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Science News Archive February 2022 - Page 19


Page 19 of 40

Gastric bypass is best weight loss option for diabetes patients, study finds

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that gastric bypass surgery is the most effective treatment option for patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes, leading to greater weight loss and a higher rate of remission. The study found that gastric bypass produces better results regardless of diabetes severity.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 15, 2022

Human microbiome research excludes developing world

A new study found that almost half of all publicly available human microbiome samples come from the US, despite it representing only 4.3% of global population. This raises concerns about the applicability of future microbiome-based medical treatments to countries with limited resources.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Eccentric fractional skyrmion discovered in numerical simulations of ultra-cold superfluids

Scientists have discovered a new type of skyrmion with half-integer topological numbers in a ferromagnetic superfluid, challenging the current understanding of these phase defects. This discovery could lead to a major breakthrough in skyrmion research and its applications in particle physics and spintronics.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalPhysical Review A·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 15, 2022

U of M-led study finds COVID-19 boosters reduce infection and hospitalizations

A University of Minnesota-led study found that COVID-19 boosters significantly reduce infections and hospitalizations. The research showed that booster doses are particularly effective in reducing hospitalizations among the elderly and those with comorbidities.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2022

Intelligence – It's all about connectivity

A new study found that individuals with higher intelligence scores have brains that are better adapted to switch between different cognitive states. The researchers used fMRI scans to monitor brain activity in over 800 adults while they completed various tasks, and found that the brains of highly intelligent people required fewer adjus...

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCerebral Cortex·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 15, 2022

When a protective gene buffers a bad one, a heart can beat

Scientists found a protective gene that counters a deleterious mutation causing atrial septal defects, allowing some people with the mutation to thrive. The discovery provides valuable clinical information for families affected by congenital heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateFeb 15, 2022

New study finds COVID-19 vaccination boosts mental health along with immunity

A new study finds that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with statistically significant declines in multiple psychological distress factors. Vaccination was linked to reductions in perceived risks of infection, hospitalization, and death, as well as improvements in mental health and quality of life.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Statin intolerance is “over-estimated and over-diagnosed”

A new study found that statin intolerance is over-estimated, affecting only 6-10% of patients worldwide. Researchers identified risk factors for statin intolerance, including age, sex, ethnicity, and medical conditions.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2022
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

MRI sheds light on COVID vaccine-associated heart muscle injury

A new study published in Radiology found that COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis tends to be less severe and resolve quickly compared to other causes of myocarditis. The study analyzed data from 92 patients with cardiac MRI abnormalities and found that those with vaccine-associated myocarditis had less functional impairment and le...

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateFeb 15, 2022

Report: Students better at recognizing relationally aggressive classmates

Researchers identified that 10% of students were recognized as relationally aggressive by peers but not teachers. Students with higher levels of academic competence and female students were more likely to be recognized by both groups. The study suggests that better identification of these students is crucial for effective interventions.

SourceDrexel University·JournalSchool Mental Health·DateFeb 15, 2022

What do young women in Africa want for HIV prevention? They want choice

The REACH study found that nearly all adolescent girls and young women accepted the option of using a monthly dapivirine vaginal ring or daily oral PrEP. Most preferred the ring, but most were able to use their chosen product some or most of the time. The study suggests that choice is crucial for adherence in HIV prevention.

SourceMicrobicide Trials Network·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 15, 2022
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Driving conservation efforts with DNA data

Using ancient and historical DNA can assess population genetic patterns and inform conservation actions. The study reveals that a/hDNA can be compared with contemporary data to set baselines for intra-species genetic diversity and estimate changes in effective population size.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 15, 2022

Researchers create molecule that can pave way for mini-transistors

A Swedish research team developed a simple hydrocarbon molecule that changes form and becomes conductive when exposed to electric potential. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of miniature transistors and new mechanical systems at the single-molecule level.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 15, 2022
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Novel nanoparticles target gene therapy directly into the lungs

Scientists at Tufts University create nanoparticles that carry genetic instructions to specifically target the lungs, reducing tumors in a preclinical model of a rare genetic lung disease. The breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options for patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

SourceTufts University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Introducing Nikola, the emotional android kid

Researchers from RIKEN created Nikola, an android child that can convey six basic emotions through facial expressions. The study tested the quality of these expressions and found that humans can recognize them with varying accuracy.

