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Science News for June 14, 2024


The nanotechnological revolution requires standardized ‘screws’ – here is a way to measure them

Scientists at the University of Bath discovered a new nonlinear optical property that measures the twist in tiny particles, similar to viruses and bacteria. This finding enables real-time particle size analysis and has significant implications for various fields like display technology, chemical catalysis, and medicine.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

Vitamin B6: New compound delays degradation

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have discovered a natural substance that can inhibit vitamin B6 degradation, increasing its levels in nerve cells involved in learning and memory processes. This compound, 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone, has been linked to improved spatial learning and memory capacity in mice.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

Quantum entanglement measures Earth rotation

Researchers at the University of Vienna have successfully measured Earth's rotation using quantum entanglement, achieving a thousand-fold precision improvement. By exploiting the unique properties of entangled photons, they were able to detect the rotation signal with remarkable stability and accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 14, 2024

Novel insights into fluorescent ‘dark states’ illuminate ways forward for improved imaging

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have developed a way to mitigate long-lived triplet dark states in smFRET, significantly increasing the method's resolution for molecular imaging. This advancement enables direct visualization of biomolecules' functions and dynamics, crucial for understanding biological processes and...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Methods·DateJun 14, 2024

Antarctic cold spells shatter records amid global heat waves in late winter 2023

Researchers observed extreme cold temperatures across a broad region of Antarctica in late winter 2023, with record low temperatures recorded at multiple locations. The study highlights the importance of understanding atmospheric environments that lead to extreme cold temperatures and their impact on Antarctic operations.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJun 14, 2024

Strengthener for graphene

A research team has developed a method to strengthen graphene nanolayers by cross-linking them with rotaxanes, improving the material's stretchability and toughness. The new films show increased tensile strength, elasticity, and toughness, making them suitable for flexible electronics and composite materials.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

ASU researchers gain insight into how a deadly strain of salmonella fine-tunes its infection tactics

Researchers have gained insight into how a deadly strain of salmonella adapts to invasion, flourishing in hostile environments and evading immune defenses. The study sheds light on the role of fluid shear forces in bacterial behavior, which may accelerate the design of new therapies for life-threatening infections.

SourceArizona State University·JournalGut Microbes·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

High-precision measurements challenge our understanding of Cepheids

A new dataset from the VELOCE project has collected over 18,000 high-precision measurements of Cepheid radial velocities, providing insights into the structure and evolution of these stars. The data reveal complex patterns in pulsations that cannot be explained by traditional models, suggesting intricate processes within the stars.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateJun 14, 2024

Early «Homo sapiens» facilitated the establishment of the Bonelli’s eagle in the Mediterranean 50,000 years ago

A study by University of Granada researchers reveals that early Homo sapiens played a key role in the establishment of Bonelli's eagles in the Mediterranean. The eagles thrived as human populations grew and became sedentary, but their advantage is now threatened by human activities such as power lines and habitat disturbance.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalPeople and Nature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 14, 2024

In brief: Multi-omics analysis identifies molecularly defined Alzheimer’s disease subtypes

Researchers used machine learning to integrate high-throughput transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic profiles to identify four distinct molecular profiles of Alzheimer's Disease. These profiles were associated with varying levels of cognitive function and neuropathological features.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 14, 2024

Physical activity in the evening shown to improve glucose regulation in overweight and obese adults

Researchers from the University of Granada found that accumulating moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the evening improves glucose regulation in overweight and obese adults. The study's results have significant implications for individuals at risk of developing insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, highlighting the importance o...

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalObesity·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 14, 2024

Fasting primes the immune system’s natural killer cells to better fight cancer, new study in mice finds

A new study finds that periods of fasting can reprogram the immune system's natural killer cells to better fight cancer. The research suggests that fasting may help improve immune responses and make immunotherapy more effective by training NK cells to survive in the tumor environment and produce more cytokines.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

New study emphasizes tradeoffs between arresting groundwater depletion and food security

A new study emphasizes the need to balance water conservation with food security, finding that ending groundwater depletion would lead to significant declines in food production, particularly for rice and wheat. The study warns that such efforts could push up international prices, making food less affordable for the poor.

