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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 254


Page 254 of 448

A ‘Goldilocks amount’ of time spent online could be good for teenagers’ wellbeing

A new study from Trinity College Dublin suggests that teenagers who spend a 'goldilocks amount' of time online may have better mental wellbeing. The research found that low engagement with digital media is also associated with poor mental health outcomes for adolescents, while high engagement predicts worse mental health outcomes.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateJun 1, 2022

New ultrasound tool measures blood flow, images microvasculature in the brain

Researchers developed a new ultrasound localization microscopy technique to image blood vessels and measure blood flow in the brain. The method uses microscopic bubbles as a contrast agent and accelerates post-processing to 10-30 seconds, enabling rapid imaging of whole-brain microvasculature.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

New genomic tools shed light on the evolutionary history of chimpanzees and contribute to their conservation

An international research team has created the largest and most detailed genomic diversity atlas of wild chimpanzees, revealing their evolutionary history and genetic diversity. The study sheds light on demographic past, genetic differentiation, and exchanges between subspecies, providing valuable insights for conservation.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalCell Genomics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

The space between us

A study from Washington University in St. Louis highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy forest functioning. The research shows that tree beta diversity, a measure of site-to-site variation in species composition, is stronger than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalEcology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2022

Study examines why the memory of fear is seared into our brains

Researchers discovered that stress neurotransmitter norepinephrine stimulates a specific population of inhibitory neurons in the amygdala to generate a repetitive bursting pattern of electrical discharges. This leads to the formation of fear memories, which can be difficult to forget due to their association with traumatic experiences.

SourceTulane University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

In bias we trust?

Researchers at MIT found that explanation methods used to aid human decision-makers in high-stakes situations often have lower accuracy for minoritized subgroups. The fidelity of these explanations varies dramatically between subgroups, with the quality often significantly lower for women and Black people.

At least 2,000 species of reptiles are threatened

The first international study of its kind assesses the status of all reptile species, revealing that at least 2,000 species are threatened with extinction. The study found that 50% of turtle and crocodile species face extinction threats, while 30% of forest-dwelling reptiles and 14% of arid area reptiles are in danger.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2022

NTU Singapore scientists develop a ‘fabric’ that turns body movement into electricity

Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a flexible and durable fabric that harnesses energy from human movements, providing a potential solution for wearable power sources. The fabric generates enough electricity to light up LEDs and charge capacitors, demonstrating its potential for use in smart textiles and wearable electronics.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 1, 2022

Bacteria-killing drills get an upgrade

Researchers at Rice University have developed molecular machines that can kill bacteria using visible light, targeting gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The breakthrough study uses rotors spinning at millions of times per second to break up biofilms and persister cells, making these infections more treatable.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

Community-engagement preventive intervention promotes mental health of Bhutanese families in Western Massachusetts

A peer-led, family-centered preventive intervention is being tested to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among Bhutanese immigrants. The program, developed by Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar, uses problem management plus (PMP) and addresses multiple stressors, resulting in improved coping skills and social networking.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalBMJ Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 1, 2022

A new duality solves a physics mystery

Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a new method to create curved spaces without physical distortions, utilizing non-Hermiticity. This breakthrough solves a long-standing physics mystery and opens up new avenues for exploring non-Hermitian quantum phenomena in curved spaces.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 1, 2022

Malnutrition links kidney disease, weaker muscles

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that malnutrition contributes to sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients, characterized by muscle mass, strength, and function losses. The Nutrition Risk Index (NRI) is a simple and convenient metric developed in Japan, which shows significant relationships between NRI score and sarcopenia,...

