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Science News for December 2, 2022


Large band bending at SnS interface opens door for highly efficient thin-film solar cells

A team of researchers from Tohoku University successfully demonstrated a tin sulfide (SnS) interface exhibiting large band bending, which is necessary for obtaining a higher open-circuit voltage. This breakthrough could lead to the development of highly efficient thin-film solar cells with environmentally friendly credentials.

SourceTohoku University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateDec 2, 2022

December issues of American Psychiatric Association journals cover technology and mental health, new approaches with psychopharmacology, and improving correctional care

The American Psychiatric Association's December journal issues explore new therapeutic approaches involving psychopharmacology, digital technology, and fMRI neurofeedback. The APA also highlights its vision to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateDec 2, 2022

Fossil discovery in storeroom cupboard shifts origin of modern lizard back 35 million years

A new fossil discovery in a London storeroom has revealed that modern lizards originated in the Late Triassic period, 35 million years earlier than previously thought. The fossil, Cryptovaranoides microlanius, is a relative of living lizards and snakes, and its characteristics impact estimates of lizard evolution and diversification.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 2, 2022

Study reveals extent of residual lung damage after COVID-19 hospitalization

A new study found that up to 11% of hospitalized COVID patients have fibrotic patterning in their lungs after recovery, which can lead to breathing difficulties and decreased life expectancy. The study suggests that these patients require close follow-up care, including repeat radiological imaging and lung function testing.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 2, 2022

A healthy wind

A new MIT study suggests that prioritizing polluting power plants in times of wind energy generation could quadruple the health benefits associated with wind power, resulting in $8.4 billion in nationwide health benefits. However, this approach would not address existing disparities in air pollution exposure among low-income and minori...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 2, 2022

Adults living in areas with high air pollution are more likely to have multiple long-term health conditions.

Exposure to traffic-related air pollution linked to an increased risk of having two or more physical and mental health conditions. Participants exposed to higher concentrations of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide had a greater risk of developing multiple long-term health conditions.

SourceKing's College London·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateDec 2, 2022

Broken symmetries provide opportunities for thermal emission management

Scientists have discovered that breaking symmetries in nanophotonic materials can control thermal emission, enabling narrowband, directional, or polarized emissions. This can improve the efficiency of energy conversion and harvesting applications by exploiting the magneto-optical effect and spatiotemporal modulation.

Methods for building lunar landing pads may involve microwaving moon soil

University of Central Florida researchers have discovered a method that uses microwaves to melt lunar soil, coupled with beneficiation technology, may be the best option for building safe and economical lunar landing pads. This approach could increase microwave absorption by up to 80% using magnetic fields, making it more energy-effici...

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNew Space·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 2, 2022

Playing the piano boosts brain processing power and helps lift the blues – study

A new study published in Nature Scientific Reports shows that playing the piano for just one hour a week can improve audio-visual processing and reduce depression, stress, and anxiety. The study found significant improvements in multisensory information processing among adults with no prior musical experiences.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalScientific Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 2, 2022

New research from the University of Colorado Cancer Center explores options for motherhood in lung cancer patients

A study from the University of Colorado Cancer Center highlights the need for more data on pregnancy and targeted therapy in women with oncogene-driven lung cancer. The authors share their experience with pregnancies and surrogacy, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalClinical Lung Cancer·DateDec 2, 2022

Cheetah marking trees are hotspots for communication also for other species

A study by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research found that cheetah marking trees serve as hotspots for communication among multiple mammalian species. These trees were visited more frequently by some species, such as black-backed jackals and warthogs, suggesting they gain important information from the scent marks. In co...

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalMammalian Biology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 2, 2022

Top-level research: TU Dresden enjoys success in DFG-competition for funding millions with three follow-up proposals from physics, medicine and computer science

The Collaborative Research Center 1143 at TU Dresden has been granted a third funding period for its groundbreaking research in solid-state physics. The center aims to explore the relationship between correlated magnetism and topology, with potential applications in quantum information technology.

The heavy price corals pay for climate change

Corals face an impaired ability to capture prey and a growing reliance on energy from symbiotic algae as oxygen levels decline. The study found that corals pay a heavy price for climate change, with a decline in reproductive processes and a increased dependence on the symbiosis of coral with its algae.

SourceUniversity of Haifa·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateDec 2, 2022

Breast implants after mastectomy associated with very low risk of lymphoma

A new Columbia University study has found that breast implants after mastectomy are associated with an extremely low risk of developing a rare cancer called anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). According to the study, only five cases of ALCL were diagnosed among 57,000 women who had undergone reconstructive surgery over 421,000 years...

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 2, 2022

Scientists develop 12-hour method to predict diabetes onset in patients using artificial intelligence

Researchers at Klick Applied Sciences have created a machine learning model to predict diabetes onset in patients using just 12 hours of data from continuous glucose monitors. The study showed high accuracy in identifying prediabetes, healthy patients, and those with Type 2 diabetes, offering a potential tool for early disease prevention.

SourceKlick Applied Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 2, 2022

Brain aging is not one-size-fits-all: Chronological age, biological age and gender affect the shrinkage of different brain areas

Research reveals that brain function networks are affected differently by aging, gender, and blood immune factors. The study found correlations between cytokine clock, brain shrinkage, and gender, with females having a faster ticking cytokine clock.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 2, 2022