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Science News Archive September 2023


Page 1 of 37

Synergistic work of cations in anion exchange membranes for OH- transport in fuel cells

Researchers developed a poly(p-terphenyl isatin) anion exchange membrane with quaternary ammonium and piperidine cations that provides excellent mechanical properties and OH-ion conductivity. The material's stability and tensile strength reach new heights, paving the way for industrialized application of anion-exchange membranes.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2023

Allergy study on 'wild' mice challenges the hygiene hypothesis

Researchers from Karolinska Institutet challenge the hygiene hypothesis by showing that mice with high infectious exposures have a similar ability to develop allergic immune responses as laboratory mice. Despite this, they developed strong signs of pathological inflammation and allergic responses when exposed to allergens.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2023

University of Virginia team’s research offers hope for pulmonary fibrosis patients

A University of Virginia team has developed a new analytical tool using hydrogels to cultivate vascular sprouting from mouse lung tissue, providing new insight into idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The research aims to understand the biomechanical and biochemical cues to blood vessels in the lungs during disease progression.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalMicrocirculation·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2023

Research Highlights for September 2023

Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute found that increasing access to care for Black people with prostate cancer could decrease mortality rates. The institute is also conducting a clinical trial for small cell lung cancer and developing an app to help adolescents manage cancer symptoms.

SourceHuntsman Cancer Institute·JournalJAMA·DateSep 29, 2023

Steps towards stopping the "conversation" between cancer and nerves

Cancer tumors have been found to hijack the genetic program used by developing nerves, a discovery that could lead to new treatments. The study, published in Frontiers in Genetics, identified key genes controlling nerve growth and development, which are also activated in cancer to facilitate tumor growth and spread.

SourceUmea University·JournalFrontiers in Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2023

An artificial muscle to study Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Researchers at IBEC developed a 3D muscle model that can replicate the damage caused by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, enabling preclinical studies of drugs for treating the disease. The model, created using patient cells, includes muscle fibers that can contract when stimulated, and is an essential step towards finding a cure.

SourceInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)·JournalBiofabrication·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2023

Order from a border

Cilia synchronize their beating pattern by leveraging the fluid surrounding them and the border region. This observation reveals that border regions play a critical role in self-organization of living matter, similar to macroscopic mechanisms.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 29, 2023

New insights into how the human brain organises language

A Leipzig-based meta-analysis of over 400 neuroscientific experiments has provided new insights into the organisation of language processing in the human brain. The study found that brain regions below the cerebral cortex, including the cerebellum and amygdala, play a key role in language processes, influencing emotion and memory.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 29, 2023

Wheat's long non-coding RNAs unveiled: A leap in understanding grain development

A study published in Seed Biology has identified 20,893 lncRNAs associated with wheat grain development, revealing their role in regulating seed germination and end-use quality. The comprehensive atlas provides insights into the functions of lncRNAs, laying groundwork for future research on boosting wheat yields and quality.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalSeed Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2023

Did animal evolution begin with a predatory lifestyle?

Aiptasia sea anemones' larval stage actively feed on living prey, using specialized stinging cells and a simple neuronal network. This suggests that a predatory lifestyle played a significant role in the evolution of multicellular organisms and their nervous systems.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateSep 29, 2023

High cure rate, low toxicity maintained with shortened radiation treatment for intermediate risk prostate cancer, study finds

A phase III trial suggests that fewer and higher doses of radiation therapy delivered over five sessions are as effective as lower doses delivered over several weeks for patients with locally advanced disease. The treatment achieved a 96% five-year disease control rate, comparable to 95% for conventional radiation.

Reducing fishing gear could save whales with low impacts to California’s crab fishermen

Researchers found that reducing the amount of gear in the water is more effective than dynamic approaches in minimizing whale entanglements and disruptions to the fishing season. A 30% reduction in gear emerged as the optimal course of action, addressing the problem directly and not relying on surveys or monitoring efforts.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalBiological Conservation·DateSep 29, 2023

University of Cincinnati research shows PFA exposure may delay girls’ puberty

A University of Cincinnati study found that exposure to PFAS may delay the onset of puberty in girls by an average of five or six months. The researchers also discovered decreased hormone levels consistent with the delay, raising concerns about negative long-term health outcomes such as breast cancer and renal disease.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateSep 29, 2023

New study unveils insights into ethylene copolymerization with linear and end-cyclized olefins using a metallocene catalyst

Researchers investigated the polymerization behavior and thermal properties of copolymers formed through ethylene copolymerization with linear and end-cyclized olefins. The study reveals that end-cyclized olefins have a higher coordination probability and lower insertion rate, leading to stronger crystallization destructive capacity.

SourceEngineering·JournalEngineering·DateSep 29, 2023