ScienceDaily: All - January 03, 2024
Today's top research news
Many bacterial pathogens use small injection apparatuses to manipulate the cells of their hosts, such as humans, so that they can spread throughout the body. To do this, they need to fill their syringes with the relevant injection agent. A technique that tracks the individual movement of proteins revealed how bacteria accomplish this challenging task.
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Reprogrammed fat cells support tumor growth
Mutations of the tumor suppressor p53 not only have a growth-promoting effect on the cancer cells themselves, but also influence the cells in the tumor's microenvironment. Scientists have now shown that p53-mutated mouse breast cancer cells reprogram fat cells. The manipulated fat cells create an inflammatory microenvironment, impairing the immune response against the tumor and thus promoting cancer growth.
Early primates likely lived in pairs
Primate social organization is more flexible than previously assumed. According to a new study, the first primates probably lived in pairs, while only around 15 percent of individuals were solitary.
Foundation laid for improved diagnostic imaging of brain tumors
Research team draws up criteria for PET-based examinations of malignant brain tumors.
New reasons eating less fat should be one of your resolutions
A new study to motivate your New Year's resolutions: it demonstrates that high-fat diets negatively impact genes linked not only to obesity, colon cancer and irritable bowels, but also to the immune system and brain function.
Potency of synthetic antibiotic against serious chronic infections
A new synthetic antibiotic is shown to be more effective than established drugs against 'superbugs' such as MRSA, a new study shows.
Researchers boost signal amplification in perovskite nanosheets
Perovskite nanosheets show distinctive characteristics with significant applications in science and technology. In a recent study, researchers achieved enhanced signal amplification in CsPbBr3 perovskite nanosheets with a unique waveguide pattern, which enhanced both gain and thermal stability. These advancements carry wide-ranging implications for laser, sensor, and solar cell applications, and can potentially influence areas like environmental monitoring, industrial processes, and healthcare.
Acetaminophen use during pregnancy linked to language delays in children
Acetaminophen is considered the safest over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer available during pregnancy. Studies have shown that 50%-65% of women in North America and Europe take acetaminophen during pregnancy. A new study explored the relationship between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and language outcomes in early childhood. It found that increasing acetaminophen use was associated with language delays.
Nature-inspired advanced materials achieves 99.6% solar reflectivity
Scientific researchers draw inspiration from nature's brilliance as they seek to develop transformative solutions to unresolved challenges.
Midbrain awakens gift of gab in chatty midshipman fish
For talkative midshipman fish -- sometimes called the 'California singing fish' -- the midbrain plays a robust role in initiating and patterning of sounds used in vocal communication.
Researchers identify path to prevent cognitive decline after radiation
Researchers find that microglia --the brain's immune cells -- can trigger cognitive deficits after radiation exposure and may be a key target for preventing these symptoms.
Human beliefs about drugs could have dose-dependent effects on the brain
Mount Sinai researchers have shown for the first time that a person's beliefs related to drugs can influence their own brain activity and behavioral responses in a way comparable to the dose-dependent effects of pharmacology.
Chronic childhood ear infections delay language development
The temporary, repeated hearing loss caused by chronic ear infections can affect language skills years later.
Better microelectronics from coal
Coal is an abundant resource in the United States that has, unfortunately, contributed to climate change through its use as a fossil fuel. As the country transitions to other means of energy production, it will be important to consider and reevaluate coal's economic role. Coal may actually play a vital role in next-generation electronic devices.
Epilepsy drug shows promise in slowing joint degeneration in osteoarthritis
Researchers have identified a drug target that may alleviate joint degeneration associated with osteoarthritis, a debilitating condition that afflicts as many as 30 million people in the United States alone. Pain relievers and lifestyle changes, such as exercise and reduced excess weight, have long been the therapies most commonly used to treat the joint stiffness and pain caused by degenerative disease, but there is a pressing need for therapies that can prevent joint breakdown that occurs in osteoarthritis.
Researchers have fabricated a new high-performance shortwave infrared (SWIR) image sensor based on non-toxic colloidal quantum dots. They report on a new method for synthesizing functional high-quality non-toxic colloidal quantum dots integrable with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology.
Re-calibrating the sail plan for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders in ocean sciences
In Hawaii and across much of Oceania, Pacific Islanders celebrate the connections between their islands and the ocean that surrounds them.
A previously unidentified genetic mutation in a small protein provides significant protection against Parkinson's disease and offers a new direction for exploring potential treatments, according to a new study.
'Juvenile T. rex' fossils are a distinct species of small tyrannosaur
A new analysis of fossils believed to be juveniles of T. rex now shows they were adults of a small tyrannosaur, with narrower jaws, longer legs, and bigger arms than T. rex. The species, Nanotyrannus lancensis, was first named decades ago but later reinterpreted as a young T. rex. The new study shows Nanotyrannus was a smaller, longer-armed relative of T. rex, with a narrower snout.
First dive survey of Lake Tahoe's lakebed finds high amounts of plastic and other litter
Plastic litter is a growing problem around the world, and new research shows that the bottom of Lake Tahoe is no exception. In one of the first studies to utilize scuba divers to collect litter from a lakebed, 673 plastic items were counted from just a small fraction of the lake.