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Science News Archive February 2025 - Page 29


Page 29 of 44

Biohybrid hand gestures with human muscles

Researchers at the University of Tokyo developed a biohybrid hand that can move objects and mimic real-life forms, using multiple muscle tissue actuators created from lab-grown muscle tissue. The hand demonstrated its ability to perform complex gestures, including scissor motions, and showed signs of fatigue but recovered within an hour.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Brown astronomers create new technique to eliminate signals disrupting sensitive radio telescopes

Astronomers at Brown University have created a new method to pinpoint and filter out unwanted radio frequencies, crucial for preserving high-quality observations in the face of increasing satellite activity. By combining near-field corrections and beamforming techniques, researchers successfully tracked an airplane transmitting a telev...

SourceBrown University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Australia·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Exotic observations with neutrons at the ILL

The study reveals three distinct phases: liquid, solid, and plastic ice, with the latter exhibiting picosecond rotational motion. The implementation of state-of-the-art spectrometers and sample environments enabled the first experimental observation of plastic ice VII at high temperatures and pressures.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Chinese scientists find key genes to fight against crop parasites

Researchers have identified two ABCG family SL transporter genes, SbSLT1 and SbSLT2, responsible for sorghum's resistance to Striga. Knocking out these genes inhibits SL secretion, preventing Striga germination and infestation. This breakthrough has wide-ranging applications in enhancing parasitic plant resistance across various crops.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 12, 2025

Gene variant could protect against ultra-rare seizure disorder, fruit fly research finds

Researchers at the University of Utah Health have identified a gene variant called CNTN2 that may protect against PIGA-CDG, an ultra-rare genetic disease causing seizures and developmental delays. This finding could lead to better therapies for PIGA-CDG by targeting multiple genes involved in symptom severity.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Pennington Biomedical researchers assemble comprehensive history of electronic health records and their role in medical research

A comprehensive review explores the evolution and application of electronic health records (EHRs) in medical research over the past 25 years. The study highlights significant advancements in data analysis, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine, while also discussing challenges such as data security and privacy.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 12, 2025

Study examines grief of zoo employees and volunteers across the US after animal losses

A recent study by researchers from Colorado State University and Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance found that poor grief support in some US zoos leaves staff feeling limited empathy from leadership, burned out, and unable to openly express their grief. The research emphasizes the importance of developing comprehensive grief-affirming po...

SourceCABI·JournalHuman-Animal Interactions·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

ChatGPT has the potential to improve psychotherapeutic processes

A study published in PLOS Mental Health found that ChatGPT's responses were generally rated higher than those written by therapists, particularly in terms of core psychotherapy guiding principles. The AI model was also found to contextualize more extensively, leading respondents to rate its responses higher on common therapy components.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Global warming and mass extinctions: What we can learn from plants from the last ice age

Researchers used ancient plant DNA to study the impact of global warming on plant diversity and interactions. They found that temperature changes led to fundamental shifts in ecological conditions, with some plant species supporting each other during cold periods.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Mpox: a better understanding of tecovirimat resistance

Researchers at the Institut Pasteur have gained a better understanding of how mpox variants become resistant to tecovirimat. They found that the drug works by binding two phospholipases together, preventing viral particles from spreading. This knowledge will help develop new antiviral treatments effective across all mpox strains.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 12, 2025

Extensive study on telemedicine for diabetes and coronary heart disease – Senior author concludes: "The hype around medical apps needs to be put into perspective"

A large study found that telemedicine and training apps had minimal positive effects on patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. The study suggests that direct care from medical professionals remains crucial for improving health outcomes in this population.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 12, 2025

Type 1 diabetes: Hybrid closed-loop and open-loop systems compared

A study comparing hybrid closed-loop and open-loop systems in young people with type 1 diabetes found that hybrid closed-loop systems offered improved long-term blood sugar values, a lower risk of hypoglycemic coma, but a higher rate of diabetic ketoacidosis. The results suggest that hybrid closed-loop therapies may be beneficial for i...

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with alcohol use disorder

Researchers found that low-dose semaglutide can reduce craving and some drinking outcomes in adults with alcohol use disorder, providing initial prospective evidence for its potential as a treatment. Larger clinical trials are needed to fully evaluate the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for this condition.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateFeb 12, 2025

New research finds that certain packaging materials can show 70% lower emissions than alternatives

Researchers at Michigan State University found that polyethylene (PE) packaging can have an average life cycle global warming potential savings of approximately 70% compared to commonly used packaging materials. This is due to PE's lower fossil resource use, GWP, water scarcity and mineral resource use in most applications.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateFeb 12, 2025

Research spotlight: Mapping lesions that cause psychosis to a human brain circuit and proposed stimulation target

Studies identified 153 cases of psychosis caused by brain lesions, which connected to a common circuit in the hippocampus. The circuit, including the rostromedial prefrontal cortex, is a promising target for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, potentially improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateFeb 12, 2025

Splicing twins: unravelling the secrets of the minor spliceosome complex

Researchers in the Galej Group at EMBL Grenoble have provided new structural insights into the U11 snRNP subunit of the minor spliceosome, revealing its ability to specifically identify rare substrates. The study sheds light on the complex assembly pathway of the minor spliceosome, which is critical for processing minor introns in genes.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Overcoming nicotine withdrawal: Clues found in neural mechanisms of the brain

Researchers have identified striatal cholinergic interneurons as key players in nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Administering a single dose of an FDA-approved Parkinson's disease drug, Procyclidine, significantly alleviated tremors caused by nicotine withdrawal. This study suggests a promising new treatment option for smoking cessation.

Research spotlight: Projecting the impact of funding cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

A study projects the impact of PEPFAR funding cuts on South Africa, finding that eliminating funding would lead to significant increases in HIV infections and related deaths. The analysis highlights the devastating consequences of abrupt funding cuts, including a $1.7 billion increase in healthcare expenditure.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 11, 2025