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Science News for April 14, 2022


Going beyond the limit: WVU researcher develops novel exposure assessment statistical methods for Deepwater Horizon oil spill study

A WVU researcher has developed new statistical methods for assessing airborne exposure to oil spill workers, allowing for more accurate estimates and consideration of undetectable levels. This research has significant implications for understanding the health effects of oil spills on workers.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalAnnals of Work Exposures and Health·DateApr 14, 2022

HIV: The antibodies of "post-treatment controllers"

Researchers identified two types of humoral immune responses in PTCs, one effective in controlling short episodes of viral activity and another lacking strong response. This discovery sheds light on HIV control mechanisms and could inspire novel therapeutic or vaccine strategies.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 14, 2022

Drug reduced frequency of breathing pauses in sleep apnea

A new University of Gothenburg study has found that a drug treatment can reduce the frequency of breathing pauses in sleep apnea by an average of over 20 per hour. The treatment, which involves carbonic anhydrase inhibition, showed promising results with minimal side effects.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 14, 2022

The link between transit use and early Covid cases

Researchers found a significant association between high public transportation usage and higher per capita Covid incidence in the US. The study controlled for factors like education, poverty levels, and household crowding, suggesting that transit could have been an important factor in early pandemic spread.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeObservational study·DateApr 14, 2022

How to make health research more relevant to patients and veterans? Make them partners in the research process

The special issue suggests that involving patients and stakeholders in all aspects of clinical research can make studies more relevant and useful to those who need the evidence. The supplement highlights the benefits of engagement, including improved study feasibility, relevance, and quality. It also explores barriers and facilitators ...

SourcePatient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 14, 2022

Chlorinated water supplies don’t disturb healthy gut microbiomes in young children

A recent study published in Nature Microbiology found that chlorine water treatment does not disrupt the normal population of beneficial bacteria in children's developing gut microbiomes. The study suggests that chlorination can actually help reduce disease incidence and limit antibiotic use while keeping microbiomes healthy.

SourceTufts University·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 14, 2022

How mechanical stimuli trigger cellular signalling

Scientists have discovered that mechanical stimuli play a crucial role in activating adhesion GPCRs, which transmit signals via G proteins. The study provides insight into the functional nature of mechanosensitive receptors and has implications for developing future forms of therapy.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2022

Data from new CDC study reveal key trends in US healthcare personnel COVID-19 exposures

A CDC study published in AJIC found that healthcare personnel (HCPs) diagnosed with COVID-19 were most likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in their workplaces as cases increased in their communities. The study suggests improved infection prevention and control measures are needed in occupational settings.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 14, 2022

Food insecurity doubled likelihood of foregoing or delaying medical care during first year of COVID-19 pandemic in U.S.

A survey found that individuals experiencing food insecurity were twice as likely to delay or forego medical care due to cost concerns. Food insecurity disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minority groups, low-income individuals, and those who lost their jobs or income.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 14, 2022

Racial and ethnic disparities in telemedicine usage persist during pandemic

A new study led by the University of Houston College of Medicine found that racial and ethnic disparities persisted in telemedicine usage during the pandemic. African Americans were 35% less likely to use telemedicine compared to whites, while Hispanics were 51% less likely. The digital divide was a major factor, with limited access to...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 14, 2022

National Cheng Kung University researchers present new solution for wastewater remediation

Researchers have developed an eco-friendly and reusable solution for removing toxic synthetic dyes from wastewater using nanocomposite-based hydrogels. The new material, made from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and graphene oxide, demonstrates high adsorption capacities and retains its effectiveness even after multiple cycles of use.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·DateApr 14, 2022

Moving away from genetic continental ancestry categories in research and medicine

The article highlights the need to move beyond continental ancestry categories in research and medicine, as they can perpetuate medical stereotypes and exacerbate health disparities. Instead, researchers are adopting a multidimensional approach to genetic ancestry, one that reflects continuous variation and historical depth.

Seafloor spreading has been slowing down

Researchers found that seafloor spreading rates have slowed down globally over the past 19 million years, with an average slowdown of 40%. This decrease is linked to increased friction between colliding tectonic plates and may be driven by subduction zones. The study's findings could help contextualize long-term changes in the atmosphere.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 14, 2022

Open sharing of biotechnology research – transparency versus security

A recent study published in PLOS Biology explores the intersection of open science practices and biosecurity risks, proposing solutions to mitigate catastrophic misuse. The authors argue that controlling access to research materials and software is necessary to prevent the spread of risky information.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 14, 2022

The opportunity cost of conservation

Researchers from Arizona State University developed a study to balance biodiversity goals with limited economic resources in Colombia. The team created a prioritization map that targets conservation actions towards regions where ecological benefits are high and economic impacts are low.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·TypeCase study·DateApr 14, 2022

Mommy says easy does it

A study by Kyoto University researchers reveals that human fetuses develop slower shoulder growth before birth, alleviating complications during delivery. This adaptation allows for a safer passage through the birth canal, reconciling the incompatibility between wide shoulders and narrow pelvis.

