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Science News for August 22, 2022


New insights into the mechanisms behind Crohn’s disease point to potential therapeutic target

A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers suggests that certain anti-cancer drugs may target a key player in Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. The study found that mutations in a specific chromatin reader, SP140, are associated with an increased risk of immune diseases like Crohn's.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Eye test could screen children for autism

Researchers have found that children with autism show significant differences in their pupillary light reflexes, which can be used as a potential screening biomarker. The study demonstrates the parameters of interest that matter for detecting autism and validates earlier findings using monocular technology.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNeurological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Superior phase recovery and hologram reconstruction using a deep neural network

Researchers have developed a novel neural network architecture that achieves unprecedented generalization to unseen sample types, outperforming classical algorithms and state-of-the-art models. The Fourier Imager Network (FIN) demonstrates superior computational speed in phase retrieval and holographic image reconstruction tasks.

Rare-earth-based lasing in multiple bands simultaneously

Researchers successfully demonstrate room-temperature multiband microlasers spanning a large wavelength range using rare earth elements. The lasing process combines downshifting and upconversion, expanding the emission wavelength range. The resulting microlasers exhibit good intensity stability and are suitable for practical applications.

Cooking, diabetes self-management education, intervention improves quality of life

Researchers found that participants who received cooking education showed improvements in eating more vegetables, fewer carbohydrates, and lower A1C levels. The study also highlighted the importance of addressing food insecurity in diabetes management.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 22, 2022

Life at close quarters

Researchers discover fossil lacewing larvae with enlarged abdomens, providing insights into the evolution and lifestyle of early lacewings. The discovery sheds light on the successful evolutionary strategy of physogastry, which allows insects to greatly increase their body volume when required.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 22, 2022

Wastewater viral loads can provide advance warning of COVID-19 outbreaks

A study by Hokkaido University scientists found a close association between clinical cases of COVID-19 and viral loads in wastewater, with the viral loads picking up to two days before the cases were detected. The researchers used wastewater-based epidemiology to track the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

A historical perspective on glacial retreat

A team of researchers from ETH Zurich and WSL reconstructed the topography of all Swiss glaciers in 1931 using stereophotogrammetry. They found that the glacier volume halved between 1931 and 2016, with some glaciers losing mass at varying rates depending on factors like altitude, snout shape, and debris coverage.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalThe Cryosphere·DateAug 22, 2022

Revealing roles of dementia proteins in normal memory

A recent study has identified the tau protein's involvement in normal learning and memory processes in the healthy brain. The researchers used proximity labelling to map out all proteins that interact with tau and found that it interacts with enzymes controlling vesicles and cell surface receptors for neurotransmitters.

SourceFlinders University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 22, 2022

Brains cells born together wire and fire together for life

A new study found that neurons with the same birthdate show distinct connectivity and activity throughout adulthood, forming cooperative signaling circuits. This suggests that the brain may exploit orderly neuronal layer formation to establish neural templates that match each new experience to an existing template.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

The Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) team succeeded with the world’s first Mini Organ transplantation to a patient with “Ulcerative Colitis (UC)”

The TMDU research team successfully transplanted a mini organoid into a patient with Ulcerative Colitis, showing potential for a radical cure. The treatment uses the patient's own cells and minimally invasive colonoscopy, reducing transplant rejection risk and laparotomy needs.

Unmitigated school choice policies increase segregation, USC research shows

A new study by USC researchers found that unmitigated school choice policies can increase segregation, even when parents don't factor in racial demographics. The study revealed that Black parents prioritize schools with high performance ratings, while White parents value short commutes.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 22, 2022

The locked library: Disease causes cells to reorder their DNA incorrectly

Researchers found that cells in diseased connective tissue lose their ability to reorder DNA information correctly, leading to cell dysfunction. The study suggests that epigenetic treatments could restore healthy genome organization and may be effective treatments for conditions affecting dense tissues.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Self-reported insomnia and sleep apnoea a risky combo

A new Flinders University analysis found that people reporting symptoms of both insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are at an increased risk of death compared to those without the conditions. The study highlights the importance of self-reported symptoms and risk factors, and could lead to greater and more rapid assessment in populatio...

SourceFlinders University·JournalSleep Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 22, 2022

A quantum pump without the crank

Researchers demonstrate the creation of a self-oscillating pump in a topological dissipative atom-cavity system, transporting atoms without external periodic driving. This discovery combines quantum many-body physics and open quantum systems, offering insights into exotic states of matter.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Rehabilitation method to improve taste sensitivity

Researchers developed a new rehabilitation method using filter paper discs to improve taste sensitivity in healthy individuals. The four-step training method increased sensitivity to all four tastes, with significant improvements seen at day 4.

SourceToho University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 22, 2022

Brushing thin films onto electrodes preserves batteries

Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to create a thin film coating on lithium anodes using powder brushing, which improves battery life and capacity. The coated anodes retained 70% more capacity after 340 charge-discharge cycles than off-the-shelf batteries.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Dogs cry more when reunited with their owners

A study published in Current Biology found that dogs shed tears associated with positive emotions, such as reuniting with their owners, suggesting a stronger bond between humans and dogs. Oxytocin may play a role in this emotional response, with researchers also noting that people tend to respond more positively to teary-eyed dog faces.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Biomedical, data science training wins new grant

The program, one of only 18 nationwide, will support eight Ph.D. students and five postdoctoral fellows each year for five years, focusing on biomedical informatics and data science. The grant is the seventh renewal of support for a multidisciplinary training program that began over 30 years ago.

