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Science News Archive April 2024 - Page 28


Page 28 of 41

A new coating method in mRNA engineering points the way to advanced therapies

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have developed a novel method for coating engineered messenger RNA molecules with polyethylene glycol (PEG), allowing selective delivery to the spleen. This breakthrough enables fine-tuned control over mRNA therapy, facilitating effective treatment of diseases previously considered inc...

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalSmall Science·DateApr 10, 2024

Esketamine injection just after childbirth reduces depression in new mothers

A single low dose injection of esketamine given immediately after childbirth reduces major depressive episodes in individuals with depressive symptoms during pregnancy. The results suggest that low dose esketamine should be considered in new mothers with prenatal depressive symptoms, potentially preventing one major depressive episode ...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 10, 2024

New mechanism discovered for the life-threatening arrhythmias in Andersen-Tawil syndrome

Researchers have discovered a direct link between the C122Y mutation in the Kir2.1 potassium channel and life-threatening arrhythmias in Andersen-Tawil syndrome, which affects fewer than 1 in a million people. The study highlights the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac arrhythmias.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalCirculation Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 10, 2024

US building footprints could help identify neighborhood sociodemographic traits

A new study analyzing building footprints in US metropolitan areas identifies five distinct neighborhood types associated with varying socioeconomic and demographic traits. These neighborhoods differ in footprint size, shape, and placement, reflecting differences in population density, homeownership rates, and commuting habits.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 10, 2024

How is green and sustainable agriculture evolving in youngest province of China?

A study in Hainan Province, China, evaluates the progress of green and sustainable agriculture, finding improvements in socioeconomic development and agricultural productivity. However, environmental degradation remains a challenge, with high resource input and waste management issues hindering sustainable development.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 10, 2024

Smart vest turns fish into underwater spies: a glimpse into aquatic life like never before

Researchers have developed an innovative underwater vest that captures disturbances in water flow caused by fish movements, enabling precise monitoring of their natural behaviors. The device's pseudocapacitive pressure-sensing units offer a robust and noninvasive approach to studying aquatic behaviors.

New strategy for assessing the applicability of reactions

Chemists develop new reactions using model systems and substrates to demonstrate versatility. A new computer-aided method reduces subjective bias by analyzing real pharmaceutical compounds' complexity and structural properties. This improves data quality and facilitates machine learning applications.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalACS Central Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 10, 2024

NTU Singapore researchers develop a method to extract useful proteins from beer-brewing leftovers

Researchers from NTU Singapore have created a method to extract over 80% of the available protein in grain leftovers from brewing beer, commonly known as brewers' spent grain. The extracted proteins could be used commercially to enrich human diets and cosmetic products, providing an eco-friendly alternative to conventional ingredients.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalInnovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 10, 2024

Experiencing racial discrimination impacts the mental health of teens in the U.S. justice system

A new study by SMU psychologists reveals that interpersonal racial discrimination has a significant impact on the mental health of adolescents in the US justice system. The research emphasizes the importance of considering these intersecting factors when providing support systems to meet the unique needs of adolescents of color.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalJournal of Interpersonal Violence·DateApr 10, 2024

Filling in genomic blanks for disease studies works better for some groups than others

A new study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that genome-wide association studies' imputation technique works better for European, African American, and Latino groups than others. The researchers evaluated over 100 global populations, finding that imputation is less reliable for those farther away from Europe.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 10, 2024

3D mouth of an ancient jawless fish suggests they were filter-feeders, not scavengers or hunters

Researchers have reconstructed the mouth of an ancient jawless fish using CT scanning techniques, suggesting it was a filter-feeder rather than a scavenger or hunter. The study reveals that early vertebrates had a diverse range of feeding behaviors before jawed animals evolved.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 10, 2024

Treating gum disease after heart rhythm ablation reduced risk of AFib recurrence

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that treating gum disease after a heart rhythm ablation procedure can lower oral inflammation and reduce the risk of AFib recurrence. Researchers found that an index measuring the severity of gum inflammation was associated with the return of AFib, highligh...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 10, 2024

Study suggests racial discrimination during midlife associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathology later in life

A new study found a link between midlife racial discrimination and increased levels of Alzheimer's disease markers, including phosphorylated tau181 and neurofilament light, in older age. Researchers analyzed data from 255 Black Americans over 17 years, revealing that chronic stress from racism contributed to dementia risk.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·DateApr 10, 2024

Ultrafast laser state active controlling based on anisotropic quasi-1D material

Researchers achieve tunable ultrafast laser state active controlling by utilizing anisotropic quasi-1D material Ta2PdS6. The material enables the sustainment of two distinct laser states: conventional soliton (CS) and noise-like pulse (NLP). Numerical simulation reveals the mechanism behind the switchable laser state.

Somatic copy number alterations and mutation landscape in before and post-treatment malignant rhabdoid tumor

This study evaluated somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) and mutation landscapes in malignant rhabdoid tumors before and after treatment. The results revealed recurrent SCNAs harboring genes involved in tumorigenesis, with some correlations between gene expression and tumor progression.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Pathology·DateApr 10, 2024

Mechanism of action of the hepatitis B and D virus cell entry inhibitor bulevirtide deciphered

Researchers deciphered the molecular structure of bulevirtide in complex with HBV/HDV receptor NTCP, revealing a unique 'plug' that inhibits virus entry. The study also sheds light on evolutionary adaptation of HBVs to host species and provides insights for developing smaller, more effective active agents.

SourceGerman Center for Infection Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 10, 2024

Indigenous Australian message sticks, which feature markings to convey messages over long distances, analyzed for first time at scale through new database of 1,500 artifacts

A new database of 1,500 Indigenous Australian message sticks has been analyzed for the first time, revealing details about the symbols and markings used to convey messages over long distances. The study provides valuable insights into the ancient communication methods employed by Australia's indigenous peoples.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 10, 2024