ScienceDaily: All - June 15, 2024
Today's top research news
Gonadal function in male mice disrupted by prenatal risk factors
Researchers have consistently shown that prenatal exposure to Di (2-ethyhexyl) phthalate harms the reproductive system in male mice and causes fertility defects. In a new study, scientists have shown that the combination of DEHP and a high-fat diet in pregnant mice can cause more damage to pups than each factor alone.
Scientists solve decades long mystery of NLRC5 sensor function in cell death
A new study identifies NLRC5 as an innate immune sensor that plays a crucial role in PANoptotic cell death -- making it a key therapeutic target.
Quantum entanglement measures Earth rotation
Researchers carried out a pioneering experiment where they measured the effect of the rotation of Earth on quantum entangled photons. The work represents a significant achievement that pushes the boundaries of rotation sensitivity in entanglement-based sensors, potentially setting the stage for further exploration at the intersection between quantum mechanics and general relativity.
Image: around_the_whole_world/Shutterstock.com
Researchers use large language models to help robots navigate
A technique can plan a trajectory for a robot using only language-based inputs. While it can't outperform vision-based approaches, it could be useful in settings that lack visual data to use for training.
New approach to identifying altermagnetic materials
An international team has discovered a spectrum characteristic of an altermagnetic material with X-ray magnetic circular dichroism.
A liquid crystal source of photon pairs
Spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC), as a source of entangled photons, is of great interest for quantum physics and quantum technology, but so far it could be only implemented in solids. Researchers have demonstrated, for the first time, SPDC in a liquid crystal. The results open a path to a new generation of quantum sources: efficient and electric-field tunable.
A new weapon in the battle against antibiotic resistance: Temperature
Scientists have shown in laboratory experiments that an increase in temperature from 37 to 40 degrees Celsius increased the resistance rate for two antimicrobials, while for a third antimicrobial, the higher temperature reduced the resistance rate. If these results can be replicated in human patients, fever control could be a new way to mitigate the emergence of antibiotic resistance.
Vitamin B6: New compound delays degradation
A low vitamin B6 level has negative effects on brain performance. A research team has now found a way to delay the degradation of the vitamin.
Layers of carbon atoms in a honeycomb array are a true supermaterial: their unusually high conductivity and favorable mechanical properties could further the development of bendable electronics, new batteries, and innovative composite materials for aeronautics and space flight. However, the development of elastic and tough films remains a challenge. A research team has now introduced a method to overcome this hurdle: they linked graphene nanolayers via 'extendable' bridging structures.
The genetic 'switches' of bone growth
In mammals, only 3% of the genome consists of coding genes which, when transcribed into proteins, ensure the biological functions of the organism and the in-utero development of future individuals. But genes do not function alone. They are controlled by other sequences in the genome, called enhancers, which, like switches, activate or deactivate them as required. A team has now identified and located 2700 enhancers -- among millions of non-coding genetic sequences -- that precisely regulate the genes responsible for bone growth. This discovery sheds light on one of the major factors influencing the size of individuals in adulthood, and explains why their failure could be the cause of certain bone malformations.
Self-assembling and disassembling swarm molecular robots via DNA molecular controller
Researchers have succeeded in developing a DNA-based molecular controller. Crucially, this controller enables the autonomous assembly and disassembly of molecular robots, as opposed to manually directing it.
Ultrasensitive liquid biopsy tech spots cancer earlier than standard methods
An artificial intelligence-powered method for detecting tumor DNA in blood has shown unprecedented sensitivity in predicting cancer recurrence. The new technology has the potential to improve cancer care with the very early detection of recurrence and close monitoring of tumor response during therapy.
Successful trial for new colorectal cancer treatment
Results from a new phase 1 trial indicate that immunotherapy could be used to treat the most common form of colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer. Consistent responses to immunotherapy have been reported in patients with the most common type of colorectal tumors, known as MSS mCRC, with 61% of patients seeing their tumor shrink or remain stable after receiving treatment.
Study on architecture of heart offers new understanding of human evolution
An international research team has uncovered a new insight into human evolution by comparing humans' hearts with those of other great apes.
