Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 10, 2024


Bound-state electrons synergy over photochromic high-crystalline C₃N₅ nanosheets in enhancing charge separation for photocatalytic H₂ production

Researchers synthesized high-crystallinity nitrogen-rich carbon nitride nanosheet photocatalysts to improve charge separation for hydrogen evolution. The discovery of bound-state electrons synergy and electron capture sites led to a significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalAdvanced Powder Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

Ascorbic acid supplementation and immune response in healthy women during high-intensity exercise

A recent study published in The Open Sports Sciences Journal found that Ascorbic acid supplementation reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in healthy women. The supplement also increased plasma ascorbic acid levels and reduced post-exercise MDA levels, suggesting a potential protective effect against muscle injury.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Sports Sciences Journal·DateJun 10, 2024

Novel radiotracer produces high quality images of “Alzheimer’s disease of the heart”

Researchers developed a novel radiotracer that generates high-quality images of cardiac amyloidosis, a condition referred to as the Alzheimer's disease of the heart. The technetium-99m labeled variant of the pan-amyloid reactive peptide p5+14 showed significant uptake in patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 10, 2024

Improved prime editing system makes gene-sized edits in human cells at therapeutic levels

Scientists have improved a gene-editing technology that can insert or substitute entire genes in the genome, potentially treating multiple genetic diseases with a single therapy. The new approach, eePASSIGE, uses prime editors and recombinase enzymes to make gene-sized edits several times more efficiently than previous methods.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

RNA splicing’s spotters

A study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has discovered two regulator proteins that work together to keep the splicing process on track. The research, led by Professor Adrian Krainer, identifies SRSF1's interactions with other proteins, providing new insights into how this critical regulator works.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 10, 2024

Taking the fall: How stunt performers struggle with reporting head trauma

A new study by Ohio University researchers shines a light on the challenges stunt professionals face regarding self-reporting of head injuries and the potential long-term consequences for their health and livelihoods. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional and psychological toll of health conditions on in...

SourceOhio University·JournalJournal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology·TypeSurvey·DateJun 10, 2024

The solar system may have passed through dense interstellar clouds 2 million years ago, altering Earth’s climate

Astrophysicists calculate that two million years ago, the solar system encountered a cold, harsh interstellar cloud, which may have interfered with the sun's solar wind and affected Earth's climate. The heliosphere, a protective plasma shield, was compressed in such a way that it briefly placed Earth outside its influence.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 10, 2024

Cleveland Clinic research findings may lead to improved treatments for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer

Cleveland Clinic researchers have discovered a new location for the CD55 protein in ovarian cancer cells, which aids in their resistance to chemotherapy. Blocking this migration can disrupt cancer growth and lessen cell resistance. The findings may lead to improved treatment options for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalMolecular Cancer·DateJun 10, 2024

Two can play that game: juvenile dolphins who play together are more successful as adults

A new study finds that juvenile male dolphins with strong social bonds practice adult-like reproductive behaviors when playing together, and those who spend more time practicing will father more offspring as adults. The research provides rare evidence for a link between juvenile social play and reproductive success in a wild animal.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2024

Lab-grown ‘mini-guts’ could help in development of new and more personalized treatments for Crohn’s disease

Researchers have successfully grown 'mini-guts' in the lab to better understand Crohn's disease. The organoids show that epigenetic changes play an important role in the disease and its severity, enabling potential personalized treatments. This breakthrough could lead to more precise and effective treatments for patients.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalGut·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

Revealed: tricks used by opioid giant to mold doctors’ minds

Researchers found a coordinated effort by Mallinckrodt to reframe concerns about addiction as phobia and muddle dependence as pseudoaddiction. The company employed tactics like recruiting influencers, planting articles in scientific journals, and developing continuing medical education courses to boost sales.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 10, 2024

Depression, antidepressants, epigenetic age acceleration, and mortality in postmenopausal women

A new study reveals that depression and antidepressant use are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in postmenopausal women. Epigenetic age acceleration, measured by GrimAge DNA methylation age acceleration, partially mediates the relationship between antidepressant use and increased mortality risk.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2024

Wire-cut forensic examinations currently too unreliable for court, new study says

A new study found that wire-cut forensic examinations can be misleading due to the high number of comparisons made, potentially leading to wrongful convictions. The researchers recommend additional information about comparison lengths be presented in court cases involving wire-cutting evidence.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 10, 2024

Benefits of failure are overrated

A study by the American Psychological Association found that failure does not necessarily lead to success, with participants overestimating licensing exam pass rates for prospective nurses, lawyers, and teachers. The research highlights the importance of correcting misguided beliefs about failure, potentially shifting taxpayer dollars ...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

Statins for heart disease prevention could be recommended for far fewer Americans if new risk equation is adopted

A new risk equation could lead to a significant reduction in statin prescriptions, with 28.3 million adults potentially eligible instead of 45.4 million under current guidelines. The PREVENT equations incorporate recent insights into the biology of cardiovascular disease and remove race as a factor.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 10, 2024

Treating rare skin diseases by transplanting healthy skin

Researchers from Nagoya University have successfully treated rare genetic skin disorders epidermolytic ichthyosis (EI) and ichthyosis with confetti (IWC) by transplanting genetically healthy skin to inflamed areas. Transplantation of healthy skin has been used as a treatment option for severe burn injuries.

