Sarah Lemprière

Jan 11, 2024 | science.org | Erkan Aydin |Caroline Ash |Sarah Lemprière

Celestial Mechanics A possible gap in the outer Solar SystemKeith T. SmithA gap in the distribution of minor objects orbiting the Sun beyond the Kuiper Belt might indicate the presence of a large body beyond the heliopause. PHOTO: NASA, ESA, AND G. BACON (STSCI)Open in viewerThe Kuiper Belt extends to about 50 astronomical units (au) from the Sun.

Aug 3, 2023 | science.org | Dario Bressan |Kai Wang |Michael Funk |Sarah Lemprière

Chemistry Drugs from turpentineMichael A. FunkFrom the inception of modern chemistry, many drugs, dyes, and fragrances have been derived from coal or oil. Although they are a very small fraction of the total carbon footprint, developing sustainable sources of these products is important to build up the sustainable chemistry sector. Tibbets et al. developed divergent syntheses of two common over-the-counter painkillers using monoterpenes that can be sourced from forestry by-products.

May 5, 2023 | nature.com | Sarah Lemprière

Measuring levels of fucosyltransferase 8 (FUT8) in blood can aid epilepsy diagnosis and prognosis, according to new findings. Researchers measured serum FUT8 levels in 199 individuals with epilepsy, 59 individuals with refractory epilepsy and 22 healthy individuals. The participants were followed up for 2 years. FUT8 levels were significantly higher in individuals with refractory epilepsy than in healthy individuals.

May 3, 2023 | nature.com | Sarah Lemprière

Olfactory dysfunction is common among individuals with COVID-19; however, the pathophysiology underlying this symptom is not yet clear. In a new study, researchers performed brain MRI in individuals with persistent COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction and a group of healthy control participants. Gross morphological measures did not differ between the two groups; however, graph analysis of the functional olfactory network showed altered connectivity in the individuals with COVID-19.

May 3, 2023 | nature.com | Sarah Lemprière

Delivery of gene therapies across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a major challenge. In a new study, researchers used low-intensity focused ultrasound to temporarily open the BBB at specific locations in non-human primates and in individuals with Parkinson disease. The process was generally well tolerated and did not result in abnormalities detectable with MRI.