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Science News for May 6, 2024


Therapeutic target identified to neutralise toxic forms of Parkinson's-associated protein

A region in alpha-synuclein protein aggregates has been identified as a potential therapeutic target to prevent conversion into toxic amyloid fibrils, which accumulate in the brains of people suffering from Parkinson's disease. The discovery opens the door to developing new therapeutic strategies for inactivating these toxic forms.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

The Clues for Cleaner Water

Researchers at Pitt and Drexel have discovered that electrocatalysts can promote chemical reactions that generate ozone in water through corrosion and solution phase reactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient and sustainable electrochemical ozone production technologies.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2024

Recent air quality improvements in India partially due to meteorological variation

A recent study found that approximately 30% of India's PM2.5 air quality improvements can be attributed to favorable meteorological conditions, highlighting the need for additional mitigation measures. The researchers also noted that emissions of key PM2.5 precursors have not decreased and may indicate ineffective or under-enforced pol...

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 6, 2024

Self-critical perfectionism gnaws on students’ well-being already in lower secondary school

A new study among Finnish ninth-graders identified four perfectionistic profiles associated with varying levels of psychological well-being. The study found that perfectionistic profiles, particularly those characterized by high concerns, are linked to poorer well-being, including burnout and anxiety symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalLearning and Individual Differences·DateMay 6, 2024

Brain plasticity, not just neurons

Researchers discover a new mechanism of neural plasticity underlying learning and memory processes, highlighting the crucial role of chondroitin sulfates in brain function. The study provides insights into how these molecules contribute to synaptic modifications and spatial memory.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

Researchers define mechanistic basis for functional heterogeneity of tumor-infiltrating B cells with therapeutic implications

A study published in Science reveals two patterns of tumor-infiltrating B cell responses: germinal center-like and extra-follicular. The former is associated with anti-tumor immunity, while the latter is linked to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Researchers propose targeting atypical memory B cells for cancer immunotherapy.

DGIST develops three-dimensional retinal electrodes in a convex braille shape to partially restore sight in patients with blindness

Researchers at DGIST have developed three-dimensional retinal electrodes with a convex braille shape, which can stimulate remaining normal nerve cells in the retina. This technology aims to partially restore vision to patients with blindness by minimizing distance to cells and reducing current required for stimulation.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateMay 6, 2024

New China Air Pollution Data Center launched to combat evolving complexity of air quality challenges

A new data center aims to tackle emerging air quality issues in China, providing a comprehensive platform for scientific research and collaboration. The China Air Pollution Data Center (CAPDC) offers high-quality datasets and tools to help combat ozone pollution and other complexities.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMay 6, 2024

3D intravital high-resolution photoacoustic tracing of meningeal lymphatic vessels

Researchers developed a novel technique to visualize meningeal lymphatic vessels in vivo using photoacoustic microscopy. The study revealed that these vessels play a crucial role in regulating cerebrospinal fluid circulation and clearing metabolic waste from the brain, which is impaired in early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Expanding a lymph node, boosting a vaccine

Researchers from Wyss Institute and Harvard University developed a biomaterial vaccine that enhances and sustains lymph node expansion, leading to more effective anti-tumor responses. The vaccine formulation, based on microscale mesoporous silica rods, reprograms antigen-presenting cells to orchestrate complex immune responses.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

USTC proposes novel design methodology for hardware Gaussian random number generators

A research team from USTC proposed a novel design approach for GRN generators, accommodating arbitrary σ values and output ranges. They introduced a scaling index to adjust relevant values differently based on varying σ values, resulting in a stable error curve and facilitating real-time configuration of σ values.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalIEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems·DateMay 6, 2024

In Brazil, 76% of deforestation in three Amazonian states occurred in a planned agricultural development zone

Deforestation rates accelerated in the region, with 32 municipalities and 1.7 million inhabitants under pressure. The study highlights concerns over land speculation and lack of environmental impact studies for the proposed 'Abunã-Madeira Sustainable Development Zone'.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPerspectives in Ecology and Conservation·DateMay 6, 2024

Dana-Farber review article examines past and guides future efforts to reduce cancer disparities

The article assesses Community Outreach and Engagement initiatives at NCI-DCCs, highlighting successful programs that reduced disparities. The authors emphasize the need for sustained focus on community outreach and engagement, clinical access, and health equity to ensure everyone has access to latest scientific advances.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalCA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians·DateMay 6, 2024

Mindfulness training enhances opioid addiction treatment

A Rutgers-led study found that supplementing standard opioid addiction treatment with Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can cut program dropout rates by 59 percent and relapses by 42 percent. The intervention incorporates mindfulness training, savoring skills, and cognitive reappraisal to help individuals retrain themsel...

