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Science News for May 18, 2023


Novel percutaneous ventricular assist device feasibile in patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions (HRPCI)

A novel low-profile pVAD system demonstrated 100% procedural success and no device-related adverse events in a first-in-human trial. The device supports cardiovascular hemodynamics with minimal hemolysis and low risk of vascular complications, aiming to minimize morbidity and improve patient outcomes

Low-cost, waterproof sensors may create new health-monitoring possibilities

Researchers developed an affordable, stretchable, and waterproof sensor using graphite material from pencils to monitor gas molecules, temperature, and electrical physiological signals. The device has the potential for public health applications, including collecting data on population health variation between geographic locations.

SourcePenn State·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2023

UCLA study shows accuracy of genetically based disease predictions varies from individual-to-individual

A new UCLA study found that the accuracy of genetically-based disease predictions using polygenic scores (PGSs) varies significantly between individuals, even within traditionally considered homogeneous populations. PGS performance declines as genetic distance increases, and individual ancestry plays a crucial role in determining accur...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2023

Teachers cooperation: team-knowledge distillation for multiple cross-domain few-shot learning

A research team proposes a new method to improve AI's ability to learn from limited data, called 'team-knowledge distillation networks'. This approach enables teachers to cooperate and share knowledge, leading to better generalization on unseen tasks. The proposed method addresses the challenge of cross-domain few-shot learning.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2023

Perfection: The Enemy of Evolution

Researchers discover allowing imperfection in design can create wider range of 'good enough' solutions, enabling more innovative designs. The study uses simple examples, such as walkways and bird flapping motion, to show that even small tolerances for imperfection open up significant design space.

SourceDuke University·JournalBiosystems·TypeObservational study·DateMay 18, 2023

In years after El Niño, global economy loses trillions

A recent study by Dartmouth researchers finds that global economic losses from El Niño can persist for several years after the event, with a significant impact on the world's poorest nations. The study projects total losses of $84 trillion for the 21st century, highlighting the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2023

How cells select DNA damage repair pathways

Researchers discovered that MSH2-MSH3 plays a crucial role in selecting the right DNA repair process by interacting with other proteins during DSB repair. This interaction facilitates error-free homologous recombination and blocks error-prone polymerase theta-mediated end-joining.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2023

Half of world's largest lakes losing water

A new assessment by University of Colorado at Boulder researchers reveals that over 50% of the world's largest lakes are losing water. The study found that climate change and unsustainable human consumption are major contributors to this decline, with many lakes in dry and wet regions experiencing significant losses.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 18, 2023

If the Higgs can reach the Hidden Valley, we will see new physics already in next-generation accelerators

Researchers at the Polish Academy of Sciences propose that Higgs boson decays into exotic particles may be detectable in future lepton accelerators like CLIC and FCC. The detection would rely on observing jets of particles produced by quark-antiquark pairs, with characteristic shifts from the axis of the colliding beams.

Rising rates of induced labor need to be reconsidered in the context of the UK maternity services staffing crisis, study suggests

A new study suggests that increasing induced labor rates in UK maternity services without considering staffing workloads and patient care may have unintended consequences. The study highlights gaps in knowledge on home-based IOL services, with workload perceived to be increased in some cases.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateMay 18, 2023

UH researchers develop sensors that operate at high temperatures and in extreme environments

University of Houston researchers create sensitive and reliable sensors for harsh conditions, operating up to 900 degrees Celsius. The sensors, made from flexible ultrawide-bandgap single-crystalline AlN thin films, offer advantages for applications in nuclear plants, neutron exposure, and wearable health care monitoring.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 18, 2023

In schools, masks and air cleaners were associated with stopping COVID-19

A new study shows that masking and portable air cleaners significantly reduced the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in two Swiss schools during the Omicron wave. The researchers detected salivary and airborne virus concentrations in air samples and students, with a 70% decrease in viral transmission under mask mandates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 18, 2023

Delivering on the promise of personalized breast cancer therapy

A Baylor team created a molecular classifier test to identify patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who may benefit from anti-HER2 therapy alone without chemotherapy. The test accurately predicts the most likely response of a tumor to specific treatment regimens, allowing for personalized de-escalation approaches.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 18, 2023

Novel virtual coronary roadmap tool reduces volume of iodinated contrast needed during percutaneous coronary interventions

A new virtual coronary roadmap tool has been shown to reduce the volume of iodinated contrast needed during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The Dynamic Coronary Roadmap (DCR) effectively decreases contrast usage by 28.8%, potentially lowering the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy.

Engineering: The house that diapers built

Researchers found that disposable diaper waste can replace up to 8% of sand in concrete and mortar used to build a single-story house, reducing construction costs. The study suggests using this unconventional material for low-cost housing in low- and middle-income countries.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 18, 2023

Why Antarctic ice shelves are losing their mass and how it leads to global sea level rise

Researchers investigate the impact of oceanic warming on Antarctic ice shelves, highlighting the role of circumpolar deep water in causing melting and calving. The study emphasizes the need for improved understanding and modeling to predict future sea levels and their effects on coastal communities.

SourceOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research (OLAR)·JournalOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 18, 2023

Biodiversity discovery: Unknown species ("dark taxa") drive insect diversity

A recent study reveals that 20 insect families globally account for 50% of flying insect diversity, with a large fraction of terrestrial animal biodiversity remaining unknown to science. The study used DNA barcodes to assign specimens to species and found that only a few dominant families dominate flying insect communities worldwide.

New analysis shows improved body composition with tirzepatide is consistent across adult age groups with overweight or obesity

A new analysis of the SURMOUNT-1 study shows that tirzepatide improves body composition across a range of adult age groups, with significant reductions in fat mass. The treatment also results in a clinically meaningful improvement in body composition, with only one-quarter of weight lost being lean mass.

AMP offers evidence-based recommendations for next-generation sequencing germline variant confirmation

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) has published a report establishing evidence-based recommendations for orthogonal confirmation practices of germline variants detected by next-generation sequencing. The guidelines aim to promote standardization, transparency, and quality improvement among laboratories.

SourceAssociation for Molecular Pathology·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateMay 18, 2023

Promoting lower-calorie options on delivery apps could help users select healthier options, randomized trials find

Research suggests that simple initiatives to promote lower-calorie options on delivery apps can significantly reduce the average excess calorie content of orders. The interventions tested included pre-selecting smaller portions, positioning lower-calorie foods and restaurants more prominently, and displaying calorie labels.

Out of the frying pan: Coyotes, bobcats move into human-inhabited areas to avoid apex predators — only to be killed by people

A study in Washington state found that when wolves and cougars moved into an area, coyotes and bobcats shifted their movements into regions with higher levels of human activity. However, it was humans who finished off the smaller predators, with over half of the coyotes killed by people during the study period.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateMay 18, 2023

Is vaping a new gateway into further substance use? New national study shows adolescent vapers much likelier to use cannabis and binge drink

A new national study of over 50,000 US adolescents reveals a strong association between vaping nicotine and increased likelihood of high-level cannabis usage and binge drinking. The findings highlight the need for sustained interventions to address co-occurring substance use among young people.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalSubstance Use & Misuse·TypeObservational study·DateMay 18, 2023

Hanging by a purple thread

The native gromwell plant, a crucial element in traditional Japanese culture, is facing severe threats from disease and cross-breeding with non-native species. Researchers at Kyoto University are leading efforts to raise awareness of the plant's significance and promote conservation initiatives.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPlant and Cell Physiology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 18, 2023

A ribosomal traffic jam that breaks the heart

Researchers found that a mutation in RPL3L, expressed only in heart and skeletal muscle, leads to impaired cardiac contractility by causing ribosomal collisions and protein folding abnormalities. The study aims to develop new treatments for cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2023

Historical memories have long reach in consumer preferences, study finds

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that historical memories have a lasting impact on consumer behavior, particularly in the automotive industry. The research analyzed vehicle registration data and archival records to show how past conflicts can affect car sales, with Japanese cars experiencing significant drops in sales...

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalMarketing Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2023

Journal of Clinical Immunology publishes Octapharma USA research on cutaquig® evaluating PI treatment options

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Immunology suggests that cutaquig infusions at higher infusion rates and volumes are well-tolerated and effective, with reduced infusion time, fewer injection sites, and improved compliance. The study results will be presented at the Clinical Immunology Society 2023 Annual Meeting.

SourceYankee Public Relations·JournalJournal of Clinical Immunology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 18, 2023

The importance of social media in corporate social responsibility

A recent study analyzed over half a million tweets from 2017 to 2022, finding that social media plays a crucial role in corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. The study identified key topics, including sustainability, climate change, and waste management, as well as areas of growth and decline in CSR communication.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ Computer Science·DateMay 18, 2023

Catching foodborne illness early

A new, rapid platform detects pathogens on produce in three to six hours, improving risk reduction strategies for the produce industry. The technology uses multi-spectral imaging and deep UV sensing to identify opportunistic human pathogens.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Food Safety·DateMay 18, 2023

Forgetfulness, even fatal cases, can happen to anyone, study shows

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that forgetting occurs when environmental cues fail to trigger one's memory of an intention. They discovered that prospective memory errors can happen to anyone and have serious implications for exonerating parents who mistakenly forget to retrieve their children from cars.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2023

Infarction growth, penumbral consumption after reperfusion in COVID vaccine-naïve patients

A recent study found that COVID-19 infection can lead to increased infarct growth and ongoing tissue consumption even after successful reperfusion through angiography. This suggests a potentially aggressive clinical course for patients with COVID-19 and large-vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeCase study·DateMay 18, 2023