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Science News Archive March 2023 - Page 8


Page 8 of 44

Cancer that spreads to the lung maneuvers to avoid being attacked by “killer” T cells

Cancer cells have been found to employ a strategy to evade the immune system's killer T cells by interacting with myeloid cells and suppressing type 1 interferon production. This natural pathway is crucial for recruiting killer T cells to combat cancer spread. Researchers hope to develop new therapeutic approaches, such as forcing tumo...

Researchers identify a plant-based compound that inhibits reactivation of the HIV viral reservoir, giving the immune system a break

Researchers at The Wistar Institute identified hopeaphenol as a plant-based compound that targets HIV reservoirs, reducing stress on the immune system and potentially decreasing age-related conditions. The compound was found to inhibit viral reactivation, blocking replication and production of new viruses in infected cells.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

Revolutionary battery technology to boost EV range 10-fold or more

Researchers have developed a functional polymeric binder for stable, high-capacity anode material that can increase the current EV range at least 10-fold. The new polymer utilizes hydrogen bonding and Coulombic forces to control volumetric expansion, resulting in a thick high-capacity electrode and maximum energy density.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 28, 2023

Cooking up plasmas with microwaves

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully created stable plasmas using microwaves, a key step towards harnessing nuclear fusion's massive energy potential. The team identified three crucial steps in plasma production and used Heliotron J to generate the dense plasmas.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProblems of Atomic Science and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

Preventive medicine leaders describe how the USPSTF’s current methods are evolving to address preventive health equity and identify evidence gaps for future research

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is updating its methods to prioritize topics based on disease burden, extent of new evidence, and ability to be provided in primary care. The task force will increasingly consider health equity when making recommendations.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 28, 2023

New soil sensor may improve efficiency of crop fertilization

A new soil sensor has been developed to accurately measure temperature and nitrogen levels in soil, enabling farmers to optimize fertilizer use and reduce environmental pollution. The sensor can decouple temperature and nitrogen signals, allowing for precise monitoring of crop health and growth.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

A study shows that the physical appearance of video game characters affects girls' body image dissatisfactio

A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that playing video games has a negative impact on girls' satisfaction with their eye and skin color. The researchers concluded that the media's emphasis on women's physical appearance contributes to body-shape pressure, making girls feel insecure about their bodies.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalRevista Mediterránea de Comunicación·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 28, 2023

Using bacteria to target cancer treatment

Scientists have engineered a unique strain of probiotic bacteria to over-express a metal transporter that binds and concentrates copper, facilitating the delivery of radionuclide therapy to cancer cells. This approach targets tumors without relying on specific receptors, making it potentially effective against treatment-resistant cancers.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

New drug combination holds unusually positive results for HPV-negative patients with advanced head and neck cancer

A new drug combination has doubled the expected time until cancer progression in heavily resistant head and neck cancer patients. The treatment, which includes a monoclonal antibody drug called ficlatuzumab, has shown an unusually high response rate of 38% in HPV-negative patients.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 28, 2023

Clinics use toolkit to assess patients’ physical, environmental, lifestyle, social, emotional, mental and spiritual experiences with healthcare team

The HOPE Note Toolkit is being adopted by primary care clinics in the US to improve whole person integrative health visits. The toolkit assesses patients' physical, environmental, lifestyle, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual experiences with healthcare teams.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 28, 2023

COVID vaccine induces robust T cell responses in blood cancer patients

Researchers found that COVID-19 vaccination generates robust T cell responses in haematology patients, on par with healthy individuals. The study provides key insights for future immunisation strategies and shows that mRNA vaccines can elicit strong T cell immunity in patients with co-morbidities.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2023

Dominating over junk food on social media

Researchers found that healthier foods require more photographic staging to gain popularity, but using warm colors, repetition, and clean backgrounds can increase audience engagement. This study aims to help health communication and practitioners create visually appealing content that garners higher social media engagement.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalHealth Communication·DateMar 28, 2023

We've learned a lot from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus—now the time has come to fight it

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have developed a high-resolution view of the LCMV glycoprotein, revealing its structure and potential vulnerabilities. The breakthrough enables the development of an engineered antibody that can prevent LCMV disease, offering a new route to treatment.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

Shedding pounds may benefit your heart — even if some weight is regained

Research highlights that intensive behavioral weight loss programs significantly reduce cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes risk factors, which persist for at least five years. Participants who lost weight through such programs had lower risk factors compared to those in less intensive or no weight loss programs.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes·DateMar 28, 2023

HIV and hepatitis C virus monitoring needs to increase to achieve global elimination goals

Global efforts to track HIV and HCV incidence among people who inject drugs are necessary to validate targets for ending the epidemics by 2030. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing this population in prevention and elimination work, particularly for vulnerable subgroups like young people and women.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 28, 2023

The drugs don’t work – meditation and training are better at sparking creativity

Researchers debunk rock'n'roll myth, finding narcotics have no effect on inspiration. Instead, complex training programs, meditation, and cultural exposure boost creativity. Training that highlights mental techniques has long-term impacts, while mindfulness activities like meditation also improve imagination in the short term.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalPsychology of Aesthetics Creativity and the Arts·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 28, 2023

COVID-19 impacted smoking assessment rates in community health centers, necessitating a closer examination on how procedures can be adapted

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly declined tobacco assessment rates in community health centers between March and May 2020. Assessments remained 33.5% lower than pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the need for adapted procedures to support tobacco cessation efforts.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 28, 2023

Preschoolers prefer to learn from a competent robot than an incompetent human, Concordia study shows

A new study published in the Journal of Cognition and Development found that preschoolers aged three and five prefer learning from a competent robot over an incompetent human. The research, conducted by Concordia University researchers, used humanoid robots to teach children about unfamiliar objects. Five-year-olds were more likely to ...

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Cognition and Development·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2023

Integrating patients’ social determinants of health into the EHR, along with clinic conversations, can help doctors provide more personalized and preventive care

A recent study found that social determinants of health influenced care in 35% of surveyed encounters, with the most common sources being patient conversations and prior knowledge. Integrating this data into EHRs can support personalized care planning.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 28, 2023