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Science News Archive July 2024 - Page 21


Page 21 of 41

Rhizobacteria identified to combat striga and boost sorghum yields in Ethiopia

A research team identified rhizobacteria capable of suppressing Striga infestation in sorghum, with isolates from the Pseudomonas genus demonstrating promising biocontrol potential. The study highlights the potential of using rhizobacteria as environmentally friendly bioherbicides to improve sorghum productivity in Ethiopia.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalTechnology in Agronomy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

New technique could help treat aggressive brain tumors

Researchers have developed a new technique called burst sine wave electroporation (B-SWE) that can disrupt the blood-brain barrier around brain tumors without causing significant damage to healthy tissue. This method shows promise for treating aggressive brain cancers like glioblastoma, which currently have limited treatment options.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalAPL Bioengineering·DateJul 17, 2024

Cage-free chickens are louse-y

A recent study by University of California - Riverside researchers has discovered that lice are a significant threat to free-range chicken populations, causing skin lesions and disrupting healthy behaviors. The study's findings have implications for states like California, where all egg production is cage-free.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalParasites & Vectors·DateJul 17, 2024

Doctors reluctant to treat addiction most commonly report “lack of institutional support” as barrier

A new study identified the top reasons why physicians may be reluctant to intervene in addiction, with 'institutional environment' being the most commonly reported barrier. The study highlights the need for increased organizational support, leadership buy-in, and education to improve adoption of evidence-based care.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 17, 2024

Endometriosis typology and ovarian cancer risk

A study of nearly half a million women found that endometriosis was associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer. The risk was particularly elevated among women with ovarian endometriomas or deep infiltrating endometriosis, with a 19-fold increased risk for certain types of ovarian cancer.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJul 17, 2024

Using early on-treatment circulating tumor DNA measurements as response assessment in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer

Researchers from Radboud University Medical Center discuss the potential of using early on-treatment circulating tumor DNA measurements as a response assessment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The detection of ctDNA at baseline and 4-weeks after treatment initiation can predict response durability to first-line ARPIs.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

New training program facilitates home-based transcranial electrical stimulation

A new training program enables older adults to receive Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) in their homes, with high satisfaction rates and adherence. The program's remote nature is expected to increase accessibility among underrepresented populations, accelerating tES intervention discoveries.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalNeuromodulation Technology at the Neural Interface·DateJul 17, 2024

Ant insights lead to robot navigation breakthrough

Researchers at TU Delft developed an insect-inspired navigation strategy for tiny, lightweight robots, allowing them to return home after long trajectories while requiring minimal computation and memory. The strategy combines visual breadcrumbs and step counting to enable autonomous navigation in cluttered environments.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

AI tool successfully responds to patient questions in electronic health record

A new study by NYU Langone Health shows that an AI tool can draft responses to patients' EHR queries as accurately as human healthcare professionals, with greater perceived empathy. The tool has the potential to dramatically reduce physicians' In Basket burden while improving their communication with patients.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2024

Nature-based solutions to disaster risk from climate change are cost effective, UMmass Amherst study confirms

A global assessment of scientific literature finds that nature-based solutions (NbS) are an economically effective method to mitigate risks from disasters such as floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, and landslides. NbS have been proven consistently cost-effective in mitigating hazards in 71% of the studied articles.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 16, 2024

Automated appointment scheduling and reminder messages may improve post-partum health and well-being for those with chronic health conditions

A new study found that an intervention involving automated appointment scheduling and reminder messages can increase primary care visits by 19 percentage points and improve screening tests and services. This low-cost intervention may help bridge the gap in postpartum care for individuals with chronic health conditions.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2024

A new addition to the CRISPR toolbox: Teaching the gene scissors to detect RNA

Researchers have developed a new method called PUMA that uses CRISPR-Cas12 nucleases to detect RNA biomarkers. This technology overcomes limitations of existing methods by reprogramming tracrRNAs to recognize specific RNA targets, enabling precise detection without requiring a specific recognition sequence.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2024

Female Australian football players are taking more hits

Sub-elite female Australian football players experience different injury patterns compared to males, highlighting the need for targeted training and injury prevention strategies. Ankle sprains, concussions, and anterior cruciate ligament injuries are the most common and burdensome, resulting in the most missed matches.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sport·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2024

A new study finds that early detection of miRNAs in maternal blood may offer the potential for predicting preeclampsia

A new study identifies the potential of specific microRNAs within extracellular vesicles as a noninvasive biomarker for predicting preeclampsia. Researchers found that women with pre-eclampsia had distinct miRNA patterns in their blood, which could help detect the condition early on.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 16, 2024

Playing Dungeons and Dragons can support mental health

A new study finds that playing Dungeons and Dragons can positively impact players' mental health by providing a space for creative expression, social support, and escapism. The game's immersive nature allows players to feel a sense of control and autonomy, leading to increased personal growth and skills development.

