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Science News Archive March 2024 - Page 37


Page 37 of 42

Nanosurgical tool could be key to cancer breakthrough

Researchers have developed a nanosurgical tool that enables them to study individual living cancer cells in real-time, allowing for vital understanding of how they react to treatment and change over time. This breakthrough could lead to more effective cancer medication, particularly for glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain tumour.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2024

New study may broaden the picture of the consequences of childhood adversity

A new study from Karolinska Institutet has found a clear link between childhood adversity and the risk of mental illness later in life. The research suggests that genetics and environment play a significant role in contributing to adult psychiatric disorders, highlighting the need for targeted health care interventions within families ...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateMar 6, 2024

Study reveals unexpected literacy in autistic people who cannot speak

A recent study published in the journal Autism has found that five times more nonspeaking autistic teenagers and adults demonstrated knowledge of written language conventions than expected. This research suggests that many autistic individuals are literate and may be able to learn alternative forms of communication through writing.

Why some RNA drugs work better than others

Researchers have discovered why some RNA-splicing drugs work better than others, revealing a key factor that impacts treatment efficacy. By analyzing the interactions between drugs and RNA, they found that combining splice-modifying drugs targeting the same gene segment can lead to greater therapeutic effects.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 6, 2024

Study: Vaccinated people had lower risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes

A recent study published in Lancet Infectious Diseases found that vaccinated individuals had a lower risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes compared to unvaccinated individuals. The study also showed significant reductions in hospitalization and death rates from COVID-19, particularly among older individuals and those with compromised immune...

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateMar 6, 2024

Charge fractionalisation observed spectroscopically

Researchers discovered charge fractionalisation in an iron-based metallic ferromagnet using laser ARPES spectroscopy, revealing collective excitations and quasiparticles. The study challenges fundamental quantum mechanics by showing electrons can behave as independent entities with fractionally charged pockets.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2024

Herbivores, displaced by ocean warming, threaten subtropical seagrass meadows

A new study reveals that tropical herbivores moving into subtropical waters are at risk of overgrazing seagrasses, which could lead to the decline of these vital habitats. To mitigate this, researchers emphasize the importance of protecting water quality and providing sufficient light for seagrasses to thrive.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 6, 2024

Moffitt’s Dr. Tiffany Carson joins Global Cancer Grand Challenges team to tackle cancer inequities

Dr. Tiffany Carson is part of the SAMBAI team, which will develop novel approaches to addressing cancer inequities in prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancers spanning diverse cohorts. The team aims to build a comprehensive measurement of social, environmental, genetic, and biological factors to define the causes of disparate outcomes.

How does a diabetes drug lessen symptoms of depression?

Research has shown that dulaglutide, a diabetes drug, can reduce depressive-like behaviors in mice. The study identified four major pathways involved and linked markers of depression to lipid metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. This new perspective may facilitate the use of dulaglutide as a potential therapeutic strategy for depression.

SourceWiley·JournalBrain and Behavior·DateMar 6, 2024

Breakthrough research enables high-density hydrogen storage for future energy systems

Scientists have developed a nanoporous magnesium borohydride structure that stores five hydrogen molecules in three-dimensional arrangement, achieving unprecedented high-density hydrogen storage. The material exhibits a capacity of 144 g/L per volume of pores, surpassing traditional methods and offering a promising alternative to large...

A step towards clinic-ready patient-derived organoids

A recent study at Salk Institute evaluates the reliability of patient-derived organoids as a clinical model for pancreatic cancer. The findings reveal that organoids' gene expression and drug responses are not affected by commercial extracellular matrix brands, but one product increases growth rate.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalJCI Insight·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2024

“Frozen behaviors” in amber fossils – how to reconstruct mating behavior of long-extinct termites

Researchers from OIST used X-ray micro-CT to study a 38 million-year-old termite pair trapped in amber, revealing a male and female in tandem running behavior. The discovery provides new insights into the fidelity of behavior fossilization in amber.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2024

More than half of American Indian youth may have abnormal or high cholesterol

A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that more than 70% of American Indian young adults aged 20-39 and 50% of teens have abnormal or high cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol was linked to plaque buildup and cardiovascular events, emphasizing the need for early screenings and culturally relevant education.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMar 6, 2024

First atom-level structure of packaged viral genome reveals new properties, dynamics

A computational model of the more than 26 million atoms in a DNA-packed viral capsid has expanded our understanding of virus structure and DNA dynamics. The study found that the DNA formed switchback loops as it was pushed into the capsid, similar to how DNA is organized in eukaryotic cells.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 6, 2024

Making quantum bits fly

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have developed a theoretical model for stable qubit information exchange by utilizing photons as a means of transport. The new method uses stimulated Raman emissions to control the photon, enabling precise temporal shape optimization and addressing environmental perturbations.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateMar 6, 2024

Aluminum nanoparticles make tunable green catalysts

Rice University researchers have developed a transformative approach to harnessing the catalytic power of aluminum nanoparticles by annealing them in various gas atmospheres at high temperatures. This allows for modifying the structure of the oxide layer, making the nanoparticles versatile tools for different applications.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2024

Wild bees develop tolerance to veterinary drugs

Wild stingless bee colonies in the Colombian Andes develop tolerance to the insecticide abamectin, which is derived from cattle medication ivermectin. Despite high concentrations of abamectin being lethal to bees, tolerant colonies grow at similar rates as non-tolerant ones

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMar 5, 2024

Infotainment is coming for your news, warns Concordia Ph.D. student Robert Marinov

A new study found that 51% of Canadian newspaper coverage during the 2019 federal election was classified as infotainment, featuring personal foibles and horse races alongside substantive coverage. Infotainment categories include personalization, sensationalization, and decontextualization, with significant impacts on voter information.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCanadian Journal of Political Science·TypeCase study·DateMar 5, 2024

Taking 9000 to 10000 steps daily may counteract the risk of death and cardiovascular disease in highly sedentary people

A large population-based study found that taking 9000 to 10000 steps daily reduces death and cardiovascular disease risk in highly sedentary individuals. The optimal number of steps per day to counteract high sedentary time is between 4000 and 4500 steps/day, lowering mortality risk by 39% and incident CVD risk by 21%.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 5, 2024

Rice’s Nai-Hui Chia wins NSF CAREER Award

Nai-Hui Chia, an assistant professor of computer science at Rice University, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to develop a new theoretical framework for efficient quantum algorithms. The grant aims to enhance the security of quantum cryptography and tackle complex problems in physics and machine learning.

New research details negative consumer impacts of BLM support on major companies and brands

A recent study published in Marketing Science found that brands supporting Black Lives Matter (BLM) suffer a decline in consumer social media activity, including fewer followers and likes. In contrast, brands with more historical prosocial posting on social media and socially oriented missions may benefit from BLM support.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·TypeObservational study·DateMar 5, 2024

BU researcher examines clinicians’ attitudes towards major changes from the 2020 ACS Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

New research by Boston University School of Medicine found that while few clinicians have adopted the 2020 ACS cervical cancer screening guidelines, most are open to change if supported by scientific evidence and recommended by professional organizations. The study identified logistical issues and concerns about missed detection as bar...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalCancer·TypeSurvey·DateMar 5, 2024

New ‘digital twin’ Earth technology could help predict water-based natural disasters before they strike

Scientists create detailed models of the terrestrial water cycle using high-resolution satellite data to predict floods, droughts, and other extreme events. The Digital Twin Earth Hydrology Platform allows for interactive simulations and visualizations to enhance flood and landslide prediction and optimize water resource management.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 5, 2024