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Science News Archive June 2023 - Page 4


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New drug application doubles rates of remission in patients with Ulcerative Colitis

A new drug, mirikizumab, has demonstrated a doubling in remission rates for ulcerative colitis patients, with up to 50% achieving clinical remission. The treatment showed little to no side effects and was found to be safe, offering a promising option for those with moderately severe and severe forms of the disease.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 28, 2023

Intranasal insulin treatment might boost cognition in people with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's Disease, according to meta-analysis of 29 studies across multiple disorders

A recent meta-analysis of 29 studies found that intranasal insulin treatment can boost cognition in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's Disease. The analysis suggests potential benefits for this treatment approach, which may be worth further investigation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 28, 2023

How urea may have been the gateway to life

Scientists at ETH Zurich and University of Geneva investigate how concentrated urea solutions react to ionizing radiation, revealing fast proton transfer that may have led to emergence of RNA and DNA. The new method allows for high temporal resolution observations of chemical reactions in liquids, relevant to understanding life's origins.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2023

New methods for ancient texts

MagEIA, a new Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, will research magical text traditions of the ancient Near East, Egypt, and neighbouring regions. The project aims to develop new methods of textual analysis and models of cross-cultural comparison.

Antibody treatment prevents graft versus host disease, a major bone marrow transplant complication, in advanced preclinical tests

Researchers have developed an experimental antibody treatment that largely prevented graft versus host disease in the intestines, without causing broad immune suppression. The treatment blocked donor T-cell attack and increased survival rates in preclinical models.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 28, 2023

HKUMed establishes the first platform to slash time engineering and selecting the best precise genome editors for applications

A research team from HKUMed has developed a new platform to rapidly engineer and select the best precise genome editors for therapeutic applications. The platform allows for parallel testing of hundreds of base editor variants, enabling the selection of the most suitable ones with maximal efficiency and minimal undesired edits.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalCell Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2023

Scientists find evidence for slow-rolling sea of gravitational waves

The NANOGrav team has detected a collective hum of gravitational waves from merging supermassive black holes, providing evidence for a background undulation in spacetime. The signal is thought to be generated by huge black holes at galaxy centers, producing low-frequency gravitational waves that oscillate slowly over years and decades.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 28, 2023

NANOGRAV’s 15-year journey reveals a cosmic hum

The NANOGrav team has detected evidence of gravitational waves at very low frequencies, which they believe may be caused by the merger of supermassive black holes. The signal is thought to be a result of the gravitational wave background produced by these binary systems.

SourceSETI Institute·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 28, 2023

What controls the pathways of the Labrador Current?

Researchers from McGill University found that stronger winds shift the Labrador Current eastward, leading to sudden warmings or drops in oxygen levels. This has dire consequences for marine ecosystems and fisheries, including smaller species like cod and halibut, which struggle to survive in low-oxygen conditions.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 28, 2023

Decrypting integrins by mixed-solvent molecular dynamics simulation

A team of researchers developed a novel computational approach to identify allosteric sites in integrins, revealing previously inaccessible druggable pockets. This breakthrough has the potential to overcome limitations in integrin-targeting medication and open new avenues for drug discovery.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 28, 2023

Study revealed rainforest releases oxidized organic molecules that form aerosol particles in tropical free troposphere

A study by the University of Helsinki found that oxidized organic molecules from Amazon rainforests contribute to the formation of aerosol particles in the tropical free troposphere. These molecules, primarily composed of isoprene, can nucleate or condense on nanoparticles, impacting cloud formation and global climate.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNational Science Review·DateJun 28, 2023

AACR journal highlights industry and regulatory perspectives on improving diversity in clinical trials

The AACR journal article explores steps to improve diversity in clinical trials, following a new law requiring trial sponsors to submit Diversity Action Plans to the FDA. Experts discuss key areas for consideration, including dedicating funding and staff, embedding DEI strategy, and engaging with community organizations.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJun 28, 2023

Test animals, hold your breath!

Researchers from Kyoto University developed a microchip using human iPS cells to measure transport capacity of membrane proteins, potentially giving test animals respite. The model simulates glucose reabsorption and drug excretion in renal proximal tubules, enabling patient-specific disease modeling and personalized medicine studies.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2023

Researchers identify needs of rural-based physicians to optimize cancer survivorship care

Cancer survivors rely on primary care clinicians for follow-up treatments, especially in rural areas. Researchers found that clinicians lack access to information and online trainings, making treatment and outreach more difficult. The study suggests equipping primary care physicians with tools and using technology to expand reach.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Cancer Education·TypeSurvey·DateJun 28, 2023

Scientists use exotic stars to tune into hum from cosmic symphony

Researchers have found evidence for gravitational waves oscillating with periods of years to decades, consistent with slowly undulating waves passing through the Galaxy. The signal was observed using a collection of cosmic clocks called pulsars, which are ultra-dense remnants of massive stars' cores.

SourceNorth American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 28, 2023