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Science News Archive August 2022 - Page 14


Page 14 of 38

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

HKU study by remote-sensing and geoscience scholars reveals imbalance in urban greenspace planning leads to severe inequalities in access to greenspace among cities

A recent HKU study found that Global South cities experience only one-third of the greenspace exposure level of Global North cities, highlighting the need for prioritizing greening policies and actions. The research reveals a severe disparity in greenspace exposure linked to differences in greenspace provision and landscape design.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateAug 21, 2022

Pulsed laser synthesis of advanced materials for diverse photo- and electrocatalytic applications

Researchers develop pulsed laser-assisted synthetic route to create metal nanoparticles with high purity, eliminating toxic by-products and requiring less energy and time. This technique enables the production of non-toxic, highly functional nanomaterials for various energy and environmental applications.

A novel method of treatment high-salinity nitrogenous wastewater: Halomonas venusta TJPU05

A novel salt-tolerant HN-AD bacterium, Halomonas venusta TJPU05, was isolated and demonstrated excellent potential in treating high-salinity nitrogenous wastewater. The study showed that 86.12% of NH4+-N, 95.68% of NO3––N, 100% of NO2––N and 84.57% of total nitrogen (TN) could be removed from simulated water within 24 hours.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 20, 2022

Scientists fine-tune “tweezers of sound” for contactless manipulation of objects

Researchers have enhanced technology to lift small particles using sound waves, achieving stable lifting of particles from surfaces. By fine-tuning control using an adaptive algorithm, they have improved the stability of their 'acoustic tweezers' technology, which could be deployed in space and other environments with minimal contact.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalJapanese Journal of Applied Physics·DateAug 20, 2022

Quantum light clarifies bioimaging

Researchers at Texas A&M University created a device that harnesses quantum fluctuations to enhance spectroscopy results in Brillouin microscopy, increasing image clarity and accuracy. The new source significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for better visualization of biological structures and properties.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalOptica·DateAug 20, 2022

Anti-Black racism linked to lower support for some gun rights

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that racially resentful white Americans are less likely to support some gun rights if they believe Black people are exercising those rights more than white people. This bias led to a quicker match of photos of white people with gun rights phrases and photos of Black peo...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateAug 19, 2022

New study shows patient preference for medical cannabis products in the absence of clinical guidelines

A new study analyzed point-of-sale data from nearly 17,000 patients in New York's medical cannabis program to understand patient preferences for products and dosing. The researchers found considerable variability in product choice and dosing levels across different conditions, highlighting the need for clear clinical guidelines.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 19, 2022

Out-of-pocket costs for naloxone

A recent observational study found that out-of-pocket naloxone costs hindered access among the uninsured population, particularly those with opioid use disorder. The study's findings suggest that cost barriers may not significantly limit naloxone use in this vulnerable group.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateAug 19, 2022

Metabolism may be key to future treatment of kidney diseases

A new study from Aarhus University found that lysine, an amino acid supplement, protects laboratory animals from kidney damage and prevents hypertensive kidney disease. The research suggests that a diet rich in lysine may help prevent or treat kidney diseases, but more studies are needed to confirm the results.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2022

Early blood tests predict death, severe disability for traumatic brain injury

Researchers developed a blood test that predicts poor outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), allowing clinicians to make decisions earlier on possible treatment. The test, which measures protein biomarkers GFAP and UCH-L1, showed high accuracy in predicting death and severe disability six months after injury.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 19, 2022