SourceUniversity College Cork·JournalInternational Journal of Role-Playing·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 16, 2024 Contact: Gina DiGravio, 617-358-7838, ginad@bu.edu New Study Validates Diagnostic Tool for Identifying Amyloid Beta Plaques, Key Hallmark of Alzheimer’s Disease Results could impact the clinical care of patients wi

Researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have found that electroencephalograms (ERPs) can be used to diagnose Amyotid Beta Plaques in patients with Alzheimer's disease. ERPs may provide a low-cost and non-invasive method for detecting AD pathology in-vivo.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 16, 2024

Recycled micro-sized silicon anodes from photovoltaic waste improve lithium-ion battery performance

Researchers have developed low-cost micro-sized silicon anodes from recycled photovoltaic waste using a novel electrolyte design. The new anodes exhibit remarkable electrochemical stability, maintaining an average coulombic efficiency of 99.94% after 200 cycles. This breakthrough addresses the major challenges facing micro-sized silico...

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2024

Etiologies of splenic venous hypertension

Splenic venous hypertension is a rare condition characterized by upper GI bleeding without liver disease. It arises due to increased pressure in the splenic vein, leading to gastric varices. Diagnosis involves clinical suspicion, imaging studies, and endoscopic methods.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateJul 16, 2024

Resistance exercise ‘activity breaks’ at night may improve sleep length

A small comparative study found that regular 3-minute resistance exercises every half hour for 4 hours can increase sleep duration by an average of 27 minutes compared to prolonged sitting. The study suggests that evening exercise may not adversely impact sleep quality, but further research is needed.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 16, 2024

Ground surface conditions impact speed and distance of leaking natural gas

A new study by SMU-led researchers found that ground surface conditions significantly impact the speed and distance of leaking natural gas, with saturated surfaces allowing gas to migrate farthest. The study also highlights the importance of considering soil surface structures when evaluating pipeline leak safety risks.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2024

Research spotlight: Patterns and prognostications in immune-related adverse events from immunotherapy treatment

A study comprehensively evaluated occurrence patterns of immune-related adverse events, including those affecting single organs and multiple organs. Researchers found that most events tend to co-occur and identified seven patient clusters with different development patterns, which were associated with improved or worsened survival outc...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 16, 2024

Should AI be used in psychological research?

Researchers caution against relying solely on LLMs for human participants due to cross-cultural variation and limited variability in responses. While LLMs can analyze text, they struggle with implicit, emotional, or context-dependent tasks, and their black-box nature hinders reproducibility.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJul 16, 2024

Active commuting linked to lower risks of mental and physical ill health

A large-scale study published in the BMJ Group found that commuters who cycle or walk to work have lower risks of mental and physical ill health compared to those who don't. Cyclists were associated with a 47% lower risk of death from any cause, while pedestrian commuters had an 11% lower risk of hospital admission for any cause.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2024

Ultrahigh energy density in dielectric nanocomposites by modulating nanofiller orientation and polymer crystallization behavior

A team of researchers from Central South University proposes a novel strategy to enhance breakdown strength and electric polarization in dielectric materials. By modulating filler orientation and polymer crystallization, they achieve ultrahigh energy density and improved voltage endurance.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalAdvanced Powder Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2024

Multiple concussions in rugby players change proteins linked to neurodegenerative diseases

A study by Durham University found that retired rugby players with multiple concussions have higher levels of proteins linked to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and motor neurone disease. The research suggests monitoring athletes' blood for these biomarkers may help diagnose early disease and prevent future development.

SourceDurham University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2024

Lancet Oncology publication establishes imaging guidelines for head and neck cancers, a step toward practice change

The study establishes criteria for identifying extranodal extension on imaging, allowing radiologists to make accurate calls and provide patients with less invasive treatments. This shift towards practice change has the potential to reduce side effects and improve outcomes for patients with HPV-associated head and neck cancers.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeSurvey·DateJul 16, 2024

USGS: Local dragonflies expose mercury pollution patterns

A new study reveals surprising findings about mercury pollution patterns in ecosystems, where it comes from and how it moves vary significantly. Dragonfly larvae are found to be a cost-effective indicator of mercury contamination in nearly every aquatic habitat, providing valuable insights for resource management decisions.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 16, 2024