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Science News for February 17, 2025


New laparoscopic imaging technique accurately maps biological tissue for minimally invasive surgery

A new laparoscopic imaging technique uses stereo depth estimation and speckle-illumination SFDI to accurately map the optical properties of biological tissue. The device provides detailed optical property maps, enabling surgeons to identify critical tumor margins and improve clinical outcomes.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateFeb 17, 2025

New discovery could help protect against influenza

A preclinical trial has uncovered how beta-glucan can 'reprogram' immune cells to prevent lung inflammation and reduce the risk of illness and death from influenza. The study's findings highlight beta-glucan as a promising therapy for influenza and other emerging viral pathogens.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2025

First insights into genotype and phenotype of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Egypt: early onset and high consanguinity

This Egyptian study sheds light on the genotype and phenotype of familial ALS, highlighting early onset, high consanguinity rates, and genetic variations. The findings suggest distinct characteristics compared to European populations, emphasizing the importance of studying ALS genetics across diverse populations.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2025

Long-term decline in downward surface solar radiation

A recent study reveals a significant long-term decline in downward surface solar radiation globally, with significant decadal variations observed over land. The research highlights the role of water vapor in DSSR changes, which was previously overlooked, and shows that future DSSR changes will depend heavily on emission scenarios.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateFeb 17, 2025

Scientists at The Wistar Institute’s HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center develop new natural killer cell strategy to target HIV

Researchers at The Wistar Institute's HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center have identified a new approach using natural killer cells to target and kill HIV-positive cells. CD64 expression enhances binding activity for holding onto antigen-specific antibodies, allowing for specific targeting and killing of infected cells.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalJournal of Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2025

Leafbot: A soft robot conquers challenging terrains

Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed Leafbot, a soft robot that uses vibration-driven locomotion to traverse uneven surfaces. The robot's compliant structure and simple motion strategy enable it to overcome complex obstacles, making it valuable for applications such as inspection and exploration.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Robotics·DateFeb 17, 2025

NUS Medicine pioneers ground-breaking technique to deliver drugs directly to the brain

Scientists at NUS Medicine have developed a novel approach using nasal bacteria to deliver therapeutic molecules directly to the brain, reducing appetite and improving glucose metabolism in preclinical studies. The engineered bacteria leverage the olfactory mucosa's unique properties to deliver medication with enhanced bioavailability.

Moffitt study identifies immune response that may stop breast cancer from spreading

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute have identified a specific immune response that can prevent the spread of breast cancer cells within the body. Activating certain immune cells can stop dormant cancer cells from growing into new tumors, potentially leading to long-term survival.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2025

‘Hey Siri, choose my medical expert.’

A new study from the University of South Australia found that most people trust AI in situations where the stakes are low, such as music suggestions. However, those with poor statistical literacy or little familiarity with AI were just as likely to trust algorithms for trivial choices as they were for critical decisions. The study also...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·TypeCase study·DateFeb 17, 2025

Common drug shows promise against rare type of heart disease

A team of researchers from the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson found that an FDA-approved osteoporosis treatment, risedronate, can correct a gene mutation and normalize heart function in animal models. The study provides hope for treating other rare diseases using precision treatments tailored to individual mutations.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2025

Danish research reveals novel biomarker for autoimmune diseases

Researchers from Aarhus University have developed a method to track disease progression in patients with autoimmune diseases. The new method identifies large immuno-active complexes and can be measured in parallel, increasing capacity and reducing the need for training new staff or investing in equipment.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Translational Autoimmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2025

Estrogen partially restores progesterone production and ovarian health in mice with lysosomal storage disorder

A recent study found that estrogen can partially restore progesterone levels and improve ovarian health in Mcoln1−/− mice, a model for human mucolipidosis type IV. The research also showed that hormone therapies including estrogen improved luteal cell morphology and lysosomal function.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalReproductive and Developmental Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2025

Researchers map brain development at the protein level in unprecedented detail

The study analyzed over 24 million individual cells from mouse brains, revealing detailed molecular pathways that guide brain development. The research team discovered two distinct developmental pathways for oligodendrocytes and offered new insights into how different brain cell types emerge and mature.

Sliding down

Researchers discover that disordered solids lose stability at low-frequency vibrations near zero, leading to a 'loose state' where particles slide in clusters. The theory applies to materials with negligible thermal fluctuations, including those found in space.

