Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 26, 2024


New recycling process for rare-earth elements could transform green technology and boost carbon neutrality

A new recycling process for rare-earth elements has been developed, promising to significantly advance recycling technology and support global efforts towards carbon neutrality. The selective extraction–evaporation–electrolysis (SEEE) process achieved recovery rates of 96% for neodymium and 91% for dysprosium, with both metals reaching...

SourceEngineering·JournalEngineering·DateSep 26, 2024

Ultrasound technology accelerates drying of renewable cellulose nanocrystals

A novel multi-frequency ultrasonic drying technology accelerates the drying of renewable cellulose nanocrystals by up to 50% while minimizing energy consumption. This method demonstrates superior stability in aqueous solutions and aligns with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

These fish use legs to taste the seafloor

Researchers discovered that sea robins' legs are covered in sensory papillae with taste receptors, allowing them to detect and uncover food. The findings reveal an ancient gene controlling leg development and sensory organ formation, shedding light on the evolution of complex traits in wild organisms.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

Long-range-interacting topological photonic lattices breaking channel-bandwidth limit

Researchers implement defect-robust multi-channel signal processor by tailoring long-range interactions in topological photonic lattices. This approach enables multichannel topologically-protected edge modes and breaks the trade-off relation between channels and bandwidth, leading to enhanced information capacity.

Catalytically active prokaryotic Argonautes employ phospholipase D family proteins to strengthen immunity against different genetic invaders

This study reveals that catalytically active prokaryotic Argonautes employ phospholipase D family proteins to strengthen immunity against different genetic invaders. The AgaP system, composed of Ago and AgaP proteins, restricts plasmid transformation and provides effective immunity against viruses.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalmLife·DateSep 26, 2024

Light at the end of the tunnel for night shift workers

A new study published in the SLEEP journal found that using artificial lighting synchronized to natural biological rhythms improves quality of sleep and work performance for night shift workers. Strategic exposure to light accelerated body-clock adjustment and improved alertness and performance, as well as sleep after a night shift.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSLEEP·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

A method of ‘look twice, forgive once’ can sustain social cooperation

Researchers from Penn and Princeton developed a method of judging behavior that sustains cooperation, called 'look twice, forgive once.' This approach looks at multiple actions and forgives some bad actions to maintain consensus, confirming the original hypothesis that public institutions are not necessary for reputation-based cooperat...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 26, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal investigates recent and future trends of lung cancer

According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), lung cancer is the most common type of cancer, with 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths worldwide in 2020. China had the highest number of new cases, and incidence and mortality rates have been steadily rising from 1990 to 2019.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 26, 2024

Study finds more than 80% of women iron deficient by third trimester

A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that over 80% of women are iron deficient by the third trimester of pregnancy. Despite being considered a high-resource setting, the study revealed alarming rates of iron deficiency among healthy pregnant women. This finding emphasizes the importance of routin...

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateSep 26, 2024

UBC Okanagan researchers challenge high-intensity interval training critics

Researchers at UBC Okanagan challenge assumptions about the validity and suitability of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for public health. They argue that evidence-based findings show HIIT is enjoyable and effective for a wide range of populations, despite critics' claims.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalApplied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 26, 2024

Central mechanism of inflammation decoded

Bonn researchers use nanobodies to elucidate pore formation by gasdermin D in cell membranes, identifying key steps and potential therapeutic applications for inflammatory diseases. The study reveals that nanobodies inhibit pore formation and prevent cell death, offering a new approach to treating sepsis and autoinflammatory diseases.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2024

A new method combining spatiotemporal decomposition and machine learning for the prediction of sunspot numbers and magnetic synoptic maps

Researchers develop a new method combining machine learning, mode decomposition, and harmonic reconstruction to predict solar activity levels. The study reveals complex short-period disturbances in the photospheric magnetic field around the solar maximum and predicts sunspot numbers for Solar Cycle 25.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateSep 26, 2024

How are stretch reflexes modulated during voluntary movement?

