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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 358


Page 358 of 448

Maternal lead exposures correlated with sex ratios of offspring

A new study by Japanese researchers at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine found a correlation between maternal lead exposure and an increase in male births. The research suggests that even low levels of lead can affect the sex ratio of offspring, potentially contributing to Japan's declining proportion of male births.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateMar 14, 2022

Early, persistent activation of specific immune cells may be a predictor of severe COVID-19

Researchers found early and persistent activation of neutrophils in patients who developed severe COVID-19. The study suggests that identifying specific gene signatures could lead to effective treatments targeting high-risk patients. This discovery may also inform the development of simple blood tests to prioritize treatment.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJCI Insight·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 14, 2022

New research study: “Sky is not the limit” for solar geoengineering

A new study assesses the safety and cost-effectiveness of deploying aerosols at an altitude of 25 km, finding that such a height would be more effective but also pose unacceptable risks. The research clarifies the practical limits to solar geoengineering, which is crucial for climate intervention models globally.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Communications·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 14, 2022

The American Association for Anatomy (AAA) addresses structural racism, questionable ethics, and complex history of anatomical sciences

The American Association for Anatomy (AAA) has published a special issue of The Anatomical Record examining its complex history and addressing structural racism and questionable ethics. The issue proposes recommendations for creating an inclusive future for the field.

SourceAmerican Association for Anatomy·JournalThe Anatomical Record·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 14, 2022

THE LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH: Study suggests association between severe COVID-19 and long-term mental health outcomes 16 months after an illness

A new study found that severe COVID-19 illness is associated with increased risk of long-term adverse mental health effects. Non-hospitalized patients with a SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to experience depressive symptoms up to 16 months after diagnosis, with those bedridden for seven days or more having higher rates of depress...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 14, 2022

COVID vaccination is also recommended for people with cancer

A comprehensive review of over 60 studies confirms that COVID vaccination is around 80% effective in protecting people with cancer against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mRNA vaccines were found to be the most effective, and multiple vaccinations are recommended for better protection.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute -·JournalNature Reviews Clinical Oncology·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 14, 2022

Endless forms most beautiful: Why evolution favors symmetry

A team of researchers found that evolution has an overwhelming preference for simple algorithms, leading to the emergence of highly symmetric structures in biology. This is because simple recipes are more efficient and easier to follow than complex ones, resulting in a higher probability of producing symmetrical outcomes.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2022

Treating deadly mammary cancer with a novel plant virus-based immunotherapy

A new study reveals that intra-tumoral injections of a plant virus-based immunotherapy could lead to groundbreaking therapy for both canine and human inflammatory breast cancer patients. The treatment generated potent local and systemic anti-tumor immune responses, improving quality of life and survival in treated dogs.

SourceDartmouth Health·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2022

Study finds men, women in Army view mentorship differently, as way to advance or survive

A new study from the University of Kansas found that men and women in the Army's special operations view mentorship positively, but with differing goals. Men see mentoring as a means to advance their careers, while women view it as a way to survive and navigate a male-dominated organization. The study highlights the need for more robus...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalReview of Public Personnel Administration·TypeSurvey·DateMar 14, 2022

Study shows maternal immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) would lower antimicrobial prescribing among infants

A study found that maternal immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can reduce antimicrobial prescribing among young infants. The research, based on a blinded, multi-country trial, showed that infants of mothers assigned the RSV F vaccine experienced fewer antimicrobial prescription courses over the first 90 days of life.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2022

Two extremes at the same time

Researchers used a novel model ensemble to study compound hot-dry-events and found that precipitation trends determine their future occurrence. The frequency of these events is expected to increase fourfold in a two-degree warmer climate, with an uncertainty of up to 48% for precipitation trends.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 14, 2022

Insurance data suggests state laws have little impact on opioid prescribing practices

A study of insurance claims data found that state laws governing opioid prescribing had a negligible effect on opioid prescribing trends. The authors suggest that shifting clinical guidelines, professional norms, or other factors may be driving the decline in opioid prescribing. In contrast, a post-hoc analysis of an ASPREE trial found...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 14, 2022

First-of-its-kind research reveals rapid changes to the Arctic seafloor as submerged permafrost thaws

A new study documents how thawing permafrost is affecting the seafloor in the Arctic Ocean, revealing dramatic changes including deep sinkholes and ice-filled hills. Researchers used advanced underwater mapping technology to track these changes, establishing a baseline for future monitoring.

SourceMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2022

Laser flashes for cancer research

A research team at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf has successfully tested irradiation with laser-accelerated protons on animals, paving the way for optimal radiation therapy. The method could make a decisive contribution to improving proton therapy, which is currently more complex and expensive than X-ray therapy.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2022

Childbearing cardiologists report inconsistent maternity leave policies, higher rates of pregnancy complications

A study by American College of Cardiology reveals that childbearing women cardiologists face discriminatory violations of maternity leave practices, with 75% experiencing potential illegal violations. The survey found a significantly higher rate of pregnancy complications among these women compared to the general population.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 14, 2022

A mutually beneficial relationship

An international research team analyzed the microbial community living on the carapaces of deep-sea squat lobsters, finding a diverse microbiome that likely provides benefits to both organisms. The microbes utilize energy-rich chemical compounds, while the squat lobsters may use them as a source of nutrients or have them remove toxic s...

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateMar 14, 2022

COVID-19 variants can’t hide from Variabel

Researchers at Rice University developed a new program called Variabel to accurately identify 'low-frequency' variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. By distinguishing true variants from sequencing errors, Variabel enables rapid characterization of within-host variation, which could aid in discovering future mutations.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 14, 2022

Models for molecules show unexpected physics

A study by Sibani Lisa Biswal and Kedar Joshi shows that magnetically driven colloidal suspensions exhibit behavior consistent with the principles of classical thermodynamics, including vapor pressure, viscosity, and surface tension. The researchers' findings have implications for designing materials with reconfigurable properties.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2022

Chemical reaction design goes virtual

A new virtual ligand-assisted screening method enables efficient searching of ligands for optimal catalysis, accelerating reaction design. By simplifying ligand description with two metrics, researchers identify promising ligands and focus on real testing.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 13, 2022

The development of the world’s first distortion-free stretchable micro-LED meta-display technology

Researchers at Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) developed a new stretchable meta-display technology that can be stretched up to 25% without image distortion. This achievement solves the fundamental issue of image distortion in stretchable displays using meta-structures.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 13, 2022

Lower, more frequent doses of nanomedicines may enhance cancer treatment

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that using nanomedicines at lower, more frequent doses can normalize the tumor microenvironment and improve cancer treatments. The study showed that this approach can help correct abnormalities that protect tumors and improve blood vessel function and immune activation within a tumor.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2022