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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 33


Page 33 of 448

November/December 2022 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

A study found that concerns about colonoscopy, lack of opportunity to discuss next steps with a medical provider, and assumptions about personal risk are common reasons patients don't follow up after a positive at-home test. Researchers also developed two simple risk measurement tools to predict COVID-19 mortality rates, which could he...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 30, 2022

Are Americans eating enough whole grains? It depends on who you ask

A new study finds that different definitions of whole-grain foods yield varying results on American consumers' intake, highlighting the need for a standardized consensus. While overall consumption has increased, it remains below recommended levels, with discrepancies among racial/ethnic groups and across institutions.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 30, 2022

New clues about how carbon dioxide affects bumble bee reproduction

A recent study found that carbon dioxide changes the way macronutrients are stored and reallocated in the body of bumblebee queens. The researchers discovered that carbon dioxide induces a change in metabolism, which then triggers secondary effects on reproduction, contrary to previous hypotheses.

SourcePenn State·JournalInsect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·DateNov 30, 2022

The junction is the key

A team of researchers has discovered how pore space geometry affects the transport of substances through complex porous media. By studying microchips with varying obstruction geometries, they found that branching and junctions play a crucial role in controlling the direction and speed of fluid flow.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 30, 2022

Who's really driving conversations on social media?

A new study from Brigham Young University found that most people on social media self-censor their comments to avoid conflict, while those on the margins fuel online dialogue. The study suggests a shift towards polarized conversations and encourages users to focus on solutions rather than defending identities.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalSocial Media + Society·TypeSurvey·DateNov 30, 2022

Landslide risk remains long after an earthquake

The study found that earthquake-accelerated landslides (EALs) can maintain accelerated motion for a long time after the earthquake, causing particularly serious human casualties in seismically active areas. Satellite radar observations detected and investigated EALs in Central Italy, leading to the first ever complete EAL inventory.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 30, 2022

Clover’s vaccine candidate reduced household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases

A global Phase 2/3 clinical trial found that vaccination with SCB-2019 reduced the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 infection to household members. The study showed a significant reduction in symptomatic cases among vaccinated household contacts and indicated that vaccines can play an important role in controlling future outbreaks.

SourceInternational Vaccine Institute·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 30, 2022

Smallest mobile lifeform created

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have successfully created the smallest mobile lifeform, a synthetic bacterium named syn3, capable of swimming. By introducing seven proteins, they were able to reconstitute a minimal motility system based on Spiroplasma swimming, revealing that only two proteins were necessary for movement.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022

PET technology more effective than angiogram at determining need for coronary stents, bypass surgery

A new PET imaging method is more effective than angiograms in determining the need for coronary stents or bypass surgery, according to UTHealth Houston researchers. The study confirms that PET threshold of severity at which stents and bypass surgery improve survival compared to medical treatment alone.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 30, 2022

Researchers identify the role of an Alzheimer’s disease risk gene in the brain

Researchers identify INPP5D as a key player in the inflammation process contributing to Alzheimer's disease, which may offer new potential targets for therapies. The study found that mice with inactivated INPP5D gene had more plaques covered by microglia, suggesting unexpected results when modulating inflammation genes.

Pusan National University researchers introduce an energy-efficient method to enhance thermal conductivity of polymer composites

Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a new, energy-efficient process to control the orientation of filler particles in thermally conductive polymer composites. This allows for improved heat dissipation in electronics and batteries, reducing energy costs and extending device lifespan.

SourcePusan National University·JournalPolymer Testing·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022

Lost medieval chapel sheds light on royal burials at Westminster Abbey, finds new study featuring 15th-century reconstruction

A new study has shed light on the lost medieval chapel of St Erasmus at Westminster Abbey, revealing its role as a royal burial site and its connection to the cult of a disembowelled saint. The chapel, demolished in 1502, is believed to have held relics, including a single tooth, and featured gruesome images of the saint's martyrdom.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of the British Archaeological Association·DateNov 30, 2022

Soft robots make virtual reality gloves feel more real

Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science developed a new electrostatically controlled clutch that enables soft robotic hands to hold 4 pounds, 40 times more than before. The clutch uses a fracture-mechanics-based model to achieve this feat while requiring only 125 volts of electricity.

Controversial Alzheimer's drug approval sparks surprising impact

A survey by UCI MIND found that media coverage of the FDA's decision made people less willing to volunteer for Alzheimer's pharmaceutical trials. The study highlights the powerful influence of media coverage on scientific research and emphasizes the need for diverse populations in clinical trials.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 30, 2022

Fear of professional backlash may keep women from speaking up at academic conferences

A recent study published in Psychological Science found that women are less likely to participate in Q&A sessions at academic conferences due to anxiety about receiving professional backlash. Despite this, men were also found to hold back questions, but for different reasons, highlighting the need for structural changes to create a mor...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022

CHOP researchers discover genetic variant associated with earlier onset childhood epilepsy

CHOP researchers identified a gain-of-function variant in SCN1A that leads to an earlier onset of epilepsy, with clinical features distinct from other epilepsies. The study found that patients with this recurrent variant responded favorably to oxcarbazepine, a readily available anti-seizure medication.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalEpilepsia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 30, 2022

Going green in operating rooms reduces cost and improves environmental impact

A comprehensive analysis of quality improvement initiatives in operating rooms reveals that sustainability interventions can significantly reduce costs and decrease carbon footprint. The study identified effective strategies such as powering down lights and equipment, reducing waste, and implementing recycling programs.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateNov 30, 2022

Empires and entrepreneurs

Researchers analyzed metal ingots from a 14th century B.C. shipwreck to understand the origins of copper and tin used in bronze production. The study found that two-thirds of the tin came from Turkey, contradicting previous assumptions about its source.

SourceJuniata College·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022

Novel 3D printing method to fabricate complex metal–plastic composite structures

Researchers developed a novel 3D printing technique to fabricate complex metal–plastic composite structures with arbitrarily complex shapes. The process, called MM-DLP3DP, allows for the creation of precise metal patterns and high-quality metal coatings, enabling the development of highly integrated and customizable microelectronics.

SourceWaseda University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022

Earthquake lab experiments produce aftershock-like behavior

A team of researchers from Cornell University has developed a method to study delayed earthquake triggering in laboratory settings. They found that the speed and strength of 'creep fronts' are sensitive to fault stress levels from previous earthquakes, which could potentially serve as local stress meters for predicting seismic events.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 30, 2022

Finding genes to help fruit adapt to droughts

A study by researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute has identified genes that can help plant breeders develop fruit crops that can adapt to drought conditions. The research found that water stress triggers physiological disorders and fruit loss, but also has positive effects such as increasing lycopene levels in ripe fruit.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022

New AI method for public health analysis shows trends in substance use among high schoolers

A new AI method has analyzed substance use trends among Canadian high schoolers, identifying factors such as large weekly allowances and low physical activity that increase the risk of transitioning to multiple substance use. The study found that once students start using substances, it is rare for them to stop, highlighting the need f...

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateNov 30, 2022