A new study proposes a theoretically new mechanism to modulate spinal reflexes at the same spinal cord level as stretch reflexes during voluntary movements. The research, led by Biomedical engineering doctoral student Grace Niyo, suggests that a simple spinal circuit can correct self-perturbations from stretch reflexes to produce smoot...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

An edible toothpaste-based transistor

Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Milan created an edible transistor using a toothpaste pigment, enabling the development of smart pills and potential healthcare applications. The device is made from ethylcellulose substrate with gold particles and operates at low voltage.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

Climate change: Heat, drought, and fire risk increasing in South America

The study found that South America is experiencing a significant increase in the co-occurrence of multiple climate extremes, including heat, drought, and flammable conditions. This has amplified impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human health, particularly affecting vulnerable rural and indigenous populations.

SourceSpringer·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 26, 2024

Satellite data fusion enhances the early detection of convective clouds

Researchers have developed a new satellite data fusion method to enhance the early detection of convective clouds. By combining high-resolution texture information with multispectral data, forecasters can identify smaller-scale convective clouds earlier and improve the precision of predicting where these clouds will form and intensify.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateSep 26, 2024

This fish has legs

The study reveals that sea robin legs are sensitive to both mechanical and chemical stimuli, and are covered in papillae similar to human taste buds. The research provides new insights into the evolution of this unique trait, which could offer clues about how humans developed bipedalism.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

Scientists design new drug to fight malaria

A team of researchers has designed a new antimalarial drug called MED6-189, which is effective against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of human malaria parasites. The compound works by targeting the apicoplast organelle and vesicular trafficking pathways, making it a promising lead in the fight against malaria.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

In an era of climate change, clean water and reliable water storage for floods and droughts is a possibility!

Researchers at KIST developed an aquifer storage technique to improve stable water storage, reducing organic matter concentrations and microbiome changes. The study found that a simple physical sedimentation process maintained stable water quality for a year without pore clogging.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 26, 2024

Stowers scientists uncover a critical component that helps killifish regenerate their fins

A recent study published in iScience found that the length of time cells spend engaged in the repair process is also key to regulating regeneration in African killifish. The researchers discovered that skin cells launch a genetic program that primes the whole animal to prepare for a repair response, guiding repair cells to get to work.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

How to build our body’s protein recycling factories

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have developed a clearer picture of how crucial machinery in the human cell's recycling process for obsolete and misshapen proteins—known as proteasomes—are formed. The research team shed new light on how two protein chaperones bind on the top of the alpha subunit ring as it is constructed.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

Programming cells to target brain tumors

Researchers at UNIGE and HUG have developed CAR-T cells capable of targeting malignant gliomas while sparing healthy tissue. The treatment uses a specific marker on tumour cells and appears to be effective in controlling tumour growth without signs of toxicity.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeNews article·DateSep 26, 2024

Multi-state study offers recommendations for keeping bermudagrass greener all season

A new multi-state study identified three management tips to extend green color and reduce cold-weather injury in hybrid bermudagrass: raising mowing height, applying nitrogen fertilizer in the fall, and maintaining adequate soil moisture. The research found that slow-release nitrogen applications through mid-September had positive impa...

SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·JournalCrop Forage & Turfgrass Management·DateSep 26, 2024

Replica symmetry breaking in 1D Rayleigh scattering system: Theory and validations

Researchers investigate underlying mechanisms of photonic phase transitions in one-dimensional Rayleigh scattering systems, uncovering unique laws governing the phenomenon. They propose a model that reveals an analogy between temperature and disorder in magnetic spin glass phases, shedding light on universal phase transition mechanisms.

ESO telescope captures the most detailed infrared map ever of our Milky Way

The European Southern Observatory's VISTA telescope has created the largest infrared map of the Milky Way, comprising over 200,000 images and covering an area equivalent to 8600 full moons. The dataset contains about 10 times more objects than a previous map released in 2012, including newborn stars, globular clusters, and brown dwarfs.

SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateSep 26, 2024

Building better bone grafts

A team from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry has patented a new regenerative bone graft material that can regenerate about eight times more bone than existing scaffolds. The breakthrough could transform bone grafts for millions of people who require them, reducing costs and complications associated with traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalBioactive Materials·DateSep 26, 2024

Treatment for major cause of recurrent pregnancy loss

Women with recurrent pregnancy loss and anti-β2-glycoprotein I/HLA-DR autoantibodies who received low-dose aspirin or heparin treatment had significantly improved outcomes, with 87% experiencing live births and a reduced risk of complications. The treatment was also effective for women with only the newly discovered antibodies.

