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Science News for October 25, 2023


Global platform study presents results to guide care of severely ill patients with COVID-19 using routinely available drugs

A global platform study has released results on the use of simvastatin to treat severely ill patients with COVID-19, showing a high probability of improving outcomes. In contrast, high-dose vitamin C was found to be ineffective and potentially harmful in critically ill patients, suggesting its use should be discontinued.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

Sediment core analysis supports new epoch characterized by human impact on planet

Researchers analyzed North American pollen records to track vegetation changes since the end of the Ice Age, concluding that humans have had as much impact on the landscape. The study's findings indicate comparable vegetation changes within the last few hundred years to those accompanying the last epochal transition.

SourceUniversity of Toledo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 25, 2023

Industry payments to physicians linked to use of some non-recommended and low value drugs among cancer patients

A study found that patients with cancer who receive payments from industry are more likely to receive non-recommended and low-value treatments. This association was strongest for denosumab, GCSF, and nab-paclitaxel, but not branded drugs. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of industry payments on cancer care.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateOct 25, 2023

Achieving large and uniform particle sizes

A French team of researchers has developed a method to produce stable polystyrene dispersions with unprecedentedly large and uniform particle sizes. The team used light-driven processes, overcoming the previous 300-nanometer ceiling limit of UV and blue-light-based photopolymerization systems.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

New study reveals inequities in access to mechanical circulatory support in US patients with cardiogenic shock

A new study found significant racial and socioeconomic inequities in access to mechanical circulatory support for US patients with cardiogenic shock. Black patients were more likely to experience reduced access to life-saving therapies like mLVAD and ECMO, highlighting systemic disparities.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalJournal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions·DateOct 25, 2023

The birth of a framework for screening indicator pharmaceuticals and personal care products in landfill leachates

A team of researchers from East China University of Science and Technology has developed a systematic framework to identify indicator-PPCPs in raw landfill leachate samples. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of 68 PPCPs in Shanghai, China landfill leachates, helping implement source apportionment in landfills.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

PET imaging: Aggressive brain tumors will soon be treated more effectively

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, enabling more precise removal of glioma cells. The study revealed that early post-administration PET scans can identify the most aggressive tumor areas, leading to faster disease progression and improved treatment outcomes.

SourcePolitechnika Bydgoska im Jana i Jedrzeja Sniadeckich·JournalNature Communications·TypeCase study·DateOct 25, 2023

Breakthrough T cell discovery has huge potential for engineering custom immune responses

Researchers at Institute for Systems Biology have made a breakthrough discovery about T cells, finding that the genetically encoded T-cell receptor sequence determines a T cell's function. This fundamental discovery has huge potential for developing custom immune responses to specific antigens.

SourceInstitute for Systems Biology·JournalCell Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

Vision via sound for the blind

Researchers developed 'acoustic touch' smart glasses that translate visual information into distinct sound icons, enhancing the ability of blind or low-vision individuals to navigate their surroundings. The technology significantly improved object recognition and reaching abilities, empowering independence and quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

Metformin cessation and dementia incidence

Terminating metformin treatment was associated with higher risk of developing dementia in a large cohort of adults. The study of 41,000 participants found that early metformin cessation was linked to increased dementia incidence compared to continued use.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 25, 2023

UTSA researchers receive $3.6 million National Science Foundation grant to break down language barriers in engineering education

Researchers Joel Mejia and M. Sidury Christiansen are developing a handbook of recommended pedagogical approaches to address exclusionary language in engineering classes. They aim to improve the sense of belonging among multilingual students pursuing STEM careers by guiding faculty on strategies for changing biased language practices.

Cancer's sweet Achilles heel

A team of researchers at Kyoto University has found that a deficiency in the enzyme B4GALT3 inhibits tumor growth in mice. The study shows that reduced glycosylation on T cell surfaces correlates with increased CD8+ immune cells infiltrating tumors.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

On the trail of the silver king: Researchers at UMass Amherst reveal unprecedented look at tarpon migration

Researchers at UMass Amherst have tracked tarpon migration patterns using acoustic telemetry, revealing two distinct subgroups of the species. The study, which gathered data over five years, has significant implications for conservation efforts, as tarpon are listed as vulnerable due to fishing, habitat loss, and degraded water quality.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalMarine Biology·DateOct 25, 2023

Intravenous Vitamin C for patients hospitalized with COVID-19

Researchers found no significant improvement in primary composite outcomes, including organ support-free days and hospital survival, among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who received intravenous vitamin C. The study suggests that vitamin C treatment may not be effective in improving patient outcomes for this population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 25, 2023

New study finds hidden trees across Europe: A billion tons of biomass is overlooked today

A new AI-driven mapping study from the University of Copenhagen has discovered a billion tons of hidden biomass in Europe, including trees outside forested areas. The research found that countries like Denmark, Netherlands, and UK have significant tree cover outside forests, which can impact biodiversity and climate models.

