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Science News for October 4, 2024


New molecule can mimic the effects of fasting and exercise

Researchers have developed a molecule called LaKe that can mimic the metabolic response to regular exercise and fasting by increasing lactate and ketone levels in the blood. This molecule has the potential to alleviate concentration difficulties, treat brain trauma, Parkinson's, and dementia, and improve overall health.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2024

When dogs and humans find a common language

Researchers found that dogs slow down their speech rate when addressed by humans, while humans' speech rhythms meet in the middle. Dogs process human language only within the delta band (1-3 Hz) and with phonological content, debunking myths about prosody sensitivity.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2024

Antarctic ‘greening’ at dramatic rate

The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced a dramatic increase in vegetation cover over the last four decades, with satellite data showing an acceleration of 30% in recent years. This 'greening' trend is attributed to climate change and has significant implications for the region's ecosystem and environmental future.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 4, 2024

Federal government may be paying twice for care of veterans enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans

Researchers at Brown University found that the federal government may be paying more than $78 billion annually to care for U.S. military veterans enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, raising questions about federal overpayments to those private plans. The study suggests that dual enrollment of some veterans could result in more federa...

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2024

Black, Hispanic, and American Indian adolescents likelier than white adolescents to be tested for drugs, alcohol at pediatric trauma centers

A study by researchers at UCLA found that Black, Hispanic, and American Indian adolescents are more likely to be tested for drugs and alcohol than white adolescents at pediatric trauma centers. The study suggests that clinician biases may contribute to these disparities.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2024

Virginia Tech researchers publish real-time data to understand what happens when people lose their balance

Virginia Tech researchers publish real-time data to better understand what happens when people lose their balance. The study uses wrist-worn voice recorders to capture immediate, self-reported data from participants, providing a more reliable understanding of the circumstances surrounding balance loss among older adults.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 4, 2024

Moffitt study unveils the role of gamma-delta T cells in cancer immunology

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute analyzed gamma-delta T-cell receptor landscape across 11,000 tumors, providing insights into their role in patient outcomes and treatment efficacy. The study's findings suggest that diversity and clonality of gamma-delta T cells can significantly impact patient survival.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCell·TypeObservational study·DateOct 4, 2024

Pterosaurs needed feet on the ground to become giants

A University of Leicester study has found that the ability to walk efficiently on the ground played a crucial role in determining how large pterosaurs could grow. Early pterosaurs were adapted for climbing, but later species developed changes to their hands and feet that allowed them to thrive on land, leading to some becoming gigantic.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 4, 2024

Groundbreaking wastewater treatment research led by Oxford Brookes targets global challenge of toxic ‘forever chemicals’

Researchers at Oxford Brookes University have developed a groundbreaking method to tackle the global challenge of toxic PFAS chemicals in water supplies. The new machine uses bubbles to remove these harmful substances, showing promising results with nearly a 36% degradation rate in just 30 minutes.

SourceOxford Brookes University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2024

Life on Earth was more diverse than classical theory suggests 800 million years ago, a Brazilian study shows

A Brazilian study published in PNAS suggests that life on Earth was more diverse than classical theory suggests 800 million years ago, with multiple lineages of amoebae and ancestors of plants, algae, and animals already established. The study's findings challenge the long-held paradigm for the Neoproterozoic period and provide new ins...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2024

Political parties in South America relied on will of the people to implement major economic reforms, analysis shows

A study by University of Exeter researcher Dr Pedro Perfeito da Silva explores the impact of popular resistance and union support on economic policies in Ecuador and El Salvador. The findings suggest that administrations reliant on strong public backing implemented stricter capital controls, while those with less support adopted more n...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalReview of International Political Economy·TypeObservational study·DateOct 4, 2024

Pharmacology: Venomous crustacean from Mayan underwater caves provides new drug candidates

A study from Goethe University Frankfurt reveals that venomous crustaceans, specifically remipede crabs in Mexican cenote caves, contain a variety of toxins with pharmacological potential. The xibalbines peptides effectively inhibit potassium channels and activate signaling pathways involved in pain sensitization.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2024

