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Science News Archive 2022 - Page 94


Page 94 of 448

Powerful enzyme that tamps down inflammation holds promise for protecting the eyes in diabetes, premature birth

Researchers found that increasing arginase 1 availability helps alleviate unhealthy responses and interrupt destructive inflammation in diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. This is achieved by reducing L-arginine levels, which in turn reduces inducible nitric oxide synthase activity.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalCell Death and Disease·DateOct 12, 2022

Bees active in woodland tree-tops, research shows

New research from the University of East Anglia reveals that wild bees are actively foraging in the sunlit woodland canopy, particularly among Sycamore trees. A diverse community of wild bees was found to thrive in this habitat, with nectar and pollen-rich trees providing essential food sources.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalInsect Conservation and Diversity·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

The New England Journal of Medicine published the important achievements of First Affiliate Hospital of the University of Sciences and Technology in China in the acute treatment of stroke

The study, led by Prof. Wei Hu, demonstrates that endovascular thrombectomy improves functional outcomes and reduces mortality in patients with basilar arterial occlusion compared to standard medical therapy. The trial, ATTENTION, provides high-quality evidence on the efficacy and safety of this treatment for acute basilar artery occlu...

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 12, 2022

Reaching new heights in largest ever genome study

Researchers have analyzed data from 5.4 million people to uncover 12,000 genetic variants influencing height, explaining 40% of differences. This breakthrough enables the prediction of height with greater accuracy, particularly for children, and has implications for medical investigation and police investigations.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

Genetic testing helps detect children likely to have heart failure and require a transplant

Researchers have developed genetic testing to diagnose cardiomyopathy in children, identifying those at risk of heart failure and requiring a transplant. The test provides precise clinical diagnosis, enabling targeted treatment options and reducing the need for life-threatening interventions.

SourceCentenary Institute·JournalCirculation Genomic and Precision Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

Providence study reveals high incidence of chronic kidney disease in diabetes beset by disparities

A study reveals a high incidence of chronic kidney disease among adults with diabetes, particularly affecting Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino(a) groups. The rate of new onset CKD was higher in these groups by approximately 60%, 40%, 33%, and 25% compared to White persons with ...

SourceProvidence Health & Services·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

Endangered fruit-eating animals play an outsized role in a tropical forest — losing them could have dire consequences

A new study reveals that losing endangered fruit-eating animals in the Atlantic Forest could severely disrupt seed-dispersal networks, leaving plants without an effective means to regenerate. Nearly 55% of specialist plant species rely solely on these frugivores for seed dispersal.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

Illinois Tech researchers extract personal information from anonymous cell phone data using machine learning, raising data security and privacy concerns

A team of Illinois Tech researchers used machine learning to estimate the age and gender of individual users with high accuracy, raising questions about data security and privacy. The study highlights the need for better regulations and best practices to protect personal information from being misused.

First-of-its-kind database tracks agricultural phosphorus use world-wide

A new database quantifying cropland phosphorus budgets around the world helps identify nutrient management gaps in different regions. The study provides valuable insights into phosphorus management challenges and opportunities in various countries, shedding light on how to improve global phosphorus use efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

New research highlights lack of follow-up care for youth and young adults after hospitalization or ER visit for mental health

A study of over 100,000 emergency room visits and 95,000 mental health hospitalizations found that less than half received follow-up care within 30 days. Having established primary care and mental health care before an acute psychiatric service use is crucial for improving follow-up rates.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalPsychiatric Services·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

Baffling ‘spiderweb’ star is a nesting binary – not an alien megastructure

Researchers from the University of Sydney explain that the James Webb Space Telescope's 'spiderweb' image is not an alien megastructure but rather a series of concentric dust shells created by a binary system. The team discovered that the stars in the system interact through stellar winds, producing shock fronts and spiral-shaped plumes.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateOct 12, 2022

How advanced optical tweezers revolutionized cell manipulation

Optical tweezers have evolved to trap, sort, transport, and enrich various biological particles with finer force strength and non-invasive nature. This enables applications in biology, pharmacology, and clinical research fields, offering a promising tool for understanding human life at the single-cell level.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateOct 12, 2022

Study shows that students compare their math performance with their own reading performance to determine whether they are a “math person” or “reading person”

A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that students increasingly rely on dimensional comparisons to define their math and reading abilities. This tendency, present since grade 1, contributes to the formation of specialized academic identities in high school. The findings suggest that students tend to think...

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateOct 12, 2022

Watch brain cells in a dish learn to play Pong in real time

Researchers successfully taught human and mouse neurons to play the video game Pong in real-time, showcasing their ability to exhibit sentience and adapt to a changing environment. The study's findings have potential applications in disease modeling, drug discoveries, and expanding our understanding of brain function.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

The ultimate death stare: How moth wing patterns scare off predatory birds with amazing optical illusion

Researchers found that moth wings with forward-facing eyespots are more effective at deterring predators than those with concentric circle patterns. The study suggests that the direction of gaze affects the predator's motivation to attack, supporting the idea that eyespots are used to maintain eye contact with predators.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

Nine postdoctoral fellowships in aging research awarded by the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research and AFAR

The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) and the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research have announced the recipients of the 2022 Glenn Foundation for Medical Research Postdoctoral Fellowships in Aging Research. Nine postdoc fellows will receive $60,000 fellowships to advance research on aging biology, geroscience, and potentia...

