Human ‘blastoids’ offer medical hope but also deep ethical challenges
Blastoids, derived from stem cells, mimic early embryonic development but may not develop into a fetus. Ethical considerations surround their use and regulation in research.
Science News Archive 2022 - Page 110
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Technology: University of New Mexico researchers find Bitcoin mining is environmentally unsustainable
Bitcoin mining's climate damages far exceed its market value, with damages peaking at 156% of the coin price in May 2020. The study concludes that Bitcoin does not meet any sustainability criteria, highlighting the need for potential regulation to make mining sustainable.
SourceUniversity of New Mexico·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2022
Improving hospital stays and outcomes for older patients with dementia through AI
Researchers developed a machine learning model to quickly recognize predictive risk factors and their importance for undesirable hospitalization outcomes. The model achieved an accuracy of 95.6% and identified modifiable risk factors that can be mitigated through clinical interventions.
SourceHouston Methodist·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia Translational Research & Clinical Interventions·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2022
Hackmanite changes color also upon exposure to nuclear radiation – memory trace from radiation enables new applications
Researchers at the University of Turku discovered that hackmanite changes color when exposed to nuclear radiation, retaining a memory trace that allows it to be reused. This unique property enables the development of reusable radiochromic films for measuring radiation doses and mapping dose distribution.
Flaring allows more methane into the atmosphere than we thought
New research reveals flaring at oil and gas facilities releases five times more methane in the U.S. than previously estimated, posing a significant risk to climate change. Simple fixes could remove equivalent of 3 million cars from roads, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Biomarkers used to track benefits of anti-ageing therapies can be misleading, suggests the 'Lifespan Machine'
Researchers find nematodes have two independent ageing processes, one determining movement cessation and the other death time, correlated with each other. This challenges the concept of a single biological age measure indicative of overall health.
SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2022
Less bird diversity in city forests
A study by Lund University found that cities negatively impact bird diversity in natural woodlands, with on average a quarter fewer species in urban forests compared to rural ones. This suggests that urban development can lead to biotic homogenization of woodland bird communities.
“Mystery gene” matures the skeleton of the cell
Researchers from the Netherlands Cancer Institute have discovered a new 'mystery gene' responsible for maturing the actin protein, a main component of the cell skeleton. The findings shed light on the complex process by which proteins are completed and functional in cells, with potential implications for understanding muscle diseases.
One in three Alzheimer’s disease family caregivers has persistent symptoms of depression
A study of 226 Alzheimer's family caregivers found that 61.5% experienced depressive symptoms at diagnosis, with 1 in 3 showing worsening symptoms over five years. The risk was not linked to disease severity or individual backgrounds.
OSU study finds higher rates of traumatic injuries for outdoor workers during hotter weather
A recent OSU study found that traumatic injury rates among outdoor workers in Oregon's agricultural and construction sectors are significantly higher during periods of high heat. The study examined 92,000 injury claims from 2009-2018 and found a strong association between heat index above 75 degrees and increased risk of injury.
SourceOregon State University·JournalHealth Science Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2022
Computers calling time on isolation
A new simulation models the potential risks and benefits of ending early isolation for Covid-19 patients using antigen tests. The study finds that shortening isolation periods can reduce unnecessary disruption in people's lives while minimizing the risk of infecting others.
Discovery of new nanowire assembly process could enable more powerful computer chips
Researchers have developed a breakthrough approach to precisely assemble nanowires on virtually any platform, enabling the creation of highly sensitive optomechanical sensors. The new pick-and-place assembly process uses ultra-thin filaments and adhesive van der Waals forces to transfer nanowires with sub-micron accuracy.
Research explores how biased perceptions may drive erosion of democratic values in US
A new report reveals that both Democrats and Republicans personally value core democratic principles, but severely underestimate opposing party members' support for those same characteristics. This biased underestimation leads to a willingness to subvert democratic principles, particularly among Republicans.
WVU engineers bring new life to electronics recycling, address supply chain shortfalls affecting national defense
Researchers at WVU are resurrecting discarded electronics, recovering minerals, and making new products for national defense. The technology also has promise beyond national defense, including community-level e-waste recycling and space applications.
Sniffing out the brain’s smelling power
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered that tufted cells in the olfactory bulb are better at recognizing smells than mitral cells. This finding sheds light on how the brain processes sensory information, including smell intensity and identity.
