ScienceDaily: All - October 09, 2024
Today's top research news
A new article shares findings from an extensive literature analysis of AI's current trajectory in health care.
Atomic-level mechanism in polycrystalline materials
Researchers show that for the first time they have achieved atomic-scale observations of grain rotation in polycrystalline materials. Using state-of-the-art microscopy tools, the scientists were able to heat samples of platinum nanocrystalline thin films and observe the mechanism driving grain rotation in unprecedented detail.
Image: petrroudny43/Shutterstock.com
Team engineers new enzyme to produce synthetic genetic material
A research team describes how they engineered an efficient new enzyme that can produce a synthetic genetic material called threose nucleic acid. The ability to synthesize artificial chains of TNA, which is inherently more stable than DNA, advances the discovery of potentially more powerful, precise therapeutic options to treat cancer and autoimmune, metabolic and infectious diseases.
El Niño linked to accelerated ice loss in tropics
Natural climate patterns such as El Nino are causing tropical glaciers to lose their ice at an alarming rate, a new study has found.
Transition to a circular bioeconomy requires getting prices right
A circular bioeconomy that reduces and recycles waste, transitions away from fossil fuels to renewable bio-based alternatives, and regenerates natural systems is critical for feeding and fueling the world's growing population in environmentally sustainable ways. But it's a complicated concept, and significant questions remain about how it should be implemented and how to get buy-in from farmers, industry, and consumers in a market economy. A new paper by noted agricultural economists and scientists argues that the concept of a circular bioeconomy needs to expand beyond its technical focus on reducing waste and incorporate a values-based economic lens. The authors emphasize the need for the right policies, incentives, and market signals to persuade consumers and producers to make environmentally sound decisions -- and to help ensure that the system is equitable.
Oh my meniscus: Age poses risk of further knee injury in children
A research team evaluated the treatment outcomes for discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) with osteochondritis dissecans. Age was found to be a risk factor for osteochondritis dissecans relapse or post-operative occurrence, and surgery on patients ages 9 and under was found to be related to the occurrence of osteochondritis dissecans.
Adding fall blooming plants may help both managed and wild bees in cities
There are nearly 4,000 native bee species in the United States, contributing to pollination in agricultural, urban and natural landscapes. Honey bees, however, are not native to the U.S., which has led to concerns that managed honey bee populations might negatively impact wild bees via competition for resources and sharing of pathogens. However, the team recently found that of the 33 genera of native bees studied, only a small number seemed to be negatively affected by the presence of honey bees.
New seed fossil sheds light on wind dispersal in plants
Scientists have discovered one of the earliest examples of a winged seed, granting insight into the origin and early evolution of wind dispersal strategies in plants.
Asymmetric placebo effect in response to spicy food
The expectations humans have of a pleasurable sensation asymmetrically shape neuronal responses and subjective experiences to hot sauce, according to a new study.
Echoes in the brain: Why today's workout could fuel next week's bright idea
In a pioneering longitudinal study, researchers found that the everyday effects of sleep, exercise, heart rate and mood -- both good and bad -- could linger in our brains for over two weeks.
What we can learn from hungry yeast cells
Scientists have revealed a new cellular adaptation to starvation, in which the mitochondria of yeast cells get coated by ribosomes. Surprisingly, the ribosomes attach to the mitochondrial outer membrane with a very unusual 'upside-down' orientation. The discovery of this mechanism has potential implications for our understanding of how stressed cancer cells survive starvation.
Transition to low-carbon futures: New research uncovers rise in legal challenges to climate action
As the global push towards low-carbon societies accelerates, a new study reveals that justice concerns are increasingly surfacing in legal disputes over climate policies and projects. This phenomenon, described as 'just transition litigation', emphasizes the need to balance climate action with social justice considerations, ensuring that vulnerable communities are not disproportionately impacted.
New insights into ammonia decomposition
Using ammonia is regarded as a promising method of transporting hydrogen. However, an efficient process is also needed to convert it back into hydrogen and nitrogen.
One-time cooperation decisions unaffected by increased benefits to society
Until now, it was considered certain that people are more likely to cooperate if the benefits from cooperation are higher. A recently published, large-scale study has now called this finding into question: in over 2000 study participants, the researchers found no relationship between benefits from cooperation and willingness to cooperate.
A new tool detects the evolutionary advantages of multiple myeloma cells over the different treatments available. The information it provides can help prevent the tumor from becoming resistant to drugs.
Key molecule in wound healing identified
A new study has identified an RNA molecule that is important for skin wound healing. The research may have implications for the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds.
