Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2024 - Page 215


Page 215 of 484

Schematics for the transition-state structure for enantioselectivity determining step. (Image by FU et al.)

A study published in PNAS reveals that active matter and shear flows exhibit similar thinning behaviors due to micro-mechanism of breaking up percolating particle clusters. This finding offers a possible explanation for the 'superfluid'-like phenomena observed in biological organisms.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2024

NUS researchers develop new battery-free technology to power electronic devices using ambient radiofrequency signals

A team of NUS researchers developed a compact and sensitive rectifier technology that uses nanoscale spin-rectifiers to convert ambient wireless radio frequency signals into DC voltage. The technology overcomes challenges in existing energy harvesting modules, enabling battery-free operation for small electronic devices.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Preventing brain damage in preterm babies

A recent study has identified a blood protein called fibrin as the root cause of developmental delays and brain damage in preterm infants. The researchers found that fibrin interferes with a cell-signaling pathway essential for neuron creation, particularly in the cerebellum.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2024

Neurons in the frontal cortex help macaque monkeys decode social interactions

Research on macaque monkeys reveals that neurons in the frontal cortex respond differently to real and filmed partners during turn-taking exercises. This finding suggests that these neurons may be involved in spatial perspective-taking, a cognitive operation that enables individuals to mentally rotate themselves into others' positions.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Foam fluidics showcase Rice lab’s creative approach to circuit design

Engineers have shown that air flow through open-cell foam can be used to perform digital computation, analog sensing, and combined digital-analog control in soft textile-based wearable systems. The researchers designed foam-based fluidic resistors to create two-dimensional pneumatic logic circuits embedded in textile-based devices.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Electrical stimulation for brighter persistent luminescence

Researchers create a new yellow-green luminescent material to address growing industrial demand for brighter afterglow. They successfully apply an electric field stimulation method, increasing the initial luminance of the SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphor and demonstrating its potential for high brightness long afterglow emission.

Large genetic study on severe COVID-19

Researchers found that mutations in the TLR7 gene significantly increase the risk of severe COVID-19, as well as changes in the TBK1, INFAR1, and IFIH1 genes. The study also suggests gender-specific differences in how genetic factors influence disease progression.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalHuman Genetics and Genomics Advances·DateJul 24, 2024

First long term study shows use of socially assistive robot improves stroke rehabilitation

Researchers found that socially assistive robots improved stroke rehabilitation outcomes by encouraging people to continue their treatment in a non-judgmental setting. Participants who used the robots showed significant improvements in kinematic and clinical measures, including smoothness of movement and upper-extremity assessments.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 24, 2024

Can anxiety increase the risk of developing dementia?

A prospective cohort study found that both chronic and new anxiety were associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. The presence of chronic anxiety was linked to a 2.8-time higher risk, while new onset anxiety was associated with a 3.2-time higher risk.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 24, 2024

Under pressure: how cells respond to physical stress

Researchers at UNIGE have discovered how yeast cells respond to physical stress on their membranes. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed that specific lipid domains can stabilize and trigger cellular responses to mechanical stimuli. This study sheds light on the role of membrane compartmentalization in cell survival.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateJul 24, 2024

High-speed camera for molecules: entangled photons enabled raman spectroscopy

Researchers developed a microscopic theory for ultrafast stimulated Raman spectroscopy with quantum-light fields, enabling high-speed imaging of molecules. The technique leverages the quantum advantages of entangled photon sources to enhance both temporal and spectral resolution.

The aroma of tomato resistance

The IBMCP team has identified a new volatile compound, alpha-terpineol, that effectively protects plants from Pseudomonas syringae, a pathogenic bacterium causing severe crop damage. This natural strategy could serve as a protective barrier against bacteria and even protect plants from drought.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Preventing cancer cells from colonizing the liver

Cancer cells can attach themselves to liver cells when specific proteins are present, allowing them to colonize and form new tumors. This discovery provides insights into the metastatic process and may lead to potential treatments that prevent cancer from establishing new tumors.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Tiny deletion in heart muscle protein briefly affects embryonic ventricles but has long-term effects on adult atrial fibrillation

Researchers found that a tiny deletion in the titin protein causes developmental defects in embryonic ventricles, leading to increased potassium ion current and abnormal ANP expression. This remodeling leads to impaired atrial contractility and an increased risk of adult atrial fibrillation.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Trajectory planning could boost safety in medical robotics

Researchers have developed a complex algorithm to choreograph the movement of two robotic arms, ensuring a clear space between them and maintaining a consistent magnetic field. This innovative system uses two robotic arms to steer magnetic medical devices, such as vine robots, with precise control and accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe International Journal of Robotics Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

Dark matter seen through a forest

Researchers used hydrogen to track dark matter's presence in the universe, revealing a tension between observations and theoretical predictions. The findings suggest that an unknown particle or new physics may be responsible for this discrepancy.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 24, 2024

Lower dose prostate cancer treatments retain efficacy while improving tolerability

Researchers found that lower doses of radiopharmaceutical therapy approaches for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer were just as effective as the standard dose, with better tolerability among patients. The study showed improved PSA response rates and comparable median overall survival in both groups.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJul 24, 2024

U.S. homicides by firearms concentrated among Black youth before, during, and after the start of COVID-19 pandemic

A new study examining firearm homicide deaths from 2018 to 2022 found that Black 15- to 24-year-olds were disproportionately affected, with a rate of 14 times higher than White individuals. The spike in homicides in 2020 was largely due to firearm injuries, with the largest increases occurring among Black men between 10 and 44 years old.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 23, 2024

Researchers developed novel procedure for isolating primary mouse hepatocytes with holographic acoustic tweezers

A new procedure has been developed to isolate and culture primary mouse hepatocytes in a 2D environment, using holographic acoustic tweezers. The method allows for significant amplification of liver cell functions and the formation of liver-like structures.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalBiomaterials·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 23, 2024

Sharp temperature reduction for quantum dots in polymer by highly efficient heat dissipation pathways

Researchers propose a new strategy to improve thermal management in quantum dots, achieving high in-plane thermal conductivity and reducing working temperatures. The QDs-radially aligned ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers (UPEF) composites demonstrate enhanced optical performances and reliability in optoelectronic devices.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateJul 23, 2024

Prostate cancer blood test equally effective across ethnic groups

A recent study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology has shown that the Stockholm3 prostate cancer blood test is equally effective in detecting clinically significant cancer across different ethnic groups, including African Americans and Asians. The test reduces unnecessary biopsies by 45% while maintaining high detection rates.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 23, 2024

New video test for Parkinson’s uses AI to track how the disease is progressing

A new video-processing technique developed at the University of Florida uses artificial intelligence to track Parkinson's disease progression in patients, allowing neurologists to better monitor their condition and quality of life. The system analyzes video recordings of patients performing the finger-tapping test, a standard test for ...

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Networks·DateJul 23, 2024