ScienceDaily: All - February 21, 2025
Today's top research news
Scientists decode DNA of white oak tree
Highly valued economically, ecologically and culturally, the white oak (Quercus alba) is a keystone forest species and is one of the most abundant trees across much of eastern North America. It also faces declining seedling recruitment in many parts of its range. Researchers describe the species' complex genome, providing insights into fundamental questions about plant evolution, tree breeding and genetic improvement efforts that could help forest managers plan for and address future forest resources.
Groundbreaking study shows potential of new mRNA vaccine to help fight tuberculosis
A new vaccine that boosts immunity against tuberculosis (TB) has been shown to be effective in pioneering pre-clinical trials.
Closing the recycle loop: Waste-derived nutrients in liquid fertilizer
Researchers have succeeded in establishing a method for producing recycled liquid fertilizer that contains high concentrations of phosphorus.
Deep Nanometry reveals hidden nanoparticles
Researchers have developed Deep Nanometry, an analytical technique combining advanced optical equipment with a noise removal algorithm based on unsupervised deep learning. Deep Nanometry can analyze nanoparticles in medical samples at high speed, making it possible to accurately detect even trace amounts of rare particles. This has proven its potential for detecting extracellular vesicles indicating early signs of colon cancer, and it is hoped that it can be applied to other medical and industrial fields.
Blood pressure drug could be a safer alternative for treating ADHD symptoms
Repurposing amlodipine, a commonly used blood pressure medicine, could help manage attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, according to an international study.
Promising new class of antimalarial drugs discovered
Epigenetic inhibitors as a promising new antimalarial intervention strategy? A new study identifies an inhibitor of gene regulation that specifically kills the malaria pathogen.
Breakthrough study challenges long-held beliefs about the shape of atomic nuclei
An international research collaboration has overturned the long-standing belief that the atomic nucleus of lead-208 is perfectly spherical. The discovery challenges fundamental assumptions about nuclear structure and has far-reaching implications for our understanding of how the heaviest elements are formed in the universe.
In ancient stellar nurseries, some stars are born of fluffy clouds
Researchers have found that stars in the early universe may have formed from 'fluffy' molecular clouds. Using the ALMA telescope to observe the Small Magellanic Cloud -- whose environment is similar to the early universe -- they observed that about 60% of the observed clouds had the common filamentary structure, while the remaining 40% had a 'fluffy' shape. These results could provide new insights into the formation of stars in the universe.
Housing damage resulting from great east Japan earthquake and all-cause mortality
Scientists know that natural disasters have negative health effects on survivors, but long-term observations are lacking. To help fill this gap, a research team has investigated the connection between the degree of housing damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) and all-cause mortality. Using long-term observation periods, this research project shows no significant relationship between the degree of house damage and all-cause mortality.
People with certain heart conditions may play competitive sports, scientific statement suggests
Shared decision-making between clinicians and athletes of all ages who have cardiovascular abnormalities and want to participate in competitive sports is essential, according to a new joint scientific statement.
Biologists discover a new type of control over RNA splicing
Biologists have discovered a new type of RNA-splicing regulation that helps to determine which protein-coding exons will be included in messenger RNA transcripts.
Surprising finding for acid reducing drugs
Acid reducing medicines from the group of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are best-selling drugs that prevent and alleviate stomach problems. PPIs are activated in the acid-producing cells of the stomach, where they block acid production. Researchers made the surprising discovery that zinc-carrying proteins, which are found in all cells, can also activate PPIs -- without the presence of gastric acid. The result could be a key to understanding the side effects of PPIs.
Pushing the limits of 'custom-made' microscopy
Scientists developed a new microscope based on Brillouin scattering -- a phenomenon where light interacts with naturally occurring thermal vibrations within materials, from which their mechanical properties can be deduced. This method has since been used for non-invasive and live-imaging applications in biology.
Scientists call for efforts to protect habitats of critically endangered shark species
The whitefin swellshark has been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered for a number of years due to declines largely attributed to fishing practices. New research suggests it will be forced to move and adapt under the future ocean conditions presently forecast as a result of climate change, but that finding a new home may pose challenges.
Researchers develop novel computational approach for identifying synergistic drug combinations
Researchers have developed a powerful computational tool, named iDOMO, to improve the prediction of drug synergy and accelerate the development of combination therapies for complex diseases. The study highlights iDOMO's ability to identify synergistic drug combinations using gene expression data, outperforming existing methods.
Revolutionizing dynamic facial projection mapping: A leap forward in augmented reality
Dynamic facial projection mapping (DFPM) has reached new heights in speed and accuracy, with the development of a state-of-the-art system with groundbreaking innovations. The first breakthrough involved a hybrid detection technique combining different methods to detect facial landmarks in just 0.107 milliseconds. The researchers also proposed a way to simulate high-frame-rate video annotations to train their models and introduced a lens-shift co-axial projector-camera setup to reduce alignment errors, enabling smoother and more immersive projections.
