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Science News Archive February 2022 - Page 11


Page 11 of 40

New whirl on mixing liquids

Researchers at Flinders University have developed a novel method to mix incompatible fluids using rapid fluidic flow techniques. This breakthrough could enhance various industries with cleaner and greener technologies, including oil and water attraction, and improve products like fish oil capsules.

SourceFlinders University·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

An overview of neutrinos and their interactions

Neutrinos, produced by astrophysical sources and artificial means, interact subtly with matter due to their chargelessness and masslessness. The study of neutrinos challenges our understanding of particle physics, particularly the phenomenon of neutrino oscillation, where particles transition between three flavours.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Special Topics·DateFeb 21, 2022

The body fights infection amidst 'waves' of regulatory CD4+ T cells

A new study from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology reveals that two groups of regulatory CD4+ T cells develop at different times to combat acute inflammation. The early Tregs reduce autoimmune damage, while the second wave shuts down the entire immune response to signal infection clearance.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Beetles in Climate Change

A study found that beetles in German forests shifted their diversity to Red-Ash trees when European Ash trees died due to drought stress. This suggests that non-native trees can provide opportunities for insects during times of climate change.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalSustainability·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 21, 2022

New highly efficient wave-based acoustics simulation for large architectural spaces could revolutionize acoustic design

Researchers developed a highly efficient wave-based acoustics simulation that can accurately estimate the acoustics of large-scale interior spaces. The method uses a time-domain Finite Element Method to consider frequency-dependent characteristics of sound absorption materials, enabling precise modeling and high-speed estimations.

SourceKobe University·JournalBuildings·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 21, 2022

University of Houston researcher finds a new biomarker and potential drug target for breast cancer

Researchers at the University of Houston have identified a new biomarker, NPY1R, that predicts therapy outcome and has potential as a drug target in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The study found that NPY1R expression is associated with favorable outcomes in Luminal A subtype breast cancer, but declines in resistant cases.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 21, 2022

What the gut reveals about the heart

A study reveals that changes in gut microbiota and metabolome are associated with cardiovascular disease development, particularly coronary heart disease. The research found that alterations in the gut microbiome occur long before the onset of heart disease, suggesting a potential role for the microbiome in its early pathogenesis.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Chemist targets pesky mosquitoes’ genes

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that female mosquitoes have a higher abundance of tRNA modifications than males, which could underlie factors associated with female reproduction. This study aims to develop new methods of control for mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalInsect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Diseased male livers undergo sex-change

Research by the University of Queensland found that male livers with hepatic diseases undergo a sex change as part of a self-protective mechanism. The study suggests that this transformation may be driven by the female hormone oestrogen, which helps to slow down disease progression.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Would micro ecology be damaged by a plastic film after thoroughly kill Bradysia cellarum?

Researchers found that soil solarization effectively controls Bradysia cellarum infestations without harming Chinese chive crops, while also increasing beneficial microorganisms. The study suggests soil solarization as a promising, pesticide-free method for controlling this soil insect.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Study finds vaping has long-term effect on the heart for adolescent males but not females

A new study published in Circulation finds that vaping has a significant and long-term cardiovascular effect on adolescent males, reducing heart function over time. In contrast, female mice exposed to e-cigarette aerosol showed no significant changes in heart function or levels of the enzyme CYP2A5, which breaks down nicotine.

Hitting the brakes on the cell cycle for the formation of plant stomata

Researchers discovered that a transcription factor called MUTE induces a cell cycle inhibitor SMR4 to slow down the cell cycle, allowing for asymmetric division. A variant with excess SMR4 showed a longer cell cycle during symmetric division, revealing a crucial regulatory mechanism in plant stomatal development.

What ingredients went into the galactic blender to create the Milky Way?

Researchers analyzed individual stars to identify components of the Milky Way, finding that it consumed smaller galaxies. The study used advanced spectrographic techniques to measure elemental abundances, providing early insights into the galaxy's formation and evolution.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Molecule snapshot by explosion

Researchers at the European XFEL facility have taken pictures of gas-phase iodopyridine molecules at atomic resolution using ultra-bright X-ray pulses. The images were reconstructed from the fragments caused by a Coulomb explosion, providing unprecedented clarity for this method and molecule size.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Tracking the pulse of our nation's rivers, like a Fitbit for streams

Scientists monitoring hundreds of US streams with sensor technology are gaining insights into how freshwater vital signs shift in response to land development and climate change. The data, made publicly available, will help track changes over time and provide a better understanding of the 'pulse' of streams.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 21, 2022

COVID-19 patients’ ZIP codes may affect hospitalization outcomes

A study found that COVID-19 patients from high-vulnerability neighborhoods presented with more severe illness and required intensive care, but did not experience higher mortality rates. Researchers suggest policies targeting socially vulnerable neighborhoods to improve access to testing, treatment, and vaccination.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 21, 2022

New simple method for surveying amphibians: A vital contribution to conservation efforts

Researchers developed a simple and efficient method for surveying amphibians using environmental DNA analysis, which can be conducted by anyone without specialist knowledge. This technique resolves issues with conventional methods such as capture and observational surveys, allowing for more accurate monitoring of amphibian habitats.

SourceKobe University·JournalMetabarcoding and Metagenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

The Ross procedure leads to improved survival in adults undergoing aortic valve surgery

The Ross procedure is associated with improved survival and fewer complications compared to biological or mechanical aortic valve replacement. Patients undergoing the Ross procedure have significantly better long-term survival rates, comparable to those in the general population without surgery.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 21, 2022

Mobile excitons as neutral information carriers

Researchers have created and detected dispersing excitons in a metal using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, a breakthrough that could enable efficient data transmission. The discovery of mobile excitons in TaSe3 reveals their mobility and potential to revolutionize electronics.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Women who suffer from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are less likely to receive CPR from a bystander

A study of over 56,000 cases across nine Asian communities found that women were less likely than men to receive lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a bystander in public locations. In contrast, when cardiac arrests occur at home or in private places, the chances of receiving layperson bystander CPR increased considerab...

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 21, 2022

A news media outlet’s perceived credibility can affect how gun violence headlines are received

A Rutgers study suggests that delivering accurate gun safety messages from credible news sources can shape American attitudes toward gun violence. Researchers found that participants perceived headlines more accurately if they trusted the source, highlighting the importance of credible media portrayal in gun violence prevention.

SourceRutgers University·JournalHealth Communication·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 21, 2022

Motti receives funding for project on human-centric training for privacy & security controls: Bridging the awareness gap for diverse populations

Vivian Motti, a George Mason University professor, has received funding to develop human-centric training for privacy and security controls. The project aims to bridge the awareness gap for diverse populations, particularly older adults, by characterizing their technology risks and developing educational materials.