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Science News for May 4, 2023


Neuropathic pain: The underlying mechanism and a potential therapeutic target are revealed in mice

Researchers uncover a pathophysiological mechanism that initiates and sustains neuropathic pain in mice, identifying Tiam1 as a potential therapeutic target. Targeting spinal Tiam1 with antisense oligonucleotides alleviates neuropathic pain hypersensitivity, offering promise for treating chronic pain.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

How cancer genes become independent

A new study has provided insight into the mysterious evolution of DNA rings in tumors, revealing that nearly one-third of all tumors have these genetic structures. The researchers used a technology to trace the path of DNA ring development in neuroblastoma cells, finding that large rings contain cancer genes spurring cell growth.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 4, 2023

Scurrying centipedes inspire many-legged robots that can traverse difficult landscapes

Researchers developed a new theory of multilegged locomotion, creating robotic models that can move across uneven surfaces without sensors. The robot's leg redundancy enables it to transport itself and loads on challenging terrain, making it suitable for applications like agriculture, space exploration, and search and rescue.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Red flags indicate risk for early-onset colorectal cancer

Researchers have found four key red flags for early-onset colorectal cancer, including abdominal pain and rectal bleeding, which can indicate an increased risk in younger adults. Early detection through timely endoscopy and follow-up is crucial to improve survival rates.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

Quan­tum com­puter in reverse gear

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed reversible parity gates for integer factorization using quantum computers. This breakthrough enables the solution of a crucial pillar of cryptography, allowing for faster and more efficient factorization.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalCommunications Physics·DateMay 4, 2023

Gene responsible for severe facial defects identified

A team of researchers from UNIGE and Beihang University has identified the FOXI3 gene as responsible for one form of Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital disorder. Pathogenic variants in both copies of the FOXI3 gene are necessary for the disease to develop, following an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateMay 4, 2023

University of Southern California launches $1B-plus initiative for computing including AI, advanced computation and quantum computing

The University of Southern California has launched a $1 billion-plus initiative for computing research and education, focusing on AI, machine learning, data science, and emerging technologies. The initiative aims to integrate digital literacy across disciplines and prepare students for a more tech-intensive world.

Sexist and impossible standards are still entrenched in UK political reporting, new study finds

A new study by the University of Surrey found that UK mainstream media continues to apply impossible and sexist standards to female politicians, particularly after Brexit. The research highlights how language and framing can reinforce sexist beliefs, associating femininity with weakness and men with 'masculine strength'.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalFeminist Media Studies·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Bio-inspired device captures images by mimicking human eye

Scientists at Penn State developed a new device that produces high-fidelity images by mimicking the red, green, and blue photoreceptors and neural network found in human eyes. The device uses narrowband perovskite photodetectors and a neuromorphic algorithm to process information and produce clear images.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Chimpanzees combine calls to communicate new meaning

A study by the University of Zurich found that chimpanzees understand and respond strongly to combined calls, which they use to recruit group members in threatening situations. This discovery sheds light on the potential evolutionary origins of language's compositional structure, suggesting it may be at least 6 million years old.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Organoids validated as tool for studying fetal intestine development

Cincinnati Children's scientists have successfully grown functional human intestinal organoids that mimic key development stages of the human fetus. These lab-grown tissues accurately replicate the formation of specific cell types and tissue structures, providing a valuable resource for studying fetal intestine development and potentia...

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalDevelopment·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Epilepsy medicine during pregnancy associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorders in children

A major international study found that women taking certain epilepsy medicines during pregnancy are at a higher risk of having children develop severe psychiatric disorders. The study, which analyzed data from 38,000 children, highlights the importance of carefully weighing the risks and benefits of medication use during pregnancy.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

New ACR Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines call for earlier and more-intensive screening for high-risk women

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has introduced new guidelines recommending earlier and more intensive breast cancer screening for high-risk women, including Black women. According to the ACR, risk assessment by age 25 is necessary to determine if screening should start before age 40.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 4, 2023

Archaeologists map hidden NT landscape where first Australians lived more than 60,000 years ago

Scientists have used sub-surface imaging and aerial surveys to uncover the Red Lily Lagoon area in West Arnhem Land, revealing significant implications for understanding the First Australians. The study provides a new way to understand the rock art in the region, which is recognized globally for its significance and distinctive style.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateMay 4, 2023

Fred Hutch study highlights racial disparities in ovarian cancer risk for women

A recent Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center study found that fibroids were associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer in both Black and white women, while hysterectomy modified this risk for white women but not Black women. The study highlights the need for further research into racial disparities in ovarian cancer risk.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

High school students learn the basics of base editing to cure “GFP-itis”

Students participate in a genome-editing experiment to correct a mutation that causes 'GFP-itis', gaining hands-on experience with gene editing and understanding its therapeutic potential. The program aims to encourage critical thinking about the implications of germline genome editing and inspire students to pursue careers in STEM.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalThe CRISPR Journal·TypeNews article·DateMay 4, 2023

Social-belonging intervention promotes college success, increasing proportion of students who complete first year

A randomized controlled experiment involving 26,911 students at 22 diverse U.S. universities found that a low-cost online social-belonging intervention increased the rate of students completing their first year as full-time students, particularly among historically underrepresented groups. The study demonstrates the efficacy of this in...

