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Science News for July 13, 2023


UT Health Science Center San Antonio develops tool that counts brain lesions in seconds

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has developed an AI algorithm that can accurately count brain lesions on MRI scans in seconds. This tool helps neuroradiologists evaluate patients' brain diseases at earlier stages and identify the most significant lesions associated with stroke and small-vessel disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 13, 2023

Targeted prevention helps stop homelessness before it starts

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that targeted financial assistance can prevent homelessness, with participants 81% less likely to become homeless within six months. The study suggests that investing in homelessness prevention programs can yield benefits exceeding the costs.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalThe Review of Economics and Statistics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 13, 2023

How an “AI-tocracy” emerges

A new study by MIT researchers finds that China's government uses AI-driven facial recognition to suppress dissent, but this approach also spurs the development of better AI tools and other innovative technologies. The study suggests that this 'AI-tocracy' cycle entrenches the regime while stimulating further innovation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateJul 13, 2023

Estrogen and PARP inhibitor combination for advanced ER+ breast cancer shows promise in preclinical models

A new study by researchers at Dartmouth Cancer Center shows that a combination of estrogen and PARP inhibitors can effectively treat advanced ER+ breast cancer by damaging cancer cells and preventing DNA repair. The treatment strategy has been shown to be effective regardless of BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations.

SourceDartmouth Health·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

New study suggests combination therapy to prevent resistance to treatment in hormone responsive metastatic breast cancer patients

A new study led by Sandra Casimiro and Luís Costa found a promising molecular target, the RANK signaling pathway, that could be used in combination with standard care to avoid resistance to treatment in metastatic breast cancer. High levels of RANK in cancer cells are associated with resistance to treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors.

SourceInstituto de Medicina Molecular·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Eyes in the skies confirm the end of trash burning in the Maldives

A new AI approach has confirmed that the Maldivian government effectively enforced its ban on open trash burning and single-use plastics, eliminating toxic smoke plumes from satellite imagery. The tool, trained using transfer learning and image segmentation, achieved 88% accuracy in identifying plumes.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Controlling quantum randomness from the vacuum

A team of researchers at MIT has successfully controlled quantum randomness from the vacuum, a milestone in quantum technologies. By injecting a weak laser bias into an optical parametric oscillator, they have created a controllable source of 'biased' quantum randomness, enabling probabilistic computing and ultra-precise field sensing.

Despite doubts from quantum physicists: Einstein's theory of relativity reaffirmed

A team from Leibniz University Hannover and University of Bremen confirmed the equivalence principle, proving passive and active gravitational mass are always equivalent, regardless of composition. This finding contradicts quantum theory's prediction of a violation, with accuracy 100 times greater than previous studies.

SourceLeibniz University Hannover·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 13, 2023

A ferroelectric transistor that stores and computes at scale

A new FE-FET design demonstrates record-breaking performances in computing and memory, achieving large memory window with impressively small device dimensions. The combination of molybdenum disulfide and aluminum scandium nitride materials enables energy-efficient devices for both computing and non-volatile memory applications.

Ketamine effective for treatment-resistant depression: clinical trial

A low-cost version of ketamine has shown strong results in treating treatment-resistant depression, with over 20% participants achieving total remission and a third experiencing symptom improvement. The study's findings bring definitive evidence to the field, which can be more affordable than existing treatments.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 13, 2023

New oxychloride solid-state electrolyte for lithium batteries shows good performance with ultra-low cost

Researchers developed a new solid-state electrolyte named lithium zirconium oxychloride (LZCO) from affordable compounds, achieving state-of-the-art performance at low cost. LZCO boasts high room-temperature ionic conductivity and exceptional compressibility, comparable to advanced sulfide and chloride solid-state electrolytes.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 13, 2023

Detecting spoiled food with LEDs

A team of researchers has developed a new LED technology that can detect spoiled food by emitting light in two different wavelength ranges. The modified LEDs use perovskite materials to capture and convert light, allowing for non-invasive imaging of food freshness.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Joint study unveils how COVID-19 adversely impacts placenta during pregnancy