SourceRIKEN·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 15, 2022

Pandemic upends breast cancer diagnoses

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to fewer early-stage and more late-stage breast cancer diagnoses. Researchers at UC San Diego Health surveyed patients with breast and colorectal cancers in 2019 and 2020, finding a significant increase in stage IV diagnoses.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 15, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Study shows high prevalence of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder after COVID-19

A study tracking 425 patients post-COVID-19 found high prevalence of cognitive deficits, psychiatric impairments, and significant memory decline. Researchers observed no correlation between the severity of the disease or socio-economic factors with psychiatric alterations, suggesting a possible link to delayed inflammatory processes.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGeneral Hospital Psychiatry·DateFeb 15, 2022

If medicine only focuses on COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected biomedical research, with a significant shift in priorities towards COVID-19-related studies. Publications and clinical trials in non-COVID fields decreased by up to 25%, while COVID-19-related research saw a surge in publications and grants.

SourceIMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2022

New LiMn2O4 electrode could pave the way for electrochemical recovery of lithium from brine

Researchers have developed a new electrode material using a truncated-octahedral LiMn2O4 design to improve lithium adsorption capacity and cycle stability in low-energy conditions. This technology has the potential to address the global challenge of extracting sufficient lithium from brine sources.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalGreen Energy & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Researchers use arginine, creatine supplementation to boost pig birth weight

A Texas A&M research team is using dietary supplements of arginine and creatine to improve the overall litter weight and health of individual pig babies. The study's findings also have implications for human fetal development, as arginine plays a key role in pregnancy by promoting blood vessel growth and supporting fetal-placental growth.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·DateFeb 15, 2022

Lichens are in danger of losing the evolutionary race with climate change

A new study found that algae in common lichens can't adapt to temperature changes as fast as the Earth is warming, putting them at risk of extinction. The researchers' analysis suggests it could take hundreds of thousands or millions of years for these algae to evolve and adapt to modern climate change.

SourceField Museum·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateFeb 15, 2022

Computer models show how crop production increases soil nitrous oxide emissions

A recent ecosystem modeling study by Iowa State University scientists shows that US crop production has led to a tripling of soil nitrous oxide emissions since 1900. The study found that agricultural soils, particularly those devoted to corn and soybean production, are the primary source of these emissions.

SourceIowa State University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 15, 2022
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

UH sociologist finds disparities in initial COVID-19 vaccine distribution

A new study by University of Houston sociologist Kathryn Freeman Anderson reveals significant disparities in the initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout in five urban Texas counties. The research found that Black and Latino neighborhoods were less likely to receive vaccines due to existing healthcare resource shortages.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 15, 2022

Science snapshots from Berkeley Lab

Berkeley Lab researchers are working on a two-year project to develop a roadmap for Puerto Rico to meet its 100% renewable energy mandate. The study aims to analyze pathways, power system reliability, and generation planning. Meanwhile, a new fungal strain has been discovered in a spacecraft assembly facility named after Berkeley Lab m...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 15, 2022
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Vanilla cultivation in the right place pays off for people and nature

A research team from the University of Göttingen found that vanilla agroforestry systems have advantages for both humans and nature, particularly when planted on fallow land. However, price fluctuations pose a challenge to sustainable cultivation.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Memory formation influenced by how brain networks develop during youth

A new study has discovered that as brains mature, the precise ways in which two key memory regions communicate make us better at forming lasting memories. The findings also suggest how brains learn to multitask with age, with slower oscillations in older participants and faster oscillations in younger ones.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 15, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Sexual orientation linked to choice of transport to work

A new study finds that men and women in same-sex couples are more likely to choose eco-friendly modes of transportation, such as walking or cycling, and less likely to drive. This 'sexual orientation gap' may be due to environmental preferences, with gay and bisexual individuals valuing the environment more.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 15, 2022

How the brain filters out sounds

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt recorded brain waves of bats to understand how they filter out essential signals from echolocation calls and communication signals. The study shows that rare sounds elicit stronger neuronal responses than frequent ones.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Promising skin probiotic could be a way to reduce antibiotic treatments for acne

Researchers at the University of Antwerp have discovered a way to alter the skin microbiome using lactobacilli, reducing inflammation and acne lesions. The study shows that topically applied probiotics can effectively target acne-causing bacteria and reduce symptoms.

SourceInternational Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Predicting complex dynamics from data

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new approach to modeling nonlinear dynamical systems using experimental data. By identifying key structures rather than detailed dynamics, the algorithm reduces calculation time from hours to just minutes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateFeb 15, 2022

Beset in mucus, Coronavirus particles likely travel farther than once thought

A new study suggests that small respiratory particles can remain moist and airborne for a longer time and greater distance than previously recognized. The mucus shell surrounding these particles likely reduces evaporation rates, keeping viral particles infectious for up to 30 minutes and traveling distances of up to 200 feet.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalInternational Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 15, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.