Holographic 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize multiple industries
Researchers have developed a novel method of 3D printing that uses acoustic holograms. The process is called holographic direct sound printing (HDSP). It builds on a method introduced in 2022 that described how sonochemical reactions in microscopic cavitations regions -- tiny bubbles -- create extremely high temperatures and pressure for trillionths of a second to harden resin into complex patterns. Now, by embedding the technique in acoustic holograms that contain cross-sectional images of a particular design, polymerization occurs much more quickly. It can create objects simultaneously rather than voxel-by-voxel.
How diabetes-risk genes make cells less resilient to stress
Researchers have now discovered that DNA sequence changes known to increase a person's risk for diabetes are linked to how well pancreatic cells can handle two different kinds of molecular stress. In people with these DNA changes, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas may be more likely to fail or die when exposed to stress and inflammation.
The secret strength of our cell guards
Proteins control most of the body's functions, and their malfunction can have severe consequences, such as neurodegenerative diseases or cancer. Therefore, cells have mechanisms in place to control protein quality. In animal and human cells, chaperones of the Hsp70 class are at the heart of this control system, overseeing a wide array of biological processes. Yet, despite their crucial role, the precise molecular mechanism of Hsp70 chaperones has remained elusive for decades. Using a cutting-edge nanopore single-molecule technique, a team has now made a significant breakthrough in determining how Hsp70 chaperones generate the force needed to manipulate the structure of their client proteins.
Hip osteoarthritis: Head gets in the way of recovery, study suggests
Muscle activation in people suffering from hip osteoarthritis might be a case of 'mind over matter', new research has shown. A recent study investigated muscle function in people with hip osteoarthritis and found that these patients were unable to activate their muscles as efficiently.
Increase access to nature in all daily environments and in education
Although access to nature is a basic human right, people's actual use of green spaces is subject to inequalities. A research team analyzed what conditions make it more likely that people are exposed to nature across generations: the availability of green spaces around where they live, work and shop, as well as nature relatedness and past natural experiences. Their findings may inform policies for urban planning and education for the improvement of human health.
Mental health app could help prevent depression in young people at high risk
A cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) app has been found to significantly prevent increases in depression in young people who are at high risk -- and could be implemented as a cost effective public mental health measure.
Dogs contaminate ponds with parasite medications
Most dog owners didn't know that flea and tick treatments are dangerous to aquatic life, suggesting more awareness could ease the problem.
Solar-powered desalination system requires no extra batteries
Engineers built a solar-powered desalination system that produces large quantities of clean water despite variations in sunlight throughout the day. Because it requires no extra batteries, it offers a much more affordable way to produce drinking water, compared to other solar-driven designs.
New apps will enable safer indoor navigation for visually impaired
Two new apps will enable blind people to navigate indoor buildings with spoken directions from a smartphone app, providing a safe method of wayfinding where GPS doesn't work.
Climate report warns of escalating crisis, urges immediate action as UN summit nears
AI speeds up the discovery of energy and quantum materials
Unearthing new LEDs, solar cells, and photodetectors requires extensive knowledge surrounding the optical properties of materials. Calculating these takes time and resources. Yet researchers unveiled a new AI tool that can accurately, and crucially much faster than quantum simulations, for predicting optical properties.
New insights into how Mars became uninhabitable
NASA's Curiosity rover, currently exploring Gale crater on Mars, is providing new details about how the ancient Martian climate went from potentially suitable for life -- with evidence for widespread liquid water on the surface -- to a surface that is inhospitable to terrestrial life as we know it.
Harnessing natural killer T cells to advance cancer immunotherapy for solid tumors
In the fight against cancer, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved notable success in treating blood cancers. However, it has been largely ineffective against solid tumors. A study demonstrates that a different immunotherapy approach utilizing natural killer T cells produced significant antitumor activity in preclinical models of solid tumors.
Study explores novel therapeutic treatment for glioblastoma
Researchers discovered combining the brain-penetrating antipsychotic drug pimozide with a clinically investigative glutamine metabolism inhibitor, CB-839, can overcome tumor resistance and effectively suppress GBM growth.
AI and quantum mechanics team up to accelerate drug discovery
SMU have created SmartCADD. This open-source virtual tool combines artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics and Computer Assisted Drug Design (CADD) techniques to speed up the screening of chemical compounds, significantly reducing drug discovery timelines.
Should men and women eat different breakfasts to lose weight?
It's not a bad thing if you pick a toasted bagel for breakfast, while your partner chooses eggs. In fact that difference could help you lose some weight.