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Science News for March 23, 2023


Framework helps local planners prepare for climate pressures on food, energy & water systems

A new framework developed by a multidisciplinary team provides guidance to local and regional planners to anticipate and prepare for the impacts of climate change on critical civic resources. The C-FEWS framework evaluates options and makes decisions related to specific local conditions, focusing on the nexus of food, energy, and water.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 23, 2023

Attack from the gut

A new study published in Cell Reports shows that gut bacteria from the patient's own intestine can cause post-operative infections, which are often fatal. The liver plays a key role in controlling these spreading bacteria through special immune cells called innate lymphoid cells.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCell Reports·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2023

Ancient genomes reveal immunity adaptation in early farmers

Researchers found that a large genetic region responsible for immune responses showed rapid evolution and more Mesolithic hunter-gatherer ancestry, suggesting that genetic variants already present in Europe were passed down preferentially. This suggests that diversity in immune genes may be just as important as adaptation to lifestyle.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2023

Why does a leukemic mutation not always lead to leukemia? A new clue from a mouse study at USC

Scientists from USC Stem Cell laboratory discovered a mechanism linking leukemic mutations to varying disease potentials, identifying RNA splicing regulator Rbm25 as a critical factor. The study found that over-contributing clones of blood stem cells produce excessive myeloid cells, leading to potential leukemia development.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

Study: Mapping people’s knowledge of bees may aid in pollinator conservation

A recent study found that U.S. college students have low awareness of wild bee species, with their knowledge focusing primarily on honey bees and pollination services. The researchers suggest that education alone may not be enough to produce attitude and behavior change, and propose a novel approach using semantic network analysis and ...

SourcePenn State·JournalConservation Science and Practice·TypeSurvey·DateMar 23, 2023

Post-bariatric surgery exercise modulates brain regions associated with regulation of food intake

Exercise training after bariatric surgery alters brain networks associated with food intake and energy regulation. The study found that exercise increased connectivity between the hypothalamus and sensory areas, while decreasing links to the default mode network and salience network.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateMar 23, 2023

Integrate global natural history museum collections to provide a resource to decision-makers

A global approach is proposed to integrate natural history museum collections, providing a valuable resource for addressing global issues like invasive species, biodiversity conservation, and climate change. The vast collections held by museums worldwide are becoming increasingly important in policy-relevant research.

Scientists discover a novel origin of abiotic oxidants on early earth: minerals

Researchers have overturned the traditional view that oxygen derives from water splitting, instead finding that reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced at mineral-water interfaces are a key source of oxygen. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the evolution of Earth's atmosphere and the habitability of early life.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2023

Housing plays key role in disaster preparedness

A new national study found that households facing housing insecurity score lower on disaster preparedness scales, highlighting the importance of secure housing for disaster resilience. Housing security is vital for people to be better prepared for disasters, according to researchers.

SourceOhio State University·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 23, 2023

Tiny nanoparticle could have big impact on patients receiving corneal transplants

Corneal graft rejection can be as high as 10% due to poor patient compliance with medications, which require frequent eyedrop administrations. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University developed nanoparticles to encapsulate eye medication, decreasing graft rejection while requiring fewer and smaller doses. The approach reversed s...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

UM School of Medicine researchers chart path forward on developing mRNA vaccines for infections beyond COVID-19

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are using mRNA vaccine technology to combat various infectious diseases. A new clinical trial aims to test an mRNA-based vaccine against malaria, with hopes for a rapid adaptive response to virus evolution and the manufacture of combination vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 23, 2023

Closed loop for circular economy: new polymer recycling strategy ensures both high stability and complete recyclability

Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a closed-loop recycling process for polymers using microparticles, resulting in fully recyclable films with high mechanical stability and fracture energy. The strategy enables the reuse of polymer materials, reducing plastic waste and environmental pollution.

SourceShinshu University·JournalGreen Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

HKUMed invents a novel two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound-responsive antibacterial nano-sheets to effectively address bone tissue infection

A research team at HKUMed has invented a non-invasive technology to effectively reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in bony tissue. The novel antibacterial nano-sheets can release ROS subject to ultrasound stimulation, eliminating MRSA bacteria deeply seated in bony tissue with 99.72% efficacy.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

Artificial intelligence finds the first stars were not alone

A team of researchers used machine learning to analyze elemental abundances in over 450 extremely metal-poor stars. The study found that 68% of these stars have a chemical fingerprint consistent with enrichment by multiple supernovae, providing the first quantitative constraint on the multiplicity of the first stars. This challenges th...

Getting around muscle aging

A new study found a protein that regulates macrophage function, clearing residues from regenerating muscle and recovering regenerative capacity in aged mice. The discovery holds promise for regenerative medicine and aging, potentially improving the success of current stem-cell based therapies.

SourceInstituto de Medicina Molecular·JournalNature Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

Many genes are involved in “resurrection”

Researchers have discovered a complex network of genes in the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum that enables it to tolerate extreme drought conditions. The study found that this ability is not due to a single 'miracle gene' but rather the result of a whole genome, with many genes present in higher copy numbers than in more ...

