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Science News Archive August 2022 - Page 15


Page 15 of 38

When Alzheimer’s degrades cells that cross hemispheres, visual memory suffers

A new study found that Alzheimer's disease damages a circuit that connects the vision processing centers of each brain hemisphere, leading to disrupted visual memory. The researchers discovered neurons that extend axons across the corpus callosum, which connect the hemispheres, and showed that these cells play a crucial role in synchro...

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2022

A small backyard, why plays such a big role?

This study explores how Science and Technology Backyards empower smallholders through participatory technology innovation, building continuous trust and promoting sustainable green production. A collaborative tree-shaped diffusion mode enables the spread of technology innovations to different scales.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2022

Harnessing the heart regeneration ability of marsupials

Researchers at RIKEN have discovered how marsupials' hearts can regenerate for several weeks after birth, allowing for potential treatment of human heart disease. They found that inhibiting a protein called AMPK extended the period of regeneration in both mice and opossums, with minimal scarring.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCirculation·DateAug 19, 2022

Compost to computer: Bio-based materials used to salvage rare earth elements

Penn State researchers have developed a method to extract valuable rare earth elements like neodymium from electronic waste using bio-based micro- and nanoparticles created from organic materials. This process can efficiently separate metals from refuse, providing a more sustainable solution than traditional mining methods.

SourcePenn State·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2022

Out-of-pocket cost of naloxone may keep may uninsured from using life-saving treatment

A RAND Corporation study found that the out-of-pocket cost of naloxone increased by more than 500% for those without health insurance, while decreasing for those with coverage. The high cost may be a significant barrier to naloxone adoption among the uninsured, highlighting the need for policymakers to address financial barriers.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 19, 2022

Opening the black box of late neurodevelopment

A team of scientists has created the first detailed map of embryonic movements in C. elegans, showing a slow-wave twitch phase before hatching that depends on neuronal activity. The study used innovative imaging techniques and computational tools to track the embryo's movements, revealing new insights into neurodevelopment.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2022

Deep brain stimulation to brain area linked to reward and motivation is potential therapy for treatment-resistant depression, study finds

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry reveals that deep brain stimulation (DBS) to the superolateral branch of the medial forebrain bundle can alter metabolic brain changes over 12 months, making it a strong potential therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The results showed that 8 out of 10 patients experienced significant sy...

Study: New model for predicting belief change

A new predictive network model estimates how much dissonance people experience when holding conflicting beliefs about a topic. This approach can help determine who will change their minds about contentious scientific issues when presented with evidence-based information.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 19, 2022

Sweet sap, savory ants

Researchers found that woodpeckers have regained the ability to sense sugar by repurposing their savory receptor. In contrast, wrynecks selectively lost this ability due to a single amino acid change in their receptor, highlighting a novel mechanism of sensory reversion.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 19, 2022

Shark depredation impacts support for shark conservation

A new study reveals that shark depredation is increasing in the Maldives shark sanctuary, resulting in significant catch and income losses. Fishers who experience greater losses due to depredation show reduced support for conservation efforts, highlighting the need for more inclusive approaches to manage conflicts.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalConservation Letters·TypeObservational study·DateAug 19, 2022

New heat-tolerant, high-capacity capacitor created with solid electrolytes borrowed from all-solid-state batteries

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a thermally stable bulk-type all-solid-state capacitor with a highly deformable oxide solid electrolyte. This innovation enables high current densities and high-capacity charging/discharging at temperatures up to 300°C, opening doors for high-temperature applications.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Power Sources·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2022

Transplant candidates’ thoughts about tradeoffs of shorter wait time for lower quality kidneys

A recent study suggests that many patients on the transplant waitlist would accept lower quality kidneys in exchange for a shorter waiting time. The research identifies three patient-preference classes, with some respondents willing to accept increases in waiting time for small improvements in kidney quality.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateAug 19, 2022

Complex patterns: building a bridge from the large to the small

Researchers develop a new coarse-graining approach that enables the prediction of patterns on small scales, reducing complexity by focusing on total densities of particles. The model is applied to the Min protein system, which controls cell division in bacteria, and experimental results confirm theoretical predictions.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2022

In new study in The Crop Journal, scientists develop cutting edge vascular system image analysis pipeline for crops

A team of researchers developed a deep learning pipeline to analyze vascular system images of plants with high accuracy. The pipeline can detect vascular bundles, identify specific zones, and perform statistical analysis of traits in different stem internodes. This study has the potential to improve crop resilience and food security.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalThe Crop Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

Unlocking cell nucleus behaviors

The discovery reveals that the nucleus deforms like a liquid drop, preserving its shape and protecting its genome. This understanding may lead to new approaches for treating cancer by aiding cell nuclei in regaining their normal shapes.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateAug 18, 2022

Food production impacting Earth and its natural processes

New research reveals that food production is a major stressor on the planet, impacting biodiversity loss and climate change. The study identifies key interactions between Earth system processes, such as green water and nutrient runoff, which must be considered in designing and implementing sustainable agriculture policies.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 18, 2022

COVID OUT clinical trial suggests metformin effective at reducing odds of serious outcomes for COVID-19 patients seeking early treatment

The study found that metformin lowers the odds of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or death due to COVID-19 by over 40 percent. Metformin also showed a significant reduction in serious outcomes when prescribed early in the onset of symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 18, 2022

Reduction in brain tissue oxygenation placing older adults with multiple health conditions at risk of faints and falls

A study of 350 older adults found that those with multiple chronic health conditions, especially women, are more prone to large blood pressure drops and lower brain oxygenation after standing up. This increases their risk of dizziness, faints, and falls, highlighting the importance of detecting and managing multi-morbidity.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

Study first to explore ‘walking’ sharks on the move in early life stages

A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers compared the walking and swimming behaviors of neonate and juvenile epaulette sharks. Contrary to expectations, results showed that differences in body shape did not alter kinematics between early life stages, suggesting a consistent locomotor performance.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalIntegrative and Comparative Biology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2022

The simultaneous study of both workload distribution and division of labor

A new paper in The Quarterly Review of Biology reviews studies on workload distribution and division of labor to better understand individual differences in cooperation. The authors argue that integrating collective action and offspring care literatures could lead to a deeper understanding of these factors.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Quarterly Review of Biology·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 18, 2022