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Science News Archive April 2024 - Page 23


Page 23 of 41

How Pluto got its heart

Numerical simulations attribute Pluto's 'heart' shape to a giant, slow oblique-angle impact. The study suggests no subsurface ocean on Pluto, contradicting previous theorized explanations.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 15, 2024

Millions of gamers advance biomedical research

Millions of gamers worldwide contribute to reconstructing microbial evolutionary histories using a minigame in Borderlands 3, significantly refining estimates of human gut microbes. This collaboration lays groundwork for improved AI programs and advances knowledge of the microbiome.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 15, 2024

Real-world data fills knowledge gap to assess treatment options for infants with spinal muscular atrophy, showing improved outcomes

A study in the Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases found that disease-modifying gene therapy treatments improve motor function, bulbar function, and pulmonary function in infants with spinal muscular atrophy. The real-world data from a large patient registry confirms improved safety profiles for early treatment opportunities.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Neuromuscular Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 15, 2024

Discovery of organic catalyst could lead to cheaper fuel cells

A team from the University of Virginia has identified an organic molecule that can effectively substitute expensive metal catalysts in fuel-cell technology, potentially leading to cheaper and more sustainable energy solutions. The discovery presents a significant step forward in the search for efficient fuel cells.

SourceUniversity of Virginia College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 15, 2024

Australian media need generative AI policies to help navigate misinformation and disinformation

A new study by RMIT University found that only over a third of media organizations have an image-specific AI policy in place, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines. The research highlights the challenges of navigating generative AI technologies in visual journalism, including algorithmic bias and copyright concerns.

SourceRMIT University·JournalDigital Journalism·TypeSurvey·DateApr 15, 2024

Why do we blink so much?

Researchers from the University of Rochester found that blinking allows brains to process visual information more effectively, providing a new understanding of how humans see. By modulating visual input, blinks reformulate visual signals, enabling better perception of big patterns and overall visual scenes.

Quantum precision: A new kind of resistor

Researchers developed a new measurement method that significantly improves the accuracy of electrical resistance measurements, leveraging the Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect. The method allows for precise measurements at high currents and without an external magnetic field, making it suitable for advanced applications.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2024

Aptamer-based theranostics in oncology

Aptamers are being investigated as anticancer drugs and used for targeting therapeutic agents to cancer cells, as well as for detection and imaging of cancer. Recent studies have discussed standard methods for producing aptamers and their potential applications in diagnostics.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalBIO Integration·DateApr 15, 2024

Next-generation treatments hitch a ride into cancer cells

Researchers from Osaka University have discovered a way to deliver antisense oligonucleotides to their targets inside cancer cells by opening specific calcium permeable channels. The new compound, L687, promotes efficient uptake of ASO into cancer cells, suppressing target gene activity and enhancing ASO efficacy.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2024

Evidence for reversible oxygen ion movement during electrical pulsing: enabler of the emerging ferroelectricity in binary oxides

Emerging ferroelectricity in binary oxides is enabled by reversible oxygen ion movement during electrical pulsing, offering a new path for non-volatile storage technology solutions. This discovery expands research on conventional ferroelectricity to engineer widely used thin binary oxides.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2024

Sarcopenia-related traits, body mass index and ovarian cancer risk: Investigation of causal relationships through multivariable mendelian randomization analyses

A recent study investigated the causal relationships between sarcopenia-related traits, body mass index (BMI), and ovarian cancer risk. The research found that slower usual walking pace was associated with lower ovarian cancer risk, while high appendicular lean mass and high BMI were linked to increased risk. These findings highlight a...

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalBIO Integration·DateApr 15, 2024

How trauma gets 'under the skin'

A University of Michigan study found that childhood traumatic experiences can 'get under the skin' and affect skeletal muscle mitochondria, leading to poorer ATP production and increased risk of aging-related outcomes. The research used muscle tissue samples from participants aged 70+, revealing a link between adverse childhood events ...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 15, 2024

Physical activity reduces stress-related brain activity to lower cardiovascular disease risk

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that physical activity lowers cardiovascular disease risk by reducing stress-related signaling in the brain. Participants who met physical activity recommendations had a 23% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to those who did not.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 15, 2024

Association between methylmalonic acid and abdominal aortic calcification in adults

A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 2483 participants and found a significant association between high serum methylmalonic acid levels and abdominal aortic calcification incidence. Logistic regression analysis revealed a 1.38-fold increased risk of AAC in participants with high MMA levels compared to those with low levels.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateApr 15, 2024

Hydrogen recombination found to be most plausible explanation for high levels of energy in stellar superflares

Researchers analyzed 42 superflares using two models and concluded that hydrogen recombination is the most physically plausible explanation for high levels of energy. This model is supported by flare processes described in solar flares, which are well-studied phenomena.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 15, 2024

Parent perceptions of school meals influence student participation in school meal programs

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that parents' perceptions of school meals have a significant influence on their children's participation in meal programs. Parents who viewed school meals positively were more likely to see benefits for their families, such as saving time and money, which...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateApr 15, 2024

Global North energy outsourcing demands more attention

A new study reveals that Global North countries' outsourcing of energy-intensive industrial processes to the Global South leads to greater carbon emissions and environmental damage. The researchers urge both regions to work together to address this issue, promoting energy equity and sustainability.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalEnergy Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 15, 2024

Study shows key role of physical activity and body mass in lung function growth in childhood

A new study published in Thorax reveals that increased physical activity and higher body mass index can help recover early-life lung function deficits, leading to normal values in adolescence. The study analyzed data from over 1,100 children and adolescents aged 4-18 years, identifying four trajectories of lung function growth.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalThorax·TypeObservational study·DateApr 15, 2024

World-first microscopic stiffness probe could revolutionise early cancer diagnosis

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have created a world-first device that can image individual cells' stiffness, potentially catching cancer earlier. The technology uses Brillouin scattering to detect stiffness down to billionths of a meter and could replace traditional biopsies with non-invasive, single-cell imaging.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2024

Adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term mortality in women

A national cohort study of over 2 million Swedish women found that those experiencing five major adverse pregnancy outcomes had significantly higher mortality rates. The study highlights the importance of early preventive evaluation and long-term follow-up for detection and treatment of chronic disorders associated with premature morta...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 15, 2024

Unlocking the secrets of fruit quality: How anthocyanins and acidity shape consumer preferences and market value

A study reveals the intricate relationship between anthocyanin accumulation and acidity in fruits, highlighting the role of transcription factors in their co-regulation. The analysis provides a roadmap for breeders to target specific traits for modification, aiming to enhance fruit marketability.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalFruit Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2024

The Lancet: Many people with breast cancer ‘systematically left behind’ due to inaction on inequities and hidden suffering

A new Lancet Commission reveals that many people with breast cancer are being systematically left behind due to inaction on inequities and hidden suffering. The commission highlights the need for better patient support, including improved communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 15, 2024