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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 22


Page 22 of 448

Finding faults deeply stressful

Researchers at Kyoto University have found that the Tohoku earthquake may have occurred upon a complete stress release, with data suggesting normal faults in both sedimentary formations above and below the plate boundary fault. This discovery provides insights into how fault slipping contributed to the devastating tsunami.

SourceKyoto University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2022

Ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector CT: Reconstruction kernel, slice thickness guide protocol

A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that reconstruction using BI64 kernel and 0.4-mm slice thickness yielded improved bronchial division identification and pulmonary fissure sharpness without loss in pulmonary vessel sharpness or pathology conspicuity.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 8, 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis drugs lower risk of heart disease

People with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease due to inflammation. However, new research suggests that commonly used treatments for RA can also lower this risk by reducing arterial inflammation and disease activity. The study found that immunomodulators like methotrexate and TNFi drugs reduced heart dise...

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 8, 2022

Deep-space optical communication demonstration project forges ahead

The NASA Deep Space Optical Communications project has successfully demonstrated a new type of laser system that can transmit large amounts of data, including high-definition images and video, through space. The system uses a combination of flight and ground-based lasers to establish an optical link between spacecraft and Earth.

SourceOptica·DateDec 8, 2022

World's simplest animals get their place in the tree of life

A study by the American Museum of Natural History and collaborators classifies the world's simplest animals, placozoans, using genetic makeup, revealing distinct lineages and relationships to cnidarians and bilaterians. The research establishes a backbone taxonomy for the phylum, providing insight into their evolution and diversity.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 8, 2022

How the ‘hell planet’ got so hot

Researchers discovered that 55 Cnc e orbits its star along the equator, unlike other planets in the system. This unique orbit likely formed when the planet fell toward its star over time, resulting in a scorching surface and interior with possible diamond formation.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateDec 8, 2022

Molecules have an orientation, and scientists have a new way to measure it

Researchers at NIST have measured the 3D orientation of polymer chains in plastics, observing complex patterns that dictate material properties. The new technique uses polarization-controlled coherent Raman microscopy to identify molecular orientation patterns, allowing for optimized materials in industries like medicine and electronics.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 8, 2022

Unusual gamma-ray burst reveals previously undetected hybrid neutron-star merger event

A recent astronomical observation supports theoretical modeling, revealing a new observational fingerprint of neutron-star mergers that may shed light on the production of heavy elements throughout the universe. The detection pushes our understanding of gamma-ray bursts to the limits and breaks the standard idea of these events.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2022

Mekong Delta will continue to be at risk for severe flooding

A study by Hokkaido University reveals that the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has caused more frequent heavy rainfall in the Mekong Delta, resulting in increased flooding risk. The findings suggest that better weather predictions and preparation can help mitigate the negative effects of floods and droughts in the region.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2022

How do worms develop their gut?

A husband-and-wife research team at UC Riverside found a simpler gene network is involved in specifying the gut in nematodes related to Caenorhabditis elegans. The discovery was made possible by the COVID-19 pandemic, which freed up time for the researchers to explore their question of how nematodes develop their gut.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalDevelopment·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2022

Scientists uncover new genes linked to multiple sclerosis

Researchers have identified three new genes, SHMT1, FAM120B, and ICA1L, and their expressed proteins that may be involved in the development of multiple sclerosis. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying the disease and prioritizes promising targets for future therapy research.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateDec 7, 2022

Infectious malaria sporozoites produced without mosquitoes provide ground-breaking progress for malaria vaccines and biology research

Researchers have made a breakthrough in producing infectious Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites without the need for mosquitoes, paving the way for more effective malaria vaccines. This achievement accelerates the ability to study the parasite's biology and develop new tools for vaccine development.

SourceSanaria Inc.·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 7, 2022

Kilonova discovery challenges our understanding of gamma-ray bursts

Two independent teams of astronomers detected the unexpected hallmarks of a kilonova after a long gamma-ray burst, challenging the prevailing theory that long GRBs exclusively come from supernovae. The discovery was made possible by the proximity of the event and the sensitivity of telescopes like Gemini North.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2022

Building acceptance for energy transitions in Germany and Australia

In Germany, community participation in decision-making processes and sharing of financial benefits from renewables projects enhanced public support. However, recent delays and corporate investments have led to resentment. In contrast, Australia's decentralized approach to its power grid, including community energy projects, aims to bri...

World’s first open access dashboard revealed Tempe, Ariz. neighborhood-level trends of COVID-19 from wastewater-based epidemiology

The City of Tempe and Arizona State University have developed a unique partnership to track COVID-19 using wastewater-based epidemiology, providing early warning data for municipalities. The system has been shown to reliably predict SARS-CoV-2 levels in city ZIP codes up to 11 days ahead of clinical testing results.

SourceArizona State University·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2022

Hospital parking fees contribute to financial toxicity for cancer patients

A study published in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences found that hospital parking fees significantly correlate with cancer center address transit score and city cost of living across Western Canada. Cities with higher cost of living have less free parking, exacerbating economic burdens on patients.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 7, 2022

Study identifies potential link between oral bacteria and brain abscesses

A study published in the Journal of Dentistry found that patients with unexplained brain abscesses were three times more likely to have oral bacteria present. The researchers also discovered significantly higher counts of Streptococcus anginosus, a bacterium linked to dental abscesses and infections in internal organs.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Dentistry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 7, 2022

Updated findings on a new approach to ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer

The phase 1 and phase 2 studies showed that ARV-471 was well-tolerated and could promote substantial estrogen receptor degradation in patients with advanced disease. The study has led to a randomized phase 3 trial comparing ARV-471 with a SERD in patients with ER-positive/HER2-negative advanced breast cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 7, 2022

Soft robot detects damage, heals itself

Researchers create a soft robot that can detect damage and heal itself using stretchable fiber-optic sensors and polyurethane urea elastomer. The SHeaLDS technology provides a damage-resistant robot that can self-heal from cuts, and the researchers plan to integrate it with machine learning algorithms for more tasks.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 7, 2022

Microbiome composition influences depression

A large-scale study has found a clear relationship between the composition of the microbiome and depression. A diverse microbiome was associated with lower rates of depression, while an underrepresented microbiome was linked to increased depressive symptoms. This association is as strong as established risk factors for depression.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2022

Salton Sea dust triggers lung inflammation

A University of California Riverside study found that Salton Sea dust triggers lung neutrophil inflammation in mice, with potential implications for asthma sufferers and other terminal lake regions. The research highlights the need for further funding to understand dust-triggered inflammation and its effects on human health.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2022

Countries bet on forests and soils to reach net-zero

A new study by the University of East Anglia highlights the risks of relying on nature-based solutions, such as forests and soils, to achieve net-zero emissions. The research warns that these solutions may not be enough to offset the remaining difficult-to-decarbonize emissions if progress on reducing fossil fuel use stalls.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateDec 7, 2022

Can microrobots improve the safety of dairy products?

Researchers developed magnetic microrobots that can bind and isolate S. aureus from milk, improving dairy safety. The 'MagRobots' use antibodies to target the bacteria, allowing for efficient pathogen isolation while preserving naturally occurring microbes.

SourceWiley·JournalSmall·DateDec 7, 2022