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Science News Archive July 2023 - Page 22


Page 22 of 36

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