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Science News Archive April 2022 - Page 33


Page 33 of 37

Dental anomalies among childhood cancer survivors differ according to type of anticancer treatment received

A study found that childhood cancer survivors who received combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a higher risk of dental developmental anomalies. The first signs of dental disturbances can appear within one or two years after treatment. Researchers identified specific treatments and age factors associated with increased DDA risk.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 2022

Treated plastic waste good at grabbing carbon dioxide

Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to turn treated plastic waste into an effective carbon dioxide sorbent, capable of removing CO2 from flue gas streams. The process involves heating plastic waste in the presence of potassium acetate, producing particles with nanometer-scale pores that trap CO2 molecules.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

Fitness needs the right timing

The study found that cryptochromes are conserved across various green organisms, influencing cell structures responsible for photosynthesis. The researchers discovered that a specific cryptochrome can actually lead to increased growth despite appearing darker green due to denser packed cell membranes.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateApr 5, 2022

Global team of scientists determine ‘fingerprint’ for how much heat, drought is too much for forests

A global team of scientists has identified a consistent pattern of hotter-drought conditions leading to forest mortality events. The study reveals that limiting Earth's warming will determine the survivability of many forests, with higher temperatures projected to double tree-killing droughts.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 2022

Vitamin K shows evidence of brain benefits in rats

A new study found that vitamin K2 supplementation improved spatial memory, learning ability, and reduced evidence of cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety in rats. The researchers suggest that vitamin K may help preserve cognitive functions by affecting biological pathways involving inflammation and antioxidant activity.

How to track a shark

A massive dataset reveals complex ecological relationships between sharks and game fish, offering a clearer understanding of their interactions. The study's innovative use of acoustic telemetry and machine learning helps inform fisheries management strategies to protect both species.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalEcological Applications·DateApr 5, 2022

Researchers discover bacteria capable of killing fungus that causes yield-reducing disease in sugarcane

Researchers have discovered three strains of Pseudomonas bacteria that can inhibit and even kill the fungus responsible for pineapple sett rot, a disease that affects sugarcane yields. The study found that these bacteria produce volatile organic compounds that downregulate genes essential to fungal growth, leading to cell death.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateApr 5, 2022

Researchers at the GIST identify new medicines using interpretable deep learning predictions

A new deep learning-based model called Highlights on Target Sequences (HoTS) predicts binding between drugs and target molecules, providing interpretable results. The model can predict target proteins' binding regions and interactions with drugs without a 3D complex.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of Cheminformatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 5, 2022

Solar cell keeps working long after sun sets

Researchers developed a photovoltaic cell that harnesses energy from temperature differences between the cell and surrounding air, generating 50 milliwatts per square meter at night. The device avoids need for batteries and can be incorporated into existing solar cells, making it suitable for remote locations with limited resources.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 5, 2022

Decoding the molecular clock that controls neurogenesis in the visual center of Drosophila

In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers uncovered the molecular players involved and how timing is controlled for creating neural diversity. Single-cell RNA sequencing technology revealed a temporal patterning gene network in Drosophila medulla neuroblasts, including nine new transcription factors.

Late-onset alcohol abuse can be a presenting symptom of dementia, researchers find

Research finds that late-onset alcohol abuse may be a presenting symptom of dementia, particularly in patients with frontotemporal dementia. The study identified that up to 7% of patients with frontotemporal dementia started abusing alcohol late in life, and 5% did so as the first symptom of the disease.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 2022

New UCI-led study lays foundation for establishing base editing as a one-time, durable treatment for inherited retinal degeneration

A new UCI-led study indicates base editing has tremendous potential to treat inherited retinal degeneration, particularly in Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) patients. The treatment rescued cone photoreceptors on a long-term basis, suggesting a one-time, durable treatment for LCA patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 5, 2022

New link between greenhouse gasses and sea level rise

A new study provides evidence that long-term warming of the Amundsen Sea, a key contributor to global sea level rise, is linked to rising greenhouse gases. The research suggests that ocean temperatures in the region have been rising since before records began and are expected to continue if greenhouse gas emissions increase.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 5, 2022

‘Robot scientist’ Eve finds that less than one third of scientific results are reproducible

A study using AI-powered robot scientist Eve analyzed over 12,000 research papers on breast cancer cell biology and found that less than one third of the results were reproducible. The researchers found that significant evidence for repeatability was found in 43 papers, while 22 papers showed replicable results under different conditions.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateApr 5, 2022

Are strokes a social justice issue? A new study suggests they could be

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that non-white Americans and those with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have severe strokes, long-term disability, and shorter life expectancy compared to their white counterparts. The study suggests that hospitals may be disincentivized to tre...

SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateApr 5, 2022

Effective mRNA protection by poly(l-ornithine) synergizes with endosomal escape functionality of a charge-conversion polymer toward maximizing mRNA introduction efficiency

Researchers have developed a novel nanocarrier system that synergizes poly(l-ornithine) for mRNA protection with charge-conversion polymer for endosomal escape. This innovation enhances protein expression efficiency by approximately 80-fold, outperforming traditional PLL-based systems.

SourceInnovation Center of NanoMedicine·JournalMacromolecular Rapid Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

With a whiff ‘e-nose’ can sense fine whisky

A new e-nose prototype, NOS.E, can distinguish between six whiskies by brand names, regions, and styles in under four minutes, with 100% accuracy for region detection and 96.15% for brand name identification. The technology has applications beyond whisky, including counterfeiting detection in perfume and wine.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalIEEE Sensors Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

BU study: racial disparities in child exposure to gun violence worsened

A new study found that non-White children experienced greater exposure to neighborhood firearm violence before the pandemic and saw an increase in disparities during COVID. The study quantified racial disparities in childhood exposure to gun violence with data from every US neighborhood.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 2022

Chatbots deployed in response to COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers analyzed 61 COVID-specific chatbots in 30 countries, finding common uses such as risk assessment, symptom data collection, and appointment scheduling. They also discovered that anonymity of user interactions varies across cultures, affecting the effectiveness of follow-up services.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateApr 5, 2022

Engineers pave way for next-gen deep ultraviolet lasers

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a high-quality crystal of aluminum nitride and created an optical cavity to trap emitted light, enabling the production of a deep-ultraviolet laser with exceptional precision. The breakthrough has significant implications for various applications, including sterilization, sensing, and ph...

SourceCornell University·JournalAIP Advances·DateApr 4, 2022

How deforestation is triggering an irreversible transition in amazon forests?

A new study finds that Amazon deforestation causes a substantial reduction in evapotranspiration, leading to drier lower atmosphere and severe atmospheric desiccation. The study suggests an emerging transition in the Amazon hydrological cycle, but also highlights the potential for forest conservation to prevent ecosystem collapse.

Pancreatic cancer cells harness normal tissue turnover to build protective barriers

Researchers found that pancreatic cancer cells trigger the breakdown of collagen proteins, which increases arginine levels and signals stellate cells to build fibrotic meshes around tumors. This process, known as desmoplasia, creates a dense environment that promotes aggressive growth and blocks access to therapies.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2022

Study: Vaccine protects most cancer patients from COVID, but risk remains higher for patients with blood cancers

A study using the nation's largest COVID-19 data resource found that the vaccine protects most cancer patients from getting COVID, but those with certain types of cancer have a higher risk of breakthrough infections. The research also highlights the importance of continued vaccination efforts to protect cancer patients.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 4, 2022