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Science News Archive August 2022 - Page 28


Page 28 of 38

Rice models moving ‘washers’ that help DNA replicate

Researchers have modelled a key mechanism by which DNA replicates, revealing details about how helicases wrangle DNA during replication. The simulations showed each step of translocation can travel more than 12 nucleotides along the backbone, pinpointing interactions involved in long-distance movement.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 9, 2022

Banana peels make sugar cookies better for you

Researchers found that incorporating banana peel flour into sugar cookie batter makes the treats more healthful. The addition of banana peel flour resulted in cookies having less fat and protein, higher amounts of phenols, and better antioxidant activities compared to conventional cookies.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Food Science & Technology·DateAug 9, 2022

BU study: BCG vaccine prevents tuberculosis in young children, but not adults

A recent study suggests that the BCG vaccine is effective in preventing tuberculosis (TB) in children under 5 years old. However, adolescents and adults may require additional protection to maintain immunity beyond childhood. The researchers emphasize the need for booster vaccinations and new TB vaccines to supplement the BCG vaccine.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 9, 2022

A new way to detect infection

Scientists have discovered a new way to detect infection by sensing physical forces produced by bacterial invasion. Cells use mechanosensor protein PIEZO1 to detect changes in surface tension, triggering an early and fast immune response.

SourceUmea University·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 9, 2022

New antibiotic resistance genes identified in tuberculosis

A massive analysis of over 10,000 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates revealed new genes associated with resistance to 13 antibiotics. The study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the genetic mechanisms of resistance and identifying diagnostic gaps.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2022

Robot helps reveal how ants pass on knowledge

Scientists created a robot that mimics rock ants' one-to-one tuition to understand teaching methods. The study found the robot successfully taught route to an apprentice ant, which then learned and led others, revealing key elements of teaching in these ants.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 9, 2022

Study uncovers how blind and visually impaired individuals navigate social challenges

A recent study highlights uncomfortable social situations people with blindness face, as well as strategies they use to navigate them. Researchers found techniques for avoiding awkward encounters, recovering from them, and even constructive ways allies can support individuals with visual impairment.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·TypeObservational study·DateAug 9, 2022

New Medicaid study: Expanding insurance coverage for adults also helps enroll children

A new study by Columbia University and MIT researchers found that expanding Medicaid coverage to adults can also help enroll children, a phenomenon known as the 'woodwork effect'. The study examined Oregon's 2008 Medicaid lottery and found that for every nine adults who gained coverage, one additional child also enrolled.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Economic Journal Economic Policy·DateAug 9, 2022

Researchers developed a small molecule that makes immunotherapy available to all cancer patients

Researchers developed a small molecule that effectively controls tumor growth by inhibiting PD-1/PD-L1 binding, overcoming accessibility and cost issues of existing antibody treatments. The new molecule has advantages in terms of affordability and oral administration, making immunotherapy more accessible to all cancer patients.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateAug 8, 2022

AI pilot can navigate crowded airspace

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed an AI pilot that can safely navigate crowded airspace by predicting the intent of other aircraft and avoiding collisions. The AI uses vision and natural language processing to communicate with other aircraft, enabling safe and socially compliant navigation.

Ridge-to-reef ecosystem census reveals hidden reservoir for microbiomes

A team of researchers at the University of Hawaii collected over 3,000 microbial samples from Waimea Valley's watershed, discovering that microbes follow the food web and are maintained within soil and stream water. The study also found that local distribution of a microbe predicts its global distribution.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateAug 8, 2022

Researchers show potential for improved water-use efficiency in field-grown plants

A team of researchers has discovered a way to improve the water-use efficiency of field-grown plants by overexpressing a sugar-sensing enzyme in their leaves. This breakthrough could lead to increased crop yields and reduced reliance on irrigation, making it an attractive solution for farmers struggling with water scarcity.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 8, 2022

Chemical fixation causes aggregation artefact

Atomic force microscopy studies reveal that chemical fixation leads to structural changes in cell surfaces, forming large protrusions with diameters of 20-100 nanometers. Membrane proteins aggregate during fixation, creating artefacts that can mislead experimental results.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 8, 2022

Breakthrough for the realization of ultrafast quantum computers: the world’s fastest 2-Qubit gate between two single atoms

Scientists have successfully implemented the world's fastest two-qubit gate in a quantum computer, achieving an impressive speed of 6.5 nanoseconds using cold atoms cooled to near absolute zero and optical tweezers. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of ultrafast quantum computing hardware.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 8, 2022

Heat and manipulate, one cell at a time

Researchers at Kanazawa University create a nanoparticle called nanoHT that can both generate heat and measure temperature, allowing for controlled manipulation of cellular activity. The technology shows promise in inducing cell death in cancer cells, with HeLa cells dying after heating by 11.4°C.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 8, 2022

Locally supportive climates may do little to aid mental health for LGBTQ+ youth amidst broader societal stigma

A study found that LGBTQ+ youth in both highly supportive and less supportive communities experience high rates of depressive symptoms and stigma. The research suggests that systemic changes are needed to address the negative impact of broader social stigma on mental health.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalPsychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity·DateAug 8, 2022

IMPower010: Overall survival interim analysis of a Phase III study of atezolizumab vs best supportive care in resected NSCLC

The IMpower010 trial showed an overall survival trend in favor of atezolizumab in the PD-L1 TC ≥1% stage II-IIIA population, with a clinically meaningful improvement observed across most subgroups. The study found no separation for the ITT population or all-randomized, stage II–IIIA populations.

Simulations provide map to treasure trove of fluorinated compounds

Researchers at Hokkaido University used computer simulations to discover a reaction that selectively adds two fluorine atoms to a difficult-to-access position on an N-heterocycle. The successful synthesis of 48 new compounds with unique alpha position fluorine substitutions has significant potential for novel drug development.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Synthesis·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2022

‘Dream’ discovery could sow crops better equipped to weather the climate change storm

Researchers at Australian National University and James Cook University identified a natural mechanism that enables plants to limit water loss without compromising CO2 uptake. This discovery has significant implications for the agricultural industry, potentially leading to drought-tolerant crops that can withstand extreme weather events.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Plants·DateAug 8, 2022

Environmental impact of 57,000 multi-ingredient processed foods revealed - Oxford study

A new study estimates the environmental impact of 57,000 food products in the UK and Ireland, providing a first step towards enabling informed decision-making. The research finds that many meat alternatives have significantly lower environmental impacts than their meat-based equivalents.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 8, 2022

For children struggling with extreme adversity, social support and community cohesion are keys to recovery

A Rutgers University study found that simultaneously focusing on kids, caregivers, and community members produces better outcomes than interventions targeting children in isolation. The study suggests that multilevel programs can strengthen mental and behavioral health of children affected by extreme adversity.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPediatric Clinics of North America·TypeObservational study·DateAug 8, 2022

Oil-based systems show promise for eradicating salmonella on food production machinery

A new study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology suggests that oil formulations with food-grade organic acids can kill dried Salmonella on stainless steel surfaces. This approach has the potential to replace water-based cleaning methods, which promote microbial growth and are often challenging to use.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 8, 2022