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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 278


Page 278 of 448

Prepare for the next supply chain disruption

Researchers at CSH create the first complete representation of Hungary's economy, mapping production networks and supply relationships. They find that only a few firms pose a substantial risk to the overall economy, with nearly 75% of systemic risk concentrated on just 100 high-risk companies.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2022

Jellyfish’s stinging cells hold clues to biodiversity

Researchers found that jellyfish's stinging cells evolved by repurposing a neuron inherited from a pre-cnidarian ancestor. This discovery provides insights into the emergence of new cell types and the evolution of biodiversity, suggesting that co-option of ancestral cell types was an important source for new cell functions.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2022

Eruption’s echoes

Researchers characterized the Hunga volcano's atmospheric waves, providing exceptional resolution of the evolving wavefield compared to historic events. The data revealed Lamb waves, rare and low-frequency pressure waves associated with large eruptions and nuclear detonations.

Smaller female North Atlantic right whales have fewer calves: Declining body size may contribute to low birth rates

A new study reveals that smaller females of North Atlantic right whales have fewer offspring per reproductive year, likely contributing to the species' low birth rates. This decline in body size may be a result of human-caused stressors such as entanglements and vessel strikes, which could limit population growth if not addressed.

SourceNOAA Fisheries West Coast Region·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·TypeObservational study·DateMay 12, 2022

Astronomers snap first-ever image of supermassive black hole Sagitarrius A*

A team of astronomers, including those from MIT's Haystack Observatory, has captured the light around our own supermassive black hole, revealing for the first time an image of Sagitarrius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The resulting image reveals SgrA* in a glowing, donut-shaped ring of light.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 12, 2022

The deadly impact of urban streets that look like highways

Researchers analyzed over 240,000 Google Street View images to find that streets with more visible sky, roadway, and signs have 48% more crashes than residential areas. The study highlights the dangers of 'open road' segments in urban areas, which drivers often perceive as highways, despite being near pedestrians and human activity.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEnvironment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2022

How we perceive crowds

A new study suggests that individuals perceive a space as congested when they can't walk at their desired speed. Age and gender also play a role, with older and female pedestrians reporting lower feelings of congestion. The researchers hope to apply this finding to design spaces that prioritize comfort and usability.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalTransportation Research·TypeObservational study·DateMay 12, 2022

Study finds nanomedicine targeting lymph nodes key to triple negative breast cancer treatment

Researchers found that targeting both tumor and lymph node microenvironments with nanomedicine improves treatment response for metastatic triple negative breast cancer. Long-term tumor remission was achieved in mice models using nanoparticles to deliver immune-modulating drugs.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

Immune cell characteristics mapped across multiple tissues, from early life to adulthood

Two new papers from the Human Cell Atlas have created open-access atlases of immune cells in the human body, mapping their characteristics across nine organs during development and 16 adult tissues. The studies reveal new types of immune cells and provide a framework for predicting cell type identity and immunological memory.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

What grasshoppers feed on

A study by the University of Würzburg found that grasshoppers eat a wide range of plants in cold regions, but are more specialized in temperate habitats. The researchers suggest that this adaptation allows them to survive in extreme climatic conditions.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 12, 2022

Chimps, dreams, and videotape

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered chimpanzees experiencing nocturnal erections, a phenomenon previously only observed in humans. Eight out of twelve male chimps demonstrated this behavior, with half also masturbating and consuming ejaculate, suggesting potential health benefits.

SourceKyoto University·JournalBehaviour·TypeObservational study·DateMay 12, 2022

From cavefish to humans: Evolution of metabolism in cavefish may provide insight into treatments for a host of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke

Researchers studied cavefish genome-wide map of liver tissue to understand metabolism evolution and its potential applications for humans. The study found striking similarities in metabolic adaptations among cavefish populations, raising questions about universal adaptation mechanisms that could be triggered in other species like humans.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

Strange dreams might help your brain learn better, according to research by HBP scientists

A study by HBP scientists found that wakefulness, non-REM sleep, and REM sleep have complementary functions for learning: experiencing stimuli, solidifying experiences, and discovering semantic concepts. This research suggests that unusual dreams, simulated using Generative Adversarial Networks, can improve brain learning by introducin...

