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Science News for May 10, 2023


Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers develop injectable bioelectrodes with tunable lifetimes

Researchers from GIST have developed graphene-based conductive hydrogels that are injectable, degradable, and highly compatible with biological systems. The novel electrodes outperform traditional metal electrodes in signal transmission and stability, offering promising solutions for long-term medical monitoring and treatment.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023

Entangled quantum circuits

A team of researchers has performed a loophole-free Bell test using superconducting circuits, confirming that quantum mechanics predicts non-local correlations. The experiment demonstrates that entangled particles can be correlated over large distances, opening up possibilities for distributed quantum computing and quantum cryptography.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateMay 10, 2023

Another step away from the farm: meat grown from immortal stem cells

Tufts University researchers have developed immortalized bovine muscle stem cells that can grow rapidly and divide hundreds of times, making it possible to produce millions of metric tons of cell-cultured meat per year. This breakthrough reduces the need for animal biopsies and increases scalability for the production of cultured meat.

SourceTufts University·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023

Fecal microbiota transplants: Two reviews explore what's worked, what hasn’t, and where do we go from here.

Two review articles explore the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) in treating recurrent infections with C. difficile and chronic noncommunicable diseases like ulcerative colitis and metabolic syndrome. While FMTs have shown promise, researchers agree that more research is needed to understand factors such as patient ...

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 10, 2023

Metal-filtering sponge removes lead from water

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a metal-filtering sponge that can capture and recover critical metals and heavy-metal pollutants from contaminated water. The new sponge successfully removed lead to below detectable levels with one use and recovered over 90% of the ions during subsequent cycles.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalACS ES&T Water·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023

Bleeding after image-guided breast biopsies: Discontinuing vs. maintaining antithrombotic therapy

A study of 5302 patients found no significant difference in bleeding events between those temporarily discontinuing and maintaining antithrombotic therapy during image-guided breast biopsies. The findings support the safety of continuing antithrombotic therapy, but counsel patients on bruising risk.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 10, 2023

Scientists discover microbes in the Alps and Arctic that can digest plastic at low temperatures

Researchers have identified microorganisms in the Alpine and Arctic regions capable of degrading biodegradable plastics at 15°C, including polyethylene, polyester-polyurethane, and polybutylene adipate terephthalate. The discovery could reduce costs and environmental burden associated with enzymatic recycling processes.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023

Millions of U.S. households may struggle to afford basic water services

A study analyzing the affordability of water services for 28.3 million people in the US found that 15% of households, or one in seven, face financial hardship in paying for access to water and wastewater services. The researchers suggest that solutions require comprehensive strategies at local, state, and federal levels.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Water·TypeObservational study·DateMay 10, 2023

The right moves: how studying cell movement during embryonic development may offer new insights into cancer metastasis

Scientists studied cell movement during embryonic development to better understand cancer metastasis. They discovered how developing cells initiate the breakaway movement by contracting their surfaces and changing their shape, shedding light on key proteins involved in the process.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023

New USC study shows immigrant adults with liver cancer have higher survival rates than those born in the US

A new study from the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center found that immigrant adults with liver cancer have a significantly higher five-year survival rate compared to those born in the US. The study identified disparities in survival rates across different racial and ethnic groups, with immigrants demonstrating better outcomes.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 10, 2023

Simple management steps for a high fertility cycle in your dairy herd

Achieving a high fertility cycle in dairy herds involves implementing reproductive management programs, maintaining optimal body condition scores (BCS), and ensuring timely pregnancies. By calving cows at lower BCS between 2.75 and 3.0, dairy farms can reduce health issues and increase fertility rates.

SourceElsevier·JournalJDS Communications·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 10, 2023

Home measurement of blood oxygen levels by corona patients themselves easily applicable

A study by UMC Utrecht shows that corona patients can measure their blood oxygen levels at home using a pulse oximeter, feeling safe and experiencing more control. This method does not increase GP visits or hospitalization but contributes to relieving caregivers and keeping healthcare affordable.

SourceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 10, 2023

CABBI researchers chart oilcane microbiome

A new study by CABBI researchers has identified the types of microbes associated with engineered oilcane, revealing diverse microbial associations that could increase oil yields for sustainable bioenergy production. The findings suggest that plant-microbial interactions play a key role in determining the composition of the microbiome.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalBiotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023

Using plants as factories for green drug production

Scientists have engineered plants to produce peptides with antibiotic activity against drug-resistant pathogens, which also enhances stability and prolongs activity. The resulting plants yield potent drugs at significantly lower costs than traditional methods, making them an environmentally friendly option for pharmaceutical production.

Paper refutes assertion that effects of bottom trawling on blue carbon can be compared to that of global air travel

A Bangor University paper quantifies the carbon benefits of ending bottom trawling, finding only a small fraction of seabed carbon reacts to disturbance. The study challenges the validity of previous claims and suggests using 'carbon credits' for banning trawling may actually increase overall CO2 emissions.

