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press releases.

Science19 Dec 2024

Allen Institute announces 2024 Next Generation Leaders

Seattle, WASH.—December 19, 2024—Today, the Allen Institute announced eight distinguished scientists who will make up the 2024 Next Generation Leaders (NGL) in bioscience cohort. New this year, the program has expanded beyond neuroscience to welcome researchers from the fields of bioengineering, chemistry, and medicine. Their diverse and impressive range of research expertise includes social cognition, music mindfulness, and psychedelics, to using computational machine learning methods for single-cell omics to study inflammatory disease. The program is run out of the Allen Institute’s Learning, ...

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Science19 Dec 2024

A user manual for yeast’s genetic switches

When introducing genes into yeast to make it produce drugs and other useful substances, it is also necessary to reliably switch the production on or off. A Kobe University team found three gene regulation design principles that provide a flexible guideline for the effective control of microbiological production. It’s said that DNA is the blueprint of life, telling our cells what to produce. But DNA also contains the switches telling those cells when to produce something and how much of it. Therefore, when introducing new genes into cells to produce useful chemicals such ...

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Science19 Dec 2024

More people living without running water in US cities since the global financial crisis

More American cities – even those seen as affluent – are home to people living without running water as people are being ‘squeezed’ by unaffordable housing and the cost-of-living crisis, new research finds. Published in Nature Cities, the study revealed the problem worsened following changes to the housing market triggered by the 2008 global crash. And since 2017 it has been “expanding in scope and severity” to affect a broader array of US cities including Portland (OR), Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Philadelphia, as well as large urban areas such as Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco. The research ...

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Science19 Dec 2024

Study finds slowing of age-related declines in older adults

A new study from the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center at the Mailman School of Public Health reveals significant improvements in the health of older adults in England when compared to previous generations. Rather than considering health through the presence or absence of disease, the study, published in Nature Aging, applied a new approach that examined trends in people’s functioning – their cognitive, locomotor, psychological, and sensory capacities. Using data from the English Longitudinal Study ...

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Science19 Dec 2024

Tinkering with the “clockwork” mechanisms of life

Living organisms monitor time – and react to it – in many different ways, from detecting light and sound in microseconds to responding physiologically in pre-programmed ways, via their daily sleep cycle, monthly menstrual cycle, or to changes in the seasons. Such ability to react at different timescales is made possible via molecular switches or nanomachines that act or communicate as precise molecular timers, programmed to turn on and off in response to the environment and time. Now, ...

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Science19 Dec 2024

Houston Methodist scientists make surprising discovery pinpointing when good cholesterol becomes harmful

HOUSTON-(Dec. 18, 2024) –Houston Methodist researchers have discovered that certain components of so-called “good” cholesterol -- high-density lipoproteins (HDL) – may be associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Led by Henry J. Pownall, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry in medicine at the Houston Methodist Research Institute, and Khurram Nasir, M.D., M.P.H., a cardiologist and division chief of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at Houston Methodist, the research team is using innovative methods to investigate the role of certain properties of HDL in heart health. “During ...

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Science19 Dec 2024

Shiitake-derived functional food shows suppression of liver fibrosis progression

Chronic liver damage can lead to hepatitis, which causes fibrosis of the liver. This buildup of collagen and other fibrous tissue accelerates when hepatic stellate cells become activated during hepatitis, often resulting in liver cancer or cirrhosis, both of which can be fatal. As there are no effective drugs to treat cirrhosis, suppressing the activation of the stellate cells is considered as a way of controlling the progression of liver fibrosis. “It is estimated that one out of every 3-4 ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

MouseGoggles offer immersive look into neural activity

ITHACA, N.Y. – In recent years, mice have entered a new arena – virtual reality – and now Cornell University researchers have built mini VR headsets to more fully immerse them. The team’s MouseGoggles were created using low-cost, off-the-shelf components, such as smartwatch displays and tiny lenses, and track the mouse’s eye movements and changes in pupil size. The technology has the potential to help reveal the neural activity that informs spatial navigation and memory function, giving researchers new insights into disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and its potential treatments. The research was led by Chris Schaffer, professor of biomedical ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