Glimmers of antimatter to explain the "dark" part of the universe

A recent study suggests that the observation of antihelium nuclei in cosmic rays may be consistent with the existence of WIMP particles, which could make up dark matter. The detection of two distinct isotopes, antihelium-3 and -4, is particularly intriguing as heavier nuclei are unlikely to be produced through natural processes.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2024

Research points to potential new treatment for aggressive prostate cancer subtype

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a new subtype of aggressive prostate cancer and identified a potential degrader to target it. The study found that a genetic alteration in the CDK12 gene drives cancer development, and a degrader targeting this gene shows promise in destroying cancer cells.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2024

Studies examine growing US mental health safety net

A new study by NYU researchers reveals that more than 60% of the US population has access to certified community behavioral health clinics, which provide mental health and substance use disorder treatment services. The clinics are expanding crisis mental health services, including mobile crisis response teams and stabilization.

SourceNew York University·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateOct 4, 2024

New therapeutic target for cardiac arrhythmias emerges

A new study identifies phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate as a key regulator of the SK2 channel, which plays a critical role in cardiac ion channels and heart rhythm. The research provides critical translational insights into possible mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias in heart failure.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 4, 2024

How cells recognize and repair DNA damage

A new mechanism of DNA damage response has been identified, involving an RNA transcript that regulates genome stability. The study found that NEAT1, a long non-coding RNA transcript, plays a crucial role in recognizing and repairing DNA double-strand breaks.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalGenes & Development·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2024

Almost half of persons who inject drugs (PWID) with endocarditis will die within five years; women are disproportionately affected

A Canadian study finds that treatment for vulnerable people with endocarditis includes in-hospital addiction support and community care, with special attention to the needs of marginalized young women. Women who inject drugs are disproportionately affected by endocarditis and have higher long-term mortality rates than men.

SourceLawson Health Research Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2024

Bacterial breakthrough:

Scientists have found a way to pinpoint single bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, making it easier to choose the right treatment. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with Staphylococcus aureus infections.

SourceUiT The Arctic University of Norway·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2024

Early release from NEJM Evidence

Researchers have developed a new treatment for deep diabetic foot ulcers, using intact fish skin grafts to promote healing. The study found that this innovative approach showed promising results in improving wound closure and reducing infection rates.

SourceNEJM Group·JournalNEJM Evidence·DateOct 4, 2024

Paralleled and multiplexed all-optical logic operation

Researchers developed a novel optical computation architecture called diffraction casting, which leverages spatial parallelism of light to perform computations. This method overcomes limitations of previous techniques by using wave optics, enabling scalable and parallel logic operations with high flexibility and integration capability.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2024

Drier winter habitat impacts songbirds’ ability to survive migration

A new study reveals that poor winter habitat conditions in the Caribbean can lead to reduced survival rates during spring migration and the breeding season for migratory songbirds. Climate change is expected to further exacerbate these effects, underscoring the need for conservation measures to protect vulnerable species.

SourceSmithsonian National Zoological Park·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 4, 2024

Research by UVA faculty member could help prevent organ transplant rejection

Researchers have made breakthroughs in creating nanoparticles that can modify the immune system to accept transplanted organs without compromising it. This new approach has potential implications for treating diabetes, cell therapy, and autoimmune disorders, offering hope for patients who currently face rejection.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2024

Are auditory magic tricks possible for a blind audience?

A new article investigates whether auditory magic tricks can be created for a blind audience, finding that the brain processes visual and auditory information differently. This study underscores the importance of making magic more inclusive for people with blindness.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 4, 2024

Advance in breast cancer treatment

Researchers have successfully tested a new drug, trastuzumab deruxtecan, which significantly extends the lives of breast cancer patients with advanced HER2-positive disease and brain metastases. The treatment has been shown to increase survival times substantially, with over 90% of patients alive one year after treatment.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Medicine·DateOct 4, 2024