SourceBangor University·JournalNature·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 10, 2023

Nature favors creatures in largest and smallest sizes

A study by McGill University and University of British Columbia found that the planet's biomass is concentrated in organisms at either end of the size spectrum. The researchers discovered a universal upper limit for maximum body size across multiple species and environments, with similar sizes reached by trees, fish, and other organisms.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 10, 2023

You are what you eat: healthier diet may improve fitness

A recent study found that healthy dietary patterns are strongly associated with improved fitness in middle-aged adults. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, examined over 2,380 participants and found that a Mediterranean-style diet with fresh whole foods and minimal processed items led to higher cardio...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateMay 10, 2023

The acute problem of chronic disease

A new paper by Robert K. Naviaux outlines the array of processes that drive healing and whose dysfunction underlies chronic illnesses like diabetes and autism. The cell danger response is triggered by exposure to threats, but persists even after the threat is gone, causing inflammation and cell dysfunction.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalMitochondrion·DateMay 10, 2023

Coping Under COVID: Study provides lessons from the pandemic on how to cope with large-scale traumatic events

A new study in PLOS ONE examines how individuals coped with stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies were associated with higher quality of life. Emotion-focused coping strategies may be most helpful when stressors are unpredictable or outside of individuals' control.

SourceLehigh University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateMay 10, 2023

Research Excellence Framework significantly increases UK university output but not efficiency, study shows

A new study from City University London suggests that the Research Excellence Framework (REF) has led to significant increases in high-quality published research, but not active academics. The study highlights areas of improvement needed in the assessment framework, including greater collaboration between domestic competitors.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalResearch Policy·TypeObservational study·DateMay 10, 2023

Combination therapy outperforms chemotherapy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Researchers from Amsterdam UMC and Copenhagen University have found that a chemofree drug-combination therapy is more effective than traditional chemotherapy in treating CLL, resulting in reduced side effects and improved patient outcomes. The study, the largest ever conducted on CLL, involved 920 fit patients and showed that treatment...

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 10, 2023

Drug discovered by SFU researchers shows potential life-saving results in treating cardiac arrhythmias

Researchers at Simon Fraser University and the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research have developed a new drug, AR-787, that shows promise in treating conditions leading to sudden cardiac death. The drug targets a protein in the heart called the cardiac sodium channel, which is essential for electrical impulse conduction. By inhibiti...

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 10, 2023

Invading insect could transform Antarctic soils

A non-native midge species is significantly increasing rates of plant decomposition, resulting in three to five-fold increases in soil nitrate levels on Signy Island. The midge, Eretmoptera murphyi, is altering soil ecosystems and potentially 'opening the door' for other species to become established.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalSoil Biology and Biochemistry·TypeObservational study·DateMay 10, 2023

Local Phoenix medical students invited to upcoming medical conference to learn about opportunities in interventional cardiology

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions is launching a program to introduce future physicians to interventional cardiology. The Ready to Launch - Careers in Cardiology program will host medical students from the Phoenix area and provide them with impactful conversations, training paths, and hands-on demonstrations.

Texas A&M Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture seeks experts to support study on responsive agriculture

The Texas A&M Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture is partnering with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs to develop a National Roadmap for Responsive Agriculture Solutions. The study aims to set priorities for supporting health through food and agriculture, focusing on reducing diet-related chronic diseases.

SourceWild Hive·TypeContent analysis·DateMay 10, 2023

Singing humpback whales respond to wind noise, but not boats

Researchers found that humpback whales have a unique response to wind noise, singing louder in noisy conditions. In contrast, they do not exhibit an increased reaction to vessel noise from boats. This finding has implications for understanding whale behavior and potential consequences for breeding practices.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMay 10, 2023

Physicists discover ‘stacked pancakes of liquid magnetism’

Researchers have discovered a new phase of liquid magnetism in layered helical magnets, where magnetic dipoles behave like 'flattened puddles' with varying alignment between layers. This phenomenon, predicted by a computational model, may explain the unusual electronic behavior observed in these materials.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 10, 2023

Turning waste into treasure: Second-tier structure matters for regulating liquid spreading dynamics

Researchers have developed a simplified surface design that enables liquid directional steering on the same surface as conventional designs. The new surface topography features dual reentrant curvatures and microgrooves, which regulate liquids' spreading dynamics. This innovation simplifies fabrication and opens up practical applications.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateMay 10, 2023

World’s first standard cladding diameter 19-core optical fiber with record transmission capacity

Researchers have created a 19-core optical fiber with a standard cladding diameter, achieving a record transmission capacity of 1.7 petabits per second over 63.5 km. This design uses randomly coupled multi-core fibers and MIMO digital signal processing to minimize power consumption.

