Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive April 2022 - Page 8


Page 8 of 37

New tool to assess Long COVID symptoms

A comprehensive tool to assess Long COVID symptoms has been developed at the University of Birmingham. The Symptom Burden Questionnaire captures a wide range of symptoms affecting everyday life, providing valuable evidence for researchers and policymakers.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBMJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 26, 2022

Living near fast food restaurants in South Asia may increase risk of Type 2 diabetes

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that living near fast food restaurants increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The research, conducted in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, linked cross-sectional health data with environment mapping surveys to examine the associations between the density and proximity of healthy and unhea...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 26, 2022

Zircons (and the secrets they hold) are forever

Researchers found that around 3.8 billion years ago, a major transition in the geochemistry of zircons occurred, suggesting the onset of plate tectonics. This discovery provides hints about how the planet became habitable and under which conditions the earliest forms of life developed.

SourceHarvard University·JournalAGU Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 25, 2022

How to assess a community's resilience

Researchers developed an interdisciplinary resilience framework to understand the connection between social and water systems in communities like the Choyeros. The framework explores how social systems impact water supply resilience and vice versa, providing a tool to generate conversations and coordinate responses.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalSustainability Science·TypeObservational study·DateApr 25, 2022

Passion has its rewards

Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that passion is a crucial factor in determining success among top football players. The study, which compared elite and regional players, revealed that burning passion for the sport was the key differentiator.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNew Ideas in Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 25, 2022

Study suggests policy, education and training make youngest novice drivers better prepared for license exam, less likely to crash

A study using Ohio license data found that mandatory driver education, including behind-the-wheel training, reduces crash rates among novice drivers under 18. The research suggests reevaluating comprehensive licensing policies to keep young drivers safe.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 25, 2022

When male bees don’t get lucky

A study found that pesticides can impact the reproductive behavior of male bees, making them less desirable to females. The researchers exposed horned mason bees to a low-toxicity fungicide and discovered that pesticide-exposed males were more likely to be rejected by females.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateApr 25, 2022

Study examines resilience of immigrant youth in various living arrangements

Resilience and emotional well-being were higher among immigrant youth who lived with family members or had no family members, whereas those without family support expressed lower resilience and more stress. The study highlights the impact of household composition on the mental health of adolescent migrants.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Migration and Health·TypeSurvey·DateApr 25, 2022

Where the mind is without fear: Scientists discover mechanism behind the chemically induced suppression of fearful memories

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science identify brain regions and signaling pathways involved in fear extinction via delta receptor activation. The study suggests a potential therapeutic agent for post-traumatic stress disorders by suppressing fearful memories.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2022

Study of all fully vaccinated people in Belgium assesses risk of breakthrough COVID-19 infections

A Belgian study assessed the risk factors of breakthrough COVID-19 infections in fully vaccinated people, finding mRNA vaccines offered greater protection than viral vector jabs. Breakthrough infections were more common in those who received viral vector vaccines, while prior Covid infection and vaccination provided added protection.

Six in ten people with COVID-19 still have a least one symptom a year later, long Covid study reveals

A new study found that six in ten people with COVID-19 still experience at least one symptom a year later, with fatigue, shortness of breath, and irritability being the most common. The study also revealed that participants with moderate/severe COVID-19 were more likely to have ongoing symptoms and sleep problems.

Classifying exoplanet atmospheres opens new field of study

An international team of researchers analyzed data from 25 hot Jupiters, finding a link between thermal inversions and the presence of hydrogen anion and metallic species. These findings will help establish a generalized theory of planet formation, improving our understanding of all planets, including Earth.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·TypeObservational study·DateApr 25, 2022

Is immunotherapy the answer to peanut allergy purgatory?

The efficacy of Palforzia in treating peanut allergies is being called into question by Dr. Michael R. Perkin, who raises concerns about adverse events and potential long-term side effects. The editorial review aims to provide a balanced perspective on the treatment option.

