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Science News for August 30, 2023


Inhalable molecules neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in mice

Researchers at Affilogic developed nanofitins that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 by binding to its spike proteins, demonstrating quick reach and clearance of the lungs. The technology has potential for treating other infectious respiratory diseases with lower costs and higher accessibility.

SourceCell Press·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Strategic framing, financial support and capacity-building could raise climate ambitions

A new study suggests that policymakers should emphasize the benefits of climate action beyond economic growth to motivate countries to protect the climate. The researchers analyzed 761 statements from UN member states and found that countries are influenced by how their allies frame issues.

SourceResearch Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam·JournalClimate Policy·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 30, 2023

Tracking drivers’ eyes can determine ability to take back control from ‘auto-pilot’ mode

A new method can detect drivers' attention levels from their eye movements, enabling the development of more effective takeover signals. The study found that drivers who are engrossed in on-screen activities take longer to respond to warnings, highlighting a potential safety concern.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCognitive Research Principles and Implications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Tracking the ol' mutation trail

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered the mechanism by which breast cancer forms in mammalian epithelial cells. The team found that approximately 20 mutations accumulate annually in each cell until menopause, after which the rate decreases significantly.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Editorial: Epigenetic aging in oocytes

The editorial discusses epigenetic mechanisms leading to oocyte quality loss, a significant factor in age-related fertility decline. Researchers highlight the importance of understanding this process to address the growing issue of advanced maternal age and its impact on reproduction.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 30, 2023

Newly engineered versions of bacterial enzyme reveal how antibiotics could be more potent

Researchers have developed a new way to engineer bacterial enzymes, creating unique versions that are hyper-sensitive to existing antibiotics. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of more potent treatments for bacterial infections and improve our understanding of antibiotic resistance.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Penn Medicine researchers identify the link between memory and appetite in the human brain to explain obesity

Researchers found that individuals with higher body mass indexes have impaired connections between the hippocampus and hypothalamus, leading to an inability to control eating habits. The study suggests that targeting this brain circuit may lead to new treatments for obesity and related disordered eating conditions.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 30, 2023

MU researcher combats bullying of students with disabilities

A University of Missouri researcher created an evidence-based, online professional development curriculum to help teachers recognize, respond to, and prevent bullying towards students with disabilities. The curriculum emphasizes building rapport, social skills, and communication skills to improve classroom climates and reduce bullying.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEducation and Urban Society·TypeCase study·DateAug 30, 2023

Pioneering study finds that brain tumours 'hack' the communication between neurons

A pioneering study published in Cancer Cell finds that brain metastasis alters the brain's chemistry and disrupts neuronal communication. Researchers discovered a molecule, EGR1, that may play a role in this process, paving the way for potential drug development to alleviate neurocognitive effects.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalCancer Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Climate extremes hit stressed economies even harder

Climate extremes have a disproportionate impact on already stressed economies, leading to increased costs for households and reduced resilience to future shocks. The study's findings highlight the need for increased economic resilience to cope with climate-related disasters and mitigate non-climate related crises.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 30, 2023

Study finds high blood and urinary metal levels among exclusive marijuana users

Research at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health detected significant levels of metals in the blood and urine of marijuana users, suggesting that marijuana is a source of lead and cadmium exposure. Measurements reported by participants showed higher lead levels in blood and urine among exclusive marijuana users compare...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateAug 30, 2023

The wild boar paradox - finally solved

Researchers from Vienna University of Technology and Leibniz University of Hannover have found the solution to the wild boar paradox. The radioactivity in wild boar meat remains high due to the accumulation of cesium-137 from nuclear weapons tests, which is also present in deer truffles that are particularly favored by wild boars.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Single primer enrichment technology - a new genomic resource to investigate the diversity of lettuce germplasm

A new genotyping method called Single Primer Enrichment Technology (SPET) was used to investigate the genetic diversity of lettuce and identify genomic regions underlying important agronomic traits. The study revealed over 80,000 high-quality SNPs, allowing researchers to group accessions by type and geographic origin.

