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Science News for March 16, 2023


New research suggests AI image generation using DALL-E 2 has promising future in radiology

Researchers found that DALL-E 2 has learned relevant representations of x-ray images and shows potential for text-to-image generation, but its performance varies with CT, MRI, and ultrasound image prompts. Synthetic data generated by DALL-E 2 could accelerate deep learning tools in radiology and address data sharing concerns.

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateMar 16, 2023

Cellular waste removal differs according to cell type

Researchers at the University of Bonn identified unique features and novel lysosomal proteins in six different cell types, including liver cells and cancer cells. The study provides new insights into cellular waste removal machinery and its role in diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

KAIST leads AI-based analysis on drug-drug interactions involving Paxlovid​

A KAIST research team has developed an advanced AI-based drug interaction prediction technology that analyzed the interaction between Paxlovid ingredients and other prescription drugs. The study identified potential drug-drug interactions and alternative drugs with low adverse effects, which can aid in developing new treatments.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 16, 2023

Genetic causes of three previously unexplained rare diseases identified

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai identified previously unknown genetic causes of three rare diseases: primary lymphedema, thoracic aortic aneurysm disease, and congenital deafness. The study used a computational approach to analyze large genetic datasets from rare disease cohorts.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 16, 2023

Pregnancy-related deaths spiked for second consecutive year during COVID-19

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health reveals a 104% increase in pregnancy-related deaths among American Indian/Alaska Native people, with rates nearly doubling from pre-pandemic levels. The Delta and Omicron variants contributed to the worsening burden of mortality, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023

Fluidizing the cell membrane

A team of researchers has discovered a simple way to deliver cancer therapeutics to tumor cells by fluidizing the cell membrane using lipid nanoparticles containing EDTA. The mechanism is independent of metal chelation properties and involves changing the characteristics of the cell membrane to promote nanoparticle uptake.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

CityU scientists develop energy-saving, tunable meta-devices for high-precision, secure 6G communications

A research team at City University of Hong Kong invented a tunable terahertz meta-device that can control the radiation direction and coverage area of THz beams. The device allows for signal delivery to specific users or detectors and has flexibility to adjust the propagating direction, as needed.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Repetitive negative thinking during low mood linked to suicidal thoughts – new study

A new study has found that increased rumination is a predictor of greater severity of suicidal ideation in young people with major depressive disorder. The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests that elevated cognitive rumination is associated with lower cortical surface area and suicidal ideation.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 16, 2023

Progress in unlocking the brain's "code" for depression

Researchers collected electrophysiological recordings from prefrontal cortical regions in three human subjects with severe treatment-resistant depression. They found lower depression severity correlated with decreased low-frequency neural activity and increased high-frequency activity.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Pusan National University researchers examine combined effects of two combustion technologies on the emission of coal-fired boilers

Researchers at Pusan National University studied the combined effects of swirl flow and air staging on coal-fired boilers, finding that co-swirling configurations improved burnout performance while reducing NOx emissions. The study suggests that a synergistic effect can be achieved by combining these technologies to reduce environmenta...

SourcePusan National University·JournalEnergy·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

New smoking cessation intervention helps patients with cervical cancer precursor or cervical cancer quit smoking

A new smoking cessation intervention, MAPS, has been shown to increase smoking abstinence rates in patients with cervical cancer or precancerous disease by over two-fold. The study found that extended treatment and sustaining the program may be necessary for long-term abstinence.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 16, 2023

Australia’s largest eagle discovered at last

Researchers from Flinders University uncover the fossilized remains of Australia's largest eagle, Dynatoaetus gaffae, a bird with a wingspan twice that of the modern-day wedge-tailed eagle. The discovery sheds light on the continent's megafauna extinction and highlights the importance of raptors in the region.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Ornithology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023

Dual immunotherapy plus chemotherapy before surgery improves patient outcomes in operable lung cancer

A Phase II trial led by researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated that adding ipilimumab to a neoadjuvant combination of nivolumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in a major pathologic response in half of all treated patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment also...

Perovskite solar cells from the slot die coater - a step towards industrial production

A team of researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin has developed a new method for producing perovskite solar cells using a slot die coater, resulting in high-power conversion efficiencies. The best cells were scaled up to mini-module size and tested for outdoor stability, showing promising results.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

New findings published in AJIC highlight clinician perspectives on barriers to reliable hand hygiene

A new study published in AJIC highlights the importance of understanding clinician perceptions and barriers to reliable hand hygiene. The research identifies nuances across clinician subgroups that can impact an organization's efforts to optimize hand hygiene reliability through human factors engineering tools and methods.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023

Inside the shark nursery: The evolution of live birth in cartilaginous fish

Researchers identify egg yolk proteins retained in viviparous sharks and rays, which may provide nutrition to developing embryos. The study suggests that these proteins have evolved a new function in cartilaginous fishes, potentially facilitating the transition from egg-laying to live birth.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023

Tests conducted by giants of industry uncover compromised test conditions and fraudulent data on PCB products in the 1970s

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health reveals that Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories produced fraudulent reports on PCB products, claiming they were not carcinogenic. The researchers also found that test conditions were compromised, leading to the indictment and conviction of employees involved.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMar 16, 2023

Genetics as conservation tool for endangered chimpanzees

A genetic census has been used to estimate the number and population structure of critically endangered western chimpanzees in West Africa. The analysis identified a total of 136 chimpanzees living in four different communities, with high levels of shared ancestry and genetic diversity.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalConservation Science and Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 16, 2023

An extra X chromosome-linked gene may explain decreased viral infection severity in females

A study published in Nature Immunology found that female mouse and human NK cells have more of a specific epigenetic regulator called UTX, which boosts anti-viral function while repressing NK cell numbers. This suggests that therapies need to be tailored to individual differences, including sex.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Extinct animals on islands cannot be replaced

A study from the University of Copenhagen found that extinct animal species on islands like Mauritius cannot be replaced, as they play a crucial role in seed dispersal and ecosystem balance. Reintroducing new species often causes more harm than good, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect native plants and animals.