SourceNagoya University·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateJun 10, 2024

NUS linguists make breakthrough discovery on detecting early linguistic signs of dementia by studying the natural speech of seniors

A novel study led by NUS linguists reveals that seniors with memory-related mild cognitive impairment exhibit distinct speech patterns, including reduced noun usage and increased abstract thinking. These findings hold promise for developing language-based interventions to address dementia symptoms.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2024

Lung cancer screening prolongs lives in real-world study

US Veterans Health Administration data shows lung cancer screening before diagnosis increases early stage detection and lower mortality rates. Researchers found that those who underwent screening had a higher cure rate and improved survival over five years compared to those without screening.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJun 10, 2024

Keeping the lights on

A study published in Applied Physics Letters reveals that decreasing carbon concentration can increase the amount of light emitted from GaN crystals. The researchers found a threshold concentration above which carbon atoms become a significant factor in dissipating energy, leading to improved internal quantum efficiency.

SourceOsaka University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2024

Making remanufacturing profitable

Remanufacturing is a process that transforms end-of-life products into new ones, offering economic benefits and environmental advantages. Companies need to invest time and energy to adopt this approach, but it can lead to increased profitability and sustainability.

Pesticides impair mobility and immune system of Brazilian native stingless bees, study shows

A study found that pesticides imidacloprid, pyraclostrobin, and glyphosate impair the mobility and immune system of Brazilian native stingless bees. Even if bees survive exposure to these pesticides, their immune systems are weakened, making them more prone to infections and increasing the risk of colony collapse.

First trial of new suicide prevention intervention designed for autistic people

A new trial of a suicide prevention intervention for autistic adults found that almost two-thirds of participants found the adapted safety plans useful. The study, funded by the National Institute of Health Research, suggests that personalized interventions can reduce self-harm and suicidal behaviors in autistic individuals.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 10, 2024

Passive heat exposure increases stress on the heart, posing risk to adults with history of CAD

A laboratory study found that passive heat exposure stresses the heart, increasing myocardial blood flow in all participants, regardless of age or health status. Adults with a history of CAD are at particular risk and may benefit from minimizing cardiac strain during extreme heat by staying cool.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJun 10, 2024

Researchers engineer new approach for controlling thermal emission

A team of researchers has created a novel approach to control thermal emission by designing an interface that joins two surfaces with different geometric properties. This allows for localized thermal emissions from designated areas, enabling applications in infrared optics, sensing, and satellite technology.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

NTU Singapore-led study estimates that between 1980 and 2020, 135 million premature deaths could be linked to fine particulate matter pollution

A study by NTU Singapore researchers found that fine particulate matter pollution was associated with approximately 135 million premature deaths globally between 1980 and 2020. The impact of pollution was worsened by climate variability phenomena, leading to a 14% rise in premature deaths.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalEnvironment International·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 10, 2024

Older, poorer, Black, Medicaid beneficiaries less likely to be placed on liver transplant lists

A new study has identified disparities in liver transplant referral and evaluation that occur before waitlisting for patients with early-stage liver cancer. These disparities affect older, poorer, Black, and Medicaid beneficiaries, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve equity in access to liver transplantation.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalCancer Research Communications·DateJun 10, 2024

AJPH study reveals that COVID-19 has widened racial gaps in pregnancy-associated deaths from non-obstetric causes in the US

A recent study found a disproportionate increase in pregnancy-associated deaths across diverse ethnic/racial groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed that certain groups, such as Hispanic and Black women, faced higher risks of death from non-obstetric causes like substance abuse and intimate partner violence.

SourceAmerican Public Health Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 10, 2024

Planetary Health Diet associated with lower risk of premature death, lower environmental impact

A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was associated with a 30% lower risk of premature death and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The diet emphasizes minimally processed plant foods and modest consumption of meat and dairy foods.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2024

Fixing excess carbon dioxide: biocatalyst-driven carboxylation under mild conditions

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a biocatalyzed carboxylation reaction using Thermoplasma acidophilum malic enzyme to fix CO2, increasing the yield and sustainability of the process. The method can be tailored for selective synthesis of wider carboxylation products, unlocking new avenues for renewable resources.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJACS Au·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

Association found between media diet and science-consistent beliefs about climate change

A study found a strong association between media diet and science-consistent beliefs about climate change, with far-right media having a stronger negative impact on climate change beliefs and support for a carbon tax. Exposure to centrist and science media was positively associated with these beliefs.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateJun 10, 2024

Does a beet a day keep heart disease away?

