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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 115


Page 115 of 448

A study from the University of Exeter reveals a master regulator controlling fungal infection of wheat

The University of Exeter team identified a 'master regulator' that controls the formation of invasive hyphae in the fungus Zymoseptoria tritici. This discovery provides a crucial target for developing new control strategies against Septoria tritici blotch, a destructive fungal disease affecting wheat yields worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2022

Tiny animal hairs could act as sensitive compass needles

Research by Kirill Kavokin found that around 100 hair cells in an animal's inner ear can act as effective biological compass needles, allowing them to detect the magnetic field. This discovery could bring biologists closer to understanding the origins of magnetoreception and identifying mechanisms responsible.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Special Topics·DateSep 26, 2022

Genetic defects lead to enamel malformations

A study conducted at the University of Zurich has identified a key gene network responsible for severe tooth enamel defects. The researchers found that mutations in the Adam10 molecule lead to disorganization of ameloblasts and severe defects in both structure and mineral composition of enamel.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2022

Artificial intelligence reduces a 100,000-equation quantum physics problem to only four equations

Physicists used machine learning to compress a complex quantum problem into four equations, capturing the physics of electrons on a lattice with high accuracy. The approach could revolutionize how scientists investigate systems containing many interacting electrons and potentially aid in designing materials with sought-after properties.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 26, 2022

‘Placenta-on-a-chip’ mimics malaria-infected nutrient exchange between mother-fetus

Researchers developed a novel 3D microfluidic device to study complicated processes within the placenta, including placental malaria. The model demonstrates that CSA-binding infected erythrocytes add resistance to the simulated placental barrier for glucose perfusion and decrease glucose transfer across this barrier.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 26, 2022

Study finds all African carnivores at risk for range loss

A new study led by Yale University's Nyeema C. Harris found that 91 African carnivore species have some portion of their range at risk of contraction, with an average of 15% of ranges threatened. The research introduced a novel approach to assessing threats and assets across species ranges.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2022

Plastics of the future will live many past lives, thanks to chemical recycling

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a method to break down durable plastics into their most basic building blocks and reform them into the same material. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of new technologies, new materials, and enable the circular production of more plastic materials in daily life.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 26, 2022

Game-changing new theory upends what we know about how charged macromolecules self-assemble

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst discovered that uniformly charged macromolecules can self-assemble into large structures through dipole-dipole interactions. This finding highlights the importance of dipoles in biological assembly processes and offers new insights into life's fundamental mysteries.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2022

Emergence of a game changer in the field of medical microrobots

Researchers at DGIST have developed a mass production method for biodegradable microrobots that can disappear into the body after delivering cells and drugs. The microrobots were created using a high-speed manufacturing method and were able to move to a desired location by controlling an external magnetic field. The stem cell carrying ...

Study finds tactile impressions add product value

A study conducted by researchers at Hiroshima University found that smartphone users are willing to pay a premium for different surface textures on their phone covers. The study's findings suggest that the commercial viability of surface texture has not been empirically examined, but could be an important aspect of product design.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalIEEE Access·DateSep 26, 2022

New research provides employment figures of kidney transplant recipients

A recent study in the Netherlands provides an estimate of the proportion of working-aged kidney transplant recipients who are employed and identifies characteristics associated with lower work functioning. Despite side effects of immunosuppressive therapy and fatigue, stable kidney transplant recipients often function well at work.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 26, 2022

Tiny sea creature’s genes shed light on evolution of immunity

Researchers have identified a complex of proteins in a tiny marine invertebrate that share similarities with the human immune system, suggesting an earlier origin for the building blocks of our immune system. The study could ultimately guide the development of new immunotherapies and improve understanding of transplant rejection.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2022

Diagnosis of a genetic cause in hundreds of people with motor neuron disease could be missed due to “arbitrary age limits and rules” on genetic testing new study shows

A new study found that arbitrary age limits and rules on genetic testing for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) could be missed, leading to thousands of potential cases going undetected. The researchers argue that genetic testing should be open to all patients with ALS, regardless of age or family history.

SourceKing's College London·JournalBrain·TypeObservational study·DateSep 26, 2022

Carbon-neutralizing propylene production catalyzes change in petrochemical engineering

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new catalyst that uses carbon dioxide to produce propylene more efficiently than existing methods. The catalyst also captures and converts carbon dioxide into useful resources. This breakthrough contributes to the carbon neutralization of the petrochemical industry.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2022

New understanding of the inner world of lysosomes

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have identified a protein called Spns1 that transports broken-down phospholipids out of lysosomes and into the cytoplasm, where they can be recycled. This finding further understanding of the role of lysosomes in lipid metabolism and disease, particularly in rare genetic disorders.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2022

In pursuit of better batteries

A team of University of Missouri researchers is working to understand why solid-state lithium-ion batteries struggle with performance issues. They will use a specialized electron microscope and thin film polymer coatings to study the interface between the battery cathode and electrolyte, with the goal of developing an engineered interf...

Fermi’s ground-breaking figure

Fermi's simple sketch of a radial wave function led to the development of the pseudopotential concept, widely used in ultracold atom research and quantum computer studies. Gould explains how Fermi's intuition applied concepts to seemingly unrelated areas.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H·DateSep 26, 2022

Fecal transplantation: an effective remedy for life-threatening intestinal infections

A new study conducted by researchers from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital shows that fecal transplantation is an effective cure for life-threatening intestinal infections, with a cure rate of over 90%. The treatment was found to be far superior to the standard treatment, which typically consists of antibiotics.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 26, 2022

Study finds increased risk of cancer in children to mothers with epilepsy using high-dose folic acid during pregnancy

A new study has found a potential link between high-dose folic acid use in pregnant women with epilepsy and an increased risk of childhood cancer. The research, published in JAMA Neurology, suggests that children born to mothers who took high-dose folic acid supplements during pregnancy may be at higher risk of developing cancer.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateSep 26, 2022

Screening for pregnancy anxiety in the first and third trimesters can help reduce early births

A new UCLA study has found that anxiety specific to pregnancy and childbirth is associated with shorter gestation times and earlier births. Screening for depression in pregnancy and postpartum is now common, but adding an evaluation for anxiety could identify women who need interventions for healthier pregnancies and babies.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalHealth Psychology·DateSep 26, 2022