Science News for October 21, 2023

New research points to price discrepancies almost three years after federal hospital price transparency rule

A new study reveals that many hospitals fail to accurately post their standard charges online, with significant discrepancies found when comparing phone prices. The research compared prices for vaginal childbirth and brain MRI at 60 US hospitals and found missing data for over half of the hospitals.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2023

Harnessing heat-induced floral overexpression: Innovative CRISPR techniques to control gene flow and shape floral characteristics in poplar trees

Researchers employed heat-induced FT overexpression to accelerate assessment of floral phenotypes after CRISPR knockout of LEAFY and AGAMOUS genes in poplar trees. The study successfully induced early flowering and demonstrated a wide range of inflorescence and floral forms.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2023

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Highest risk patients with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma benefit from adjuvant everolimus

A secondary analysis of the SWOG S0931 trial found that patients with very-high risk clear-cell renal cell carcinoma who received adjuvant everolimus after surgery had a statistically significant improvement in recurrence-free survival. The results suggest that everolimus may be beneficial for this high-risk patient population, but als...

SourceSWOG Cancer Research Network·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 21, 2023

American Academy of Pediatrics sounds the alarm on excessive noise and risks to children’s hearing in updated policy statement

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that children are exposed to potentially harmful noise from infancy, with cumulative effects over a lifetime. Families can reduce risk by limiting exposure to loud music, using protective earmuffs, and advocating for reduced noise spaces in childcare settings.

SourceAmerican Academy of Pediatrics·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 21, 2023

ESMO: PARP inhibitor plus immunotherapy lowers risk of endometrial cancer progression over chemotherapy alone

A Phase III trial found that combining durvalumab and olaparib with chemotherapy reduces disease progression in advanced endometrial cancer patients by 45%, compared to 29% with durvalumab alone. The combination also shows benefits in MMR-proficient subgroups, offering new treatment options for these patients.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateOct 21, 2023

Kidney cancer study shows improved outcomes for patients with advanced disease when treated with belzutifan over everolimus

A phase 3 clinical trial found belzutifan significantly reduces the risk of progression in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma who had previously treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic therapies. The drug demonstrated improved progression-free survival, higher overall response rates, and redu...

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·DateOct 21, 2023