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Science 2024-01-01

Want to quit smoking in 2024? Cytisine can help … if you live in the right country

A new study published in Addiction has found that cytisine, a low-cost, generic stop-smoking aid that has been used in eastern Europe since the 1960s, increases the chances of successful smoking cessation by more than two-fold compared with placebo and may be more effective than nicotine replacement therapy. It has a benign safety profile, with no evidence of serious safety concerns.  Sounds perfect for your New Year resolution, doesn’t it? But there’s a catch: Cytisine is not licensed or marketed in most countries outside of central and eastern Europe, ...
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Space 2023-12-29

Sodium’s high-pressure transformation can tell us about the interiors of stars, planets

Travel deep enough below Earth’s surface or inside the center of the Sun, and matter changes on an atomic level.  The mounting pressure within stars and planets can cause metals to become nonconducting insulators. Sodium has been shown to transform from a shiny, gray-colored metal into a transparent, glass-like insulator when squeezed hard enough.  Now, a University at Buffalo-led study has revealed the chemical bonding behind this particular high-pressure phenomenon. While it’s been theorized that high pressure essentially squeezes sodium’s electrons out into the spaces between atoms, researchers’ quantum chemical ...
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Science 2023-12-29

Endocrine Society applauds Ohio governor veto of state ban on gender-affirming care for minors

WASHINGTON—The Endocrine Society, the world’s oldest and largest professional medical society devoted to the study and treatment of hormone-related conditions, applauds Governor Mike Dewine’s veto of a proposed Ohio law that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors. The bill he vetoed contradicts mainstream medical practice and scientific evidence and would have taken medical decision-making out of the hands of families and their physicians and instead relied upon government officials.  More ...
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Molecules exhibit non-reciprocal interactions without external forces, new study finds
Medicine 2023-12-29

Molecules exhibit non-reciprocal interactions without external forces, new study finds

Researchers from the University of Maine and Penn State discovered that molecules experience non-reciprocal interactions without external forces.  Fundamental forces such as gravity and electromagnetism are reciprocal, where two objects are attracted to each other or are repelled by each other. In our everyday experience, however, interactions don’t seem to follow this reciprocal law. For example, a predator is attracted to prey, but the prey tends to flee from the predator. Such non-reciprocal interactions are essential for complex behavior associated with living organisms. ...
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MSK research highlights, December 29, 2023
Science 2023-12-29

MSK research highlights, December 29, 2023

New research from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) developed CAR T cells that target two acute myeloid leukemia-specific antigens; shed new light on a genetic element called LINE-1, opening the door to new treatments; identified a key regulator of blood stem cell fate; and found an immunotherapy technique using antibodies that target CD47 shows promise in mice. CAR T Cells that target two antigens treat AML with minimal toxicity Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has so far resisted treatment with chimeric ...
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Novel solution for Pichia pastoris enzyme production platform
Science 2023-12-29

Novel solution for Pichia pastoris enzyme production platform

The demand for industrial enzymes is continually rising, driven by the growing need to shift towards more sustainable industrial processes. Our research outlines a novel approach in enzyme production, harnessing the untapped potential of cyanobacterial biomass within the P. pastoris platform. Group Leader, Dr. Schieder, highlights the nature of the study, stating, "Our work reveals the potential of cyanobacterial biorefineries to support enzyme production." This achievement stems from an extensive multi-field approach. We characterized and expanded a combinatorial library, streamlining P. pastoris engineering for enhanced efficiency. ...
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Revolutionary nanodrones enable targeted cancer treatment
Medicine 2023-12-29

Revolutionary nanodrones enable targeted cancer treatment

A groundbreaking study led by Professor Sebyung Kang and Professor Sung Ho Park in the Department of Biological Sciences at UNIST has unveiled a remarkable breakthrough in cancer treatment. The research team has successfully developed unprecedented “NK cell-engaging nanodrones” capable of selectively targeting and eliminating cancer cells, offering a potential solution for intractable types of cancers. The innate lymphoid cells known as natural killer (NK) cells play a vital role in the body’s immune response against cancer. Numerous efforts have been made to harness the power of NK cells to develop effective cancer therapies. ...
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Mettl3-dependent m6A modification is essential for effector differentiation and memory formation of CD8+ T cells
Medicine 2023-12-29

Mettl3-dependent m6A modification is essential for effector differentiation and memory formation of CD8+ T cells

This study is led by Dr. Shuyang Yu (College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University), Dr. Jingyu Xu (The Collaborative Innovation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical University) and Dr. Xuguang Du (College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University) and illustrated the key role of Mettl3 in CD8 T cell response during acute infection model. CD8 T cells (also known as cytotoxic T lymphocytes) are a key component of the adaptive immune system. Once ...
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Artificial design and biosynthesis of a single-domain catenated dihydrofolate reductase
Technology 2023-12-29

Artificial design and biosynthesis of a single-domain catenated dihydrofolate reductase

