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Science News Archive April 2022 - Page 36


Page 36 of 37

Mineral supplement could stop fatty liver disease progression

A preclinical study found that mice fed a high-fat diet and given the mineral supplement Aquamin did not develop liver cancer, unlike those without the supplement. The researchers observed a dramatic reduction in late-stage consequences of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in animals receiving the supplement.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 3, 2022

Advice on how to use digital devices to detect and manage arrhythmias published today

A new consensus document provides practical guidance on using digital devices to monitor heart rhythm and rate. Digital devices can detect asymptomatic arrhythmias that can be treated, such as atrial fibrillation, which increases stroke risk. Experts advise patients and doctors to use devices correctly and establish a management plan.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEP Europace·DateApr 3, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Vupanorsen achieves modest reduction in Non-HDL cholesterol

Vupanorsen, an experimental drug targeting non-HDL cholesterol, showed modest reductions in Non-HDL cholesterol by up to 28%, triglycerides by up to 57%, and angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) levels by up to 95% in patients with high cholesterol.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalCirculation·DateApr 3, 2022

Electronic alert improves guideline adherence for heart failure treatment

A new study found that customized digital alerts via an electronic health record system significantly increased the number of guideline-directed medications prescribed for heart failure patients. The alerts improved medication use by over a quarter of patients, translating to one medication addition per every 14 alerts received.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 3, 2022

Cleveland Clinic-led trial finds that experimental ‘gene silencing’ therapy reduces lipoprotein(a), an important risk factor of heart disease, by up to 98%

A Cleveland Clinic-led trial found that an experimental 'gene silencing' therapy significantly reduced blood levels of lipoprotein(a), a key driver of heart disease risk, by up to 96%-98%. The therapy targets the gene responsible for Lp(a) production and has shown strong efficacy with no major safety concerns reported.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateApr 3, 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.

Personalized, in-store nutritional intervention boosts diet quality

A study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found that personalized nutrition education in grocery stores significantly improved DASH diet adherence. Participants who received six one-on-one sessions with a dietitian showed an average increase of 4.7 points on their DASH scores.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateApr 3, 2022

A prune—or six—a day may keep inflammation at bay

A recent study suggests that eating nutrient-rich prunes every day may benefit bone health in postmenopausal women by reducing inflammatory factors. The research found significant reductions in inflammatory markers in prune-eating groups compared to a control group.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 2, 2022

New record! High-entropy alloy with uniformly composited 21 elements

Researchers have synthesized a high-entropy alloy with 21 uniformly composed elements, improving solar steam generation performance. The alloy's unique structure enhances interband transitions and reduces thermal conductivity, leading to improved photothermal conversion efficiency.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateApr 2, 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.

Scientists synthesize terpenoids with microbial consortium

A team of researchers has developed a microbial consortium that enhances the synthesis of terpenoids, including vitamin K2, by combining Escherichia coli and Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. The co-culture strategy improves vitamin K2 biosynthesis and realizes material exchange between bacteria.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalMicrobial Cell Factories·DateApr 2, 2022

Generic drug reduces bleeding after noncardiac surgery

Researchers found that patients treated with tranexamic acid had significantly less serious bleeding and needed fewer blood transfusions compared to those who received a placebo. No significant difference in adverse events such as heart attacks or blood clots was observed.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 2, 2022

Update: Cedars-Sinai’s LA barbershop study

Researchers analyzed interviews with participants and found that the program's success was due to its community context, support network, and direct contact with pharmacists. The team plans to track barbershop patrons and explore how public health measures during COVID-19 impacted community-based health interventions.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·DateApr 2, 2022

Exercise improves health markers in young female survivors of childhood trauma

A progressive exercise training program improves health markers in young female survivors of childhood trauma, reducing systolic blood pressure and endothelin-1 levels. Participants showed improved goal-planning and hope, suggesting a potential psychophysiological relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 2, 2022
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Smokers less likely to survive a heart attack

Researchers found smokers have significantly lower A1AT levels, which may reduce cardiac tissue protection during a heart attack. No difference was detected in hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 2, 2022