SourceInternational Food Policy Research Institute·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJun 14, 2024

Tiny New Zealand bird delivers a lesson in birdsong evolution

Scientists studying the rifleman bird found that its vocal signatures are similar when birds live near each other, suggesting they may learn their sounds. This challenges the traditional view of birds as either vocal learners or non-learners, and raises the possibility that many bird species possess rudimentary learning abilities.

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 14, 2024

Nano-immunotherapy developed to improve lung cancer treatment

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new nanomedicine therapy that delivers anticancer drugs to lung cancer cells and enhances the immune system's ability to fight cancer. The therapy shows promising results in cancer cells in the lab and in mouse lung tumor models, with potential applications for improving care...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

Infectious H5N1 influenza virus in raw milk rapidly declines with heat treatment

A recent study by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found that the amount of infectious H5N1 influenza viruses in raw milk rapidly declined with heat treatment. However, small amounts of infectious virus remained detectable in some samples even after high-temperature pasteurization.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 14, 2024

Synthetic data holds the key to determining best statewide transit investments, new NYU Tandon School of Engineering study finds

Researchers used synthetic population data to assess equity impacts of transportation investments in New York State, finding that microtransit services were more viable in disadvantaged areas. The study's findings aim to create a way to analyze and allocate transportation resources nationally for equitable outcomes.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalTransportation Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 14, 2024

New carbon nitride membrane revolutionizes lithium extraction from salt lakes

Researchers developed a crystalline carbon nitride membrane that outperforms traditional polymer membranes in separating lithium ions from magnesium ions in salt-lake brine. The innovative design mimics biological ion channels, achieving an impressive selectivity ratio of 1,708 for highly dilute lithium ions.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

New approach to identifying altermagnetic materials

Researchers developed a new method to identify altermagnets using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and theoretically predicted its fingerprint. The approach was successfully applied to manganese telluride (α-MnTe), revealing the material's hidden fingerprint of altermagnetism, which could accelerate spintronics applications.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 14, 2024

The genetic “switches” of bone growth

Researchers at UNIGE have identified 2700 genetic enhancers that regulate genes responsible for bone growth, providing insights into adult height and potential causes of bone diseases. The study suggests that variations in these enhancers could explain differences in human size and potentially contribute to developmental pathologies.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateJun 14, 2024

High out-of-pocket costs may be barrier to filling naloxone prescriptions, study shows

A study published in JAMA found that high out-of-pocket costs are a significant barrier to filling naloxone prescriptions. The study, which utilized data from a national pharmacy transactions database, estimated that a $10 increase in cost would decrease the rate of filling prescriptions by about 2-3 percentage points.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 14, 2024

Global trial confirms benefit of antacids on bleeding prevention for ventilated patients

A global study and meta-analysis confirm pantoprazole's effectiveness in preventing upper GI bleeding in critically ill adults on a breathing machine. The research, led by McMaster University, shows that pantoprazole reduces the risk of clinically important upper GI bleeding but has no significant impact on mortality.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 14, 2024

Improving soil health yields unexpected benefits for farmers

A study by Dartmouth College finds that regenerative agriculture's impact on farmers extends beyond financial gain, influencing their relationships and quality of life. By adopting practices like reduced tillage and cover cropping, farmers experience reduced dependence on agrochemicals and improved soil fertility.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAgriculture and Human Values·TypeSurvey·DateJun 14, 2024

Quasicrystal metasurface projects holographic images and light patterns simultaneously

Scientists have developed a quasicrystal metasurface that projects holographic images and creates unique diffraction patterns. This innovative design simplifies device design and offers precise control over light manipulation, paving the way for high-resolution thin holographic displays, ultra-fast light-switching devices, and advanced...

Bringing data to life: New interactive dashboard provides analysis and visualization of sickle cell disease prevalence and burden in an entire state

The Indiana Sickle Cell Dashboard presents interactive visualizations of the disease's prevalence and burden across an entire state, offering a comprehensive picture of those living with sickle cell. The dashboard provides rates per 100,000 population, allowing for comparisons between states or areas around the world.

Disparities in the distribution of flood adaptation resources could be curbed by equity-weighting, research suggests

Researchers found that conventional benefit-cost analyses favor affluent communities, while an equity-weighted approach could reduce bias in hazard mitigation funding. This new method has the potential to improve resource allocation for socio-economically vulnerable areas.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 14, 2024