Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for July 19, 2023


Light quality enhances contrast vision

Scientists found that contrasting shades of brightness can be improved through selective stimulation of melanopsin cells, enabling better text and image distinction. This study's results suggest potential innovations in lighting devices and displays, paving the way for optimal visual environments.

SourceNagoya City University·JournalVision Research·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 19, 2023

A non-covalent bonding experience

Researchers from the University of Iowa and Brookhaven National Laboratory create 14 organic-inorganic hybrid materials, including seven entirely new ones, to advance clean energy and safe nuclear energy. The study reveals new bonding mechanisms and insights into material separations and recycling.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 19, 2023

Bioengineered yeast feed on agricultural waste

Researchers at Tufts University have developed modified yeast that can efficiently consume agricultural waste biomass sugars, including xylose, arabinose, and cellobiose. This breakthrough enables the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and bioplastics with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

SourceTufts University·JournalMetabolic Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

A 300,000 year-old double-pointed wooden stick was produced by Middle Pleistocene humans using sophisticated woodworking techniques and was likely used for throwing during hunts

Researchers analyzed a 300,000-year-old double-pointed wooden throwing stick from Schöningen, Germany, shedding new light on the woodworking skills of Middle Pleistocene humans. The study suggests that the tool was used for throwing during hunts, providing valuable insights into human evolution and early technology.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 19, 2023

iEarth: An interdisciplinary framework in the era of big data and AI for sustainable development

The iEarth framework uses Big Earth Data science and AI to analyze the interplay between natural ecosystems and human society, fostering cross-disciplinary ideologies and solutions for SDGs. The framework provides a comprehensive data-science-analytics-decision support system for sustainable environmental, social, and economic prosperity.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 19, 2023

Study optimizes patient-specific stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease

Researchers have made key discoveries in a new stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease, using patients’ own cells to replace lost neurons. The approach, called an autologous therapy, has shown promise in reversing symptoms of the disease in rat models and holds potential for clinical trials with improved success rates.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 19, 2023

Enabling autonomous exploration

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute have developed a suite of robotic systems and planners enabling robots to explore more quickly, probe the darkest corners of unknown environments, and create more accurate maps. The systems allow robots to do all this autonomously, finding their way and creating a map witho...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScience Robotics·DateJul 19, 2023

Earlier detection of breast cancer

A team of researchers has developed a new method for detecting breast cancer using X-ray phase contrast imaging, which increases the resolution of images by up to 45% while reducing the radiation dose. This improvement enables earlier detection of small calcium deposits and improves the chances of survival for women with breast tumors.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalOptica·DateJul 19, 2023

Dementia risk and disadvantaged neighborhoods

A study of 1.6 million patients reveals that residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods increases the risk of dementia among older veterans integrated into a national healthcare system. The results suggest that socioeconomic factors contribute to cognitive decline and increase the risk of developing dementia.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateJul 19, 2023

Understanding the many different ways animals are evolving in response to fire could help conservation efforts

A review of animal evolution in response to fire may help inform conservation strategies, as changing fire regimes impact species. By analyzing nearly 100 papers, the authors identified various adaptations, such as infrared sensory pits and behavioral changes, that enable animals to survive fires.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 19, 2023

Dedicated older people’s emergency department reduces wait times

A new study found that a dedicated older people's emergency department at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital reduced wait times by 20% compared to the main emergency department. Patients treated under this initiative received earlier frailty assessments within 34 minutes of arrival, leading to fewer hospital admissions.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 19, 2023

Why ongoing worker safety training is critical to effective disaster response

Rutgers researchers emphasize the importance of core disaster training for responders and workers prior to an emergency event. The inadequate provision of personal protective equipment remains a weakness in disaster response infrastructure. The authors recommend supplementing training with site-specific critical training and prioritizi...

SourceRutgers University·JournalNEW SOLUTIONS A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 19, 2023

Study sheds light on cellular interactions that lead to liver transplant survival

Researchers identify key protein interactions that control the body's immune response during liver transplantation, leading to improved transplant survival rates. The study found that a specific communication pathway between CEACAM1 and TIM-3 proteins plays a crucial role in controlling the immune response.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalGastroenterology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

Integrated Biosciences announces synthetic biology platform enabling control over aging-associated stress response

Integrated Biosciences announces a drug discovery platform that enables precise control of the integrated stress response, a biological pathway activated by cells in response to various pathological conditions. The new platform uses optogenetic technique to study the ISR in live cells without physical or chemical damage.

