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Science News Archive March 2024 - Page 42


Page 42 of 42

Light into the darkness of photosynthesis

Scientists have successfully visualized the 19-subunit PEP complex in 3D at a resolution of 3.5 angstroms, providing new insights into the function and evolution of chloroplast's copying machine. The structure reveals similarities with other RNA polymerases but also contains unique features mediating interactions with associated proteins.

SourceLeibniz University Hannover·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMar 1, 2024

Magnetic resonance surveillance reduces mortality in women at high risk of BRCA1 breast cancer

A study published in JAMA Oncology found that MRI monitoring in women with BRCA1 mutations significantly reduces breast cancer mortality without the need for preventive mastectomy. The research included data from 2,488 women and showed a notable decrease in mortality rate among participants.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 1, 2024

PSU study sheds light on 2020 extreme weather event that brought fires and snow to western US

A PSU study analyzed the meteorology behind the September 2020 Western United States extreme weather event, which caused record-breaking cold temperatures and early-season snowfall in the Rocky Mountains. The research found that a highly amplified wave pattern persisted for several days, fueled by dry air from western Canada.

SourcePortland State University·JournalWeather and Climate Extremes·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 1, 2024

Mining the treasures locked away in produced water

Researchers have discovered that produced water, often considered waste, contains nearly every element in the periodic table, including critical minerals like lithium and platinum group metals. A new approach using CO2 desalination can extract these valuable minerals, making it a lucrative means of offsetting reclamation costs.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Petroleum Technology·DateMar 1, 2024

Dung beetles show their love by sharing the load

Researchers found that male and female dung beetles work together to transport brood balls to a location unknown to either party. This cooperation results in greater transport efficiency, particularly in the face of obstacles. The mechanism behind this coordination is currently not fully understood.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateMar 1, 2024

A protective human monoclonal antibody targeting a conserved site of spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants

Researchers have developed a protective human monoclonal antibody targeting a highly conserved site of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, exhibiting a broad neutralization spectrum against various Omicron variants. The antibody, called mAb-39, improved the neutralizing activity of anti-RBD antibodies against Omicron variants.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalhLife·DateMar 1, 2024

Brown bears digging up artificial forests

Researchers found that brown bears' digging for cicada nymphs damages tree roots and alters soil nitrogen content, limiting tree diameter growth. This phenomenon is unique to human-planted conifer forests, with no similar effects in natural forests.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalEcology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 1, 2024

Early vocabulary size is genetically linked to ADHD, literacy, and cognition

A genome-wide meta-analysis study found that early vocabulary size is genetically linked to ADHD, literacy and cognitive abilities in children. The study used data from over 17,000 English-, Danish- or Dutch-speaking children and identified multiple genetic factors underlying vocabulary size in infancy and toddlerhood.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2024

Through the microscope: TMEM16F protein and its molecular dance

Researchers used advanced techniques to study TMEM16F's structure and function in its native environment, uncovering previously overlooked structural conformations. The study reveals a dynamic and flexible functioning of the protein, essential for regulating cell functions such as blood coagulation and immune defense.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2024

New findings on the immune system

Bonn researchers uncover key factors controlling the development of T follicular helper cells (Tfh), a crucial component of immune response. The study reveals that transforming growth factor TGF-β induces expression of transcription factor Bcl6, chemokine receptor CXCR5, and c-Maf, which are essential for Tfh cell formation.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalScience Immunology·DateMar 1, 2024

Hurricanes and power grids: Eliminating large-scale outages with a new approach

A new study published in Nature Energy finds that protecting a small but critical set of power lines can prevent large-scale outages almost entirely. The method identifies the most critical lines and increases the system's resilience, reducing the risk of major power outages in regions or cities by up to 99%.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 1, 2024

Large-scale study explores link between smoking and DNA changes across six racial and ethnic groups

A large-scale study has found a significant link between smoking and DNA methylation, with two new epigenetic markers identified that differ by race or ethnicity. The research could lead to better ways to predict smoking-related disease risk and improve early detection and treatment.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateMar 1, 2024

European treatment recommendations in the fight against acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The European LeukemiaNet has published two-part guidelines for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment, covering diagnostics, prognostic factors, response assessments, and comprehensive management. These recommendations are based on a decade of systematic work by European experts, improving the prognosis of adult patients with ALL.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalBlood·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 1, 2024

Precision pulmonary medicine: Penn engineers target lung disease with lipid nanoparticles

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new method to efficiently determine which lipid nanoparticles are likely to bind to the lungs, rather than the liver. This breakthrough enables targeted delivery of mRNA therapeutics beyond the liver, offering new hope for treatments of cystic fibrosis and lung cancer.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2024

UMaine researchers use GPS-tracked icebergs in novel study to improve climate models

A study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans has provided new insights into ocean circulation patterns around glaciers, which can enhance the accuracy of climate models. The research used GPS-tracked icebergs to track hourly changes in their position as they passed through Greenland's Ilulissat Icefjord.

SourceUniversity of Maine·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Oceans·DateMar 1, 2024

Safety assessments for older drivers would benefit from introducing spatial orientation tests

A new study from the University of East Anglia found that older adults with worse spatial orientation ability experience greater difficulty when making turns across oncoming traffic, which is a significant risk factor for fatal road traffic accidents. Spatial orientation skills are essential for mentally determining position and vehicl...

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Gerontology·TypeSurvey·DateMar 1, 2024

The role of history in how efficient color names evolve

Researchers found that a language's past color vocabulary influences its ability to evolve, with constraints on vocabulary growth and changes in meaning. The study used the World Color Survey dataset to explore how new terms are introduced and their meanings change as vocabulary size increases.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2024

Evolution-capable AI promotes green hydrogen production using more abundant chemical elements

Researchers developed an AI technique to expedite the identification of high-performance water electrolyzer electrode materials free of platinum-group elements. These materials can be synthesized using relatively cheap and abundant metallic elements, exhibiting superior electrochemical properties.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalACS Central Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2024