News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Dr. Himabindu Vidula will lead the American College of Cardiology's (ACC) Board of Governors for a one-year term, focusing on membership engagement and community outreach. Her goal is to strengthen how the ACC serves its members and the broader cardiovascular care community.
This special issue highlights photonics developments in Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, India, and China, showcasing regional growth and progress. The papers emphasize the importance of global cooperation and collaboration to address challenges and seize opportunities in the field.
Scientists from Kessler Foundation received significant research grants to explore the social determinants of health among racial/ethnic groups during wheelchair breakdowns. The studies aim to understand the impact of transportation insecurity on individuals with chronic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).
A new study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that 21.9% of people with cancer participate in some form of clinical research, including treatment trials and biorepository studies. Enrollment in treatment trials was particularly high at National Cancer Institute-designated centers.
The journal features five original articles from Kennedy Krieger faculty members, providing actionable insights on caring for children with autism. The volume addresses a significant gap in resources for pediatric clinicians and researchers globally.
University of Virginia researchers have identified a single gene on the Y chromosome that can account for the disease-promoting effects of Y chromosome loss. This discovery provides new avenues for understanding the causes of heart disease and could lead to a treatment for men with Y chromosome loss.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have developed a novel method to create grafts that accurately replicate the human ear's anatomy and biomechanical properties. The new technique uses 3D printing and tissue engineering to produce cartilage-containing structures that mimic the ear's shape, flexibility, and elasticity.
A large study found that drinking more than one drink per day can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, especially among young to middle-aged women. The risk was highest among those who engaged in binge drinking, with women facing a 68% higher risk compared to moderate drinkers.
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a new method for analyzing walking and gait using free software and cellphone videos. This approach is more accessible and quicker than current state-of-the-art methods, enabling clinicians to assess patients' walking abilities more conveniently.
Kessler Foundation has received two grants to improve cognitive assessment for traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients and pilot-test a nationwide personal assistance services survey. The grants will support innovative research, including a hands-free eye-tracker-based cognitive assessment and a survey to assess the impact of perso...
Researchers at UVA Health discovered a potential explanation for long COVID symptoms by identifying 'abzymes' that act like enzymes regulating important bodily functions. This discovery could lead to new treatments targeting these rogue antibodies to alleviate acute effects of COVID-19 and its complications.
Researchers found that trying to stifle boredom prolongs its effects and that alternating boring and meaningful tasks helps prevent the negative impact on productivity. Boredom serves an important purpose, signaling the need for change, but ignoring it can lead to decreased productivity.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that neighborhoods with more adversity have up to twice the increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The research highlights the complex interplay between social and environmental factors on health outcomes.
The UK has committed $58.8 million to support the development of the EIC's detector and accelerator infrastructure, a seven-year international collaboration. The EIC aims to study the building blocks of nature, including quarks and gluons, to gain insights into the universe.
The nTIDE March 2024 deeper dive reveals a reduction in the gender employment gap among individuals with disabilities, but women with disabilities still face lower wages and undervalued positions. The data suggests that women are more likely to be disabled due to COVID-19, which may explain the trend.
Researchers found that nontraditional stroke risk factors like migraines are as important as traditional risk factors like high blood pressure for adults younger than ages 35-45. The association between stroke and nontraditional stroke risk factors was stronger in adults younger than 35 years old.
Claire Célérier, a finance professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, has received the 2024 IEF/SCOR Foundation for Science Best Young Researcher Award. Her research explores how finance can benefit households and addresses topics such as innovation, diversity, and inclusion.
A mixed-methods study examines the challenges faced by independent family physicians in urban communities, who serve socially vulnerable patients with limited support from healthcare entities. The researchers propose that health equity-focused policies and new payment models could help these practices stay afloat.
Researchers found that individuals with a single mutated copy of the MUTYH gene have a modest increase in susceptibility to a subset of solid tumors, including adrenal gland cancers and pancreatic islet cell tumors. This suggests that MUTYH variants may be involved in a broader range of cancers than previously known.
Researchers identified three key factors influencing fathers' assessments: completion of life milestones, cognitive-social emotional maturity, and preparedness to have sex safely. This study offers practical suggestions for engaging fathers in primary care to promote adolescent male correct and consistent condom use.
