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Science News Archive August 2022 - Page 31


Page 31 of 38

Wrist-worn devices are shown by mass general researchers to be cost-effective for screening of atrial fibrillation

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that wrist-worn devices are more cost-effective than traditional electrocardiograms and pulse palpation for screening individuals with atrial fibrillation. The use of these devices was also associated with a reduction in stroke incidence.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 5, 2022

When a task adds more steps, this circuit helps you notice

A new study by neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute finds that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and motor cortex collaborate to update understanding and behavior when a task requires more steps. The ACC helps M2 adjust to new rules, but reduced activity leads to increased negative outcome encoding cells' activity in M2.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2022

Fancy a side of 3D printed carrots and crickets with your meal?

A Singapore-based research team has created a systematic engineering approach for optimizing the production of 3D printed food inks with alternative proteins. The method uses Response Surface Methodology to minimize time and resources, resulting in visually appealing, flavorful, and nutritionally adequate foods enhanced with sustainabl...

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalFood Hydrocolloids·DateAug 5, 2022

Reinvigorating ‘lost cause’ exhausted T cells could improve cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that even terminally exhausted T cells retain some capacity to function again. They identified approaches to overcome exhaustion by targeting co-stimulation pathways and reprogramming T cells to be resistant to hypoxia, a common tumor microenvironmental signal.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2022

New York National Guard COVID response is now the largest domestic mobilization in U.S. history

The New York State Operation COVID-19 mobilized over 7,000 service members across 200 sites, administering vaccines, testing kits, and meals, while providing critical services during the pandemic. The mobilization helped prevent tens of thousands of deaths and saved lives through rapid vaccine rollout and testing support.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeCase study·DateAug 5, 2022

Experts warn that climate change and increasing populations are threatening the resilience of UK wastewater infrastructure

A new study reveals that climate change and population growth are putting UK wastewater treatment works at extreme stress, with dynamic stressors linked to increased risk of pollution events. The research proposes using real-time data to mitigate disruption and improve resilience.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalWater Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 4, 2022

Three strikes and acid is out

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new protocol for synthesizing dialkyl ethers using three catalysts that hydroxylate alkenes quickly and cheaply. This method enables the precise control of electrons and protons to convert unactivated alkenes into reactive carbocation equivalents under mild reaction conditions.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Staff and facility administrator retention has been challenging for long-term care facilities

Staff turnover affects both residents and their families, compromising the quality of care. Continuity of nursing home staff and leadership is essential for delivering personalized care, as frontline workers deliver 90% of care. Researchers emphasize the need to attract and retain well-trained staff who enjoy working with older adults.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 4, 2022

Putting a new spin on the football spiral

Ballistics experts create first precise model of a football's flightpath, shedding light on what separates good passes from bad ones. The study found that the Magnus effect has little impact on a spinning football and that swerving is linked to the ball's orientation at the end of the pass.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalASME Open Journal of Engineering·DateAug 4, 2022

Complex coacervate droplets as a model material for studying the electrodynamic response and manipulation of biological materials

Stabilized coacervate droplets can be steered using an electric field, allowing for controlled manipulation and delivery of biomolecules like enzymes. The technology has potential applications in drug delivery and other encapsulation technologies, as well as explaining the stability of biological condensates.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 4, 2022

The eyes have it

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have made a groundbreaking discovery about the development of the visual system in mice. By studying the neural networks in cortical and thalamic regions, they found that parallel pathways from the retinas form earlier than connections within cortical areas, challenging current understanding of co...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

An easier and safer way to synthesize medicines

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new method to synthesize medicines using carbenes, reducing the need for explosive intermediates. This breakthrough could enable faster production of cyclopropanes, a key ingredient in COVID-19 treatments and other medications.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Cleveland Clinic researchers discover distinct genomic characteristics of breast cancer in women with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome

Researchers analyzed genomic data from 44 women with germline PTEN mutations who developed breast cancer and compared it to sporadic breast cancers. They found that PTEN and PIK3CA were the most frequently somatically mutated genes in PHTS-associated breast cancers, indicating that somatic mutations in PTEN drive these cancers.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateAug 4, 2022

Sterile mice produce rat sperm

Researchers generated rat sperm cells inside sterile mice using blastocyst complementation, achieving a proof-of-principle for producing gametes from one animal species in another. This breakthrough may speed up the production of transgenic rats for biomedical research and potentially support animal species conservation efforts.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Air pollution, including during wildfires, shows ill effects in children

A new study from UC Davis links air pollution exposure to increased inflammation and decreased cardiac regulation in children. Elevated markers of interleukin-6 and lower cardiac autonomic regulation were found in blood samples of healthy children aged 9-11 who lived near areas with high levels of PM2.5 during wildfires.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNew Directions for Child and Adolescent Development·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Researchers identify potential target for treatment among patients with type 2 diabetes

A team of researchers at Mount Sinai discovered a molecular mechanism involving carbohydrate response-element binding protein (ChREBP) that plays a key role in glucose toxicity and beta-cell death. Increasing expression of an alternate form of ChREBP or activating nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2 can preserve beta-cell mass.

Water can’t touch this sanded, powdered surface

Rice University researchers create a technique to make surfaces superhydrophobic by combining sanding with powder materials, resulting in water-repelling properties. The treatment also exhibits excellent anti-icing properties, slowing down freezing and reducing ice adhesion strength.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Large-scale study of Brazilian wetlands ramps up evidence that biodiversity loss undermines ecosystem functioning

A new study analyzing 72 lakes in four large Neotropical wetlands of Brazil reveals that human impacts on biodiversity compromise wetland multifunctionality. Strong associations between aquatic organism diversity and wetland functioning were found, highlighting the crucial role of species richness in driving ecosystem health.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 4, 2022

Child deaths by gun violence during pandemic

The study suggests that COVID-19's direct mortality effects on children may be comparable to the magnitude of indirect outcomes from gun violence. The authors noted a possible increase in gun-related deaths among children due to factors like psychological and economic strain during the pandemic.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 4, 2022