Breakthrough observation of real-time protein translocation by SecYEG-SecA complex

A team of researchers from Japan directly visualized protein translocation across membranes for the first time, providing insights into the SecYEG-SecA complex dynamics and its role in facilitating protein movement. The study estimated a protein translocation rate of 2.2 amino acid residues per second.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 17, 2025

Membrane-targeted push-pull azobenzenes for the optical modulation of membrane potential

Researchers developed push-pull azobenzenes that interact with the lipid bilayer and induce light-dependent membrane potential changes. The molecules' ability to partition into membranes and undergo isomerization allows for precise modulation of surface charge, enabling non-invasive cell stimulation.

Children with ARFID face increased risk of disease

A new study found that children with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) are at a higher risk of developing intellectual disability, autism, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, epilepsy, and chronic lung diseases. They also experience more medical diagnoses and require longer hospital stays than other children.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2025

Older patients can inadvertently be put at risk when they are taken off blood-thinning drugs

A study by University of Bath researchers found that stopping anticoagulants for patients aged 75 and over does not significantly affect the risk of major bleeding, but increases the risk of serious events like stroke and death. This highlights the need for clinicians to carefully consider the risks of stopping anticoagulation therapy ...

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalHeart·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2025

WVU research shows buyers believe karma, not boycotts should punish brands for bad behavior

Research by West Virginia University expert Kylie Vo found that consumers who believe in karma are more likely to forgive companies that behave immorally and less likely to boycott them. In contrast, non-moral transgressions like defective products or misleading claims can severely damage consumer-brand relationships and brand value.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateFeb 17, 2025

How staphylococcus aureus ‘steals’ iron from our blood during infections

Researchers have mapped the full sequence of protein-protein interactions during iron extraction by Staphylococcus aureus, opening possibilities for developing new treatments. The study used TR-XSS technique to observe the dynamics of IsdB-Hb complex formation and found that iron is extracted only when both Hb chains are bound to IsdB.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2025

The fire paradox: Tree-ring data shows wildfire activity has declined, not increased

A study published in Nature Communications shows that widespread wildfires were frequent about every 10-20 years in many areas, but severe fires have increased due to natural fire cycles being disrupted. The data suggests that the prevalence of non-fire years has led to denser forests and hotter, more destructive wildfires.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 17, 2025

Light from artificial atoms

Researchers at TU Wien and ISTA have developed artificial atoms made of superconducting circuits that can be tuned to specific energy values. These 'artificial atoms' enable the storage and retrieval of light, opening up new possibilities for quantum experiments.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2025

New remotely-delivered support programme could deliver excellent care while saving the NHS and social care an average of £9000 a year for each person with dementia

A new remotely-delivered support programme, NIDUS-Family, has been shown to improve the lives of people with dementia while reducing healthcare costs. The programme uses goal setting and personalized care to help individuals live well at home for longer, resulting in cost savings of £8934 per person over one year.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 17, 2025

Study findings raise questions about the inclusion of sepsis bundle in the CMS value program

A systematic review found no moderate-to-high level evidence that compliance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Management Bundle was associated with improved sepsis mortality. The study suggests reconsidering the inclusion of the bundle in the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing program.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateFeb 17, 2025

Study reveals surge in gambling addiction following legalization of sports betting

A new study reveals a dramatic increase in sports betting and gambling addiction help-seeking since the Supreme Court legalized sportsbooks in 2018. Online sportsbooks have had a substantially greater impact on this issue than traditional brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, with nationwide searches for help increasing by 23% nationally.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2025

Inadequate postpartum screening for hypertension and diabetes a ‘missed opportunity’ for women, study suggests

A new study published in Circulation suggests that less than one in five patients are tested for cardiovascular risk factors following pregnancy-related hypertension or diabetes. This leaves women without adequate screening for high blood pressure, lipids, and sugars, increasing their risk of future stroke or heart disease.

SourceInstitute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences·JournalCirculation·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2025

Near-complete skull discovery reveals ‘top apex’, leopard-sized “fearsome” carnivore

A nearly complete skull of the ancient apex carnivore Bastetodon has been discovered in the Egyptian desert, revealing a new species of hyaenodonta. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of hyaenodonts and their global distribution, with findings suggesting they spread from Africa to Asia, Europe, India, and North America.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateFeb 17, 2025

Researchers identify DNA changes, biological pathways associated with inherited cancer risk

A large-scale screen of single nucleotide variants has identified 380 variants controlling cancer-associated genes. These variants regulate biological pathways such as DNA repair, energy production, and cell microenvironment interaction. The findings suggest new therapeutic targets for preventing or stopping cancer growth.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2025