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Science News for January 19, 2022


Researchers identify estrogen-regulated brain circuit that helps females control obesity

Researchers identified an estrogen-activated neurocircuit that stimulates thermogenesis and physical activity, increasing energy expenditure and preventing obesity. The circuit responds to changes in ambient temperature and nutritional status, and its conservation in males suggests a potential role in weight regulation.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

Future directions for the behavioral and social sciences in oral heath

The Consensus Statement on Future Directions for the Behavioral and Social Sciences in Oral Health identifies key areas of focus, including behavioral theories and mechanisms, novel research methodologies, and dissemination science. The statement aims to advance oral health globally by integrating the behavioral and social sciences int...

Parties lead and voters follow

Research led by Binghamton University faculty suggests that party polarization precedes voter polarization in countries outside the US. The study of 19 democracies from 1971 to 2019 found that more engaged and informed citizens follow parties' lead on political issues.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalParty Politics·DateJan 19, 2022

Warm season and emergency department visits to US children’s hospitals

A study led by Dr. Aaron Bernstein found that heat increases the number of child and adolescent emergency department visits during summer months, underscoring the need for more aggressive adaptation measures. Children present to ED at higher temperatures for different reasons than adults, highlighting their unique vulnerabilities.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJan 19, 2022

English Channel stops new rockpool species reaching UK

The English Channel prevents many rockpool species from reaching the UK due to unfavorable ocean currents. This could lead to a decrease in intertidal wildlife richness in the UK as warmer-water species fail to replace threatened ones. As climate change causes sea temperatures to rise, this barrier may prevent species from adapting.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalMarine Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 19, 2022

Addressing substance use and pain key to limiting self-directed hospital discharge

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that patients with acute painful admitting diagnoses were almost twice as likely to have a self-directed discharge than those without. Inadequate pain assessment may be a motivator for this behavior, leading to poorer health outcomes and preventable financial costs.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalHarm Reduction Journal·DateJan 19, 2022

When people “Click” they respond faster to each other

A Dartmouth study found that people who respond faster to each other in conversations feel more connected. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used response time data to measure social connection between strangers and close friends.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022

Lower educational attainment may predict subsequent increased alcohol use, rather than vice versa, according to study of Dutch citizens between age 14 and age 26

A recent study of Dutch citizens between ages 14 and 26 reveals that lower educational attainment is associated with higher rates of alcohol use, rather than the other way around. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the relationship between education level and substance abuse.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 19, 2022

Uncovering the underlying patterns in contemporary evolution

A massive new dataset highlights the effects of human disturbances and pollution on contemporary evolution, with pollution driving the most rapid rate of phenotypic change. The study confirms that harvesting and invasive species also have significant impacts, while climate change alters traditional notions of a natural habitat.

SourceMcGill University·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateJan 19, 2022

New study examines end-of-life decision making in American prisons

A new study reveals significant variability in state- and nationwide policies on end-of-life decision making in US prisons. The researchers found that many policies restrict access to advance care planning documents, limit the roles of surrogate decision-makers, and fail to ensure compliance with community standards. The study emphasiz...

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalInternational Journal of Prisoner Health·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 19, 2022

Oregon State scientists identify new genus and species of legume, now mysteriously extinct

Researchers at Oregon State University identified a new genus and species of legume, Salpinganthium hispaniolanum, from flowers preserved in amber. The species is believed to have been extinct for millions of years and may have disappeared due to unique biological or physical events.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022

Competition sheds light on approximation methods for large spatial datasets

A global competition between approximation methods for analyzing large spatial datasets shed light on their statistical efficiency. The competition compared various methods using synthetic spatial datasets and revealed the performance of different approaches, providing a unified framework for understanding existing approximation methods.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalJournal of Agricultural Biological and Environmental Statistics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2022

University of Helsinki research shows particles formed in boreal forests affect clouds in the troposphere

A new study by University of Helsinki researchers shows that boreal forests can mitigate climate change through aerosol formation and growth, influencing cloud properties and regional climate. The study found that aerosol particles produced by the forests alter cloud reflectivity, potentially cooling the climate.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022

