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Science News Archive February 2022 - Page 16


Page 16 of 40

Finding friends in the Utah State Legislature

A University of Utah-led study examines cooperation networks in the Utah State Legislature, finding that politicians tend to work with colleagues from their own political and gender groups. The researchers discovered a high rate of reciprocation, with members of the same gender increasing the likelihood of future cooperation.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalHuman Nature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 17, 2022

Scientists discover how our circadian rhythm can be both strong and flexible

Researchers found that the master clock and slave clock operate via distinct molecular mechanisms, allowing for robustness and flexibility in regulating bodily rhythms. The master clock's ability to adapt to environmental changes enables quick adjustment to new time zones after international flights.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2022

More chemicals, fewer words: exposure to chemical mixtures during pregnancy alters brain development

A recent study found that exposure to complex mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals during pregnancy can impact children's brain development and language acquisition. The research, conducted in collaboration with multiple institutions, used a novel approach linking human population studies with experimental cell and animal models.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2022

Simultaneous use of non-benzo sleeping pills and anti-epilepsy drugs – gabapentinoids-- increases drug overdose deaths

Researchers found a significant increase in overdose deaths involving gabapentinoids and z-drugs between 2000 and 2018. The proportion of deaths increased by more than three-fold, coinciding with exponential prescription increases. Co-usage with opioids was common, with over 67% of overdose victims having both substances in their system.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateFeb 16, 2022

How politics, society, and tech shape the path of climate change

A study from the University of California, Davis, simulated 100,000 future policy and emissions trajectories to identify relevant variables that impact climate change. The results indicate that public perceptions, technological improvements, and political institution responsiveness are crucial determinants of future emissions.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 16, 2022

Music therapy improves ability to cope with pain for patients with sickle cell disease

A new study found that music therapy sessions improved patients' ability to manage chronic pain and enhance their quality of life. The intervention, which included music-based breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation, was feasible, acceptable, and beneficial among adults with Sickle Cell Disease.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalJournal of Pain Research·DateFeb 16, 2022

Middle-aged men see weight gain as inevitable

A new study reveals that middle-aged men perceive weight gain as an inevitable consequence of family and career commitments. The research found that these men experience low self-worth and despondency, despite awareness of health risks, due to a lack of education on nutrition and lifestyle factors.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 16, 2022

Huntington’s, ALS – Where the Body Fails

Researchers at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology discovered that cells have mechanisms to clear protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's and ALS. However, the cells fail to activate these tools due to a lack of understanding or incorrect activation of stress-response chaperones.

SourceTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2022

Analysis of DNA reveals weapons used by our immune cells to fight tuberculosis

A study led by A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore has identified the gene KCNJ15 as a key player in helping the immune system fight tuberculosis. The research found that TB patients have altered acetylation levels at thousands of DNA regions, which helps to reduce the ability of bacteria to reproduce inside cells.

A new tool for 3-D measurement of the aorta may identify fatal heart conditions earlier

Researchers developed a novel method of measuring aortic growth, called vascular deformation mapping, which outperforms standard manual rating methods. The technique uses high-resolution CT imaging to calculate three-dimensional changes in the aortic wall, achieving an accuracy of less than 1 millimeter.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalMedical Physics·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 16, 2022

PNAS study: Promise of EVS depends critically on electricity generation sources

A new PNAS study reveals that the benefits of electric vehicles are heavily dependent on the source of electricity used to generate it. The study found that if the US relies more on coal-fired power plants to meet increased demand, it could undo most of the emissions reductions from fewer gasoline-fueled vehicles.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 16, 2022

Living in a microbial world: The healthy oral microbiome contributes to jaw bone health by influencing immune cell interactions with bone cells

A recent study found that a subset of immune cells within the alveolar bone marrow were activated by the presence of commensal oral microbes, leading to increased osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and bone loss. Reducing the burden of commensal microbes through oral antiseptic rinses can help protect against alveolar bone loss.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJCI Insight·DateFeb 16, 2022

