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Science News Archive April 2022 - Page 13


Page 13 of 37

Japanese scientists found potential food contamination routes of a newly identified foodborne pathogen

A recent study by Japanese researchers found that Staphylococcus argenteus, a bacterial organism causing food poisoning, was present in 13.9% of tested chicken samples. The study also revealed cross-contamination among retail foods and slaughterhouses, suggesting a potential link between the two.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalInternational Journal of Food Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Cortisol in shelter dog hair shows signs of stress

A study published in Scientific Reports found that shelter dog hair cortisol levels increased by one-third after six weeks in the shelter, indicating elevated stress. After adoption, cortisol levels decreased, returning to pre-shelter values. The results suggest that even well-managed shelters can cause stress in dogs.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

THE LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH: Stricter COVID-19 measures associated with negative mental health effects and lower opinion of government’s pandemic response, new research suggests

New research suggests that stricter pandemic policy measures are associated with poorer mental health outcomes and lower life evaluations. Eliminator countries experienced fewer deaths and better mental health trends compared to mitigator countries.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2022

Safely storing dangerous gasses in pores

Scientists developed a new porous coordination polymer that can store and release acetylene, a highly flammable industrial gas, without using solvents. The material allows for the storage of large quantities of acetylene at pressures below 2 bar.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 21, 2022

The pandemic put university students’ study engagement to the test and greatly increased burnout

The pandemic significantly increased study burnout among university students, with engagement in studies dropping to its lowest level in late 2020. The conflict between demands and resources was a central factor, while basic psychological needs such as autonomy, relatedness, and competence played a crucial role in student wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·TypeSurvey·DateApr 21, 2022

Microdrones with light-driven nanomotors

Würzburg physicists have developed microdrones that can be precisely controlled on a surface using light-driven nanomotors. The drones consist of polymer discs with up to four independently addressable nanomotors, enabling efficient propulsion and control in aqueous environments.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Glowing spider fossils prompt breakthrough study of how they were preserved at Aix-en-Provence

Researchers at the University of Kansas discovered that microalgae-produced diatoms played a crucial role in preserving ancient spider fossils at Aix-en-Provence. The unique chemical process, similar to industrial vulcanization, stabilized carbon-based exoskeletons and promoted sulfurization, resulting in exceptional fossil preservation.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateApr 21, 2022

A luminescent material shines brighter by simultaneously stretching it and applying an electric field.

Scientists at DGIST have developed a flexible, stretchable material that lights up brightly when stretched or subjected to an electric field. The new material overcomes design issues in existing devices, offering improved luminescence and potential applications in interactive skin displays and soft robotics.

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers detect coronavirus particles with “slow light”

Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed a new technique to easily visualize viruses using an optical microscope, called the Gires-Tournois immunoassay platform. The platform uses 'slow light' technology to detect coronavirus particles by slowing down light that gets reflected around them.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Waking up to an interactive coffee cup of data

A team of researchers has made a large collection of coffee samples' NMR data freely available to assess the variety under which coffee is sold. The dataset can be interactively explored using software called NMRium-browser, allowing users to visualize the molecular structure of coffee beans from different origins.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigabyte·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Children with migration backgrounds less likely to receive recommended psychiatric treatment, Swedish study shows

A Swedish study found that children with migration backgrounds are less likely to receive recommended psychiatric diagnoses and treatments for conditions like ADHD and depression. They were 40% less likely to receive certain diagnoses and 30% less likely to receive psychotherapy or ADHD drugs.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalEpidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2022

Volcanoes at fault if the Earth slips

A study by KyotoU scientists has discovered a significant relationship between volcanic activity and seismic faults. The research team found that the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes were triggered by the eruption of Mount Aso, which caused a shift in the fault's movement pattern.

SourceKyoto University·JournalGeochemistry Geophysics Geosystems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 21, 2022

Study suggests tree-filled spaces are more favorable to child development than paved or grassy surfaces

A recent study found that children living in areas with tree cover had better early childhood development than those in areas with grass or paved surfaces. The research also showed that tree-filled spaces mitigate air pollution, noise, and heat better than more open green spaces.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 21, 2022

CityU chemists develop a strategy for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

A research team from City University of Hong Kong and Imperial College London developed a new strategy for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells using ferrocene molecules. The breakthrough invention can achieve efficiency of up to 25% while maintaining stability, making it a promising alternative to silicon solar cells.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Physicians working in physician-owned practices more likely to be satisfied with their electronic health records

Researchers found that physicians working in physician-owned practices were significantly more satisfied with their EHRs, citing staff support for documentation and appropriate time spent on documentation. These differences partially explained the disparity in EHR satisfaction between solo and non-solo practices.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2022

The application of compost shows agricultural and environmental benefits in the bacterial community

A study by the Diverfarming project found that long-term compost application improved soil bacterial community complexity and communication, increasing nitrogen fixing potential and reducing emissions. This highlights the importance of using compost in sustainable agriculture, which can reduce fertilizer and pesticide use and create mo...

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalAgronomy·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 21, 2022

Lower intramuscular fat for a stronger heart

A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that measuring intramuscular fat in thigh muscles can predict cardiovascular health outcomes in heart failure patients. Patients with lower intramuscular fat had higher grip strength and were less likely to be hospitalized.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalThe American Journal of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2022

Do pain relievers impede bone drug’s efficacy?

Researchers found that NSAID use negates the bone-protective effects of bisphosphonate clodronate on preventing osteoporotic fractures. The study suggests caution in extrapolating these data to more widely used bisphosphonates, as concomitant usage may lead to reduced fracture risk.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateApr 20, 2022

African dust crosses the Atlantic

Researchers found a simulated annual downward trend in surface PM10 concentrations in Senegal and Cabo Verde after the 1980s. However, there was an increase in dust over the Western Sahara transported to Cabo Verde, suggesting Eastern Atlantic dust continued on toward the U.S. and Caribbean.

SourcePenn State·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateApr 20, 2022

Using bacteria to build settlements on Mars

Researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a method to make bricks out of Martian soil using bacteria and urea. These 'space bricks' can be used for building-like structures on Mars, reducing porosity and increasing strength. The team plans to study the effect of Mars' atmosphere and low gravity on the bricks.

Lab grown, self-sustainable muscle cells repair muscle injury and disease, mouse study shows

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully cultivated human muscle stem cells capable of renewing themselves and repairing muscle tissue damage in mice. The self-renewing stem cells were created by reprogramming laboratory-grown human skin cells, which then differentiated into specific cell types using a nutrient-rich broth.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateApr 20, 2022

UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group publishes new guidance

The UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group has published a new guideline for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, which includes updated recommendations for vertebral fracture detection and anabolic treatment options. The guidance aims to improve service provision in both primary and secondary care settings.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalArchives of Osteoporosis·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 20, 2022

Got food cravings? What's living in your gut may be responsible

A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that mice with different gut microbiomes choose different diets, influenced by substances produced by microbes. The researchers suggest that certain molecules, such as tryptophan, may be hijacking the body's natural signals to promote specific food cravings.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2022

Dying stars’ cocoons might explain fast blue optical transients

A Northwestern University astrophysics team proposes that fast blue optical transients (FBOTs) originate from the cocoons of jets launched by dying stars. The new model, fully consistent with all FBOT observations, suggests that as the jet pushes the cocoon outward, it cools and releases heat, emitting an observed FBOT emission.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 20, 2022