An immersive VR exercise session engaged participants in more intense and reportedly enjoyable exercise, with more positive emotions, compared to a workout presented on-screen

An immersive VR exercise session engaged participants in more intense and reportedly enjoyable exercise, with more positive emotions, compared to a workout presented on-screen, suggesting immersive VR could be an efficient alternative to other forms of screen-based workouts ### Article URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0314331 Article Title: Acute psychological and physiological benefits of exercising with virtual reality Author Countries: U.K., Australia Funding: OR received contract research funding from FitXR https://fitxr.com/. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Pine-oak forests and frequent fires have been a predominant feature of Albany Pine Bush, New York, for the last 11,000 years

Pine-oak forests and frequent fires have been a predominant feature of Albany Pine Bush, New York, for the last 11,000 years - though increases in ferns, mosses, and peat-deposition reflect moister climates in recent millennia, according to pollen and charcoal samples ### Article URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0314101 Article Title: A 13,000-year history of vegetation and fire in a rare inland pine barrens: The Albany Pine Bush (Albany County, New York, USA) Author Countries: Canada, U.S. Funding: (JCS) The private donor-funded Draper-Lussi Endowed Chair Fund at Paul Smith’s College, ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

New knit haptic sleeve simulates realistic touch

Wearable haptic devices, which provide touch-based feedback, can provide more realistic experiences in virtual reality, assist with rehabilitation, and create new opportunities for silent communication. Currently, most of these devices rely on vibration, as pressure-based haptics have typically required users to wear stiff exoskeletons or other bulky structures. Now, researchers at Stanford Engineering have designed a comfortable, flexible knit sleeve, called Haptiknit, that can provide realistic pressure-based haptic ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

What is metformin’s secret sauce?

Leading diabetes drug lowers blood sugar by interfering with mitochondria CHICAGO --- Millions of people take metformin, a Type 2 diabetes medication that lowers blood sugar. The “wonder drug” has also been shown to slow cancer growth, improve COVID outcomes and reduce inflammation. But until now, scientists have been unable to determine how, exactly, the drug works. A new Northwestern Medicine study has provided direct evidence in mice that the drug reversibly cuts the cell’s ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Improvement initiative increased well-being and reduced inefficiencies for surgical residents

Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have shown that a systemic approach to eliminating inefficiencies in surgical residency programs can reduce unnecessary work hours in the general residency program at UC San Diego. The approach—based on Lean methodology—can also positively impact the training and overall well-being of surgery residents. The results are published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). “Our study shows ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

MD Anderson Research Highlights for December 18, 2024

HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Research Highlights showcases the latest breakthroughs in cancer care, research and prevention. These advances are made possible through seamless collaboration between MD Anderson’s world-leading clinicians and scientists, bringing discoveries from the lab to the clinic and back. Smoking cessation medications are safe and effective for people with depression Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) are more likely to smoke, leading to higher risks of nicotine addiction and early death from tobacco-related illnesses. To identify the best treatments for quitting, researchers led by George ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Syphilis had its roots in the Americas

In spring 1495, the Italian campaign of Charles VIII of France was interrupted by an intense outbreak of an apparently unknown illness – a disease of high mortality that quickly engulfed the whole of Europe and left its survivors with life changing impairments to their bodies and minds. This documented epidemic is now interpreted to be the first historical account of syphilis. The origin of syphilis is the subject of a decades-long debate. The late 15th century outbreak occurred shortly after the return of Columbus and his crew from their early expeditions to the Americas, which led some to believe that ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Elevated levels of ‘forever chemicals’ found in several smartwatch wrist bands

Smartwatches and fitness trackers have become ubiquitous forms of wearable tech, accompanying many people throughout their days (and nights). But they may expose the skin to so-called forever chemicals in the process. More expensive wristbands made from fluorinated synthetic rubber revealed particularly high amounts of one forever chemical, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), according to a study published in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters. “This discovery stands out because of the very high concentrations of one type of forever chemical found in items that are in prolonged contact with ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Sexism is a risk factor for memory decline among women

