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Science News Archive February 2022 - Page 3


Page 3 of 40

A new way to control atomic interactions

The researchers created treelike shapes, a Möbius strip, and other patterns by controlling atomic interactions without physically moving the atoms. They demonstrated nonlocal interactions, where atoms at distant ends interact just as strongly as those near each other.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateFeb 28, 2022

New study improves the thermoelectric properties of NbFeSb-based materials

Researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have successfully improved the thermoelectric performance of half-Heusler materials, including NbFeSb. The new compounds exhibit lower thermal conductivity and higher electrical properties than the original material.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateFeb 27, 2022

New study reveals ultra-high magneto-mechanical damping in Fe-Ga single crystals

Researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science have revealed ultra-high anisotropic damping in large-sized Fe-Ga single crystals, with a maximum value of 0.13 under torsional deformation conditions. This high damping effect is attributed to the irreversible motion of domain walls under alternating stress.

Ancient human impact on Island environment in Africa

New research reveals how medieval East African farming societies altered their island habitat through intensive land use, impacting shoreline modification and community decline. The study examines the effects of urban growth, trade, and waste on coastal sediments, shedding light on early globalization and maritime trade networks.

SourceFlinders University·JournalThe Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology·TypeCase study·DateFeb 27, 2022

A possible therapeutic approach to COVID-19

The article suggests a potential treatment option for COVID-19 by targeting SARS-CoV-2's interaction with ACE2 receptors. Combining DPP4 inhibitors and spironolactone may mitigate COVID-19 complications and infections without adverse side effects.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalEndocrine Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 27, 2022

Engaging individuals in disease prevention behaviours during a pandemic

A study conducted by Singapore Management University found that perceived effectiveness of government messages outweighs the effect of individuals' belief in a dangerous world. Effective communication with informative, personal, and objective message characteristics is key to driving disease prevention behaviors.

SourceSingapore Management University·JournalInternational Journal of Strategic Communication·DateFeb 25, 2022

Banks tend to use opaque financial reporting to facilitate regulatory forbearance

A study found that banks in states with senators on the influential Senate Banking Committee have higher levels of discretionary loan loss provisions, indicating greater opacity. This effect is stronger for larger banks and those with higher risk. The researchers argue that politicians' incentives to save their home state's banks durin...

SourceSingapore Management University·JournalJournal of Accounting and Economics·DateFeb 25, 2022

Advancing our view at the subcellular level

Researchers at University of Cincinnati develop a new probe and imaging technique to study lysosomes, aiding in cancer and neurodegenerative disease research. The probe, known as EC Green, enables multidimensional analysis of lysosome dynamics and provides stable tracking capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

LJI team uncovers new subsets of CD4+ 'helper' T cells

A recent study by La Jolla Institute for Immunology researchers has identified new subsets of CD4+ 'helper' T cells that are linked to autoimmune disease risk. The team used single-cell RNA sequencing to compare gene expression in over 1 million CD4+ T cells from 89 healthy donors, revealing sex-based differences in immune cell functio...

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Predictability and meaningfulness of life help tackle long-term poverty

A Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare study found that people's ability to lead their lives, strive for important things, and make decisions supporting well-being is linked to manageable life circumstances, financial resources, sense of belonging, equal opportunities, and experiencing meaning. Social security provides faith in the...

SourceFinnish Institute for Health and Welfare·JournalJournal of Social and Political Psychology·DateFeb 25, 2022

MU scientist links epigenetic biomarkers to gastrointestinal issues for kids with autism

A recent study identified specific RNA biomarkers linked to gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism. The findings could lead to the development of personalized treatments to ease the pain of these individuals. The research has implications for precision medicine, enabling healthcare providers to track medication effectiveness...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·TypeCase study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Human choices in a simulated pandemic: New study tests interventions to foster safer behaviour

A new study found that clear and consistent messaging is key to reducing risk-taking behavior, while personality-based approaches are less effective. The research used a simulated pandemic game to test different interventions and demonstrates the potential for behavioral sciences to inform public health policy.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

New study shows research participation is associated with greater use of and adherence to medications for dementia, while also revealing significant racial/ethnic disparities

A new study has found that research participation is associated with greater use of and adherence to medications for dementia, while also revealing significant racial/ethnic disparities. The research suggests that Black and Latino participants had lower rates of medication uptake and persistent use compared to White participants.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 25, 2022

Health care workforce changes during COVID-19

The study analyzed changes in employment and average wages in the US healthcare workforce during the first and second years of COVID-19. It found that the pandemic led to a significant increase in telemedicine jobs, while other roles like nursing assistants and medical technicians experienced declining employment.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateFeb 25, 2022

Changes in material hardship during pandemic

A survey study found that material hardships such as food insecurity and rent problems increased significantly during the pandemic. The study identified top priorities for spending stimulus checks among U.S. adults, highlighting the need for targeted support to address these challenges.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateFeb 25, 2022

Poverty divide unchanged in decades

A new study by Flinders University highlights the systemic forces driving poverty and social exclusion among Australian young people. The research reveals that schools' current systems are ineffective in addressing the needs of marginalized children, pointing to a need for sweeping reforms and stronger policymaking.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Social Policy·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 25, 2022

Diminished activation of specific prefrontal brain region may directly contribute to binge eating in bulimia nervosa, new study reveals

A new study found that women with bulimia nervosa exhibited reduced activation of the medial and lateral prefrontal cortices during attempts to control eating behavior. This deficiency in inhibitory control-related activation may contribute to more severe binge eating episodes.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalPsychological Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Providence study: COVID vaccine effectiveness declines after 6 months without boosters

A Providence study confirms COVID vaccines are 94% effective at preventing hospitalization within 50-100 days of vaccination, but protection declines to 80.4% after 200-250 days. The study also identifies key risk factors for severe breakthrough infections, including advanced age, comorbidities, and vaccine type.

SourceProvidence Health & Services·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeCase study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Swiss rivers on track to overheat by the end of the century

According to a new EPFL study, Swiss rivers are at risk of overheating by the end of the century. If greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, river temperatures may only rise by 1°C and discharge decreases by 5% in mountain catchments. Inaction could lead to extreme consequences, including glacier loss and decreased biodiversity.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 25, 2022

Scientists reveal 4.4 million galaxies in a new map

A team of international scientists has created a detailed radio image of over 4.4 million objects in the northern sky, including galaxies with massive black holes and new star-forming regions. The discovery is made possible by state-of-the-art data processing algorithms and high-performance computing resources.

SourceDurham University·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateFeb 25, 2022

Organic battery charges up

Researchers at Flinders University have developed an all-organic polymer battery with a cell voltage of 2.8V, which could replace traditional metal-based batteries for more environmentally friendly options. The new technology aims to create fully biodegradable batteries with high capacity and durability.

SourceFlinders University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Gas flares tied to premature deaths

A Rice University-led study finds that gas flaring from oil and gas fields in the US contributed to dozens of premature deaths in 2019 due to black carbon particle emissions. The researchers estimated that 26-53 deaths were directly attributable to air quality associated with flares.

SourceRice University·JournalAtmosphere·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 25, 2022

Immune cells forget (cell) culture shock

A team of scientists has found that immune cells can adapt to laboratory conditions without losing their special functions. The study shows that macrophages grown in the lab can function normally when transferred back into the body, making them promising living therapeutics for treating diseases such as cancer and infections.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Immunology·DateFeb 25, 2022

Traditional Chinese medicine, Shengmai Yin, improves the effects of radiation therapy, says new study in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis

A new study found that traditional Chinese medicine Shengmai Yin increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation, reducing radioresistance. By altering DNA methylation status, SMY enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy and reduces side effects.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Study shows young, healthy adults died from COVID-19 due to ECMO shortage

A recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that nearly 90% of COVID-19 patients who qualified for ECMO but did not receive it due to resource shortages died in the hospital. This suggests that hospitals need to invest in capacity to provide ECMO to more patients.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 25, 2022