Narcissists more likely to feel ostracized
Narcissists feel ostracized more frequently than their less self-absorbed peers, according to researchers. This may stem not only from being shunned due to their personalities but from a tendency to misinterpret ambiguous social signals as exclusion.
Another way longer paternity leaves help new parents
A longer paternity leave after the birth of a child can improve the co-parenting relationship between moms and dads in a key way, a new study finds. Researchers found that mothers were less likely to discourage fathers' involvement in parenting if the dads had taken more time off after their child was born.
A little movement could help prevent dementia, even for frail older adults, suggests a new study.
Turtles change nesting patterns in response to climate change
New research shows that turtles are responding to climate change by nesting earlier.
Continuing vs. discontinuing opioid medications prescriptions for adults with chronic pain
With the goal of informing clinician practice, a new study explores the harms and benefits of continuing and of discontinuing the long-term prescription of opioid medicines to adults with chronic pain.
Study suggests new molecular strategy for treating fragile X syndrome
A new study shows that enhancing activity of a specific component of 'NMDA' receptors normalizes protein synthesis, neural activity and seizure susceptibility in the hippocampus of fragile X lab mice.
Digging into a decades-old hepatitis B mystery suggests a new potential treatment
In their effort to answer a decades-old biological question about how the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is able to establish infection of liver cells, researchers have identified a vulnerability that opens the door to new treatments.
Big birds like emus are technical innovators, study shows
Large birds -- our closest relations to dinosaurs -- are capable of technical innovation, by solving a physical task to gain access to food.
Hidden genetic causes of congenital heart disease identified
Scientists have identified novel genetic interactions that may contribute to congenital heart disease (CHD), a common birth defect.
Scientists warn of increased mpox transmission
International researchers warn that the ongoing mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has the potential to spread across borders more rapidly. The mpox virus has mutated, and the new variant, clade 1b, has become more infectious.
Pulmonary fibrosis: Study targets proteins to reverse lung scarring
A discovery offers new hope in the battle against pulmonary fibrosis, a debilitating lung condition that progressively makes it harder for patients to breathe. Scientists have pinpointed proteins in immune cells that, when blocked, could significantly reduce lung tissue scarring.
Promising results from first prenatal therapy for spinal muscular atrophy
Scientists report results from a promising new approach to treat the rare neurodegenerative disorder.
Almost 90% of people would agree to genetic testing to tailor medication use, survey finds
New research shows almost 90% of people in England would agree to genetic testing to get the most effective medication and reduce the risk of side effects.
New therapeutic 'cocktails' may provide long-lasting relief for treatment-resistant asthma and other immune system inflammatory diseases.
Chlorine plus UV light degrades toxins caused by harmful algae blooms
Researchers say chlorine in combination with ultraviolet light works to degrade deadly toxins created by harmful algae blooms in drinking water.
Scientists identify a new cancer immunotherapy target: Dysfunctional B cells
Scientists have discovered a novel subset of cancer-fighting immune cells that reside outside of their normal neighborhood -- known as the tertiary lymphoid structure -- where they become frustratingly dysfunctional when in close contact with tumors.
Study reveals activity of navtemadlin in glioblastoma, points to possible treatment improvements
Clinical research suggests that combining a novel agent called navtemadlin with DNA-damaging chemotherapy for the treatment of glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, could increase efficacy. Navtemadlin is an MDM2 inhibitor that can help to kill cancer cells by boosting the activity of p53, a protein that controls cell growth and induces cell death in response to DNA damage. In lab experiments, the researchers found that navtemadlin was one of the best drugs at killing glioblastoma cells with intact, non-mutant p53.
Towards new battery tech: Chemists demonstrate high-performance sodium-ion cathode
For decades, scientists have sought ways to counter our dependence on lithium-ion batteries. These traditional, rechargeable batteries energize today's most ubiquitous consumer electronics -- from laptops to cell phones to electric cars. But raw lithium is expensive and is often sourced through fragile geopolitical networks. This month, chemists have announced an exciting alternative that relies on an organic, high-energy cathode material to make sodium-ion batteries, advancing the likelihood that this technology will find commercialization with safe, cheaper, more sustainable components.
A new way to observe electrons in motion
Electrons are incredibly fast. Because of their ultrafast motions, directly observing their behavior has been challenging. Now researchers have suggested a new method to make visualizing electron motion a reality.
For success in bioelectronics, build with nature-inspired design
Researchers have 3D printed bioelectronic scaffolds that have the properties cells need to form new tissue.