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Science News Archive July 2023


Page 1 of 36

Deadly fungus beaten with new type of treatment

Researchers have discovered a new way to combat fatal fungal infections by blocking the production of fatty acids, a major component of fats. The breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments against species-resistant fungi.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Chemical Biology·DateJul 31, 2023

Structural insights illuminate the arms race between crop plants and fungal pathogens

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research have characterized the structures of several powdery mildew effectors, revealing a common scaffold that allows them to evade recognition by plant immune receptors. This discovery provides new insights into the molecular arms race between plants and fungal pathogens.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

The Lancet: New study reveals global anemia cases remain persistently high among women and children. Anemia rates decline for men.

A new study reveals that nearly 2 billion people worldwide suffer from anemia, with women and children disproportionately affected. Anemia rates have declined among men, but progress has been slow for women and children, driven by factors such as access to nutrition, socioeconomic status, and unmet need for contraception.

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalThe Lancet Haematology·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 31, 2023

New study findings underscore the importance of timely newborn screenings in early care for cystic fibrosis

A new study by Dr. Stacey Martiniano found that late diagnosis of cystic fibrosis due to delays in evaluation after a positive newborn screen test results in poorer long-term nutritional outcomes, including reduced weight-for-age and height-for-age. Early initiation of CF care is essential to improve health outcomes in infants with CF.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJul 31, 2023

Study raises possibility of immunotherapy treatment for ALS

Researchers at OHSU identified a type of monoclonal antibody that can slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by modulating immune cells. The study used a mouse model and confirmed results in human brains affected by ALS, revealing a promising potential treatment for this fatal neurodegenerative disease.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

Study demonstrates efficacy of new short-term resistant TB treatment

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine successfully treated four patients with resistant TB using a six-month regimen of bedaquiline, pretomanid and linezolid. This novel approach achieves superior outcomes with less side effects in a shorter period, improving health equity for MDR TB patients.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalThe International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease·TypeObservational study·DateJul 31, 2023

Stick-to-itiveness: Pitt engineers show self-organization of sticky micron-to-mesoscale 3D structures in confined fluids

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a system that uses fluid mechanics and chemo-mechanical processes to autonomously assemble hierarchical 3D structures. The system utilizes sticky bonds to drive self-organization, allowing for the construction of complex devices with minimal external intervention.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 31, 2023

CABBI develops eco-friendly enzyme to create key chemical building blocks

Researchers at CABBI develop photoenzymatic system to efficiently synthesize chiral amines, crucial chemical building blocks with wide applications. The team's new method addresses a longstanding challenge in synthetic chemistry and offers a promising platform for biomanufacturing.

How to distinguish slow and fast earthquakes

Researchers from the University of Tokyo and Stanford University analyze slow and fast earthquakes, showing that their magnitudes vary with time. The study confirms the scaling law for slow earthquakes, which defines the relationship between magnitude and duration, and reveals physical processes governing events.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2023

Insolation affected ice age climate dynamics

A recent study by German and Austrian researchers used stalagmites to document the impact of summer insolation on ice age climate dynamics. The findings suggest that warm phases appeared primarily during peak Northern Hemisphere summer insolation, with model simulations confirming these results.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateJul 31, 2023

When cheating pays – survival strategy of insect uncovered

Researchers have discovered a 'cheating' strategy used by an insect in New Zealand to avoid being eaten. The Zelandoperla fenestrata stonefly mimics the appearance of a cyanide-producing species to deter predators. However, this strategy may not be effective in regions where the toxic species is rare, and can backfire if the mimicry st...

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateJul 31, 2023

Researchers find little evidence of cheating with online, unsupervised exams

A recent study by Iowa State University researchers found that individual student scores were slightly higher but consistent with in-person, proctored exams when taking online, unsupervised exams. The results hold true across different academic disciplines, class sizes, and test styles, indicating the validity of these assessments.

SourceIowa State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2023

Luzio, who lived in São Paulo 10,000 years ago, was Amerindian like Indigenous people now, DNA reveals

A study analyzing genomic data from 34 fossils, including the famous sambaquis shell mounds, found that Luzio, São Paulo's oldest skeleton, was a descendant of the ancestral population that settled the Americas at least 16,000 years ago. The research also revealed differences between coastal and inland communities, suggesting two disti...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 31, 2023

Hydrogen sulfide shows promise as healthy ageing therapeutic when specifically targeted within cells

Targeting tiny amounts of hydrogen sulfide to specific areas of cells in adult worms improved health and activity as they aged, according to a University of Exeter study. The research found that H2S improved the integrity of mitochondria, kept muscles active, and extended lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

Music therapy team increases collection of patient-reported outcomes to improve clinical research and practice

Researchers at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center implemented a quality improvement initiative to improve documentation consistency and increase the capture of patient-reported outcomes. The findings show that music therapists' rates of capturing PROs increased significantly, with notable improvements in stress, pain, anxiet...

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalJMIR Human Factors·TypeObservational study·DateJul 31, 2023

Are quantum computers the future of genome analysis?

A Japanese research team has developed a technique that could lead to a new paradigm for genomic analysis using quantum computers. The breakthrough involves identifying single nucleotides, a crucial step toward creating a molecular sequencer of DNA.

SourceOsaka University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2023

Frosty hydrogen as target

A new technique uses frozen hydrogen as a target for high-power laser pulses, improving proton acceleration efficiency and paving the way for advanced tumor therapy concepts. The method generates multiple proton bunches per second and optimizes the process through AI algorithms.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

Nuisance vegetation removal in Senegalese waterways reduces the overall prevalence of parasitic infections and increases local food production

Removing nuisance aquatic vegetation from waterways reduces parasitic infection prevalence by up to 124%, while generating feed and compost for local farmers. The study's findings suggest a potential solution for schistosomiasis endemic areas, with implications for global health.

Hole in one, not hole from sun

A new study from the University of South Australia reveals that golfers have a higher lifetime prevalence of skin cancer compared to the general population. The research highlights the importance of sun protection strategies for golfers, who spend extended periods in the sun.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJul 31, 2023

Rio Pará contributes high trace metal concentrations to the Amazon estuary

New research reveals that the Amazon estuary receives significant dissolved neodymium and hafnium from the Rio Pará River, contrary to previous assumptions about suspended solid sources. The findings indicate a revised estimate of global riverine neodymium flux, with concentrations up to three times higher than previously thought.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 31, 2023