Using AI to predict important measure of heart performance

Researchers developed an AI algorithm called CathEF to estimate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from standard angiogram videos, providing real-time information for clinical decision-making. The tool was trained on a large dataset and demonstrated strong correlations with echocardiographic LVEF measurements.

SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Medical Center·JournalJAMA Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 10, 2023

Australian bushfires likely contributed to multiyear La Niña

A new study suggests that catastrophic Australian bushfires in 2019-2020 contributed to a rare, three-year La Niña event. The research found that wildfire emissions brightened cloud decks across the Southern Hemisphere, cooling the Tropical Pacific ocean and ultimately shifting climate conditions.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 10, 2023

UW Medicine scientists among leads of NIH pangenome studies

The Human Pangenome Reference Consortium expands and updates the human genome project with nearly full genomic data from 47 people of diverse ancestry. Researchers at UW Medicine made significant contributions to drafting the pangenome reference and studying variation within repetitive DNA, which could improve equity in human genome re...

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023

Substantial racial inequalities despite frequent health care contact found in treatment for opioid use disorder

A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found significant racial inequalities in treatment for opioid use disorder, with White patients receiving medication up to 80% more frequently than Black and Hispanic patients. Despite similar numbers of healthcare visits, disparities persist.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 10, 2023

Social conformity in pandemics: How our behaviors spread faster than the virus itself

A new model for disease transmission takes into account the effects of social dynamics and social norms on behaviors such as mask-wearing. The study found that small changes in certain factors can lead to large changes in disease spread rates, creating distinct infection waves. Social conformity creates a 'stickiness' where individuals...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 10, 2023

Mitochondrial ultrastructure regulated by calcium sensor, scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University discover

Researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine found that calcium sensor MICU1 regulates mitochondrial ultrastructure, governing inner and outer mitochondrial membrane structure. This discovery provides a framework for understanding cellular energetics and cell death, with implications for diseases such as cardiovascular disease.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalScience Signaling·DateMay 10, 2023

Delivery of antioxidants to liver mitochondria

A research team at Hokkaido University has developed a system to deliver antioxidants to mitochondria in the liver, reducing oxidative stress and damaging caused by ROS. The system, called CoQ10-MITO-Porter, was found to be more effective when downsized particles were used.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023

Pregnant and lactating dogs share patterns of some blood metabolites - including glucose and fatty acid concentrations - with pregnant women, according to study of 27 dogs representing 21 breeds

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that pregnant and lactating dogs share similarities in certain blood metabolites with human pregnancy, including glucose and fatty acid concentrations. The research analyzed 27 dogs from 21 breeds and discovered intriguing correlations between canine metabolism and human physiological processes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 10, 2023

Risk of long COVID higher for people living in most deprived areas

Research analysis over 200,000 working-age adults reveals a strong association between area-level deprivation and long COVID risk. Females from least deprived areas had comparable long COVID risk to males from most deprived areas. The study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to address health inequalities.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateMay 10, 2023

Why buses can’t get wheelchair users to most areas of cities

A recent study in Columbus reveals striking disparities in accessibility for wheelchair users traveling by public bus. Manual wheelchair users have access to only 1% of the city, while powered wheelchair users can reach about 25%. The main obstacle is infrastructure, particularly sidewalks, which are damaged or missing in many areas.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Transport Geography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 10, 2023

Three-drug combination slows progression of advanced kidney cancer

A targeted kinase inhibitor added to a two-drug immunotherapy combination slowed the progression of advanced kidney cancer, with patients experiencing significantly improved progression-free survival. The median PFS was 11.3 months for those on nivolumab and ipilimumab alone, compared to not yet reached in the three-drug group.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 10, 2023

New breathalyzer for disease sniffs out COVID in real-time, could be used to detect cancer, lung disease

A new laser-based breathalyzer using artificial intelligence can detect COVID-19 in real-time with excellent accuracy. The technology, powered by frequency comb spectroscopy and machine learning, analyzes the unique chemical fingerprint of each breath sample to identify specific health conditions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Breath Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023

Copper artefacts reveal changing connections in prehistoric Europe

The study analyzed 45 copper objects from Northern Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia, revealing changes in distribution networks across prehistoric Europe. The findings suggest that copper artefacts originated primarily from southeast Europe before 3500 BC, with later sources including the Eastern Alps and British Isles.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 10, 2023

The 15-minute city begins with sidewalks that aid mobility

Researchers from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya studied sidewalk networks in Barcelona and found that even pedestrian-friendly cities like Barcelona struggle with mobility constraints. The study proposes a framework for assessing multi-factor walkability using percolation theory and insights into pedestrian behavior to improve sidewal...

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalComputers Environment and Urban Systems·DateMay 10, 2023

Health worker shortages strongly linked to excess deaths

An analysis of 172 countries and territories found that health worker shortages are strongly associated with higher death rates, particularly for neglected tropical diseases and maternal complications. The study highlights the need for targeted action to boost health workforces in priority areas.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateMay 10, 2023