Cutting salt intake shows some benefits for people with heart failure

The SODIUM-HF trial found that reducing sodium intake for one year improved quality of life and slowed heart failure progression in patients. However, it did not significantly reduce major adverse events or hospitalizations. The study suggests that individualized recommendations may be beneficial for certain patients.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 2, 2022

Novel electrochemical aptasensor developed to detect thrombin in serum

A team developed a high-sensitivity electrochemical aptasensor for picomolar thrombin detection, demonstrating excellent anti-interference and stability. The sensing platform shows great potential for analyzing other biological or environmental substances by rational design of target-binding aptamer.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalBiosensors·DateApr 2, 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.

Blueberry extract may aid wound healing

Researchers found that a blueberry phenolic extract improved vascularization and cell migration in live wounds, leading to a 12% increase in wound closure. The study suggests wild blueberries have the potential to enhance wound healing, particularly for patients with chronic wounds.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 2, 2022

Making a ‘sandwich’ out of magnets and topological insulators, potential for lossless electronics

Researchers create a quantum anomalous Hall insulator by stacking a ferromagnetic material between two 2D topological insulators, enabling room-temperature lossless transport. The new architecture could lead to ultra-low energy future electronics or topological photovoltaics.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2022

Hold the salt: Study reveals how reducing sodium intake can help patients with heart failure

A study of 806 patients with heart failure found that reducing sodium intake improved symptoms such as swelling, fatigue, and coughing. However, it had no effect on rates of death, hospitalization, or emergency department visits. The researchers recommend a lower sodium intake limit for heart failure patients.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 2, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Efficient electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas: promising way to remove nitrogen from water

Scientists have developed an efficient electrocatalytic material that can selectively convert nitrate into nitrogen gas, reducing total nitrogen levels in water. The material, featuring a cubic Cu2O film with (111) orientation, shows high selectivity and efficiency towards N2 production.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalChemical Communications·DateApr 2, 2022

Deterministically integrated manipulation of magnetic skyrmions achieved in nanostructured device

Researchers successfully integrated manipulation of magnetic skyrmions using electrical currents, enabling operations such as writing, erasing and addressing a single skyrmion at room temperature. The achievement demonstrates the potential of skyrmion-based racetrack memories with low power consumption.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 2, 2022

Crowdsourcing campaign identifies drivers of tropical forest loss

A crowdsourcing campaign has compiled data on the drivers of tropical forest loss between 2008 and 2019, resulting in a high-resolution dataset. The analysis found that agriculture expansion, road construction, and wood extraction are major contributors to deforestation.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalScientific Data·DateApr 1, 2022
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

After wildfires, California communities struggle with budgets

A new study finds that California wildfires increase both revenues and expenditures in municipalities, resulting in a budget shortfall over many years. The unique state constitution limits property assessments, but still leads to higher taxes and a boom in housing reassessments after fires.

SourceResources for the Future (RFF)·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·DateApr 1, 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.

Periodic volcanism triggered multiple Jurassic extinctions

A new study provides strong evidence that periodic volcanic activity in the Karoo province triggered multiple Jurassic extinctions. The research reveals that volcanism occurred over a longer period than previously thought, with three distinct stages of activity, and had a significant impact on the environment.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalGondwana Research·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 1, 2022

Wildfire smoke exposure in early pregnancy affects infant monkey behavior

A new study found that infant monkeys conceived while their mothers were exposed to wildfire smoke showed increased inflammation, memory deficits, and a more passive temperament compared to those conceived later. The effects suggest that some component of wildfire smoke can act as a teratogen, affecting fetal development.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 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.