A joint study reveals significant alterations in gene regulation within the placenta due to COVID-19 infection, potentially leading to abnormal blood vessel formation and fetal growth restriction. The research also identifies dysregulation of angiogenesis genes and downregulation of pregnancy-specific glycoprotein genes.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

THE LANCET HEALTHY LONGEVITY: Razor-sharp memory function in older adults linked to faster movement and better mental health, study suggests

A new study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal found that superagers, individuals with razor-sharp memory function, have faster movement speed and better mental health compared to typical older adults. They also tend to have lower rates of anxiety and depression.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeObservational study·DateJul 13, 2023

People with more empathy more likely to support international sharing of coronavirus vaccines, study shows

A survey of 2,000 German adults found that people with higher levels of empathy and cosmopolitanism are more likely to prioritize sharing vaccine supplies internationally. The study suggests that there is substantial public support for international vaccine solidarity when infection rates are at a modest level and falling.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateJul 13, 2023

Low-dose atropine eyedrops no better than placebo for slowing myopia progression

A randomized controlled trial funded by NIH found low-dose atropine eyedrops to be no better than placebo in slowing myopia progression among US children. The study contradicts previous East Asian trials that showed a benefit from 0.01% atropine. Further research is needed to identify an optimal approach for preventing high myopia.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 13, 2023

Alien invasion: Study reveals alarming economic costs of biological invasions to the European Union

A recent study led by McGill University estimates that the European Union will face significant economic losses due to biological invasions, with costs projected to reach over €142.73 billion by 2040. The study highlights the need for effective management and collaboration to address this threat.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEnvironmental Sciences Europe·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 13, 2023

Controlled cruelty: New study from VCU finds aggression can arise from successful self-control

A new study by VCU researcher David Chester found that aggression is not always the product of poor self-control, but rather can be the result of successful self-control to inflict greater retribution. The study argues for a more nuanced view of aggression and challenges common interventions aimed at reducing violence.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalSocial and Personality Psychology Compass·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 13, 2023

Artificially grown ‘mini-brains’ without animal components bring opportunities for neuroscience

Scientists have created human brain organoids free of animal cells, which could greatly improve the study and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. The novel method uses an engineered extracellular matrix to support stem cell growth, resulting in more accurate models of brain development.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Fear is in the eye of the beholder

A cluster of neurons in the brains of fruit flies has been found to control visual aversion to scary objects. The researchers discovered that these neurons release a chemical called tachykinin, which regulates vision when feeling afraid.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Freeze charges in flames

Researchers at KAUST studied the use of high voltages to control charged particles in flames, which could lead to improved flame stability and reduced soot formation. The team developed a simulation to understand this phenomenon and tested its predictions by studying a flame inside a cavity exposed to electric fields of up to 2,500 volts.

Efficient boron neutron capture therapy for brain tumor with novel boron carrier

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel boron agent that selectively accumulates in brain tumor cells, exhibits enhanced blood retention, and can be administered at low doses. The agent, PBC-IP, shows promising results in preclinical studies, highlighting its potential for radiotherapy in treating glioblastoma.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Search for dark matter at Jülich

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich's Nuclear Physics Institute have searched for dark matter using a specialized particle accelerator and detected axionlike particles. The experiment utilized polarized beams to measure the electric dipole moments of charged particles, revealing a promising method in the search for dark matter.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

A new method allows quantifying the spatial intermittency of ocean currents

A new methodology developed by the ICM-CSIC team accurately estimates horizontal diffusion of water masses in different ocean regions. The study uses over 600 drifting buoys to quantify horizontal diffusive processes, revealing maximum diffusion near the surface and minimum values at depths of 1400-2000 m.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 13, 2023

Multidisciplinary team reduced hypothermia in NICU babies during and after surgery

A multidisciplinary team implemented a quality improvement project to reduce hypothermia in NICU babies before, during, and after surgery. The project resulted in significant decreases in intraoperative and postoperative hypothermia rates, demonstrating the effectiveness of standardized temperature monitoring and thermal support.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalPediatric Quality and Safety·DateJul 13, 2023

New material could hold key to reducing energy consumption in computers and electronics

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a thin film of a unique semimetal material that can generate more computing power and memory storage while using significantly less energy. The study, published in Nature Communications, has important findings about the physics behind its unique properties.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Longevity biotech startup Gero demonstrates the power of quantum computing in drug design

A hybrid quantum-classical machine-learning model was used to generate novel chemical structures for potential drugs, suggesting unique compounds with biologically active properties. The system successfully proposed 2,331 novel molecules with high novelty, paving the way for a dramatic acceleration of drug discovery.

