Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive February 2022 - Page 18


Page 18 of 40

Managing contaminants in urban stormwater

Monitoring projects have identified a vast array of contaminants in urban stormwater, including tire- and vehicle-derived chemicals, PFAS, phosphorous, metals, and more. Researchers are exploring various strategies to address this issue, such as rain gardens, permeable pavement, and reducing chemical usage at the source.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateFeb 16, 2022

BU researcher performs forensic anthropological analysis on Baroque-period marble sculpture

Researchers performed forensic anthropological analysis on a Baroque-period marble sculpture, revealing precise anatomical features that could be examined like real skulls. The study provides insights into the working methods of great artists of the past, including Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalThe Seventeenth Century·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 16, 2022

How hunting robber flies snatch victims from the air

Researchers discovered that robber flies employ a combination of two strategies to navigate cluttered environments and capture prey. They use an obstacle avoidance strategy to swerve around obstructions, which is then followed by a resumption of the conventional interception path once the fly has passed the obstacle.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Starting antiretroviral therapy early essential to battling not one, but two killers

Researchers found that starting combined antiretroviral therapy against simian immunodeficiency virus two weeks after infection significantly reduced chronic immune activation, SIV replication, and latent TB reactivation. This study contributes to the growing evidence on the complex interaction between HIV and tuberculosis.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 15, 2022

Decoding KODA production to augment stress resistance in plants

Scientists from Tokyo Institute of Technology have created a method to boost KODA production in plants, utilizing biotechnology. This technique involves introducing key genes into two plant species and optimizing their localization to improve yield. The findings may lead to mass-producing diverse oxylipins for fertilizers and pesticides.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Novel method produces large, high-quality crystals

Researchers developed a novel ultrafast crystal growth process using liquid metal and atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition to produce high-quality gallium selenide crystals. The new method enables the production of large-sized crystals in just five minutes, overcoming the traditional time delay in semi-conductor applications.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalNano Research·DateFeb 15, 2022

Anaerobic processes fuel carbon dioxide production in Tonle Sap Lake

Research found that anaerobic microbial transformation on Tonle Sap Lake's floodplains produces substantial amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide, highlighting the importance of this process in tropical freshwater ecosystems. This discovery has significant implications for understanding global carbon cycles and the impact of climate change.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2022

Psilocybin treatment for major depression effective for up to a year for most patients, study shows

A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that psilocybin-assisted therapy can lead to significant and durable improvements in depression, with effects lasting at least a year for most patients. The treatment was shown to produce large decreases in depression severity and stable rates of response throughout the follow-up period.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateFeb 15, 2022

What we knew about water was right after all

Researchers at KAUST investigated the formation of hydrogen peroxide in micrometre-sized water droplets and found that ambient ozone is a key player. They used an ultrasensitive fluorescence-based assay to detect H2O2 with improved sensitivity, revealing up to one micromolar levels in microdroplets from commercial ultrasonic humidifiers.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Unprecedented Australian bushfire intensity linked to British colonisation

A new study found that Australian bushfires are linked to British colonisation and climate change, with forests becoming denser and more flammable due to the increase in woody biomass. Indigenous burning practices ceased after colonial settlement, leading to an increase in shrub cover and unprecedented wildfires.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 15, 2022

Defense treaties affect support of military action

A new study from the University of Georgia found that Americans are more supportive of military action in foreign countries when the US has existing defense treaties with those nations. The research suggests that public opinion can be shaped by how leaders frame international commitments, particularly in relation to NATO alliances.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalContemporary Security Policy·DateFeb 15, 2022

Too soon to lift mask mandates for most elementary schools in U.S., study finds

A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study suggests that US elementary schools should only remove masks when local COVID-19 case rates are below a certain threshold to avoid increased transmission. The study provides a framework for school decision-makers to estimate the level of mitigation needed to meet their goals.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 15, 2022

Genetic study unveils actionable variation affecting drug efficacy and safety in the Qatari population

A comprehensive genetic study found actionable pharmacogenomic variation affecting drugs in the Qatari population, highlighting diverse distribution of variants compared to other world populations. The study suggests potential implications for preemptive pharmacogenomic implementation in Qatar and beyond.

SourceQatar Foundation·Journalnpj Genomic Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2022

Wayne State study addresses major outstanding question in theoretical models of memory

A Wayne State study reveals that communication between two key brain regions determines how we remember experiences. As these regions mature, their precise interactions improve our ability to form lasting memories. The research also found that age-related differences in fast and slow theta oscillations impact memory development.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 15, 2022

Not just a sprained ankle: Scientists show musculoskeletal injury may affect gut microbiome

A recent study by researchers from Ritsumeikan University found that athletes with a history of sprained ankle showed reduced gut bacteria diversity compared to those without such a history. This suggests that musculoskeletal injury may have a negative impact on the gut microbiota, potentially leading to long-term health consequences.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalResearch in Sports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Why parents in their prime produce the best offspring

Researchers have developed a mathematical model that explains how parents allocate resources to their offspring based on age. The study found that older parents can provide more resources due to increased experience, but this decreases as they get older. This pattern is observed in many mammals and insects, including the tsetse fly.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Stem cell infusion boosts sepsis survival in mice

Researchers found that infusing bone-marrow stem cells into mice with sepsis increased their survival by 50-60% and decreased inflammation. This treatment could offer an alternative to current granulocyte transfusions, which have limited benefits.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Gene editing now possible in ticks

Researchers successfully edited the genomes of black-legged ticks using CRISPR-Cas9, overcoming technical challenges and advancing tick genetic research. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding tick-pathogen-host interactions and developing new approaches to tick-borne disease control.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Scientists show how artificial intelligence can help to study protein complexes

Researchers have developed an AI-based method to analyze cryo-electron microscopy data, enabling the simultaneous examination of multiple protein complexes in cells. This breakthrough can lead to a better understanding of protein functions and potentially create new treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalStructure·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022