different types of plastics, including polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, were detected in air samples collected from various sites along the Norwegian coast.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateAug 16, 2023

Sylvester Surgeon-scientist awarded center’s first Department of Defense grant to study pancreatic cancer

Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center will investigate signaling mechanisms between myeloid-derived suppressor cells and pro-inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer. The goal is to develop a nanoengineered immunotherapy that selectively disrupts these interactions to target treatment resistance.

Electrochemical flow aziridination of terpenes

Scientists have created a novel electrochemical flow aziridination method to produce nitrogen-containing compounds from unactivated alkenes, which can lead to the discovery of new drug candidates. The approach overcomes limitations of traditional methods by using radical/radical cation cross-coupling.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateAug 16, 2023

Study uncovers impact of 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic on infant health

A historical analysis of Bern Maternity Hospital data showed a notable surge in low birth weight and stillbirth rates coinciding with the 1918 'Spanish flu' pandemic. Researchers found that mothers exposed to the pandemic had a higher risk of stillbirth, highlighting the potential impact of pandemics on infant health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 16, 2023

Oxygen charge for battling multidrug-resistant pathogens

Researchers have developed a molecular 'singlet oxygen battery' that can target and kill methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria in deep tissue layers. The technology, which does not require external light or oxygen, is highly effective in treating pulmonary infections caused by MRSA.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Racism, poverty, and illiteracy increase the risk of contracting and succumbing to AIDS in Brazil

A retrospective study of 28.3 million people in Brazil found that social determinants like poverty, education, and racism significantly increase the risk of contracting and succumbing to AIDS. Lower wealth and education levels were strongly associated with higher AIDS incidence and mortality rates.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 16, 2023

Patterns in cancer incidence among people younger than age 50

Early-onset cancer incidence rates among people under 50 increased significantly between 2010 and 2019, with breast cancer leading the number of cases. Gastrointestinal cancers showed the highest growth rate in this age group, highlighting the need for targeted surveillance strategies and funding priorities

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 16, 2023

Researchers discover contrast dye shortage affected assessment of stroke patients

A study led by University of Missouri neurologist Adnan Qureshi discovered that last year's iodinated media contrast dye shortage impacted the assessment of stroke patients in the US. The shortage resulted in a significant decrease in CT angiograph and CT perfusion scans, affecting blood flow and brain tissue identification.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology·TypeCase study·DateAug 16, 2023

Bridging the "yellow-green gap" - GaN-based LED achieves high-rate Wavelength division multiplexing visible light communication system with three-dimensional quantum well structure

A new GaN-based LED achieves high-rate Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) Visible Light Communication (VLC) system with a three-dimensional quantum well structure. The system can support up to eight independent channels for WDM and achieves a total transmission rate of 31.38Gb/s.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Science·DateAug 16, 2023

Hummingbird beak points the way to future micro machine design

A Cornell research team has developed a new way to design complex microscale machines, one that draws inspiration from the operation of proteins and hummingbird beaks. The lead author is Itay Griniasty, who led the development of an algorithm to simplify the search for magnetic patterns that spur the desired bifurcation.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 16, 2023