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Science News Archive November 2023 - Page 38


Page 38 of 40

Rats have an imagination, new research finds

Researchers at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus have discovered that rats can think about places and objects not in front of them, generating specific neural activity patterns in the hippocampus. This ability is fundamental to remembering past events and imagining future scenarios, indicating that animals possess a form of imagination.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateNov 2, 2023

Researchers launch first study of a vaginal film that dissolves in 30 days to assess its acceptability as a potential HIV prevention method for women

A vaginal film designed to dissolve in 30 days is being tested for its feasibility and acceptability as a potential HIV prevention method for women. The study will enroll 100 women and assess the comfort, usability, and safety of two prototype films with different shapes.

Hollings researchers uncover new targets for breast cancers resistant to standard therapies

Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center have identified new targets for treating breast cancer that has become resistant to hormone therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors. By understanding the molecular mechanisms of resistance, the team has found potential solutions using epidermal growth factor receptors and PARP inhibitors.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2023

How a climate model can illustrate and explain ice-age climate variability

Researchers used a well-tested climate model to depict changes in natural climate variability during the last peak glacial period. The study found that internal mechanisms, such as variations in salinity and temperature, drove the multi-centennial climate variability, resulting in fluctuations in sea ice extent and Greenland temperatures.

Black holes are messy eaters

Research reveals that supermassive black holes consume about 3% of the gas flowing towards them, while the remaining 97% is ejected and recycled back into the host galaxy. Gravitational instability drives the inflow, and most expelled outflows are not fast enough to escape the galaxy.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2023

New strategy attacks treatment-resistant lymphomas

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a new mechanism that makes some cancers treatment-resistant, involving the shuttling of messenger RNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The approach targets this mechanism with a combination of approved chemotherapies, showing promise in treating persistent cases.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalCancer Research·DateNov 2, 2023

Jurassic worlds might be easier to spot than modern Earth

Researchers analyzed Earth's evolution over the past 540 million years, finding that telescopes could better detect signs of life on exoplanets with a similar atmospheric composition to ancient Earth. The study suggests that planets resembling Phanerozoic Earth would have a stronger light fingerprint, making them more promising targets...

SourceCornell University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters·DateNov 2, 2023

Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers create machine learning model to calculate chemotherapy success in patients with osteosarcoma

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine created a machine learning model to calculate percent necrosis in osteosarcoma patients after chemotherapy. The model achieved an 85% positive correlation with musculoskeletal pathologist results, increasing accuracy to 99% when one outlier was removed. This could help provide patients with earlier...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Research®·DateNov 2, 2023

Development of a retina-like biochip

Researchers have developed a retina-like biochip that mimics the eye's visual pathways, using conductive polymers and light-sensitive molecules. The chip's non-toxic organic components and flexibility make it suitable for integration into biological systems, paving the way for new treatments for neurological diseases.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

UMBC team makes first-ever observation of a virus attaching to another virus

Researchers observed a satellite bacteriophage consistently attaching to a helper bacteriophage at its neck, revealing a new viral relationship. The discovery suggests that this system may be more common than previously thought and could have significant implications for understanding the evolution of viruses.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalThe ISME Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2023

Human insulin less temperature-sensitive than previously thought

A new Cochrane review has found that human insulin can be stored at room temperature for up to six months without losing potency. This breakthrough research offers hope to millions of people living with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries, particularly those with limited access to refrigeration or healthcare.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 2, 2023

Sight loss in working-age people is under-researched

A new study by Anglia Ruskin University and University of Oxford highlights the lack of clinical research on severe sight impairment (SSI) among working-age individuals in the UK. The study finds that inherited retinal disorders, such as IRDs, are under-researched despite being a leading cause of SSI certifications in this population.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalClinical Ophthalmology·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 2, 2023

NIH grants support UCLA and Charles Drew University researchers' efforts to end HIV epidemic

Researchers at UCLA and Charles Drew University are receiving NIH funding to tackle the HIV epidemic, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as youth, transgender individuals, and Black Americans. The projects will explore innovative implementation strategies to enhance community engagement and support high-quality services.

Self-powered microbial fuel cell biosensor for monitoring organic freshwater pollution

Researchers from Ritsumeikan University developed a low-cost, self-powered biosensor for monitoring organic wastewater in freshwater lakes and rivers. The biosensor uses a microbial fuel cell to detect the level of organic contamination in water samples, providing an early warning system for water quality management.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalBiochemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

At least 14% of Americans have had long COVID

A large-scale investigation found that one in seven people in the US reported having had long Covid by the end of 2022. Long Covid is associated with anxiety, low mood, and physical mobility problems. The risk of these symptoms appears to be lower for those who have been vaccinated.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulator PvrA binds simultaneously to multiple pseudo-palindromic sites for efficient transcription activation

The study revealed that PvrA binds simultaneously to multiple pseudo-palindromic sites for efficient transcription activation, enabling P. aeruginosa to adapt to environmental stress and exhibit increased virulence. This unique regulatory mechanism provides new insights into the structure-function relationship of TetR family regulators.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateNov 1, 2023

Scientists propose perovskite film homogenizing strategy to increase conversion efficiency

Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences propose homogenizing strategy to fabricate perovskite films for solar cells. The process increases conversion efficiency to 26.1%, tying the existing record. The method uses an additive to make up for difference in crystallization and phase transition rates, resulting in long-term stability.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2023

RCSI study shows survival benefit of augmentation therapy for people with the genetic lung condition AATD

A new study by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences found that boosting levels of a deficient protein improves survival rates for people with severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The research, which tracked health data from over 600 patients, showed a clear survival benefit from augmentation therapy.

SourceRCSI·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 1, 2023

Cancer drug could hold hope for treating inflammatory diseases including gout and heart diseases

Scientists at the University of Cambridge identified a molecule that plays a key role in triggering inflammation in response to harmful materials. The researchers found that inhibiting this molecule, PLK1, can prevent overly aggressive inflammatory responses in conditions like gout and heart diseases.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2023

Research team at World Institute of Kimchi discovers lactic acid bacteria strains with high virus resistance from kimchi

Researchers at the World Institute of Kimchi identified Pediococcus inopinatus, a lab strain with a well-developed CRISPR-Cas system, which provides strong defense against viruses. The discovery could lead to the development of phage-resistant LAB strains for food production and potentially even pharmaceutical applications.

Seismology records growing rumble of climate change

A new study by Colorado State University reveals that seismic signals show a growing intensity in ocean waves since the late 20th century, attributed to global warming. The research indicates that storms are becoming more intense and wave energy is increasing globally, posing a serious threat to coastal ecosystems and infrastructure.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 1, 2023