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Science News Archive February 2022 - Page 30


Page 30 of 40

The last of the natural coasts

A study found that only 15.5% of the Earth's coastal areas are ecologically intact, with high levels of biodiversity and ecosystem services relied upon by millions of people. The researchers call for increased protections and restoration targets to conserve remaining intact coastal regions.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalConservation Biology·DateFeb 8, 2022

Our concept of numbers is integrally tied to language and culture, new research shows

A new study published in Psychological Science challenges the idea that humans have an innate system of thinking about and organizing numbers. The research finds that language is integrally tied to numerical cognition, with Tsimane' participants being able to only match exact number of objects within their known number words.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2022

Mutating quantum particles set in motion

The study reveals that particles can behave as bosons in one region and fermions in another, leading to striking phenomena like particle trapping or fragmentation. This discovery opens up a window to engineer and control new kinds of collective motion in the quantum world.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateFeb 8, 2022

The view from above

Giant kelp forests are driven by a mix of external and internal factors, according to researchers who used remote sensing technology to assess canopy biomass and age dynamics. The effects of different drivers are more pronounced at different scales.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2022

Newly discovered effect of toxic goiter on brain

Researchers discovered that toxic goiter causes shrinkage in central brain regions, such as the hippocampus and amygdala, which can lead to mental symptoms. The study provides key insights for patients with Graves' disease, a common form of hyperthyroidism.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 8, 2022

CityU study shows improperly discarded surgical masks threaten the marine ecosystem and food chain

A City University of Hong Kong study found that improper disposal of surgical masks can pollute over 54,800 Olympic-sized swimming pools annually with microplastics. The research also showed that microplastics accumulate in the food chain, affecting marine organisms and potentially harming higher-level species.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2022

Illinois research shows how dicamba could be safely used in sweet corn

A study by University of Illinois researchers found that applying dicamba at the latest growth stage and using a safener can help minimize injury to sweet corn. The results suggest that dicamba could be used safely in sweet corn with proper application timing and formulation, offering practical guidance for farmers.

Fecal implants drive behavioral and cognitive changes in Alzheimer’s model

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have made a groundbreaking connection between the gut microbiome and cognitive decline in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Fecal implants induced significant behavioral and cognitive changes in mice, offering new avenues for treating or forestalling dementia.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2022

Study identifies potential target for osteoporosis treatments

Scientists have identified connexin (Cx) 43 hemichannels on the surface of bone cells as a potential new target for medications to treat osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss. The study, published in eLife, reveals how these channels play a crucial role in responding to mechanical stress and building stronger bones.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2022

Genome of Steller’s sea cow decoded

An international research team reconstructed the genome of Steller's sea cow from fossil remains, finding inactivations of genes responsible for its unique skin structure. The study reveals a dramatic reduction in population size contributing to the species' extinction.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 8, 2022

The perilous migratory journey of the eastern whip-poor-will

Researchers found that eastern whip-poor-wills from the Midwest breed in a small area of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and east Texas before migrating to Mexico and Central America. The birds' synchronized trip south poses a danger to their population, which has declined by nearly 70% due to habitat loss and urban bird collisions.

SourceOhio State University·JournalDiversity and Distributions·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 8, 2022

Cannabis-related emergency department visits by youth increased five-fold in Ontario between 2003 and 2017

A recent study found that cannabis-related emergency department visits among adolescents and young adults in Ontario rose nearly five-fold between 2003 and 2017. The study highlights an emerging public health problem and emphasizes the need for further research into the causes of this trend.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 8, 2022

Discovery of 29 new acne risk genes provides hope for new treatments

A recent study has identified 29 new genetic variants associated with acne, providing potential new targets for treatment and helping clinicians identify individuals at high risk of severe disease. The research, involving over 20,000 individuals with acne, also found a link between genetic risk and disease severity.

SourceNIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2022

Who is that? Kids find it more difficult than adults to recognize faces behind masks

A new study found that children's face-perception abilities are impaired when wearing masks, with a 20% impairment rate compared to adults' 15%. This disruption can affect social interactions and relationships. Researchers highlight the need for future studies on the impact of mask-wearing on children's educational performance.

SourceYork University·JournalCognitive Research Principles and Implications·DateFeb 7, 2022

Where mental health help is scarce, telehealth makes a big difference

A randomized study of over 1,000 people with PTSD and/or bipolar disorder shows that telehealth and integrated care models can improve treatment engagement and outcomes. Patients who received guidance from local clinic team members and in-person follow-up with nurses or social workers had better results.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2022

Kinks, skinks and supersymmetry

Researchers have designed an experimental protocol to detect the dynamics of kinks and skinks, which are energy lumps and their supersymmetric partners. The study focuses on a one-dimensional lattice, but the findings may inspire more elaborate simulators in higher dimensions.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 7, 2022

Pusan National University scientists enhance durability of lithium-sulfur batteries with dyes

Researchers developed a novel coating material based on methylene blue dye to mitigate the polysulfide shuttling effect in lithium-sulfur batteries, improving their durability and electrochemical performance. This breakthrough could lead to the widespread adoption of sustainable energy storage systems.

SourcePusan National University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2022

Speeding through nanowire

Researchers discovered that applying tension to nanowires significantly enhances electron mobility, allowing for faster transistor switching and lower energy requirements. The core-shell nanowires demonstrated a 30% increase in electron speed compared to strain-free or bulk gallium arsenide.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2022

Brain stimulation rapidly improves cognitive deficits in long-COVID

Non-invasive brain microcurrent stimulation therapy significantly improves cognition and reverses visual field loss in two patients with long-COVID, reducing vascular dysregulation. Cognitive impairments such as fatigue and short-term memory loss are reversed within three to four days.

SourceIOS Press·JournalRestorative Neurology and Neuroscience·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 7, 2022

International land use scientists urge policymakers to adopt new approaches to addressing climate change, biodiversity and other global crises

A new study identifies key facts about global land use, highlighting opportunities for a more sustainable and equitable approach. The study's findings emphasize the need for policymakers to consider trade-offs between competing benefits and prioritize value judgments when making land use decisions.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 7, 2022

New fossil reveals origin of arthropod breathing system

A new fossil discovery at the Chengjiang Fossil Site has provided a crucial link in understanding how arthropods evolved specialized limbs for breathing. The 520-million-year-old Erratus sperare organism has revealed the origins of biramous limbs, found in modern water-dwelling arthropods.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2022

COVID-19 infections increase risk of heart conditions up to a year later

A recent study found that COVID-19 infections can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease, even among previously healthy individuals. The risk of these complications remains high for up to a year after infection, highlighting the importance of post-infection care.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2022

Rice team’s mask strategy passes muster

The Rice team created an easily manufactured adhesive silicone harness that improves the fit of light surgical masks, making them comparable to N95 and KN95 masks in terms of aerosol droplet stopping. The revised design includes a wider harness along the nose slope for better sealing.

SourceRice University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2022

The ‘silent epidemic’: Study reveals impact of loneliness among older American women during the pandemic

A study of over 27,400 Women's Health Initiative participants found that loneliness increased among women aged 70+ during the pandemic, leading to worsening mental health. The 'silent epidemic' also showed a decline in social connections and increased isolation among women of color.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series A·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2022