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 6, 2024

Study reveals APOE4 gene duplication as a new genetic form of Alzheimer's disease

A study published in Nature Medicine reveals that individuals with two copies of the APOE4 gene develop signs of Alzheimer's disease, with over 95% showing biological characteristics at age 65. The findings suggest a new genetic form of Alzheimer's disease, potentially leading to personalized prevention and treatment strategies.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2024

Insect research is revolutionized by technology

Recent technological breakthroughs enable global insect surveys using sound recordings, images, radar, laser beams, and DNA analysis. This allows for new insights into insect trends and species identification without relying on experts or killing insects.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 6, 2024

How likely are English learners to graduate from high school? New study shows it depends on race, gender, and income

A new study by NYU researchers reveals that English learner status is just one factor influencing high school graduation rates, with social identities like race and gender playing a significant role. Young women who learned English in school are more likely to graduate than young men, while Black students tend to have better four-year ...

SourceNew York University·JournalEducational Researcher·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 6, 2024

Research under high pressure

Researchers use a new method to analyze the structural properties of proteins under extreme pressure, revealing new insights into their native structures. The technique, which applies 3,000 bar of pressure, allows for the observation of protein states that would be invisible under normal conditions.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 6, 2024

Massive study identifies new biomarkers for renal cancer subtypes, improving diagnosis and—eventually—treatment

A massive study identifies new biomarkers for renal cell carcinoma subtypes, improving diagnosis and treatment. The researchers' integrative analysis of proteogenomic datasets reveals molecular features shared by clear cell and non-clear cell RCC tumors, as well as unique features to various subtypes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

Brightening the world of light, enriching the beauty of colors! Development of ultra-high-efficiency pure red light-emitting devices with enhanced color representation!

Researchers at DGIST and UNIST developed high-performance, skin-attachable perovskite pure red light-emitting devices with enhanced color representation. The team replaced iodine with bromine to improve surface-to-volume ratio and stability, achieving exceptional electrical properties.

Repurposed cancer drug could treat diabetes by nudging pancreatic acinar cells to produce insulin

Researchers have discovered a repurposed cancer drug that can convert acinar cells into insulin-producing cells, which could provide a new avenue for treating diabetes. The treatment partially improved hyperglycemia and persisted without additional treatment in diabetic mice and non-human primates.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

Caterbot? Robatapillar? It crawls with ease through loops and bends

Researchers at Princeton University and North Carolina State University have combined ancient paperfolding and modern materials science to create a soft robot that can bend and twist through mazes with ease. The new design allows the flexible robot to crawl forward and reverse, pick up cargo and assemble into longer formations.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

DGIST identifies what causes electron-hole separation in thin-film solar cells to increase solar cell efficiency

A team of researchers characterized electron-hole separation in kesterite thin-film solar cells using scanning probe microscopy. They found that defects at the crystal interface cause electron-hole recombination losses, but suggested creating a light-absorbing layer with higher energy levels to improve efficiency.

USTC develops bioinspired Bouligand structure for enhanced mechanical properties

Researchers at USTC create a bioinspired Bouligand structure with hierarchical and reconfigurable interfibrous interface to boost mechanical strength and toughness. The structure, developed through moderate orderliness, exhibits outstanding mechanical properties and dimensional stability, potentially applying in biomedical fields like ...

A better way to ride a motorcycle

A new study from the University of Waterloo used software to predict realistic motorcycle riding behaviors, considering human factors and ergonomic trade-offs. It found that shorter and taller riders require joint adjustments to achieve their preferred riding posture.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalErgonomics·DateMay 6, 2024

Assessing knowledge and first-aid practice scores of caregivers of epilepsy patients before and after an educational program in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

A recent study in Saudi Arabia assessed the effectiveness of an educational program improving epilepsy care among caregivers. The intervention showed a significant decrease in knowledge gaps, with 23.2% having sufficient knowledge post-intervention compared to 60% before.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Public Health Journal·DateMay 6, 2024

Key role found for gut epithelial cells and their expression of MHCII in the defense against deadly diarrheal infections

Researchers have identified a subset of intestinal epithelial cells that act as both the major target and responder in a mouse model of gut infection by Citrobacter rodentium. These cells, known as distal colonocytes, trigger a unique gene-expression program when infected with the bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

Human ‘neural compass’ pinpointed in new study

Researchers have pinpointed the location of an internal neural compass in the human brain, which helps orientate itself in space and navigate through the environment. This discovery has implications for understanding diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, where navigation and orientation are often impaired.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

In a first, researchers generate a direct measurement of the interaction between immune cells and cancer cells from a patient’s biopsy

A team of researchers at Bar-Ilan University has developed a groundbreaking technology that enables direct measurement of the interaction between immune cells and cancer cells from a patient's biopsy. This innovation provides crucial insights into the patient's immune response, enabling tailored cancer treatment decisions.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalRNA·DateMay 6, 2024

Using advanced genetic techniques, scientists create mice with traits of Tourette disorder

Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 DNA editing to insert genetic mutations found in humans with Tourette disorder into mouse embryos, creating a model to study the neurobiology and test new medications. The mice exhibited repetitive motor behaviors and sensorimotor gating deficits, similar to those seen in humans with the disorder.

SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

Sylvester researchers develop a nanoparticle that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier

Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a nanoparticle that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, potentially targeting both primary breast cancer tumors and brain metastases in one treatment. The method shows early promise in preclinical models, where it shrinks breast and brain tumors.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2024

A joint research team from DGIST and KITECH is accelerating the practical application of next-generation batteries that are fire-resistant through dual-layer coating technology

Researchers developed a novel dual-layer coating technique to stabilize lithium metal anodes, addressing issues like dendrite formation and hydrogen evolution reactions. This innovation enables safer and more efficient aqueous zinc batteries.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateMay 6, 2024

Seeing is believing: observation of migrasomes

Migrasomes are vesicular structures that facilitate information and material exchange between cells and their microenvironments. Researchers have developed protocols for observing migrasomes using optical microscopy, providing insights into essential physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic development and tumorigenesis.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalBiophysics Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

Self-adaptive system for temperature control: a dynamically controllable strategy for healing wound tissue

A self-adaptive temperature control system can improve wound healing by mimicking the skin's thermoregulatory functions. The system, developed by Zhu Meifang at Donghua University, uses an interactive thermoregulatory biomimetic electronic system to regulate temperature and promote dynamic healing processes.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

Fighting cancer with artificial cells

A research team led by Martin Hanczyc is developing artificial cells with specific elements to target cancer cells, aiming to stop their growth and defeat cancer. The team will create bio-hybrid tissues where artificial cells interact with living carcinogenic cells to influence cancer development.

Rethinking “socially admitted” patients

Research suggests that labelling vulnerable patients in hospital as 'socially admitted' can lead to incorrect assumptions about their medical needs and hinder opportunities to identify treatable issues. The study highlights the need for reform of current structures and hierarchies to improve care for these patients.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2024

Study highlights key predictors of adolescent substance use; special issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry focuses on substance use disorders

A new study found that sociodemographic variables are the most robust predictors of substance use initiation among adolescents. Factors such as religion, race, and income play a significant role in determining an adolescent's likelihood of initiating substance use.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 6, 2024

Improved nutrition, sanitation linked to beneficial changes in child stress and epigenetic programming

A large-scale randomized controlled trial found that integrated health interventions, including drinking water, sanitation, handwashing, and nutrition, had measurable effects on children's genetic levels, enhancing their stress-response system and reducing oxidative stress. The study provides comprehensive evidence on the impact of env...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 6, 2024

CRIPSR gene editing leads to improvements in vision for people with inherited blindness, clinical trial shows

A phase 1/2 trial of CRISPR gene editing has demonstrated safety and efficacy, with measurable improvements in 11 out of 14 participants with a form of inherited blindness. The treatment, EDIT-101, was found to be clinically meaningful for four participants and showed significant improvements in cone-mediated vision.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 6, 2024

Why parrots sometimes adopt — or kill — each other’s babies

A team of biologists has discovered that green-rumped parrotlets engage in both infanticide and adoption behaviors, driven by competition for nesting sites. Adoption is found to be a non-violent means of getting genes into the next generation, with males who adopted unrelated offspring going on to nest with widowed females.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2024

Enabling rapid screening of poly(2-oxazoline)-based nanomedicine through divergent synthesis; towards alternative mRNA-vaccines

Researchers developed a simple and efficient method for diversifying reactive end-groups on poly(2-oxazoline)s, enabling rapid exploration of poly(2-oxazoline)-based nanomedicine platforms. The approach was shown to produce POx-based lipid nanoparticles comparable in transfection capability to their PEGylated counterparts.

SourceInnovation Center of NanoMedicine·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

AI to make crop production more sustainable

Researchers from the University of Bonn are working on a project to make farming more efficient and environmentally friendly using new technologies and artificial intelligence. They aim to tackle key research questions such as monitoring farmland for nutrient deficiency, weed growth, and pest infestations in real-time.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalEuropean Journal of Agronomy·DateMay 6, 2024

Cybersecurity education varies widely in US

A study reviewed 100 US institutions with National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity designations, finding significant variation in program types, credits, and learning outcomes. The research aims to improve industry-readiness and graduate employability by highlighting areas for improvement in cybersecurity education.

A promising vaccine approach to induce longer-lasting protective immunity against COVID-19: NUS Medicine-Monash University study

A team of scientists has developed a novel vaccine approach that induces long-lasting protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 virus in pre-clinical models. The Clec9A-RBD antibody construct targets specific dendritic cells, leading to exceptional durability of immune responses and potential to address shortcoming of current mRNA vaccines.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 6, 2024

New article explores tensions between hopes and expectations in vocational planning for autistic young adults

The study reveals common themes among participants' responses, including the constraints of ableist perspectives, challenges in finding a 'sweet spot' in career planning, and a disconnect between autistic youth's needs and available resources. The authors emphasize the need for individualized support, neurodiverse acceptance, and colla...

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2024