Monitoring genetic mutations will be important for Florida panther management

A new study found nearly half of Florida panther mutations originated from Texas and Central American pumas, bringing both good and bad genetic material. Researchers emphasize the need to monitor genetic health due to potential risks, especially with small population sizes. Genetic screening for future introductions may be necessary.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalJournal of Heredity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 22, 2022

Cage with caps

A Japanese team has introduced a molecular cage with 'caps' that can confine certain rare-earth-metal ions, including lanthanum and europium, for isolation or recycling. The critical feature of the cage is its two 'caps' that cover the openings and bind to the ions through hydrogen bridges and electrostatic interactions.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Poor heart health predicts premature brain ageing

A study led by University College London found that poor heart health at age 36 predicts a higher brain age later in life, with men having older brains than women of the same age. The research used machine learning to estimate brain age from MRI scans and found an association between brain age and increased brain shrinkage over time.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeObservational study·DateAug 22, 2022

Maximizing could be key to minimizing our environmental footprint

A new study finds that maximizing behavior is linked to increased item usage, suggesting a potential strategy for reducing over-consumerism and its environmental impact. Maximizers tend to spend more time considering options and make greater use of their choices, which could encourage people to get more mileage out of their stuff.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 22, 2022

How did the early COVID-19 pandemic affect cancer survivors?

Working-aged adults with and without a history of cancer reported healthier behaviors and steady health insurance status during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of unhealthy behaviors decreased, including insufficient sleep and smoking, while self-rated health improved among all groups.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateAug 22, 2022

When recovery goes awry

A new study from Harvard Medical School reveals that patients who recover well after cardiovascular surgery exhibit precise paths for white blood cell and platelet counts. These trajectories can be used to monitor recovery in a personalized way, enabling clinicians to intervene earlier when necessary.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 22, 2022

New research shows Louisiana State University campus mounds as the oldest known man-made structures in North America

The Louisiana State University campus mounds are the oldest known man-made structures in North America, with construction beginning at approximately 11,000 years ago. The mounds were built by ancient indigenous people and feature a coordinated alignment with the brightest star in the night sky.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Science·TypeSurvey·DateAug 22, 2022

Microscopic color converters move small laser-based devices closer to reality

Researchers developed a new method for converting light frequencies using atomically thin layers of molybdenum disulfide, enabling smaller lasers and potential applications in optical communications. The breakthrough could lead to compact phase-matched nonlinear optics and waveguide devices.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Scientists are unravelling the mystery of the arrow of time

Researchers at CUNY Graduate Center explore how particles and cells give rise to large-scale dynamics that we experience as the passage of time. They found that the arrow of time emerges from simple interactions between pairs of neurons, not large groups. This discovery has implications for physics, neuroscience, and biology.

SourceThe Graduate Center, CUNY·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 22, 2022

‘Drug factory’ implants eliminate mesothelioma tumors in mice

Rice University researchers have developed a treatment combining drug factory implants producing interleukin-2 with checkpoint inhibitors to eradicate advanced-stage mesothelioma tumors in mice. The treatment resulted in complete tumor destruction in all seven treated mice, offering a promising approach to this aggressive lung cancer.

SourceRice University·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

What older adults do while they sit affects dementia risk, USC study indicates

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that long periods of sitting for sedentary behaviors like watching TV are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. In contrast, leisure-time activities such as reading or using computers were linked to a reduced risk of dementia.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 22, 2022

DNA profiling solves Australian rabbit plague puzzle

A study published in PNAS confirms the single-origin hypothesis for Australia's invasive rabbits, tracing their ancestry back to Thomas Austin's family in England. Genetic diversity declined as the population spread across the continent, revealing a possible genetic advantage that enabled the rabbits to adapt to Australia's climate.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 22, 2022

A prehistoric climate feedback loop

A paleoclimatologist discovered an ancient climate feedback loop that accelerated the effects of Earth's last warming episode. The Eemian warm episode, which occurred 128,000 to 125,000 years ago, saw oceans up to 1-1.5°C warmer than today, leading to a significant increase in methane hydrates and their release into the atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 22, 2022

Georgians in 71 counties don’t have methadone clinic access within a 15-minute drive

A new study from the University of Georgia found that four out of five counties with the highest opioid overdose death rates do not have a methadone clinic accessible within a 15-minute drive. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) may offer a possible solution to improving access to opioid treatment programs in rural communities.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateAug 22, 2022

Psychiatrists disagree with US policy on psychoactive drugs

A national survey of US psychiatrists found discrepancies between their perceptions of certain psychoactive drugs' safety and therapeutic value and how they are categorized under the Controlled Substances Act. Psychiatrists rated psilocybin as having low misuse potential and high therapeutic potential, but it is a Schedule I drug with ...

SourceOhio State University·JournalInternational Journal of Drug Policy·TypeSurvey·DateAug 22, 2022

The prevalence of hypertension in low- and middle-income countries increases more sharply in rural areas

A meta-analysis of nearly 300 studies reveals a higher hypertension prevalence in urban areas but with a narrowing gap over time and socio-economic development, indicating rapid increase in rural areas. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and control measures in rural areas to address the growing burden of hypertension.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 22, 2022