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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 64


Page 64 of 448

Mixing up metabolism

A three-year experiment found that mixotrophs evolved to be less photosynthetic at higher temperatures, potentially increasing CO2 production and contributing to climate change. The study also suggests natural selection has a stronger effect on organisms with less flexible characteristics.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateNov 4, 2022

Researchers find treatment options for patients whose blood cancer relapses after CAR-T

Researchers have found therapies that can help patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who tried CAR-T therapy, including bispecific antibodies and other types of CAR-T cell therapy. The study analyzed 79 patients and found that stem cell transplants and other drug combinations showed some efficacy in these patients.

New technology to reduce potholes

Researchers developed an intelligent compaction technology that integrates into a road roller, assessing real-time the quality of road base compaction. This improves road construction, reducing potholes and maintenance costs, leading to safer and more resilient roads.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalEngineering Structures·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 4, 2022

Fire in the Amazon is associated more with agricultural burning and deforestation than with drought

A recent study analyzing Amazon Rainforest fires from 2003-2020 reveals that most fires are caused by uncontrolled human use of fire for agriculture and deforestation. The study found that Brazil accounted for an average of 73% of detected fires, with pasturelands and natural grasslands being the main burned areas.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateNov 4, 2022

Words matter in food freshness, safety messaging

A new study by Cornell University researchers found that changing the wording on expiration dates could help reduce food waste. The study suggests that certain labels, such as "use by" or "best if used by," may lead to more food being discarded than others.

SourceCornell University·JournalEuropean Review of Agricultural Economics·DateNov 4, 2022

UCLA researchers offer roadmap for identifying new neuroprotective treatments by leveraging sex differences

Researchers from UCLA have developed a strategy to identify novel treatments for cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases by exploiting sex differences in the brain. The study provides a roadmap for disentangling the contribution of sex-specific factors, which can yield treatments optimized for each sex.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateNov 4, 2022

The early bird may just get the worm

A new study from the University of Ottawa reveals that morning types tend to have superior verbal ability, contrary to previous research suggesting that evening types have an advantage. The study found that accounting for factors like bedtime and age, morning individuals outperformed their evening counterparts in verbal intelligence.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCurrent Research in Behavioral Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 4, 2022

Shorter course of radiation therapy yields comparable results for patients with non-metastatic soft tissue sarcoma

Patients with non-metastatic soft tissue sarcoma can safely receive hypofractionated treatment over three weeks instead of five, achieving similar tumor control and no increased risk of wound complications. The study found comparable rates of major wound complications between the two treatment courses.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateNov 4, 2022

Cleveland Clinic study identifies blood pressure drug as potential treatment for Black patients with Alzheimer’s disease

A new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that telmisartan, a blood pressure medication, is associated with lower risk of Alzheimer's specifically in Black patients over 60. The study analyzed data from over 5 million patients and suggests that future clinical trials should prioritize minority populations to find or reinfor...

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·DateNov 4, 2022

Remote support program helps decrease blood pressure, Geisinger study finds

People with elevated blood pressure showed improvement after 12 weeks of a telehealth support program, with significant reductions in systolic blood pressure and increased self-reported physical activity. A dietitian-led intervention also showed greater reductions in systolic blood pressure while asleep and more weight loss.

SourceGeisinger Health System·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateNov 4, 2022

Light-driven molecular motors light up

Scientists have successfully created two types of light-driven molecular motors that can both rotate and fluoresce in the same molecule. This achievement demonstrates that these motors can be designed to control various functions using light energy, paving the way for potential applications in biomedical imaging and cellular processes.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2022

Optically-generated focused ultrasound for noninvasive brain stimulation with ultrahigh precision

A team of scientists has developed optically-generated focused ultrasound (OFUS) for non-invasive brain stimulation with ultrahigh precision, surpassing the reach of traditional transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS). OFUS uses a soft optoacoustic pad to generate an ultrasound pulse with a spatial resolution of 0.1 mm.

New study of comets provides insight into chemical composition of early solar system

A new study of 25 comets has found strong evidence that comet outgassing could be the source of the chemical composition of the early solar system. The research, led by Olga Harrington Pinto, measured the ratio of water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide gases from comets to test predictions of solar system formation and evolution.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 4, 2022

NSF awards $800,000 to support development of Edge AI applications NSF awards $800,000 to support development of Edge AI applications

The National Science Foundation has awarded $800,000 to support the development of Edge AI applications in a proposed wearable diabetes management device. The project aims to create a smart, wearable device that monitors blood sugar levels without the need for frequent blood draws, reducing delays and increasing privacy and security.