Tiny New Zealand bird delivers a lesson in birdsong evolution
Scientists are rethinking the evolution of vocal learning in birds. New Zealand's smallest bird, the rifleman or titipounamu, may have a rudimentary version of the talent possessed by parrots, hummingbirds and songbirds.
Concrete-nitrogen mix may provide major health and environment benefits
Adding nitrogen to concrete could significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases created by the construction industry.
New approach against fatty liver
Fatty liver disease (steatotic liver disease, SLD for short) is increasingly causing failure of the liver as a vital organ. A team led by researchers has now discovered that a saturated fatty acid in blood vessels leads to the production of the signalling molecule SEMA3A, which closes the 'windows' in the blood vessels. This hinders the transport of fat from the liver to the adipose tissue. The researchers report that the windows open again and the fat in the liver is reduced when SEMA3A is inhibited.
New and crucial role discovered for a protein in the body's immunity against cancer
Researchers have found a new function for an existing protein. They discovered that TIMP-1, a protein traditionally known to prevent damage to the body's cells and tissues, plays a critical role in the immune system's defense against cancer. The findings of the study could improve the effectiveness of current cancer immunotherapies.
A team of researchers has shown for the first time that fasting can reprogram the metabolism of natural killer cells, helping them to survive in the harsh environment in and around tumors, while also improving their cancer-fighting ability.
Sharks have depleted functional diversity compared to the last 66 million years
New research has found that sharks retained high levels of functional diversity for most of the last 66 million years, before steadily declining over the last 10 million years to its lowest value in the present day.
Infectious H5N1 influenza virus in raw milk rapidly declines with heat treatment
The amount of infectious H5N1 influenza viruses in raw milk rapidly declined with heat treatment in laboratory research. However, small, detectable amounts of infectious virus remained in raw milk samples with high virus levels when treated at 72 degrees Celsius (161.6 degrees Fahrenheit) for 15 seconds -- one of the standard pasteurization methods used by the dairy industry. The authors of the study stress, however, that their findings reflect experimental conditions in a laboratory setting and are not identical to large-scale industrial pasteurization processes for raw milk.
Global trial confirms benefit of antacids on bleeding prevention for ventilated patients
Critically ill patients are at risk of stress-induced upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Now, a global trial confirms that a widely available drug does prevent upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Low-sodium alternatives can lead to major health gains in Indonesia
Excess sodium intake and a lack of potassium are major contributing factors towards high blood pressure in Indonesia, prompting calls for low-sodium potassium-rich salt substitutes (LSSS) to be readily available to improve health and curb health costs.
AI can help doctors make better decisions and save lives
A recent study found that hospitalized patients were 43 percent more likely to have their care escalated and significantly less likely to die if their care team received AI-generated alerts signaling adverse changes in their health.
Does exercise in greenspace boost the individual health benefits of each?
Research suggests exercising in a park or other natural setting is more beneficial than exercising indoors.
New insights into the brain regions involved in paranoia
The capacity to adjust beliefs about one's actions and their consequences in a constantly changing environment is a defining characteristic of advanced cognition. Disruptions to this ability, however, can negatively affect cognition and behavior, leading to such states of mind as paranoia, or the belief that others intend to harm us. In a new study, scientists uncover how one specific region of the brain might causally provoke these feelings of paranoia. Their novel approach -- which involved aligning data collected from monkeys with human data -- also offers a new cross-species framework through which scientists might better understand human cognition through the study of other species.
Sweaty cattle may boost food security in a warming world
Climate change is making it more difficult to raise cattle -- growth and reproduction are affected by heat -- so it's critical to breed cattle better adapted to a hotter and longer summer. A new study shows it's possible to identify the genes within breeds of cattle that would lead to the sweatiest, heat-tolerant offspring.
Making ferromagnets ready for ultra-fast communication and computation technology
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in how to enable and exploit ultra-fast spin behavior in ferromagnets. The research paves the way for ultra-high frequency applications.
Lab achieves major gains in perovskite solar cell stability
Researchers have developed new chemistry to achieve commercially relevant stability and performance for perovskite solar cells.