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Science News for April 2, 2022


Cutting salt intake shows some benefits for people with heart failure

The SODIUM-HF trial found that reducing sodium intake for one year improved quality of life and slowed heart failure progression in patients. However, it did not significantly reduce major adverse events or hospitalizations. The study suggests that individualized recommendations may be beneficial for certain patients.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 2, 2022

Blueberry extract may aid wound healing

Researchers found that a blueberry phenolic extract improved vascularization and cell migration in live wounds, leading to a 12% increase in wound closure. The study suggests wild blueberries have the potential to enhance wound healing, particularly for patients with chronic wounds.

Making a ‘sandwich’ out of magnets and topological insulators, potential for lossless electronics

Researchers create a quantum anomalous Hall insulator by stacking a ferromagnetic material between two 2D topological insulators, enabling room-temperature lossless transport. The new architecture could lead to ultra-low energy future electronics or topological photovoltaics.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2022

Hold the salt: Study reveals how reducing sodium intake can help patients with heart failure

A study of 806 patients with heart failure found that reducing sodium intake improved symptoms such as swelling, fatigue, and coughing. However, it had no effect on rates of death, hospitalization, or emergency department visits. The researchers recommend a lower sodium intake limit for heart failure patients.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 2, 2022

Efficient electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas: promising way to remove nitrogen from water

Scientists have developed an efficient electrocatalytic material that can selectively convert nitrate into nitrogen gas, reducing total nitrogen levels in water. The material, featuring a cubic Cu2O film with (111) orientation, shows high selectivity and efficiency towards N2 production.

Deterministically integrated manipulation of magnetic skyrmions achieved in nanostructured device

Researchers successfully integrated manipulation of magnetic skyrmions using electrical currents, enabling operations such as writing, erasing and addressing a single skyrmion at room temperature. The achievement demonstrates the potential of skyrmion-based racetrack memories with low power consumption.