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Science News for August 24, 2022


Public auditing for real-time medical sensor data in cloud-assisted HealthIIoT system

Researchers have designed a new online/offline tag generation algorithm to improve preprocessing efficiency and protect medical data privacy. The proposed scheme achieves better auditing performance than previous schemes, addressing the contradiction between high real-time requirements and limited computing power in HealthIIoT devices.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

Cell size regulates molecular separation

Research reveals that smaller artificial cells lead to greater separation of molecules, allowing for a new approach to manipulate material properties. This discovery has potential applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalACS Materials Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

Many types of leisure time activities may lower risk of death for older adults

Older adults who engage in weekly leisure time activities such as walking, jogging, or playing tennis may have a lower risk of death from any cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Achieving recommended physical activity levels through various activities can lead to significant reductions in mortality risk.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 24, 2022

Immune therapies against Chronic Hepatitis B

Researchers propose various immune therapy designs to treat Chronic Hepatitis B, with a focus on improving treatment outcomes and reducing adverse effects. Immune therapies offer an alternate approach to antiviral drugs, which have limitations such as cost and low efficacy.

SourceEhime University·JournalJournal of Gastroenterology·DateAug 24, 2022

Discovery opens way to develop new immunotherapies

Australian researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which T cells can react to lower doses of antigens, leading to a 50-fold increase in T cell activation sensitivity. This finding opens up new possibilities for developing more effective immunotherapies.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

Teachers want support to embrace nature play in primary education

A new Australian study reveals that despite growing interest in nature-based learning, teachers need professional development to effectively integrate it into their teaching practices. The research found that seven out of ten teachers felt limited by their knowledge and confidence in using nature play areas to support curriculum goals.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning·TypeSurvey·DateAug 24, 2022

Movement of the solar system through the Milky Way’s galactic spiral arms helped form Earth’s first continents

A new study suggests that the solar system's transit through the four primary spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy may have seeded enhanced production of continental crust on early Earth. The researchers found a correlation between periods of increased crust generation and the solar system's movement into spiral arms, possibly due to co...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateAug 24, 2022

Researchers identified markers of chemotherapy resistance and outcome in triple negative breast cancer

Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine and the Broad Institute have identified biological markers associated with chemotherapy resistance in triple negative breast cancer. The study found that deletion on chromosome 19, specifically the LIG1 gene, is linked to resistance to treatment and poor clinical outcomes.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

Researcher looks at molecular changes for clues to disparities in breast cancer outcomes

A recent study found associations between socioeconomic stressors and specific N-glycosylation patterns in Black and White women, suggesting that molecular markers may be linked to socioeconomic status. The research also identified differences in glycosylation patterns in normal breast tissue based on body mass index (BMI) and ancestry.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalFrontiers in Oncology·DateAug 24, 2022

Appetite change in depression

Researchers found that appetite changes in depression are linked to specific changes in the brain's reward system, including a weaker connection between the reward system and areas processing taste stimuli. The study suggests precision medicine approaches could lead to more targeted therapies for individual symptoms of depression.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeCase study·DateAug 24, 2022

Study points to new approach to clearing toxic waste from brain

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have discovered a new pathway that could help prevent Alzheimer's dementia. Increasing the clearance of waste products in the brain by ramping up a genetic quirk known as readthrough may be effective for other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalBrain·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

Hiding chocolate stashes or Amazon purchases from a partner? ‘Guilty’ purchases may have benefits

Research finds that feelings of guilt from keeping everyday consumer behaviors a secret can lead to greater relationship investment. Participants reported engaging in mundane secrets like sneaking pizza or watching ahead on a TV show, which drove them to invest more in their relationships.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 24, 2022

Barriers to voting matter, but Americans overlook their impact, USC study finds

A USC study of eligible voters in the 2020 election highlights how many Americans overlook external factors like child care constraints and transportation difficulties that affect voter turnout. In contrast, participants cited beliefs as a major driver of turnout, with only 12% mentioning friction.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateAug 24, 2022

30-million-year-old amphibious beaver fossil is oldest ever found

Researchers have found a 30-million-year-old beaver fossil that challenges previous theories on the evolution of semi-aquatic beavers in North America. The discovery, published in Royal Society Open Science, suggests that these animals may have evolved to swim earlier than previously thought and were likely adapted for aquatic life.

SourceOhio State University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 24, 2022

DNA guardians out of control

Scientists at the University of Bonn discovered that an overactivated cGAS/STING signaling pathway leads to severe inflammation in ANCA-associated vasculitis. The study involved patients with the disease and a novel mouse model, providing new insights into potential drug targets.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

Researchers engineer novel material capable of ‘thinking’

A team of researchers has created a soft polymer material that can sense, think, and act upon mechanical stress without additional circuits. The material uses reconfigurable circuits to process information and has potential applications in autonomous systems, infrastructure repairs, and bio-hybrid materials.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 24, 2022

Novel newborn screening system uses rapid whole genome sequencing and acute management guidance to screen and diagnosis genetic diseases

A scalable prototype for newborn screening, including rapid Whole Genome Sequencing and virtual acute management guidance, has been developed to rapidly screen for several hundred genetic diseases. The system demonstrates feasibility in identifying genetic diseases with effective interventions.