A new study led by Penn State researchers found that daily consumption of beetroot juice may improve blood vessel function and reduce future heart disease risk in postmenopausal women. Beetroot juice contains high levels of nitrate, which helps blood vessels expand and improves circulation.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 10, 2024

SNMMI Image of the Year: Ultra-high-resolution PET provides never before seen images of the brain

The NeuroEXPLORER PET scanner offers exceptional brain PET images with ultra-high sensitivity and resolution, showcasing focal uptake in specific brain nuclei. This technology has the potential to spur advances in treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and mental illnesses.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 10, 2024

In a significant first, researchers detect water frost on solar system’s tallest volcanoes

A team of planetary scientists has detected patches of water frost on Mars' Tharsis volcanoes, which are the tallest in the solar system. The frost forms for only a few hours after sunrise and is incredibly thin, but constitutes a significant amount of water that swaps between the surface and atmosphere each day during the cold seasons.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 10, 2024

Optimism wards off procrastination

A study published in Scientific Reports found that people with an optimistic outlook on the future are less likely to be severe procrastinators. The researchers surveyed nearly 300 young people and discovered that those who believed their stress levels would decrease in the future were more likely to overcome procrastination.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeSurvey·DateJun 10, 2024

Case studies show how quasi-governmental organizations could strengthen climate adaptation governance

A new study examines the design characteristics of quasi-governmental organizations (QGOs) to provide insights on how to improve climate adaptation governance. The research finds that some QGOs are useful for overcoming politicization or fostering multi-level stakeholder coordination, but none prove optimal for both simultaneously.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalClimatic Change·TypeCase study·DateJun 10, 2024

Clinical trial shows promising results in a two-drug combination that curbs methamphetamine use

A clinical trial shows that a combination of injectable naltrexone and extended-release oral bupropion reduces methamphetamine use for up to 12 weeks. The study found a significant increase in methamphetamine-negative urine tests among participants receiving the two-drug therapy.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAddiction·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 10, 2024

When is genome sequencing advisable?

Genome sequencing outperforms exome sequencing in diagnosing rare genetic diseases, revealing new clues and mechanisms. The method's advantages include detecting non-coding mutations and gene segments outside the exome.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

Peers crucial in shaping boys’ confidence in math skills

A study from the University of Zurich found that peer relationships play a crucial role in shaping math confidence in boys, while girls' subjective evaluations are more driven by objective performance. The study suggests that math skills are more important to boys and their self-assessment is influenced by social processes.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalEuropean Societies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 10, 2024

Breakthrough in creating cyclic peptide opens the way for new antibiotics

Scientists at King's College London have developed a rapid method for creating cyclic peptides, an important class of antibiotic molecules, which can be produced in minutes rather than hours or days. This breakthrough could inspire renewed efforts towards developing new antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

Analyzing the benefits of transboundary cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin

A new study by IIASA researchers highlights the benefits of transboundary cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin, which could maximize economic benefits while minimizing environmental losses. Full cooperation is recommended as a more beneficial and stable option for riparian countries, especially under changing climate conditions.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalNature Water·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 10, 2024

New study helps explain how elderly individuals react differently to COVID-19 than young people

A new study by Boston University researchers found that the immune response of lung endothelial cells is too low in older individuals during early stages of COVID-19 infection, leading to increased severity. The study suggests targeting these immune pathways may have prognostic and therapeutic benefits.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

Sensing a biomarker

Researchers at Kanazawa University have developed an electrochemical biosensor to detect ADAR1, a biomolecule associated with several diseases including neurological disorders and cancer. The device shows good sensitivity and selectivity, enabling rapid detection of ADAR1 concentrations in cells.

SourceNano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa University·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

Super-chilled brain cell molecules reveal how epilepsy drug works

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered the mechanism of action of the widely-used epilepsy drug perampanel, which targets the AMPA receptor to dampen brain cell excitability. The study provides new insights into the potential applications of perampanel in treating other neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease,...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJun 10, 2024

Single episode of intense exercise reduces subsequent physical activity and body temperature, contributing to weight gain

A single episode of intense exercise reduces subsequent physical activity and body temperature in mice, leading to weight gain. The study highlights the importance of considering not only calories burned during exercise but also subsequent activity levels and circadian rhythm for effective weight loss.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateJun 10, 2024