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Science News Archive March 2023 - Page 2


Page 2 of 44

Why are forests turning brown in summer?

Researchers found that exceptional weather conditions over several years are turning European forests brown. Characteristic weather patterns, such as prolonged dry periods and high temperatures, precede these events, with a legacy effect contributing to future low-forest greenness.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalBiogeosciences·DateMar 31, 2023

Researchers uncover the first steps driving antibiotic resistance

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered crucial steps that promote ciprofloxacin resistance in bacteria, pointing to potential strategies to extend antibiotics' effectiveness. The study found that RNA polymerase plays a major role in regulating DNA repair and identified a key molecule involved in modulating this response.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2023

Fluid flow in the brain can be manipulated by sensory stimulation

A new study by Boston University researchers reveals that visual stimulation can induce large-scale changes in cerebrospinal fluid flow during wakefulness. The findings have implications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease, which are associated with declines in fluid flow.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2023

Development of an artificial kidney for early detection of drug toxicity

A research team from Pohang University of Science & Technology has engineered an artificial kidney to detect adverse drug reactions and provide personalized treatment. The team successfully fabricated a glomerular microvessel-on-a-chip that recapitulates the kidney's filtering function and evaluates its response to various toxins.

How to achieve a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B

Researchers found that after 96 weeks, some patients achieved loss of detectable HBsAg and reduced liver inflammation levels, indicating functional cure. The study suggests that discontinuing long-term antiviral therapy may be more effective than continuing it for certain patients.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Hepatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 30, 2023

Prototype taps into the sensing capabilities of any smartphone to screen for prediabetes

Researchers at the University of Washington developed GlucoScreen, a new system that leverages smartphone capacitive touch sensing to measure blood glucose levels. The system's accuracy is comparable to standard glucometer testing, making it potentially less costly and more accessible for widespread screening.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies·DateMar 30, 2023

How plants adapt to nitrogen deficiency

Scientists have identified specific genetic variants in wheat and barley that enable plants to adapt to nitrogen deficiency by increasing root growth and improving nitrogen content. These findings offer promising opportunities for plant breeding to develop varieties with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNew Phytologist·DateMar 30, 2023

Babies’ gut microbiome not influenced by mothers’ vaginal microbiome composition

A recent study published in Frontiers found that maternal vaginal microbiome composition does not significantly influence the development of infants' stool microbiome during the first weeks and months of life. Instead, exposure to breast milk and environmental factors are believed to play a more significant role.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 30, 2023

AI algorithm unblurs the cosmos

Researchers have developed an AI algorithm that can remove atmospheric blur from astronomical images, resulting in more accurate scientific measurements and clearer data. The tool produces faster and more realistic images than current methods, producing 38.6% less error compared to classic methods.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 30, 2023

Across the divide: Manufacturing better batteries

The article explores knowledge gaps between laboratory and industrial manufacturing of batteries, highlighting the need for a shift in research priorities. Researchers propose new ways to design experiments that account for industry challenges, such as cost efficiency and impurity tolerance. The study aims to bridge the gap between fun...

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 30, 2023

Do we understand the flickering flames?

A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology discovered that the flickering of flames can be controlled by moving two flames closer together or further apart. By periodically adjusting the distance between flames, they were able to stably express the state of “stopping the flickering of flames”, a phenomenon previously unknown...

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalPhysical Review Applied·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2023

New RNA-based toolkit to regulate gene activity could advance regenerative medicine, gene therapy and biotechnology

Scientists developed a new RNA-based toolkit that can regulate gene expression, potentially improving regenerative medicine, gene therapy, and biotechnology. The technology uses small molecules to control the activity of synthetic RNA, allowing for precise control over gene expression.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2023

Novel immunotherapy delivery approach safe and beneficial for some melanoma patients with leptomeningeal disease

Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a novel approach to administer intrathecal and intravenous immunotherapy to treat leptomeningeal disease (LMD) in melanoma patients, showing promising results in improving survival rates and quality of life for some patients.

Development of a biosensor for real time detection of the G-protein molecular switch in our body

The research team developed a new biosensor based on a fluorescent protein utilizing human M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (hM3R), a type of GPCR. They found that a GPCR-based single receptor sensor exhibited consecutive structural conversion via the G protein cycle, and that G-protein activation caused a two-step change in the hM...

New study identifies key risk factors for surgical site infection following commonly performed surgery

A new study has identified key risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) following abdominal hysterectomies. The analysis of over 66,000 procedures found that patients with open surgery, obesity, diabetes, and younger age were more likely to experience an SSI.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 30, 2023

New Study: Breast cancer screenings of at-risk women dropped after revised mammography guidelines issued in 2009

A study found that the change in guidelines led to a decline in mammography screening rates, particularly among women ages 50-74, an unintended consequence known as spillover. This effect resulted in 2.4 million fewer women being up-to-date with screening mammography between 2009 and 2018.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 30, 2023

Ancient forests, seaways, and climate: Lessons from the miocene for today's world

Researchers used a coupled model to simulate ocean circulation and temperature during the MMCO, finding that global average temperature was over 3℃ higher than present. Extensive forest coverage played a significant role in climate regulation, with land temperatures particularly high in the Sahara and high northern latitudes.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalPalaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology·DateMar 30, 2023

*Free* Indigenous cultures adopted horses of primarily Spanish origin before Europeans arrived in the American Great Plains and northern Rockies

A new study reveals that Indigenous cultures integrated domestic horses of Spanish ancestry into their lifeways before Europeans arrived in the region. The analysis of archaeological horse remains suggests that these animals spread northward from Spanish settlements in the American Southwest during the first half of the 1600s.

New circuit model offers insights into brain function

A new computational model of the thalamic microcircuit in mouse brains offers detailed insights into its role in brain function and dysfunction, particularly in relation to sensory processing and spindles. The model replicates network-level experimental findings across different brain states, shedding light on inhibitory rebound and th...

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCell Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 30, 2023

DNA testing finds endangered eels on the menu

A recent study by the University of Exeter has confirmed the widespread trading of critically endangered European eels in international markets. The research found that about 40% of North American unagi samples contained European eel, suggesting a significant role for illegal trade in their supply chain.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalFood Control·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2023

Hubble finds Saturn's rings heating its atmosphere

Astronomers have found that Saturn's vast ring system is heating the giant planet's upper atmosphere, a phenomenon that could provide insights into the atmospheres of distant worlds. The discovery was made using archival ultraviolet-light observations from four space missions, including Hubble and Cassini.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 30, 2023

Researchers call for the science needed to get the ocean we want

The High Seas Treaty aims to establish cooperative approaches to improve ocean management, but scientists argue that more research is needed to effectively implement the agreement. The treaty proposes massive marine protected areas covering 30% of the ocean by 2030, which could significantly improve ocean conservation.

SourceOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research (OLAR)·JournalOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 30, 2023

DGIST Professor Yoonkyu Lee’s research team has developed a high-performance transparent-flexible electronic device based on a copper-graphene nanowire synthesized by scintillation

The research team has developed a method for mass-producing high-quality copper-graphene nanowires, enabling the production of transparent-flexible electrode materials. The technology is applicable to various energy devices, including semitransparent solar cells and transparent displays.