Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive April 2022 - Page 2


Page 2 of 37

Genetic links revealed between severe COVID-19 and other diseases

A large-scale study found genetic links between COVID-19 severity and various medical conditions, including venous embolism, type 2 diabetes, and ischemic heart disease. The analysis also revealed shared genetic architecture with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and reduced risk of autoimmune conditions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateApr 28, 2022

Engineers at UBC get under the skin of ionic skin

Researchers at UBC create ionic skins made of flexible hydrogels that use ions to carry an electrical charge. These hydrogels can generate voltages when touched, producing a piezoionic effect that allows them to detect pressure and other stimuli. The technology has potential applications in prosthetics, wearable sensors, and body impla...

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

CAR T drives acute myeloid leukemia into submission in pre-clinical studies

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a novel CAR T-cell construct that targets acute myeloid leukemia (AML) effectively. The combination of drug therapy and engineering approaches enhanced the treatment's ability to adhere to tumor cells, overcoming previous difficulties with antigen targeting.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalCancer Cell·DateApr 28, 2022

How brains form visual maps

Researchers at State University of New York College of Optometry propose a general theory of cortical map formation that explains the diversity of visual maps in nature. The theory suggests that map diversity emerges from variations in thalamic afferent density sampling sensory space, leading to increased cortical areas and sorting of ...

SourceState University of New York College of Optometry·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateApr 28, 2022

New method can predict summer rainfall in the Southwest months in advance

Scientists developed a method to estimate summer rainfall in the Southwest months in advance, performing well in Arizona. By analyzing lower atmosphere moisture, they created monthly forecasts to aid reservoir storage and water allocation decisions.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 28, 2022

Researchers create self-assembled logic circuits from proteins

Scientists have developed a proof-of-concept system that uses proteins to create stable, quantum-scale logic circuits. The circuits utilize electron tunneling behavior to modulate current and operate in a stable regime, making them suitable for high-frequency applications.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022

Texas A&M researchers aim to accurately monitor subsurface carbon dioxide storage

A team of Texas A&M University researchers has created a monitoring system that can rapidly detect and track the movement of carbon dioxide stored underground. Using unsupervised machine learning, their system can identify CO2 plumes and locations with high accuracy, reducing the risk of unregistered escapes.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalExpert Systems with Applications·TypeNews article·DateApr 28, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Research discovery reveals how a cancer cell resists radiation treatment

Cancer cells employ a unique defense mechanism to evade the effects of radiation treatment by exploiting an enzyme called Caspase-activated DNase (CAD). Removing CAD from cancer cells increases the effectiveness of radiotherapy. Researchers hope their discovery can lead to the development of targeted drugs to enhance cancer treatment.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalScience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 28, 2022

Huge new ichthyosaur, one of the largest animals ever, uncovered high in the Alps

Paleontologists discovered sets of fossils representing three new ichthyosaurs, including the largest ichthyosaur tooth ever found. The discovery includes a 15-meter-long ichthyosaur and the largest trunk vertebra in Europe, rivaling the 21-meter long Shastasaurus sikkanniensis.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 28, 2022
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

How organizational identity orientations impact firm-supplier relationships

A new study explores how firms' organizational identity orientations shape interactions with external parties. Firms with mismatched identities may experience friction, leading to conflict or relationship breakdown. Researchers propose conducting systematic identity assessments to resolve these issues.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateApr 28, 2022

New report calls on bioethics to take a stand against anti-black racism

A new Hastings Center special report calls on bioethics to take a lead in addressing racial injustice and health inequities in the US. The report highlights structural racism and anti-Black racism in healthcare settings and proposes transformations in bioethics scholarship, education, and research.

SourceThe Hastings Center·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 28, 2022

Researchers share insights about the mechanisms of human embryo and create method to develop transcriptionally similar cells in tissue culture

Scientists have identified a retinoic acid-dependent hemogenic endothelial progenitor from human pluripotent stem cells, enabling the development of transcriptionally similar cells in tissue culture. This breakthrough method brings researchers closer to developing blood-forming stem cells for transfusions and cancer treatments.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateApr 28, 2022

Developing inorganic lead-free perovskite for broadband emission

Scientists have successfully developed lead-free bismuth halide perovskites with broadband emission, overcoming toxicity and instability issues of traditional lead-based materials. The new material exhibits high efficiency and stability, paving the way for potential applications in artificial lighting and displays.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalEnergy Material Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Gut microbiome may alter response to cancer therapy