Kessler Foundation and collaborators win $1 million prize for proof-of-concept study on tablet-type controller StimXS, designed to help individuals with spinal cord injuries manage autonomic functions. The team advances to Phase 3 of the NIH Common Fund's Neuromod Prize competition.
A study by Lund University researchers has identified the protein C3 as a protector of insulin-producing cells, providing hope for new treatments. The protein was found to shield cells from damage and death when present inside the cells, offering a potential target for therapies aimed at treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The Integrating Finance & Biodiversity for a Nature Positive programme aims to build knowledge, tools, and collaboration to support sustainable investments. By incorporating biodiversity impact into financial decision-making, the programme seeks to reduce the global economy's damage and improve sustainability.
Researchers have identified a gene responsible for the development of starvation-induced fatty liver in cavefish, which are able to protect their liver due to reduced fat accumulation. This genetic basis has implications for understanding and addressing liver conditions in humans, including Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Researchers mapped the evolution of urinary tract cancer cells using single-cell resolution, revealing stable molecular characteristics despite metastasis. The study provides new avenues for personalized treatment strategies and targeted therapies.
A new technique for producing polymer solid electrolytes has been developed, eliminating the need for vacuum heat treatment and increasing production speed by 13-fold. This method ensures consistent thickness and surface quality of polymer solid electrolytes, ideal for battery production.
Researchers at Boston University have identified a signaling molecule, CKLF, that increases tumor aggression and suppresses anti-tumor immune responses in high-risk neuroblastoma. The study suggests disrupting CKLF represents a promising approach to battle certain tumors.
A new study published in the journal Stroke found that African American veterans with PTSD had a significantly higher risk of re-hospitalization after a stroke compared to those without PTSD. This was not observed among white veterans. The study highlights the importance of targeted care for high-risk populations and reducing modifiabl...
The FRONTIERS residency program received 33 applications from science journalists interested in a three to five month research residency in the EU or associated country. Applications will be evaluated by a committee and results announced in May 2024.
Communications of the ACM has been revamped as a web-first, open-access publication, enabling rapid article publication and enhanced reader experience. The new model aims to increase engagement with the broader computer science community, expand author reach, and showcase cutting-edge ideas and research.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that digital nudges can improve collaborative processes such as skill use and task strategy. However, nudges that focus on feedback or task assignments can have negative effects on collective intelligence.
The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine has presented seven Next Generation fellowship awards to promising early career professionals in medical genetics and genomics. The recipients include Xueyang Pan, Bianca Seminotti, and Adriel Yejin Kim, who will support their research projects with corporate donations from Pfizer, S...
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have developed a novel approach to identify cancer-causing repeats in DNA sequences, enabling non-invasive detection and monitoring of cancers. The ARTEMIS method uses machine learning to analyze cell-free DNA and distinguish between tumor and normal tissues with high accuracy.
Researchers at UNIST have unveiled a new principle of motion in liquid crystals, where objects can move in a directed manner by changing their sizes periodically. The discovery has far-reaching implications for the development of miniature robots and advances research in complex fluids.
Christiana Wang, a second-year PhD candidate, has been awarded the prestigious award for her platform presentation on antisense oligonucleotide therapy for a dominant negative SPTAN1 pathogenic variant. Her research aims to develop individualized therapy for treating rare genetic disorders.
The T2oFu method offers a new approach to quantitative phase and polarization-sensitive tomography, enabling high-contrast images of muscle fibers with implications for diagnosing skeletal myopathies. The technique has been successfully tested on heart tissue samples with cardiac amyloidosis, providing promising results.
Researchers at UNIST have developed a groundbreaking technology that enables the real-time display of colors and shapes through changes in nanostructures. Utilizing block copolymers, they achieved the self-assembly of photonic crystal structures on a large scale, mimicking natural phenomena observed in butterfly wings and bird feathers.
Researchers at UVA Health System have discovered genetic clues that may help identify people at risk of cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis. The study identified 20 locations on chromosomes that influence protein production, shedding light on why smooth muscle cells sometimes are beneficial and sometimes harmful.
A new study finds that Latinx children with unreliable access to food at age 4 are nearly four times more likely to develop fatty liver disease later. The researchers recommend earlier screening for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and ensuring public meal programs offer nutritious meals.
A new study found that more than half of American Indian teens had high levels of cholesterol, with nearly two-thirds of young adults experiencing the same issue. The study suggests a need for early screening and treatment to prevent premature heart disease.
