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Science News Archive October 2024 - Page 39


Page 39 of 44

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

Pre-arrest diversion-to-treatment programs may reduce crime, overdose deaths

A new study found that completing a six-month substance use disorder treatment program instead of arrest and prosecution reduces the risk of arrest, incarceration, or fatal overdose. Participants who completed the program had a more favorable crime and overdose profile compared to those who did not engage or complete the program.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment·TypeObservational study·DateOct 3, 2024

AI algorithm for subclinical breast cancer detection

A retrospective cohort study found that AI algorithms can identify women at high risk of developing breast cancer 4-6 years before detection. The results suggest using commercial AI algorithms as a pathway to personalized screening approaches, leading to earlier cancer diagnosis.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 3, 2024

Common consumer product chemicals now tied to cardiac electrical changes

An interdisciplinary study found associations between exposure to environmental phenols like BPA and triclocarban and altered cardiac electrical activity, particularly in women with higher body mass indexes. Researchers identified moderate changes to cardiac electrical activity that could exacerbate existing heart disease or arrhythmias.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalEnvironmental Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 3, 2024

Liquefied natural gas carbon footprint is worse than coal

A new study by Cornell University finds that liquefied natural gas (LNG) exported from the US has a one-third larger carbon footprint than coal when considering processing and shipping. LNG's extraction, processing, transportation, and storage account for approximately half of its total greenhouse gas footprint.

SourceCornell University·JournalEnergy Science & Engineering·DateOct 3, 2024

Promising ‘first’ in Alzheimer’s drug development

Researchers have developed a promising new drug, RI-AG03, that successfully targets and blocks both major aggregation-promoting 'hotspots' of the Tau protein. The peptide-based approach shows significant potential in preventing the build-up of Tau proteins and neurodegeneration, addressing a critical gap in current treatments.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·DateOct 3, 2024

The true global impact of species-loss caused by humans is far greater than expected – new study reveals

A new study reveals the true global impact of human-induced species loss is far greater than previously thought, resulting in a loss of approximately 3 billion years of unique evolutionary history. This extinction crisis has severe consequences on ecosystem function, including reduced pollination, seed dispersal, and disease outbreaks.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 3, 2024