26-Nov-2024 Pilot study shows cryoablation is safe and effective for closing a small hole in the heart in patients with atrial fibrillation Elsevier New research shows that cryoablation is a safe and effective approach to close congenital patent foramen ovale (PFO, a small hole in the heart) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in a single procedure. A new study in Heart Rhythm, the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society, and the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society, published by Elsevier, details this alternative method to the conventional treatment of implementing a percutaneous metal device for PFO closure, which is associated with adverse events such as infection and arrhythmia. Journal Heart Rhythm Funder Graduate Research and Innovation Project of Chongqing
26-Nov-2024 A study discovers how algae produce a hormone they use to communicate University of Córdoba A study at the University of Cordoba shows how algae produce auxin, a plant hormone, opening a path of communication with bacteria to generate synergies that could benefit agricultural production Journal iScience
25-Nov-2024 X-ray measurements reveal an unexpected role for copper in photocatalysts DOE/US Department of Energy Copper is a promising catalyst for converting carbon dioxide into reduced species, a step in converting carbon dioxide into fuels. Although often initiated by electrical energy, this reaction can also be achieved using solar energy. In this work, scientists used X-rays to investigate how copper catalysts change when operating only with light and no applied electricity. The work found that the copper plays an unexpected role, producing an oxidized, not reduced, species. Journal ACS Nano
25-Nov-2024 Addiction study yields promising therapeutic target to promote recovery University of Arizona Health Sciences Substance use disorders are notoriously difficult to treat, as it is challenging to intervene in a drugs’ effect on the brain’s reward pathway without interfering with the pathway’s normal function. In a University of Arizona Health Sciences study, researchers identified a drug that reduced the desire for cocaine in a murine model while keeping the brain’s reward pathways for sugar intact. Journal Addiction Biology Funder NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse
25-Nov-2024 Small RNAs might drive COPD progression Thomas Jefferson University New research lays the foundation for potential new diagnostics and therapies. Journal Molecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids
25-Nov-2024 "Tourism with Roots: Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Ecuador" Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral On Ecuador's coast, ancestral heritage and modern tourism coexist in a dynamic, often challenging interplay. While global tourism leans toward the dominance of large corporations and international travel flows, rural and Indigenous communities face the challenge of adapting without losing their identity and roots. This study explored how coastal Ecuadorian communities are redefining tourism on their own terms, prioritizing collectivity and cultural values over commercial norms. Through a decolonial lens, local tourism ventures are analyzed as acts of resistance and cultural preservation in an environment that typically demands conformity to market-driven rules. Journal Tourism Geographies
25-Nov-2024 Developing new polymeric nanomaterials to detect harmful substances in extreme environments National Research Council of Science & Technology The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced that it has developed a method for synthesizing polymers based on ion-electron mixed conductors through collaborative research with Dr. Jang Ji-soo of KIST's Center for Electronic Materials Research and Professor Mingjiang Zhong of Yale University in the United States. Journal Advanced Functional Materials Funder Ministry of Science and ICT
24-Nov-2024 Renewable energy insights: Unveiling the potential of biomass solid fuels Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts Segun E. Ibitoye and colleagues present a thorough overview of biomass solid fuels, examining the impact of different biomass sources and processing techniques on the quality and characteristics of solid fuels, emphasizing the importance of these factors for energy professionals and policymakers. Journal Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts
24-Nov-2024 Wheat straw pellets enhanced with additives for improved bioenergy quality Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts A recent study conducted by Bidhan Nath and colleagues at the University of Southern Queensland investigates the impact of various additives on the quality of wheat straw pellets, a potential bioenergy source. The research reveals significant improvements in pellet durability, tensile strength, and heating value with the addition of binding materials. Journal Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts
24-Nov-2024 Pioneering digitalization in biomass-to-x: A leap towards sustainable bioeconomy Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts A comprehensive review from Monash University and Swinburne University of Technology explores the integration of digital technologies in the Biomass-to-X supply chain, highlighting opportunities for a sustainable bioeconomy. Journal Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts
