Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for October 31, 2023


First classification of four stages of heart attack based on heart muscle damage is released

A new classification system for heart attacks based on heart muscle damage is released, offering a more differentiated definition and improving understanding of acute atherothrombotic MI. This system has the potential to stratify risk more accurately and lay the groundwork for development of injury-stage-specific therapies.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 31, 2023

BU researchers develop bedside cardiac assessment curriculum that encourages patient-centered communication

Researchers at Boston University developed a new bedside cardiac assessment curriculum to improve patient-centered communication and medical training. The curriculum, called 'Listen Before You Auscultate,' uses an active-learning approach to teach students the skills needed for effective bedside care.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalMedEdPORTAL·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 31, 2023

Agarose-based method shows potential in understanding extracellular vesicles' role in cancer metastasis

A collaborative study has developed an agarose spot migration assay to examine the ability of extracellular vesicles to attract other cells in a controlled environment. The assay revealed differences in EVs' recruitment capability for endothelial cells, particularly in highly metastatic cancer cells.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2023

Earlier detection of cardiometabolic risk factors for kids may be possible through next generation biomarkers

The American Heart Association statement proposes next-generation biomarkers for earlier detection of cardiometabolic risk factors in children, which can be influenced by heart-healthy nutrition and lifestyle factors. This could lead to better prevention and intervention strategies for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalCirculation·DateOct 31, 2023

The limits of deplatforming

Michele Starnini and colleagues studied two online communities on Reddit: GreatAwakening and FatPeopleHate. Despite deplatforming, these communities became more resilient due to their engaged members who migrated to Voat, a new platform.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 31, 2023

Efficient biohybrid batteries

Researchers developed a fast-charging hybrid battery system that combines electrochemical generation of formic acid with a microbial fuel cell, enabling efficient energy storage. The system produced enough current for 25 hours of discharge and demonstrated potential applications in monitoring water toxicity.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2023

New hope to treat and reverse osteoarthritis

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a novel population of stem cells responsible for osteoarthritis progression. Treatment with fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) stimulated cartilage recovery and reduced osteoarthritis, offering a potential pharmaceutical treatment to address the disease.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2023

Study reveals factors affecting response of temperate lakes to atmospheric warming

A recent study investigating the thermal response of temperate lakes to atmospheric warming found that local climate, land cover, geomorphology, and water transparency play significant roles in shaping lake responses. Clear, cold, and deep lakes are more responsive to warming, while those with nutrient pollution exhibit lower sensitivity.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 31, 2023

Antibiotics for common childhood infections no longer effective

A study led by the University of Sydney found that many antibiotics for childhood infections have less than 50% effectiveness, leading to thousands of unnecessary deaths globally. The World Health Organization has declared antimicrobial resistance a top public health threat, emphasizing the urgent need for updated guidelines.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia·DateOct 31, 2023

Improving the world á la Silicon Valley

Economic sociologist Oliver Nachtwey analyzes Silicon Valley speeches and articles to show the emergence of a new spirit of digital capitalism. Solutionism is prevalent among tech elites, but its impact on worker protections and democratic processes remains uncertain.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalTheory Culture & Society·DateOct 31, 2023

Advanced assisted reproduction in white rhinos is safe and reliable, shows BioRescue evaluation of 65 OPU-IVF procedures

The BioRescue project evaluated 65 advanced assisted reproduction procedures in white rhinos, showing the technology is safe for donor females and yields successful embryo generation. Regular OPUs improve reproductive health in individual female rhinos.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalReproduction·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2023

Power of the pictogram: rensselaer researcher finds that sorted graphics make consumers feel optimistic

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that frequency pictograms can induce optimism when presented in a sorted way. This could have implications for attribute framing in marketing and public policy. Sorted verses unsorted pictograms should be used strategically to make consumers feel favorably or negatively.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalJournal of Marketing Communications·TypeSurvey·DateOct 31, 2023

Umbilical venous catheterization and bloodstream infection among preterm infants

A national-level study found that the median UVC dwell time was 7 days, and CLABSI incidence did not differ significantly between 0-7 days and 7-15 days. The study also highlighted high rates of antibiotic exposure without reduction in CLABSI rates, emphasizing the need for nuanced approaches to antibiotic administration.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalPediatric Investigation·TypeObservational study·DateOct 31, 2023

Wearing your heart (monitor) on your sleeve

Researchers developed a novel wearable ECG patch with active dry electrodes that improves upon traditional Ag/AgCl electrodes by increasing user comfort, reducing skin irritation, and enhancing diagnostic accuracy. The compact and lightweight design enables continuous monitoring and remote sensing capabilities.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateOct 31, 2023

Giant planets cast a deadly pall

New studies show that giant gas planets in nearby star systems can prevent life on smaller, rocky planet neighbors by kicking them out of orbit and wreaking havoc on their climates. Researchers found that four giant planets in the HD 141399 system are likely to destroy the chances for life on Earth-like planets.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateOct 31, 2023

New database shines spotlight on decades of solar mirror research

A new database containing thousands of solar mirror samples offers valuable insights into degradation trends over decades. The Solar Mirror Materials Database (SMMD) provides natural and accelerated exposure data for accelerating test development, design optimization, and manufacturing guidance.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalJournal of Solar Energy Engineering·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2023

Study examines financial sustainability of affordable housing-with-services models for older adults

The study found that funding for supportive services is a significant hurdle, and innovative solutions are needed to secure reliable funding. Housing models with integrated services have proven popular among better-off individuals, but limited options remain for older people with fewer resources.

Trust is the most important factor for British South Asians when taking part in genetic research to tailor medications

A study by Queen Mary University of London reveals that trust is the key factor in British South Asians' participation in genetic testing. Participants emphasize the importance of General Practitioners (GPs) as trustworthy professionals and personalized prescribing with genetic information to enhance trust and medication adherence.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThe Pharmacogenomics Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 31, 2023

DGIST’s Academy-research integration research team publishes a research paper in an international academic journal in optics

The DGIST Academy-research integration research team developed a new technology that can analyze high-speed electrons within thin components in extreme environments. This achievement was made possible through the systematic establishment of academy-research integration programs, enabling significant outcomes to emerge.

Portuguese Team TWIZ, from Universidade Nova de Lisboa and CMU Portugal Farfetch Chat R&D project, wins Alexa TaskBot Challenge 2

The Portuguese team TWIZ from NOVA School of Science and Technology secured 1st Place in the Alexa TaskBot Challenge 2 with a multimodal conversational agent. The winning team was led by João Magalhães and included CMU Portugal Affiliated Ph.D. students Diogo Tavares and Diogo Silva, who improved their visual interface as their biggest...

Improved wind speed forecasts can help urban power generation, according to new Concordia research

A new hybrid method developed by Concordia researchers combines data from Weibull probability distribution and numerical weather prediction models to improve wind speed forecasting accuracy. This innovation has the potential to significantly enhance urban power generation, particularly in areas with high variability in wind speeds.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEnergies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2023

Chinese Medical Journal published updates on hypertensive heart disease burden in older adults

The study analyzed global data from the past three decades, revealing an overall increase in hypertensive heart disease (HHD) prevalence but a decrease in mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The burden of HHD is particularly concerning for healthcare systems due to higher prevalence with lower mortality rates.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2023

Food insecurity, job loss contributed substantially to worldwide mental health decline during first COVID phase

The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased prevalence of depression symptoms and PTSD across eight nations, with food insecurity and job loss being major contributing factors. Higher income was linked to higher depression symptoms, while lower income was associated with higher PTSD symptoms.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·TypeSurvey·DateOct 31, 2023

Combining cell types may lead to improved cardiac cell therapy following heart attack

A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Academia Sinica of Taiwan has successfully combined lab-grown cardiomyocytes with stem-cell-derived endothelial cells to regenerate damaged heart muscle after a heart attack. This combination therapy holds promise for tackling arrhythmia and could lead to improved clinical applications.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCirculation·DateOct 31, 2023

Domestic violence involving firearms increased during COVID-19 pandemic

A new study found that domestic violence involving firearms increased in three major US cities during the COVID-19 pandemic, while overall domestic violence remained stable. The researchers note that firearm domestic violence may be less sensitive to pandemic-related forces affecting reporting of other types of domestic violence.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Family Violence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2023

Outlook on exercise may curb aging anxiety

A study found that African Americans with higher positivity about physical activity had lower anxiety about aging, regardless of income or living situation. The researchers aim to develop a virtual program to improve access to exercise and healthy eating for middle-aged and older adults.

SourceIowa State University·JournalPhysical Activity and Health·TypeSurvey·DateOct 31, 2023

Children with ADHD frequently use healthcare service before diagnosis, study finds

A recent study by University of Nottingham researchers found that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) use healthcare services twice as often in the two years before their diagnosis. Children with ADHD are also more likely to see their GP, receive prescriptions, attend hospital for overnight admissions, and hav...

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·TypeObservational study·DateOct 31, 2023

Climate-smart cows could deliver 10-20x more milk in Global South

A team of animal scientists has developed a new breed of cow that can produce up to 20 times the milk of indigenous breeds, offering a potential game changer for subsistence farmers in Tanzania. The breeding process combines the heat and disease resistance of Gyrs with the milk-producing prowess of Holsteins and Jerseys.

Smells like learning

A team of scientists discovered two types of neurons in fruit flies and mice that enable them to identify distinct smells. With experience, these animals can learn to differentiate between very similar odors, a process that could improve machine-learning models and AI systems.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 31, 2023

New study reveals insights from US cohort of the FLASH registry on mechanical thrombectomy for high-risk pulmonary embolism

A new study analyzes data from the US cohort of the FLASH registry and shows that mechanical thrombectomy can significantly improve outcomes for patients with high-risk PE. The procedure is associated with a significant reduction in acute mortality among these patients.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalJournal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions·DateOct 31, 2023

Professor Sang-hyun Park's research team at DGIST successfully develops AI technology that improves accuracy and saves time and cost of medical image analysis

Professor Sang-hyun Park's research team developed AI technology that minimizes structural deformation in images while maintaining texture information from a new domain. This enables domain adaptation for deep learning models trained with generated images.

The world’s first collection of brain metastasis living samples will help treat each patient with the most effective therapy for them

A pioneering collection of brain metastasis living samples has been established, enabling researchers to study the response to specific drugs and identify the best therapeutic options for each patient. The RENACER network connects hospitals and patients, facilitating the rapid sharing of research findings and clinical trial data.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalTrends in Cancer·TypeNews article·DateOct 31, 2023

A ‘thermostat’ for anesthesia

Researchers developed a closed-loop anesthesia delivery system that continuously monitors brain waves and adjusts anesthetic medication dosage to maintain optimal unconsciousness levels. The system was tested in rhesus macaques, achieving stable levels for up to 18 hours.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 31, 2023

The first oncogene was found more than 40 years ago. CNIO researchers have just discovered that it has a previously unknown mechanism of action

CNIO researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism of action for the first oncogene, c-Src. The study reveals that c-Src can autonomously activate itself through autophosphorylation, leading to cancer formation. This finding has significant implications for the development of new drugs targeting this enzyme.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2023