Community leaders and Mayo Clinic researchers develop playbook for COVID-19 health equity, future pandemics

A team of Mayo Clinic medical experts and community leaders developed a playbook to reduce health disparities related to COVID-19. The approach focused on communication gaps, community priorities, and access to resources, resulting in beneficial systems and policy changes that improved health equity for immigrant and refugee populations.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalPublic Health Reports·DateFeb 16, 2022

India may have experienced 3.2-3.7 million COVID-19 deaths to date, one of the highest death tolls, according to new model using alternative data sources to address underreporting

A new model estimates India's actual COVID-19 death toll could be as high as 3.2-3.7 million, surpassing other reported figures. This revised estimate aims to address the issue of underreporting and provides a more accurate representation of the pandemic's impact on India.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 16, 2022

Researchers realize photo-induced catalytic C-H heteroarylation of metallocenes

A team of scientists has successfully developed a photo-induced catalytic C-H heteroarylation method for ferrocenes and ruthenocenes, allowing for the creation of new pyridyl and pridonyl metallocenes. This protocol offers mild and concise conditions for functionalization, with significant implications for material science and catalysis.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateFeb 16, 2022

THE LANCET: More than a quarter of women have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetimes, finds new study

A new study published in The Lancet found that over one in four women (27%) have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime, with recent violence affecting nearly one in seven (13%) women. The study highlights high levels of violence among adolescent girls and young women, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent ...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 16, 2022

Research from six countries including UK, USA and China shows that social media platforms are an important source of information about COVID-19 for some migrant and ethnic minority populations

Research from six countries highlights social media's importance for migrant and ethnic minority populations seeking COVID-19 information, particularly in cases of language barriers or limited access to official sources. Positive social media experiences can increase vaccine uptake by sharing personalized and culturally tailored public...

Rejuvenation: An effective and feasible approach for enhancing the biomass and flavonoid content of horticultural trees

Scientists found that rejuvenation treatment increases leaf biomass and flavonoid glycoside accumulation in G. biloba trees, with overexpression of GbCHS confirming its role in flavonoid biosynthesis. Gibberellins also play a significant role in stimulating tree rejuvenation.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeNews article·DateFeb 16, 2022

SARS-CoV-2 protein targeted by immune cells also triggers response in bat Coronaviruses

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a peptide on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that triggers an immune response in humans and is also recognized by cells of the immune system, suggesting potential for protection against future zoonotic outbreaks. The study supports the development of multivalent vaccines against a broad spe...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 16, 2022

Measuring the tempo of Utah's red rock towers

University of Utah researchers measured 14 rock towers in Utah to predict their seismic stability. They used mathematics that describe built structures' resonance to create a dataset, allowing for predictions without climbing the towers.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalSeismological Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 16, 2022

Graphene and an intense laser open the door to the extreme

Researchers at Osaka University have successfully accelerated energetic ions using graphene targets irradiated with ultra-intense lasers, overcoming previous limitations. The findings demonstrate the robustness of graphene in this application and pave the way for compact and efficient plasma-based accelerators.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2022

Can a planet have a mind of its own?

Researchers propose that cognitive activity operating on a planetary scale is necessary to tackle global issues. A mature technosphere involves integrating technological systems with Earth through feedback loops, making it self-maintaining and exhibiting emergent behavior.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalInternational Journal of Astrobiology·DateFeb 16, 2022

What lies behind a baby’s eyes

Researchers studied 100 babies' eye movements and brain activity to reveal that by 4 months, they can categorize objects into animate or inanimate groups. This ability emerges early, with refined categories appearing between 10-19 months.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2022

A hopeful monster

Researchers discovered a population of Colorado blue columbines that have lost their petals and nectar spurs due to a single gene mutation. The finding supports the punctuated equilibrium hypothesis, suggesting that adaptation can occur in large jumps rather than gradual changes over extended timespans.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2022