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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 325


Page 325 of 448

An uncertain future for livestock production in the tropics

A study found that climate change could lead to significant economic losses of $15-40 billion annually for livestock farmers, especially in poor, tropical countries. Adaptation measures such as breeding heat-stress tolerant cattle and relocating animals to suitable regions can mitigate these losses.

SourceInternational Livestock Research Institute·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 6, 2022

At a melting glacier, a landslide, then tsunami, signal climate-related threat

Scientists detected a seismic signal indicating a massive landslide triggered by the rapid recession of the West Grenville Glacier in British Columbia. The resulting tsunami devastated forest, salmon spawning habitats, and logging camps, killing hundreds of thousands of fish and potentially affecting bears and eagles.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 6, 2022

Study reports potential target and compounds to slow the development of Alzheimer's disease

A study found a shift in the profile of specialized lipid mediators from pro-resolving to pro-inflammatory in patients with cognitive impairment, correlating with severity of cognition impairment. The researchers identified novel mechanisms of brain health and potential therapeutic targets for slowing down Alzheimer's disease onset.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalCellular and Molecular Neurobiology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 6, 2022

New treatment removes radioactive barium from nuclear wastewater “rapidly and effectively”

A new process has been developed to remove radioactive barium ions from nuclear wastewater, achieving high adsorption capacity and fast equilibrium adsorption time. The adsorbent uses a sulfonic acid group and exhibits excellent capture ability for barium due to strong acid-base and electrostatic interactions.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalGreen Chemical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2022

Virtual Behavioural Medicine program is a game changer for people living with dementia

A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that the Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) program successfully reduced the proportion of patients who needed admission to a specialized inpatient unit by 60%. This suggests that VBM is highly effective for managing severe neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia without p...

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeObservational study·DateApr 6, 2022

As number of ICU survivors increase, study validates first tool to utilize caregiver input to assess post-ICU syndrome symptoms

A new study validates the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor as an accurate tool for monitoring post-intensive care unit (ICU) symptoms among ICU survivors through caregiver input. The tool assesses both patient and caregiver burden, providing clinically relevant information on physical, mental, and emotional symptoms.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalAmerican Journal of Critical Care·DateApr 6, 2022

Common Ground

Researchers found that a third of proposed decarbonization bills passed with bipartisan co-sponsors, while two-thirds passed in Democratic-controlled state legislatures. Bipartisan bills tended to focus on environmental social justice components and expand consumer choice.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalClimatic Change·DateApr 6, 2022

L.A.’s injury rate from e-scooters may exceed national rate for motorcycles

A recent UCLA study found that the injury rate for e-scooter riders in Los Angeles is higher than the national rates for motorcycle, bicycle, car, and pedestrian injuries. The study estimates 115 injuries per 1 million e-scooter rides, highlighting a growing risk as e-scooters proliferate globally.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 6, 2022

Stray cats: worthy of our love or invasive and destructive?

A 12-year longitudinal study in Israel reveals that controlling stray cat populations requires continuous and intensive neutering of at least 70% of street cats. The study also suggests implementing a policy to control cat food resources, ensuring cats are properly fed before neutering, to mitigate rebound effects.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2022

Penn researchers develop injectable microtissue to preserve muscle function in rats with severed sciatic nerves

Researchers engineered injectable microtissue containing motor and sensory neurons to provide a source of axons to muscles, preventing degeneration and loss of function while nerves regrow. The technology shows promise to improve recovery of sensory and motor function after peripheral nerve injuries.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalBioactive Materials·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 6, 2022

The dark matter of the brain

Electrical synapses play a vital role in brain function and stability, influencing individual nerve cell activity. In Drosophila, researchers found electrical synapses occur in almost all brain areas, affecting visual processing and neuron stability.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 5, 2022

Sick patients get cosmetic surgery to look healthier

Patients with serious illnesses seek cosmetic procedures to maintain their physical and mental well-being, as well as to become comfortable in social settings. The study found that these procedures are often chosen for noninvasive treatments and endorsed by doctors, friends, and family.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology·TypeCase study·DateApr 5, 2022

HIV drug stabilizes disease progression in metastatic colorectal cancer

A clinical trial reveals that lamivudine, a widely used HIV treatment, halted disease progression in 28% of patients with fourth-line metastatic colorectal cancer. The study suggests an unexpected promising direction for cancer treatment and encourages the exploration of pairing reverse transcriptase inhibitor therapy with immunotherapy.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 5, 2022

Both antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes transmitted between healthy dogs and cats and their owners, finds study in UK and Portugal

Researchers found that healthy companion animals and their owners can transmit antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes to each other, highlighting the importance of hygiene practices around pets. The study suggests that even low-level shedding of bacteria by healthy carriers can pose a risk to vulnerable individuals.

