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Science News Archive February 2022 - Page 4


Page 4 of 40

Protein activity reveals new childhood ALL combination treatment strategy

Scientists at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology discovered a new combination treatment strategy for childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) by analyzing protein activity. The study found that blocking specific proteins, such as LCK and SRC, in combination with an overactive chain reaction of INSR/IGF-1R, k...

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Change of scenery: New research outlines how recreation will shift with climate change in the west

New research outlines how climate change will shift the future of outdoor recreation in the West, with campsites becoming too hot, ski resorts experiencing fluctuating snowpacks, and rivers facing low water levels. The study provides activity-specific adaptation strategies to prepare for these consequences.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalJournal of Forestry·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 25, 2022

Sensor monitors disease severity

Scientists at Hokkaido University developed a prototype sensor to rapidly measure adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and lactate levels in blood samples. The sensor's sensitivity allows for the accurate detection of these molecules, enabling rapid assessment of disease severity.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Machine learning helps to identify climatic thresholds that shape the distribution of natural vegetation

A study using machine learning identifies climatic thresholds driving vegetation distribution, highlighting the importance of extreme climate conditions for savannas and deciduous forests. The findings provide valuable insights for improving process-based vegetation models and their coupling with Earth System Models.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateFeb 25, 2022

Scientists’ discovery is one step closer to more effective COVID-19 treatment with immune modulatory drugs

A recent study by CU Anschutz researchers advances the understanding of the immune system during COVID-19, focusing on the interferon response. The findings provide a new model for staging COVID-19 pathology and have important therapeutic implications for treating severe cases.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 25, 2022

Death spiral: A black hole spins on its side

Researchers from the University of Turku found that a black hole's axis of rotation is tilted more than 40 degrees relative to the orbiting stellar body. This extreme misalignment challenges current theoretical models and opens up new prospects for studying black hole formation and evolution.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalScience·DateFeb 25, 2022

Ultrasounds for abalone

Researchers from University of California - Davis found that ultrasounds can detect when abalone are ready to spawn without touching them. The technique creates a gonad index score ranging from 1 to 5 indicating readiness for reproduction.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Nudging acceptance of alternative proteins

A recent study by SMU Associate Professors Mark Chong and Angela Leung found that the ultimate form and presentation of alternative protein products significantly impact their acceptance by consumers. Focusing on the end product and framing alternative proteins as a positive highlight of an exciting food future may foster greater accep...

Research team makes breakthrough discovery in light interactions with nanoparticles, paving the way for advances in optical computing

A research team at CUNY ASRC made a breakthrough discovery in nanomaterials and light-wave interactions that enables small, low-energy optical computers capable of advanced computing. The discovery demonstrates unprecedented speeds and nearly zero energy demands for solving complex mathematical problems.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 25, 2022

ADHD linked to hoarding behaviour – new study

A new study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that people with ADHD are significantly more likely to exhibit clinically significant hoarding symptoms. Approximately 19% of participants displayed hoarding symptoms, which can lead to distress and difficulties in everyday life.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 25, 2022

Repurposing FDA-approved drugs may help combat COVID-19

Scientists identified 16 compounds that affect SARS-CoV-2 enzymes Mpro and PLpro, which are essential for viral replication. The team found that combining Mpro and PLpro inhibitors has an additive antiviral effect, providing greater inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication. These findings offer hope for developing new COVID-19 treatments t...

SourcePenn State·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 25, 2022

Researchers discover more about what causes atherosclerosis

A study published in Science Immunology reveals that a specific neurotransmitter in immune cells plays a crucial role in cholesterol accumulation and sterile inflammation in atherosclerosis. The researchers found that blocking this neurotransmitter may help reduce inflammation and develop effective treatments for the disease.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Rapid emergence of new SARS-CoV2 variants due to the virus’ ability to momentarily accelerate its evolutionary pace

Researchers have found that SARS-CoV-2 variants can emerge more quickly than expected, driven by a short-lived increase in mutation rate. This phenomenon was observed in variants such as Delta, which emerged within six weeks of its ancestral form.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Fewer than half of K-12 PE teachers use high-quality instruction with disabled students, study finds

A recent study from Oregon State University found that fewer than half of K-12 physical educators use high-quality instruction practices for students with disabilities. The majority of teachers were highly qualified, but lacked specific training in adaptive physical education, leading to many disabled students being excluded from PE cl...

