Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 27, 2023


Sylvester Cancer investigators identify potential new targets to overcome treatment resistance in aggressive breast cancer

A study published in Science Translational Medicine has identified immature Natural Killer (NK) cells as a key factor in promoting disease progression in triple-negative breast cancer. The researchers suggest that targeting these rogue NK cells could lead to new and more effective treatments for this aggressive form of breast cancer.

SourcePublic Relations Pacific LLC·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 27, 2023

Duke-NUS study: Early morning university classes correlate with poor sleep and academic performance

A study by Duke-NUS Medical School researchers analyzed tens of thousands of student data to determine the impact of early class start times on attendance, sleep behavior, and academic performance. The findings suggest that students who attend early morning classes often lose an hour of sleep and experience lower grades.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateMar 27, 2023

Study of dietary and nutrition recommendations from worldwide clinical practice guidelines finds close alignment on benefits of plant food groups for treatment and prevention of chronic disease

A study of global clinical practice guidelines found close alignment in recommending daily intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains for treating and preventing major chronic diseases. The findings aim to increase clinician confidence in providing optimal care.

SourceAmerican College of Lifestyle Medicine·JournalAdvances in Nutrition·DateMar 27, 2023

Scientists integrate two-dimensional materials into silicon microchips for advanced data storage and computation

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) successfully integrated two-dimensional materials on silicon microchips, achieving high integration density, electronic performance, and yield. The resulting hybrid devices exhibit special electronic properties that enable low-power consumption artificial neural ne...

The genetics of temperature adaptation: how does life thrive in extreme conditions?

Researchers found that thermotolerant methanogens have smaller genomes with a higher fraction of core genes, while psychrotolerant organisms are enriched in uncharged amino acids. This suggests that temperature adaptation is a gradual process involving fine-scale changes rather than large-scale genome modifications.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalDNA Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023

Conserving wildlife can help mitigate climate change

A new study by Yale University researchers suggests that protecting wildlife can significantly enhance natural carbon capture and storage. By conserving or restoring populations of nine key species, the world can collectively facilitate the additional capture of 6.41 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMar 27, 2023

Benefiting from orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations for gene therapy

The NCATS Platform Vector Gene Therapy (PaVe-GT) program utilizes FDA guidance to prepare applications for Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD), stimulating gene therapy development. The PaVe-GT program has already helped receive ODD and RPDD designations for a gene therapy product treating PCCA-r...

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023

U of I study gives a thumbs up to carefully formulated vegan diets for dogs

A University of Illinois study finds that two human-grade vegan diets provide adequate nutrition for dogs, with benefits including lower blood triglycerides and cholesterol. The research also shows positive changes in the fecal microbiome and reduced stool, indicating a potential shift towards improved gut health.

Global population could peak below 9 billion in 2050s

Researchers from the Earth4All initiative project that global population could peak at 8.5 billion people by mid-century with unprecedented investment in poverty alleviation. The team's analysis also suggests that extreme poverty can be eliminated in a generation, leading to a decline in global population trends.

SourceThe Club of Rome·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 27, 2023

Art evokes feelings in the body

A study of over 1,186 participants from various countries found that art evokes positive emotions, often despite dealing with sad or scary topics. The researchers discovered that human figures in art pieces can elicit empathy and mirroring, which contributes to the emotional experience.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalCognition & Emotion·DateMar 27, 2023

Making immunizations more effective

Researchers have created two novel adjuvants that significantly enhance the immune response to vaccines. The new adjuvants target toll-like receptors and are designed to be tailored for every individual vaccine, potentially reducing side effects and increasing effectiveness.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023

Beneficial bacteria in the infant gut uses nitrogen from breast milk to support baby’s health

Researchers at UMass Amherst have discovered that beneficial microbes in infant gut use nitrogen from human milk to support pediatric nutrition and development. The study provides new insights into the molecular underpinnings of these processes, which could lead to improved infant health around the world.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalGut Microbes·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023

Chicago pollution varies by neighborhood

A new high-resolution simulation shows different pollutants accumulate along highways and over Lake Michigan, affecting communities in distinct ways. The study provides a detailed, neighborhood-by-neighborhood estimate of air pollution, highlighting areas that need targeted solutions to address poor air quality.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 27, 2023

Asymptomatic, CT angiography-detected coronary artery disease associated with 8-fold increased risk for heart attack

A cohort study of over 9,000 persons found that asymptomatic middle-aged individuals with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis are at an 8-fold increased risk for myocardial infarction. The study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing obstructive coronary artery disease in patients without known cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2023

Human body a breeding ground for antimicrobial resistance genes

Researchers found that healthy individuals have a median of 16 antimicrobial resistance genes in their gut microbiome, varying across countries and antibiotic use. National antibiotic consumption levels correlate with resistance gene frequencies, highlighting the need for public health strategies to mitigate AMR.