Innovation flows across regions and sectors in complex ways, study shows

A new study analyzes knowledge transfers across 853 US counties in five manufacturing industries, revealing the importance of local environment, university research, and industry structure for innovation. The findings provide insights into inter- and intra-regional flows, as well as the role of external factors in knowledge output.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalSpatial Economic Analysis·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 2022

Study: Carbs, sugary foods may influence poor oral health

A recent study has found a link between high carbohydrate intake and the diversity of oral bacteria in postmenopausal women. The researchers also discovered associations between sugar consumption and certain types of gum disease, such as gingivitis. These findings suggest that diet may play a role in the development of periodontal dise...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

U.S. trees may provide over $100 billion dollars in savings via environmental benefits – but face growing threats

A recent study found that US trees generate a total of $114 billion annually in ecosystem services, with carbon storage and air quality regulation contributing 51% and 37% respectively. The most valuable tree species are pine and oak, but face growing threats from climate change and pests.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Sustainability and Transformation·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

Genetic 'hotspots' that speed up and slow down brain aging could provide new targets for Alzheimer's drugs

Researchers have discovered 15 genomic loci that either accelerate or decelerate brain aging, offering potential new drug targets to combat Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative brain disorders. The study, led by USC researchers, found overlap with genes involved in depression, schizophrenia, and cognitive functioning.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 2022

Is digital health just for the rich?

The review highlights the importance of regulatory frameworks, equity, ethics, accountability, and governance in digital health initiatives. The future of digital health in LMICs may be tied to securing public-private partnerships to address concerns around data safety, confidentiality, and access.

SourceAnnual Reviews·JournalAnnual Review of Public Health·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 5, 2022

Study reveals how deadly tick disease spreads

A new study analyzed brown dog ticks, canine and human infections, and climatic data to understand how Rocky Mountain spotted fever spreads. The research found that the vectoring capacity of the brown dog tick may be spreading outside its known region, putting a larger portion of the country at risk.

Tiny jumping genes fingered as culprit in rise of antibiotic resistance

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have discovered a physical mechanism that causes high doses of antibiotics to promote the spread of antibiotic resistance between bacteria. The culprit is an overabundance of 'jumping genes,' called transposons, which carry genetic instructions for resistance from cell's source code to plasmids.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

Molecules produced by cells in response to stress may be indicators of various diseases

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered that certain RNA molecules called tDRs released by cells in response to stress can serve as markers of cellular stress in different diseases. The study created an atlas of stress signatures for tDRs, which can be used to diagnose and understand various conditions.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

How left brain asymmetry is related to reading ability

A new study reveals that greater left-brain asymmetry is related to both better and average performance on reading ability tests, depending on the analysis method used. The findings support two opposing theories of language processing, suggesting a complex relationship between brain structure and speech sound processing.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

Fresh take on cool plasma

Australian and Asian researchers have used a simulation of a new experimental technique to determine accurate electron cross-sections in liquid using a micro-jet of water, paving the way for more efficient plasma-liquid models. This proof-of-concept model uses machine learning and Monte Carlo training data to enhance predictive power.

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

SwRI scientists connect the dots between Galilean moon, auroral emissions on Jupiter

SwRI scientists studied particle population and auroral emissions on Jupiter, confirming a decade-old theory that electrons accelerated in both directions create the multi-spot dance of auroral footprints. The research also provided insights into the interaction between Ganymede's magnetic field and Jupiter's massive magnetosphere.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 5, 2022

Reproductive factors and dementia risk

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that certain reproductive events, such as shorter estrogen exposure, may be associated with increased dementia risk in women. However, the association between the number of children and dementia risk was similar for women and men, suggesting social and behavioral factors may play a role.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

The pleasant smell of wet soil indicates danger to bacteria-eating worms, Concordia researchers find

A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology reveals that geosmin, a common soil contaminant, acts as an aposematic signal to deter bacteria-eating worms like C. elegans from poisonous microbes. The researchers found that geosmin triggers the worm's sense of taste, warning it of potential danger.

SourceConcordia University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

The recovery process after a heart attack

A recent study published in Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids found that the molecule urocortin-2 may regulate recovery processes after a heart attack by modulating miR-29a. Treatment with urocortin-2 could favor patient recovery by regulating apoptosis and fibrosis.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·DateApr 5, 2022

Emergency caesarean placenta response

A new study finds that emergency Caesarean sections are associated with increased inflammation in the placenta, which may compromise a baby's long-term health and development. The research also reveals sex differences in inflammatory gene expression between male and female babies born via C-section versus vaginal delivery.

SourceFlinders University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeSurvey·DateApr 5, 2022

Alpha brain waves can predict post-surgery pain

A new technique developed at the University of Birmingham uses electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity in patients before surgery, predicting their likelihood of severe pain after recovery. This allows clinicians to plan additional preventative pain medication and potentially reduce chronic symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBritish Journal of Anaesthesia·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022