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Science News for August 2, 2022


When particles move

The study explores the relationship between cohesion and erosion, revealing a scaling law that can predict erosion thresholds for different grain sizes. This understanding could improve modeling of erosion in various applications, such as soil stability and dust removal from solar panels.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateAug 2, 2022

How CAMSAP2 proteins organize microtubule networks

Researchers discovered that CAMSAP2 proteins utilize phase separation to form an 'aster' structure, which then organizes into a microtubule network. This process is crucial for the formation of specialized cell shapes, such as those found in heart muscle and nerve cells.

SourceKobe University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

An effective new treatment for chronic back pain targets the nervous system

A new treatment has shown clinically meaningful effects on pain intensity and disability, with participants reporting improved quality of life and long-term benefits. The sensorimotor retraining approach alters how people think about their body in pain and normalizes communication between the back and brain.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 2, 2022

First global map of cargo ship pollution reveals effects of fuel regulations

A new study used satellite data to determine the effect of fuel regulations on sulfur pollution from cargo ships. The research team found significant changes in pollution after regulations went into effect, and their data can contribute to understanding how pollutants interact with clouds and affect global temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2022

Novel non-contact oxygen concentration measurement technique developed by Pusan National University researchers

Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a novel method to measure oxygen concentration in high-temperature environments without physical contact. The method uses a phosphorescent material that varies its phosphorescence depending on the surrounding oxygen concentration.

SourcePusan National University·JournalSensors and Actuators B Chemical·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

SARS-CoV-2 and vaccine uptake among First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in urban areas

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that vaccine uptake was low among First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Toronto and London, Ontario. The rate for 2-dose vaccination among First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Toronto was 58%, compared to 79% for the overall population.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2022

Insecure: New study links tap water avoidance and food insecurity

A new study from Penn State and Northwestern University finds that avoiding tap water is associated with a 20-30% increase in food insecurity among Americans. Tap water avoidance can divert funds meant for nutritious food, leading to higher reliance on prepackaged and restaurant food.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateAug 2, 2022

Persistent low wages linked to faster memory decline in later life

A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that sustained low wages during working years are associated with significantly faster memory decline in older age. Low-wage earners experienced approximately one excess year of cognitive aging per a 10-year period compared to those who never earned low wages.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateAug 2, 2022

Using light to restore cell function

University of Cincinnati researchers have discovered a technique using light-activated proteins to normalize dysfunctional mitochondria in cells. This method has the potential to treat certain diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

World-first study reveals physical toll on law enforcement recruits

A new study by Edith Cowan University identified the most common injury types and body regions affected among police recruits, with knee injuries having the greatest impact. The study also found that men under 30 had a substantially reduced injury risk, highlighting the importance of tailored training programs to reduce injury rates.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalJournal of Occupational Rehabilitation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2022

Novel T cell bispecific antibody shows potent anti-tumor activity in preclinical models of epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) mutant glioblastoma

A novel T cell bispecific antibody targeting EGFRvIII mutant glioblastoma has demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in preclinical models. The therapy harnesses the power of the immune system to selectively target and destroy cancer cells, offering a safer treatment option for patients.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·DateAug 2, 2022

Liver cancer’s supercharged metabolism offers a new treatment strategy, Penn study suggests

Researchers discovered that liver cancer cells modify their metabolism to leave them susceptible to disruptions in arginine supply, a key molecule. A three-pronged approach targeting tumor metabolism, blocking survival-promoting responses, and starving tumors of arginine can induce senescence, making cancer cells killable.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Environmental students from poorer regions rate the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as more important than those from richer regions do

A study of environmental students from 41 countries found that SDGs are highly accepted globally, with significant differences in pillar ratings between countries. Lower-income nations rated the SDGs as more important than higher-income nations.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2022

Study tracks plant pathogens in leafhoppers from natural areas

Researchers extracted DNA from archival leafhopper specimens and used molecular approaches to detect and identify phytoplasmas. The study identified new phytoplasma strains and found associations between leafhoppers and bacteria that cause crop diseases, shedding light on the role of insects in spreading plant pathogens.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalBiology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Feeling the pressure

