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Science News Archive July 2023 - Page 4


Page 4 of 36

Successful mentorship program in Latin America leads to more Fracture Liaison Services, finds new review

A new review describes the development and impact of a Latin American mentorship program for Fracture Liaison Services (FLS), resulting in 64 FLSs getting started and providing coverage for over 17,200 patients. The program also supports the establishment of active communities of mentors across Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·TypeSurvey·DateJul 27, 2023

Solar batteries: a new material makes it possible to simultaneously absorb light and store energy

Researchers at the University of Córdoba have designed a solar battery that can absorb light and store energy using a new material composed of 2D carbon nitride. This device combines optical simulations and photoelectrochemical experiments to achieve high performance, with potential applications in various fields.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023

Fiber-infused ink enables 3D-printed heart muscle to beat

Researchers at Harvard developed a fiber-infused ink that allows 3D-printed heart muscle cells to align and contract like human heart cells, enabling the creation of functional heart ventricles. The innovation can be used to build life-like heart tissues with thicker muscle walls, paving the way for regenerative therapeutics.

Fusion model hot off the wall

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new fusion model that accurately predicts the rotational temperature of hydrogen molecules near the walls of tokamaks. This innovation enables the effective management of heat load and extends the lifetime of future fusion devices.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNuclear Fusion·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023

Gene therapy treats chronic pain by dialing down sodium

Researchers at NYU College of Dentistry developed a gene therapy that regulates sodium ion channel activity to alleviate chronic pain. By targeting the specific region where CRMP2 binds to NaV1.7, they were able to reduce sodium influx and quiet down neurons, providing relief from pain in cell and animal studies.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2023

Study addresses use of teleneurology to improve access to outpatient care, other inequity issues

The study found shorter wait times for telehealth appointments compared to in-person visits and no increase in community care requests after program implementation. The program improved access to timely neurological assessment and treatment for rural veterans, overcoming physical, geographical, and financial barriers.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJul 27, 2023

Osivax announces publication in The Lancet Infectious Diseases of Phase 2a data for broad-spectrum influenza vaccine candidate, OVX836

The Phase 2a trial of OVX836 showed a notable signal of protection against influenza symptoms with an 84% level of protection compared to placebo. The vaccine candidate elicited significant humoral and cellular immune responses, highlighting its potential as a universal influenza vaccine.

SourceTrophic Communications·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 27, 2023

Breakthrough in combating multiple myeloma: For the 1st time in the world researchers destroyed most cancer cells in the bone marrow using a targeted system containing RNA therapy

A breakthrough treatment targeting bone marrow cancer cells destroyed 90% of multiple myeloma cells in laboratory tests and 60% in human tissue samples. Researchers developed lipid-based nanoparticles containing RNA molecules that silence the CKAP5 gene, inhibiting cancer cell division.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 27, 2023

Breakthrough in Monte Carlo computer simulations

Researchers develop new algorithm to effectively investigate long-range interacting systems, reducing runtime from quadratic to linear with system size. The new method opens up new questions and applications in nonequilibrium processes, including phase separation and structure formation in cosmology and solid state physics.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalPhysical Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 27, 2023

New technology promises rapid and reliable development of new diagnostic tests

Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed a new approach to designing molecular ON-OFF switches based on proteins, which can be used in various biotechnological and biomedical applications. The novel technique allows for faster and more accurate diagnostic tests for detecting diseases and monitoring water quality.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023

A butterfly effect

Researchers at MPFI discovered Protein Kinase C delta's (PKCd) role in regulating cell-wide gene expression through synaptic plasticity. The study found that PKCd activates biochemical reactions that spread throughout the neuron, influencing gene transcription and memory formation.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023

Scientists vacuum animal DNA from air in a Danish forest

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen used a new method to collect airborne DNA particles and found evidence of 64 different animal species in a single football field-sized area. The findings suggest that this technique could be a valuable tool for monitoring biodiversity and tracking the spread of diseases.

Multiple sclerosis: fateful immune cell activation in gut made visible

A team of scientists has discovered that auto-aggressive T cells are activated in the gut microbiome-dependent manner in a specific area of the intestinal canal. The researchers used two-photon imaging to visualize the activity of these cells and found that activation is required for multiple sclerosis development.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2023

New language tree model suggests hybrid origin for Indo-European languages

A new study suggests Indo-European languages first arose south of the Caucasus and then branched northward to the Steppe regions before expanding throughout Eurasia. The 'hybrid' hypothesis, supported by a large dataset of modern and non-modern languages, challenges previous agriculture or pastoralism-based origin theories.

Genome analysis of 46,000-year-old roundworm from Siberian permafrost reveals novel species

Researchers discovered a new nematode species in Siberian permafrost with molecular toolkit for survival, sharing similarities with Caenorhabditis elegans. The species, Panagrolaimus kolymaensis, can survive extreme conditions by producing trehalose and mild dehydration exposure.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG)·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023

CHOP and Penn Medicine researchers develop “in vivo” RNA-based gene editing model for blood disorders

CHOP and Penn Medicine researchers have developed a proof-of-concept model for delivering gene editing tools directly into diseased blood cells within the body. This approach aims to reduce costs and increase access to gene therapies for blood disorders, which currently require chemotherapy and stem cell transplants.

A unified theory of the lexicon and the mind: Researchers find common cognitive foundation for child language development and language evolution

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that child language development and language evolution share a common cognitive foundation, based on a core knowledge base. The team built a computational model that predicts word meaning extension patterns across languages and time scales, highlighting the role of visual, associative,...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 27, 2023

Listen to a star ‘twinkle’

A Northwestern University-led team developed the first 3D simulations of energy rippling from a massive star's core to its outer surface. The researchers determined how much stars should innately twinkle and converted these waves into sound waves, allowing listeners to hear both what the insides of stars and their twinkling sound like.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 27, 2023

Self-healing plastic becomes biodegradable

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have developed a biodegradable mineral plastic with self-healing properties, replacing polyacrylic acid with sustainable polyglutamic acid. The new material retains its positive properties and has been shown to degrade in just 32 days using microorganisms from forest soils.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalSmall Methods·DateJul 27, 2023

Extending a word’s meaning, whether by adult linguistic communities or by children, relies on the same cognitive foundation

A new study by Thomas Brochhagen and colleagues reveals that individual and population-level word meaning extension rely on the same cognitive foundation, involving knowledge of objects, events, properties, and relations. The study examined over 1,400 languages and developed a computational framework to understand this process.

University College Dublin researcher receives award to explore the disruptive power of macromolecular crowding in cell culture systems

A University College Dublin researcher has received a European Research Council Proof of Concept grant to investigate the disruptive power of macromolecular crowding in cell culture systems. The project aims to develop novel approaches for regenerative medicine by accelerating tissue development and improving therapeutic potential.

Exposure to like-minded sources on Facebook is prevalent but did not increase polarization during the 2020 U.S. election

A study examining Facebook users' news feeds found that reducing exposure to content from politically 'like-minded' sources had no measurable effect on political beliefs or attitudes during the 2020 US presidential election. The study also found that participants were exposed to more cross-cutting sources and less uncivil content after...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023

Phyllodulcin could be a potential candidate for treating Alzheimer’s disease, find Sahmyook University researchers

Researchers from Sahmyook University found that phyllodulcin, a natural sweetener found in hydrangeas, can efficiently inhibit amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation and dissociate its aggregates in an animal model study. The study suggests that phyllodulcin may be useful in delaying the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

SourceSahmyook University·JournalBiomedicine & Pharmacotherapy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023