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Science News Archive December 2022 - Page 31


Page 31 of 31

Fungi in sink drains act as ‘reservoirs for mould’

Research from the University of Reading found that sinks and P-traps harbor a surprising number of fungal organisms, including black moulds and relatives of baker's yeast. The study showed that these microorganisms can tolerate high temperatures, low pH, and low nutrients, making them a potential risk to health in certain environments.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalEnvironmental DNA·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2022

Long-lasting insecticidal malaria nets’ biological effectiveness may be short-lived

Research suggests that long-lasting insecticidal malaria nets lost their effectiveness after just one year in Burundi, contradicting the recommended replacement every 3 years. The study found that malaria incidence rose again after two years, highlighting the need for continued epidemiological monitoring and improved resource allocation.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022

How can sex education training videos be more inclusive?

A new video training platform, SkillFlix for Educators, aims to improve educators' skills in facilitating inclusive sexuality education. The platform uses professional actors and film crew to simulate a classroom environment, incorporating LGBTQIA2S+ experts and actors into the production process.

SourceDfusion (United States)·JournalHealth Promotion Practice·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 1, 2022

Aging | Glutaminase inhibitors rejuvenate human skin via clearance of senescent cells: a study using a mouse/human chimeric model

Researchers found that glutaminase inhibitor BPTES selectively eliminates senescent dermal fibroblasts, improving skin aging phenotype by increasing collagen density and cell proliferation. The study suggests BPTES as a potential therapeutic agent for skin aging, offering new treatment options.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2022

Basho in the machine

A study led by Kyoto University researchers found that AI-generated haiku poems, created without human intervention, were often indistinguishable from those penned by humans. In contrast, human-AI collaboration produced more creative works.

SourceKyoto University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2022

Self-driven healthcare can improve health outcomes and reduce costs

A self-driven healthcare ecosystem supports individuals in managing their own health and wellbeing by recording and uploading data through a secure online portal. This approach aims to improve health outcomes while controlling costs and addressing social determinants of health.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateDec 1, 2022

Parents talk more to toddlers who talk back

Researchers at Duke University found that caregivers talk more to young children who start talking, regardless of gender, rather than solely due to girls having bigger vocabularies. Girls' vocabulary advantage may be attributed to factors other than parental language input, offering insights into language development.

SourceDuke University·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022

A quality-conscious protein

Researchers from University of Cologne and Technical University of Munich discovered that the signal peptidase complex plays a crucial role in quality control of membrane proteins. The complex cleaves faulty membrane proteins to initiate their degradation, maintaining cellular function. This discovery has important implications for und...

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022

Flowers show their true colors

A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo has discovered a newly found trait in the Causonis japonica flower, which changes color depending on its maturation cycle and then reverses. The pigments involved are related to nutrient-rich colorful vegetables, suggesting potential downstream applications in improving nutrient yields.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022

Trouble sleeping? You could be at risk of type 2 diabetes

A study of over 1000 Australian adults found that people with trouble sleeping were more likely to have indicators of poor cardiometabolic health, including inflammatory markers, cholesterol, and body weight. Prioritizing a good night's sleep is crucial for maintaining good health, according to researcher Dr Lisa Matricciani.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalThe Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022

Researchers identify key brain cells in mice underlying stress-related behaviors

A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying stress-related behaviors, revealing that glutamate cells in the ventral tegmental area play a critical role. The research found that mice exposed to uncontrollable stressors exhibited more pronounced anxiety-like behavior, whereas those with c...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateDec 1, 2022

Medical marijuana legalization and opioid- and pain-related outcomes among patients receiving cancer treatment

A study found that medical marijuana legalization was associated with reduced opioid use and fewer pain-related hospitalizations among adults receiving cancer treatment. The results suggest potential benefits for patient safety and quality of life, but further investigation is needed to understand the nature of these associations.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateDec 1, 2022

Multiple sclerosis therapy improves gut flora

Researchers found that dimethyl fumarate treatment increased the proportion of beneficial gut bacteria and reduced pro-inflammatory types, which are associated with MS. The study suggests a potential connection between gut flora and clinical side effects, paving the way for personalized treatment approaches.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalGut Microbes·DateDec 1, 2022

Experimental COVID-19 vaccine offers long-term protection against severe disease

A follow-up study found that the 2-dose vaccines still provided protection against lung disease one year after vaccination as infants. The adjuvanted protein vaccine candidate maintained higher levels of neutralizing antibodies and provided superior protection compared to the mRNA vaccine.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022

An exotic interplay of electrons

An international team has discovered a quantum state in which atomic alignment does not order at ultracold temperatures, unlike usual behavior. This liquid-like quantum state could be used to develop highly sensitive quantum sensors, enabling precise registration of magnetic fields or temperatures.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Physics·DateDec 1, 2022

Adding to Europe’s HIV testing gap: Lack of testing recommendations in national guidelines on HIV indicator conditions

A systematic review of national clinical practice guidelines in Europe found that fewer than half include HIV testing recommendations for patients with medical conditions indicating HIV infection. This omission hinders efforts to stop the spread of HIV through timely diagnosis, affecting the lives of people living with HIV.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 1, 2022

New driver training developed at Cincinnati Children’s keeps teens with ADHD safer behind the wheel

A new driver training program has been shown to reduce the frequency of long, distracted glances away from the road among teen drivers with ADHD. The FOCAL+ training program improved teen drivers' attention to the roadway and reduced crash risk by 40% compared to a control group.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022

Protein mutation that causes Parkinson’s may prevent another neurodegenerative disease

Researchers have discovered that a specific mutation in the misfolding protein causing Parkinson's disease can also protect against multiple system atrophy (MSA), another fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The findings provide a promising lead for developing targeted treatments using personalized medicine approaches.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalPLOS Pathogens·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022