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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 306


Page 306 of 448

Environmental DNA reveals secret reef inhabitants

A new study using environmental DNA reveals a 16% higher fish diversity on coral reefs than traditional visual observations. The approach detects pelagic, reef-bound, and cryptobenthic species that are difficult to spot by divers.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Novel deep learning method provides early and accurate differential diagnosis for Parkinsonian diseases

A new deep learning method, PDD-Net, uses 3D deep convolutional neural networks to extract deep metabolic imaging indices from PET scans for differential diagnosis of parkinsonian diseases. The method achieved high sensitivity and specificity rates for Parkinson's disease and other parkinsonian syndromes.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateApr 21, 2022

Scientists use machine learning to identify antibiotic resistant bacteria that can spread between animals, humans and the environment

A ground-breaking software combines DNA sequencing and machine learning to identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria transmission between humans, animals, and the environment. The study found antimicrobial genes shared across animals, farm workers, and environments, including unknown genes associated with resistance.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 21, 2022

New materials for storing flammable industrial gases

Researchers have created new patented materials that can capture and release acetylene with high efficiency, outperforming existing porous materials. The flexible Metal-Organic frameworks (MOFs) offer tunable gas storage and release conditions suitable for industrial applications.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

The protein that keeps the pancreas from digesting itself

Researchers identified estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERR γ) as crucial for preventing pancreatic auto-digestion in mice. In humans, lower levels of ERR γ were found in cells affected by pancreatitis. These findings suggest new therapies regulating ERR γ activity could help prevent or treat these conditions.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalGastroenterology·DateApr 21, 2022

Japanese scientists found potential food contamination routes of a newly identified foodborne pathogen

A recent study by Japanese researchers found that Staphylococcus argenteus, a bacterial organism causing food poisoning, was present in 13.9% of tested chicken samples. The study also revealed cross-contamination among retail foods and slaughterhouses, suggesting a potential link between the two.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalInternational Journal of Food Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Cortisol in shelter dog hair shows signs of stress

A study published in Scientific Reports found that shelter dog hair cortisol levels increased by one-third after six weeks in the shelter, indicating elevated stress. After adoption, cortisol levels decreased, returning to pre-shelter values. The results suggest that even well-managed shelters can cause stress in dogs.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

THE LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH: Stricter COVID-19 measures associated with negative mental health effects and lower opinion of government’s pandemic response, new research suggests

New research suggests that stricter pandemic policy measures are associated with poorer mental health outcomes and lower life evaluations. Eliminator countries experienced fewer deaths and better mental health trends compared to mitigator countries.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2022

Safely storing dangerous gasses in pores

Scientists developed a new porous coordination polymer that can store and release acetylene, a highly flammable industrial gas, without using solvents. The material allows for the storage of large quantities of acetylene at pressures below 2 bar.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 21, 2022

The pandemic put university students’ study engagement to the test and greatly increased burnout

The pandemic significantly increased study burnout among university students, with engagement in studies dropping to its lowest level in late 2020. The conflict between demands and resources was a central factor, while basic psychological needs such as autonomy, relatedness, and competence played a crucial role in student wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·TypeSurvey·DateApr 21, 2022

Microdrones with light-driven nanomotors

Würzburg physicists have developed microdrones that can be precisely controlled on a surface using light-driven nanomotors. The drones consist of polymer discs with up to four independently addressable nanomotors, enabling efficient propulsion and control in aqueous environments.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Glowing spider fossils prompt breakthrough study of how they were preserved at Aix-en-Provence

Researchers at the University of Kansas discovered that microalgae-produced diatoms played a crucial role in preserving ancient spider fossils at Aix-en-Provence. The unique chemical process, similar to industrial vulcanization, stabilized carbon-based exoskeletons and promoted sulfurization, resulting in exceptional fossil preservation.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateApr 21, 2022

A luminescent material shines brighter by simultaneously stretching it and applying an electric field.

Scientists at DGIST have developed a flexible, stretchable material that lights up brightly when stretched or subjected to an electric field. The new material overcomes design issues in existing devices, offering improved luminescence and potential applications in interactive skin displays and soft robotics.

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers detect coronavirus particles with “slow light”

Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed a new technique to easily visualize viruses using an optical microscope, called the Gires-Tournois immunoassay platform. The platform uses 'slow light' technology to detect coronavirus particles by slowing down light that gets reflected around them.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Waking up to an interactive coffee cup of data

A team of researchers has made a large collection of coffee samples' NMR data freely available to assess the variety under which coffee is sold. The dataset can be interactively explored using software called NMRium-browser, allowing users to visualize the molecular structure of coffee beans from different origins.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigabyte·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Children with migration backgrounds less likely to receive recommended psychiatric treatment, Swedish study shows

A Swedish study found that children with migration backgrounds are less likely to receive recommended psychiatric diagnoses and treatments for conditions like ADHD and depression. They were 40% less likely to receive certain diagnoses and 30% less likely to receive psychotherapy or ADHD drugs.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalEpidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2022

Volcanoes at fault if the Earth slips

A study by KyotoU scientists has discovered a significant relationship between volcanic activity and seismic faults. The research team found that the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes were triggered by the eruption of Mount Aso, which caused a shift in the fault's movement pattern.

SourceKyoto University·JournalGeochemistry Geophysics Geosystems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 21, 2022