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Science News for October 27, 2023


3D printed reactor core makes solar fuel production more efficient

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel 3D printing methodology to manufacture porous ceramic structures for efficient solar radiation transport, resulting in twice as much fuel production as uniform structures. The technology has the potential to improve sustainable aviation fuels' economic viability.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateOct 27, 2023

UiB researchers solve protein mystery

UiB researchers and their international team have found that N-terminal acetylation protects proteins from degradation, affecting cell longevity and motility. This discovery provides new insights into the function of a common protein modification in human cells.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 27, 2023

Engineers from the UMA develop more accessible and versatile next-gen “digital twins”

Researchers from the UMA developed an open-source platform called Open Twins to create more accessible and versatile digital twins. This platform enables the simulation of real-world assets based on virtual replicas, predicting future behaviors and detecting anomalies, leading to more efficient companies that make data-driven decisions.

SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalComputers in Industry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 27, 2023

Lung cancer screening guidelines perpetuate racial disparities, Stanford-led study finds

A recent study led by Stanford Medicine researchers found that national lung cancer screening guidelines are less effective for African Americans than whites. An alternative risk-based method showed better results in eliminating disparities among races. The disparities persist despite guideline revisions implemented in 2021.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2023

Hydrogel developed by Brazilian researchers improves skin wound healing in diabetics

Researchers developed a low-cost anti-inflammatory hydrogel containing annexin A1 that accelerated complete skin wound healing in mice with induced type 1 diabetes. The hydrogel modulated the wound microenvironment and favored tissue regeneration, reducing inflammation and improving blood vessel formation.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalBiomedicine & Pharmacotherapy·DateOct 27, 2023

Possible cause of male infertility

Researchers from Universitatsklinikum Bonn have found that a loss of the structural protein ACTL7B blocks spermatogenesis in male mice, leading to infertility. The study suggests that mutations in the Actl7b gene could be a cause of male infertility in humans.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalDevelopment·DateOct 27, 2023

Long COVID most prevalent in the most seriously ill

A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found that individuals with severe COVID-19 infections experienced the highest prevalence of chronic physical symptoms and had the most persistent symptoms for up to two years after diagnosis. In contrast, those who were never bedridden during their infection presented with a sim...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2023

fMRI study finds correlated shifts in brain connectivity associated with overthinking in adolescents

A recent study from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and colleagues found that Rumination-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RF-CBT) can reduce rumination in adolescents. The study also showed correlated shifts in brain connectivity, suggesting that RF-CBT can help young people break the painful mental loops that contribu...

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalBiological Psychiatry Global Open Science·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 27, 2023

An updated look at prostate cancer disparities

A new study finds that systemic therapies for advanced prostate cancer are equally effective for Black men as they are for white men, regardless of socioeconomic status. The research suggests that disparities in healthcare can be eliminated with equal access to treatment.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2023

Will machines soon be conscious?

Researchers argue that current AI algorithms lack key features of conscious awareness, including embodied sensory information and thalamocortical system architecture. This suggests that AI systems are unlikely to become conscious anytime soon.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalTrends in Neurosciences·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 27, 2023

City of Hope part of successful international Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating sotorasib medication combination for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

A new therapeutic option has been found for patients with a treatment-resistant tumor mutation called KRAS G12C. The sotorasib and panitumumab combination demonstrated superior progression-free survival rates compared to standard of care.

SourceCity of Hope·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 27, 2023

Action plan for better data on migration and health

A new study reveals gaps in including migrants and refugees in national data collection systems, hindering their human rights and societies' well-being. The authors propose a roadmap for European health systems to improve data quality and promote equity in healthcare.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2023

Like humans, baboons are strategic cooperators

Guinea baboons develop strategies to choose cooperative partners based on past interactions, mirroring human behavior like reciprocity. The study, published in Science Advances, suggests this behavior has been inherited at least 30 million years ago from a common ancestor with humans.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 27, 2023

Tracking down environmental toxins

Researchers have introduced a new technique for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water samples using interrupted energy transfer. The detection limit is in the µg/l range, making it suitable for on-site testing in highly contaminated regions.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2023

Cold War spy satellite imagery reveals Ancient Roman forts

A Dartmouth study analyzing declassified Cold War satellite imagery identified 396 previously undocumented Roman forts across the northern Fertile Crescent. The forts were constructed from east to west, contradicting Father Antoine Poidebard's north-south axis claim and suggesting a more complex distribution along Rome's eastern frontier.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAntiquity·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 27, 2023

The race of water droplets

A team of researchers from the University of Liège has studied the mechanisms governing water droplet speed along fibers. They found that thicker fibers result in lower speeds, but unexpected behavior occurs when two fibers are bundled together, leading to faster droplet movement.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateOct 27, 2023

Okinawa’s ants change their seasonal rhythms amid land-cover changes

Ant communities in Okinawa Island show reduced seasonal behavior in areas with more human development. Researchers found that ant populations in developed sites are less predictable and have diminished seasonality compared to forested areas. The study highlights the impact of human activities on insect populations and ecosystem services.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateOct 27, 2023

Researchers at MedStar Health and Georgetown Law find success in integrating lawyers into care teams to support pregnant and postpartum patients

The Perinatal LAW Project, a medical-legal partnership, helps pregnant and postpartum patients tackle unmet legal needs, such as housing and financial insecurity. By integrating lawyers into care teams, healthcare providers can better support patients' health-harming legal issues, leading to improved birth outcomes.

SourceMedStar Health Research Institute·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 27, 2023

Easy diet changes can lower carbon footprint, according to Stanford Medicine-led study

Researchers identified simple food swaps that can make a big difference in an individual's carbon footprint without drastic dietary overhaul. The suggested changes include replacing beef with chicken or plant-based milk, which could reduce the nation's food-related carbon footprint by more than 35% and improve overall dietary quality.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Food·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2023

Online games use dark designs to collect player data

A study by Aalto University reveals that online games employ deceptive data collection practices, often hiding information behind complex legal jargon. Players are often unaware of the risks and may feel compelled to conceal their identities or personal data to maintain privacy.

SourceAalto University·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·DateOct 27, 2023

Meltwater flowing beneath Antarctic glaciers may be accelerating their retreat

New research suggests that meltwater flowing out to sea from beneath Antarctic glaciers is accelerating their retreat and contributing to global sea-level rise. The study's simulations indicate that this process could make a significant contribution to sea-level rise by 2300, potentially up to 15%.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 27, 2023