SourceTen Bridge Communications·JournalCell Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

Stanford Medicine researchers map morphing placenta

The placenta forms an unusual organ that requires unique cooperation between genetically mismatched maternal and fetal cells. Researchers have mapped the intricate dance between trophoblasts and the mother's immune system, shedding light on how to develop new treatments for pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and miscarriages.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature·DateJul 19, 2023

Acetalization: A feasible and sustainable strategy for biomass valorization

Acetalization is a feasible and sustainable strategy for biomass valorization, serving as both a synthesis tool and protection mechanism for renewable acetal fuel additives. The latest research advances in catalytic systems for the acetalization of biobased furanic compounds and glycerol derivatives are summarized.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 19, 2023

AJR on sociodemographic factors and screening CTC among Medicare beneficiaries

Lacking Medicare coverage for screening CTC may contribute to greater income-based differences in its use compared to other recommended screening strategies or diagnostic CTC. Medicare coverage of CTC could reduce income-based disparities for individuals avoiding optical colonoscopy due to invasiveness or complication risk.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 19, 2023

SMART researchers uncover novel bacterial communication system to combat antimicrobial resistance

A novel stress signalling system has been discovered by SMART researchers, enabling bacteria cells to adapt and survive against the immune system and certain antibiotics. The breakthrough discovery of RlmN as a stress sensor may lead to the development of new therapies to combat antimicrobial resistance.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

Secretomics uncovers blood-brain barrier mystery

Using a sensitive mass spectrometry-based secretome approach, researchers have identified hundreds of molecules that are cleaved from the cell surface of astrocytes, providing a unique database of MMP-2/-9 substrates specific to blood-brain barrier formation and maintenance. This discovery sheds light on the molecular processes essenti...

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 19, 2023

Much ado about nothing: Insights into designing advanced stimuli-responsive materials

Researchers from Japan have solved a long-standing puzzle of porous soft materials, revealing the importance of elastic heterogeneity in tuning molecular adsorption/desorption properties. The study provides physicochemical insight into the origin of elastic heterogeneity within MOFs, with applications to imparting targeted properties.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 2023

Noninvasive method for vagus nerve stimulation shows promise for enhancing motor rehabilitation after stroke

Researchers at MUSC developed a noninvasive method of vagus nerve stimulation that accelerates treatment outcomes and improves motor function after stroke. The method, known as MAAVNS, uses timed electrical impulses delivered to the ear during motor rehabilitation, producing similar results as FDA-approved devices in half the time.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalNeurorehabilitation and Neural Repair·DateJul 19, 2023

Nurse-home visiting program may boost child language and mental health

A randomized controlled trial found that Nurse-Family Partnership improved child language and mental health at age 2, with no increase in child injuries or maternal pregnancies. The study involved 739 participants and their children for 2.5 years, providing new evidence on preventing early adverse childhood experiences.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJul 19, 2023

Food size matters

A study by Kyoto University found that Daphnia's phenotypic plasticity is strongly related to its body size and the type of predator. Medium-sized Daphnia are more vulnerable to predation by both Chaoborus larvae and fish, which prefer larger prey.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFreshwater Biology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 19, 2023

New tumour-selective light treatment could kill breast cancer cells with greater accuracy and improve tumour control

Researchers at NUS developed a new photodynamic therapy that selectively kills breast cancer cells without damaging surrounding tissues. The treatment uses a biocompatible silicone implant loaded with nanoparticles activated by near-infrared light, reducing the risk of toxicity and improving tumour control.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalACS Nano·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 19, 2023

Does this exoplanet have a sibling sharing the same orbit?

Using ALMA, astronomers have found evidence of a cloud of debris that might be the building blocks of a new planet or the remnants of one already formed. This discovery would confirm the existence of Trojan planets outside our Solar System, which are rocky bodies sharing the same orbit as a planet.

SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateJul 19, 2023

Researchers put a new twist on graphite

A team of researchers at the University of Washington has discovered a way to imbue bulk graphite with physical properties similar to those of graphene, a single-layer sheet. This breakthrough could unlock new approaches for studying unusual and exotic states of matter and bring them into everyday life.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

Breast cancer survivors experience faster biological aging compared to cancer-free women

Researchers found that breast cancer survivors experience a faster rate of biological aging, with higher rates of age-related diseases and physical cognitive decline. Radiation therapy was found to be particularly impactful on aging rates, contributing to the conversation on how to best treat and care for breast cancer survivors.

New catalysts for solar hydrogen production

Researchers have developed novel photocatalysts using layered metal-organic frameworks that exhibit improved charge separation properties. These materials are able to efficiently extract charges without structural defects, enabling record values in photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateJul 19, 2023

Cardiac rehabilitation reduces risk of death years after heart surgery, still underutilized

A Michigan Medicine study finds that patients who participate in cardiac rehabilitation have a decreased risk of death years after surgery. The greatest reduction in mortality was found in patients who completed 36 or more sessions, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to improve participation and adherence.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 2023

Two-faced star exposed

Astronomers have discovered a white dwarf star with drastically different faces, composed of hydrogen on one side and helium on the other. The team believes magnetic fields may be responsible for the asymmetric sides, allowing a 'hydrogen ocean' to form where the fields are strongest.

Fighting brain cancer

Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target for glioblastoma brain cancer by finding that the 'don't eat me!' signal sent by cancer cells can be blocked using antibodies. This breakthrough suggests that existing immunotherapies may be effective against glioblastomas if the receivers on macrophages are switched off.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

In-depth urinary and exosome proteome profiling analysis identifies novel biomarkers for diabetic kidney disease

Researchers analyzed urinary and exosome proteomes in patients with type 2 diabetes to identify novel biomarkers for diabetic kidney disease. The study found proteins involved in glycolytic, ubiquitination, lipid transport, and carbohydrate metabolic processes had altered expression patterns during DKD progression.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateJul 19, 2023

Overcoming the limits of piezoelectric polymer composites

Researchers at Tsinghua University develop highly stretchable/compressible piezoelectric composite with giant piezoelectric coefficient of 250 picometers per volt. The composite exhibits high electromechanical coupling factor and cyclic stability under compression strain, opening up applications in flexible smart electronics.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 19, 2023

Diversity plays a key role in Black Americans trust of videos about prostate cancer

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that Black Americans are more likely to trust videos about prostate cancer presented by a Black doctor. The study, led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, involved over 2,900 participants and showed that racial diversity among healthcare providers is crucial for improving ...

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 19, 2023

Simultaneous synthesis and fixing of covalent organic frameworks

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel synthesis method for imine-based COFs, eliminating the need for long reaction times, high temperatures, and Lewis acid catalysts. The method uses an electrogenerated acid as a catalyst, enabling direct fixation of COF films onto electrodes.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

Unlocking the puzzle: New study highlights complexity in accessing benefits for low-income individuals

A new study from Israel highlights the complexity of accessing passported benefits, which can be challenging due to administrative burdens. The research identifies five key dimensions shaping these benefits, including automation, legal status, and decentralization, emphasizing the need for simplification and automation to improve access.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Social Policy·TypeCase study·DateJul 19, 2023

CHOP and Penn researchers find behavioral economics strategies can help patients quit smoking after a cancer diagnosis

Researchers from CHOP and Penn found that cancer patients who continued to smoke after diagnosis were more likely to receive tobacco treatment when nudges were directed at clinicians through electronic health records. This study strengthens the case for using behavioral economics to improve outcomes for cancer patients.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

Cognitive rescue in aging through prior training

A new study published in Aging (Albany NY) suggests that prior training can rescue cognitive decline in aging by improving task performance and strengthening memory processes. The research, conducted on rats, found that prior training enhanced short-term and intermediate memory, while also enabling encoding-boosted long-term memory.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

Early humans were weapon woodwork experts, study finds

Early humans demonstrated advanced planning and knowledge of wood properties to create aerodynamic and ergonomic tools, such as double-pointed wooden throwing sticks. These findings suggest the use of throwing sticks could have enabled group hunts and involved the entire community, including children.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 19, 2023

Women treated for breast cancer may age faster than cancer-free women

A new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer have increased biological aging compared to those who remain free of breast cancer. Radiation therapy showed the strongest association with faster biological aging, while surgery had no effect.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 19, 2023