Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for January 18, 2022


Australian study set to guide the treatment of critically ill patients worldwide

A large clinical trial involving over 5,000 patients found that commonly used saline solution is as effective at keeping people alive and their organs functioning as more expensive balanced solutions. The study's results provide greater certainty about the safety and benefits of saline solution for treatment.

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 18, 2022

Matched targeted treatment based on ESCAT actionable genomic alterations associates with improved prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma patients

A study published in Clinical Cancer Research shows that matched targeted therapy according to ESCAT's ranking of genomic alterations significantly improves survival of cholangiocarcinoma patients. Patients with ESCAT tier I-II alterations had longer median overall survival compared to those with non-actionable alterations.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 18, 2022

UW and Stanford researchers reveal findings of nationwide study of the relationship between food environment and healthy eating

A nationwide study reveals that higher access to grocery stores is associated with increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, lower consumption of fast food and soda. Food deserts and high income were found to be negatively correlated with dietary health, particularly among subpopulations.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 18, 2022

Boxing up molecular machines

A team of scientists successfully constructed a supramolecular rotor inside a hollow cube-shaped zinc(II)-metallated porphyrinic cage (Zn-PB) molecule. The addition of a chemical stimulant initiates both rotary and tumbling motions, controlled by external stimuli.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalChem·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2022

Study reveals root cause of long-term COVID symptoms

Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered that mitochondria do not function properly in patients with post-COVID syndrome, leading to debilitating symptoms. The study's findings may lead to treatments for patients struggling with fluctuating heart rates, extreme fatigue and memory issues.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 18, 2022

Stanford-led study: Antibodies in blood soon after COVID-19 onset may predict severity

A Stanford-led study found that blood antibodies in patients shortly after COVID-19 onset may indicate who is most likely to develop severe symptoms. The researchers discovered differences in antibody shapes and sugar chains between those with mild and severe symptoms, which could lead to a test to focus attention on those at risk.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 18, 2022

Understanding memory loss in Alzheimer's disease

A recent study published in Experimental Neurology suggests that the accumulation of a fragment of the synaptic protein neurexin in the adult brain causes specific losses of memory. The researchers observed that this accumulation triggers defects in associative memory and presynaptic plasticity, particularly affecting the amygdala.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalExperimental Neurology·DateJan 18, 2022

Decarbonisation tech instantly converts CO2 to solid carbon

Researchers at RMIT University have developed a smart and super-efficient way of capturing carbon dioxide and converting it to solid carbon, which can be integrated into existing industrial processes. The technology offers a pathway for instantly converting CO2 as it is produced, locking it permanently in a solid state.

SourceRMIT University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJan 18, 2022

Moffitt researchers analyze VA data to study prostate cancer disparities

A recent study by Moffitt researchers found that African American veterans had a significantly higher incidence of prostate cancer compared to European American men. The study also revealed that timely treatment and clear documentation are crucial in reducing the risk of metastasis among African American men.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 18, 2022

Changes in use of ambulatory care during pandemic

The study found significant differences in ambulatory care usage rates among different insurance types during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers examined whether there were differences by insurance type in the return to expected rates of use of ambulatory care services.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJan 18, 2022

How COVID-19 increases challenges for youth with ADHD

New research reveals that youth with ADHD are more likely to experience COVID-19 symptoms, sleep problems, and anxiety related to infection risk. The study found that these individuals are less responsive to factors like parental monitoring and school engagement that may mitigate the impact of pandemic school closures.

SourceLehigh University·JournalJournal of Attention Disorders·DateJan 18, 2022

Otago study finds children exposed to a brand a minute

A new study from the University of Otago found that children are exposed to 554 brands per 10-hour day, or nearly a brand a minute. The majority of these exposures occurred in school, at home, and in-store, with most coming from brand labels, product packaging, and commercial signage.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeObservational study·DateJan 18, 2022

Intensive care patients speak with their eyes

A study published in Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery found that eye-tracking systems can enable critically ill, non-verbal patients to communicate their pain levels, mood, quality of life, and self-esteem. The results showed that many patients experienced negative emotions despite adequate treatment.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2022

Clinicians develop strategies to addresses virtual care disparities for patients with limited English proficiency

The Massachusetts General Hospital team implemented three strategies to increase access and address concerns of immigrant patients, including offering patient education in multiple languages and integrating medical interpreters into virtual visits. These efforts aim to reduce disparities and improve care for all patients.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 18, 2022

“Hey, Alexa! Are you trustworthy?”