The composition of microorganisms living in the gut influences response to conventional cancer treatments and novel immunotherapies. Recent studies suggest that targeting the gut microbiome could diminish side effects of chemotherapy, while diet, probiotics, and antibiotic medications may also impact clinical responses.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateApr 28, 2022

From blurry to bright: AI tech helps researchers peer into the brains of mice

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed an AI training strategy to capture images of mouse brain cells in action, allowing scientists to understand how the brain functions and is affected by disease. The technology combines ultra-small microscopes with AI to enhance image resolution up to 52 frames per second.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2022

Mapping vegetation communities – using existing records for new insights

Scientists have developed Community Distribution Models (CDMs) to predict upland vegetation communities from published data at a national scale. The approach uses publicly available and open-access NVC records and environmental data, with models based on random forests being the most accurate.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 28, 2022

American politicians have become less civil on Twitter over time, new study confirms

Research reveals a 23% increase in online incivility among Congresspeople from 2009-2019, with more inflammatory tweets receiving more likes and retweets. Politicians who received reinforcing feedback from likes and retweets subsequently engaged in more uncivil tweeting.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022

I know what you did on Venmo

A study found nearly 40% of Venmo users shared sensitive information, such as health conditions and political leanings, due to inadequate privacy settings. Researchers identified specific groups, like AA membership, that exposed user payments through public notes.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings on Privacy Enhancing Technologies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 28, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Educate to indoctrinate: Education systems were first designed to suppress dissent

A study from the University of California San Diego reveals that public primary schools were created to reinforce obedience and maintain social order. The research, spanning 40 countries, shows how education reforms were implemented after instances of social unrest, shaping the current controversy over teaching critical race theory.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 28, 2022

Giant marine reptiles at 2,800 meters above sea level

Fossil finds from the High Alps reveal giant ichthyosaurs that lived around 205 million years ago, measuring up to 20 meters in length. The discovery sheds new light on these prehistoric creatures and their paleobiological implications.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateApr 28, 2022

Researchers identify specific genes that play key role in schizophrenia

A large-scale study identified 287 genomic regions associated with schizophrenia, pinpointing 120 genes that contribute to the disorder. The research suggests abnormal neuron function in these cells may explain the diverse symptoms of schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 28, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Conservation on a budget: Study shows how to balance economic development goals with environmental conservation using freely available data

An international study published in Conservation Science and Practice gives fast-growing nations a simple, inexpensive guide to inform planning and decision-making. The study shows how easily accessible biodiversity data can support application of the mitigation hierarchy, a tool used to balance economic development goals with environm...

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalConservation Science and Practice·TypeCase study·DateApr 28, 2022

Understanding Black grief

New research suggests that collective grief is a critical component of the Black grief experience, influenced by America's history of racialization and racial violence. This collective grief can be felt deeply due to strong community ties and kinship bonds formed during enslavement and historical trauma.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·DateApr 28, 2022

Cofactor engineering drives natural product synthesis

Researchers developed novel cofactor engineering strategies to enhance NADPH, FAD(H2), and SAM supply, re-localization, and recycling in yeast. This led to the efficient synthesis of phenolic acids, providing a sustainable platform for complex natural product production.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 28, 2022

Higher COVID-19 death rates in the southern U.S. due to behavior differences

A study by Georgetown University researchers found that regional differences in COVID-19 mortality rates persisted throughout the pandemic. The South had higher mortality rates than the rest of the US, with 48% of COVID-19 deaths occurring in this region since October 2020.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 28, 2022
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Research reveals the sex secrets of amphibian singing choruses

A Dartmouth study using advanced recording technology reveals that females prefer lower frequency songs with low variance, while males time their songs to follow neighbors. The research shows how chorus composition and individual songs impact mating in wood frogs.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEcology Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 28, 2022

New theory explains mystery behind fast magnetic reconnection

Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a new theoretical description of how the Hall effect determines the efficiency of magnetic reconnection. The study reveals that the Hall effect suppresses energy conversion from magnetic fields to plasma particles, enabling rapid energy release and explosive magnetic explosions in space.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalCommunications Physics·DateApr 28, 2022

Study shows sleep deprivation impairs stem cells in the cornea

A recent study published in Stem Cell Reports found that sleep deprivation negatively affects corneal stem cells, leading to increased rates of cell multiplication and reduced tear film antioxidants. This can result in serious effects on corneal health, such as thinning and ruffling of the cornea.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 28, 2022

Successful improvement of plasma thermal insulation layer with deuterium

Researchers discovered a stronger flow in the plasma core surrounding the thermal insulation layer in deuterium plasmas, leading to better thermal insulation. This finding could improve future fusion power plants using deuterium and tritium as fuels.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Six steps for improving disease surveillance in underserved remote rural communities

A six-step framework for improving disease surveillance in remote areas of low- and middle-income countries aims to address pandemics early, saving human lives. The framework incorporates mobile-phone applications, increased clinical and diagnostic capacity, national and global integration to transform data into actionable interventions.