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2022

New type of triterpenes discovered

Researchers have discovered a new type of triterpenes in fungi that don't require squalene, overturning current knowledge and offering a new approach to pharmaceutical science. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for creating more valuable compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and other properties.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

Compared to COVID-19 PCR testing, dogs can detect infections with high sensitivity (97%), though lower specificity (91%) - even when patients are asymptomatic

A study published in PLOS ONE found that dogs can detect SARS-CoV-2 infections with high sensitivity (97%) and lower specificity (91%), even when patients are asymptomatic. The diagnostic accuracy of canine olfaction for non-invasive detection of COVID-19 was demonstrated in a clinical trial conducted in France and the UAE.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 1, 2022

New UCI-led study finds that your genetic sex determines the way your muscle “talks” to other tissues in your body

A new University of California, Irvine-led study identifies sex-specific circuits of muscle signaling to other tissues, highlighting differences in muscle function between males and females. The research sheds light on how muscle functions, such as exercise, promote healthy longevity, metabolism and improve cognition.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournaleLife·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 31, 2022

Investigational drug attacks synovial sarcoma, a rare type of tumor

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed an investigational drug that targets synovial sarcoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer. The drug, ACXT-3102, works by interfering with the metabolic pathway of the tumor cells, causing them to die from the buildup of reactive oxygen species.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 31, 2022

Gemini north telescope helps explain why Uranus and Neptune are different colors

The Gemini North telescope has helped astronomers understand why Uranus and Neptune have different colors. Excess haze on Uranus builds up in its stagnant atmosphere, making it appear lighter than Neptune's. The team developed a single atmospheric model that matches observations of both planets.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Planets·TypeObservational study·DateMay 31, 2022

Diabetes may weaken teeth and promote tooth decay

A new Rutgers University study finds that diabetes weakens tooth enamel and dentin, making teeth more susceptible to decay. Researchers induced Type 1 diabetes in mice and observed significant softening of enamel and dentin after 12 weeks.

SourceRutgers University·JournalArchives of Oral Biology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 31, 2022

How diverse microbial communities remain stable

A novel computational method estimates the level of connectivity in bacterial communities, revealing that species diversity is limited by interaction strength. Understanding these stability principles is essential for developing medical treatments and preserving the environment.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMay 31, 2022

The history of Lake Cahuilla before the Salton Sea

A new SDSU study used radiocarbon dating to determine the timing of the last seven periods of filling during the Late Holocene, revealing six earlier lake fills between 1618–1636 and 1486–1503. The research sheds light on both the history of human occupation in the area and its seismic past.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 31, 2022

World-first: A biomarker that can diagnose Parkinson’s disease

Researchers at Kobe University and Hiroshima University have developed a biomarker that can diagnose Parkinson's disease from blood serum samples. The 'P450 inhibition assay' uses 12 different human P450s to detect changes in metabolites, allowing for accurate diagnosis with an accuracy rate of 85-88%. This breakthrough could lead to f...

SourceKobe University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2022

The Sun is spinning round again

An international team developed a new theoretical model that solves part of the 'solar problem' by considering the Sun's rotation and magnetic fields. The results reproduce the concentration of helium and lithium in the Sun's outer layers, providing insights into stellar physics.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeNews article·DateMay 31, 2022

COVID-19 vaccine impact on chest CT of pneumonia in symptomatic patients

A single-center study found lower pneumonia frequency and severity in fully vaccinated patients compared to unvaccinated patients. The study included 467 patients who underwent chest CT during hospitalization for symptomatic COVID-19, with significant reductions in pneumonia frequency and severity observed in those fully vaccinated.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 31, 2022

Direct sound printing is a potential game-changer in 3D printing, according to Concordia researchers

Researchers at Concordia University have developed a new platform technology called direct sound printing (DSP), which uses soundwaves to produce new objects. The process creates sonochemical reactions in minuscule cavitation regions, generating pre-designed complex geometries that cannot be made with existing techniques.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2022

Discovery of a tripole winter precipitation change pattern around the Tibetan Plateau in the late 1990s

Researchers found a tripole winter precipitation change pattern in the late 1990s around the Tibetan Plateau, affecting eastern India, southern China, and northern regions. This pattern was triggered by changes in tropical Pacific SSTs and influenced by regional circulation patterns.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMay 31, 2022

A world first: for the first time, a human liver was treated in a machine and then successfully transplanted

A team of researchers at University of Zurich successfully transplanted a human liver that was treated in a machine, paving the way for a potential solution to the global organ shortage. The liver was preserved for three days outside the body using a custom-made perfusion machine.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 31, 2022