How countries can benefit from linking data

A recent study analyzed data from 41,516 refugees and 207,729 Swedish-born individuals to investigate the impact of mental and somatic illnesses on labor market integration. The study found that multimorbidity poses a significant risk for unemployment among young refugees, highlighting the need for targeted public health actions.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 16, 2023

Sixteen years of analysis of Brazilian research funding indicates stagnation—and that chikungunya, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis and malaria are systematically underfunded, even among neglected tropical diseases

A 16-year analysis of Brazilian research funding reveals stagnant funding for neglected tropical diseases, including chikungunya, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, and malaria. Systematic underfunding is observed even among these diseases, which are considered neglected tropical diseases.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateMar 16, 2023

Preterm babies do not habituate to repeated pain

A study found that preterm infants do not habituate to repeated pain, unlike full-term infants. This lack of adaptation may affect their brain development and increase vulnerability to pain. The researchers' findings suggest that the ability to adapt to pain might develop during the third trimester of pregnancy.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

New trials show promising, minimally invasive procedure to treat resistant hypertension

A recent study published in JAMA demonstrates the effectiveness of a minimally invasive procedure called renal denervation (RDN) to treat uncontrolled hypertension. RDN uses ultrasound energy delivered through a small balloon to denervate the renal artery, reducing sympathetic nerve activity and decreasing blood pressure.

SourceOchsner Health System·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateMar 16, 2023

Marker for therapy response in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) identified

Researchers at German Cancer Research Center have developed a marker that predicts which patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will respond to the new therapy. The marker, known as the MAC score, measures the ratio of specific proteins in leukemia stem cells and can be used to determine treatment success.

THE LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH: Elite football players are more likely to develop dementia, suggests Swedish study

A Swedish study suggests that elite male footballers are 1.5 times more likely to develop neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, compared to population controls. Football players had a higher risk of dementia due to head trauma exposure, with goalkeepers showing no significant increase in risk.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023

Bigger flowers, greater rewards: Plants adapt to climate disruptions to lure pollinators

Researchers observed a shift towards earlier springtime flowering in common morning glory plants as temperatures rose, with increased investment in floral rewards such as nectar and pollen. The study used the 'resurrection' approach to examine changes in floral morphology over nine years, revealing significant increases in flower size ...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalEvolution Letters·DateMar 16, 2023

Solving the mystery of left-handed amino acids in primordial RNA reactions

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science used computer simulations to clarify why L-alanine was preferred over D-alanine during primordial RNA aminoacylation reactions. The study revealed that L-amino acid had more electrostatic stability in its transition state, providing a plausible reason for the selective aminoacylation.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalLife·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 16, 2023

Genomic analysis shows the Amazon’s Ashaninka people are made up of two subgroups with distinct histories

A recent genomic study identifies two genetically distinct Ashaninka subgroups, suggesting a complex history of interactions with neighboring populations. The research also hints at a possible migration from southeastern South America or the Southern Cone, shedding new light on the genetic origins of this Indigenous group.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Cyprus’s copper deposits created one of the most important trade hubs in the Bronze Age

The discovery of Hala Sultan Tekke, a Cypriot village with extensive copper production and trade hubs, reveals that Cyprus was the largest copper producer around the Mediterranean during the Bronze Age. The city's well-protected harbour and central location facilitated lively trade with neighbouring regions.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·TypeCase study·DateMar 16, 2023

Greenlandic glacial rock flour can help fight climate change

Researchers found that Greenlandic glacial rock flour can capture large amounts of CO2 through enhanced weathering, improving crop yields by up to 24% in Danish fields. The fine powder also acts as a natural fertilizer, providing a wider array of nutrients than commercial organic fertilizers.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control·TypeCase study·DateMar 16, 2023

Study reveals your loveable pet dog or cat could lead to restless nights

A recent study found that dog owners are more likely to experience sleep disorders than non-dog owners. Cat ownership was also linked to higher odds of leg jerks during the night. The research suggests that pets may disrupt their owner's sleep due to increased activity at night, particularly with cats.

SourceCABI·JournalHuman-Animal Interactions·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 16, 2023

Connecting the dots

A team of researchers at Kyoto University has established a method to identify individual inbred medaka killifish by analyzing the characteristic patterns of dark spots on their heads. This identification method may contribute to biometrics for medical and drug discovery research.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Nano cut-and-sew: New method for chemically tailoring layered nanomaterials could open pathways to designing 2D materials on demand

Researchers developed a chemical scissor to split and stitch nanoscopic layers of two-dimensional materials, opening pathways to sustainable energy technologies. This new process allows for structurally splitting, editing, and reconstituting layered materials with exceptional properties.

SourceDrexel University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Fomepizole helps overcome antibiotic-resistant pneumonia in mice

Researchers found that fomepizole blocked energy production in bacteria and reduced bacterial burden in mice with pneumonia. The combination treatment prevented invasive disease development, suggesting a potential novel treatment for multidrug-resistant pneumococcal disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023