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Science News Archive July 2024


Page 1 of 41

Public health measures that reduce dementia risk could save up to £4bn

A new study suggests that public health interventions, such as reformulating food products and introducing low emission zones, could yield significant cost savings and QALY gains in England. The interventions studied could save up to £4bn by reducing dementia rates and helping people live longer and healthier.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 31, 2024

Pandemic exacerbated depression in older adults with diabetes

A recent study found that almost 50% of older adults with diabetes experienced depression during the pandemic, with loneliness and chronic pain being major risk factors. The study also identified unexpected findings, including a higher risk of depression among those with higher income prior to the pandemic.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus·TypeSurvey·DateJul 31, 2024

Keeping skin healthy: New method provides molecular portrait of sebum production

Researchers developed a new method to map gene expression changes in sebocytes, providing insights into sebum production and its role in skin health. The study identifies key players in sebum production and suggests new ways to modulate it, with potential implications for acne, eczema, psoriasis, and infectious diseases.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2024

The next generation of RNA chips

A University of Vienna research team has developed a new generation of RNA building blocks for high-density microarrays, significantly reducing production time. This breakthrough enables faster synthesis and analysis of RNA molecules, opening up new opportunities for medical research and non-invasive diagnostics.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 31, 2024

New study reveals alarming increase in suicide rates among young Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population

A recent study has found a notable increase in suicidal deaths among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) young adults over the past two decades. The study reveals that male AAPI youth experienced a sharp rise in suicidal rates starting in 2008, with a significant peak in 2019.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAsian Journal of Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2024

Body appreciation varies across cultures

A study published in PLOS ONE found that body appreciation varies across cultures, with significant differences between Western and non-Western countries. Black Nigerian women reported the highest level of body appreciation, while White Western women reported the lowest. The study also found that internalization of thin ideals and soci...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateJul 31, 2024

Novel mechanism of retinal degeneration

Researchers discover ciliary disassembly in photoreceptors causes severe damage and dysfunction, leading to retinal degeneration. The study provides novel targets for clinical intervention and sheds light on the significant role of photoreceptor cilia in RD.

SourceScience China Press·JournalMedicine Plus·DateJul 31, 2024

Cleveland Clinic-led research identifies priority zones that may help improve colorectal cancer screening among Hispanic/Latino individuals

Researchers identified areas with lower colorectal cancer screening rates and developed an interactive web map to pinpoint neighborhood-level disparities. The study aims to inform targeted education or intervention programs, ultimately increasing screening rates in priority neighborhoods and contributing to national improvements.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 31, 2024

This protein does “The Twist”

Researchers have identified the critical step in NMDAR's routine where it rotates into an open formation, enabling electrical signals crucial for cognitive functions. This discovery may pave the way for drug compounds that can correct faulty NMDARs, potentially treating conditions like Alzheimer's and depression.

Impact of neighborhood resources on resilience after trauma

A recent study found that individuals with high individual resources and exposure to more greenspace were more likely to experience low or no PTSD symptoms over time. Greenspace was also associated with greater neural reactivity in the amygdala, a region involved in detecting rewarding cues.

SourceMcLean Hospital·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2024

New small molecule could treat sickle cell disease in adults that don’t respond to hydroxyurea, alone

Researchers discovered a new small molecule, SR-18292, that increases fetal hemoglobin production and reduces sickled red blood cells in mice with sickle cell disease. The study suggests that combining SR-18292 with hydroxyurea could provide a vital new treatment option for patients who don't respond well to traditional treatments.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 31, 2024

New AI tool predicts risk for chronic pain in cancer patients

A new study uses artificial intelligence to predict which breast cancer patients are most at risk for developing chronic pain, with anxiety and depression being leading factors. The AI model was built with detailed data on over 1,000 breast cancer patients and correctly predicted chronic pain more than 80% of the time.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Nursing Scholarship·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2024

Physicists use light to probe deeper into the ‘invisible’ energy states of molecules

Researchers at the University of Bath have discovered a new optical phenomenon called hyper-Raman, which can penetrate deeper into living tissue and yield images with better contrast. This effect has significant potential applications in pharmaceutical science, security, forensics, environmental science, art conservation, and medicine.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2024

FANCI that! Decades long mystery of how DNA damage by sunlight, alcohol and pollution is identified so it can be repaired, is solved. Opens up opportunities for improved cancer treatments.

A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery in the DNA repair mechanism, revealing how proteins recognize and repair damaged DNA. The study, published in Nature, uses cutting-edge imaging techniques to visualize how DNA repair proteins move on single molecules of DNA and initiate repair at crosslinks.

