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Science News Archive April 2022 - Page 16


Page 16 of 37

New “micro-rocker” bots are powered by a single electromagnetic coil

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed micro-rocker bots that can move precisely on a solid surface using a single electromagnetic coil. The robots, about the size of a particle of dust, are controlled by a magnetic field generated by the coil and can perform well-controlled movement with selectable direction.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Micro-Bio Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2022

With CryoEM, MSK researchers obtain exquisite view of the androgen receptor — a key protein in prostate cancer

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have obtained exquisite views of the androgen receptor using cryo-electron microscopy. The study reveals unique features of the receptor that enable it to turn on a wide range of genes, distinct from other hormone receptors. This newfound understanding provides clues to how androgen...

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeNews article·DateApr 20, 2022

Temple research team uncovers changes in the people and places impacted by interpersonal firearm violence following COVID-19 containment measures in Philadelphia

The study found an increase in mass shootings and proportion of women and children shot, highlighting worsening structural inequalities. The researchers emphasize the need for investment in public education, employment, and social services to address gun violence.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateApr 19, 2022

Online program improves well-being of stroke survivors

A new online program has been shown to improve health-related quality of life among adult stroke survivors. The study found that participants who received access to the program had higher scores on health-related quality of life and reported fewer problems with personal care and daily activities.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 19, 2022

Particles released by red blood cells are effective carriers for anti-cancer immunotherapy: Singapore study

A study demonstrated that red blood cell vesicles can effectively carry immunotherapeutic RNA molecules to target breast cancer cells. This technology shows promise for delivering therapeutic RNA molecules to disease sites without degradation.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Extracellular Vesicles·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2022

Phase transitions in the early universe and their signals

A University of Helsinki research team used holographic duality to model early universe phase transitions and their potential impact on gravitational wave signals. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, suggests that such collisions could create powerful ripples in spacetime detectable by satellite missions like LISA.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 19, 2022

Regulating the regulators of the immune system

Researchers discovered that checkpoint inhibitors can activate regulatory T cells, which can counteract the immune response. Blocking PD-L1 enhanced effector Treg activity, reducing ability to control parasite infections. This finding highlights complexity of immune system's balance between controlling pathogens and protecting healthy ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2022

Online program improves well-being of stroke survivors

A randomized controlled trial found that an online program improved health-related quality of life among adult stroke survivors by promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors and reducing disability. The study showed significant benefits in personal care and daily activities for those who received access to the online program.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 19, 2022

Praising essential workers — nurses, grocery workers, corrections officers — is not just a good thing, it’s critical to their recovery from burnout

A new study finds that public praise energizes essential workers, while those who don't receive it experience negative emotions and poor coping mechanisms. Essential workers in less visible fields like corrections officers face significant challenges due to lack of appreciation.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2022

Pacific Northwest wildfires alter air pollution patterns across North America

Wildfires in the Pacific Northwest are altering seasonal air pollution patterns and causing a spike in unhealthy pollutants in August. The research found that carbon monoxide levels have increased sharply, indicating the extent of smoke's impacts on clean air gains.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2022

Regenstrief informaticians identify golden opportunities for improving delivery of preventive care and monitoring of acute and chronic conditions

Researchers propose that well-designed computerized clinical decision support can facilitate team approaches to healthcare, enhancing communication and coordinating group effort. The tool provides evidence-based information and guidance, enabling primary care physicians to oversee a diverse healthcare team more efficiently.

COVID-19 pneumonia increases dementia risk

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia are at a higher risk of developing new-onset dementia compared to those with other types of pneumonia, according to a recent study. The median time interval between infection and dementia diagnosis was 182 days for COVID-19 patients.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 19, 2022

A better way to reduce child maltreatment

A national study found that differential response programs, which provide voluntary services to families at risk of child maltreatment, were associated with a 19% reduction in substantiated reports of child maltreatment and a 25% decrease in neglect reports. These programs also led to a 17% reduction in foster care placements.

SourceOhio State University·JournalChild Maltreatment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 19, 2022

HKU biologists find a new protective factor against excessive lipid accumulation in the liver of obese mouse - providing a potential treatment for fatty liver disease

Researchers at HKU have identified a new protein, SBK1, that regulates lipid metabolism in the liver and alleviates health problems caused by fatty liver disease. The study found that SBK1 activity reduces lipid accumulation, inflammation, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia in mice with fructose-induced fatty liver disease.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalHepatology·DateApr 19, 2022

Psychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer´s disease

Researchers found a clear link between elevated amyloid beta levels and the development of anxiety and apathy in Alzheimer's patients. These symptoms occur mainly due to underlying brain changes, not psychological reactions. The study suggests that psychiatric symptoms could be used as alternative outcome measures in treatment trials.

SourceLund University·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateApr 19, 2022

Mental illness associated with increased death from cardiovascular disease

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 108 studies found that people with severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, have twice the cardiovascular-related mortality rate as the general population. The association has grown stronger over recent decades, with a possible link to changes in antipsychotic use and smoking prevalence.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 19, 2022

When neurons behave like a double-edged sword

A new study found that microglia regulate neuronal subtypes differently in response to bacteria, affecting intrinsic excitability. Pyramidal cells exhibited lower excitability, while Purkinje cells showed higher excitability when modulated by microglia.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCurrent Research in Neurobiology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2022

Cancer burden facing Asian Americans partly caused by racism

A recent commentary in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute highlights the disproportionate cancer burden facing Asian Americans, largely attributed to historical prejudices and language barriers. The authors emphasize the need for increased funding and representation in clinical trials to address these disparities.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 19, 2022