SourceRady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine·JournalThe American Journal of Human Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

Plant immune systems can adapt to non-living environmental stressors, a new study reveals

A recent study led by Eliza Loo found that plant immune receptors and signaling components confer salt tolerance even in plants challenged by non-pathogenic microbes. This suggests that plants can sense and initiate adaptive responses to abiotic stresses upon detecting alterations in cues presented by plant-inhabiting microbes.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateAug 24, 2022

Tracking the journey of mangroves in southern Japan

A study by OIST Graduate University's Marine Biophysics Unit found that mangroves in the Ryukyu Islands have limited connectivity, making it crucial to protect isolated forests. The research used genetics and oceanography to track propagule dispersal, revealing rare genetic exchanges between islands.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeObservational study·DateAug 24, 2022

Boosting performance with a dash of rock salt

Scientists have found a novel structure in bismuth oxychloride, featuring a sextuple Bi-O layer composed of rock-salt and fluorite units, which enhances photocatalytic activity. This discovery could lead to improved hydrogen production material designs.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

A sense of place

Scientists at Harvard Medical School have made a breakthrough in understanding how the brain forms spatial maps. A new study reveals that the gene Fos plays a crucial role in this process, helping the brain use specialized navigation cells to form and maintain stable representations of the environment. The findings provide new insights...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateAug 24, 2022

Duke-NUS scientists develop new technique to reveal the hidden genome

Researchers have identified nearly 8,000 short RNA sequences that code for microproteins and peptides, opening new avenues for disease research and drug development. The technique used to discover these sequences provides a comprehensive map of human smORFs, highlighting overlooked functional components of the genome.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 24, 2022

How minor changes in choice architecture can improve health insurance product choices and costs

Researchers found that providing default alternatives and using ordering and partitioning together can improve consumer choice. This study aims to provide a more efficient way for consumers to make better decisions about healthcare products, ultimately improving health outcomes and the efficiency of the healthcare system.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateAug 24, 2022

Socioeconomic and health risk profiles among mothers of young children predicts risk of food insecurity, study finds

A new study identified five socio-economic and health risk profiles among mothers of young children that may lead to food insecurity. The study found that these risk profiles can help pediatricians identify families at risk for food insecurity, who may be reluctant to disclose their struggles due to fear of child removal.

UMass Amherst researchers pioneer nanoelectronic sensor that simultaneously measures electrical and mechanical activity in heart cells

Researchers from UMass Amherst have created a tiny sensor that can simultaneously measure electrical and mechanical cellular responses in cardiac tissue. This breakthrough device has the potential to lead-edge applications in cardiac-disease experiments and improve health monitoring for cardiac disease studies.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

First-of its-kind study of antimicrobial stewardship programs sheds light on how health systems can enhance care and reduce overuse of antibiotics

Researchers identified four categories of antimicrobial stewardship programs: Collaborative Model, Centrally Coordinated Model, Centrally Led Model, and Collaborative, Consultative Network Model. The study aims to enhance patient care and reduce antibiotic resistance by understanding best practices in these models.

SourceIntermountain Healthcare·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeSurvey·DateAug 24, 2022

Robots, AI not as welcomed in nations where income inequity is high

A new study by the University of Central Florida reveals that workers in countries with greater income inequality are more likely to perceive robots and artificial intelligence as job threats. This association was found despite the potential benefits of these technologies to improve work and increase flexibility.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalTechnology Mind and Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 24, 2022

Tiny crystal vases

Scientists at the University of Tsukuba developed a method to produce uniform, hollow vessel-shaped crystals through spontaneous crystal growth. The crystals have hexagonal symmetry and can be used as tiny containers for nanotechnology experiments.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScience·DateAug 24, 2022

‘Tracking’ students can be beneficial, study finds

Research by Cornell University finds that college students marginally placed into 'high-ability' classes have lower grades and graduation rates. These students perform better than their peers in the lower-ability track, passing four fewer courses on average and being nearly nine percentage points less likely to earn a degree.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Public Economics·DateAug 24, 2022

Digging through patents to make mining greener

Researchers from Kyushu University analyzed global patent applications to identify R&D strategies for sustainable mining technologies. The study found that the Paris Agreement and raw metal price trends influence CCMT development, with varying degrees of impact by country.

