ScienceDaily: All - August 30, 2024
Today's top research news
PFAS-free synthesis of fluorinated pharmaceutical and agrochemical compounds
Chemists have developed a method to furnish a range of molecules with a trifluoromethyl group attached to a sulfur, nitrogen or oxygen atom. Their procedure avoids the use of PFAS reagents. It thus provides an environmentally friendly synthesis route for pharmaceutical and agrochemical compounds that rely on the presence of the trifluoromethyl group.
Researchers attempted to emulate a clinical trial using data from real patients
Researchers used real-world clinical data to attempt to emulate a randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of two blood thinners, apixaban and warfarin, to prevent stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The study provides a method to explore the effects of treatments in patients who are underrepresented or excluded from clinical trials.
Researchers predict that 12.7% of marine teleost fish species are at risk of extinction, up fivefold from the International Union for Conservation of Nature's prior estimate of 2.5%. Their report includes nearly 5,000 species that did not receive an IUCN conservation status due to insufficient data.
Image: David Carbo/Shutterstock.com
Ancient gene gives spiders their narrow waist
An ancient gene is crucial for the development of the distinctive waist that divides the spider body plan in two, according to a new study.
How a salt giant radically reshaped Mediterranean marine biodiversity
A new study paves the way to understanding biotic recovery after an ecological crisis in the Mediterranean Sea about 5.5 million years ago. Researchers have now been able to quantify how marine biota was impacted by the salinization of the Mediterranean: Only 11 percent of the endemic species survived the crisis, and the biodiversity did not recover for at least another 1.7 million years.
Bacteria able to overcome cost of vancomycin resistance in lab setting
Staphylococcus aureus has the potential to develop durable vancomycin resistance, according to a new study.
Smart mask monitors breath for signs of health
Researchers have developed a prototype for a smart mask that can be used to monitor a range of medical conditions, including respiratory ailments, such as asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and post-COVID-19 infections.
Getting the stink out of smoke-tainted wine
Wildfires can damage crops, even if flames come nowhere near the plants. One outcome can be an unpleasant flavor and smell of wine that is made from grapes exposed to smoke. But researchers say that they have developed a way to lessen this smoke taint to improve the palatability of the wine.
Combo immunotherapy produces distinct waves of cancer-fighting T cells with each dose
A new tool for monitoring immune health patterns over time reveals how a pair of checkpoint inhibitor therapies works together to recruit new cancer-fighting T cells with every infusion.
Finding new targets for blocking chronic hepatitis
Researchers revealed how certain liver cells contribute to inflammatory responses underlying chronic hepatitis. Using mouse and cell culture models, they observed increased levels of inflammatory genes, including signaling molecules called chemokines, when hepatic stellate cells did not express a protein known as A20. By inhibiting another protein called DCLK1, A20 decreases chemokine levels and thereby suppresses chronic hepatitis. A20 has potential involvement in novel therapeutic development for liver disease.
Agricultural impact of flooding
Entomology professor Esther Ngumbi studies how flooding affects crop plants and the insects that feed on them. She argues in a new review that flooding is a largely overlooked factor in studies meant to climate-proof plants.
Catching up on sleep on weekends may lower heart disease risk by up to 20%
Modern lifestyles mean many people are sleep deprived on work or school days, and try to 'catch-up' with compensatory sleep on weekends. A new study of more than 90,000 individuals showed that those who had the most catch-up sleep on weekends had a 20% lower risk of developing heart disease than those with the least.
Scientists working to understand why men with prostate cancer are at higher risk of Alzheimer's
Researchers are searching for a better way to understand why many men with prostate cancer end up with Alzheimer's disease, and whether it's the standard hormone therapy treatment or an overactive immune response that actually contributes to the problem.
Ancient sea cow attacked by a crocodile and sharks sheds new light on prehistoric food chains
A new study showing how a prehistoric sea cow was preyed upon by not one, but two different carnivores -- a crocodilian and a shark -- is revealing clues into both the predation tactics of ancient creatures and the wider food chain millions of years ago.
Dine on DNA: Compounds from nucleic acids in food show anticancer effects
A research team has found that compounds in the nucleic acids derived from food can inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells.
Children contribute to group projects when there are clear and common goals
A new study examined children's responses during a game where targets could only be achieved by working together. The study's authors say the findings provide valuable insights into how groups of people can work together to overcome communal challenges, and demonstrate the effectiveness of setting clear and unambiguous targets.
A breakthrough in chiral molecule research opens new horizons for science
Scientists have made a significant leap forward in the field of chiral molecules. The team achieved near-complete separation in quantum states for these essential components of life.
New chemical tool for infection research: Visualizing the sphingomyelin metabolism
Researchers resent a new molecule for visualizing the sphingomyelin metabolism. This offers prospects for innovative therapeutic approaches in infection research.
Global timber supply threatened as climate change pushes cropland northwards
Climate change will move and reduce the land suitable for growing food and timber, putting the production of these two vital resources into direct competition, a new study has found.
Researchers identify basic approaches for how people recognize words
Recognizing spoken words is a split-second competition, and a new study defines how people approach that competition and ultimately recognize words. The researchers identified three main approaches by which people of all ages -- including those who use cochlear implants to hear -- recognize spoken language.
Can fungi turn food waste into the next culinary sensation?
