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Science News Archive September 2024 - Page 20


Page 20 of 41

Two common surgeries equally effective for treating blinding condition of the eyelid

A large NIH-funded trial compares three surgical approaches for treating trachomatous trichiasis, finding that one technique is just as effective as another in reducing post-operative complications. The study suggests that existing standard surgeries are better options than a modified method with a larger incision height.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 17, 2024

Study finds mine-drainage treatment cost effective, but far more costs lay ahead

New research from the University of Pittsburgh shows that treating abandoned mine drainage in Pennsylvania is both successful and cost-effective, particularly benefiting vulnerable communities. However, current appropriations are insufficient for long-term treatment and addressing other hazards, requiring an additional $3.9 billion.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 16, 2024

How gaps in the canopy of a floodplain influence microclimate and soil biological activity

Researchers studied the effects of forest gaps on microclimate and soil biological activity in a European mixed floodplain forest. Temperature fluctuations increased in areas with gaps, but decomposition rates remained relatively stable. The study highlights complex interactions between forest structure, microclimate, and soil processes.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2024

Navigating space: Dual maps discovered in the brain

Researchers have found two distinct maps in the brain's secondary motor cortex that enable spatial planning and navigation, with implications for understanding neurological conditions such as stroke. The study discovered a self-centred map used for planning actions and a world-centred map used to determine body position in the world.

SourceSainsbury Wellcome Centre·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2024

Immigration detainer holds linked to lower Medicaid and SNAP enrollment among eligible adults

A study published in Health Affairs found that people living in areas with high detainer requests are less likely to enroll in Medicaid and SNAP due to fear of deportation. The study suggests that immigration enforcement activities can have a significant impact on daily life for immigrants and their families.

SourceDrexel University·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 16, 2024

Electronic and coordination structures of metal porphyrin complexes in aqueous solutions probed by soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The study probed the electronic structures of metal and ligand sides using soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy, revealing differences in energy shifts between cobalt and iron protoporphyrin IX complexes. The results show that CoPPIX maintains its five-coordination geometry in aqueous solution.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2024

US COVID-19 rates oscillate every six months

Researchers analyzed COVID-19 cases in US states, finding oscillating waves every six months that start near the southern border in July-August. The data suggests a larger pattern sweeping up and down North America, but further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these seasonal oscillations.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 16, 2024

NIH study links neighborhood environment to prostate cancer risk in men with West African genetic ancestry

A new NIH study finds that West African genetic ancestry is linked to increased prostate cancer risk among men living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, possibly due to chronic stress. The study suggests that neighborhood environment may play a role in determining how genetic ancestry influences prostate cancer risk.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeCase study·DateSep 16, 2024

Food insecurity in early life, pregnancy may be linked to higher chance of obesity in children, NIH-funded study finds

A new NIH-funded study found that children who experienced food insecurity during early childhood or whose mothers experienced it during pregnancy had a higher BMI and increased chance of developing obesity. Researchers explored how neighborhood food access affected child body mass index and obesity over time.

SourceEnvironmental influences on Child Health Outcomes·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2024

Breakthrough study reveals how mutant p53 protein converts other proteins into cancer drivers

Researchers have uncovered a critical mechanism by which mutant p53 protein converts other proteins into cancer-promoting agents, driving tumor growth. Heparin, a widely used anticoagulant, can inhibit the formation of these harmful aggregates, providing a potential therapeutic approach.

SourceInstituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (INBEB)·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2024

Quality-of-life outcomes reported from NRG Oncology trial studying whole-breast irradiation vs accelerated partial-breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery

A new study from NRG Oncology found that whole-breast irradiation (WBI) was not statistically equivalent to accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) in local tumor control. The QOL sub-study also showed that APBI may be preferred by some patients due to reduced fatigue and extended treatment time.

SourceNRG Oncology·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 16, 2024

Immunotherapy after surgery helps people with high-risk bladder cancer live cancer-free longer

A new clinical trial shows that immunotherapy treatment with pembrolizumab can significantly extend the cancer-free period for patients with high-risk, muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The study found that adjuvant pembrolizumab treatment nearly doubled the median length of time patients remained cancer-free compared to observation.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 16, 2024

EarthCARE's lidar shows particles in the atmosphere in detail

The ATLID atmospheric lidar is a state-of-the-art instrument that records detailed vertical profiles of aerosols and clouds in the atmosphere. The new data from EarthCARE's lidar will significantly advance our understanding of aerosols, clouds, and their interactions with climate change.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2024

Improving eye tracking to assess brain disorders

A University of Houston team developed non-invasive, comfortable, and safe wearable sensors to monitor eyeball movements, providing early warning signs of brain-related disorders. The new sensors have potential applications in diagnosing conditions like ADHD, autism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain injuries.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateSep 16, 2024

Computational marathon matches the efficiency of the AiiDA platform with the power of Switzerland Alps supercomputer

A team of scientists successfully interfaced AiiDA with the Alps supercomputer, completing over 100,000 calculations in just 16 hours. The run demonstrated the maturity of Swiss-made software tools for computational materials science and showcased the power of Switzerland's main supercomputing facility.

Study: Backward hopping may be better indication of recovery from ACL reconstruction

A University of Kansas researcher has found that single leg backward hopping can accurately measure knee strength and recovery in patients after ACL reconstruction. This method shows significant changes in knee mechanics compared to forward hopping, making it a potentially superior indicator of quadriceps strength deficiency.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2024

The Lancet: More than 39 million deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections estimated between now and 2050, suggests first global analysis

A new study estimates that more than 1 million people died each year due to antibiotic-resistant infections between 1990 and 2021. The study predicts that this number could increase to nearly 2 million by 2050, with a significant age-related shift in the impact of AMR on children under five years old.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2024