Young men at highest risk of schizophrenia linked with cannabis use disorder

A recent NIH study reveals that young men with cannabis use disorder are at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The study analyzed health records data from over 6 million people in Denmark and found that as many as 30% of schizophrenia cases among young men aged 21-30 might have been prevented by averting cannabis use disorder.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateMay 4, 2023

Declines in racial disparities in COVID mortality in 2021 were largely driven by increases in white mortality and changing pandemic geography

A study found that declines in racial disparities in COVID-19 mortality rates were largely due to increases in mortality among White individuals, rather than decreases in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations. The shift from urban to rural areas also contributed to the decline.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

The Texas Heart Institute and The University of Texas at Austin awarded a National Institutes of Health grant to develop injectable hydrogel electrodes to prevent ventricular arrhythmias

The Texas Heart Institute and The University of Texas at Austin receive a four-year, $2.37 million NIH grant to develop injectable hydrogel electrodes for preventing and managing ventricular arrhythmias. Researchers have already demonstrated the feasibility of pacing the heart using the hydrogel in a porcine model.

Obesity as a risk factor for colorectal cancer underestimated so far

A recent study has shown that obesity is a significant risk factor for colorectal cancer, with overweight individuals having a one-third higher risk of developing the disease. The study also found that unintentional weight loss in the years leading up to diagnosis may be an early indicator of colorectal cancer.

Pusan National University researchers develop high-adsorption phosphates for radionuclide cesium ion capture

Researchers at Pusan National University have developed high-adsorption phosphates that can efficiently capture radionuclide cesium ions. These phosphates outperform standard adsorbents with record-high adsorption capacities, making them promising candidates for radioactive waste disposal.

SourcePusan National University·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Machine learning can support urban planning for energy use

Researchers at Drexel University developed a machine learning model to predict Philadelphia's future energy use based on zoning decisions and building characteristics. The model uses two machine learning programs to tease out patterns from massive datasets and make projections about future energy consumption.

SourceDrexel University·JournalEnergy and Buildings·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

AI could run a million microbial experiments per year

A new AI system, BacterAI, has mapped the metabolism of two beneficial bacteria associated with oral health. By testing hundreds of amino acid combinations daily, it discovered the required nutrients for their growth, producing accurate predictions 90% of the time. This technology could drastically speed up scientific discoveries in va...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 4, 2023

Stowers Institute scientists discover the dynamics of an “extra” chromosome in fruit flies

Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have revealed the dynamics of a new, young chromosome in fruit flies similar to those found in humans associated with treatment-resistant cancer and infertility. The B chromosomes are maintained by meiotic drive, enabling them to persist in a genome.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

"Resilience in dark times”: At-home yoga reduces anxiety, improves short-term memory

A virtual yoga program led by Sean Mullen reduced stress and anxiety in full-time working adults, improving short-term memory. The study used moderate-intensity yoga sequences to investigate its benefits for executive functioning and adherence to exercise programs.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Behavioral Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 4, 2023

Happy worms have healthy eggs

A new study found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) improved the quality of aging females' egg cells in roundworms by reducing embryonic death and chromosomal abnormalities. Replication in fruit flies confirmed the findings, suggesting a shared signaling system between species.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalDevelopmental Biology·DateMay 4, 2023

Alzheimer’s: modulation of cell membrane influences formation of amyloid-β

A team of researchers led by Prof. Harald Steiner has found that modifying cell membrane properties can affect the production of amyloid-β protein in Alzheimer's disease. The study showed that adding long-chain fatty acids to membranes altered enzyme activity, leading to non-uniform effects on amyloid-β production.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 4, 2023

A special omega-3 fatty acid lipid will change how we look at the developing and ageing brain, Duke-NUS researchers find

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have identified a special transporter protein that regulates the formation of myelin sheaths in the brain, which protect nerves from damage. The study suggests that omega-3 fatty acid lipids play a crucial role in directing oligodendrocyte development, a process critical for brain myelination.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 4, 2023

Mobile phone calls linked with increased risk of high blood pressure

Research published in European Heart Journal – Digital Health found a 12% increased risk of high blood pressure among mobile phone users who spent 30 minutes or more per week on calls. This association held true even after adjusting for other risk factors, suggesting that the duration of phone conversations may be a crucial factor.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Digital Health·DateMay 4, 2023

A calculator identifies a group of cancer patients with favorable prognosis

Researchers developed a calculator to identify patients with multiple myeloma and primary systemic amyloidosis who have a more benign profile, allowing for personalized treatment. The tool predicts survival based on clinical-biological characteristics and has been validated in international series.

