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Science News Archive August 2022 - Page 19


Page 19 of 38

Lungless salamanders develop lungs as embryos despite lung loss in adults for millions of years

A new study reveals that four living amphibian clades, including the dominant Plethodontidae family of lungless salamanders, develop lungs as embryos but lose them as adults. This finding sheds light on the evolution of lung loss over millions of years and suggests that losing lungs may have enabled their remarkable evolutionary success.

Sea secrets surface in the Great Australian Bight

Oceanographers have discovered substantial subsurface phytoplankton layers deep beneath the eastern part of the Great Australian Bight, supporting rich marine biodiversity. This finding explains how the region's productivity survives even when surface phytoplankton blooms disappear during certain upwelling seasons.

SourceFlinders University·JournalContinental Shelf Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 17, 2022

GlyNAC supplementation reverses mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and aging hallmarks to boost strength and promote health in aging humans

A randomized clinical trial found that GlyNAC supplementation improves age-associated defects in older humans, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This led to improvements in muscle strength, gait speed, exercise capacity, and other health outcomes, showing promise for promoting healthy aging.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series A·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 17, 2022

Breaking in a new planet

Researchers found large impacts can fracture a planet's crust, introducing porosity that increases its potential for life. This discovery has implications for early Earth and Mars, suggesting life could have survived in pore spaces during intense impact periods.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 17, 2022

Preschoolers with larger vocabulary before they begin education, perform better in class – study shows

A study published in Early Education and Development journal found that preschoolers with stronger vocabulary skills at the start of the year display more positive engagement with teachers and peers. The researchers also discovered that inhibitory control is crucial for classroom engagement and learning.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalEarly Education and Development·TypeSurvey·DateAug 17, 2022

Mechanistic insights into contact hypersensitivity could pave the way for drug discovery

A study by Japanese researchers from Fujita Health University sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of contact dermatitis, revealing that neutrophil extracellular traps play a key role in the condition. The team's findings suggest that inhibiting NET formation could be a new therapeutic strategy for treating contact dermatitis.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2022

New principles for biological fieldwork will build equity for researchers and local communities

A new paper outlines principles for reducing power imbalances in biological fieldwork, including procedures for permitting and licensing developed at the University of Kansas. The guidelines aim to ensure safety, legal, and ethical conduct, prioritizing communication and transparency in fieldwork planning.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2022

Can water quality trading effectively reduce water pollution?

A comprehensive review of water quality trading programs worldwide reveals that agricultural production remains largely unregulated, hindering their effectiveness. The authors suggest that nudging political will and creating regulatory drivers can help evolve water quality trading into a cost-effective pollution control instrument.

SourceWiley·JournalContemporary Economic Policy·DateAug 17, 2022

All rise!

A study found that combining a height-adjustable desk with an education programme, such as SMART Work and Life, can significantly reduce sitting time in the workplace. Participants using both the programme and a desk spent over an hour more time on their feet per day compared to those receiving the programme alone.

SourceUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust·JournalBMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 17, 2022

New research uncovers favoritism in order assignment

A recent paper by Darren Grant found favoritism in order assignment in various contests, including Texas and West Virginia primary elections. The author applied statistical methods to detect this behavior, which was often overlooked despite its significant impact on outcomes.

SourceWiley·JournalEconomic Inquiry·DateAug 17, 2022

Study presents the first data-driven model of cranial bone development in children

A new study presents the first data-driven sex-specific model of pediatric cranial bone development, providing a quantitative normative reference for local cranial bone development during the first ten years of life. The model improves current understanding and clinical diagnoses of cranial development disorders.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open·TypeObservational study·DateAug 17, 2022

Investigation into plastic pollution moves inland

A recent study found that microplastics in agricultural soils can cause a decrease in germination rate and changes to seed production, which could have negative consequences for food production. The presence of microplastics also alters soil characteristics such as its structure and microbial communities.

SourceStaffordshire University·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2022

Plate tectonics drives ocean oxygenation

Researchers used a three-dimensional climate model to recreate Earth's history and found that changing continents significantly increased ocean oxygen levels. This new study reveals the previously underestimated role of plate tectonics in shaping ocean biodiversity.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2022

Social connection drives learning in bird brain

Scientists at OIST Graduate University discovered the neural circuitry that enables juvenile zebra finches to learn songs through social interaction with a tutor. The locus coeruleus-caudomedial nidopallium circuit plays a crucial role in attention and arousal, guiding the bird's focus on the tutor's song.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2022

A fast, accurate, equipment-free diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants

A team of researchers from Princeton University and the Broad Institute created a fast, accurate, and equipment-free diagnostic test for COVID-19. The test uses CRISPR technology to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants and can be performed at home without special equipment, improving sensitivity and specificity compared to existing tests.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2022

Mars model provides method for landing humans on Red Planet

A team of researchers from Australian National University developed a mathematical model to simulate the impact of prolonged exposure to zero gravity on the cardiovascular system. The model assesses the risk of fainting or medical emergencies when stepping out of a spacecraft on Mars, providing crucial insight for human mission planning.

SourceAustralian National University·Journalnpj Microgravity·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 16, 2022

Interdisciplinary panel offers solutions to improve recruitment for Alzheimer’s clinical trials

The expert panel identified actionable and inclusive solutions to accelerate the development of novel therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. The panel suggested strategies such as increasing diverse population representation, addressing logistical, financial, and trust barriers to participate in trials.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 16, 2022

A virtual trip to the museum can improve the health of seniors stuck at home

A randomized controlled trial found that virtual museum visits significantly improved the health of seniors stuck at home, reducing social isolation and improving well-being, quality of life, and frailty. The study recruited 106 participants aged 65 and older who attended guided tours online once a week for three months.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 16, 2022