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalThe Plant Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

Where does your brain want to have lunch?

A new study by Cedars-Sinai investigators has determined that the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) plays a primary role in weighing value-based choices, such as choosing which book to read or which slot machine to play. The discovery could help understand neurological disorders like addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateMar 23, 2023

Artificial intelligence predicts genetics of cancerous brain tumors in under 90 seconds

Researchers developed an AI-based diagnostic screening system called DeepGlioma to analyze tumor specimens and detect genetic mutations rapidly. The system identified molecular subgroups with high accuracy and has the potential to improve access and speed of diagnosis for patients with deadly brain tumors.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 23, 2023

The evolution of a catalyst

A team of researchers used a genetic algorithm to discover an organic catalyst for the Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction, which outperformed traditional catalysts. The computational method suggested new molecular structures that were not present in the initial population, leading to a novel discovery.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

Dairy sector boasts 100 years of successful herd data collection

The National Cooperative Dairy Herd Improvement Program has successfully collected herd production data for 100 years, providing crucial input for cattle breeding and genetics. The program's cooperative structure, data interoperability, and governance model make it a unique example of how data collection benefits producers.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalApplied Economic Perspectives and Policy·TypeCase study·DateMar 23, 2023

Analysis of 3.6 million patient surgeries in England suggests it is safe to operate on patients 2 weeks after a positive COVID diagnosis, as long as they have recovered

A new UK study of 3.6 million surgeries found that operating within 2 weeks of a positive COVID test is safe for recovered patients, with lower mortality rates compared to current guidelines. The study suggests that delaying surgery might cause more harm than good, particularly in patients who have already waited longer for surgery.

SourceAAGBI·JournalAnaesthesia·DateMar 23, 2023

Global natural history initiative builds groundbreaking database to address 21st century challenges

A global approach has been developed to survey the vast collections of world's largest natural history museums, estimated to hold over 1.1 billion objects. The initiative aims to inform responses to today's interlocking crises by providing a collective strategy for future conservation and sustainability efforts.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalScience·TypeSurvey·DateMar 23, 2023

Sylvester cancer investigators find disparities in mesothelioma survival due to social determinants, limited access

Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center found that mesothelioma patients with timely treatment and access to specialized care have better outcomes. However, disparities in access to care are evident, with Black patients being 80% more likely to die than white patients.

SourcePublic Relations Pacific LLC·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2023

THE LANCET: Largest US state-by-state analysis of COVID-19 impact reveals the driving forces behind variations in health, education, and economic performance

A comprehensive US state-by-state analysis of COVID-19 impact reveals wide variations in health, education, and economic performance across the country. States with higher poverty, lower educational attainment, and lower healthcare access experienced disproportionately higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 deaths.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2023

Tools for more accurate obesity risk assessment based on sex, ethnicity

UConn researchers have developed simple measurements and equations that better predict fat distribution in individuals based on their sex and ethnicity. The tools account for differences in body composition between ethnic populations and women and men, providing a more accurate assessment of obesity-related health risks.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 23, 2023

Patient-specific cells generated from thymus organoids

The study successfully generated functional patient-specific T-cells and thymic epithelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells using thymus organoids. This breakthrough provides a new experimental model system to investigate thymic insufficiency and function, potentially leading to cell-based treatments for thymic defects.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

CDC report shows overall and Maryland autism rate increase among 8-year-olds

The CDC report found a continued rise in autism prevalence among 8-year-olds, with girls now surpassing 1% prevalence rate, while boys remain more likely to be diagnosed. The report also showed shifts in racial and ethnic backgrounds of children identified with ASD, with non-white populations having greater diagnostic access.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·DateMar 23, 2023

Poorest children have worse health and educational outcomes in adolescence

A new report reveals that children born into the poorest fifth of families in the UK are 12 times more likely to experience poor health and educational outcomes by age 17. This clustering of adverse outcomes is linked to early childhood disadvantage, with modest reductions seen when lifting families out of poverty.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2023

Climate change threatens global fisheries

A major study found that climate change could decline the diet quality of fish by up to 10% as zooplankton communities shift towards more carnivorous groups. This could exacerbate declines in fish biomass, with potential implications for human societies relying on fisheries for food and livelihoods.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 23, 2023

Researchers of Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science and National Institute of Mental Health proposed that the pathological mechanism of intellectual disability caused by RP58/ZBTB18 haploinsufficiency may be a disorder of excitatory synapses

A new mouse model of RP58/ZBTB18 haploinsufficiency shows impaired motor learning, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. The study suggests that excitatory synaptic defects underlie intellectual disability caused by RP58/ZBTB18 haploinsufficiency.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMar 23, 2023

Psychological support enhances quality of life for women with endometriosis

A new study from Aarhus University reveals that women with endometriosis can significantly improve their quality of life through psychological therapy, reducing symptoms such as pain and constipation. The trial shows that mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions are equally effective in improving quality of life.

SourceAarhus University·JournalQuality of Life Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 23, 2023