Myotonic dystrophy: GABA receptors implicated in sleepiness, via mouse model
A study using a mouse model of myotonic dystrophy found that GABA receptor sensitivity is linked to the disorder's central nervous system symptoms, including excessive daytime sleepiness. The researchers suggest that drugs like flumazenil, which counteract benzodiazepines, may work against DM's prolonged sleep and fatigue.
FAST reveals dynamically evolving environment around a repeating fast radio burst source
Researchers using FAST monitored FRB 20201124A for two months, detecting nearly 2,000 radio bursts with polarization information. The study reveals a complex, dynamically evolving magnetized environment surrounding the FRB source, with features such as irregular Faraday rotation and oscillations in polarization.
New study highlights sexual problems for young women who’ve had cancer
A recent study published in Acta Oncologica found that young women who have had cancer are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual problems, including loss of libido and intimacy issues. The study, which surveyed nearly 700 women, suggests that the type and intensity of cancer treatment can influence a patient's sex life.
Scientists find link between fast-melting Arctic ice and ocean acidification
A new study reveals a strong correlation between accelerating Arctic ice melt and ocean acidification, posing a dual threat to climate and marine life. The increased acidity levels in the western Arctic Ocean could lead to devastating consequences for plants, shellfish, coral reefs, and other organisms.
Detailing a disastrous autumn day in ancient Italy
Researchers at the University of Connecticut uncovered a remarkably well-preserved Early Bronze Age village in Afragola, Italy, providing insights into daily life and agriculture during this era. The site reveals a diverse range of food sources, including grains, fruits, and nuts, as well as evidence of seasonal changes, thanks to the ...
SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2022
Harvard researchers detect the first definitive proof of elusive sea level fingerprints
A team of scientists led by Sophie Coulson and Jerry X. Mitrovica have detected the first definitive proof of elusive sea level fingerprints. The findings validate almost a century of sea level science and help solidify confidence in models predicting future sea level rise.
Power of the pulpit
A University of Houston study suggests that attending religious services regularly can lead to lower mortality rates among Black men in their 50s and older. The study found that these men who attended services at least once weekly had better health profiles, including lower rates of smoking and drinking.
The pros and cons of telemental health
A recent study found that telemental health can be effective in reducing treatment gaps and improving access to mental health care, especially for marginalized groups. However, it is crucial to consider individual preferences, circumstances, and technological access when implementing this approach.
SourceKing's College London·JournalInteractive Journal of Medical Research·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 28, 2022
A rapid, highly sensitive method to measure SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater
A new method, EPISENS-S, has been developed to measure SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater with high sensitivity. This allows for the estimation of COVID-19 prevalence, including asymptomatic cases. The method was found to be approximately 100 times more sensitive than existing methods.
SourceHokkaido University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022
Omega-3 fatty acids, and in particular DHA, are associated with increased attention scores in adolescents
A study of 332 adolescents found that higher levels of DHA were associated with better selective and sustained attention, while ALA was linked to lower impulsivity. The results suggest the importance of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids for healthy brain development.
SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2022
Researchers observe excitonic Bloch-Siegert shift in quantum dots
In a significant breakthrough, researchers have observed an excitonic Bloch-Siegert shift in CsPbI3 perovskite quantum dots at room temperature. This achievement advances our understanding of coherent light-matter interaction in low-dimensional solid-state materials.
SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 28, 2022
New York City coyotes do not need to rely on human food
Researchers analyzed DNA from coyote fecal samples to understand their diet in NYC. They found that coyotes eat a variety of native prey species, including raccoons and deer, as well as human-sourced food items. Urban coyotes consumed ~60% human food, while non-urban coyotes ate a wider range of natural food items.
Rapid delivery: Injected protein flips a switch in the brain, disappears
A multidisciplinary research team at Texas A&M has found a way to deliver proteins quickly and effectively to the brain, with therapeutic and scientific implications. The method uses a peptide that allows proteins to enter cells and then triggers a response.
Texting young people about safe sex does not reduce chlamydia and gonorrhea reinfection
A UK-based trial found that texting young people to encourage safer sex behaviors did not reduce rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea reinfections. The study suggests that health communication interventions should be rigorously evaluated to improve outcomes for this age group.
Newly discovered protein could be used to produce life-saving antifungals
Researchers at the University of Arizona have identified a protein called Ait1 that regulates cell growth in yeasts. This discovery presents new targets for developing antifungal drugs that can attack disease-causing yeasts while sparing human immune cells.