SourceInternational Livestock Research Institute·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 28, 2022

Service workers’ volatile shifts linked to reliance on high-cost debt

A study by Washington State University and Harvard University researchers found that service employees' volatile work schedules are a key predictor of their reliance on high-cost debt. The more schedule volatility people experienced, the more likely they were to take out expensive loans or use credit cards in problematic ways.

SourceWashington State University·JournalSociological Science·DateApr 28, 2022

From seawater to drinking water, with the push of a button

Researchers developed a portable desalination unit weighing less than 10kg that removes particles and salts to generate clean drinking water. The device uses ion concentration polarization and electrodialysis processes, requiring minimal energy and maintenance.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 28, 2022

Additions to natural history collections declining

New study reveals a 54% to 76% decline in vertebrate specimen additions to natural history collections since 1965. The declines threaten to compromise the value of existing collections and limit future discovery, posing an unfillable gap for future generations.

SourceCornell University·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 28, 2022
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Tackling the consequences of Long Covid

A new study using a citizen science board of people affected by Long Covid identifies key research areas, including treatment, diagnosis, and disease management. The findings highlight the need for clear diagnoses and access to care that meets their multidimensional needs.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalThe Patient Patient-Centered Outcomes Research·TypeObservational study·DateApr 28, 2022

Unravelling the origins of the human spine

Researchers from EMBL Barcelona have successfully recreated the formation of human spinal column precursor structures in a laboratory setting. The study reveals that the segmentation clock regulates somitogenesis and that somite size is species-specific.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022

Clues into a sleep mystery

Researchers pinpointed the molecular basis of deep sleep regulation in mice, identifying a brain area responsible for delta wave oscillations. Disrupting a specific gene boosted delta waves and enhanced deep sleep in animal models, paving the way for precision-targeted therapies.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2022

Immune system culprit in severe COVID cases found

Researchers found that immune cells can harbor the virus, triggering a deadly inflammation response in the lungs. Blocking the NLPR3 inflammasome pathway with antiviral treatment may provide a way to treat COVID-19 pneumonia and prevent severe cases.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateApr 28, 2022
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New study shows hybrid learning led to significant reduction in COVID-19 spread

A new study published in BMC Public Health shows that hybrid learning, which combines in-person and remote learning, significantly reduces the spread of COVID-19. The study found that alternating school days resulted in a 13% reduction in community disease spread, compared to regular attendance.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalBMC Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateApr 28, 2022

‘Polaroids’ help scientists detect hazardous ice on airplane plating

Researchers from Skoltech and others develop a simplified method using polarized light to identify icy areas on aircraft plating. This enables lab assistants to accurately measure the time it takes for ice to form, reducing the risk of accidents by up to 90%.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalCold Regions Science and Technology·DateApr 28, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Study reveals Stonehenge landscape before the world-famous monument

A new study reveals that the Stonehenge landscape was once covered in open woodland with meadow-like clearings, inhabited by grazing animals and hunter-gatherers. The research found evidence of aurochs, red deer, elk, and wild boar, suggesting a favorable location for early inhabitants.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Research examines keys to developing better batteries

A new study examines how individual electrode particles contribute to battery decay and identifies key factors, including particle properties and interactions. The research aims to develop techniques to control these properties and design more efficient, long-lasting batteries.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 28, 2022

Scientists call for cap on production to end plastic pollution

An international group of scientists calls for regulating and phasing out the production of new plastics to reduce plastic pollution. Gradually cutting production is expected to bring numerous societal, environmental, and economic benefits, including boosting recycled plastics' value and helping tackle climate change.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalScience·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 28, 2022
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Aspirin does not cut risk in non-obstructive coronary artery disease

A new study published in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging found that aspirin therapy did not reduce major cardiovascular events in patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Statin use, however, was associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular events.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology Cardiothoracic Imaging·DateApr 28, 2022