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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 276


Page 276 of 448

Policymakers underestimate methane’s climate and air quality impacts

Researchers argue that methane's climate impact is inadequately represented in existing governance frameworks, neglecting its role in near-term climate change and air pollution. Policymakers can take swift action with available technologies and cost-effective measures to reduce methane emissions.

SourceResearch Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam·JournalEnvironmental Science & Policy·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 16, 2022

UCI-led research recommends extending California’s prescribed burning season

A UCI-led research team suggests that extending the prescribed burning season in California can help prevent wildland fires from getting out of control. The study found that periods during winter and spring have favorable weather conditions for safe and effective human-set blazes, but limited burn windows are a major obstacle to conduc...

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeObservational study·DateMay 16, 2022

Benefits of PSA prostate cancer screening found to be more favorable than previous estimates, especially for blacks

New research suggests that PSA screening has remarkably favorable tradeoffs, particularly for Black men, who disproportionately bear the burden of prostate cancer mortality and morbidity. The study's findings support the use of PSA screening for high-risk groups, including Black men, and highlight the need to revise clinical guidelines...

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNEJM Evidence·DateMay 15, 2022

Study shows children’s physical activity levels fell below national guidelines in wake of pandemic

New research shows that by the end of 2021, only a third of UK children met the national recommended physical activity guidelines. The study found that on average, 10-11-year-olds took part in just 56 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity during weekdays.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateMay 15, 2022

Chinese penduline tit buries eggs to prevent them from blowin’ in the wind

In Chinese penduline tits, egg burial is primarily done to prevent eggs from rolling out of the nest in strong winds, a function that may have evolved in ancient species of the genus. This study found that 45% of eggs in experimental nests showed signs of being blown out, highlighting the importance of egg burial in these birds.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalAnimal Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2022

Weights can be weapons in battle against obesity

A recent study published in Obesity Reviews found that resistance training, in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet, can lead to significant fat mass and muscle loss. This breakthrough highlights the importance of considering non-aerobic exercise options for individuals struggling with obesity.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalObesity Reviews·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 15, 2022

Researchers find favorable tradeoffs of PSA screening for prostate cancer

Research suggests that PSA screening can prevent a significant number of prostate cancer deaths, with lower numbers than previously estimated. The study's findings support the benefits of PSA screening, especially for young healthy men and Black men, who have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalNEJM Evidence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 15, 2022

Great progress thanks to mini organs

Researchers have developed mini organs that replicate the cervical tissue, allowing for the study of normal physiology, disease development, and infectious processes. The creation of these mini organs, known as organoids, offers new opportunities for personalized medicine, finding new active substances, and modeling diseases.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Protocols·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022

Development for novel large-scale manufacturing technology of sulfide solid electrolytes

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a novel large-scale manufacturing technology for sulfide solid electrolytes, specifically Li7P3S11, which exhibits high ionic conductivity. This breakthrough enables the low-cost and scalable production of highly ion conductive solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batte...

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalAdvanced Energy and Sustainability Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022

Our cells take their ease in the curves

A UNIGE team discovered that cells in curved tissues swell by 50% before returning to normal, opening avenues for in vitro organ culture. This active phenomenon can be harnessed to control spontaneous growth of organoids and develop new materials with volume increase upon folding.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeNews article·DateMay 13, 2022

Blood adenosine levels as a potential biomarker of white matter disease in a selected population of very low birth weight premature infants

A study found that high blood adenosine levels at 15 days of life correlated with white matter lesions and brain injury in very low birth weight premature infants. Adenosine may play a role in oligodendrocyte maturation and neuronal development, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for complications of prematurity.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pediatric Reviews·DateMay 13, 2022

Going gentle on mechanical quantum systems

Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully demonstrated a protocol for gentle, controlled measurement of mechanical quantum states in hybrid qubit-resonator devices. This breakthrough enables applications such as quantum error correction and more, paving the way for advanced technological innovations.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022

Vertical matrix X-ray detector for multi-energy discrimination

Researchers have developed a vertical matrix X-ray detector that can distinguish between substances of different densities, enhancing imaging contrast and identifying soft substances. The device uses a novel design to restore the X-ray spectrum in detail, enabling effective multi-energy discrimination under a single exposure.

