All articles tagged with #pnas
Physicists at Emory used a physics-tailored neural network trained on 3D dusty-plasma data to reveal precise, non-reciprocal inter-particle forces, correct key theoretical assumptions, and propose a universal AI-based framework for inferring physical laws in complex many-body systems.
Spanish biochemist Mariano Barbacid announced a “cure” for pancreatic cancer based on a triple‑drug therapy that regression‑tested 45 mice; the work, published in PNAS after Nature declined to publish, has not been tested in humans or metastases. The flashy public rollout and patent push by Barbacid’s Vega Oncotargets drew patient inquiries and criticism from CNIO colleagues for overclaiming and conflicts of interest. Independent experts urge cautious optimism, noting the (promising but early) preclinical results and emphasizing that mouse outcomes rarely translate to human cures, with human trials years away and more work needed on safety and efficacy.
A study published in PNAS reveals that scientific fraud is increasing rapidly, doubling every 1.5 years since 2010, posing a serious threat to the integrity of scientific research.
Leading origin-of-life researcher Gerald Joyce's recent paper in PNAS, "RNA-catalyzed evolution of catalytic RNA," has been lauded as a breakthrough in understanding life's origin through natural processes. However, critics argue that the results only demonstrate the necessity of intelligent agency in life's origin. Joyce's experiment required investigator intervention at every step, using conditions and procedures that could never have occurred on the early Earth. The research challenges the plausibility of the RNA World hypothesis and demonstrates that evolving systems of RNAs could not have existed without constant intervention.
Scientists from the University of Chicago have discovered how the HIV virus infiltrates the nucleus of a host cell, a crucial step in its replication and spread. Using simulations, they found that the virus capsid employs an electrostatic ratchet to squeeze through the cell's nuclear pore complex, with flexibility and deformation playing key roles. Understanding this process could lead to better treatments and potentially a cure for HIV, as disrupting this mechanism could hinder the virus's survival.