New polymer made from recycled waste has real magnetic appeal

Researchers at Flinders University have created a new multi-functional material that can be used to purify water, as a recyclable construction material, and as a lightweight machine component for possible use in soft robotics. The material combines magnetic iron particles with a sulfur-rich polymer and can be moved remotely by a magnet.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPolymer Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

Threatened Aldabra giant tortoise genome decoded

Researchers at the University of Zurich have successfully decoded the genome of Aldabrachelys gigantea, one of the world's two remaining giant tortoise species. The reference genome provides crucial information for breeding programs in zoos to represent genetic diversity and conservation efforts across East Africa and Madagascar.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalGigaScience·DateOct 12, 2022

Opioid addiction treatment disparities could worsen if phone telehealth option ends, study suggests

A new study suggests that phone calls and video chats can help patients access care, especially for those with barriers to traditional in-person visits. The study found that veterans who received virtual visits were more likely to stay on buprenorphine treatment, but there were disparities by race, housing status, and age.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

Holistic evolution of charge transfer to photocatalyst surface sites mapped for first time

Scientists have revealed the complex mechanisms behind charge transfer in photocatalyst particles, providing insights into designing more efficient photocatalysts. The research used multiple techniques to map the spatiotemporal evolution of charge transfers, showing that built-in electric fields and defects can aid in charge separation.

Are smartwatch health apps to detect atrial fibrillation smart enough?

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that smartwatch health apps detecting atrial fibrillation generated a high rate of false positives and inconclusive results, especially in patients with certain cardiac conditions. Better algorithms and machine learning may help improve the accuracy of these devices.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

Lifestyle factors may act as preventative measures against severe COVID-19

A new study suggests that lifestyle choices can help prevent severe COVID-19 by reducing chronic inflammation and regulating the immune system. By adopting healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced diet, and stress management, individuals can lower their risk of developing severe disease and mitigate post-infection symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalAmerican Journal of Lifestyle Medicine·DateOct 12, 2022

How do tired animals stay awake?

Researchers studying fruit flies found that brain neurons adapt to help the flies stay awake despite tiredness in dangerous situations, and fall asleep after an intense day. Time-restricted feeding also improved sleep quality in the flies, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for humans.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

‘We’ve never seen anything like this before:’ Black hole spews out material years after shredding star

Astronomers were surprised to find that a black hole is ejecting material at half the speed of light nearly three years after shredding a nearby star. The delayed outflow challenges scientists' understanding of black hole feeding behavior, with one researcher likening it to a 'black hole burping'.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateOct 12, 2022

Career advancement slower for women in entomology, study finds

Women pursuing careers in entomology face persistent challenges in obtaining jobs compared to men. The study found that men published more research articles and were first authors on average, leading to higher H-index scores. Women are also less likely to hold industry positions as technical representatives and research scientists.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalAnnals of the Entomological Society of America·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

New abiotic pathway for the formation of oxygen

Researchers have discovered a new abiotic pathway for the formation of oxygen molecules, using sulphur dioxide as a precursor. This process can explain the presence of oxygen in the atmospheres of several Jupiter's moons, including Io, Europa and Ganymede, where biological life is absent.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

UNC-Chapel Hill researchers detect early deprivation continues to affect brain development well into adolescence

A new study published in Science Advances shows that early deprivation can have long-lasting effects on brain development, even into adolescence. Children who were randomly placed into high-quality foster care before the age of 3 had changes in areas of the brain supporting higher-order problem-solving years later.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 12, 2022

Study validates diagnostic assay for Asian cancers

A Singapore research team has validated a cancer diagnostic assay designed with Asian-centric biomarkers, showing high precision and sensitivity in measuring four major classes of biomarkers. The assay's performance was validated with clinical specimens, indicating its promise for reliable deployment in a clinical setting.

SourceSingHealth·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Biosciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 12, 2022

Computer platform helps match patients with cancer to trials of targeted therapy

A new platform developed at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute helps match patients with cancer to trials of targeted therapy by analyzing genomic alterations in their tumors. The platform, called MatchMiner, has been shown to expedite the process of finding an appropriate trial for patients, reducing the time to consent by 22%.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·Journalnpj Precision Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

Infections can have long-term consequences

A VUB study has mapped the immune system's response to brain infections, revealing that resident macrophages play a key role in defending against pathogens. The researchers found that blood-derived immune cells can eliminate parasites, but may retain 'memory' of past infections, altering their ability to respond to future insults.

SourceVrije Universiteit Brussel·JournalImmunity·DateOct 12, 2022