A recent study by MIT researchers found that family members trust devices with human-like social behaviors, such as Amazon's Alexa or Jibo's social robot. The study revealed significant effects of branding on perceptions, showing users viewed Google as more trustworthy than Amazon despite similar designs and functionality.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateJan 18, 2022

Few countries offer a good place to die, researchers say

A study ranking 81 countries on end-of-life care found that only six earned an A grade, while 36 received Ds or Fs. The US ranked 43rd, highlighting the need for improvement in palliative care globally. Experts emphasize the importance of making advance care plans and discussing wishes with loved ones.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Pain and Symptom Management·TypeSurvey·DateJan 18, 2022

COVID-19 may cause fetal inflammation even in absence of placental infection, researchers report

Researchers at Wayne State University have found that SARS-CoV-2 can induce fetal immune responses in pregnant women, even if they don't display symptoms. This increase in inflammatory markers poses a risk for preterm birth, stillbirth, and other complications.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 18, 2022

New review suggests coffee consumption can stimulate digestion

A new review suggests that moderate coffee consumption can stimulate digestive processes and help movement through the colon. The study also found a possible association between coffee consumption and reduced risk of gallstones and certain liver diseases. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings.

SourceKaizo·JournalNutrients·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 18, 2022

Case Western Reserve University research team identifies new mechanism for protecting DNA

A research team led by Youwei Zhang discovered a new protective function of the protein 53BP1 in preserving DNA structure. This mechanism involves liquid-liquid phase separation, allowing 53BP1 to stabilize proteins at condensed DNA regions, maintaining genome stability and preventing diseases like cancer and premature aging.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 18, 2022

Naturally healthy: How much do adolescents know about food?

A study found that adolescents' ratings of food products were influenced by naturalness, with simpler judgments on taste components. Experts also applied the same rule, but with more consistent knowledge about food ingredients. The results suggest that nutrition education for adolescents should target their knowledge about food ingredi...

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Development·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2022

Researchers show increased survival rate in prostate cancer patients with addition of hormone therapy treatments

A meta-analysis published in The Lancet Oncology reveals that men with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer experience improved overall survival with the addition of hormone therapy to radiotherapy. The study found prolonged adjuvant hormone therapy benefits men, while neoadjuvant hormone therapy did not.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 18, 2022

Wijesekera and Shah receive funding for project Securing Softwarization and Disaggregation in Nextg: Call to Disaggregate Trust Management

Researchers at George Mason University, led by Duminda Wijesekera and Vijay Shah, have received $100,000 in funding to develop a multi-cloud environment with decentralized trust management for the manufacturing industry. The goal of this project is to implement OpenStack-SDN-based PoPs across multiple cloud environments.

Covid-19: Who should we vaccinate first to slow the spread of new variants?

Vaccination prioritization aims to reduce mortality and epidemic progression by targeting older individuals, minimizing selection pressure on virus variants. By considering evolutionary dynamics alongside epidemic dynamics, researchers can develop effective vaccine strategies to combat emerging variants.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2022

Cultural similarities may play key role in successful immigrations

Researchers studied evacuees from Finland during WWII and found that cultural similarities, such as language and social networks, were crucial for successful migrations. Being younger, male, educated, and linguistically similar to the host population also increased the likelihood of staying in a new home.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 18, 2022

GIST Researchers develop Terrain-Aware AI for predicting battle outcomes in StarCraft 2

A team of scientists from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed a deep learning-based approach to predict SC2 battle outcomes by considering army composition and terrain type. The proposed model leveraged parameter sharing, enabling it to analyze complex factors accurately and make predictions.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalExpert Systems with Applications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 18, 2022

Direct oral anticoagulants significantly decrease recurrent venous thrombosis for adult cancer patients, Mayo Clinic study finds

A new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that direct oral anticoagulants significantly decrease cancer-associated venous thrombosis recurrence without increasing bleeding. The study involved 2,894 patients and showed a 41% decrease in thrombosis recurrence with direct oral anticoagulants compared to parenteral dalteparin.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJan 18, 2022

Safe planetary boundary for pollutants, including plastics, exceeded, researchers say

An international team of researchers concludes that humanity has exceeded a planetary boundary related to environmental pollutants, including plastics. The study finds that the production and release of chemicals have negative effects on Earth systems, including biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles.

