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Science News for April 25, 2025


New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll

A new voluntary program, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP), could greatly reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare patients taking expensive oral cancer drugs. By spreading annual costs across 12 monthly payments, patients can avoid large upfront payments and make treatment more affordable.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJCO Oncology Practice·DateApr 25, 2025

As a competitive grain for malting, rice may open door to increase domestic demand

Researchers found that using rice malt instead of milled rice in beer brewing can decrease production costs by 2-12%. Malted rice also requires less crop-growing acreage, making it a viable alternative for craft brewers. The study suggests that malting could open up new markets for Arkansas rice and ensure its long-run sustainability.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·Journalnpj Sustainable Agriculture·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 25, 2025

Edvard Westermarck’s Archives inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, honoring his pioneering work in anthropology and sociology

The Westermarck Archives, stored at Åbo Akademi University Library, have been inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, notes, and photographs from Westermarck's field studies in Morocco, providing insights into anthropology, sociology, and local cultures.

Cancer research reveals how chemo impact cells at the molecular level

Scientists have developed a cutting-edge technology to analyze protein turnover in individual cells, enabling them to identify treatment-resistant cancer cells and understand the impact of specific drugs. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in disease diagnostics and treatment strategies.

Immune cells drive congenital paralysis disease

A recent study published in Journal of Experimental Medicine found that immune cells play a major role in the development of spastic paraplegia type 15. The research, led by Professor Elvira Mass and Dr. Marc Beyer, suggests that severe inflammation in the brain precedes neuronal damage and could be relevant to Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2025

New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age

Researchers at City of Hope discovered a novel target for preventing age-related abdominal fat by identifying the cellular culprit behind midsection widening in middle age. The study found that aging triggers the arrival of new adult stem cells and enhances the body's massive production of new fat cells, especially around the belly.

SourceCity of Hope·JournalScience·DateApr 25, 2025

This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack

Researchers developed a new therapy that can be injected intravenously right after a heart attack to promote healing and prevent heart failure. The therapy both prompts the immune system to encourage tissue repair and promotes survival of heart muscle cells after a heart attack, showing effectiveness up to five weeks after injection.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2025

Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia

This study examines the effectiveness of combining microvascular decompression with nerve combing for patients with atypical trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic pain condition that does not respond well to conventional treatments. The procedure has shown promising results in reducing pain levels and improving patient outcomes.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalNeurosurgical Subspecialties·DateApr 25, 2025

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Ahead-of-Print Tip Sheet: April 25, 2025

Researchers have discovered important differences in how a targeted therapy behaves in the body over time, allowing for more tailored treatment strategies. A new PET/CT scanner also shows promise for accurate imaging with dramatically reduced exposure, especially for sensitive patients like children or those needing repeated scans.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateApr 25, 2025

Radioiodine therapy improves relative survival rates of differentiated thyroid cancer patients

A new study finds that radioiodine therapy significantly increases relative survival rates in differentiated thyroid cancer patients, with benefits observed across low-, intermediate-, and high-risk subgroups. The treatment reduces recurrence rates and improves long-term survival in high-risk groups, while also showing promise for low-...

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateApr 25, 2025

Atomically dispersed catalysts are tough puzzles to solve, but worth the effort

Researchers are developing atomically dispersed catalysts to make industrial processes cleaner and more efficient. However, the field is plagued by common pitfalls, including inadequate testing and characterization. Experts like Jason Bates and E. Charles Sykes emphasize the need for repeatable, rigorous science.

IGTP-led study identifies an epigenetic signature with prognostic value in metastatic thyroid cancer

A study led by IGTP identifies an epigenetic signature of 156 altered CpG sites in primary tumours that can help stratify patients according to their risk of developing distant metastases. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the disease and open new avenues for patient stratification and personalised treatment strategies.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalThyroid·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 25, 2025

University of Ottawa-led research team forges compelling new insights into dynamics of the brain’s serotonin system

A University of Ottawa-led study reveals that serotonin neurons are connected and interact with each other, controlling serotonin release in specific regions of the brain. This complex system has implications for understanding decision-making and developing targeted therapeutics for mood disorders.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 25, 2025

Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker

The Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's unique plastic scintillator module design boasts exceptional performance in muon identification efficiency, surpassing 99.67% even at high thresholds. This scalable solution establishes a transferable technique for next-generation neutrino detectors requiring muon identification efficiency >99.5% ...

SourceNuclear Science and Techniques·JournalNuclear Science and Techniques·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2025

A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions

A new microfluidic chip design enabled precise control over interstitial flow and shear stress distribution, leading to sustained microvascular growth for over 12 days. The study found that rectangle chambers exhibited the highest network density due to uniform low shear stress, mimicking physiological capillary conditions.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalCyborg and Bionic Systems·DateApr 25, 2025

New way to prevent duodenal cancer

Bonn researchers found higher numbers of type 3 innate lymphoid cells in duodenum tissue of FAP patients, producing interleukin-17A which stimulates ROS production and DNA damage. This suggests a local environment favoring cancer development, prompting a new approach to preventing duodenal cancer.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 25, 2025

A VAST new view of viruses

The VAST project seeks to understand the normal human virome, the vast ecosystem of viruses living in and on humans. By analyzing tens of thousands of samples from diverse populations, researchers aim to identify how a healthy virome shifts with disease or environmental factors.

NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research

Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr., a pioneer in cancer science, receives the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for his decades-long dedication to nurturing the next generation of cancer research leaders. His groundbreaking discoveries have saved countless lives and transformed ovarian cancer detection and management.

Global survey highlights the challenges of VR-haptic technology in dental education

A global survey of 156 institutions found that technical limitations, such as haptic precision issues, and financial constraints are significant barriers to the adoption of VR-haptic technology in dental education. The study suggests that cost-reduction innovations and targeted faculty training are needed to address these challenges.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalFrontiers in Dental Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateApr 25, 2025

Chips off the old block

Researchers developed collagen-based scaffolds that can integrate with a vascular and perfusion organ-on-a-chip reactor to form complete tissue engineering platforms. The team demonstrated the ability to create non-planar 3D networks in soft, organic material by printing helical vascular networks modeled after DNA structure.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2025

Researchers create ‘super stem cells’, seeing potential for improved fertility treatment

Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have created 'super stem cells' that outperform regular stem cells by developing into multiple cell types. These 'super stem cells' show promise in improving fertility treatment, particularly IVF success rates, by producing essential tissue for early embryonic development.

What makes successful learners? How Minecraft can helps us understand social learning

Researchers used Minecraft to investigate how humans dynamically integrate asocial and social information in realistic contexts. The study found that adaptability is the most important driver of success, and that flexible switching between individual and social learning strategies amplifies human intelligence.

AACR 2025: Colon cancer risk reduction, predicting melanoma spread and new drug therapies among Ohio State findings

Researchers at Ohio State University have identified new targeted therapies for treating small cell lung cancer, predicting melanoma spread, and reducing endometrial cancer risk. A 31-gene expression profile has been developed to identify patients at high risk of melanoma spread, allowing for closer monitoring and earlier treatment.

Study: Education improves in-home gun safety

A nationwide study reveals that education about firearm safety significantly increases parents' likelihood of asking others about guns in homes their children visit. The research found that caregivers who received information from multiple sources were more likely to ask about firearms, emphasizing the need for ongoing and multifaceted...