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Science News Archive August 2022 - Page 10


Page 10 of 38

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