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournaleLife·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 12, 2022

High-resolution genomes reveal nuanced origins of the first farmers

A new study suggests that the world's first farmers did not originate from a single group but from the mixing of two groups of hunter-gatherers. The research team used deep sequencing to analyze ancient DNA and found evidence of population divergence, expansions, and admixture dates, providing a more detailed understanding of the demog...

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

COVID-19 and obesity disparities for Black communities

A new study provides recommendations for behavioral weight loss interventions to address the unmet needs of Black people with obesity. The research emphasizes the importance of enhancing recruitment and retention of Black men and women in behavioral weight loss intervention studies, as well as combining policy with behavioral changes.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 12, 2022

Interprofessional collaboration leads to significant and sustained reduction in hospital-onset c. difficile infections

A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that interprofessional teams implementing evidence-based infection-prevention interventions can significantly reduce hospital-onset C. difficile infections. The team's selected interventions included diagnostic stewardship, enhanced environmental cleaning, and educati...

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeObservational study·DateMay 12, 2022

Pumping calcium for bigger bones

A Kyoto University study has discovered that c-type natriuretic peptide facilitates intracellular calcium signaling in chondrocytes to stimulate long bone growth. This finding may lead to the development of new bone growth-stimulating agents for treating developmental disorders.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

First mutation-targeted bladder cancer drug may be under-used

A recent study analyzed a large database of bladder cancer patients and found that fewer than half had been tested for the relevant gene mutation or received erdafitinib treatment, despite its proven efficacy. The research highlights significant barriers to treatment, including obstacles in testing and education for healthcare providers.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeContent analysis·DateMay 12, 2022

Uneven distribution of emergency physician residency programs can impact workforce challenges, new analysis finds

A new analysis found that while the number of emergency physician residency programs is increasing, they are disproportionately located in urban areas, rather than rural communities. This can exacerbate workforce challenges and shortages in rural areas, with many states lacking emergency medicine residency programs.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateMay 12, 2022

Illinois astronomers help capture first image of Milky Way's black hole

A team of University of Illinois researchers, led by Charles Gammie, has captured the first direct visual evidence of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The image reveals a dark central region surrounded by a bright ringlike structure, providing valuable clues about the workings of such giants.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 12, 2022

Study sheds light on what influences water supplied by snowmelt

A new study by University of Nevada, Reno and Desert Research Institute found that three factors – available winter snowfall, snow melt speed, and melting timing – impact critical water supplies. The research team developed a simple framework to help water managers predict timing and amount of streamflow as climate change accelerates.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2022

Sophisticated fluid mechanics model is on a roll

The Rice-Waseda team created a computer simulation model that can accurately depict the complex aerodynamics around a moving car and its rolling tires. The model uses NURBS Surface-to-Volume Guided Mesh Generation method, which enables it to capture the deformation of tires as they roll on the road.

SourceRice University·JournalComputational Mechanics·DateMay 12, 2022

Forests’ ability to sequester carbon depends on more than just photosynthesis; may become more limited

A new study found that current forest carbon sequestration models may be overestimating the ability of forests to store atmospheric carbon. The findings highlight the importance of considering processes other than photosynthesis for estimating carbon sequestration, such as temperature, water, and nutrient availability.

Adopting low-carbon energy can reduce racial disparities in air pollution

Research published in Science of the Total Environment found that adopting low-carbon fuels could reduce racial disparities in exposure to fine and ultrafine particle pollution by 20-40% in California by 2050. This would lead to improved air quality, reduced deaths, and estimated annual public health benefits of $20 billion.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2022