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Science News Archive April 2024


Page 1 of 41

A model estimates the cultivable space at photovoltaic plants, to combine agricultural and photovoltaic production

A team at the University of Córdoba has developed a methodology that defines cultivable space between two-axis photovoltaic modules for agrivoltaic production. The model reveals 74% of land is cultivable by crops less than 1.4m high, offering a sustainable energy and agricultural solution.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalApplied Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

Low-intensity grazing is locally better for biodiversity but challenging for land users, a new study shows

A new study found that low-intensity grazing systems offer benefits for local biodiversity protection, but struggle due to inflexible regulations and a lack of workforce. Land users face economic constraints and restrictive policies, leading to declining participation in sustainable practices.

Cover paper: Senescent characteristics of human corneal endothelial cells upon UV-A exposure

Researchers investigate senescence phenotypes of human corneal endothelial cells upon treatment with ultraviolet (UV)-A. Cells exhibit enlarged morphology, increased β-galactosidase activity and decreased proliferation. UV-A-induced senescent cells show similar gene expression profiles to ionizing radiation (IR)-induced cells.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateApr 30, 2024

Polar-coordinate line-projection light-curing continuous 3D printing for ultra-thin multi-material tubular structures

Researchers developed a novel 3D printing technology that can print multi-material tubular structures as thin as 50 micrometers. The technology, called Polar-coordinate Line-projection Light-curing Production (PLLP), uses a rotating mandrel and patterned light illumination to create complex structures.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateApr 30, 2024

New drug candidate reverses obesity in mice

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new class of drugs that block mitochondrial function and reverse diet-induced obesity, fatty liver, and diabetes in mice. The treatment increased fat metabolism, leading to drastic weight loss and restored glucose tolerance.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

Targeting BET and OXPHOS causes synthetic lethality in liver cancer

Researchers discovered that targeting BET and OXPHOS induces synthetic lethality in liver cancer by blunting cell proliferation and tumor growth. The study found that BET inhibition decreases glycolytic gene expression while enhancing mitochondrial glucose and glutamine oxidative metabolism, revealing a critical epigenetic-metabolic cr...

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalLife Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

Loneliness grows as we age

A new study found that loneliness grows as people age, with a U-shaped pattern of higher levels in younger and older adulthood. Factors associated with persistent loneliness include social isolation, lower education, income, and functional limitations, as well as being divorced or widowed, a smoker, or having poorer health.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 30, 2024

Breakthrough in complex pain management

Researchers at NeuRA and UniSA found that early detection and comprehensive treatment can lead to significant recovery for most people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) within 12-18 months. The study reviews the latest advances in CRPS epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 30, 2024

New clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for Age-related Hearing Loss (ARHL)

The American Academy of Otolaryngology has published a new clinical practice guideline for age-related hearing loss, which affects approximately 466 million people worldwide. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for identifying and managing ARHL in patients 50 years and older.

SourceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·JournalOtolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 30, 2024

New findings for a better understanding of TRAF7 syndrome and patient care

The study provides a comprehensive understanding of TRAF7 syndrome, a rare neurological disorder characterized by cardiac, facial, and digital abnormalities. The research highlights the importance of comprehensive clinical assessment and proposes evidence-based guidelines for managing patients with TRAF7-related CAFDADD syndrome.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalPediatric Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 30, 2024

Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis articles reveal the importance of phytocompounds and metabolomics analysis

Researchers explore plant-based therapeutic compounds and traditional Chinese medicine formulas as alternatives to treat IBD, while also developing advanced diagnostic tools using metabolomics analysis. The studies found significant improvements in symptoms of IBD and treatment outcomes for chemotherapy-related toxicity.

SourcePeriodicals Publishing House of Xi'an Jiaotong University·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

New breast cancer screening recommendations aim to address health inequities, especially among Black women

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends biennial breast cancer screenings starting at age 40 for all women, aiming to enhance early detection and tackle disparities. However, challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to screening technologies and addressing gaps in evidence regarding AI-powered image interpretation.

Beneficial effects of traditional Cinese medicine Fuzheng Huayu on the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with compensated chronic hepatitis b cirrhosis receiving entecavir

A multicenter retrospective cohort study found that combining entecavir with Fuzheng Huayu reduced the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with compensated chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis. The antifibrotic property of FZHY may be attributed to its beneficial effects on this population.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateApr 30, 2024

Scientists solve chemical mystery at the interface of biology and technology

Researchers at the University of Washington have solved a long-standing chemical mystery in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), which allow current to flow in devices like implantable biosensors. The study reveals that OECTs turn on via a two-step process, causing a lag, and off through a simpler one-step process.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

Uncovering the secret of long-lived stem cells

A team at Baylor College of Medicine found that cyclophilin A helps HSCs retain their regenerative potential by supporting proteins with intrinsically disordered regions. This mechanism may contribute to the longevity of HSCs, which can maintain a relatively youthful profile throughout an organism's life.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

China’s bid to decarbonize may have hidden costs

Decarbonizing China's Southern Power Grid could lead to ecological and sociological trade-offs, including reducing cropland in favor of solar and wind power, impacting river basins like the Salween and Mekong. Building dams for hydropower production would also negatively affect ecosystems and fisheries.