This study is led by Prof. Wen-Bin Zhang (College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University & Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence) and Dr. Jing Fang (College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University). A single-domain protein catenane refers to two mechanically interlocked polypeptide rings that fold synergistically into a compact and integrated structure, which is extremely rare in nature. This design was achieved by rewiring the connectivity between secondary motifs to introduce artificial entanglement, and synthesis was readily accomplished through a series of programmed streamlined ...
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Advances and challenges in semantic communications: A systematic review
Science 2023-12-29

Advances and challenges in semantic communications: A systematic review

This study is led by Prof. Ping Zhang, Dr. Yiming Liu, Yile Song, and Jiaxiang Zhang (State Key Laboratory of Networking and Switching Technology, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications). The article summarizes the advances made in semantic information and semantic communications. It also deeply discusses the main challenges, key issues, and potential research directions in the development of modern semantic communication, aiming to prompt further scientific and industrial advances in semantic communications. The development of information ...
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Social Science 2023-12-29

In coastal communities, sea level rise may leave some isolated

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Amid the threat of dramatic sea level rise, coastal communities face unprecedented dangers, but a new study reveals that as flooding intensifies, disadvantaged populations will be the ones to experience some of the most severe burdens of climate change. While accelerating sea level rise will result in widespread intermittent flooding and long-term inundation in many coastal communities, the paper, recently published in Nature Communications, showed that when these levels increase above 4 feet, minority populations will be disproportionately at risk of isolation. Rising sea levels could lead to isolation by disrupting transportation ...
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Breakthrough in organic semiconductor synthesis paves the way for advanced electronic devices
Technology 2023-12-29

Breakthrough in organic semiconductor synthesis paves the way for advanced electronic devices

A team of researchers led by Professor Young S. Park at UNIST’s Department of Chemistry has achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of organic semiconductors. Their successful synthesis and characterization of a novel molecule called “BNBN anthracene” has opened up new possibilities for the development of advanced electronic devices. Organic semiconductors play a crucial role in improving the movement and light properties of electrons in carbon-centered organic electronic devices. The team’s research focused on enhancing the chemical diversity of these semiconductors by replacing carbon-carbon (C−C) ...
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Korean Artificial Sun, KSTAR,  installation of a tungsten divertor  for long pulse operations
Technology 2023-12-29

Korean Artificial Sun, KSTAR, installation of a tungsten divertor for long pulse operations

The Korean artificial sun, KSTAR, has completed divertor upgrades, allowing it to operate for extended periods sustaining high-temperature plasma over the 100 million degrees. The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy announced the successful installation of the newly developed tungsten divertor for KSTAR. KSTAR, now equipped with the new divertor, commenced a plasma experiment on the 21st of December 2023. The divertor, a crucial plasma-facing component installed at the bottom of the vacuum vessel in a magnetic fusion device known as a Tokamak, manages the exhaust of ...
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New perspectives on treating gallbladder inflammation
Science 2023-12-28

New perspectives on treating gallbladder inflammation

Ischaemic cholecystitis is a form of gallbladder inflammation that occurs without gallstones or another form of external compression. It is caused by poor perfusion to the gallbladder tissue. This new research is important because it helps to better understand the cause of ischaemic cholecystitis and to develop more effective treatments for this condition. A team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, conducted a study investigating the cause of ischaemic cholecystitis. They found that the gallbladder is particularly susceptible to ischaemia ...
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Medicine 2023-12-28

Brain health after COVID-19, pneumonia, heart attack, or critical illness

About The Study: The findings of this study including 345 participants suggest that post–COVID-19 brain health was impaired but, overall, no more than the brain health of patients from 3 non–COVID-19 cohorts of comparable disease severity. Long-term associations with brain health might not be specific to COVID-19 but associated with overall illness severity and hospitalization. This information is important for putting understandable concerns about brain health after COVID-19 into perspective.  Authors: Daniel Kondziella, M.D., M.Sc., Dr.Philos., ...
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Medicine 2023-12-28

Post–COVID-19 condition in children 6 and 12 months after infection

About The Study: In this study of children tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canadian pediatric emergency departments, although children infected with SARS-CoV-2 reported increased chronic symptoms, few of these children developed post–COVID-19 condition, and overall quality of life did not differ from children with negative SARS-CoV-2 tests.  Authors: Stephen Freedman, M.D.C.M., M.Sc., of the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is the corresponding author.   To access the embargoed study: ...
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Medicine 2023-12-28

Self-reported frequency of adding salt to food and risk of incident chronic kidney disease

About The Study: In this study of 465,000 individuals, a higher self-reported frequency of adding salt to foods was associated with a higher risk of chronic kidney disease in the general population. These findings suggest that reducing the frequency of adding salt to foods at the table might be a valuable strategy to lower chronic kidney disease risk in the general population.  Authors: Lu Qi, M.D., Ph.D., of Tulane University in New Orleans, is the corresponding author.   To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The ...
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Breakthrough in hydrate-based desalination technique unveiled
Science 2023-12-28