SourceMedical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2024

Climate change may lead to shifts in vital Pacific Arctic fisheries

Climate change is expected to shift the distribution of eight commercially important marine fish and invertebrate species northwards due to warmer water temperatures and loss of sea ice habitat. This could lead to changes in the abundance and economic viability of fisheries, with some species potentially benefiting while others decline.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 31, 2024

Nasal COVID-19 vaccine halts transmission

Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a nasal COVID-19 vaccine that halted transmission in hamsters, showing promise for controlling respiratory infections. The vaccine targeted the virus's entry points in the nose and mouth, reducing viral replication and preventing spread.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2024

Most blood thinner dosing problems happen after initial prescription

A study by Michigan Medicine found that over- or under-dosing anticoagulants can result in serious health conditions, most often occurring after the initial prescription. The researchers evaluated five years of prescribing data and found that nearly 70% of alerts to off-label dosing occurred during a follow-up visit.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThrombosis and Haemostasis·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2024

Generation X and millennials in US have higher risk of developing 17 cancers compared to older generations, new study suggests

A new large study found that incidence rates of 17 cancers increased with each successive birth cohort born since approximately 1920, with mortality trends also rising. The report highlights the critical need to identify and address underlying risk factors in Gen X and Millennial populations.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateJul 31, 2024

Re-analyzing the results of a community policing study leads to a more positive conclusion about its effects

A re-analysis of a community policing study found that increased cooperation and trust in the police lead to more crime reporting, which can inflate crime rates. This 'crime reporting sensitivity bias' must be adjusted for when evaluating the effectiveness of community policing programs.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJournal of Law and Empirical Analysis·DateJul 31, 2024

Mechanism of hibernation found in ICU patients with contractile weakness of the diaphragm due to mechanical ventilation

ICU patients with contractile weakness of the diaphragm due to mechanical ventilation develop a state of hibernation, where myosin protein is trapped in an energy-saving state. This compromises diaphragm strength and independent breathing, leading to difficulties in weaning from the ventilator. Researchers have found a potential lead f...

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 31, 2024

Study finds White Western women have lower body appreciation and greater media pressure to look thin

A study published in PLOS ONE reveals significant cultural differences in body appreciation among White Western, Black Nigerian, and Chinese women. White Western women reported higher media pressure to be thin, but lower body appreciation compared to other ethnic groups. In contrast, Black Nigerian women had higher body appreciation an...

SourceDurham University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateJul 31, 2024

The rotation of a nearby star stuns astronomers

Astronomers have discovered a nearby star that rotates faster than expected, with anomalies in its stellar rotation profile. This finding provides insights into fundamental stellar strophysics and challenges current understanding of stellar dynamics and magnetic dynamos.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2024

A whole new view on glacier melting in Antarctica

Researchers deployed an unmanned submarine 'Ran' under thick ice in Antarctica, revealing high-resolution maps of the glacier's underside. The findings indicate that stronger underwater currents and flowing water influence the melting process, with complex patterns and formations resembling sand dunes.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScience Advances·TypeSurvey·DateJul 31, 2024

AI opens door to safe, effective new antibiotics to combat resistant bacteria

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have leveraged AI to develop a new, safer antibiotic that targets specific bacterial membranes while minimizing harm to human cells. The AI-powered approach has identified a promising lead compound with potential for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2024

A new use for propofol in treating epilepsy?

A study published in Nature found that propofol can restore the function of mutated HCN1 ion channels, which are associated with certain types of epilepsy. The researchers suggest using propofol to treat these conditions or designing new compounds with similar effects but reduced side effects.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature·DateJul 31, 2024

​​​​​​​Incidence of heart attacks and strokes was lower after COVID-19 vaccination, finds study of 46 million adults

A new study analyzing health records from 46 million adults in England found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces the incidence of heart attacks and strokes. The incidence was up to 10% lower after the first dose and up to 27% lower after two doses, especially with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

SourceHealth Data Research UK·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJul 31, 2024

AI boosts the power of EEGs, enabling neurologists to quickly, precisely pinpoint signs of dementia

Researchers at Mayo Clinic used AI to analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) tests, identifying subtle brain wave patterns characteristic of cognitive problems like Alzheimer's disease. This technology has the potential to provide healthcare professionals with a more accessible tool for early diagnosis in communities without easy access to...

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalBrain Communications·DateJul 31, 2024

Military health research reveals potential pathway to reducing youth suicide

New research from the CU Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield Research found a promising pathway to reducing gun-carrying among youths with recent suicidal ideation or plans. Military-connected youth with past-year suicidal ideations or suicide plans exhibited lower rates of handgun carrying compared to their civilian peers.

Study examines suicide contagion following celebrity deaths, opening avenues for prevention

Researchers developed a computer model to examine the dynamics underlying suicide contagion after the suicides of Robin Williams in 2014 and Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain in 2018. The findings provide a framework for quantifying suicidal contagion, allowing for better understanding, prevention, and containment of its spread.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2024

Cracking the carb code: Researchers create new glycemic index database to improve dietary awareness

Researchers at BYU created a national glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) database to improve dietary awareness. The study found that high-GI foods contribute to Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and weight gain, highlighting the importance of prioritizing low-glycemic carbohydrates.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2024