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Science News Archive February 2022 - Page 6


Page 6 of 40

New therapy breakthrough changes the shape of treatment for undruggable diseases

Researchers discover DUBTACs, which stabilize disease-causing proteins by removing ubiquitin chains, preventing destruction and increasing protein levels. This breakthrough addresses undruggable diseases like cystic fibrosis and cancer, offering a new class of medicines to treat multiple human diseases.

SourceUniversity of California Berkeley College of Chemistry·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Discovery of ancient underwater landslide could help Middle Eastern nations realize tsunami hazards

Researchers have discovered evidence of a 500-year-old landslide and associated tsunami in the Gulf of Aqaba, which could have implications for coastline development in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The study predicts that future movement of the seabed might trigger more tsunamis in the region.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Sex pays off

Research shows that asexual reproduction in stick insects, such as parthenogenesis, reduces genetic variability and slows down adaptation to environmental changes. This negatively impacts the speed of adaptation and genetic diversity in these insects.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Editorials by Gang Chen and Science journals Editor-in-Chief call for end to US Department of Justice’s China Initiative

Gang Chen, a professor exonerated by the US government, joins Science journals Editor-in-Chief Holden Thorp in calling for an end to the China Initiative. The initiative has been criticized for its impact on innocent people and the chilling effect it has on scientific collaboration with China.

UTSW study finds palliative care consultation does not decrease COVID-19 patients’ chances of receiving CPR

A UT Southwestern study found that COVID-19 patients who received a palliative care consultation were more likely to receive comfort care at the end of life, but had similar rates of CPR. The study highlights the need for hospitals to improve their outreach to Black communities and incorporate palliative care into pandemic planning.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalResuscitation·DateFeb 24, 2022

Rebooting evolution

Scientists have developed a new computational tool that mimics the processes of natural selection, producing proteins for medicinal and household uses. This innovation reduces the time required for laboratory evolution from months or years to just days.

SourceCurtin University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 24, 2022

Studies examine effects of California's push for computer science education

New studies found that California's push for computer science education did not improve students' math or English language arts skills, but increased enrollments in humanities courses. Researchers also found racial and gender disparities among computer science students and teachers.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEducational Administration Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 24, 2022

HSE University researchers discover what happens on the bright side of the moon

Researchers from HSE University have developed a mathematical model that explains the levitation of charged dust particles over the sunlit lunar surface for almost any latitude. The study takes into account the Earth's magnetotail and its impact on particle movement, leading to vertical oscillation and eventual levitation.

Student’s device enables researchers to easily track elusive insects

Researchers have developed a low-cost device to track insect activity, providing insights into their circadian rhythms and behavior. The portable pLAM device can monitor nocturnal species that were previously difficult to track, enabling scientists to study their habits and predict how environmental changes impact them.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Unravelling the mysteries around type-2 diabetes

Researchers at the University of Leeds identify step-by-step changes in human islet amyloid polypeptide as it transforms into a toxic substance linked to type-2 diabetes. They also discover two compounds that can control the process, offering potential starting points for new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Scientists uncover a new approach for treating aggressive cancer

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a new therapeutic approach using a small-molecule inhibitor of the chromatin-modulatory enzyme EZH2 to target aggressive cancer cells. The treatment also targets cMyc, a prominent cancer-causing factor, and shows profound tumor killing effects.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Patient experience ratings valuable for all physicians — Especially radiologists

A retrospective study found that online patient experience ratings improved radiologists' performance, with scores increasing over time. The results showed that radiologists' performance was comparable to that of non-radiologist physicians, suggesting the value of implementing patient experience surveys in radiology.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Researchers feed worms a natural plant extract; watch them fatten, live 40% longer

A study led by LSU researchers has found that a natural plant extract called Artemisia scoparia can increase the lifespan of roundworms by 40% and improve their metabolic health. The extract, which is native to Asia, was fed to worms in various doses and showed significant effects on fat regulation and stress resistance.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalJournal of Gerontology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2022

New work examines importance of early life factors in pubertal development

A nationwide multi-cohort study found that male children who gained weight or grew faster in the first five years of life entered puberty at a younger age. Female children with faster weight gains during infancy and early childhood also started their periods earlier, suggesting sex-specific associations between early growth and puberta...

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 23, 2022

Dual functions of the Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 2 Cytokine

The IL-1RL2 cytokine has been implicated in the development of inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and IBD, while also promoting the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Its role in controlling infection, including COVID-19 pathology, highlights its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Interferon & Cytokine Research·TypeCase study·DateFeb 23, 2022

New study in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis marries modern science with traditional knowledge to decipher anti-diarrheal effect of cashew stem bark extract

A new study found that cashew stem bark extract inhibits abnormal gut motility associated with diarrhea, revealing a potential low-cost remedy for treating and managing the condition. The extract's mechanism of action involves blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors responsible for gastrointestinal motility.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2022

Children with higher exposure to air pollution and lower exposure to green space have 62% increased risk of ADHD

A study of 37,000 children in Vancouver found a significant association between air pollution and ADHD, as well as the protective effects of green spaces. Children living in areas with higher PM2.5 exposure had an increased risk of ADHD, while those in greener neighborhoods had a lower risk.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2022

Reducing carbon emissions of C&D waste in building refurbishment

Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provide valuable insights on managing C&D waste and reducing carbon emissions in building refurbishment projects. By upcycling generated waste, carbon emissions can be significantly reduced, with a potential reduction of around 40% compared to traditional practices.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·TypeCase study·DateFeb 23, 2022