SourceKobe University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 26, 2024

Virginia Tech researchers publish real-time data to understand what happens when a person loses their balance

A study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society uses wrist-worn voice recorders to collect real-time data on balance loss among community-dwelling older adults. The findings suggest that these recorders can capture the circumstances and context of balance losses more accurately than traditional recall methods.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateSep 26, 2024

Mysterious orca group near Chile tracked down, revealing newly discovered hunting skills

A team of scientists tracked a mysterious orca group in the Humboldt Current system off the coast of Chile, revealing new hunting skills and shedding light on southern hemisphere orca conservation. The research found that these orcas hunt dusky dolphins, a species they have never been recorded hunting before, and share food among the pod.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeObservational study·DateSep 26, 2024

Structure attack on full-round DBST

A recent study by Chenhao JIA and colleagues reveals a critical flaw in the DBST cipher, allowing attackers to deduce plaintext-ciphertext pairs without querying the encryption engine. The team proposes modifications to both linear and nonlinear parts of DBST to prevent this structure attack, resulting in improved diffusion performance.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

Online tool supports decisions about breast reconstruction after mastectomy

A new online tool has been shown to reduce decisional conflict in women with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy, supporting informed decisions on immediate breast reconstruction. The study found that patients who used the tool felt better prepared for decision-making and had a lower rate of clinically significant decisional conflict.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateSep 26, 2024

Who transports what here?

A new AI-based approach called SPOT can predict substrate matches for transport proteins with an accuracy above 92%, speeding up laboratory experiments and enabling biotechnological applications. The model uses a training dataset of over 8,500 experimentally validated transporter-substrate pairs to make predictions.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 26, 2024

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) awards four 2024 Kessel Fellowships for Ornithological Research

The American Ornithological Society has awarded four $15,000 Kessel Fellowships to Dr. Andre Moncrieff, Glaucia Del-Rio, Felicity L. Newell, and Anne Ausems for their ornithological research in Arctic and tropical ecosystems. The fellowships aim to investigate the drivers and mechanisms of population change and the ultimate impacts on ...

Removal of marine plastic fishery debris greatly reduces entanglement threat for endangered Hawaiian monk seals

A new study found that large-scale removal of discarded fishing gear and plastic debris in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands significantly reduced entanglement rates of endangered Hawaiian monk seals. The findings suggest that marine debris cleanup programs are successful and that reducing plastic inputs can maximize conservation outco...

Unexpected immune response may hold key to long-term cancer remission

A new study published in Nature has found that the type 2 immune response is positively correlated with long-term cancer remission, contradicting previous theories that it promotes tumor growth. The research used samples from pioneering clinical trials and revealed a statistically significant correlation between type 2 immune factors a...

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

Genetic rescue for rare red foxes?

Research finds high levels of inbreeding in Lassen and Sierra Nevada red fox populations, highlighting genetic rescue as a viable option for restoration. The study also reveals the potential for reconnection with neighboring populations to increase adaptive potential.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateSep 26, 2024

New mutation linked to early-onset Parkinsonism

A team of scientists has identified a new genetic mutation in the SGIP1 gene that may cause early-onset Parkinsonism. The mutation affects brain cell communication, leading to synaptic dysfunction and recessive Parkinsonism. This discovery provides new insights into the disease's development and potential treatment strategies.

SourceVlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

NASA’s Hubble finds that a black hole beam promotes stellar eruptions

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope discovered that the blowtorch-like jet from a supermassive black hole at the core of a huge galaxy causes stars to erupt along its trajectory. The finding suggests that there is something missing from our understanding of how black hole jets interact with their surroundings.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 26, 2024

The Lancet Public Health: MMR vaccine remains the best protection against measles - modelling study in England suggests level of protection decreases slightly over time

A modelling study suggests that slow waning of MMR vaccine-induced immunity may contribute to rising measles cases in double-vaccinated people. However, the MMR vaccine remains the most effective measure to prevent measles infection, and community vaccination levels above 95% are essential to prevent outbreaks.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 26, 2024

BU commentary: Project 2025 could become a ‘political reality that would upend medical practice’

A new JAMA commentary by Boston University School of Public Health researchers warns that Project 2025's conservative blueprint would undermine healthcare and public health. The playbook's proposals, led by The Heritage Foundation, include deregulating healthcare, weakening the ACA, and allowing discrimination within healthcare settings.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 26, 2024