UBC engineers develop breakthrough ‘robot skin’ in collaboration with Honda researchers

A new soft sensor developed by UBC and Honda researchers enables touch sensitivity and dexterity in robots, allowing them to pick up fragile objects like an egg or a glass of water. The sensor uses weak electric fields to sense objects, even at a distance, making it suitable for adoption in robots that interact with people.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

Oregon State researchers uncover mechanism for treating dangerous liver condition

A study led by Oregon State University has identified the mechanism behind omega-3 supplements' effectiveness in combating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a liver condition associated with metabolic syndrome. Betacellulin, a protein growth factor, plays a crucial role in the disease's progression and scarring.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

A comprehensive picture of health benefits of eggs

A comprehensive study found that eating whole eggs had a positive impact on nutrient density, hematocrit levels, and immune function, while reducing the negative effects of egg whites. The study also explored differences in responses between women taking birth control pills and those not.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNutrients·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

Deep learning speeds up galactic calculations

A new approach using deep learning speeds up supernova simulation by 99%, enabling more accurate modeling of galaxy evolution. This breakthrough could also apply to climate and earthquake simulations, providing valuable insights into complex phenomena.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 25, 2023

In Prehispanic Cancun, immigrants were treated just like Maya locals

A study analyzing ancient Cancun Island remains found that immigrants from the Maya lowlands were treated similarly to locals in terms of food and burial practices. The findings suggest whole families moved residence across Mesoamerica and integrated into new societies, challenging previous assumptions about foreign treatment.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 25, 2023

Single model predicts trends in employment, microbiomes, forests

Researchers developed a single model that predicts population fluctuations in urban employment, human gut microbiomes, and tropical forests. The model, SLRM, generates a narrow distribution of the most likely trajectories, allowing for prediction and response to variability across multiple domains.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 25, 2023

Novel small molecule 5D4 disrupts several molecular pathways, including MYC, that lead to cancer growth

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified a small molecule named 5D4 that can suppress breast and ovarian cancer growth. 5D4 works by binding to TopBP1 protein in cancer cells, disrupting interactions with multiple pathways that promote cancer growth. Combining 5D4 with PARP inhibitors enhances anti-cancer activity.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

Brain-computer interface restores control of home devices for Johns Hopkins patient with ALS

A brain-computer interface (BCI) has been successfully used to restore control of home devices for a patient with ALS, allowing the individual to navigate a communication board and smart devices without recalibration. The BCI device was implanted on the surface of the brain areas responsible for speech and upper limb function, enabling...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAdvanced Science·DateOct 25, 2023

Screen printed electrodes for measuring endothelial barrier integrity

Scientists have developed a novel organ-on-a-chip device with customizable screen-printed electrodes for measuring endothelial barrier integrity. The device overcomes traditional electrode fabrication challenges, providing a reliable and accurate method for studying the crucial roles of endothelial barriers in healthy and disease states.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalBiomedical Microdevices·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

Brain injury expert says important changes still needed to law defining death despite reform pause

A brain injury expert is calling for reforms to the Uniform Determination of Death Act, citing support from 83% of medical and advocacy organizations. The expert argues that the legal definition of death should align with medical standards, including clarifying what brain functions must be lost to declare someone legally dead.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNeurocritical Care·TypeSurvey·DateOct 25, 2023

Breakthrough for ‘neglected’ rheumatic condition

A year-long clinical trial found sustained remission of polymyalgia rheumatica in 28% of patients taking sarilumab, compared to 10% of those on placebo. The treatment showed promise in reducing relapse and improving outcomes for patients tapering their steroid medication.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

Bizarre new fossils shed light on ancient plankton

A new study has discovered microfossils resembling modern-day algae that lived in the oceans during the Cambrian Period, around half a billion years ago. The findings suggest that early animals were evolving to feed on plankton, starting a predator-prey relationship that continues to this day.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateOct 25, 2023

Longevity may be associated with olfactory perception of harmful substances

Research found that nematodes can sense danger by smell, triggering a neural circuit that induces a response in other tissues, leading to a longer lifespan and less protein aggregation. The study suggests that manipulating perceptions of chemical substances could be a route to intervention in neurodegenerative diseases.

Mystery of the Martian core solved

Researchers at ETH Zurich analyze Mars' seismic data and computer simulations to determine the planet's interior structure. They discover a layer of liquid silicate (magma) about 150 km thick between the core and mantle, contradicting initial estimates of the Martian core's density.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateOct 25, 2023

Using sound to test devices, control qubits

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a system that uses atomic vacancies in silicon carbide to measure the stability and quality of acoustic resonators, which could improve communications and offer new control for quantum computing. The technique also allows for acoustically-c...