SourceOregon State University·JournalAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 24, 2022

Two new studies find positive health outcomes of mango consumption

Two new studies found that regular mango consumption is associated with better overall diet quality, higher intakes of essential nutrients like fiber and potassium, and improved glucose control. Mango snacking was also shown to reduce inflammation and improve antioxidant capacity compared to other sweet snacks.

SourceWild Hive·JournalNutrients·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 24, 2022

The secret of mycorrhizal fungi

Researchers found that forest trees with a mix of both ectomycorrhiza and arbuscular mycorrhiza had the greatest tree diversity, contradicting previous beliefs. This discovery highlights the importance of considering the coexistence of different mycorrhizal strategies in promoting plant biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 24, 2022

Front-of-package claims and images persuade parents that sugar-sweetened drinks are healthy choices for their young children

Research reveals that sugar-sweetened fruit-flavored drinks and toddler milks are misleadingly marketed as healthy options for young children. Experts confirm that these products contain high amounts of added sugars, non-nutritive sweeteners, and little to no juice.

SourceUConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity·JournalMaternal and Child Nutrition·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 24, 2022

Anti-tumor drug promotes weight loss in mice

A new study found that an anti-tumor drug, camptothecin, can activate a natural hunger-suppressing pathway in mice, leading to significant weight loss. The mechanism involves the elevation of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), which suppresses food intake and reduces body weight.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Soil testing supports minesite rehabilitation

Researchers used soil microbial communities to track progress and predict post-mining recovery timeframes, offering a new approach for measuring rehabilitation success. The study found that effective rehabilitation can set up a predictable trajectory of recovery, taking 40-60 years to reach the target ecosystem.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Savvy sheep: new research explores flexible decision-making for bighorn sheep migration

Bighorn sheep use a combination of past experience and visual information about habitat quality to make informed migratory decisions. The research found that these perception-informed decisions allow the species to better adapt to changing environmental conditions, increasing their chances of survival.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 24, 2022

Revealing new states in 2D materials

Researchers from the University of Würzburg have discovered new states in 2D materials by exploring their interactions with phonons. This breakthrough enables the creation of hybridized exciton-photon-phonon states, which could lead to room-temperature Bose-Einstein condensation and polariton lasing.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Tumor tissue modified viral (TTMV)-HPV DNA biomarker test predicts recurrence of HPV-driven oropharynx cancer after treatment

A blood test detecting circulating tumor DNA can accurately predict recurrence of HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer following treatment. The biomarker test may detect recurrent disease earlier than imaging or other standard methods, allowing physicians to personalize treatment more quickly for patients whose cancer returns.

New methods for network visualizations enable change of perspectives and views

Researchers developed a new method for generating network layouts that allow for visualizing different information in two- and three-dimensional virtual space. This facilitates the exploration of complex protein interactions and provides more versatile, comprehensible representations of networks.

When muscles inexorably shrink

Researchers found that iron supplementation can sustain muscle function, mass, and survival in mouse models of colon cancer. In humans, a small group experienced moderate strength improvement after iron injection, suggesting potential benefits for cachexia sufferers.

SourceEMBO·JournalEMBO Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Cutting through the noise

A collaboration between Berkeley Lab researchers developed a novel approach to mitigate noise in quantum computers, enabling reliable results from IBM quantum computers. The new method combines three other techniques to correct errors, allowing for bigger simulations and tackling complex problems.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 24, 2022