SourceEarlham Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 27, 2023

Early study shows cones in retinal degeneration, thought to be dormant, may retain visual function

Researchers discovered that 'dormant' cone photoreceptors in retinal degeneration continue to produce responses to light and drive retinal activity for vision. The study found that while cones have reduced sensitivity, ganglion cells retain their ability to respond to visual stimuli with similar spatial and temporal sensitivity.

Storing information with spins: Creating new structured spin states with spatially structured polarized light

Scientists at Tokyo University of Science generate vector vortex light beams and imprint their structure on electron spins in a semiconductor solid, creating helical spatial structures. This breakthrough enables higher information storage capacity by exploiting effective magnetic fields alongside structured light beams.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023

Atomic flow of nanojoints in the Ag nanowires interconnect network for flexible electronics and transparent electrode industry

The study investigates the atomic flow behavior during joint formation, exploring processing time, temperature, and stress distribution on nanojoints. The results reveal that local stress and capillary interactions significantly impact joint quality, leading to advances in industrial applications of Ag nanowire interconnect networks.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateMar 27, 2023

Hispanic, Black, and low-income adults are less likely to replace smoking with vaping

A new study found that Hispanic, Black, and low-socioeconomic status smokers are less likely to use e-cigarettes as a quit-smoking tool and more likely to believe e-cigarettes pose greater harm than cigarettes. This perception may prevent e-cigarette uptake among these populations, exacerbating racial and health disparities in smoking.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2023

JNM explores potential applications for ChatGPT in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging

A new article in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine explores the potential for using ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot, in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. The authors discuss the strengths and weaknesses of current AI bots and highlight the benefits of collaborating with AI allies to cope with increasing workloads.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateMar 27, 2023

Stones for the climate

A new study by Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon investigates the impact of climate change on ocean's ability to sequester CO2. Researchers found that changes in weathering rates and rock properties affect alkalinity, with potential implications for global carbon cycling.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 27, 2023

Implementation of school-based wellbeing programs benefits from multiple voices

A new study from University of Illinois evaluates the implementation of two prevention programs using a mixed-methods approach with multiple sources. The researchers identified four themes that had a positive impact on delivery, including instructor attentiveness, student involvement, and flexibility in program scheduling.

Shining light on aging hearts

A study published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine suggests that light therapy, known as photobiomodulation (PBM), can improve heart function and reduce the thickness of the cardiac wall in middle-aged mice. The research also found improved neuromuscular coordination and a significant survival rate among mice with severe heart disease.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalLasers in Surgery and Medicine·DateMar 27, 2023

Massively effective filter for topology optimization based on the splitting of tensor product structure

A new filter for topology optimization has been developed by splitting the tensor product structure, resulting in a massively efficient approach that accelerates design variable updates and computation times. The filter decreases memory burden and computing time of weight matrices by six and three orders of magnitude respectively.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Mechanical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023

Positive experiences in close relationships are associated with better physical health, new research suggests

A new study suggests that positive experiences in close relationships are associated with lower stress, better coping, and lower systolic blood pressure reactivity. The findings also indicate that variability in negative relationship experiences can predict outcomes like stress and physiological functioning.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeSurvey·DateMar 27, 2023

Machine learning combines with multispectral infrared imaging to guide cancer surgery

A new technique combines machine learning with short-wave infrared fluorescence imaging to detect precise tumor boundaries with higher accuracy than traditional methods. The approach achieved a remarkable per-pixel classification accuracy of 97.5 percent and demonstrated robustness against changes in imaging conditions.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023

Is service-related traumatic brain injury in veterans a prelude to Alzheimer’s disease?

A new study found that veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) do not have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers measured biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and glucose metabolism in TBI veterans compared to those without TBI. The study suggests that other factors may contribute to the increased risk of dement...

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·TypeCase study·DateMar 27, 2023

New in The Lancet Neurology: Advances in brain modelling open a path to digital twin approaches for brain medicine

Researchers at the Human Brain Project present novel clinical uses of advanced brain modelling methods, enabling clinicians to simulate epileptic seizures and identify target areas. The approach has broad applicability in neuroscience, medicine, and neurotechnology, with potential improvements in data resolution and patient specificity.