Fluoride-free batteries: Safeguarding the environment and enhancing performance

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a non-fluorinated battery system to comply with environmental regulations and enhance battery performance. The innovative 'APA-LC' system, entirely free of fluorinated compounds, shows improved oxidation stability and higher capacity retention.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 26, 2024

Application-oriented cloud workload prediction: A survey and new perspectives

The article reviews existing cloud workload prediction work from a new perspective, highlighting variability and heterogeneity of application workloads. It classifies recent research into application-oriented categories and discusses challenges and future directions in workload prediction and proactive long-term resource management.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalTsinghua Science & Technology·DateSep 26, 2024

Extreme heat impacts daily routines and travel patterns, study finds

A new study reveals that extreme heat significantly alters how people go about their daily lives, reducing outdoor activities and shifting transportation choices. Vulnerable groups, such as low-income individuals without access to cars, face the biggest challenges in coping with extreme heat.

SourceArizona State University·JournalTransportation Research Part D Transport and Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 26, 2024

Climate change will lead to wetter US winters, modeling study finds

A new study led by University of Illinois Chicago scientist Akintomide Akinsanola found that most Americans can expect wetter winters in the future due to global warming. Winter precipitation and extreme weather events are expected to increase across most of the country, with six regions experiencing more frequent very wet winters.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·DateSep 26, 2024

Corneal epithelial ingrowth after small incision lenticule extraction surgery: Insights from a case series and mechanistic studies

Researchers investigated the mechanisms behind corneal epithelial ingrowth (EI) after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery. EI is a rare complication that can occur due to the formation of an opaque bubble layer during surgery, which creates microchannels allowing epithelial cells to migrate into the cornea.

Genetic background of pregnant women can influence the result of the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test

A recent study published in Cell Reports reveals that a pregnant woman's genetic background significantly affects the effectiveness of Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests (NIPTs). The study found that a specific genetic variant in approximately 7% of women increases the odds of inconclusive results and impairs test sensitivity. This discovery ...

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·TypeObservational study·DateSep 26, 2024

Technology that listens: The benefits and challenges of voice assistants for the elderly

A review of studies found that voice assistants can make a direct contribution to reducing loneliness in older people, with 85% of studies concluding this. The use of devices provides a sense of social interaction and emotional support, mitigating feelings of isolation and improving mental health.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalDisability and Rehabilitation·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 26, 2024

Fitness loss through spontaneous mutations will not impact viability of human populations in the near future

A new study using a mammal model suggests that fitness loss through spontaneous mutations will not significantly affect human populations. The research indicates that even without natural selection, the rate of fitness decline is not a cause for concern, providing reassurance about human viability in the near future.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

Organoids derived from gut stem cells reveal two distinct molecular subtypes of crohn’s disease

Researchers at University of California - San Diego have discovered that Crohn's disease consists of two distinct molecular subtypes, each exhibiting unique patterns of genetic mutation and cellular phenotypes. This finding could lead to more effective management strategies, with therapies tailored to specific subtypes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateSep 26, 2024

Recording the cats in the hats

Veterinary scientists at Université de Montréal have created a way to scan the brains of cats while they're awake by concealing electrodes in crocheted wool caps. This new technique uses electroencephalograms (EEGs) and can help alleviate chronic pain in cats.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 26, 2024

Vape residue may harm unborn babies

New research suggests that exposure to vape and e-cigarette residue on surfaces during pregnancy can cause immune system damage in unborn babies. The study found that maternal third-hand exposure to e-vapour results in significant, long-lasting effects on lung and bone marrow immune cell responses.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

Increased antioxidants and phenolic compounds produced in salted red perilla leaves during Japanese apricot pickling

A study found increased antioxidant content and activity in Japanese apricot pickles made with salted red perilla leaves. The phenolic compounds' release was highest before digestion, but a significant increase occurred between 60 minutes and 120 minutes of small intestinal digestion.

SourceChiba University·JournalFood Research International·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

New research identifies strong link between childhood opportunities and educational attainment and earnings as a young adult

New research reveals a strong connection between childhood opportunities and long-term academic success, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address opportunity gaps. The study found that increasing access to various educational and social experiences can significantly boost earnings as a young adult.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateSep 26, 2024