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Science News Archive February 2024 - Page 4


Page 4 of 38

Light stimulates a new twist for synthetic chemistry

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new category of molecules that can undergo internal rotation on interaction with light, opening possibilities for photochemical switching functions and bioactive molecules. This breakthrough could lead to precisely targeted applications in biological systems and eventual therapeutic p...

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2024

Could fiber optic cable help scientists probe the deep layers of the moon?

Researchers propose using fiber seismic networks to detect seismic waves on the Moon and provide information about its deep core structure. By analyzing artificial seismograms created from Apollo mission data, they found that a fiber network could identify specific seismic waves hidden in scattered signals.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalSeismological Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2024

Pancreatic cancer lives on mucus

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have uncovered a mechanism involved in pancreatic cancer transformation, discovering that low-grade pancreatic cancer cells depend on mucus to survive and thrive. This knowledge could help set the stage for future diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.

Vest can detect earlier signs of heart muscle disease

A new vest can map electric impulses of the heart in fine detail, detecting abnormalities from a potentially fatal heart disease much earlier. The study found that the vest identified electrical changes among 1 in 4 individuals with a gene mutation for whom no signs of disease were detected via standard tests.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 28, 2024

Under pressure

Scientists have created a novel instrument that enables the precise measurement of superconductors under extreme pressure, overcoming existing limitations. The new tool uses quantum sensors integrated into a standard pressure-inducing device, allowing for direct imaging of the material's behavior.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2024

New study unveils scalable and efficient photoelectrode modules for green hydrogen production

Researchers at UNIST have developed a scalable and efficient photoelectrode module for green hydrogen production, overcoming challenges of efficiency, stability, and scalability. The team's innovative approach achieved unprecedented efficiency, durability, and scalability in producing green hydrogen using solar energy.

The James Webb Space Telescope reveals the central role of low-mass galaxies in the reionization process of the Universe

A new study using JWST data shows that small galaxies played a major role in cosmic reionization, outnumbering massive galaxies by a factor of 100. These findings contradict current theories and suggest that low-mass galaxies were responsible for the ionizing photons required for reionization.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 28, 2024

New tool helps decipher gene behaviour

Researchers have created a new tool called epidecodeR to analyze epigenetic marks and predict their impact on gene activity. The tool can identify correlations between specific modifications and gene responses in various conditions, including cancer and neurological disorders.

SourceKyoto University·JournalBriefings in Bioinformatics·DateFeb 28, 2024

Knowing when you can return to work or send your child back to school/nursery – personalised care for influenza and flu-like illness

A new review focuses on personalised care for diseases like influenza, enabling accurate determination of when the infectious part has passed. The approach involves dialogue about treatment and prevention options, as well as individualised risk assessments to promote transparency and equity in medical care.

Calcium crystal deposits in the knee contribute to joint damage

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have found that calcium crystal deposits in the knee can contribute to worsening of joint damage. The study, using computerized x-ray imaging, detected a higher amount of deposits than previously found by plain radiographs, and found an increased risk of cartilage damage.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 28, 2024

Ai finds key signs that predict patient survival across dementia types

Researchers used machine learning to identify key predictors of mortality in dementia patients across various types. The study found neuropsychological test results were a better predictor of mortality risk than age-related factors, highlighting the potential for personalized care and more effective interventions.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 28, 2024

‘gene of prejudice’ demystifies autism

Scientists have identified the 'gene of prejudice' GTF2I as crucial in regulating social behavior. The gene's deletion or duplication leads to variations in personality, with individuals having either a 'cocktail party personality' or autistic traits. This research may lead to new treatments for autism and shed light on human sociality.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 28, 2024

AGA announces 12-point plan to improve the care of all patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

The American Gastroenterological Association has proposed a 12-point plan to enhance IBD care in the US, focusing on insurer-mandated barriers such as prior authorization and step therapy. The plan aims to improve treatment access and quality for over three million Americans living with IBD.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 28, 2024

Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine researchers develop a new toolkit in fruit flies to study Zika virus

Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine researchers have created a toolkit of transgenic flies expressing all ten Zika virus proteins. The study found that these protein expressions induced diverse effects on the developing nervous system, including lethality, reduced brain size, and functional defects. This new experi...

SourceTexas Children's Hospital·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateFeb 28, 2024

A safer treatment path for high-risk children to overcome food allergies

A new study from the University of British Columbia has found that sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is safe and effective for older children with multiple food allergies, who cannot risk consuming allergens orally. The treatment involves placing smaller amounts of food allergens under the tongue, allowing patients to build up their resi...

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2024

Smoking cannabis associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke

A large observational study found that frequent cannabis smoking is associated with a significant increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Daily use was linked to a 25% increased likelihood of heart attack and a 42% increased likelihood of stroke, while less frequent use also showed an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateFeb 28, 2024

Understanding genetic risk could save sight and predict multiple sclerosis earlier in young people

Researchers have developed a genetic risk tool that combines genetic factors with demographic information to improve MS risk prediction in young people presenting with optic neuritis. The study shows that this approach can help identify patients at high risk of MS, potentially enabling earlier treatment and improving long-term health.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 28, 2024

Quantum films on plastic

A research team has discovered a material that exhibits non-linear Hall effect, which could be applied in technologies for controlled use of terahertz high-frequency signals on electronic chips. The thin-layer films can be applied to plastic substrates and control the effect through micro-fabrication.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2024

International team led by BSC develops artificial intelligence technology to improve treatment of rare diseases

An international team of scientists developed AI technology to analyze limited data on rare diseases. The method uses multi-layer networks to explore relationships between genes in patients, revealing genetic causes and severity. This breakthrough opens new avenues for treating rare diseases, including myasthenic-congenital syndromes.

SourceBarcelona Supercomputing Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 28, 2024

Think smoking cannabis won’t damage your heart? Think again

A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that daily cannabis users had a 25% increased risk of heart attack and a 42% increased risk of stroke compared to non-users. The study also found significant cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use, including coronary heart disease and the combination of heart attack and stroke.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateFeb 28, 2024

New study finds high-dose inhaled nitric oxide decreases the risk of death among critically ill Black patients with COVID-19

A new study found that high-dose inhaled nitric oxide improves oxygenation and reduces mortality risk among critically ill Black patients with COVID-19. The treatment was more effective for Black patients, who have a suppressed nitric oxide system at baseline.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 28, 2024