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Science News Archive April 2022 - Page 29


Page 29 of 37

The hunt for the gravitational wave background

Astronomers have been searching for low-frequency gravitational waves by monitoring pulsar pulses, but now NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope can also be used to detect these waves. The satellite's high-energy light provides a clearer view of pulsars and offers an independent method to detect gravitational waves.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateApr 7, 2022

New evidence suggests California’s environmental policies preferentially protect whites

Research suggests California's environmental regulations preferentially protect white populations from exposure to air pollution. Asian and Hispanic communities experience significantly more air pollution compared to predominantly white neighborhoods across the state. The study finds that even after accounting for income, disparities i...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 7, 2022

New quantum dots for quantum networks

Researchers at Osaka University and National Research Council Canada create a gallium arsenide quantum dot that can trap individual electrons. The development could help advance the field of quantum networks by efficiently converting photons into electron spins.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2022

Oregonians perceive greater risk than benefit from natural gas export in state, OSU study finds

A recent study from Oregon State University found that Oregonians are more likely to perceive environmental and public health risks than potential financial gains from natural gas export. The study surveyed 500 adults and found that those with higher education, younger adults, women, people of color, and liberal or moderate political v...

SourceOregon State University·JournalLocal Environment·TypeSurvey·DateApr 7, 2022

Microcavities as a sensor platform

Researchers at University of Innsbruck and ETH Zurich propose a new concept for a high-precision quantum sensor using microcavities and levitated nanoparticles. By exploiting fast unstable dynamics, they demonstrate mechanical squeezing reducing motional fluctuations below zero-point motion.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 7, 2022

Exercise shown to release protein reducing bowel cancer risk

Scientists at Newcastle University have identified a mechanism by which exercise reduces bowel cancer risk. Physical activity releases the protein interleukin-6 (IL-6), which helps repair damaged cells and slow tumour growth. This finding supports previous evidence that more exercise is better for reducing cancer risk.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2022

New studies in journal of pharmaceutical analysis demonstrate advancements in nanotechnology and their impact across multiple areas of human health

Recent studies published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis have found applications of nanotechnology in medicine, drug research, and environmental protection. Researchers developed nanodots made of carbon using natural polysaccharides from mushrooms to detect chromium, and created nanozymes that could be used to detect drug con...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2022

Breathing restored within 10 minutes for 80% of overdose patients

A Norwegian University of Science and Technology-developed nasal spray has been tested on over 200 acute overdose patients, restoring breathing in 80% of cases within 10 minutes. The study's findings suggest the nasal spray provides enough antidote for patients to breathe on their own while minimizing the risk of triggering abstinence.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalAddiction·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 7, 2022

U.S. insurance claims show strong link between ED medications and vision problems

A large US study confirms a strong link between ED medications and vision problems, including an 85% increased risk of developing serious eye conditions. Regular use of Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, or Stendra may lead to side effects such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 7, 2022

A sustainable photocatalytic method to introduce the pyridine and valuable functional groups into alkenes

A novel visible light-promoted transition-metal-free acetalation-pyridylation of alkenes has been developed, providing a sustainable way to introduce pyridine and valuable functional groups. The methodology enables diverse modifications of drugs with excellent functional group tolerance.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateApr 7, 2022

Racial, ethnic disparities in sleep duration

Researchers found higher rates of short and long sleep duration among Black individuals, with significant disparities affecting Black women and young adults. The study highlights health disparities associated with socioeconomic factors.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 7, 2022

The use of photons to create an artificial quantum neuron

Researchers have engineered an optical device with functional characteristics similar to memristors, which can operate on quantum states of light and encode quantum information. This breakthrough enables the creation of a quantum memristor, potentially bridging artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2022

New machine learning models can predict adverse outcomes after abdominal hernia surgery with high accuracy

Researchers developed a procedure-specific risk calculator to encourage changes in patient behaviors before surgery. The machine learning models accurately predicted which patients were most likely to experience complications or hernia recurrence after ventral hernia repair.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 7, 2022

First European farmers' heights did not meet expectations

Researchers found that early European farmers were on average 1.5 inches shorter than their pre-agricultural counterparts. Heights steadily increased through the Copper, Bronze, and Iron ages, with some parts of Europe experiencing a height loss. The study suggests that environmental factors contributed to the decrease in heights.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2022

Sustainable strategies to treat urban runoff

Researchers at McGill University argue that urban runoff toxicity is a growing concern due to increasing urbanization, impacting surface water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Sustainable strategies such as retention ponds and settling tanks can be implemented to control pollutant release and mitigate ecological impacts.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateApr 7, 2022

Turmeric compound helps grow engineered blood vessels and tissues

Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered that curcumin promotes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, helping to grow engineered blood vessels and tissues. The study uses magnetic hydrogels coated with curcumin-coated nanoparticles, which gradually release the compound without injuring cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2022

Researchers adapt technology made for astronomical observations to biomedical imaging

A team of researchers developed a biomedical imaging system using a semiconductor detector originally designed for space observations, and applied spectral analysis techniques from astronomy to create accurate images of radionuclides in small animals. The new method uses fitting to eliminate noise and improve spatial resolution.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 6, 2022

Nerve stimulation with the help of implantable mini solar cells

Scientists have created a new technology using colour pigments from the food industry to stimulate nerve cells with the help of implantable mini solar cells. This innovation could lead to accelerated healing and prevention of complications in severe brain injuries, as well as potential applications in pain therapy and retinal implants.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 6, 2022

Study discovers molecular properties of lung surfactants that could lead to better treatments for respiratory illnesses

A team of University of Minnesota researchers has discovered the molecular properties of lung surfactants, which could lead to improved treatments for respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and COVID-19. The study found that synthetic lung coatings can help premature infants and adults with respiratory problems breathe easier.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2022

Reichman University researchers have developed a unique technology that uses the sense of touch to help understand speech and sound

Researchers developed an audio-tactile sensory substitution device (SSD) that converts sound frequencies to vibrations, significantly improving speech comprehension in noisy environments. The technology has shown promise in training hearing-impaired individuals to better understand speech.

SourceReichman University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2022