Researchers propose a new theory explaining how some white dwarfs remain hot for billions of years, contradicting the standard picture of cooling. The theory suggests buoyant crystals form in the star's interior, disrupting its cooling process and releasing gravitational energy.
A large study found that adults who drank two liters or more of sugar- or artificially sweetened drinks per week had a higher risk of irregular heart rhythms. In contrast, drinking one liter or less of pure, unsweetened juice was associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation.
The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) has announced its 2024 Global Healthcare Innovation Competition at Web Summit, open to visionary entrepreneurs and health-focused startups. Winners will receive an invitation to showcase their innovations at WISH 2024, investment awards, and access to industry experts.
A Texas A&M professor will lead a team in evaluating the distribution and potential hazard of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in East Palestine, Ohio, using a mobile platform. The research aims to inform response methods to measuring air quality following environmental disasters.
A recent study by Flinders University found that parents are conflicted and concerned about zero-alcohol drinks due to their similarity in taste and appearance. The research suggests that providing these drinks to adolescents may normalize alcohol consumption, leading to increased risks of harm.
Researchers observed an individual orca, nicknamed Starboard, killing a 2.5-meter juvenile great white shark within two minutes. The study challenges conventional cooperative hunting behaviors among killer whales, providing new insights into their predatory dynamics and potential impact on marine ecosystems.
Researchers found that faulty mtDNA replication causes mitochondria to leak genetic material, triggering an immune response and leading to disease. By targeting this process, doctors may develop therapies to prevent harmful inflammation.
The EU-funded BiCIKL project has developed a flagship outcome - the Biodiversity Knowledge Hub - a one-stop portal for understanding biodiversity research infrastructures. The consortium has also created 12 services dedicated to FAIR and linked ready-to-use biodiversity data.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement highlights the value of AI technology in improving cardiovascular disease patient outcomes. Despite its potential, AI applications face gaps and challenges, including robust clinical validation and addressing biases.
A breakthrough metamaterial has been developed to enable real-time shape and property control, surpassing existing materials' limitations. The material's adaptable capabilities make it suitable for applications in robotics and other fields requiring flexibility.
A new study found that frequent cannabis use is associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, even after controlling for tobacco use and other cardiovascular risk factors. The study analyzed data from over 430,000 adults in the US and found that smoking cannabis was significantly linked to cardiovascular risks.
SEIS-UK, a seismic monitoring facility at University of Leicester, has received £2 million funding over 7 years to continue providing state-of-the-art equipment to UK researchers and their global collaborators. This investment supports high-quality research in earth and environmental sciences.
Scientists studied thousands of public photos to track humpback whale populations, finding they're responding to food availability changes affected by climate change. The population declined by 7,000 individuals from 2012 to 2021 due to a massive marine heatwave and reduced prey.
Researchers at UCSF have identified AF1q as a universal biomarker for neuroblastoma, a highly aggressive and fatal form of childhood cancer. High-risk cases have a five-year survival rate of just 50%. The study found that silencing AF1q in neuroblastoma cells induces cell death and weakens tumor progression.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine found that patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) respond similarly to those with drug-sensitive TB when treated with bedaquiline-based second-line medications. The study suggests that treatment duration for drug-resistant TB may be shortened, potentially reducing mortality rates.
A new study found that living close to pubs, bars, and fast-food restaurants is associated with a higher risk of heart failure. The study, which analyzed data from over 500,000 adults in the UK, also found that proximity and density of ready-to-eat food outlets were linked to an elevated risk of heart failure.
Researchers at Aston University will explore gel electrolyte materials to improve lithium-ion batteries' safety and environmental sustainability. The project aims to replace harmful components with renewable ionogels, addressing the need for scalable methods of storing electrical energy.
Researchers created novel gene editing enzymes with improved precision, reducing off-target RNA edits by over 99%. The technology has potential applications in treating mitochondrial genetic diseases and may lead to transformative treatments within the next five years.
A new study from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research has discovered that sea lampreys and humans share an remarkably similar molecular and genetic toolkit in their hindbrain development. The research found a crucial molecular cue, retinoic acid, to be involved in both species' brain stem formation.
A new study reveals that utilization of PCSK9 inhibitors is low among high-risk patients, despite extensive evidence documenting their role in LDL-C reduction and the prevention of heart attacks. The study found that insurance coverage rejection or abandonment leads to significantly more cardiovascular events within 12 months.