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateMar 27, 2023

Fast and low-cost computational method can monitor spread of antibiotic resistance over time

A new computational technique analyzes bacterial genetic sequences to monitor the spread of antibiotic resistance over time. The study found that resistance genes most likely to spread are those on conjugative plasmids and targeting specific antibiotics, with many coming from a single source.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalAntibiotics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 27, 2023

World first: Researchers identify specific regions of the brain that are damaged by high blood pressure and are involved in a decline in mental processes and dementia

High blood pressure damages specific brain regions, including the putamen and white matter areas, leading to cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia. The study uses a combination of MRI, genetic analyses, and observational data to identify these affected regions.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2023

McMaster researchers trial primary care program for older adults

A primary care program promoting health in older adults was successfully implemented but lacked significant clinical benefits. The Health Teams Advancing Patient Experience: Strengthening Quality (TAPESTRY) trial found no impact on hospitalizations or physical activity, despite positive effects in a previous study.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 27, 2023

Home gardens are key to better lives for vulnerable tribes in India

A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural Economics found that home gardens can increase annual home-produced food by nearly 90% and monthly per adult equivalent incomes by 37%. These interventions also reduced poverty rates and improved nutrition among rural farming communities in Odisha, India.

New study reveals potential link between two of astronomy’s most mysterious phenomena

Researchers have discovered a possible correlation between gravitational waves from neutron star mergers and fast radio bursts, two phenomena long shrouded in mystery. The study found that an observed FRB occurred just 2 ½ hours after a neutron star merger event, suggesting a potential link between the two events.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2023

ENGOT-EN6-NSGO/GOG-3031/RUBY trial results: The new standard of care in advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer

The ENGOT-EN6-NSGO/GOG-3031/RUBY trial reveals significant improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival for patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer when treated with dostarlimab in combination with standard of care carboplatin/paclitaxel. The new treatment regimen offers a substantial increase i...

SourceThe GOG Foundation Inc·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 27, 2023

SCAI and HRS release expert consensus on transcatheter left atrial appendage closure

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) released an updated expert consensus statement on transcatheter left atrial appendage closure, focusing on best practices for endovascular devices. The recommendations emphasize operator experience, patient selection, and imaging guidan...

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalJournal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions·DateMar 27, 2023

James Chappell wins NSF CAREER Award

James Chappell, a Rice University bioscientist, has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to create RNA programming methods for microbial communities in natural habitats. His research aims to improve human health and the environment by genetically manipulating microbial communities.

In bid to make child cancer treatments safer, scientists find possible warning signs of severe reaction

Researchers have found a possible early warning indicator for adverse reactions to childhood cancer treatments. Low levels of vitamin A in the liver and blood may signal an increased risk of pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening complication of asparaginase treatment. Increasing dietary vitamin A levels may help reduce this risk.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 27, 2023

Legal cannabis markets linked to increased motor vehicle deaths

A new study from the University of Illinois Chicago found a substantial increase in crash fatalities in four states with legalized recreational cannabis, with an average 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths. The study suggests that investing in policies and public health initiatives may mitigate this harm.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 27, 2023

Less ‘risky’ sex of early pandemic still evident year after first lockdown in Britain

The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic led to reduced opportunities for sex, with fewer reported unplanned pregnancies and abortions, but higher levels of sexual dissatisfaction and distress. The National Survey found that people were more likely to have multiple partners, but less likely to use condoms with new partners.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalSexually Transmitted Infections·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2023

Socially vulnerable carry disproportionate COVID burden due to lower likelihood of vaccination not vaccine effectiveness

A study found that socially vulnerable populations have poorer COVID-19 outcomes despite similar vaccine effectiveness, due to lower vaccination rates. The VISION Network analyzed electronic health record data and immunization records to highlight the need for targeted public health efforts on vaccine coverage.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateMar 27, 2023

Can cannabis use disorder be accurately diagnosed?

Researchers at Rutgers University propose a new approach to accurately diagnosing cannabis use disorder, particularly for individuals who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes. The current diagnostic manual may misdiagnose these individuals due to the rapid increase in state-level legalization of medical marijuana.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 27, 2023

Vehicle exhaust filters do not remove ‘ultrafine’ pollution – new study

A new study published in Environment International reveals that vehicle exhaust filters have limited impact on reducing ultrafine particles, which are a major contributor to air pollution. The research shows that current filters are not effective at removing smaller liquid particles, highlighting the need for alternative measures to re...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalEnvironment International·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 27, 2023

Late-breaking results of NRG-GY018 presented at SGO 2023: study demonstrates improved PFS outcomes with the addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy for women with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer

The NRG-GY018 trial found that pembrolizumab significantly improved progression-free survival outcomes in women with stage III-IV or recurrent endometrial cancer, particularly those with mismatch repair deficient tumors. The treatment also demonstrated improved overall survival and quality of life outcomes.