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Science News Archive March 2024 - Page 12


Page 12 of 42

Outcomes after stem cell transplant in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia have improved since 2000

Outcomes for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HCT) have improved significantly over time. Relapse incidence and non-relapse mortality decreased, while leukemia-free survival and overall survival increased steadily between 2000 and 2021. These improvements wer...

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateMar 22, 2024

Finding new answers with the nuclear clock

Researchers aim to create a nuclear clock using thorium isotopes, which could increase measurement accuracy by a factor of 3. The project uses light with orbital angular momentum to excite the nucleus, emitting photons that can be detected. This technology has the potential to answer fundamental questions in physics and astronomy.

Messenger RNAs with multiple “tails” could lead to more effective therapeutics

Researchers have engineered a new mRNA structure by adding multiple “tails” to boost mRNA activity levels and prolong its presence in the body. The multi-tailed mRNAs increased therapeutic protein production in cells and animals, and showed improved efficiency in gene editing when incorporated into a CRISPR system.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2024

Racial and ethnic differences in telemedicine use

Black and Hispanic individuals received fewer telemedicine visits than white individuals after controlling for geographic region, contrary to national trends. The study suggests systemic inequalities in access to telemedicine care exist despite increased use during the pandemic.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateMar 22, 2024

Most new doctors face some form of sexual harassment, even after #MeToo

New studies find over half of new doctors experience some form of sexual harassment in their first year, with women and men experiencing varying rates of recognition and types of harassment. The #MeToo movement has led to increased recognition of what constitutes harassment, but more work is needed for medical schools and hospitals.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeSurvey·DateMar 22, 2024

Physicists develop modeling software to diagnose serious diseases

Physicists have developed FreeDTS, a modeling software that enables the study of biological membranes at the mesoscale. This tool will enhance our understanding of cell behavior and open routes for diagnostics of infections and diseases. The software's precision will guide experiments with accuracy, potentially leading to diagnoses bas...

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 22, 2024

Neighborhood-level poverty and food insecurity during pregnancy associated with lower birthweight and small for gestational age infants, NIH study finds

A recent NIH study found that living in low-income neighborhoods with limited food access during pregnancy is associated with lower birthweight and higher odds of babies born small for gestational age. However, individual food insecurity was not linked to birth outcomes.

SourceEnvironmental influences on Child Health Outcomes·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateMar 22, 2024

Toronto researchers devise new way to find proteins for targeted treatment of disease

Researchers at the University of Toronto and Sinai Health have created a new platform to identify proteins that can be co-opted to control the stability of other proteins. The study identified over 600 new effector proteins that could be used therapeutically, including those that can efficiently degrade or stabilize target proteins.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2024

Electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis: Towards an environmentally means of producing ammonia

Researchers at Tohoku University's AIMR have developed a novel approach to electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis, utilizing transition metal disulfides as catalysts. The breakthrough relies on the in-situ generation of S-vacancies on the catalyst surface, significantly enhancing nitrogen reduction activity.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateMar 22, 2024

Movement disorder ALS and cognitive disorder FTLD show strong molecular overlaps, new study shows

A recent study published in Cell reveals significant similarities between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), two distinct neurological disorders. The research found shared gene expression patterns across various brain regions, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for both conditions.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2024

Scientists close in on TB blood test which could detect millions of silent spreaders

Scientists have discovered six proteins that can accurately diagnose tuberculosis (TB). The breakthrough study paves the way for a simple blood test to detect the bacteria, which could prevent millions of cases annually. TB is the world's deadliest infectious disease, killing over one million people each year.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 22, 2024

Research uncovers a rare resin fossil find: A spider that aspires to be an ant

Paleobiologist George Poinar Jr. presents an early record of an ant-mimicking spider in fossilized resin, shedding light on defense strategies and evolutionary processes. The specimen, Myrmarachne colombiana, has developed a remarkable transformation to resemble ants, with adaptations including modified body parts and behavior.