Sigh ventilation in patients with trauma

A randomized clinical trial of 524 trauma patients found that adding sigh breaths to mechanical ventilation did not increase ventilator-free days. However, prespecified secondary data suggest that sighs are well-tolerated and may improve clinical outcomes in this patient population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 25, 2023

Scientists discover molten layer covering Martian core

Researchers used seismic data to locate and identify a thin layer of molten silicates overlying Mars' metallic core. The discovery reveals a denser and smaller Martian core, aligning with other geophysical data and analysis of Martian meteorites. This finding provides new insights into how Mars formed, evolved, and became a barren planet.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 25, 2023

Study examines racial differences in care among older Americans

Older Black Americans are more likely to receive low value acute diagnostic tests than older White Americans, while older White Americans were more likely to receive low value screening tests and treatments. These differences persisted within health systems and were driven by differential treatment within the system.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateOct 25, 2023

Political rhetoric changes views on democratic principles, study finds

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that exposure to norm-violating rhetoric from politicians like Donald Trump can reduce support for certain core democratic principles. The researchers found that Trump supporters who were shown his antidemocratic tweets indicated less support for partici...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 25, 2023

Sexual harassment and stereotyping: How coastal sciences are failing women in the field

New research reveals widespread harassment and stereotyping of women in coastal sciences, affecting their ability to participate in fieldwork and advance their careers. Women often experience objectification, discrimination, and micro-aggressions, which can be traumatic and disadvantage them professionally.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalCambridge Prisms Coastal Futures·TypeSurvey·DateOct 25, 2023

Chloroplasts do more than photosynthesis: They’re also a key player in plant immunity

A new study reveals that chloroplasts are essential for plant immunity, with stromules forming around the nucleus to transport pro-defense signals. Researchers have identified a key protein involved in stromule biogenesis during immunity, opening up new avenues for understanding and engineering resistance to pathogens.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

People with severe mental illness at 50 per cent higher risk of death following COVID-19 infection

A recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that individuals with severe mental illness were 50% more likely to die from all causes following a COVID-19 infection. The research also highlighted regional disparities and differences in mortality risk based on ethnicity and geographical location.

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateOct 25, 2023

Anti-anxiety drug may improve brain cancer survival chances

A new study published in Science Advances suggests that a decades-old anti-anxiety drug can improve the effectiveness of chemo-radiotherapy towards glioblastoma, the most common and lethal brain cancer. The researchers found that the drug trifluoperazine can re-sensitize tumor cells to both therapies, leading to improved patient survival.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

Study suggests that having common ancestors can jeopardize fertility for generations

Researchers found that increased homozygosity, indicating a shared ancestor, leads to negative effects on fertility in the Himba population. The study, which analyzed genetic data from 681 individuals, showed that higher levels of inbreeding resulted in lower reproductive success among post-reproductive women.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 25, 2023

New distractibility “d factor” may be linked with ADHD

Researchers identified a novel measure, the 'd factor', linking distractibility with ADHD symptoms and hyperfocus. The study found strong statistical links between external distraction, intrusive thoughts, and mind-wandering, suggesting a general distractibility trait.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateOct 25, 2023

Post-COVID condition is not linked to ongoing infection or active brain damage

A recent study by the University of Gothenburg found no correlation between post-COVID condition and ongoing viral infection or active brain damage. The study analyzed 25 participants with confirmed post-COVID condition, six without residual symptoms, and 17 control subjects, revealing undetectable SARS-CoV-2 antigens in all samples.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateOct 25, 2023

Convalescent plasma reduces mortality by 10% in COVID-19 patients in acute respiratory distress and on artificial respiratory assistance

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that convalescent plasma administration reduced mortality by 10% in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress requiring artificial mechanical ventilation. The reduction was most pronounced when plasma was administered within the first 48 hours after initiation of ve...

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 25, 2023

Zooming in on our brains on Zoom

Researchers found that neural signaling during online exchanges was substantially suppressed compared to face-to-face conversations. The study used imaging tools to track brain activity in real-time, revealing increased coordination of neural activity and enhanced face processing ability during in-person interactions.

SourceYale University·JournalImaging Neuroscience·DateOct 25, 2023

Acquiring green firms can be healthy for a firm’s bottom line, says new Concordia research

Researchers found that shareholders generally welcomed news of green acquisitions, especially when buyers have developed marketing expertise. They also discovered that benefits are buffered if buyers belong to industries sensitive to environmental regulations. This suggests investors can tell genuine from fake green efforts.

SourceConcordia University·JournalIndustrial Marketing Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 25, 2023