NEW YORK, NY (Dec. 18, 2024)--Women born in the most sexist U.S. states experience faster memory decline in later years compared to women born in the least sexist states, a new study by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has found. The difference between being born in the most versus the least sexist state was equivalent to nine years of cognitive aging. The study is one of a growing number of studies that have investigated links between structural sexism and health. Structural sexism, like structural racism, does not refer to personal incidences but to inequality in resources and power ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

ChatGPT errors show it cannot replace finance professionals, yet

PULLMAN, Wash. – While large language models like ChatGPT can do well when choosing multiple-choice answers on financial licensing exams, they falter when dealing with more nuanced tasks. A Washington State University-led study analyzed more than 10,000 responses to financial exam questions by the artificial intelligence language models BARD, Llama and ChatGPT. The researchers asked the models to not only choose answers but also explain the reasoning behind them, then compared those text answers to those by human professionals. ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Paris Declaration calls for data-driven forensics to spearhead the fight against fake science

Supporters of research integrity have signed a new declaration calling for data-driven forensics – known as Forensic Scientometrics (FoSci) – to lead the charge in detecting, exposing and even preventing fake science. The Forensic Scientometrics (FoSci) Paris Declaration was drafted during an event in Paris last week organized and run by Digital Science’s VP of Research Integrity, Dr Leslie McIntosh. The event was hosted at Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) by Dr Guillaume Cabanac, research integrity “sleuth” and professor at the University of Toulouse, as part of his research chair titled ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Carnivorous squirrels documented in California

A ground squirrel with cheeks stuffed with nuts, seeds or grains, is a common sight. But a new study provides the first evidence that California ground squirrels also hunt, kill and eat voles. The study, led by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and University of California, Davis, is the first to chronicle widespread carnivorous behavior among squirrels. Published in the Journal of Ethology, the study fundamentally changes our understanding of ground squirrels. It suggests that what was considered a granivorous species actually is an opportunistic omnivore and more flexible in its diet than was assumed. The observations occurred in 2024 — the 12th year of the Long-term ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Does having more chronic conditions increase older adults’ risk of declining kidney function?

Older adults with multiple chronic conditions may face a high risk of kidney function decline, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. In the study, 3,094 older individuals from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen were followed for 15 years. There was an independent dose-response relationship between the number of chronic conditions and kidney function decline, so that as the number of chronic conditions increased, kidney function decline became more likely and steeper. When considering the makeup of conditions rather than just ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Experts issue new ethical standards for body donation programs

A new report in the journal Anatomical Sciences Education outlines best practices and standards for human body donation programs across the United States, which accept whole body donations after death for research and education. The report, issued by a task force of American Association for Anatomy members, seeks to align body donation programs with evolving societal values and legal frameworks. It aims to maintain the highest ethical standards for donors by upholding the principles of informed consent, oversight, and dignity. The report emphasizes the importance of ensuring potential donors and their families ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Mind’s ear: Investigating the sounds in your head

Some people can’t imagine a dog barking or a police siren. Songs can’t get stuck in their heads. They have no inner voices. ‘Anauralia’ was proposed in 2021 by scientists from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland to describe the little-known condition of a silent mind. Now, as their investigations into the phenomenon continue, the University will host a global conference on sounds imagined in the mind, an event intended not just for scientists but also philosophers, musicians, poets and writers. ‘Mind’s ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Nonheterosexual women may maintain better sexual functioning during menopause transition

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Dec 18, 2024)–A woman’s sex drive may diminish with age—partially because of problems with genitourinary symptoms during the menopause transition. Yet, some older women maintain very active sex lives. Why? A new study suggests that one difference could be sexual identity, with nonheterosexual women more likely to report better sexual functioning, despite menopause. Results of the study are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society. An estimated 25% to 85% of postmenopausal women report challenges ...

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Science18 Dec 2024

Scientists provide insights into Photosystem II under low-light conditions

In higher plants and green algae, Photosystem II (PSII) usually combines with Light Harvesting Complex II (LHCII) to form the PSII-LHCII supercomplex. Under low-light conditions, the PSII-LHCII supercomplexes are organized laterally into higher-order PSII-LHCII megacomplexes and semi-crystalline arrays to optimize photosynthetic efficiency. A recent collaborative study has deciphered the cryo-EM structure of the spinach type I PSII-LHCII megacomplex, providing insights into the principles of higher-order ...

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