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Science News Archive March 2023 - Page 5


Page 5 of 44

The shape of your heart matters

Researchers from the Smidt Heart Institute found that individuals with spherical hearts are 31% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation and 24% more likely to develop cardiomyopathy. The study identified four genes associated with cardiomyopathy and a greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

Australians paying $6 billion for unused apartment parking

A new study found that 20% of households have too little allocated parking and 13.4% of surveyed households do not own a car but are still allocated a parking space. Experts are calling for planning policy to 'unbundle' parking spaces from apartments to reduce housing costs and alleviate street parking woes.

SourceRMIT University·JournalJournal of Transport Geography·TypeSurvey·DateMar 29, 2023

Rainbow trout subspecies newly named

A new subspecies of rainbow trout, O. mykiss calisulat, has been identified after genetic analysis revealed its distinctiveness. This discovery is significant as it marks the first newly identified Pacific trout subspecies since 2008 and the youngest rainbow trout subspecies by more than 100 years.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalZootaxa·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 29, 2023

Seer researchers find undiscovered links between lung cancer and multiple distinct protein variants via deep, unbiased proteomics analysis

Seer researchers identified four structurally distinct protein isoforms that were differentially expressed in non-small cell lung cancer patients. These findings suggest that these protein isoforms may play a role in NSCLC disease pathogenesis, potentially leading to the development of new diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets.

SourceConsort Partners·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

Bridging the Gap: addressing medical and social needs improves diabetes care and outcomes

A new initiative has shown that holistic, team-based care that bridges clinic treatment to community resources can improve diabetes care and management. Healthcare organizations partnering with community groups to address social factors such as food insecurity also shows promise in empowering patients to better manage their own symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 29, 2023

Scientists share ‘comprehensive’ map of volcanoes on Venus — all 85,000 of them

Researchers Paul Byrne and Rebecca Hahn have compiled a global catalog of 85,000 volcanoes on Venus, providing the most comprehensive understanding of the planet's volcanic properties. The dataset includes detailed analyses of volcano distribution, size, and clustering, which will aid in locating future active lava flows.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Planets·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 29, 2023

CSU machine learning model helps forecasters improve confidence in storm prediction

A machine learning model developed by Colorado State University researchers has been tested with forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center to improve medium-range severe weather forecasts. The tool provides a probabilistic measure of hazardous weather events, such as tornadoes and hail, four to eight days in advance.

SourceColorado State University·JournalWeather and Forecasting·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 29, 2023

Dissecting the circadian clock in real time

Researchers at UC San Diego and UC Merced developed a high-throughput method to study the circadian clock in real time, shedding light on its internal functions. The study found that kinases play a crucial role in relaying the circadian rhythm from the core oscillator to gene expression.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

Exercise may reduce negative effects of unhealthy sleep duration on longevity

A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that regular physical activity can help offset the detrimental effects of inadequate or excessive sleep on mortality risk. The research included over 90,000 adults and used accelerometry to track physical activity and sleep duration.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 29, 2023

Pathogenic genetic variations boost the risk of H. pylori-related stomach cancer

A large case-control study identified nine genes associated with stomach cancer risk and found that pathogenic genetic variations exacerbate the damage caused by H. pylori infection, significantly increasing the risk of gastric cancer. The study suggests that screening for pathogenic variants can help prioritize interventions.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

Research Brief: Study finds evidence of resistance to COVID-19 drugs

A study published in Science Advances reveals that viral SARS-CoV-2 variants are developing resistance to protease inhibitors, including Paxlovid. Researchers warn that this could undermine the effectiveness of antiviral treatments and highlight the need for next-generation compounds with different resistance profiles.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateMar 29, 2023

Ancient magma reveals signs of life

Researchers at Heidelberg University developed new methods to detect biogenic carbon in zircon minerals, which can preserve traces of life hundreds of millions of years old. The study's findings open up new possibilities for research into the Earth's early period, where fossils and sediments are scarce.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalGeochimica et Cosmochimica Acta·TypeObservational study·DateMar 29, 2023

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Antitumor Response: Decoding Molecular Mechanisms

Researchers found that immune checkpoint inhibitors increase the mobilization of overlapping tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells, leading to antitumor effects. The diverse subset of T-cell clones plays a key role in this response, with polyclonal clones exhibiting more proliferative potential and contributing to effective treatment outcomes.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

OHIO diabetes researchers discover the potential of CIDEC protein to mitigate obesity-related cardiometabolic disease

A team of researchers from Ohio University discovered that CIDEC protein improves vascular and metabolic dysfunction, reducing insulin resistance and lipid levels in high-fat diet-induced mice. The study contributes to understanding the role of the vascular endothelium in regulating systemic metabolism.

SourceOhio University·JournalDiabetes·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

How to climate-proof the Ethiopian breadbasket? Combine genomics and farmer knowledge

Researchers teamed with Ethiopian farmers to develop new wheat varieties using genomic analysis. Farmers' knowledge played a crucial role in predicting crop yields and selecting optimal traits. The project aims to preserve agrobiodiversity and promote cultural heritage.

Implementing green corridors throughout Barcelona could reduce annual antidepressant use and visits to mental health specialists by 13%

A Barcelona Institute for Global Health study suggests that increasing green space in the city may help alleviate mental health issues. By 2025, the expansion of Green Axes (Eixos Verds) could lead to a 14% decrease in cases of poor mental health and prevent 13% of antidepressant use, resulting in annual savings of €45 million.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·TypeObservational study·DateMar 29, 2023

When it comes to neural networks learning motion, it’s all relative

Researchers developed a deep learning approach to recognize and predict motion using vector-based relative change in position. The method, VecNet+LSTM, scored higher than other frameworks in recognizing motion and predicting future movements. This study has implications for machine learning in video analysis and artificial intelligence.

SourceIntelligent Computing·JournalIntelligent Computing·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

Life’s work of University of South Florida researcher uncovers first ancient DNA from Swahili civilization

A University of South Florida anthropologist has uncovered the first ancient DNA from the Swahili Civilization, revealing African and Asian ancestry patterns. The study challenges centuries-old narratives and restores pride to the millions who identify as Swahili by providing clarity to their heritage.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateMar 29, 2023

Scientists make a breakthrough in the cellular recognition of microplastics

Researchers at Ritsumeikan University have made a breakthrough in understanding how macrophages recognize microplastics, discovering an interaction between aromatic rings that drives this process. The study suggests that while microplastics may not induce acute inflammation, chronic exposure could lead to autoimmune diseases.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

Feed them or lose them

Researchers found that a group of amino acids influence brain development, leading to severe effects after birth if nerve cells are starved. The study showed that mice with low levels of essential amino acids developed microcephaly and exhibited long-term behavioral abnormalities similar to those in autism spectrum disorders.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023