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Science News Archive August 2022 - Page 35


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Surrey's prototype battery only needs seconds of sunlight to keep smart wearables charged

Researchers at Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute have developed a renewable and rechargeable battery prototype that can charge smart wearables in just seconds using sunlight. The system, which combines zinc-ion batteries with perovskite solar cells, enables wearables to operate continuously without plug-in charging.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEnergy Storage Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2022

Having a partner more important than children to staving off loneliness during pandemic, new study finds

A new study published in the European Journal of Ageing found that having a partner had a greater impact on reducing loneliness among older adults during the pandemic's first wave. Not having a partner was the most significant factor, with those without a partner experiencing a higher risk of moving into loneliness.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalEuropean Journal of Ageing·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 3, 2022

FSU researchers use 3D culture techniques to develop improved therapy for neurological diseases

Researchers from FSU College of Medicine and FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have developed a promising strategy to produce therapeutic particles in stem cells, which could help patients with neurological diseases such as stroke or multiple sclerosis. The new technique combines three-dimensional growing platforms with wave motion, lead...

SourceFlorida State University·JournalJournal of Extracellular Vesicles·DateAug 3, 2022

Hand signals help overcome Zoom fatigue in online meetings

A study published in PLOS One found that using hand signals, such as waving or raising a hand to show empathy, can improve communication and social connection in online meetings. The research team trained participants to use these gestures, which led to better interaction, increased feelings of closeness, and improved learning outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 3, 2022

23.3% of hospital admissions of detained immigrants in Louisiana and Texas relate to infectious diseases, while 16.6% arise through psychiatric illness, according to analysis of 2015-2018 data

Analysis of 2015-2018 data reveals that 23.3% of hospital admissions of detained immigrants in Louisiana and Texas relate to infectious diseases, while 16.6% arise through psychiatric illness. The study found a significant correlation between immigration detention and increased healthcare utilization.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateAug 3, 2022

Muscle mechanics: Improving sports performance with muscle mechanical properties

A recent study investigated the relationship between passive muscle mechanical properties and dynamic performance in athletes. The research found a positive correlation between the shear modulus of the vastus lateralis muscle and performance outcomes during high-speed activities, suggesting that passive muscle properties are essential ...

SourceShizuoka Sangyo University - Iwata Campus·JournalEuropean Journal of Sport Science·TypeObservational study·DateAug 3, 2022

Gender affects driverless car performance

A recent study published in Nature Scientific Reports has found that women are better at taking over control of automated cars compared to men. The research involved 76 drivers who participated in a driving simulator study and showed that women exhibited faster reaction times and more stable operation of the steering wheel.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 3, 2022

When particles move

The study explores the relationship between cohesion and erosion, revealing a scaling law that can predict erosion thresholds for different grain sizes. This understanding could improve modeling of erosion in various applications, such as soil stability and dust removal from solar panels.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateAug 2, 2022

How CAMSAP2 proteins organize microtubule networks

Researchers discovered that CAMSAP2 proteins utilize phase separation to form an 'aster' structure, which then organizes into a microtubule network. This process is crucial for the formation of specialized cell shapes, such as those found in heart muscle and nerve cells.

SourceKobe University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

An effective new treatment for chronic back pain targets the nervous system

A new treatment has shown clinically meaningful effects on pain intensity and disability, with participants reporting improved quality of life and long-term benefits. The sensorimotor retraining approach alters how people think about their body in pain and normalizes communication between the back and brain.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 2, 2022

First global map of cargo ship pollution reveals effects of fuel regulations

A new study used satellite data to determine the effect of fuel regulations on sulfur pollution from cargo ships. The research team found significant changes in pollution after regulations went into effect, and their data can contribute to understanding how pollutants interact with clouds and affect global temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2022

Novel non-contact oxygen concentration measurement technique developed by Pusan National University researchers

Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a novel method to measure oxygen concentration in high-temperature environments without physical contact. The method uses a phosphorescent material that varies its phosphorescence depending on the surrounding oxygen concentration.