SourceGero·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 13, 2023

Tau-based biomarker tracks Alzheimer’s progression

A new biomarker, MTBR-tau243, tracks Alzheimer's disease progression by measuring levels of a specific form of tau in cerebrospinal fluid. The finding has major implications for diagnosing and staging the disease, and could accelerate the development of effective treatments.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 13, 2023

Development of new p38 protein inhibitors with therapeutic potential for some heart diseases

Researchers at IRB Barcelona have developed new p38 inhibitors that selectively impair one of the activation pathways of the protein, allowing it to perform many of its normal functions. The inhibitors show therapeutic potential for heart diseases such as cardiac cell death and cardiotoxicity.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Women’s soccer rated as highly as men’s

Researchers investigated whether people rate women's and men's soccer differently based on player gender. They found that biased perceptions of female athletes' talent and toughness exist, affecting how we perceive their performance quality. The study suggests that women's soccer hasn't yet reached its full economic potential.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalSport Management Review·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

The economic life of cells

A team from the University of Tokyo combines economic theory with biology to understand how natural systems respond to change. They use the Slutsky equation to discover that different metabolic systems share previously unknown universal properties, which can be understood using tools from other academic fields.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 13, 2023

Engineering dual carriageways for signals

Researchers have developed a new class of systems that exploit interference to create quadrature nonreciprocity, allowing for unidirectional signal transmission without breaking time-reversal symmetry. This enables the creation of dual carriageways for signals, with potential applications in quantum information processing and sensing.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 13, 2023

Researchers’ sweeping discovery shows how kidney cells self-renew

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have discovered a previously unknown self-renewal mechanism in kidney cells that allows them to rejuvenate themselves and remain healthy. This process is fundamentally different from other regenerative processes, such as cell division, and enables kidneys to function normally for life.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

3D glasses for topological materials

Scientists have successfully visualized the topology of electrons in topological quantum materials using '3D glasses,' a technique that uses circularly polarized X-ray light. This breakthrough enables the characterization of quantum materials topologically, paving the way for energy-saving electronics and high-tech advancements.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Structural biology: Molecular scissors caught in the act

Researchers have successfully visualized the three-dimensional structure of human tRNA splicing endonuclease TSEN, a crucial enzyme in tRNA maturation. The study reveals how TSEN recognizes and excises introns from precursor tRNAs, shedding light on its role in neurodegenerative disorders like pontocerebellar hypoplasia.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

How businesses can cultivate wisdom

Research by Monika Ardelt and Bhavna Sharma found that wise organizations prioritize supervisor support, autonomy, competence, and relatedness to foster employee connection, job fulfillment, and overall well-being. This approach enables businesses to thrive in the long term while making a positive impact on their communities.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalBusiness and Professional Ethics Journal·DateJul 13, 2023

In historic procedure, donor liver protects heart transplant

In a groundbreaking procedure, Adriana Rodriguez received a dual-organ transplant, with her healthy liver transplanted into another patient to mitigate rejection risk. This innovative approach, known as HALT-D, demonstrates the potential for immunoprotection and has implications for highly sensitized patients requiring multiple organs.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation·TypeCase study·DateJul 13, 2023

Skin lightening products can be dangerous, but users don’t know risks

A new study found that 21.3% of respondents used skin lightening agents, often for conditions like acne or hyperpigmentation, but most users were unaware of potential toxic ingredients and risks. The study highlights the need for cultural mindfulness in dermatology care to ensure safe and effective treatment across all communities.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalInternational Journal of Women’s Dermatology·TypeSurvey·DateJul 13, 2023