A simpler way to connect quantum computers

A team of researchers at Princeton University has developed a new approach to building quantum repeaters, which are necessary for connecting quantum devices over long distances. The new device sends high-fidelity quantum information through fiber optic networks, enabling enhanced security and connections between remote quantum computers.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Do smoking significantly increases the risk of mental illness?

Research from Aarhus University suggests that smoking may increase the risk of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia by 250 percent. The study analyzed genetic data from over half a million people and found that certain genetic variants linked to smoking also contribute to mental illness.

SourceAarhus University·JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 30, 2023

Educational attainment protects against a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers found that individuals with a genetic mutation linked to early-onset Alzheimer's disease had slower cognitive decline if they had higher education levels. The study also revealed that the APOE e4 mutation, which significantly increases risk for sporadic Alzheimer's disease, was less detrimental to cognitive function in thos...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateAug 30, 2023

Spelt or common wheat? Their diversity of nutritional components prevents identification of one species as the healthiest

A recent study by the University of Córdoba analyzed the genetic variability of spelt and common wheat varieties, revealing their diverse nutritional components. While spelt generally has higher concentrations of micronutrients like iron and zinc, it also contains more phytic acid, which reduces assimilation.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 30, 2023

Thrush nightingales, territoriality and testosterone

The study found that rising testosterone levels trigger full song development and territorial behavior in thrush nightingales. Full songsters were never found to settle close to each other, while plastic songsters settled close to both full and plastic songsters, indicating a connection between song and territoriality.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateAug 30, 2023

Antibiotics promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut

A new study found that antibiotics promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut by providing extra nutrients, allowing these 'bad' bacteria to multiply. The research suggests that targeting beneficial bacteria can help restrict the growth of resistant bacteria, paving the way for microbiome therapeutics treatments.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Engaging in administrative payment tasks may correlate with treatment delays and nonadherence in cancer care

A study found that engaging in administrative payment tasks was associated with an 18% increase in cost-related treatment delays or nonadherence among cancer patients and survivors. The burden of learning about healthcare costs and fixing billing errors often falls to the patient, exacerbating existing health disparities.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateAug 30, 2023

First-time fathers seem to experience a steeper decline in relationship satisfaction in the first two years post-partum than second-time fathers

A study published in PLOS ONE found that first-time fathers face a steeper decline in relationship satisfaction following childbirth compared to second-time fathers. Second-time fathers experience an increase in relationship satisfaction within 14 months postpartum, returning to baseline levels.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateAug 30, 2023

Semiconductor photocatalyst helps to realize borylation reaction

Researchers developed a heterogeneous photocatalytic system using cadmium sulfide nanosheets to realize borylation reactions involving N-heterocyclic carbene boranes (NHC-BH3). The process enables the synthesis of high-value transformations under room temperature and light conditions.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 30, 2023

Surprising study results: Students are bored during exams

Researchers discovered that test boredom is a significant issue in exams, with underchallenging and overchallenging tasks exacerbating the problem. The study's findings suggest that exam tasks should be relevant to students' lives to minimize test boredom, which can lead to poor performance and negative consequences.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·DateAug 30, 2023

New study shows promising evidence for sickle cell gene therapy

A new clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that stem cell gene therapy may offer a promising, curative treatment for sickle cell disease. The therapy was shown to decrease vaso-occlusive events and increase production of fetal hemoglobin, providing relief from the painful condition.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 30, 2023

Risk of stroke hospitalization after infertility treatment

A recent study of 31 million pregnant individuals found that infertility treatment is associated with an increased risk of stroke-related hospitalization within 12 months of delivery. The risk was evident as early as 30 days postpartum, highlighting the importance of timely follow-up and long-term monitoring to mitigate stroke risk.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 30, 2023

Researchers find male and female immune systems get trained differently in response to infections