NTU Singapore scientists create renewable biocement entirely out of waste material

The NTU team has developed a process using industrial carbide sludge and urea to create biocement, which can strengthen soil, reduce water seepage, and even repair rock carvings. The biocement-making process generates fewer carbon emissions and requires less energy compared to traditional cement production methods.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalJournal of Environmental Chemical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022

Study finds soil composition isn’t key to southeast Raleigh flooding

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that soils in the Walnut Creek watershed can absorb over 99% of precipitation events, contradicting previous studies. The study suggests that urban planners address flooding problems by considering the amount and location of paved surfaces rather than soil composition.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022

‘Friendly’ gut bacteria may eliminate pathogens by competing for energy resources

A new study published in Cell Host & Microbe finds that friendly bacteria in the gut, such as Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, can compete with harmful bacteria like Salmonella for energy resources like nitrate. This competition allows the probiotic to occupy both niches and protect against infection.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022

Federal subsidies kept COVID-strapped hospitals financially stable in 2020, first year of pandemic

A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that federal subsidies offset losses for hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research revealed that hospitals serving socioeconomically disadvantaged patients and those with higher uninsured patient populations were particularly affected by financial losses.

Mercury removal made easy

A team of researchers at Flinders University has developed a novel sorbent made from waste materials that can absorb almost all mercury in polluted water in minutes. The material, coated with poly(S-r-limonene), is fast-acting and selective, capturing only mercury without other metal contaminants.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 13, 2022

More cardiovascular disease found in lean people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than in those who are overweight with the same condition

A new study found that lean individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease compared to those who are overweight or obese. Despite having lower risks for other metabolic and cardiovascular conditions, lean patients with NAFLD were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

Adolescent and young adult leukemia survivors have shorter life span compared to those who have never had cancer

Research by University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center reveals adolescent and young adult leukemia survivors have shorter life spans than those without cancer. The study found inferior long-term mortality outcomes persist even decades after treatment, impacting quality of life and overall survival.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateMay 13, 2022

Adolescent and young adult leukemia survivors face higher mortality rates than the general population for decades after diagnosis

Adolescent and young adult leukemia survivors experience lower long-term survival compared to the general population, with age and sex influencing outcomes. Long-term mortality risks persist for up to 30 years after diagnosis, primarily due to late side effects from treatment.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateMay 13, 2022

How sleep helps to process emotions

Researchers at the University of Bern have identified how the brain processes emotions during dream sleep. During REM sleep, the brain favors the discrimination of safety versus danger in the dendrites, but blocks the over-reaction to emotion, particularly danger. This decoupling is essential for optimizing survival and stability.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalScience·DateMay 13, 2022

Paper or plastic?

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a waterproof coating called Choetsu that adds strength to paper, making it a viable alternative to plastic. The coating, made from safe and low-cost chemicals, also has photocatalytic activity, protecting against dirt and bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022

University of Colorado surgery faculty member contributes to study on traumatic injuries caused by exploding e-cigarettes

A study published in the Journal of Surgical Research found that e-cigarette explosions caused 15 traumatic injuries in children between 2016 and 2019. The devices' use of inferior quality batteries prone to explosion puts users at risk of severe injuries, including burn wounds, jaw fractures, and eye damage.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Surgical Research·DateMay 13, 2022

Criminal justice and mental health, disability

A study published in the Australian Journal of Psychology found that people with certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and depression, may display behaviors that are commonly associated with deception. These behaviors, including gaze aversion and flat affect, can lead to unfair judgments in the criminal justice system...

SourceFlinders University·JournalAustralian Journal of Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateMay 13, 2022

Malaria parasites form vortices

Researchers at Heidelberg University discovered that malaria parasites form rotating vortices in infected salivary glands, showcasing emergent behavior and fluctuating size. The study's findings have implications for understanding the physics of collectives and potentially disrupting sporozoite movement.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 13, 2022