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Science News Archive August 2022 - Page 17


Page 17 of 38

WVU researcher studies the effects of online ‘sharenting’ and the risks facing kids

A West Virginia University researcher highlights the risks of sharing children's information on social media, including consent and privacy issues, as well as increased vulnerability to online predators. The study suggests that parents should be aware of these risks and take steps to protect their children's digital footprint.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalJournal of Consumer Affairs·DateAug 18, 2022

‘Forever chemicals’ destroyed by simple new method

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a process to break down two major classes of PFAS compounds into benign end products using low temperatures and common reagents. The technique could be a powerful solution for disposing of these harmful chemicals linked to various health effects in humans, livestock, and the environment.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

Surgical backlogs from COVID-19 persist and could have serious healthcare consequences going forward

A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that surgical volumes remained significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels despite a full recovery of nonurgent procedure volumes after vaccination. This has resulted in more advanced disease states and poorer outcomes for patients when they finally receive treatment.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 18, 2022

RIPE researchers prove bioengineering better photosynthesis increases yields in food crops for the first time ever

Researchers have successfully increased soybean plant efficiency, resulting in greater yields without losing quality. The study aims to improve global food production by improving photosynthetic efficiency in food crops for smallholder farmers.

Assessing the toxicity of Reddit comments

A study analyzing over 2 billion Reddit comments found that 16.11% of users publish toxic posts and 13.28% of users publish toxic comments, with a positive correlation between community growth and increased toxicity

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ Computer Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 18, 2022

First real-world study gives detailed new insights into when people with COVID-19 are infectious

A study of 57 people with mild COVID-19 found that the average duration of infectiousness was five days, and two-thirds of cases remained infectious for at least five days after symptoms began. Lateral flow tests can safely shorten self-isolation by identifying when someone is no longer contagious.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2022

Novel hypotheses that answer key questions about the evolution of sexual reproduction

Researchers at Hokkaido University propose two novel hypotheses to address the 'two-fold cost of sex' in sexual reproduction. The first hypothesis suggests that meiosis eliminates harmful mutations through a process known as the 'seesaw effect.' The second hypothesis proposes that anisogamy evolved through 'inflated isogamy,' where lar...

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Ethology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 18, 2022

Noise affects life on the seafloor

Research by the Alfred Wegener Institute found that low-frequency noise from human activities stresses crustaceans, mussels, and worms on the seafloor, impacting their ability to transform sediment and maintain ecosystem function. This could have far-reaching consequences for nutrient cycling and food availability in marine ecosystems.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

Collaborations inspired early-career NIH grant that could lead to treatment breakthroughs for a range of medical conditions

A University of Virginia researcher has received a $1.8 million NIH grant to develop polymers that can deliver peptides as medicine, overcoming limitations such as short duration and toxicity. The project aims to create new therapeutic formulations using polymer biomaterials, which have endless design possibilities.

Steepest annual rise in advanced cervical cancer in US among White women

Advanced cervical cancer rates have been rising in the US, with a significant increase among White women and higher prevalence among Black women, particularly those in their mid-to-late 50s. The study found that obesity and older age at first birth may contribute to the rise in this type of cervical cancer.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2022

A breakthrough in magnetic materials research could lead to novel ways to manipulate electron flow with much less energy loss

Scientists have discovered new magnetic interactions in TbMn6Sn6, a Kagome layered topological magnet, which could be used to customize electron flow and reduce energy loss. The material's unique structure and electronic band structure make it an ideal candidate for quantum computing, magnetic storage media, and high-precision sensors.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review X·DateAug 18, 2022

Immune cell model paves way for new treatments targeting common infection amongst immunocompromised children

Researchers have successfully engineered human immune cells to model an infection common among immunocompromised people, paving the way for new drug testing and treatments. The immune cell type created played a key role in infection, inflammation, and regeneration, but also served as a natural host for germs.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

Pathway uncovered for greatest lupus genetic risk factor, study shows

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a molecular mechanism that drives the disease-causing effects of the most common genetic risk factor for lupus. The study suggests that targeting this new pathway could lead to the development of safe and effective treatments for SLE, an autoimmune disease that affects millions worldwide.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

New chip ramps up AI computing efficiency

Researchers at Stanford University have created a new chip architecture called NeuRRAM that performs AI computing directly within memory, reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency. The chip has been tested on various AI tasks and shown high accuracy rates.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateAug 18, 2022

New SPARK study identifies a novel group of inherited genes of moderate effect and shows their links to other behavioral conditions

Researchers analyzed genetic data from nearly 43,000 people with autism and identified a novel group of inherited genes of moderate effect. The study shows that these genes contribute to autism through inherited variants and are associated with other neurodevelopmental disorders.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalNature Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 18, 2022

Why heat makes us sleepy

Researchers at Northwestern University found that a thermometer-like brain circuit promotes midday siestas on hot days. The study, which used fruit flies as a model organism, identified absolute heat receptors in fly heads, leading to increased midday sleep in flies and potentially humans.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 17, 2022

Big data in the ER

A team of researchers from Osaka University developed an AI algorithm to predict the risk of mortality for trauma patients. They analyzed a large dataset of patient information and blood markers to identify critical factors that guide treatment strategies more precisely.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCritical Care·TypeObservational study·DateAug 17, 2022

Climate researchers correct faulty rainfall predictions for China’s breadbasket

Researchers identified a previously unidentified major shift in atmospheric flows from the North Atlantic as a result of a weakening jet stream. This shift has led to incorrect climate predictions for spring rainfall over northeast China, which is vital for the country's food security and the world's ability to feed itself.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateAug 17, 2022

New target structure against corona

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have found that fluoxetine and its analogue AKS466 can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus replication by trapping it in lysosomes and suppressing acid ceramidases, a new potential target for antiviral therapy.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCells·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2022

Could blood marker predict the risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in men?

A study found that elevated blood levels of chemokine CXCL9 predict the risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in men. Researchers discovered a significant association between CXCL9 and hip fractures in a cohort of Chinese men, highlighting the potential for early interventions targeting CXCL9 to prevent hip fractures.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateAug 17, 2022

A new neuromorphic chip for AI on the edge, at a small fraction of the energy and size of today’s compute platforms

The NeuRRAM chip demonstrates wide range of AI applications with equivalent accuracy while reducing energy consumption by up to 70% compared to traditional compute platforms. It also supports various neural network models and architectures, enabling diverse AI applications on edge devices.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2022

Frogs use brains or camouflage to evade predators

Researchers found that frogs with few predators rely on escape strategies with large brains and conspicuous coloration, while those with many predators use camouflage with smaller brains. This study establishes a link between brain evolution and predator evasion strategies.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateAug 17, 2022

Sleeping giant could end deep ocean life

A new study by researchers at University of California - Riverside found that the position of continents can have a devastating effect on deep ocean creatures. Continental movement can cause a sudden collapse in global water circulation, leading to a stark separation between oxygen levels in the upper and lower depths.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2022