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Science News Archive August 2022 - Page 32


Page 32 of 38

New magnesium superionic conductor towards lithium-free solid-state batteries

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science create a metal–organic framework-based magnesium ion conductor showing superionic conductivity at room temperature, overcoming the limitations of magnesium ion-based energy devices. The novel Mg2+ electrolyte exhibits a high conductivity of 10−3 S cm−1, making it suitable for battery applica...

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

Similarity between schizophrenia and dementia discovered for the first time

Researchers found that 41% of schizophrenia patients met the criteria for frontotemporal dementia, a condition characterized by personality changes and behavioral alterations. The study suggests that targeting specific brain regions and neural structures may lead to improved treatment outcomes for this subgroup.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Almost 90 percent of people with opioid use disorder not receiving life-saving medication, new study finds

A new study found that 86.6% of people with opioid use disorder are not receiving life-saving medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone. The researchers recommend expanding treatment access by removing barriers, eliminating stigma, and ensuring evidence-based medications are used.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Drug Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 4, 2022

Houston Methodist study finds new chronic rhinitis treatment could be game changer

A Houston Methodist study found that a minimally invasive procedure using temperature-controlled radiofrequency intervention is safe and effective in improving symptoms of chronic rhinitis. After 12 months, patients reported a 57.8% improvement in symptoms, with minor side effects observed in a few individuals.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalInternational Forum of Allergy & Rhinology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 4, 2022

Genetic findings offer opportunity for personalized heart failure treatment

Researchers discovered distinct genetic mutations in heart failure patients, identifying potential targets for personalized treatment and improving patient care. The study's findings hold enormous potential for rethinking how to treat heart failure by understanding its root causes and the mutations that lead to changes in heart function.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

European data analysis: looking for the cause of unusual amount of hepatitis of unknown origin among children

An analysis of European data found a significant link between adenovirus and severe liver inflammation (hepatitis) in children under 5. Most affected were those with adenovirus testing positive, with a notable decline in cases after week 17. The study calls for further investigation into the cause of this syndrome.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2022

HKU marine scientists unveil sea urchin's secret to surviving marine heatwaves

Researchers found that adult sea urchins can pass on heatwave resistance to their offspring, but this effect may not last throughout juvenile development. The study suggests that different life stages have varying abilities to cope with thermal stress, and that parental conditioning can help juveniles survive in extreme temperatures.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Rice engineers get a grip with ‘necrobotic’ spiders

Rice University mechanical engineers repurpose deceased spiders as small-scale, naturally derived grippers. The spiders can lift more than 130% of their own body weight and perform tasks like sorting or moving objects around. Future research will focus on testing the concept with smaller spiders.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

A simple, cheap material for carbon capture, perhaps from tailpipes

Researchers have created a cheap and energy-efficient way to capture carbon dioxide from smokestacks using porous melamine material. The process is simple to make and requires primarily off-the-shelf melamine powder, making it a promising solution for scaling down carbon emissions from vehicle exhaust or other movable sources.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Our brain is a prediction machine that is always active

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics found that our brain is a prediction machine continuously making predictions on multiple levels. They analyzed brain activity while people listened to Hemingway or Sherlock Holmes stories and text, finding the brain response was stronger when words were unexpected in context.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

New technology in recent study aims toward earlier detection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Researchers developed a new technology that can detect early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma using nanoparticles, which are released by tumor cells and can be detected in circulation. The technology, called HCC EV SPA, has the potential to enable rapid and affordable detection of the disease, leading to improved survival rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalHepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Pre-disposition to dementia can be countered by a lifetime of learning, socializing and exercise, says 60-year study

A 60-year study found that building mental resilience through education, socializing, and exercise can reduce dementia risk even among those with low childhood cognition or genetic predisposition. Participants with higher cognitive reserve index and reading ability showed slower cognitive decline.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalNeurology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2022

Zooming in to get the full picture

Researchers have constructed the most complete single-cell map of fruit fly embryo development, enabling a continuous view of molecular changes driving embryonic development. This study provides a significant advance in understanding the complex process of embryogenesis and its relationship to gene regulation.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 4, 2022

Suitable computational conditions of Adiabatic State Preparation discovered for quantum chemical calculations on a quantum computer

A research group from Osaka Metropolitan University investigates Adiabatic State Preparation (ASP) for efficient electron correlation effects in molecules. They find four key points relevant to ASP's computational conditions, making the method more practical.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 4, 2022

Study reveals hidden selection against interbreeding in baboons; underscores value of other primates as living models for human evolution

A new study based in Africa reveals hidden selection against interspecies breeding in wild baboon species. The findings highlight the crucial role of other living primates as models for understanding human evolution, particularly for phenomena that are impossible to study in our lineage alone.

Speeding up evolution at genome-level by alternative chromosome configuration

Holocentric chromosomes have been found to promote rapid genome evolution by allowing the formation of new species through chromosome fusions. This non-classical mode of chromosome organization also stabilizes chromosomal fragments and facilitates DNA gene swapping, making it an exciting area for plant breeding.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Vegans who lift weights may have stronger bones than other people on a plant-based diet

A recent study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that vegan participants who engaged in regular resistance training had stronger bones than those who did not. The study also showed that vegans and omnivores who performed resistance training had similar bone structure.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2022

New study finds bonobos receive consolation from bystanders when producing “baby-like” signals to express their emotional distress

A study by Durham University researchers found that bonobos produce specific 'baby-like' signals to express emotional distress and increase the chances of receiving comfort from others. These signals, such as pouting and whimpering, can also reduce the likelihood of re-attack after a conflict.

SourceDurham University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateAug 4, 2022

A new, faster way to browse physics-based animations

Researchers at Stanford University have developed Unified Many-Worlds Browsing, a new approach to refine the search process for physics-based animations. By allowing animators to create queries to narrow down options, this framework can potentially reduce thousands of possible outcomes to a handful that are interesting to the user.

SourceStanford University·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateAug 4, 2022

Ultrathin 2D cuprate with active periodic copper single sites, a new catalyst for Chan-lam coupling

Researchers developed a ligand exchange strategy to create atomically thin 2D cuprate layers with active periodic copper single sites, which catalyze efficient Chan-Lam coupling. These 2D-CuSSs show advantages over traditional homogeneous counterparts due to their large open surface and abundant undercoordinated Cu single sites.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateAug 4, 2022

THE LANCET: Most reliable estimates to date suggest one in eight COVID-19 patients develop long COVID symptoms

A large Dutch study found that 12.7% of adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 experience long-term symptoms, including breathing problems and fatigue, three to five months after infection. The study suggests that these symptoms can be used to distinguish between post-COVID-19 condition and non-COVID-19-related symptoms.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2022

Proteins and natural language: Artificial intelligence enables the design of novel proteins

A research team led by Prof. Dr. Birte Höcker applied a computer-based natural language processing model to protein research, creating new proteins capable of stable folding and defined functions. The ProtGPT2 model generates proteins with differentiated structures, eliminating the need for functionalization processes.

SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateAug 4, 2022

Building molecular bridges: New crystal engineering strategy to design ultrabright fluorescent solid dyes

A new study from Tokyo Institute of Technology introduces a novel crystal engineering strategy to design ultrabright fluorescent solid dyes. This approach allows for monomeric emission and suppressed intermolecular interactions, enabling the creation of highly dense crystalline structures with controlled electronic properties.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022