Researchers discovered that female mice were more susceptible to opportunistic infections when progesterone levels were high, but this vulnerability was reversed by progesterone blockers. This study's findings suggest a sex-based difference in immune training and may have implications for human immune function.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Lead service lines in New York City disproportionately impact Hispanic/Latino communities and children already at risk of lead exposure

A study by Columbia University found major inequities in NYC's lead service line locations, with Hispanic/Latino communities and high-risk children most affected. The researchers recommend prioritizing lead service line replacement efforts for these communities to address water lead exposure disparities.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateAug 30, 2023

Alcohol makes you more likely to approach attractive people but doesn’t make others seem better looking: Study

A new study found that drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of interacting with attractive people, but doesn't change how others are perceived. When intoxicated, men were 1.71 times more likely to choose one of their top-four attractive candidates to interact with in the future.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

T-cells infiltrate brain, cause respiratory distress in condition affecting the immunocompromised

Research reveals that T-cell infiltration into the brain is the primary cause of pulmonary dysfunction in Cryptococcus-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (C-IRIS). The study provides new insights into the condition and potential treatment pathways.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Researchers reveal key restriction of BiVO4 photoanodes prepared by pyrolysis method

A study led by Prof. ZHANG Fuxiang found that vanadium leaching kinetics and tetragonal phase impurities are key restrictions in BiVO4 photoanodes prepared by one-step pyrolysis method. Optimized methods achieved comparable performance to two-step methods, paving the way for scalable PEC water splitting.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 30, 2023

Study helps explain SARS-CoV-2 variants’ rapid spread

New SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as BQ.11 and XBB.1.5, bind to cells more tightly and evade antibodies more efficiently than earlier variants, allowing reinfections and breakthrough infections. Previous infection or vaccination can generate antibodies that recognize some proteins on newer variants, reducing the risk of serious illness.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Nuclear weapons tests are unappreciated source of radioactivity in German wild boars

Researchers found that nuclear weapon fallout from 60 to 80 years ago also contributes to the persistent radioactivity in German wild boars. The team measured cesium-137 levels and compared them to cesium-135 using a mass spectrometer, finding that nuclear weapons testing supplied between 10 and 68% of the contamination.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateAug 30, 2023

Energy storage in molecules

A team of researchers has discovered a particularly efficient molecular structure for solar energy storage materials, which could lead to more efficient solar energy harvesting. The new molecules were identified by screening over 400,000 molecules with the help of machine learning and quantum computing.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 30, 2023

Cell interactions in abnormal structures in aged kidneys

Researchers investigated the role of tertiary lymphoid tissues in aging kidney disease, identifying proinflammatory interactions between renal cells and immune cells that promote inflammation and injury. The study suggests targeting proinflammatory cytokines for potential therapeutic strategies.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Embargoed - Potent oral agent that acts as both immunotherapy and targeted treatment produces high response rate in patients with hard-to-treat and refractory multiple myeloma when combined with steroid, trial shows

A new oral agent called mezigdomide has shown impressive responses in combination with dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma that had relapsed and stopped responding to all currently available therapies. The treatment produced a response rate of over 40% and a median duration of response of almost 8 months.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 30, 2023

How a mere 12% of Americans eat half the nation’s beef, creating significant health and environmental impacts

A new study found that 12% of Americans are responsible for eating half of all beef consumed on a given day. The study analyzed data from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that these individuals, mostly men or those between 50-65 years old, eat disproportionately large amounts of beef.

SourceTulane University·JournalNutrients·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 30, 2023

AI helps ID cancer risk factors

A novel study from the University of South Australia identified 84 features that could signal increased cancer risk in a dataset of 459,169 UK Biobank participants. The study found several biomarkers linked to cancer risk, including urinary microalbumin and high levels of cystatin C.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Investigation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 30, 2023

Research led by the US and IBiS identifies a new cell type that is key in the development of memory and learning

Researchers have identified a new cell type, ARG1+ microglia, involved in brain development and function during early postnatal stages. This discovery sheds light on the role of microglia in neural systems and their potential link to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 30, 2023