SourceWiley·JournalClinical & Experimental Allergy·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 25, 2022

Hitting rewind to predict multi-step chemical reactions

A new method predicts the starting materials and reaction paths of multi-step chemical reactions using only information about the target product molecule. The algorithm reduces the number of paths to explore, mitigating the combinatorial explosion that occurs in single-step reactions.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJACS Au·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 25, 2022

Meat consumption must fall by at least 75 percent

A new study by the University of Bonn recommends significantly reducing meat consumption to mitigate climate change and environmental damage. While mass vegetarianism is not a viable solution due to limited food availability in some regions, moderate meat consumption can be sustainable if implemented carefully.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAnnual Review of Resource Economics·DateApr 25, 2022

Death in darkness: a new type of cell death discovered in fly guts

Researchers have identified a new type of programmed cell death, erebosis, that takes place in the intestines of fruit flies, contradicting the long-held theory of apoptosis. The process involves gradual cell death without nuclear membranes, mitochondria, and cytoskeletons, and is thought to play a role in gut metabolism.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 25, 2022

HKUMed finds strengthened road safety measures associated with fewer traffic injuries and drink-driving despite alcohol tax cuts

A study found that strengthened road safety policies reduced road traffic injuries and drink-driving in Hong Kong by 13.8% and 63.6%, respectively, after the implementation of these measures in 2008. The research also showed a sustained decline in road traffic injuries linked to increased police traffic enforcement.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalAddiction·DateApr 25, 2022

Long COVID associated with different clinical trajectories and characteristics depending on severity of initial SARS-CoV-2 infection

A large study found that over a third of ICU patients developed long COVID, compared to 6% of hospitalised patients and 1% of outpatients. Long COVID is associated with different clinical trajectories and characteristics depending on the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection severity.

A combination of three simple treatments may reduce invasive cancer risk by 61% among adults aged 70+

A combination of high-dose vitamin D, omega-3s, and a simple home strength exercise program (SHEP) showed a cumulative reduction of 61% in cancer risk among healthy adults aged 70 or older. The study, published in Frontiers in Aging, highlights the potential benefits of combining multiple public health interventions for cancer prevention.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging·DateApr 25, 2022

Top thought leaders tackle health care inequities in population health management

This special issue of Population Health Management examines health disparities in underserved populations, including telehealth utilization and mobile medical clinics. Thought leaders discuss the importance of addressing structural racism and promoting health equity to reduce inequities in pediatric healthcare access.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalPopulation Health Management·TypeCase study·DateApr 25, 2022

Talk therapy may alleviate depression and improve quality of life for people with dementia

A new Cochrane Review paper reveals that talk therapy can alleviate depression and improve quality of life for people with dementia. The study found that psychological interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), are effective in reducing symptoms of depression and improving wellbeing.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 25, 2022

Managing UK agriculture with rock dust could absorb up to 45 per cent of the atmospheric carbon dioxide needed for net-zero, research shows

A new study by the University of Sheffield suggests that adding rock dust to UK agricultural soils could remove between 6 and 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually by 2050. The approach offers a cost-effective alternative to other carbon removal options, with estimated costs falling to £100 per tonne by 2050.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 25, 2022

New research harnesses the power of movement

Researchers have developed a unique design for sensors capable of using human movements, such as bending and stretching, to power wearable technology devices. The self-powered pressure sensors can detect health conditions and measure performance in sports, with potential applications including smart watches and fitness trackers.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 25, 2022

Mysteries of gas giants known as ‘hot Jupiters’ unravelled

Researchers have uncovered significant trends in hot Jupiters' atmospheres, including dramatic temperature swings and the presence of metallic elements. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the evolution of our solar system and offer a better understanding of exoplanet populations.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 25, 2022

CU study reviews COVID-related hospital visitation limits and family stress

A CU study finds that COVID-19 hospital visitation limits may have contributed to a significant increase in stress-related disorders among family members of ICU patients. Nearly two-thirds of those restricted from visiting suffered from stress-related disorders three months after their family member was hospitalized.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateApr 25, 2022