SourceStockholm Resilience Centre·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 18, 2022

Halting antibiotic resistance is a little less futile

Rice University researchers developed a microfluidic platform to analyze how infectious bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics. The platform allows for controlled environments and fine-tuning of conditions, revealing previously unknown pathways to resistance.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2022

New AI navigation prevents crashes

A new collision-avoidance system using explainable artificial intelligence enables robots to safely navigate and perform tasks in space. The system was tested in simulations and prototype design, showing promise for future applications in on-orbit servicing and assembly.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2022

Students with attention problems more likely to cheat

A new study shows that students with attention problems are more likely to cheat, as inattention can lead to hyperactivity, creating a perfect setup for cheating. The study suggests that many students with attention issues don't receive the help they need, leading them to resort to cheating.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPsychology in the Schools·TypeObservational study·DateJan 18, 2022

Groundbreaking research produces record levels of strain in single-crystal silicon, which could lead to phones with smoke detector technology

The University of Surrey researchers have developed a method to generate up to 3.1% biaxial strain and 8.5% uniaxial strain in single-crystal silicon using ion implantation, which could lead to the development of germanium lasers and near-infrared sensors for smartphones.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalPhysical Review Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2022

New label-free detection technique digitally counts intact SARS-CoV-2 virus particles in saliva or exhaled breath

Researchers have developed a label-free detection technique that digitally counts intact SARS-CoV-2 virus particles in saliva or exhaled breath. The approach uses an aptamer attached to a biosensor to selectively recognize and capture viruses, providing lower cost and reduced time to diagnose infections.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 18, 2022

Changes in sleep and biological rhythms from late pregnancy to postpartum linked to depression and anxiety

A study found that sleep and biological rhythm variables are associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in women during the peripartum period. Changes in circadian quotient, nighttime activity, and rest fragmentation were linked to higher depressive and anxiety symptoms.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 18, 2022

Young-onset cancers rise, and experts don't know why

A disturbing trend of increasing young-onset gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas has been observed in South Australia over the past three decades, with a significant increase in incidence rates among males aged under 50. Improved survival rates for older adults have not been seen in younger patients, except for those with colorectal cancer.

SourceFlinders University·JournalCancers·DateJan 18, 2022

‘Off target’ metabolic effects of anti-inflammatory drugs used for autoimmune disorders needs better treatment strategy

A large-scale review of anti-inflammatory drugs used for autoimmune disorders suggests that current treatments can worsen lipid metabolism, leading to increased cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers propose the development of combination therapies targeting lipid metabolism to reduce immune complications and CVD risk in patients.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 18, 2022

Rural patients less likely to receive cardiovascular care, more likely to die from certain heart conditions, researchers find

Researchers found rural patients with acute cardiovascular conditions are less likely to receive important procedures and treatments, resulting in higher mortality rates. The study highlights the need for public health and policy efforts to improve rural healthcare outcomes.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 18, 2022

How a contagious cancer spread among clams

Researchers confirm contagious blood cancer can jump between marine clam species, with evidence suggesting human activities may contribute to the spread. The discovery highlights the potential ecological threat posed by these diseases and emphasizes the need for further studies to monitor pathogens.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateJan 18, 2022

Offering buprenorphine medication to people with opioid use disorder in jail may reduce rearrest and reconviction

A study conducted in two rural Massachusetts jails found that providing buprenorphine medication to individuals with opioid use disorder significantly reduced rearrest and reconviction rates after release. The study revealed a 32% reduction in rates of probation violations, reincarcerations, or court charges.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJan 18, 2022

Hetero-lattice intergrown MOF membranes: a potential solution to polyol upgrading in industry

Research at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics proposes hetero-lattice intergrown MOF membranes for efficient polyol dehydration. The novel membrane design achieves ultra-stability and high pervaporation performance, offering a potential solution to overcome separation challenges.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 18, 2022