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Science News for January 3, 2023


Researchers demonstrate new sensors by creating novel health monitoring, machine interface devices

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a highly sensitive and stretchable strain sensor that can detect minor changes in strain with great range of motion. The sensor's innovative design features a patterned cut network that enables it to withstand significant deformation without sacrificing sensitivity.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2023

New role of small RNAs in Salmonella infections uncovered

Researchers discovered that small RNAs regulate Salmonella's virulence genes by stabilizing mRNA stability through the hilD 3' untranslated region. The study found that Spot 42 and SdsR sRNAs are crucial for controlling SPI-1 expression, leading to improved understanding of Salmonella's pathogenicity.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2023

Researchers succeeded in developing a light source that produced two entangled light beams

Scientists successfully created a light source that produced two entangled light beams using rubidium atoms. The entanglement was achieved by adding new detection steps to measure the quantum correlations in the amplitudes and phases of the fields generated, enabling applications in quantum computing, encryption, and metrology.

A brain game may predict your risk of infection

Researchers found that subtle variations in daily cognitive performance can signal changes in brain states increasing the risk of illness. The study used a digital self-test to measure cognitive function and found a strong association between cognitive variability and immune performance.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2023

Tipping points complicate the evaluation of complex climate models

Researchers warn that commonly used methods for estimating equilibrium climate sensitivity in complex climate models may be underestimating temperature rise. The study highlights the need for longer simulations to account for potential late tipping points, which could significantly influence global warming.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·DateJan 3, 2023

Fewer moths, more flies

Research reveals dramatic shifts in pollinators across the last century, with hoverflies and moths becoming less frequent visitors to flowers, replaced by flies of the genus Thricops. The findings suggest that plants may be able to compensate for these losses, but changes in insect communities could lead to reduced pollination services.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2023

January issues of American Psychiatric Association journals cover childhood and neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders, suicide screening and technological advances in CBT

The American Psychiatric Association's January journal issues focus on childhood- and neurodevelopment-related psychiatric disorders. A study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry explores how brain scans predict treatment response to psychotherapy for OCD.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 3, 2023

A stem cell's sense of touch

Embryonic cells use mechanical cues, known as the cell's sense of touch, to make collective decisions during tissue formation. The study reveals that cells perceive the stiffness and confinement of a 'living foam' structure, which changes its properties at the moment of differentiation.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 3, 2023

To identify a voice, brains rely on sight

A new study suggests that the brain's ability to identify a voice is linked to its ability to recognize faces, with a common brain center processing both visual and auditory information. This finding has important implications for understanding disorders where voice or face recognition is compromised.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Neurophysiology·DateJan 3, 2023

Researchers design educational course for Illinois practitioners to address lack of knowledge on tick-borne diseases

A recent study found that medical professionals in Illinois were relatively knowledgeable about diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, but lacked information on other tick-borne diseases. The researchers are now designing a continuing education course to educate practitioners on current ranges of ticks and risk of disease.

HKUMed discovers a diagnostic potential of the amniotic fluid cells RNA-sequencing in deciphering rare diseases

Researchers at HKUMed have established a baseline for gene expression profiles of amniotic fluid cells using RNA-sequencing, providing potential clinical utility for prenatal diagnosis. The study identified outliers in genes associated with structural congenital anomalies, offering new evidence for diagnosis.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalGenomic Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2023

When doctors know each other

Research from Harvard Medical School finds that specialists who trained with patients' primary care physicians report treating patients with a more concerned manner and clearer explanations. Patients also experience greater engagement in shared decision-making and improved medication-prescribing behavior.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 3, 2023

Nuclear medicine bone scan study identifies prevalence and outcomes of cardiac amyloidosis

A new study found that approximately three percent of all bone scan patients have markers of cardiac amyloidosis, which can lead to heart failure and increased mortality. The research highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, as well as potential automated detection methods using machine-learning algorithms.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJan 3, 2023

Researchers develop, validate tool to visualize 3D architectural properties of atherosclerosis plaques

Researchers developed an advanced MRI tool that reveals structural insights into atherothrombosis by detecting regions at risk of rupture or atherothrombosis. The tool provides new information on fatty material formation in arteries, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes for individuals with atherosclerotic disease.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2023

Microprotein increases appetite in mice

Researchers at Salk Institute discover thousands of previously unknown microproteins in brown and white fat tissue, finding that one, Gm8773, increases feeding activity in mice. This discovery could lead to the development of a therapeutic to promote weight gain in certain disease situations.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJan 3, 2023

Pandemic put more parenting stress on mothers

A new study reveals that mothers working from home during the pandemic took on significantly more supervisory parenting responsibilities than fathers, often spending an extra two hours managing childcare duties. The researchers also found that women were more likely to adapt their work schedules to accommodate changing family needs.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateJan 3, 2023

Taming Overactive mTOR in Renal Cell Cancer

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a novel mechanism of tumor formation in kidney cancers, highlighting the role of overactive mTORC1 signaling pathway and loss of the TSC tumor suppressor gene. Activation of microphthalmia transcription factors (MITF) family by unopposed mTOR signaling may lead to abnormal cell gr...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2023

Age-related macular degeneration a risk factor for COVID-19 infection, severe disease

Recent research suggests that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a clinical risk factor for severe complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including respiratory failure and death. AMD shares common genetic risk factors with COVID-19, and lowering PDGFB gene activity may reduce the severity of COVID-19 in older individuals.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 3, 2023

New pediatric investigation article reviews the potential of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement for congenital heart disorders

The procedure requires thorough pre-procedural evaluation and assessment of anatomical and hemodynamic data. Long-term results indicate that TPVR can effectively restore RVOT function, while improving survival rates and reducing the need for reintervention across age groups. Vigilant testing is recommended to avoid rare but serious com...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalPediatric Investigation·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 3, 2023