SourceOregon State University·JournalHistorical Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 22, 2024

An avocado a day may improve overall diet quality, researchers report

A team led by Kristina Petersen and Penny Kris-Etherton found that eating avocados daily significantly increased participants' adherence to dietary guidelines. The study suggested that using avocados as a substitute for refined grains and sodium may play a role in achieving improved diet quality.

SourcePenn State·JournalCurrent Developments in Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 22, 2024

Mystery of unexplained kidney disease revealed to patients

Researchers at Newcastle University have developed a new approach to analyzing genomic data, enabling doctors to provide a precise diagnosis for patients with unexplained kidney failure. This breakthrough has huge implications for families affected by kidney disease, allowing for more accurate investigations, treatments, and management.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalGenetics in Medicine Open·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 22, 2024

A reliable and efficient computational method for finding transition states in chemical reactions

Researchers have developed a reliable and efficient computational method to find transition states in chemical reactions, reducing computational costs by 50-70%. The new method outperforms existing methods like Nudged Elastic Band (NEB), achieving high accuracy in identifying transition states in 98% of cases.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalJournal of Chemical Theory and Computation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 22, 2024

Study finds that for each 10% increase of certain bacteria type in the gut microbiome, the risk of hospitalisation for infections falls by up to a quarter

A study of two large European patient cohorts found that increased abundance of butyrate-producing gut bacteria is associated with reduced risk of hospitalization for infections. Each 10% increase in these bacteria resulted in a 14-25% lower risk of hospitalization, regardless of demographics or comorbidities.

Is active screening for tuberculosis among vulnerable populations cost-effective?

A systematic review by Gogichadze et al. suggests that active pulmonary TB screening programs targeting vulnerable populations in low-TB-incidence countries are cost-effective. The authors conclude that screening immigrants and other high-risk groups is a viable approach to detecting latent infections.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 22, 2024

Postconcussive symptoms after early childhood concussion

A study of 303 early childhood children found concussion associated with more postconcussive symptoms than typical development up to three months after injury. The study used developmentally appropriate manifestations and behaviors to track postconcussive symptoms and aid in concussion diagnosis in young children.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 21, 2024

The next antioxidant superfood? Canadian sea buckthorn berries offer diabetes and obesity potential

Researchers have identified the unique nutritional profile of Canadian sea buckthorn berries, which are rich in polyphenols with potential health benefits for cardiovascular protection and anti-inflammatory properties. The study found that geographical factors influence the polyphenolic profile of the berries, making them a promising s...

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateMar 21, 2024

Satellite data assimilation improves forecasts of severe weather

A Penn State technique combining satellite data with existing computer weather forecast models produces more accurate forecasts of surface gusts in severe thunderstorms. This method can be especially useful in areas lacking ground-based weather monitoring infrastructure, such as radar systems.

SourcePenn State·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 21, 2024

A path forward from the “equity versus excellence” conflict that has impeded mathematics education in U.S.

A new approach to K-12 mathematics education in the U.S. proposes a modular curriculum that preserves mathematical pathways and possibilities for all students, regardless of STEM orientation. This approach aims to resolve the 'equity versus excellence' conflict and provide richer learning opportunities for children.

Riddle of the sphinx

Researchers used the sphinx tile to explore geometry and chirality in life, finding unexpected properties related to its chirality. The study reveals superexponential increases in possible layouts as the number of sphinxes grows, with some tilings having nearly 72,000 possibilities.

SourceChan Zuckerberg Biohub·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateMar 21, 2024

The dermatology initiative that could reduce NHS wait lists

A new service evaluation from the University of East Anglia found that giving GPs cameras to photograph skin complaints could reduce NHS wait lists. The innovative service involving over 3,000 patients led to faster resolution for patients and prevented many people from having to wait to see a hospital consultant.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAnnales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2024

Self-healable wires go dynamically stable

Researchers developed dynamically stable self-healable wires by improving tensile strength and electrical stability through supramolecular chemistry. The wires showed negligible resistance fluctuation under various dynamic conditions, enabling reliable operation of interconnected wearable devices.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMar 21, 2024