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Science News Archive April 2024 - Page 10


Page 10 of 41

Rubber-like stretchable energy storage device fabricated with laser precision

Researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology have fabricated a small-scale energy storage device that can stretch, twist, fold, and wrinkle. The device features fine patterning of liquid metal electrodes using laser ablation, allowing it to maintain its energy storage performance under repeated mechanical deformations.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·Journalnpj Flexible Electronics·DateApr 24, 2024

Zebra finch chicks don't babble for no reason

Research at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence reveals that zebra finch chicks' first vocalizations play a key role in memorizing adult songs. The chicks' babbling is necessary to initiate the sensory phase of song learning, enabling them to store and recall the learned song.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2024

First-ever combined heart pump and pig kidney transplant gives new hope to patient with terminal illness

A combined mechanical heart pump and gene-edited pig kidney transplant has given new hope to a patient with heart and kidney failure. The surgery was performed in two stages, first implanting the heart pump and later transplanting the gene-edited pig kidney. This innovative approach has shown promise for patients who would otherwise no...

CHOP researchers discover underlying biology behind Fontan-associated liver disease

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have discovered the underlying biology behind Fontan-associated liver disease, a condition affecting thousands of patients with single ventricle congenital heart disease. The study identified key cell-type specific changes in livers and potential therapeutic targets, including Activins...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024

Advancing CBSD resistance in cassava: a comprehensive review of breeding strategies and the role of new plant technologies

A comprehensive review of breeding strategies and the role of new plant technologies in advancing cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) resistance. The study highlights the integration of traditional and modern breeding techniques to develop disease-resistant varieties with balanced trait sets that meet market preferences.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalTropical Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024

Does a woman’s heart health affect cognition in midlife?

A new study found that Black women with poor cardiovascular health may face an elevated risk of early signs of cognitive decline in midlife. Processing speed, a leading indicator of early cognitive decline, appeared to decline in these women starting in midlife but not in white women.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 24, 2024

Single-walled carbon nanotubes doped with ‘nitrogen’ enhance the performance of secondary battery anode

Scientists at Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) develop a new manufacturing technique for silicon/nitrogen-doped carbon composite anode materials. These materials improve lithium-ion battery performance by accelerating lithium-ion movement and stabilizing silicon expansion.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 24, 2024

It’s easier now to treat opioid addiction with medication -- but use has changed little

A new study found that the elimination of a federal waiver requirement increased the number of clinicians prescribing buprenorphine, but didn't lead to a sharp rise in patient treatment. By December 2023, over 53,600 clinicians had prescribed buprenorphine, but numbers remained stable compared to 2022.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 24, 2024

Making diamonds at ambient pressure

Researchers create diamond film at 1 atm pressure and 1025°C using a novel liquid metal alloy, breaking the high-pressure requirement. The synthesized diamond has a high purity and unique silicon-vacancy color centers, opening new avenues for applications in magnetic sensing and quantum computing.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024

AI designs new drugs based on protein structures

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an AI algorithm that can design new active pharmaceutical ingredients by analyzing protein structures. The algorithm generates blueprints for potential drug molecules that increase or inhibit protein activity, reducing the need for lengthy discovery processes and minimizing side effects.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2024

A vaccine to fight antibiotic resistance

A team of researchers from MSU and Harvard Medical School has created a promising vaccine candidate for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The vaccine targets Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with high levels of immunity observed in animal trials.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024

Genome-wide methylation, transcriptome and metabolite reveal the balance between diosgenin and brassinosteroids in Dioscorea zingiberensis by Jialu Li lab in Wuhan University

The study identified genes and transcription factors involved in the balance process of diosgenin and brassinosteroids in Dioscorea zingiberensis. CAS and CYP90s play a pivotal role in sterol homeostasis, suggesting a new perspective on regulatory networks.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024

Securing competitiveness of energy-intensive industries through relocation: The pulling power of renewables

A new study suggests that renewable-scarce countries like parts of the EU, Japan, and South Korea could save between 18 to 38 percent in production costs by relocating their industrial production to countries with cheap renewable energy. The study's lead author argues that importing hydrogen via ship is not a cost-effective strategy fo...

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 24, 2024

ECOG-ACRIN research at ASCO 2024

The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group will present late-breaking findings on prostate cancer, breast cancer, and pancreas cancer at ASCO 2024. These studies include optimal chemotherapy for Black women with breast cancer and results from the first randomized national trial in older adults with pancreas cancer.

New ultraviolet light air disinfection technology could help protect against healthcare infections and even the next pandemic

A new ultraviolet light technology called far-UVC has been shown to be effective in killing viruses and bacteria without the safety concerns of conventional UV light. This technology could help reduce the risk of healthcare infections and even the next pandemic by continuously decontaminating occupied spaces.

Social change may explain decline in genetic diversity of the Y chromosome at the end of the Neolithic period

A recent study suggests that the decline in genetic diversity of the Y chromosome between 3,000 and 5,000 years ago was caused by social change, rather than violent conflicts. The researchers analyzed anthropological field data and modeling scenarios to conclude that patrilineal organizations had a significant impact on the Y chromosome.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2024

Testicular maldescent in infertile men may be a sign of a more severe genetic syndrome

Researchers found that approximately 2-4% of male newborns are born with cryptorchidism, a congenital malformation that can lead to infertility and testicular cancer. Undiagnosed cases were detected in ten infertile men, highlighting the importance of broader health counselling for men with fertility issues.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalFrontiers in Endocrinology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 24, 2024

A new attempt to identify salt gland development and salt resistance genes of Limonium bicolor ——Identification of bHLH gene family and its function analysis in salt gland development

Researchers identified 187 bHLH genes in Limonium bicolor, analyzing their characteristics and expression patterns to understand salt gland development. The study found that overexpression of a specific bHLH gene negatively regulates salt secretion and resistance.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024

Microbiota enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis-secreted BFT-1 promotes breast cancer cell stemness and chemoresistance through its functional receptor NOD1

Researchers identified a link between Bacteroides fragilis-secreted BFT-1 and breast cancer resistance, highlighting the importance of targeting microbiota in cancer treatment. Inhibiting the NOD1 pathway may sensitize breast cancer cells to chemotherapy, providing a promising avenue for novel therapeutic strategies.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalProtein & Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024