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Science News Archive 2024 - Page 442


Page 442 of 484

Evaluation of on- and off-target effects of self-assembled EGFR siRNA delivery system

The research group evaluated the on- and off-target effects of a self-assembled EGFR siRNA delivery system, finding potent interference with only 1/2000000 of synthetic transfection amount. Transcriptomic analysis revealed minimal off-target effects in normal tissues and significant anti-EGFR effects in tumor cells.

SourceNanjing University School of Life Sciences·JournalClinical and Translational Medicine·DateFeb 6, 2024

Pancreatic Cancer: Italian scientists found out how the tumor escapes therapies

Researchers found that pancreatic cancer cells employ a 'favorable genetic reshuffling' to evade treatments, leading to a potential breakthrough in developing targeted drugs. Alternative splicing plays a crucial role in this process, and the study identifies a specific splicing regulator called 'Quaking' that promotes chemoresistance.

SourceUniversita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2024

New analysis reveals many excess deaths attributed to natural causes are actually uncounted COVID-19 deaths

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that many excess mortality rates from chronic illnesses were driven by COVID-19 infections, contradicting previous claims. The study estimated 1.2 million excess natural-cause deaths in US counties during the pandemic, with 163,000 uncounted COVID-19 deaths.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 6, 2024

New approach to tackling bacterial infections identified

A team of researchers has identified a way to turn on a vital bacterial defense mechanism to fight and manage bacterial infections. By leveraging the cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signaling system (CBASS), bacteria can self-destruct to prevent viral attacks, offering a fresh approach to tackling antibiotic resistance.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2024

New growth factor for the liver

Researchers have discovered a new growth factor, MYDGF, that plays a crucial role in liver regeneration. The study found that higher levels of MYDGF are present in patients' blood after partial liver removal, and that it stimulates the proliferation of human hepatocytes in tissue cultures.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 6, 2024

A new origin story for deadly Seattle fault

A new study proposes that the Seattle fault zone originated from an ancient tear in the continent, with forces exerted by tectonic deformation shaping its history. The researchers mapped bedrock across western Washington and used gravity and magnetic data to test existing hypotheses of the fault's geometry.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalTectonics·DateFeb 6, 2024

Researchers strike gold with improved catalyst

Researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered a way to improve gold catalysts' durability by creating a protective layer of metal oxide clusters. The enhanced gold catalysts can withstand a greater range of physical environments, increasing their range of possible applications and reducing energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2024

Secondary eyewall formation in upper- and lower-layer vertical wind shear simulated in idealized tropical cyclones

The study found that secondary eyewall formation occurs mainly in upper-layer vertical wind shear at low shear height and fake concentric eyewalls are present in lower-layer VWS at high shear height. Broad stratiform clouds were located in the downwind sector before SEF, leading to active convection on the inner side of the clouds.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateFeb 6, 2024

Police seizures of psychedelic drugs are soaring throughout the United States

Seizures of psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, have surged by 369% across the US since 2017, according to a new study. The highest number of seizures were recorded in the Midwest and West regions, with nearly quadrupled amounts of seized drugs.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 6, 2024

Pore power: high-speed droplet production in microfluidic devices

Researchers have developed a new microfluidic system that utilizes porous inverse colloidal crystal structures to dramatically improve the efficiency of microdroplet generation. The system can produce droplets around 1,000 times faster than traditional devices, enabling applications in medicine, food, cosmetics, and more.

SourceChiba University·JournalLab on a Chip·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2024

Re-excision rates after breast-conserving surgery pose ongoing challenges in the US: UTHealth Houston study unveils high reoperation rates and costs

Rates of re-excision after initial breast-conserving surgery remain high across the US, leading to increased healthcare costs and a higher risk of postoperative complications. The study found that younger age and ductal carcinoma in situ are associated with a higher reoperation rate.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalAnnals of Surgical Oncology·DateFeb 6, 2024

Perceptions of manhood and masculinities among disabled violently injured Black men in a hospital-based violence intervention program

A Rutgers Health study found that disabled violently injured Black men face negative physical and psychological impacts on their manhood, independence, and mobility. Participants felt a loss of independence due to reliance on caretakers, which took a serious toll on some participants.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Men s Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 6, 2024

New study finds “sweet spot” for length of yarn-shaped supercapacitors

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that yarn-shaped supercapacitors (YSCs) in the 40-60 centimeter range provide the best overall energy output. The study, which aimed to explain changes in YSC performance across a wide range of lengths, used mathematical models to determine the most efficient length for YSCs.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Power Sources·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2024

New monitoring option for rare eye disease

Researchers at Universitatsklinikum Bonn have developed a new imaging method to monitor intermediate uveitis, a rare inflammatory eye disease. The new technique uses optical coherence tomography angiography to detect blood flow in the retinal vessels, allowing for early detection of deterioration and potential treatment adjustments.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalScientific Reports·TypeNews article·DateFeb 6, 2024

Remarkable cellular architecture and phylogenetic position of the mysterious arm-swinging protist meteora sporadica

Researchers successfully cultured and analyzed two strains of Meteora sporadica, a small, unicellular eukaryote with a complex cytoskeleton featuring lateral arms supported by microtubules. The study reveals that Meteora sporadica is closely related to Hemimastigophora, a group of deep-branching eukaryotes with no arms or MTOCs.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 6, 2024

Which came first: Black holes or galaxies?

A new study found that black holes existed at the dawn of time and played a crucial role in galaxy formation. The research, using James Webb Space Telescope data, challenges classical understanding of black hole formation and suggests they may have dramatically accelerated star birth in the first 50 million years of the universe.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 6, 2024

Study IDs ways to better help children experiencing homelessness

Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 47 parents experiencing homelessness to understand accessibility challenges of social-emotional health services for their children. Key findings include the importance of acknowledging parental strengths and positive interactions with support people in promoting child development.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSocial and Emotional Learning Research Practice and Policy·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2024

How ‘deaths of despair’ differ by race and ethnicity

White Americans are more likely to experience 'deaths of despair,' despite lower levels of severe psychological distress, according to a new study. The study suggests that whites are vulnerable to the damaging effects of psychological distress, which can lead to other health issues like obesity and cardiovascular disease.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 5, 2024

It’s true, happiness doesn’t cost much

A recent study by ICTA-UAB found that many societies with very low monetary income have remarkably high levels of life satisfaction, comparable to those in wealthy countries. The average life satisfaction score across the studied small-scale societies was 6.8 on a scale of 0-10.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 5, 2024

From Colombia to Laos: protecting crops through nanotechnology

A breakthrough in DNA sequencing technology has identified the fungus genus Ceratobasidium as the culprit behind cassava witches' broom disease. This discovery will help plant pathologists in Laos and other Southeast Asian countries protect their crops, supporting millions of smallholder farmers who rely on cassava.

UB study challenges the classical view of the origin of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and warns of its vulnerability

A new study from UB and CSIC challenges the classical view on the origins of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, a key regulator of the planet's climate. The research reveals that the current dates later than the beginning of the Antarctic glaciation, making it sensitive to changes in climate conditions.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 5, 2024

Study reveals significant discrepancies in common poverty measurement approaches

A new study from Stanford University found significant discrepancies in common poverty measurement approaches, leading to vastly different conclusions about who lives in poverty. The research suggests that the choice of measurement approach can completely change the extent to which programs and policies reach vulnerable populations.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 5, 2024