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Science News Archive April 2022 - Page 5


Page 5 of 37

The Trump baby bump among Republicans after the 2016 election

Research from the University of California San Diego finds a significant partisan shift in birth rates among Republicans and Democrats after Trump's 2016 election. Republican-leaning counties experienced a sharp rise in birth rates, while Democratic counties saw a baby slump, with differences amounting to 1-2% of national birth rates.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAmerican Economic Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 27, 2022

Study of privately insured patients finds short-term telehealth follow-up comparable to most in-person care during first year of COVID-19 pandemic

For 18 out of 21 analyzed conditions, patients with telehealth consults did not require more unplanned hospitalizations or emergency department visits within 14 days compared to those making an initial in-person visit. However, patients with upper respiratory infections and bronchitis were more likely to need follow-up visits.

Researchers realize topological quantum simulation based on synthetic orbital angular momentum dimension in degenerate cavity

Scientists create artificial lattice structure with infinite topological charge numbers by coupling photons' spin-orbit coupling to internal degrees of freedom. The setup allows direct measurement of physical quantities and paves the way for exploring high-dimension topological physics.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 27, 2022

Yale researchers have a formula for getting in the flow

Yale University psychologists have developed a mathematical theory of flow that can be used to enhance immersion and engagement in almost any task. The theory is based on the concept of mutual information between desired end states and means of attaining them, and suggests that more informative means lead to greater flow experience.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 27, 2022

Tangle no more, nanotubes

Researchers develop less-corrosive solutions using methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and oleum acids to separate and process nanotubes. The new method enables scalable production of advanced materials with excellent electrical and mechanical properties.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2022

Zeroing in on a new treatment for autism and epilepsy

Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have discovered that reducing protein tau levels soon after birth can prevent autism and epilepsy in an experimental model. The study pinpointed the crucial brain cells where tau levels must be reduced to avoid these problems, and showed that lowering tau is still effective when initiated after birth.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 27, 2022

Scientists find a genetic cause of lupus

Researchers have identified a genetic cause of lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects 50,000 people in the UK. The TLR7 gene mutation causes inflammation in organs and joints, leading to debilitating symptoms. This discovery paves the way for new treatments targeting the mutated gene.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2022

Decoy receptor protects against Omicron infection

Researchers from Osaka University have developed an engineered ACE2 decoy that effectively reduces the rate and severity of infection with the Omicron variant under laboratory conditions. The decoy mimics the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, preventing the virus from binding to cells and entering them.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2022

Synthetic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS linked to liver damage

A new study systematically reviews data on PFAS exposure and liver damage, linking three commonly detected PFAS to elevated levels of a liver enzyme, ALT. The research suggests a potential link between PFAS and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a growing public health crisis affecting 25% of adults worldwide.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 27, 2022

Mental health of college students is getting worse

A recent study found a consistent decline in the mental health of college students across the US over eight years, with significant increases in depression and anxiety among racial and ethnic minority students. The study also revealed a gap between symptom onset and treatment access, particularly for students of color.

SourceBoston University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateApr 27, 2022

Glimpse inside a graphene sandwich

Researchers studied twisted trilayer graphene, discovering a phase diagram that decouples into product states of graphene and bilayer graphene. The system exhibits unique insulating and semi-metallic phases in the presence of an electric field.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 27, 2022

Solar beats nuclear at many potential settlement sites on Mars

A new study by UC Berkeley scientists finds that solar photovoltaics can provide sufficient power for extended Mars missions, outperforming nuclear fusion reactors in over 50% of the planet's surface. This breakthrough provides a more practical solution for long-term human settlements on Mars.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalFrontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 27, 2022

Almost 90% of autistic women report experiencing sexual violence, often on multiple occasions

A new study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience reveals that nine out of ten autistic women in France have suffered sexual violence, with most victims being assaulted multiple times at a young age. The findings highlight the need for improved prevention and care programs to address this vulnerable population.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·TypeSurvey·DateApr 27, 2022

Brain imaging shows what happens when we question fake news

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin finds that asking a single question about article truthfulness can activate the brain's critical thinking centers, challenging biases and encouraging more critical evaluation of content. This finding has implications for social media companies looking to curb the spread of misinformation.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalInformation Systems Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2022

Study reveals genetic diversity of a particularly problematic pathogen

Researchers analyzed 451 bacterial strains of C. difficile, identifying 9,924 distinct gene clusters and categorizing them into 176 genetically distinct groups. The study provides new insights into the genetic diversity and evolution of this pathogen, shedding light on its virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance determinants.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2022

Nanoplastic particles love company: Researchers in Bayreuth analyze polyethylene degradation in the environment

A research team from the University of Bayreuth investigated the progressive degradation of low-density polyethylene in the environment. They found that isolated nanoplastic particles are rare and instead aggregate rapidly to larger colloidal systems, preventing individual nanoparticles from being freely available.

SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeNews article·DateApr 27, 2022

Highly efficient Fe³⁺-doped A₂BB’O₆ broadband near-infrared-emitting phosphors for spectroscopic analysis

Researchers have developed Fe³⁺-activated Sr₂InSbO₆ broadband NIR-emitting phosphor materials with tunable emission from 885 to 1005 nm. The Ca2InSbO6:Fe3+ phosphor peaking at 935 nm shows an ultra-high IQE of 87%, making it suitable for NIR spectroscopy detection.

Origin of complex cells started without oxygen

Eukaryotes emerged in an anoxic environment in the ocean, and their mitochondria-bearing cells likely resulted from a merger between archaea and bacteria. This finding contradicts the long-held view that oxygenation of Earth's surface environment led to eukaryogenesis.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 27, 2022

Bat box design, placement matter for energy balance in endangered bats

Research finds that bat box design and landscape placement significantly impact the energetic balance of endangered Indiana bats. A study by University of Illinois researchers tested five bat box designs and four landscape placements to determine their effects on bat metabolism, development, and survival.

Green technology breakthrough: Hematite photocatalyst using sunlight energy simultaneously produces hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide

A breakthrough in green technology has successfully produced both hydrogen gas and hydrogen peroxide simultaneously from sunlight and water using a hematite photocatalyst. This innovation could lead to a solar water-splitting utilization system with greater added value, enabling the widespread adoption of carbon-neutral energy sources.

SourceKobe University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2022