MAGIC telescopes observe nova explosion

The MAGIC telescopes detected gamma rays with energies of 250 gigaelectronvolts from the RS Ophiuchi nova, a hundred billion times more energetic than visible light. This suggests that nova outbursts are a source of cosmic rays, specifically accelerated protons and nuclei of hydrogen atoms.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Physics·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateApr 14, 2022

Scientists find vitamin K2 repairs nerve cells via mitochondrial quality control loop

Scientists discovered vitamin K2's novel function in regulating mitochondrial membrane potential and alleviating oxidative stress, repairing damaged mitochondria and inhibiting nerve cell damage caused by 6-OHDA. Vitamin K2 may play a role in preventing and treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Huge Amazon swamp carbon stores under threat, study says

Scientists have mapped the first data-driven peat thickness models of Peru's tropical peatlands, revealing an area twice as large as previously estimated, storing around 5.4 billion tonnes of carbon. Urgent protection is needed to prevent carbon gas emissions from decomposing peat swamps in lowland Peruvian Amazonia.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeContent analysis·DateApr 14, 2022

A drug that cures alcoholism may be the next anti-anxiety medication

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science discovered that disulfiram inhibits FROUNT protein and chemokine signaling pathways, reducing anxiety levels in mice. The study suggests a potential breakthrough anti-anxiety medication with safe and effective treatment for elderly patients suffering from anxiety and insomnia.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalFrontiers in Pharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2022

Easy and high-throughput model provided for evaluating efficiency of photodynamic agent

A new photodynamic agent, BCQDs, has been developed using a simple hydrothermal method from broccoli biomass. The material exhibits high photostability and generates singlet oxygen effectively under irradiated light. This work introduces a rapid and high-throughput screening model for future PDT research.

A multi-institutional research team finds declining nitrogen availability in a nitrogen-rich world

A multi-institutional team finds that nitrogen insufficiency is a growing concern worldwide due to increased demand for nitrogen by plants and microbes. Declining nitrogen availability can slow plant growth and affect the food chain, while also constraining carbon storage and contributing to global warming.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 14, 2022

Getting under our skin

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have created spatial maps that show how melanoma cells and immune cells interact as a tumor develops. The maps, which offer insights into the early events in melanoma, reveal signs of immunosuppression and may aid in understanding how to prevent or treat the disease.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 14, 2022

Moffitt researchers identify key characteristics of immune cells in ovarian cancer

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered that tissue-resident memory T cells are crucial for recognizing tumor cells in ovarian cancer. These T cells arise from circulating T cells and undergo a differentiation process to target cancer cells, providing a potential roadmap for improved immunotherapy options.

New approach can predict pollution from cooking emissions

Scientists have developed a new approach to predict pollution from cooking emissions by analyzing the behavior of oleic acid nanostructures. By identifying the molecular properties that control their transformation in the atmosphere, researchers can better understand and model the impact of cooking aerosols on human-made climate change.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 14, 2022

New study shows increase in black lung disease in coal miners

A new study has found higher levels of silica dust in the lung tissue of contemporary coal miners compared to previous generations, providing a rationale for the Mine Safety and Health Administration to develop a more protective occupational standard for silica. The study suggests that changing mining practices, which generated more si...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 14, 2022

Factors including extreme winds, topography and vegetation influenced the severity of burns from Oregon's devastating 2020 megafires

A study by Portland State University researchers found that extreme winds were the primary driver of the devastating 2020 Oregon megafires, but topography and vegetation structure also significantly influenced burn severity. Younger trees and low canopy height were particularly susceptible to high mortality rates.

SourcePortland State University·JournalFire·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 14, 2022

Scientists develop indoor-active photocatalyst for antiviral coating against various variant types of novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

Researchers developed a solid-state photocatalyst using TiO2 and CuO nanoclusters to inactivate various variants of SARS-CoV-2. The material is effective under both darkness and indoor light, making it suitable for reducing COVID-19 infection risk in indoor environments.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2022

Predicting the most stable boron nitride structure with quantum simulations

A team of researchers has provided evidence to settle the debate on the relative stabilities of boron nitride's structures using a state-of-the-art quantum simulation method. The study found that hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is the most stable structure, followed by rhombohedral (rBN), zinc-blende (cBN), and wurtzite (wBN).

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateApr 14, 2022

A pre-Easter surprise: massive recall of chocolate products due to outbreak of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium in 10 European countries

A multistate outbreak in 10 European countries linked to chocolate products has been linked to monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium, primarily affecting young children. The outbreak strain demonstrated a multidrug-resistant profile, highlighting the importance of including uncommon AMR profiles in early international communications.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeObservational study·DateApr 14, 2022

Study shows memory is formed through rewiring of global network among pre-existing local neuronal ensembles

Researchers found that neuronal ensembles in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex existed before memory acquisition, but developed through experience in the hippocampus. The study also revealed that ensemble synchrony across brain regions was particularly strong during transient bursts of activity, suggesting a role in memory consolidation.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2022

UK invests to modernize polar science

The UK is investing £290 million in upgrading aircraft facilities to facilitate easy transportation to Antarctic research stations. This investment is part of the £670 million total investment in modernizing polar science research facilities, ensuring the UK remains a world leader in the field until at least 2045.