Breakthrough in hydrate-based desalination technique unveiled

A research team, led by Professor Yongwon Seo in the Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality at UNIST has unveiled a highly efficient method for desalinating seawater using hydrate-based desalination (HBD) technology. The breakthrough is expected to have far-reaching implications for the application of hydrate-based desalination techniques, with the ability to calculate optimal temperatures for enhanced efficiency. Hydrate desalination technology, known for its eco-friendly freshwater production capabilities, offers a low-energy solution that can be effectively used in treating high concentrations of brine or contaminated water. By ...
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GFH009: A potent and highly selective CDK9 inhibitor for the treatment of hematologic malignancies
Medicine 2023-12-28

GFH009: A potent and highly selective CDK9 inhibitor for the treatment of hematologic malignancies

“[...] the results of this preclinical investigation program suggest that induction of apoptosis is a key component of GFH009’s anti-tumor mechanism of action [...]” BUFFALO, NY- December 28, 2023 – A new research paper was published in Oncotarget's Volume 14 on December 20, 2023, entitled, “The pharmacodynamic and mechanistic foundation for the antineoplastic effects of GFH009, a potent and highly selective CDK9 inhibitor for the treatment of hematologic malignancies.” To evade cell cycle controls, malignant cells rely upon rapid expression of select proteins to mitigate pro-apoptotic signals ...
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Angelica gigas extract inhibits acetylation of eNOS in vascular dysfunction
Science 2023-12-28

Angelica gigas extract inhibits acetylation of eNOS in vascular dysfunction

“Angelica gigas Nakai (AG), a traditional medicinal herb, is garnering scientific attention for its potential in addressing a variety of health conditions.” BUFFALO, NY- December 27, 2023 – A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 23, entitled, “Angelica gigas extract inhibits acetylation of eNOS via IRE1α sulfonation/RIDD-SIRT1-mediated posttranslational modification ...
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Medicine 2023-12-28

Johns Hopkins researchers: Regret rarer than believed among patients who undergo gender affirming surgery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE In a Viewpoint article published Dec. 27, 2023, in JAMA Surgery, three Johns Hopkins researchers urge the medical community to dismiss a widely held, but scientifically unsupported belief that many people who are transgender and gender diverse (TGD), and undergo gender affirming surgery (GAS), later regret their decision to undergo such procedures. The researchers are: Harry Barbee, Ph.D., assistant professor and interdisciplinary social scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Bashar ...
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Future labor losses due to heat stress in China under climate change scenarios
Environment 2023-12-28

Future labor losses due to heat stress in China under climate change scenarios

Climate change is the biggest global health threat in the 21st century, and the rising temperatures have undermined the health and safety of the working population, as well as caused labor losses, which are closely tied to social-economic development. Although the future temperatures increase in China has been forecasted by state-of-the-art climate change projections, to what extent the influence on labor has not been well studied. In a paper published in Science Bulletin, a Chinese research team presents evidence of future labor losses due to heat stress in China under climate change scenarios. This study was led by Cunrui Huang, a professor at the Vanke School of Public ...
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Acellular players in the high cryosphere: diversity, function and activity of the global supraglacial DNA viruses
Medicine 2023-12-28

Acellular players in the high cryosphere: diversity, function and activity of the global supraglacial DNA viruses

Supraglacial environments mainly consist of four main types of habitats for microbes and viruses, including snow, ice, meltwater, and cryoconites (the granular sediment on glacier surfaces). The paper revealed that there were more than 10,000 viral species in global supraglacial environments. This is a 15-fold expansion of DNA viral genomic inventory ever known. These viruses mainly belong to bacteriophages, viruses infecting bacteria. Liu et al., also found the viral communities showed a clear regional and habitat distribution pattern, with polar glacier samples separated from mountain ...
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Environment 2023-12-28

A carbon-lite atmosphere could be a sign of water and life on other terrestrial planets, MIT study finds.

Scientists at MIT, the University of Birmingham, and elsewhere say that astronomers’ best chance of finding liquid water, and even life on other planets, is to look for the absence, rather than the presence, of a chemical feature in their atmospheres.  The researchers propose that if a terrestrial planet has substantially less carbon dioxide in its atmosphere compared to other planets in the same system, it could be a sign of liquid water — and possibly life — on that planet’s surface.  What’s more, this new signature is within the sights of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). While scientists have proposed ...
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Insilico announces the expansion of its oncology pipelines and delivers the new generation FGFR2/3 inhibitor
Medicine 2023-12-28

Insilico announces the expansion of its oncology pipelines and delivers the new generation FGFR2/3 inhibitor

- The nomination of the new generation of FGFR2/3 inhibitor for the treatment of tissue-agnostic solid tumors, bringing the total number of PCCs nominated by Insilico in 2023 to six.  - ISM8001 is an oral, highly selective, covalent inhibitor that demonstrated superior potency in multiple FGFR2/3-driven efficacy models, and also in gatekeeper and molecular brake mutant resistant models.  - The program once again demonstrates Insilico's ability to efficiently generate novel molecules with high quality that are currently available for partnering.   Insilico Medicine ("Insilico"), a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven clinical-stage drug discovery ...
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