SourceCentro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA) Universidad de Navarra·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

Vanishing glaciers threaten alpine biodiversity

Researchers warn that climate change will lead to the loss of habitats for invertebrates in the European Alps, with many species forced to seek refuge in colder areas. The study predicts that by the end of the century, most species will have experienced consistent losses of habitat.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

Engineering molecular interactions with machine learning

Researchers at EPFL have computationally designed novel protein binders that attach seamlessly to key targets, including the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, using deep learning-generated 'fingerprints' to characterize millions of protein fragments. This method demonstrates therapeutic potential for rapidly designing protein-based therapeutics.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 4, 2023

Research reveals longstanding cultural continuity at oldest occupied site in West Africa

A study from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology found technological continuity spanning 140,000 years at Bargny 1 site in Senegal, suggesting Middle Stone Age toolkits persisted longer than thought. The research highlights long-term cultural stability in West Africa's diverse habitats.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Nitrogen addition and mowing alter drought resistance and recovery of grassland communities

A five-year field experiment found that nitrogen addition increases biomass recovery but decreases structural recovery after drought, while annual mowing improves both biomass and structural recovery. The study highlights the importance of dominant species and plant functional groups in determining grassland stability under drought.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateMay 4, 2023

Radiation damage simulation software developed for defect accumulation mechanisms study in polycrystalline materials

Researchers developed a new simulation software to study defect accumulation mechanisms in polycrystalline metals. The software clarifies the dependence of vacancy accumulation on grain boundary character and grain size, revealing new interaction processes and their coupling.

Braided current collectors

Researchers at Fudan University have developed braided current collectors that increase the energy density of fiber lithium-ion batteries. The new design improves ion transport within the electrode, increasing charge density and reducing obstruction to lithium ion transport.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Biofortification of microgreens with zinc could mitigate global ‘hidden hunger’

Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to biofortify microgreens with zinc, which can increase their nutritional value and potentially address 'hidden hunger.' The study found that seeds soaked in a 200 parts per million solution of zinc sulfate resulted in higher zinc accumulation in pea and sunflower microgreens.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Novel faraday rotation spectroscopy sensor enables simultaneous two-component detection of nitrogen oxides

A new FRS sensor enables simultaneous two-component detection of nitrogen oxides, addressing slow measurement rates and lack of selectivity in traditional methods. The sensor achieves high detection sensitivity using wavelength modulation spectroscopy and a static magnetic field.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalSensors and Actuators B Chemical·DateMay 4, 2023

Team led by Columbia University wins $20M NSF grant to develop AI Institute for Artificial and Natural Intelligence

The National Science Foundation has awarded Columbia University a $20 million grant to establish the AI Institute for Artificial and Natural Intelligence (ARNI), an interdisciplinary center focused on connecting AI systems to brain research. ARNI will bring together top researchers from across the U.S. to advance neuroscience, cognitiv...

`Space waves' offer new clues to space weather, Embry-Riddle researchers report

Embry-Riddle researchers have discovered that seasonal and daily variations in the Earth's magnetic tilt can trigger changes in large-wavelength space waves, known as Kelvin-Helmholtz waves. These waves occur at the boundary between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetic shield, affecting astronaut safety and satellite communications.

SourceEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 4, 2023

Neutron star’s X-rays reveal ‘photon metamorphosis’

A Cornell astrophysicist explains how the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) satellite detected polarized X-rays from a magnetar, revealing 'photon metamorphosis' – a transformation of X-ray photons. The phenomenon is a natural consequence of quantum electrodynamics under strong magnetic field conditions.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2023

Converging ocean currents bring floating life and garbage together

A community science survey reveals an abundance of floating sea creatures in the North Pacific Garbage Patch, including jellyfish, snails, and crustaceans. The study found a positive correlation between plastic waste and three groups of sea creatures, highlighting the complex relationships within this ecosystem.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Criteria for selecting who can enroll in multiple myeloma clinical trials may exclude patients from racial and ethnic minorities

A study found that clinical trial eligibility criteria may be a barrier to enrollment of patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Black patients were most likely to be deemed ineligible due to blood cell counts or lack of prior treatments, while Asian patients had the lowest rate of ineligibility.

Study presents new clues about the rise of earth’s continents

A study from Smithsonian researchers deepens understanding of Earth's crust by testing and eliminating the garnet hypothesis about why continental crust is lower in iron and more oxidized. The findings suggest that intense heat and pressure cannot produce the necessary conditions for garnet formation, contradicting a popular explanation.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Understanding self-directed ageism

Self-directed ageism is common among older people due to internalized ageist beliefs, which can lead to decreased lifespan, poorer health, and reduced confidence. Interventions like positive social interactions between younger and older adults may help prevent negative views of ageing.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

How diet quality affects the gut microbiota to promote health

A new study from the University of Illinois found that following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans promotes a diverse gut microbiota composition. The researchers analyzed data from the American Gut Project and discovered that individuals with higher diet quality had a greater abundance of beneficial bacteria involved in fiber metabo...

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2023