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Science News Archive March 2024 - Page 16


Page 16 of 42

Ageing reduces the ability of regulatory T cells to enhance myelin regeneration, study finds

Researchers found that ageing reduces the ability of regulatory T cells to enhance myelin regeneration, which can have profound consequences for neurological functions. The study suggests that the loss of function may be reversible, and two new molecules, ITGA2 and MCAM, have been identified as potential therapeutic targets.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2024

Adding ribociclib to hormone therapy reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence

Adding ribociclib to hormone therapy improves invasive disease-free survival by 90.4% at three years, distant disease-free survival by 90.8%, and recurrence-free survival by 91.7%. The study found a 25% relative reduction in recurrence rate for patients with stage 2 or 3 HR-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 20, 2024

Doctors’ pay in England has declined by 25% since 2008

A 25% decline in doctors' real terms salary since 2008 has significantly reduced their purchasing power, with junior doctors facing particularly challenging affordability issues. The study reveals a substantial rise in the cost of living and house prices, making home ownership and financial stability unaffordable for many doctors.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 20, 2024

Introducing Floorlocator: a game-changer in indoor navigation technology

Researchers developed FloorLocator, a game-changer in indoor navigation technology combining Spiking Neural Networks with Graph Neural Networks for remarkable accuracy and scalability. It surpasses traditional methods by leveraging deep learning without the drawbacks of extensive training data and high computational costs.

Truth and reconciliation: New study finds people less likely to acknowledge war crimes on social media

A new study has found that people are less likely to acknowledge war crimes on social media, citing fear of being stereotyped and judged. The research suggests that social media can be a barrier to post-conflict reconciliation, particularly when it comes to discussing the legacy of war.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Intervention and Statebuilding·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2024

Treating anxiety, depression significantly impacts heart disease outcomes

A new study from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that treating anxiety and depression significantly improves heart disease outcomes, with a 75% reduction in hospitalizations or emergency room visits. The study suggests a collaborative care model is essential for managing cardiovascular and mental health.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMar 20, 2024

New commentary: Combatting digital redlining is imperative for advancing health equity

A new commentary from Boston University School of Public Health emphasizes the need to address digital redlining, which disproportionately affects people of color, low-income communities, and rural populations. The authors propose standardizing social determinants of health screenings to include questions about broadband access.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 20, 2024

AI tool predicts risk of side effects after surgery and radiotherapy in breast cancer patients

A new AI tool can predict which breast cancer patients are at risk of chronic arm swelling after surgery and radiotherapy. The tool, developed by international researchers, uses machine learning algorithms to analyze patient data and provides easily understandable explanations for doctors and patients.

Universal controller could push robotic prostheses, exoskeletons into real-world use

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a universal approach to controlling robotic exoskeletons that requires no training, calibration, or adjustments. The system uses deep learning to autonomously adjust assistance levels for walking, standing, and climbing stairs, reducing user effort and metabolic expenditure.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2024

New insights on the transcriptional regulation of seed germination

Researchers at CRAG have made groundbreaking discoveries on seed germination, identifying key regulatory features and non-coding RNAs that drive the process. The study reveals that transcription restarts much earlier than previously thought, opening up new avenues for investigation into the role of the non-coding genome.

SourceCenter for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG)·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 20, 2024

New study highlights troubling trends in midlife mortality in the US and UK

A new study reveals that US working-age adults are dying at higher rates than their peers in high-income countries, driven by highly preventable causes of death. Midlife mortality among younger US females has worsened significantly over the past three decades, with the UK and other high-income countries experiencing similar trends.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 20, 2024

Bacteria subtype linked to growth in up to 50% of human colorectal cancers, Fred Hutch researchers report

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that a specific subtype of Fusobacterium nucleatum is responsible for tumor growth in up to 50% of human colorectal cancers. The study identifies the exact bacterial lineage associated with colorectal cancer, offering opportunities for developing microbial cellular therapies.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2024

Verifying the work of quantum computers

Researchers have developed a new method to verify the accuracy of complex quantum systems using classical computers. The method allows for estimating error rates and is mathematically sound, providing a benchmark for analyzing errors in quantum computing systems. This breakthrough enables improvements to be measured effectively.

Study shows a more diversified clinical workforce needed to effectively serve a growing Hispanic population in underserved areas

A new study found that while NHSC clinicians increased from 2003-2008 to 2009-2019, concordance with the target population remained low. After expansion, concordance was achieved for non-Hispanic White and Black individuals, but Hispanic clinicians were still underrepresented.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 20, 2024

A computational model has been created to simulate the biomechanical growth of breast tumors

Scientists from UC3M and Johns Hopkins University have developed a computational model that simulates the invasion process of cancer cells based on the characteristics of surrounding tissue and cell junctions. The model allows for predicting tumor evolution in patients by analyzing mechanical properties of the microenvironment.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalActa Biomaterialia·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 20, 2024

Many publicly accessible AI assistants lack adequate safeguards to prevent mass health disinformation

Researchers tested publicly accessible AI assistants on two health disinformation topics, finding that many consistently generated disinformation despite having built-in safeguards. Experts call for enhanced regulation, transparency, and routine auditing to prevent LLMs from contributing to the mass generation of health disinformation.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2024

Millions are at risk using high arsenic water for cooking

A new study from the University of Sheffield found that around 32% of the global population is at risk of serious health issues due to high levels of arsenic in drinking water. The majority of these countries are in Asia, where rice is a staple food and exposure can be exacerbated by cooking with contaminated water.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2024

Ancient giant dolphin discovered in the Amazon

A new species of freshwater dolphin, Pebanista yacuruna, was found in the Peruvian Amazon region and is dated to be 16 million years old. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of freshwater dolphins, revealing a deep connection with South Asian river dolphins.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Advances·TypeNews article·DateMar 20, 2024

Deep Earth electrical grid mystery solved

Researchers at Yale University and NOVA University Lisbon discovered that a single family of proteins in soil bacteria acts as plugs to power nanowires, creating a natural electrical grid. This finding has implications for developing new energy sources and biomaterials, as well as mitigating methane emissions.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 20, 2024