Fungi can transform plant and animal products into delicious foods like cheese, miso and beer. A researcher argues that a type of filamentous mold -- Neurospora intermedia -- could also turn food waste into culinary treats. Currently, only Indonesians have discovered this secret; they grow the mold on leftover soy pulp from making tofu to create oncom. A new study suggests that it can transform many types of food waste into novel and tasty foods.
Gene therapy gets a turbo boost
For decades, scientists have dreamt of a future where genetic diseases, such as the blood clotting disorder hemophilia, could be a thing of the past. Gene therapy, the idea of fixing faulty genes with healthy ones, has held immense promise. But a major hurdle has been finding a safe and efficient way to deliver those genes. Researchers have now made a significant breakthrough in gene editing technology that could revolutionize how we treat genetic diseases.
Study reveals crucial role of mixing Atlantic and Arctic waters in global ocean circulation
A new study sheds light on the vital role that the mixing of Atlantic and Arctic waters plays in sustaining the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which is crucial for regulating Earth's climate.
Borderzone Breakthrough: A new source of cardiac inflammation
Researchers report the discovery of a novel mechanism of cardiac inflammation that may expand therapeutic opportunities to prevent heart attacks from becoming heart failure.
New model to enhance extreme rainfall prediction
Scientists have developed new guidance and tools that could significantly improve the prediction of life-threatening flash flooding.
Labor day crowds temporarily impact local streams
Crowds flocking to rivers and streams over Labor Day weekend temporarily introduce chemicals and microscopic organisms into their local waterways. The research is the first holistic assessment of how recreation impacts streams. Findings also provide insight into the compounds and chemicals people splash around in when their favorite swimming spots are packed.
Researchers unveil scalable graphene technology to revolutionize battery safety and performance
Researchers have developed a pioneering technique for producing large-scale graphene current collectors. This breakthrough promises to significantly enhance the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), addressing a critical challenge in energy storage technology.
What's in the microbiome of the foods we eat?
Microbes are part of the food we eat and can influence our own microbiome, but we know very little about the microbes in our foods. Now, researchers have developed a database of the 'food microbiome' by sequencing the metagenomes of 2,533 different foods. They identified 10,899 food-associated microbes, half of which were previously unknown species, and showed that food-associated microbes account for around 3% of the adult and 56% of the infant gut microbiome on average.
Protein mutant stability can be inferred from AI-predicted structures
Researchers have taken a significant step forward in understanding the stability of proteins by leveraging the power of AI. The research team used AlphaFold2 to explore how mutations affect protein stability -- a crucial factor in ensuring proteins function correctly and do not cause diseases like Alzheimer's.
Neuroscientists explore the intersection of music and memory
New research explores music's impact on learning, memory, and emotions in two studies. One reveals that familiar music can enhance concentration and learning, while the other demonstrates that music with a strong emotional tone can reshape the quality of existing memories. These findings suggest that music could be used for therapeutic interventions for cognitive function, or in conditions like PTSD and depression.
Molecular mechanism behind MS and other autoimmune diseases
More than two decades ago, a research team discovered a type of T cell in humans that suppresses the immune system; they later found that these so-called regulatory T cells, when defective, are an underlying cause of autoimmune disease, specifically multiple sclerosis (MS). For many years, however, the mechanism behind this dysfunction has remained unclear. Now a team of researchers finds that this loss of immune regulation is triggered by an increase in PRDM1-S, a protein involved in immune function, triggering a dynamic interaction of multiple genetic and environmental factors, including high salt uptake. The findings also reveal a new target for a universal treatment for human autoimmune disease.
Drug may stop migraines before headache starts
When taken at the first signs of a migraine, before headache pain begins, a drug called ubrogepant may be effective in helping people with migraine go about their daily lives with little or no symptoms, according to a new study. The study focused on people with migraine who could tell when an attack was about to happen, due to early symptoms such as sensitivity to light and sound, fatigue, neck pain or stiffness, or dizziness.
To build a thriving electric vehicle market, prioritize equity and justice
When it comes to purchasing and using electric vehicles (EVs), housing- and income-related factors significantly shape perceptions and preferences among potential buyers, finds a new study. This research is among the first to examine both EV adoption and charging infrastructure through an equity lens coupled with state-of-the-art original survey data.
A researcher is developing a patent-pending platform technology called LENN that mimics the dual-layer structure of viruses to deliver nucleic acid (NA)-based therapies to targeted cancer cells.
Engineers develop all-in-one solution to catch and destroy 'forever chemicals'
The system combines an activated carbon filter with a special, patented catalyst that traps harmful chemicals and breaks them down into harmless components on the filter material.
A cellular community in the brain drives Alzheimer's disease
Analysis of 1.6 million brain cells from older adults has captured the cellular changes that occur in Alzheimer's early stages, revealing potential new targets and routes for prevention.
Advances in kidney cancer research and care
New insights into the biology of kidney cancer, including those informed by scientific discoveries that earned a Nobel Prize, have led to advances in treatment and increased survival rates.
Plant signaling pathways decoded
Using newly generated 'optogenetic' tobacco plants, research teams have investigated how plants process external signals.
Thermochromic material could make indoor temperature control more energy-efficient
Engineers have developed a smart material that could significantly enhance energy efficiency for indoor space cooling. The new thermochromic polymer blend has an estimated lifespan of 60 years and is lower cost than existing thermochromics.