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Science News Archive February 2022 - Page 22


Page 22 of 40

Advanced computer simulations shed intriguing new light on magma deep below Earth’s surface

A team of researchers used computer modeling to discover that water-rich magmas are more buoyant and fluid than previously thought, allowing them to rise through the upper mantle towards the surface. This discovery provides new insight into the deep Earth water cycle and its connection to Earth's habitability.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 14, 2022

Time crystals leave the lab

Researchers at University of California - Riverside observe time crystals in a system not isolated from its environment, achieving a major breakthrough. The all-optical time crystal uses a disk-shaped magnesium fluoride glass resonator and has potential applications in accurate measurements and precision timekeeping.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2022

3 doses of Pfizer–BioNTech COVID vaccine better than 2

A Kaiser Permanente study found that a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine significantly improved protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. The study's results suggest that three doses of the vaccine provide greater benefit than two doses in preventing these outcomes.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateFeb 14, 2022

New research finds digital music streaming consumption dropped as a result of COVID-19 and lockdowns

A new study found that audio music consumption decreased by over 12% during the pandemic, while people turned to video platforms for entertainment. The researchers attributed this shift to human mobility playing a larger role in music consumption than previously thought.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2022

First get your heart in shape then get pregnant

A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals that more than half of young women in the US have at least one risk factor for poor heart health before pregnancy. Optimizing heart health before and during pregnancy can prevent complications, deliver a healthy baby, and even reduce the risk of heart disease years later.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCirculation·DateFeb 14, 2022

New study details the ways patients with multiple sclerosis develop impairment

A new study analyzed data from over 27,000 patients with multiple sclerosis to understand the impact of relapses on long-term outcomes. The research found that progression independent of relapse activity can start early in relapsing remitting MS and becomes the dominant driver of disability accumulation as the disease evolves.

Oregon State research uncovers key insight for restoration of globally important kelp forests

A new study by Oregon State University found that kelp forests tend towards stability in areas with high substrate complexity, which retains 'drift algae' that urchins prefer to eat. This suggests that restoration efforts targeting these areas could create 'hotspots of resilience.'

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 14, 2022

Behind a good mutation: How a gene variant protects against Alzheimer’s

Researchers have discovered a gene variant that protects against Alzheimer's disease by increasing the activity of brain immune cells called microglia. The P522R variant also enhances the activation of other important aspects of immune function, suggesting potential new strategies for treating or preventing the disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2022

Accelerated ammonia synthesis holds promise for conversion of renewable energy

Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a process to synthesize ammonia from its constituent molecules of nitrogen and hydrogen at ambient pressure, paving the way for efficient use in renewable energy applications. The new method utilizes lithium hydride as a molecular scaffold to prevent clumping and increase reaction speed.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateFeb 14, 2022

At bioenergy crossroads, should corn ethanol be left in the rearview mirror?

A new study published in PNAS reveals that the environmental impacts of corn ethanol far outweigh its benefits, with carbon emissions potentially negating any climate advantages. The research highlights the need to shift towards next-generation biofuels and improve efficiency, electrification, and policy-making.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2022

Structural sexism and anti-LGB stigma linked to poor birth outcomes in the US

New research links structural sexism and anti-LGB stigma with increased risk of preterm birth and decreased birth weight, regardless of the mother's sexual orientation. The study found that these systemic issues can limit access to reproductive health care and socioeconomic opportunities, contributing to adverse birth outcomes.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalDemography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2022

A Nanocleaner specifically penetrates the blood‒brain barrier at lesions to clean toxic proteins and regulate inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease

Researchers designed a nanocleaner that specifically targets the blood-brain barrier at lesions to clean toxic proteins like A± and regulate inflammation in Alzheimer's disease. The nanocleaner, containing rapamycin and KLVFF peptide, accelerates  ± degradation and alleviates oxidative stress and excessive inflammatory response.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalActa Pharmaceutica Sinica B·DateFeb 14, 2022

UT graduate student research solves plate tectonics mystery

A recent study by a UT graduate student has unraveled the enigma of how tectonic plates break Earth's rock-hard shell. By monitoring seismic images and matching them with rock samples, the researcher found that a small break in the Australian plate grew over millions of years until it unzipped and set in motion a runaway geologic process.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 13, 2022

Extreme climate fluctuation drives South African domestic migration

A study using modified network modeling found that South African residents were likely to leave areas with climate instability, while regions with more reliable climates attracted migrants. Socioeconomic factors, such as unemployment rates, also played a role in migration patterns.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalPopulation and Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 11, 2022

Paris Climate Agreement goal still within reach, suggests new CU Boulder study

A new CU Boulder analysis found that a subset of climate scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) project between 3.6 and 5.4 degrees F of warming by 2100, with a median of 3.96 F. This is cautiously optimistic good news compared to worst-case scenarios that projected as much as 7.2 or 9 F of warming.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateFeb 11, 2022

A serendipitous finding lends new insight into how atopic dermatitis develops

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have identified a cascade of inflammatory signaling that precedes skin ulcers in atopic dermatitis. A mouse model lacking an activator of NF-kB signaling led to the development of skin lesions, shedding light on the early stages of the condition.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

7 to 9 percent of all European vascular plants are globally threatened

An international research team has assessed European vascular plant species and found that 7-9% are globally endangered. This study addresses the significant data gap in global Red List of Threatened Species, with nearly 90% of known plant species lacking threat assessments.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalPlants People Planet·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 11, 2022

Relief for oceans and landfills?

Researchers developed novel bioplastics using lysine-rich proteins, offering improved durability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The bioplastics can be produced without toxic chemicals or complex processing steps, making them a promising alternative for packaging, toys, and other applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022