Collaborative research between Oxford and Diamond reveals the structure of influenza replication, unveiling new discoveries and potential drug targets

Structural insights from collaborative Oxford-Diamond research reveal new potential drug targets for novel antiviral drugs. The study elucidated how the viral polymerase interacts with cellular proteins, including ANP32A, and appropriates it to shelter viral RNA from detection by the immune system.

SourceDiamond Light Source·JournalTrends in Microbiology·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 4, 2022

Fecal microbial transplants show lack of predictability when no prior antibiotic treatment is given to recipient

Researchers found that fecal microbial transplants can't reliably change the gut microbial community when no prior antibiotic treatment is given to the recipient. This challenges the use of these transplants to alter metabolism or host immunity without reducing the recipient's existing microbe community.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 4, 2022

Surface melting of glass

Researchers observe a surprising phenomenon where particles near the surface of colloidal glass move faster than in the solid below, forming a liquid layer up to 30 particle diameters thick. This discovery sheds new light on the properties of thin disordered films and their potential applications in technology.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 4, 2022

Death and end-of-life care in emergency departments

Research highlights the significant role emergency departments play in end-of-life care, with nearly one-third of decedents visiting the ED just before death. The study's findings emphasize the need for emergency medicine practitioners to identify patients in need of end-of-life care and provide necessary resources.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 4, 2022

Astronomers discover closest black hole to earth

Astronomers have discovered the closest-known black hole to Earth, a dormant stellar-mass black hole located about 1600 light-years away in the constellation Ophiuchus. This discovery was made possible by precise observations of the motion of the black hole's companion star using the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph instrument.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateNov 4, 2022

Plant fibers for sustainable devices

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered that plant-derived cellulose nanofibers exhibit high thermal conductivity, potentially replacing environmentally damaging synthetic polymers. The discovery was made using a novel method to align the fibers, allowing for efficient heat transfer.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2022

Seeing concentrations of toxins with the naked eye

Researchers developed a fast and cost-effective method to detect amphiphiles, a ubiquitous family of chemical compounds used in disease diagnosis and toxin detection. The new test uses rolling droplets on microstructured surfaces to detect levels of pathogenic endotoxins in water at ultralow concentrations.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 3, 2022

Breast cancer survivorship doubles

A study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network found that breast cancer survivorship has doubled among Canadian women, with 2.1% of adult females diagnosed with breast cancer and 86% surviving by 2022. The prevalence varies by age group, with senior women having a higher rate of survival.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 3, 2022

Pilot study finds school-based prevention program shows promise educating young adolescents about avoiding child sexual abuse behaviors

A pilot study found that a school-based prevention program increased knowledge about child sexual abuse norms and laws, and students' intention to avoid or prevent child sexual abuse with younger children. The program showed promise in building a foundation for prevention.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalChild Maltreatment·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 3, 2022

High levels of sweet and fruit-flavour chemicals in ‘tobacco-flavoured’ e-cig liquids

Research found high levels of sweet and fruit-flavour chemicals in 'tobacco-flavoured' e-cigarette liquids, particularly fruity and caramellic flavour chemicals. The study suggests manufacturers are getting around regulations by using these flavour chemicals in products marketed as 'tobacco-flavoured', raising concerns about their safety.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalTobacco Control·TypeObservational study·DateNov 3, 2022

New model found for microsphere-enhanced interferometry

A team of scientists developed a new model to overcome optical measurement instruments' diffraction effects, enabling local improvement of lateral resolution and magnification enhancement. The model reliably reproduces measurement results and demonstrates the relative improvement of lateral resolution.

Deprivation may explain the link between early adversity and developmental outcomes in adolescence

Researchers found that experiences of early deprivation, such as parental neglect and financial difficulties, were more closely associated with cognitive and emotional functioning in adolescence. Deprivation was also linked to internalizing and externalizing problems, including lower performance on tests of intelligence.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 3, 2022

Researchers encourage retailers to embrace AI to better service customers

A research team proposes an AI-powered store layout design framework that utilizes CCTV camera data to understand customer behavior and tailor store layouts to maximize sales. The framework, called Sense-Think-Act-Learn, aims to improve customer satisfaction and increase sales by analyzing facial expressions and behavioral patterns.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalArtificial Intelligence Review·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 3, 2022