SourceCornell University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateApr 30, 2024

Let widgeongrass be a weed in the seagrass yard -- making seagrass restoration more resistant to rising temperatures using generalist grasses

New research demonstrates that incorporating widgeongrass into seagrass restoration efforts can increase the portfolio of species diversity and enhance long-term success. The study found that seeding widgeongrass in the fall with minimal pre-treatment resulted in highest survival and growth rates.

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

New regulator of eating behaviour identified

Researchers have identified a new regulator of eating behavior, the latrophilin 1 receptor, which is linked to obesity. The receptor, primarily studied for its role in synapse formation, was found to be present in brain regions controlling food intake and adipose tissue.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

An omega-6 fatty acid may reduce the risk for bipolar disorder

Researchers found a genetic link between higher circulating levels of arachidonic acid and lower risk for bipolar disorder. The study suggests that altering arachidonic acid synthesis pathways may reduce bipolar disorder risk, particularly in those with compromised pathways.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 30, 2024

Cars as particles

A mathematical model developed by Alexandre Solon and Eric Bertin describes the movement of particles in situations similar to cars on a road or bacteria attracted to a nutrient source. The model identifies conditions that favor traffic jams, including high vehicle density and driver inertia.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Statistical Mechanics Theory and Experiment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 30, 2024

American College of Lifestyle Medicine announces unique screening tool for clinicians to efficiently assess patient dietary patterns

The ACLM Diet Screener is a 27-item assessment tool that captures a picture of overall diet and includes simple measures understandable for patients. The screener features food categories and pictures to ensure easy understanding by all patients, with nearly 90% of clinicians reporting it's brief enough for clinical use.

Revolutionary 'scLENS' unveiled to decode complex single-cell genomic data

The new 'scLENS' tool overcomes challenges in single-cell transcriptomics by automatically differentiating signals from noise using Random Matrix Theory and Signal robustness test. This innovation significantly improves analysis accuracy and efficiency, enabling researchers to extract biological signals conveniently and automatically.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 30, 2024

Purdue-USDA team develops fast-track process for genetic improvement of plant traits

The Purdue-USDA team developed a web-based tool to identify genes regulating plant traits without conducting experiments. The tool uses machine learning to analyze large datasets and accurately predict transcription factors involved in seed oil biosynthesis, increasing oil content by up to 12%.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

Religious intolerance predicts science denial

Research suggests that high levels of religious intolerance are associated with a greater likelihood of rejecting scientific findings. Studies have shown that countries and counties with lower levels of religious diversity tend to have lower vaccination uptake and lower scores on standardized tests, such as the PISA.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateApr 30, 2024

Coal emissions reductions and mortality in China

The implementation of China's National Action Plan on Air Pollution Prevention and Control resulted in decreased mean daily fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels between 2013 and 2017. The associated acute health effects on total and circulatory mortality significantly decreased, with a reduced exposure-response relationship observed ...

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateApr 30, 2024

Study highlights importance of early interventions to combat HIV

Researchers compared HIV reservoirs between patients with early and late treatment initiation. Early treatment was associated with faster decay of virus reservoirs, indicating a more effective immune clearance mechanism. This study supports the potential for early interventions to combat HIV by enabling an eventual cure.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateApr 30, 2024

Lundquist investigator Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim is the lead author in the landmark study on pioneering oral fungal infection treatment showing promise in preclinical trials

A novel oral amphotericin B formulation, MAT2203, has demonstrated encouraging results in treating invasive mucormycosis. The study showed MAT2203 was as effective as the current standard treatment, LAMB, in extending survival time and improving overall health.

SourceThe Lundquist Institute·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 30, 2024

Every breath you take: Study models the journey of inhaled plastic particle pollution

A recent study by University of Technology Sydney has modelled the transfer and deposition of plastic particles in the human respiratory system. The results have identified hotspots where plastic particles can accumulate, particularly in the nasal cavity and lungs, posing a risk to respiratory health.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalEnvironmental Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 30, 2024

Methane emissions from landfill could be turned into sustainable jet fuel in plasma chemistry leap

University of Sydney researchers have developed a chemical process using plasma that could create sustainable jet fuel from methane gas emitted from landfills. This process has the potential to eliminate the need for traditional and sustainable jet fuels, which add further emissions into the atmosphere. By capturing almost the exact co...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

Study shows how higher education supports Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students through culturally relevant courses, programs, and research

A new study by NYU reveals that minority-serving institutions on the East and West Coasts build students' capacities through AA&NHPI focused coursework, teaching and mentoring, advanced research development, and professional community experience. These programs provide critical resources to uplift underrepresented students.

SourceNew York University·JournalThe Review of Higher Education·TypeCase study·DateApr 30, 2024