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Science News Archive June 2024 - Page 30


Page 30 of 39

Transfer RNAs at the heart of therapeutic resistance

A research team from the University of Liège has discovered that inhibition of VARS enzyme can prevent therapeutic resistance in melanoma by resensitising tumours. This breakthrough offers new hope for patients with resistant melanoma, paving the way for treatment combinations and enhancing targeted therapy efficacy.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJun 7, 2024

Transforming agriculture: engineered nanoparticles for plant gene regulation

Researchers developed engineered dsRNA-protein nanoparticles for systemic gene silencing in plants, overcoming the challenge of transporting RNA molecules across plant cell membranes. This technology holds promise for improving crop productivity through efficient gene function characterization and large-scale agricultural applications.

Tiny new species of great ape lived in Germany 11 million years ago

A new species of great ape, Buronius manfredschmidi, has been identified from the Hammerschmiede fossil site in Bavaria, Germany. The species is estimated to have weighed around 10kg and had a distinct lifestyle from the larger-bodied Danuvius, allowing for cohabitation without resource competition.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJun 7, 2024

National working group releases landmark ethical guidance for new portable MRI brain research

A national working group has released a landmark report providing urgently needed guidance on ethical, legal, and policy concerns raised by the rapidly emerging use of portable MRI scanners in brain research. The report, developed with interdisciplinary expertise, offers 15 recommendations to address challenges posed by this technology.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Law and the Biosciences·TypeSurvey·DateJun 7, 2024

Enhancing forest productivity through improved phosphorus use: a comprehensive review of phosphorus uptake, transport, and signaling in woody and model plants

Research highlights the importance of phosphorus for plant growth and development, emphasizing its role in photosynthesis, respiration, and genetic information transfer. The study also discusses molecular mechanisms underlying Pi absorption, transport, and developmental regulation mediated by Pi starvation signaling.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalForestry Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2024

What’s going on in our brains when we plan?

A team of scientists has uncovered how our brains simulate possible future actions using stored memories. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus work together to enable mental simulations, allowing us to make better decisions. This research provides foundational knowledge on brain circuits enabling decision-making.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2024

JWST uncovers features of very-low-mass star’s protoplanetary disk that influence planet composition

The James Webb Space Telescope has found a carbon-rich chemistry with 13 carbon-bearing molecules in the protoplanetary disk surrounding ISO-ChaI 147, a young 0.11-solar-mass star. This high carbon/oxygen ratio suggests radial transport of material within the disk, potentially affecting planet composition.

First-of-its-kind test can predict dementia up to nine years before diagnosis

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London developed a predictive test using fMRI scans that detects changes in the brain's 'default mode network' to predict dementia. The test showed accurate predictions up to nine years before an official diagnosis, with greater than 80% accuracy and a two-year margin of error.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeObservational study·DateJun 6, 2024

Tropical forests adjust strategies to thrive even when soils are nutrient poor

A new study suggests that tropical forests can overcome the challenge of scarce nutrients by adjusting their strategies for acquiring phosphorus. Forests of different ages respond differently to nutrient additions, with younger forests investing in nitrogen-based strategies and older forests relying on phosphatase to access phosphorus.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024

Determining sex in ants

A noncoding gene has been identified as the deciding factor in determining sex in Argentine ants, with a specific genomic region being crucial to this process. The gene does not encode a protein but rather produces an RNA that influences sex determination.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 6, 2024

Calcium oxide’s quantum secret: nearly noiseless qubits

A team of researchers has found a way to create nearly noiseless qubits in calcium oxide, a promising material for quantum computing and communication. The discovery was made using theoretical and computational approaches, and the results show that the qubits can store information with extremely low levels of noise for an extended period.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 6, 2024

Pertussis outbreak in neonates and young infants across Italy, January to May 2024: implications for vaccination strategies

A recent pertussis outbreak in Italy has highlighted the critical need for public health interventions such as maternal immunization and early vaccination of infants. The study found that most cases occurred in unvaccinated children, with a significant increase in hospitalizations compared to previous years.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeSurvey·DateJun 6, 2024

Silkworms help grow better organ-like tissues in labs

Researchers at Duke University created an ultrathin silk membrane that helps cells grow into functional tissues used for research, enabling the development of kidney disease models. The new membrane improves communication and growth between cells, mimicking natural human organ structures.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024

Adding nurse case managers to telehealth significantly lowers blood pressure in Black and Hispanic stroke survivors

Low-income Black and Hispanic stroke survivors with uncontrolled hypertension experienced a more than two-fold reduction in blood pressure when tracked at home and sent readings to a nurse. Nurse case management enhanced telehealth programs showed significant benefits for this vulnerable population.

Seeking social proximity improves flight routes among pigeons

A study by Dr. Edwin Dalmaijer found that pigeons' desire for social proximity leads to improved flight paths as younger birds learn from older ones. This generational improvement in route efficiency is similar to those seen in real-life data, suggesting a key role for social factors in navigation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 6, 2024

Trust and acceptance among gastroenterologists for AI to be used in clinics and hospitals, finds NTU Singapore study

A recent NTU Singapore study found that eight in ten gastroenterologists accept and trust the use of AI-powered tools in diagnosing and assessing colorectal polyps. The study, which surveyed 165 doctors in the Asia-Pacific region, also found that more experienced gastroenterologists perceived a lower risk of AI tools.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateJun 6, 2024

Mapping noise to improve quantum measurements

Researchers developed a new method, Fourier Transform Noise Spectroscopy (FTNS), to analyze the noise affecting qubits, revealing its frequency spectrum. This approach handles various types of noise, including complex patterns, making it a more practical solution for widespread use.

SourceJILA·Journalnpj Quantum Information·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 6, 2024

Fish in schools have an easier time swimming in rough waters

A recent study found that schooling fish expend up to 79% less energy while swimming in turbulent water compared to solitary fish. This suggests that traveling in schools allows fish to shield each other from disruptive water currents, making it easier to swim through rough waters.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024