Physicists take self-assembly to new level by mimicking biology
A team of physicists has created a new way to self-assemble particles using emulsions and foldamers. This breakthrough offers promise for building complex materials at the microscopic level, with potential applications in fields like materials science.
COVID-19 drives new research into smell loss
Researchers are studying COVID-19's impact on the sense of smell, finding that SARS-CoV-2 attacks support cells in the nose, leading to olfactory disorders. Potential treatments include gene scrambling fixes, platelet-rich plasma injections, and olfactory implants.
Feeding behavior traits may be an indicator of feed efficiency in Holstein cows
A study published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that feeding behavior traits are correlated with feed efficiency in lactating dairy cattle. Researchers estimated genetic parameters for feeding behavior and their associations with feed efficiency traits in US Holstein cows.
Machine learning creates opportunity for new personalized therapies
Researchers developed a computational platform to identify metabolic vulnerabilities in ovarian cancer genes, suggesting opportunities for targeted therapies. The study found that certain genetic alterations can create vulnerabilities in cancer cell metabolism, which can be exploited to selectively kill cancer cells.
SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022
The surprising link between circadian disruption and cancer may have to do with temperature
Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered that chronic circadian disruption can increase lung cancer growth in animal models by activating the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) pathway. This finding suggests a molecular link between disrupted sleep patterns, temperature changes, and tumor formation.
No environmental justice, no positive peace — and vice versa
A study by Hiroshima University researchers found that environmental performance is more strongly associated with positive peace than negative peace, particularly in equitable resource distribution. This suggests that improving environmental sustainability can contribute to achieving positive peace outcomes.
Anemia is undertreated in adults with low kidney function
Anemia is common among adults with advanced kidney disease, associated with adverse outcomes and low eGFR levels. Effective iron supplementation is a low-risk intervention to address this issue, emphasizing the need for increased testing and treatment.
Air pollution linked to trajectory of stroke
A study found that high levels of air pollution were associated with increased risks of transitioning from healthy to having a stroke, cardiovascular events after stroke, and death. Exposure to particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and nitrogen dioxide was linked to these outcomes.
Seeing antibiotics in action inside a pathogenic bacterium
Researchers observe atomic-level structural changes in bacterial ribosomes and their response to antibiotics, shedding light on mechanisms of action and potential off-target effects. The study provides new insights into the complex interactions between ribosomes and other cellular complexes.
Surface mapping a reliable diagnostic tool for gut health
Researchers at University of Auckland developed a non-invasive surface mapping tool to detect gastric slow wave activity, identifying two distinct disease subgroups in chronic nausea and vomiting syndromes. The technology has proven reliable for recording bio-electrical activity on the gut's surface and detecting changes in electromagn...
SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022
Revealing the genome of the common ancestor of all mammals
Researchers reconstructed the genome organization of the earliest common ancestor of all mammals using high-quality genome sequences from 32 living species. The study reveals that the mammal ancestor had 19 autosomal chromosomes and conserved gene blocks across modern mammalian genomes.
SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 28, 2022
How introductory courses deter minority students from STEM degrees
A new study finds that underrepresented minority students experience greater negative impacts on graduating from low intro course grades than their White, male peers, even after controlling for academic preparation. Low grades in introductory STEM courses disproportionately deter minoritized students from pursuing STEM degrees, with Bl...
Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville trial shows that a bionic pancreas improves type 1 diabetes management compared to standard insulin delivery method
A bionic pancreas, which automatically delivers insulin based on blood glucose levels, was more effective than standard care at maintaining normal blood sugar levels. The study, funded by NIDDK and conducted at Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville, found the device to require less user input and provide more automation.
SourceNemours·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 28, 2022
Researchers refute common sleep myths about adolescents held by parents and caregivers
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers surveyed parents and caregivers, finding that more than two-thirds believed in the top three most salient myths about sleep. The authors refute these myths, citing studies showing varying sleep schedules on weekends can worsen sleep, delayed school start times result in increased slee...
Scientists create 'non-psychedelic' compound with same anti-depressant effect
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill, UC San Francisco, Yale, Duke, and Stanford have developed a new compound that targets the same brain cell receptor as psychedelic drugs but triggers long-lasting antidepressant action without psychedelic effects. The compound is patented by Yale, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UCSF and licensed to Onsero.
SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022
Brazilian soybean growers’ use of biofertilizer is highlighted by a leading science journal
Using biofertilizer on 80% of their planted area, Brazilian soybean growers enjoy environmental and economic benefits by employing the microbiome instead of chemical fertilizers. The use of biofertilizer saves farmers huge amounts of money, with costs significantly lower than chemical fertilizer.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateSep 28, 2022
With fractured genomes, Alzheimer’s neurons call for help
Researchers have discovered that neurons with double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in their DNA actively trigger an inflammatory response, which is mediated by the activation of the NFkappaB transcription factor. This process elicits an immune response from microglia, leading to synaptic loss and cognitive function impairment.
Study offers hope for preventing cerebral palsy
A new study found that treating brain injury with anti-inflammatory medication as early as three days after birth may prevent severe cerebral palsy. The research showed that giving Etanercept to foetal sheep after oxygen deprivation reduced cystic white matter injury.
Saliva test could provide early warning for severe Covid cases, finds study
Researchers have found that amino acids in saliva can help identify patients with severe Covid-19 cases. The study collected saliva samples from 75 individuals and found that amino acids changed the most between patients with low and high severity of Covid-19.
Fluidic circuits add analog options for controlling soft robots
Rice undergrad Colter Decker creates programmable, air-driven circuits that can perform Boolean functions using compressed air. The system combines digital and analog components, simplifying the overall architecture and achieving new capabilities.
SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022
Study demonstrates for the first time that ticks weaken skin's immune response
A study by MedUni Vienna's Department of Dermatology reveals that tick saliva inhibits the skin's defense function, making it easier for pathogens to multiply. Climate change increases the danger from ticks, which now pose a threat in higher-altitude regions of Austria and well into late autumn.
Robotic capsule developed to deliver drugs to the gut
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and MIT have developed RoboCap, a robotic capsule that delivers drugs to the gut by clearing mucus and churning to enhance absorption. In preclinical models, RoboCap increased drug permeability by over 10-fold for insulin and vancomycin.
Immune function remodeled by mitochondrial shape
A new study led by Erika Pearce at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the shape and function of mitochondria in Th17 cells play a crucial role in controlling their autoimmune activity. The researchers identified several molecules, including LKB1, that can influence this process, paving the way for potential therapeutic modifications.
Research Brief: Explanations behind possible link between increased risk of most common childhood cancer and people with obesity prior to pregnancy
Researchers investigated the possible connection between maternal obesity and an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. Changes in fetal epigenetics, insulin-like growth factor profiles, and immune cell populations have been proposed as potential explanations for this association.
SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalLeukemia Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 28, 2022
Machine learning helps scientists peer (a second) into the future
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new machine learning method called next-generation reservoir computing that can learn spatiotemporal chaotic systems in a fraction of the time. The algorithm is more accurate and uses less training data, making it easier to predict complex physical processes like Earth's weather.
SourceOhio State University·JournalChaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 28, 2022
Cystic fibrosis patients can benefit from vitamin supplements, Oregon State research shows
A study led by Oregon State University found that cystic fibrosis patients who supplement their diet with vitamin C can derive greater benefits from vitamin E, resulting in reduced inflammation. The study suggests that high doses of vitamin C may be beneficial in inflammatory conditions.
SourceOregon State University·JournalNutrients·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 28, 2022
NHGRI project creates new educational materials for sickle cell disease community
Researchers developed new educational materials to help individuals with sickle cell disease and their support networks learn about gene therapy clinical trials, benefits, risks, and treatment options. The project aims to facilitate engagement between the community and those conducting relevant clinical trials.
The process of waves carrying plasma heat is observed for the first time in the world
Researchers at National Institutes of Natural Sciences observe plasma heating due to electromagnetic waves for the first time. They used a new measurement system to capture ultrahigh-speed data, revealing that Landau damping transfers energy from high-energy particles to electromagnetic waves, which then heat the plasma.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022
Researchers created a "Virtual Labrador" to explore how humans behave around aggressive and non-reactive dogs in virtual reality
The study explored how humans react to DAVE, a Virtual Labrador, in virtual reality. Researchers found that humans exhibited varying behaviors when interacting with the digital dog, shedding light on canine-human interactions.
Scientists improve process for turning hard-to-recycle plastic waste into fuel
A new study improves the ability to process mixed plastics using pyrolysis, generating fuel as a byproduct. Researchers found one catalyst that can convert LDPE and PET waste into valuable liquid fuels.