MDPI Articles Cited in the News: December 2024
In this final 2024 roundup of MDPI articles Cited in the News, we take a look at a selection of studies comprising a case report, feature paper, original article and scoping review exploring a variety of themes across science. From a total of 426 news mentions, we selected those studies cited by prominent news outlets such as Futurism, The Guardian, New York Post and Popular Science.
Here, we discover how oncolytic virotherapy may be a potential option for neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer and find out that people who meet their partner through dating apps have relationships on equal footing with those that meet their partner in person. Furthermore, we learn how climate change impacts global wind circulation patterns, and present a study discussing the application of plant-based emulsion gels in the food industry to level-up plant-based food quality.
Case Report Published in Vaccines – An Unconventional Case Study of Neoadjuvant Oncolytic Virotherapy for Recurrent Breast Cancer
Cited by Futurism: Scientist injects her own cancerous tumour with viruses she grew in lab
In a breakthrough case report published in Vaccines, expert virologist Beata Halassy shows how injecting specific research-grade virus preparations into her own breast tumour cells resulted in complete remission. The article, cited in Futurism, explores this unique case of using oncolytic virotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer.
The study shows how the injection of vaccines against measles and vesicular stomatitis resulted in a significant reduction of the size of the tumor which was then followed with surgical excision. Following this, Halassy completed chemotherapy and remained cancer-free with no recurrence of the tumour. Analysis of the patient demonstrated a strong immune response, with immune cells such as T cells and macrophages targeting the tumour site.
Halassy strongly discourages self-medicating with oncolytic viruses, with this study only being carried out with expert knowledge of the viruses and close monitoring alongside oncologists. Nonetheless, the promising study encourages the assessment of using neoadjuvant vaccines for the treatment of breast tumours prior to their surgical removal.
Feature Paper Published in Climate: Global Warming Impacts on Southeast Australian Coastally Trapped Southerly Wind Changes
Cited by The Guardian: What is a southerly buster and how can the wind suddenly drop temperatures by 20C?
The effects of climate change are manifesting in unique ways across the globe, including changes in wind patterns in Australia. Southerly buster winds are specific types of strong gale winds that spread across the southeast coast of Australia. The naturally occurring phenomenon occurs during the warmer seasons, with cool gusts providing relief to the oppressive heat, however, it is also known to cause significant damage to local environments and wildlife.
In a feature paper published in Climate, researchers from University of Technology Sydney, Australia, explored how global warming impacted the frequency of southerly buster winds. Analysing observational data from 1970 to 2022, they found that climate change significantly increased the frequency of the occurrence of annual winds from 1996 to 2023. The authors dissect why this may be, exploring the changes in global and circulation patterns.
The impact of the increased frequency of southerly busters is significant for marine and aviation industries. This research is essential to ensure safety and preparedness. Continuous studies on the impacts of global warming are equally key for local communities to be efficiently equipped and ensure high-level damage control procedures are developed, as the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent and unpredictable.
Original Article published in Social Sciences: Dating Applications versus Meeting Face-to-Face: What is better for Romantic Relationship Quality?
Cited by New York Post: Do dating app users have relationships that are just as strong as those who meet in person? Study yields surprise findings.
As the landscape of technology has changed in the last 10 years, so has the way people connect. Dating apps provide people with a digital platform to meet their potential significant other. As with any novel concept or idea, an initial hesitancy and stigma existed surrounding the use of dating apps as a medium to meet people. However, research shows that there was no significant difference in the quality of relationships between those couples that met through dating apps versus those that didn’t.
In the study, researchers looked at online survey data taken from 233 college students. The survey included questions surrounding their use of dating apps and how they rated their relationship quality. The authors discuss how there was no significant differences in the results between those couples that met in person versus through online dating apps. Research like this breaks down the stigma surrounding dating apps, although in recent years this has already reduced significantly. The research shows how relationships are able to supports people’s belonging needs and feelings of overall contentment, whether they meet their partner in real life or thorough a dating app.
More specific research would need to be done on the different uses of dating apps and their impact on well-being.
Review published in Gels: Food Emulsion Gels from Plant-Based Ingredients: Formulation, Processing and Potential Applications
Cited by Popular Science: How plant-based meat alternatives mimic the real thing
With plant-based meat alternatives rising immensely in popularity, food scientists are looking for innovative formulations to imitate conventional meat. In a review published in Gels, they explore plant-based emulsion gels, their properties and how they can be applied to industrial food production, including dairy and meat alternatives.
A plant-based emulsion gel an additive formed by different proteins or polysaccharides, and could be a key ingredient to enhance the current production of plant-based food items. The review covers the biochemical components of the gels, limitations and feasibility of incorporating them into food items. The study provides useful information for the food industry and food scientists, providing up to date data and knowledge on the properties of plant-based food emulsion gels.
