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Science News Archive January 2024 - Page 31


Page 31 of 37

Status report on emerging photovoltaic technology published by SPIE Journal of Photonics for Energy

The report highlights key applications and pathways to commercialization for emerging PV technologies, including new materials and device concepts. It also discusses strategies to exceed current limits in solar PV energy conversion and challenges facing efforts to scale up globally.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateJan 9, 2024

Exposure to air pollution associated with increase in sedentary time, study finds

A recent study has found a significant association between long-term exposure to UK air pollution and an increase in sedentary time. The research, published in the Journal of Public Health, suggests that high levels of air pollution may contribute to poorer health outcomes by encouraging sitting time indoors and discouraging active tim...

SourceUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust·JournalJournal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 9, 2024

Migrants can be ‘transformative force’ for sustainable development

New research shows that migrants can be a transformative force for sustainability, bringing energy and ideas to new locations. However, poorly managed migration deepens inequality and increases environmental harm. The studies emphasize the need for comprehensive policies that manage migration in the interests of people and the planet.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

Closing in on triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers analyzed cells within triple-negative breast cancer tumors before and after radiation therapy with immunotherapy, identifying three patient groups with distinct responses. The study found that combining radiation therapy and immunotherapy may improve tumor-fighting immune response prior to surgery for some patients.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalCancer Cell·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 8, 2024

Final supernova results from Dark Energy Survey offer unique insights into the expansion of the universe

The Dark Energy Survey has released unprecedented results on the mysteries of dark energy and the expansion of the universe. The study placed the strongest constraints on the expansion rate of the universe ever obtained, consistent with the standard cosmological model but not definitive enough to rule out a more complex model.

SourceDOE/Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2024

Researchers engineer in vivo delivery system for prime editing, partially restoring vision in mice

Researchers develop a delivery system for prime editing, enabling the correction of disease-causing genetic mutations in animal models. By adapting virus-like particles to carry the machinery for prime editing, scientists have achieved partial restoration of vision in mice with two genetic disorders.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

Some mosquitoes like it hot

New research found significant differences in heat tolerance among mosquito populations, with some more resilient to heat waves than others. Climate factors such as precipitation and humidity play a crucial role in determining their thermal limits, which may impact disease transmission.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

McMaster researchers discover molecular ‘barcode’ used by bacteria to secrete toxins

Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a molecular barcode system used by disease-causing bacteria to distinguish between beneficial and toxic molecules. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying bacterial pathogenicity, allowing for potential biotechnology applications to combat infectious diseases like tuber...

SourceMcMaster University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

Real-world analysis: COVID-19 vaccine strongly effective for children and adolescents during delta and omicron

A real-world study found that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in protecting children and adolescents from infection, with 98% reduced risk during the delta variant phase. Vaccine effectiveness slightly declined during the omicron wave, but still provided strong protection against severe illness and cardiac complications.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2024

Unveiling hidden biodiversity underfoot: DNA barcoding of Taiwanese forest leaf litter beetles

The Taiwanese Leaf Litter Beetles Barcoding project has created a comprehensive reference library for these elusive beetles using DNA barcoding. The dataset comprises 4,629 beetles representing 334 species candidates from 36 families, unveiling taxonomic insights and enhancing our understanding of their biology and ecological roles.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalDeutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift·DateJan 8, 2024

Bariatric surgery may slow cognitive decline for people with obesity

Researchers found that cognition scores remained stable two years after bariatric surgery, while secondary executive function tests showed improvement. However, one memory assessment declined following surgery. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand how best to treat cognitive decline associated with obesity.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe journal of nutrition health & aging·TypeObservational study·DateJan 8, 2024

CHOP researchers develop algorithm to determine how cellular “neighborhoods” function in tissues

Researchers developed a deep-learning-based algorithm to identify tissue cellular neighborhoods (TCNs) in breast and colorectal tumors, revealing new fibroblast-enriched and granulocyte-enriched TCNs associated with high-risk disease subtypes. The study aims to better understand cancer evasion mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

Novel test holds promise for detecting Parkinson’s disease early

Researchers developed a novel test that detects single ⍺-synuclein fibrils in patient samples to identify patients with Parkinson's disease earlier. This breakthrough has the potential to create early applicable molecular diagnostics, improve clinical trials, and facilitate drug screening for neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

Study highlights barriers to contraceptive access for disabled Medicare enrollees

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh highlights how lack of contraceptive coverage by Medicare prevents disabled enrollees from accessing contraception. Contraceptive use is low among reproductive-aged people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare, with only 14.3% having an insurance claim for contraception in 2019.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2024

Intravaginal sponge can make treatment of candidiasis more comfortable and effective

Researchers developed a biodegradable sponge that releases medication slowly into the organism, improving treatment efficacy for vulvovaginal candidiasis. The device is made from soft, biocompatible materials and can be inserted by patients themselves, making treatment more comfortable.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·DateJan 8, 2024

Rensselaer researcher helps scientists make sense of vast amounts of molecular data

Boleslaw Szymanski and his team developed a clustering method called SpeakEasy2: Champagne to group molecular data, which showed consistent performance across diverse applications. The method was tested on bulk gene expression, single-cell data, protein interaction networks, and large-scale human networks data, revealing its effectiven...

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalGenome Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 8, 2024