Researchers identify ways to limit transferred cancer growth

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a key role in malignant cancer progression, but the mechanism of their plasticity remains unknown. Researchers have identified DKK1 as a pivotal molecule that autonomously diminishes CSC population and promotes metastatic colonization.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 1, 2022

Solving the challenges of robotic pizza-making

Researchers at MIT developed a framework for robotic manipulation systems that can perform complex tasks using a two-stage learning process. This allows robots to learn abstract ideas about manipulating deformable objects, such as pizza dough, and execute skills to complete tasks.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateApr 1, 2022

New strategy enables successive cleavage and functionalization of C–C bonds in alcohols

Researchers developed a novel protocol for the direct synthesis of amides via heterogeneous manganese oxide catalyzed successive cleavage and amidation of C-C bonds in alcohols. The method features good functional-group tolerance, cost-effective and recyclable catalyst, and broad substrate scope.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChem·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 1, 2022

Origins of the Avars elucidated with ancient DNA

A multidisciplinary team analyzed ancient DNA from the Carpathian Basin to reveal clues about the Avars' origins. The research found that the Avar elites had ancestry from Northeast Asia and the North Caucasus, suggesting a rapid trans-Eurasian migration

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalCell·DateApr 1, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Black Lives Matter protests shift public discourse, IU research finds

The study examines social media searches on Google, Twitter, and Wikipedia to measure the interest in BLM protests and their impact on public discourse. The researchers found a sustained interest in broader issues like systemic racism, redlining, and criminal justice reform.

SourceIndiana University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 1, 2022

New polymer membrane tech improves efficiency of CO2 capture

Researchers develop new membranes to capture more efficient CO2 from mixed gases, addressing trade-off between permeability and selectivity. The technology increases CO2 selectivity by up to 150 times while retaining relative high permeability.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2022

Losing a hectare of wetlands could cost upward of $8,000 in flood damages

A new study by Resources for the Future and Columbia University finds that losing a hectare of wetlands can cost society an average of $1,900 in flood damages per year. In developed areas, this figure rises to over $8,000. The research highlights the importance of preserving wetlands for flood mitigation.

SourceResources for the Future (RFF)·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateApr 1, 2022

Plant compound shows promise for alleviating food allergies

Researchers have identified formononetin as a potential therapeutic for treating food allergies, which affect nearly 10% of the world population. The plant compound has been shown to decrease IgE production and influence gene and protein targets regulated in food allergy and mast cell diseases.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 1, 2022
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Pandemic's urgency drove new collaborative approaches worldwide

A global team of scientists developed a collaborative approach to track SARS-CoV-2 variants, enabling faster vaccine development and improved public health responses. The SAVE program, comprising over 130 researchers from 58 institutions, utilized advanced tools and data analysis to predict variant risks.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateApr 1, 2022

Researchers validate the origin of mantle eclogites

Researchers validated the origin of mantle eclogites through Zn-, Mg- and O-isotope analysis, supporting the magmatic model. Type II eclogites formed through kinetic isotopic fractionation of melt-peridotite reaction, resulting in heavy Zn and light Mg isotope enrichment.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalGeology·DateApr 1, 2022

New research shows survival rate improvement for extremely pre-term infants

A new study found significant improvement in survival rates of extremely pre-term babies born at 22 and 23 weeks. The study, which examined data from 2013-2018, showed a considerable increase in survival rates compared to previous studies, with survival rates reaching 30.0% at 22 weeks and 55.8% at 23 weeks.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateApr 1, 2022
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Cellular structure of the human metathalamus revealed in novel 3D map

Researchers created detailed 3D maps of the metathalamus using BigBrain dataset, gaining insight into its cellular structure and subcortical nuclei. The maps have clinical relevance for diagnosing neurological disorders and aiding neurosurgery, as the metathalamus is involved in many conditions.

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournalFrontiers in Neuroanatomy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2022

Camping reservations: ‘A wicked problem of equity,’ finds UM researchers

A study by UM researchers found that online camping reservations systems can exacerbate existing inequalities in national park access. Campers from higher-income areas and predominantly white communities are more likely to secure coveted sites. The team suggests a lottery system could help balance accessibility with protection of natur...

SourceThe University of Montana·JournalJournal of Park and Recreation Administration·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 1, 2022

Higher blood fats more harmful than first thought

Researchers discovered that elevated blood fats in people with metabolic diseases create stress in muscle cells, leading to cell death and worsening the illness. Ceramides, a signal created by stressed-out cells, can be passed on to other cells, increasing the risk of severe symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 1, 2022