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology used AFM and finite element simulations to describe plant cell wall stiffness in relation to elasticity and turgor pressure. Their findings suggest that tension from turgor pressure regulates cell stiffness, providing a better understanding of how plants resist stress.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 2, 2022

The resolution of a molecular orchestra

A new photoswitching fingerprint analysis overcomes the sub-10 nm resolution barrier in super-resolution microscopy, enabling the imaging of dynamic interactions with other molecules in cells. This breakthrough reveals molecular functions and architectures at the nanoscale, shedding light on cellular processes such as learning and memory.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Why breast-fed premature infants have a healthier gut than formula-fed ones

Research found that breastfed premature infants have improved gut barrier function and nutrient absorption due to the presence of Bifidobacterium breve. This strain strengthens the intestinal wall, protecting against disease. The discovery could lead to promising clinical interventions to increase survival rates of vulnerable preemies.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Oncotarget | Chemoradiation-induced alteration of programmed death-ligand 1, CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and mucin expression in rectal cancer

Researchers investigated the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, PD-L1, and mucin expression in rectal cancer patients. The study found that nCRT exposure was associated with higher mucin expression and a non-significant difference in PD-L1 expression, suggesting an immunosuppressive phenotype.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

NUS Medicine researchers use nutritional supplement to shrink breast cancer tumors

Researchers at NUS Medicine have successfully used a plant-derived nutrient supplement to shrink breast cancer tumors in preclinical models. The treatment, which uses nanotechnology to convert the natural component into chemotherapy only at the tumor site, shows promise for reducing side effects and increasing patient lifespan.

Weddell seal moms sacrifice their diving capacity to provide iron to their pups: Climate change could make seals more vulnerable

Researchers found that Weddell seal moms limit their own diving and underwater foraging capabilities to provide iron to their pups during lactation. This sacrificial behavior may make the seals more vulnerable to climate regime shifts that could decouple the seasonal pulse of productivity in the Antarctic environment.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2022

Cancer research repurposed to expose age-related blood diseases

Scientists at IRB Barcelona develop a new approach to pinpointing the genes driving clonal hematopoiesis, a biological process linked to ageing and increased risk of blood malignancies. By adapting cancer genomics tools, researchers aim to improve early detection and monitoring of this condition.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 2, 2022

Children with rare genetic disorders more likely to be diagnosed with developmental, behavioural and mental health problems

Children with rare genetic disorders are more likely to be diagnosed with developmental, behavioural and mental health problems. A study of 2,800 young people found that those with intellectual disabilities were almost 30 times as likely to be autistic and over 13 times more likely to have ADHD.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2022

Research brief: Studying outcomes of visceral artery pseudoaneurysm in necrotizing pancreatitis

Researchers found that visceral artery pseudoaneurysms in necrotizing pancreatitis are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The study also highlighted the importance of early detection and treatment, as delayed diagnosis can lead to increased complications and mortality.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2022

Why are some birds more intelligent than others?

A recent study by McGill University researchers found that birds with higher numbers of neurons in the pallium, a brain region involved in memory and learning, are also more innovative. Longer development times in the nest may play a crucial role in the evolution of intelligence.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 2, 2022

Microscopic blood vessel disease in the brain’s white matter associated with worse cognition in Alzheimer’s

Researchers found that microscopic blood vessel disease in the brain's white matter is associated with worse cognitive function and memory deficits in individuals with Alzheimer's. Lifestyle changes such as reducing hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and inactivity may help prevent or slow disease progression.

New study used marine monitor radar system to monitor California marine protected areas

Researchers used marine monitor radar system to track vessel activity near California's marine protected areas. The study found that 40% more boat activity occurred in the vicinity of MPAs compared to surrounding areas, suggesting fishers are aware of MPA boundaries and cluster just outside them for better fishing opportunities.

SourceMar Communications·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2022

It’s raining PFAS

The levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental media have dramatically decreased over the last 20 years due to new insights into their toxicity. However, due to the global spread of PFAS, environmental media everywhere will now exceed guidelines designed to protect human health.

SourceGreen Science Policy Institute·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 2, 2022