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Science News for May 24, 2024


Can triglycerides-HDL-C ratio, HOMA-IR, ApoB, non-HDL cholesterol, and free cholesterol be laboratory-associated flags of female coronary atherosclerosis regardless of being diabetic?

Research finds insulin levels correlate with triglycerides, ApoB, non-HDL cholesterol, and free cholesterol in women with atherosclerotic coronary disease. The study suggests these laboratory-associated flags indicate early coronary atherosclerosis in both diabetic and non-diabetic women.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Biomarkers Journal·DateMay 24, 2024

ASCO: Large precision oncology study identifies differences in prostate cancer genomics among a racially and ethnically diverse cohort of U.S. veterans

A genomic study of over 5,000 veterans with advanced prostate cancer reveals significant differences in frequencies of alterations associated with race and ethnicity. Alterations in immunotherapy targets were more common in Black veterans, potentially leading to opportunities for precision-based therapy.

Autonomous medical intervention extends ‘golden hour’ for traumatic injuries with emergency air transport

A breakthrough in trauma care has nearly quadrupled the 'golden hour' for treating large animals with internal bleeding during emergency ground and air transport. Researchers used a closed-loop, autonomous intervention system to resuscitate pigs with traumatic injuries, extending their survival time by several hours.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalIntensive Care Medicine Experimental·DateMay 24, 2024

PKMYT1, a potential ‘Achilles heel’ of treatment resistant ER+ breast cancers with the poorest prognosis

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified PKMYT1, a protein kinase associated with resistance to endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors in ER+ breast cancers. The study found that combining a PKMYT1 inhibitor with chemotherapy drug gemcitabine selectively reduced the viability of resistant cancer cells.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2024

Understanding a broken heart

A new study reveals that heart failure leaves a 'stress memory' in hematopoietic stem cells, which can lead to recurrent heart failure and other health issues. The researchers propose improving TGF-β levels as a new avenue for treating recurrent heart failure.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Immunology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 24, 2024

New advances in cancer viral immunotherapy

A new strain of vaccinia virus has been developed to induce immunogenic cell death in tumor cells, increasing immunogenicity and reducing toxicity. The virus shows high efficiency in activating immune responses against various types of cancer, including melanoma, colon, and kidney cancer.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2024

Academician Chen Wei's team reveals a new mechanism of hyaluronic acid with a specific molecular weight (300-400 kDa) improving host inflammation

Researchers found that hyaluronic acid with a specific molecular weight improves host inflammation by modulating the gut microbiota and metabolites. The optimal molecular weight range of hyaluronic acid to improve host inflammation has been identified, providing new strategies for alleviating inflammation.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateMay 24, 2024

Duke-NUS researchers develop new light-controlled ‘off switch’ for brain cells

Researchers have discovered a new class of light-sensitive proteins that can turn off brain cells with light, providing an unprecedentedly effective tool to study brain function. This breakthrough offers exciting opportunities for applying optogenetics to understand the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 24, 2024

Controlling water, transforming greenhouse gases

Researchers from the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have found a way to manipulate water molecules to make CO2R more efficient, achieving nearly 100% efficiency under mildly acidic conditions. The new method uses either gold or zinc as catalysts and can be scaled up using cheaper, more abundant materials.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Catalysis·DateMay 24, 2024

Liver lesions at risk of transformation into hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients

The detection and management of borderline hepatic nodules, particularly those hypointense in the HBP without APHE, are critical in preventing overt hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Advances in imaging technologies have improved detection and characterization of these nodules, leading to better patient prognosis.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateMay 24, 2024

New mechanism of immune evasion in squamous cell carcinoma, offers potential for improved treatment

Researchers identified TP63 as a master regulator promoting immune evasion and affecting immunotherapy efficacy in squamous cell carcinoma. Inhibition of TP63 improves CD8+ T cell infiltration and tumor killing, offering a potential strategy to enhance anti-tumor immunotherapeutic effects.

To 6G and beyond: Penn engineers unlock the next generation of wireless communications

Researchers at Penn Engineering have developed an adjustable filter that can prevent interference and enable the use of higher-frequency bands in wireless communications. The filter, made from a unique material called yttrium iron garnet, is tiny and requires minimal power, making it suitable for future mobile devices.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2024

Political elites take advantage of anti-partisan protests to disrupt politics

New research from the University of Notre Dame reveals that protest movements against political parties can inadvertently empower politicians who use them to disrupt the status quo. The study analyzed 12 case studies across Europe, Asia, and North and South America between 2008 and 2016, finding varying outcomes including factional cha...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·TypeCase study·DateMay 24, 2024

High H5N1 influenza levels found in mice given raw milk from infected dairy cows

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found high H5N1 virus levels in mice administered raw milk from infected dairy cows. The results suggest that consuming raw milk may pose a risk for H5N1 infection, highlighting the need for further research into pasteurization and its effectiveness.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 24, 2024

Nationwide study reveals burden and geographic patterns of sepsis among hospitalized non-child cancer patients in China

A nationwide study found a high incidence rate of sepsis cases among non-child cancer patients in China, with males exhibiting higher rates than females. The study also revealed significant geographic variations in sepsis burden across China, with regions having lower and higher development levels exhibiting elevated rates.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateMay 24, 2024

Micron plate Sm2O3 composites enhance neutron and gamma radiation protection

Researchers created a novel composite material by adding Sm2O3 micron plates to boron-containing polyethylene, improving thermal stability, mechanical strength, and radiation shielding properties. The material showed excellent performance in blocking neutron and gamma radiation, with up to 98.7% blockage at 15 cm thickness.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalComposites Science and Technology·DateMay 24, 2024

Semaglutide significantly reduces risk of major kidney disease events, cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, groundbreaking study reveals

A groundbreaking study reveals semaglutide significantly reduces the risk of major kidney disease events, cardiovascular outcomes, and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Semaglutide also shows improved safety and efficacy profiles.

SourceBeyond·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 24, 2024

Scientists discover CO2 and CO ices in outskirts of solar system

A research team led by UCF's Mário Nascimento De Prá and Noemí Pinilla-Alonso discovered carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide ices on 59 trans-Neptunian objects using the James Webb Space Telescope. The findings suggest that carbon dioxide was abundant in the protoplanetary disk, while the origin of carbon monoxide remains uncertain.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 24, 2024

ASCO: Combination therapy significantly improves outcomes for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

A study by UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers found that combining experimental immunotherapy drugs with chemotherapy significantly improves progression-free survival and overall survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The median progression-free survival was 6.2 months compared to 2.1 months f...

Research spotlight: Virtual scribes reduced physicians’ time spent on electronic health records

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that virtual scribes can significantly reduce the time physicians spend on electronic health records. The study analyzed data from 144 physicians across specialties who used real-time or asynchronous virtual scribe services for at least three months, resulting in reduced time spent on no...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMay 24, 2024

Observing mammalian cells with superfast soft X-rays

Researchers developed a new technique to view living mammalian cells using ultrafast pulses of illumination from a soft X-ray free electron laser. The microscope captured images of carbon-based structures in living cells with high spatial resolution and a wide field of view, revealing new insights into cellular biology.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2024