SourcePusan National University·JournalSensors and Actuators B Chemical·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

SARS-CoV-2 and vaccine uptake among First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in urban areas

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that vaccine uptake was low among First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Toronto and London, Ontario. The rate for 2-dose vaccination among First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Toronto was 58%, compared to 79% for the overall population.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2022

Insecure: New study links tap water avoidance and food insecurity

A new study from Penn State and Northwestern University finds that avoiding tap water is associated with a 20-30% increase in food insecurity among Americans. Tap water avoidance can divert funds meant for nutritious food, leading to higher reliance on prepackaged and restaurant food.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateAug 2, 2022

Persistent low wages linked to faster memory decline in later life

A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that sustained low wages during working years are associated with significantly faster memory decline in older age. Low-wage earners experienced approximately one excess year of cognitive aging per a 10-year period compared to those who never earned low wages.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateAug 2, 2022

Using light to restore cell function

University of Cincinnati researchers have discovered a technique using light-activated proteins to normalize dysfunctional mitochondria in cells. This method has the potential to treat certain diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

World-first study reveals physical toll on law enforcement recruits

A new study by Edith Cowan University identified the most common injury types and body regions affected among police recruits, with knee injuries having the greatest impact. The study also found that men under 30 had a substantially reduced injury risk, highlighting the importance of tailored training programs to reduce injury rates.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalJournal of Occupational Rehabilitation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2022

Novel T cell bispecific antibody shows potent anti-tumor activity in preclinical models of epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) mutant glioblastoma

A novel T cell bispecific antibody targeting EGFRvIII mutant glioblastoma has demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in preclinical models. The therapy harnesses the power of the immune system to selectively target and destroy cancer cells, offering a safer treatment option for patients.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·DateAug 2, 2022

Liver cancer’s supercharged metabolism offers a new treatment strategy, Penn study suggests

Researchers discovered that liver cancer cells modify their metabolism to leave them susceptible to disruptions in arginine supply, a key molecule. A three-pronged approach targeting tumor metabolism, blocking survival-promoting responses, and starving tumors of arginine can induce senescence, making cancer cells killable.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Environmental students from poorer regions rate the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as more important than those from richer regions do

A study of environmental students from 41 countries found that SDGs are highly accepted globally, with significant differences in pillar ratings between countries. Lower-income nations rated the SDGs as more important than higher-income nations.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2022

Study tracks plant pathogens in leafhoppers from natural areas

Researchers extracted DNA from archival leafhopper specimens and used molecular approaches to detect and identify phytoplasmas. The study identified new phytoplasma strains and found associations between leafhoppers and bacteria that cause crop diseases, shedding light on the role of insects in spreading plant pathogens.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalBiology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Feeling the pressure

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology used AFM and finite element simulations to describe plant cell wall stiffness in relation to elasticity and turgor pressure. Their findings suggest that tension from turgor pressure regulates cell stiffness, providing a better understanding of how plants resist stress.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 2, 2022

The resolution of a molecular orchestra

A new photoswitching fingerprint analysis overcomes the sub-10 nm resolution barrier in super-resolution microscopy, enabling the imaging of dynamic interactions with other molecules in cells. This breakthrough reveals molecular functions and architectures at the nanoscale, shedding light on cellular processes such as learning and memory.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Why breast-fed premature infants have a healthier gut than formula-fed ones

Research found that breastfed premature infants have improved gut barrier function and nutrient absorption due to the presence of Bifidobacterium breve. This strain strengthens the intestinal wall, protecting against disease. The discovery could lead to promising clinical interventions to increase survival rates of vulnerable preemies.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Oncotarget | Chemoradiation-induced alteration of programmed death-ligand 1, CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and mucin expression in rectal cancer

Researchers investigated the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, PD-L1, and mucin expression in rectal cancer patients. The study found that nCRT exposure was associated with higher mucin expression and a non-significant difference in PD-L1 expression, suggesting an immunosuppressive phenotype.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022