SourceKyushu University·JournalResources Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 24, 2022

HKUST scientists identify an innovative strategy targeting a blood protein for the therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have identified a blood protein, soluble ST2 (sST2), that plays a key role in disrupting Aβ clearance by microglia. Lowering sST2 levels may offer a simpler and safer approach to treating Alzheimer's disease, particularly for high-risk groups such as female APOE4 carriers.

PPE can be recycled to make stronger concrete

Researchers at RMIT University developed a method to recycle disposable PPE into stronger concrete, increasing strength by up to 22% and improving resistance to cracking. The study aims to create a circular economy approach for healthcare waste, reducing landfill waste and creating valuable resources.

SourceRMIT University·JournalCase Studies in Construction Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

Whole blood RNA profiling of severe COVID-19 cases

A study by Osaka University researchers comprehensively analyzed mRNA and microRNA expression patterns in the blood of patients with severe COVID-19, revealing specific mRNAs and microRNAs associated with the immune response pathway. The findings suggest that interferon-β plays a crucial role in COVID-19 severity.

SourceOsaka University·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·TypeObservational study·DateAug 24, 2022

Physical activity may have a stronger role than genes in longevity

A recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity found that higher levels of light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were associated with lower risk of death. In contrast, higher sedentary time was linked to increased mortality risk, regardless of genetic predisposition for longevity.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Aging and Physical Activity·TypeObservational study·DateAug 24, 2022

A new kind of chemo

A team of researchers has identified two compounds that target DNMT3A complexes in cancer cells, offering a safer and more targeted treatment for leukemia patients. The findings provide hope for reducing off-target toxicity associated with current leukemia therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateAug 24, 2022

Hospitalizations for unintentional cannabis poisonings among Canadian children surged after legalization, particularly in jurisdictions where the sale of cannabis edibles was allowed

A unique Canadian study found a 6.3 fold increase in hospitalizations for unintentional cannabis poisoning among children under 10 since legalization. Provinces with edible sales saw an increase 7.5 times higher than those without, highlighting the risk of allowing edibles

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 24, 2022

An extrasolar world covered in water?

Researchers from the University of Montreal have discovered an exoplanet that could be an 'ocean planet,' completely covered by a thick layer of water. The exoplanet, TOI-1452 b, has a radius and mass similar to Earth but is believed to be rocky with a possible abundance of water.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateAug 24, 2022

Pretreating soil with ethanol protects plants from drought

Researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science found that adding ethanol to soil helps plants thrive during drought. The study showed that 75% of treated wheat and rice plants survived after rewatering compared to less than 5% of untreated plants.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPlant and Cell Physiology·DateAug 24, 2022

New technique opens swathes of shells for genetic analysis

A new DNA extraction technique has enabled researchers to analyze genetically diverse mollusc species from museum collections, shedding light on their evolutionary history and informing conservation management. The method's success opens up novel research avenues, particularly for endangered or never-before-seen-alive molluscs.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalMolecular Ecology Resources·DateAug 24, 2022

Preparing for a tech revolution

The University of Delaware and the University of New Mexico are collaborating on a $4 million grant to develop quantum photonics technologies. This initiative aims to prepare a skilled workforce for the growing quantum computing market, projected to grow from $486 million in 2021 to $3.2 billion by 2028.

Social media boycott of Goya did not harm sales

A new study found that social media boycotts of Goya Foods actually caused the company's nationwide sales to rise for a few weeks before subsiding to previous levels. Sales revived after a few weeks, even in geographic areas where customers forgo Goya products, driven by politically motivated first-time buyers supporting the brand.

SourceCornell University·JournalMarketing Science·DateAug 24, 2022

Dogs with more active owners may get more exercise

A new international study suggests that dog owners who spend more time exercising themselves tend to exercise their dogs more, leading to a perceived ideal body weight. The study found that feeding practices play a main role in owner perception of their dog being overweight, while exercise practices are crucial for an ideal weight.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateAug 24, 2022

Religious practices, spirituality associated with higher levels of heart health among African Americans

A research study of African Americans with cardiovascular disease found that higher levels of religious practices and spirituality are associated with greater likelihood of intermediate or ideal levels of heart health. Specifically, private prayer was linked to better diet and smoking habits, while nontheistic spirituality was associat...

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateAug 24, 2022

Chemistry: Long-range interactions

Researchers led by Heinz Langhals have found intermolecular interactions that extend beyond 100 nanometers, enabling molecules to interact with their environment at almost macroscopic dimensions. This discovery raises new possibilities for addressing molecular structures macroscopically and may lead to advancements in molecular memories.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateAug 24, 2022

Scientists want to bridge public divide

A Northwestern University study found that investing in science outreach can improve diversity and trust in science, with women and underrepresented groups more likely to participate. However, lack of time and funding remain major barriers, highlighting the need for academic institutions to incentivize outreach and provide training.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFrontiers in Communication·DateAug 24, 2022