When graphene speaks, scientists can now listen

Researchers have developed a method to analyze audio from graphene production, allowing for near-instantaneous assessment of product type and purity. This approach could improve manufacturing processes, such as flash Joule heating and sintering, by providing real-time data on material properties.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

New study on freemium marketing strategies demonstrates their limits for creating revenue

A new study published in the Strategic Management Journal found that freemium marketing strategies can widen the revenue gap between market leaders and followers. The research used data from Apple's launch of Game Center to investigate how freemium strategies perform in markets with strong network effects.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2022

Discovery of a “hidden gem” enables gene editing with a small but mighty CRISPR-Cas3 system

Scientists have developed a novel CRISPR-Cas3 editor from the bacteria Neisseria lactamica that improves editing efficiency and is more easily produced. The tool enables 50% editing efficiency in stem cells and 95% efficiency in other human cell lines, paving the way for research in genetic diseases and developmental biology.

Air pollution significantly reduces pollination by confusing butterflies and bees

Common air pollutants from urban and rural environments reduce pollinating abilities of insects, leading to fewer flower visits and overall pollination reductions. The study observed up to 70% fewer pollinators, 90% fewer flower visits, and a 31% reduction in pollination when common ground-level air pollutants were present.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022

Prolonged exposure or cognitive processing therapy?

A landmark VA study found that prolonged exposure was statistically more effective than cognitive processing therapy in easing PTSD symptoms, with most Veterans showing meaningful improvement from both treatments. The researchers recommended shared decision-making between clinicians and patients to select their preferred treatment.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 19, 2022

Just in the NIK of time

Researchers at Osaka University have made a breakthrough in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), a deadly form of liver cancer. By identifying TRAF3 and NIK as key players, they have uncovered potential therapeutic targets for novel ICC treatment.

SourceOsaka University·JournalHepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

To stop blood cancer, target the bone

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have found that targeting neighboring bone cells may be a better strategy than directly targeting blood cancer stem cells. By blocking the communication between leukemia cells and osteoblasts, the study suggests a new approach to treat acute myeloid leukemia.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

THE LANCET: An estimated 1.2 million people died in 2019 from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, more deaths than HIV/AIDS or malaria

A new report estimates that antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections caused over 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019, with the greatest impact on lower respiratory and bloodstream infections. The study highlights the urgent need to combat antimicrobial resistance and provides immediate actions for policymakers to save lives.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022

Remdesivir for COVID-19 found to reduce need for mechanical ventilation: RCT

A randomized controlled trial found that remdesivir reduced the need for mechanical ventilation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The study involved 1282 patients and showed that those treated with remdesivir were able to come off oxygen and ventilators sooner than those receiving standard care.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 19, 2022

Artificial pancreas proves ‘life-changing’ for very young children with type 1 diabetes and their families

A new artificial pancreas system has been shown to be safe and effective in managing blood sugar levels in very young children with type 1 diabetes. The hybrid closed-loop system, CamAPS FX, reduced average blood sugar levels and improved glucose control without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 19, 2022

Undescended testis: fate of fertility predicted by blood biomarkers

A recent study published in The Journal of Urology found that serum hormone ratios can predict the risk of future infertility in children with cryptorchidism. Researchers discovered that inhibin B levels and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) are significant markers of spermatogenesis, helping to identify boys at high risk of infertility.

SourceNagoya City University·JournalThe Journal of Urology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022

New simulations can improve avalanche forecasting

Researchers developed a new avalanche forecasting method using computer simulations of snow cover, which can detect weak layers and identify hazard in a different way. The approach showed consistent results with observed frequencies over 16 years, offering potential to support forecasting in the future.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalCold Regions Science and Technology·DateJan 19, 2022

Politicians polarize, but experts are trusted, new study on securing support for COVID-19 policies reveals

A recent study by Swansea University found that experts and bipartisan coalitions are more effective in securing public support for COVID-19 policies compared to politicians from one party. The research showed that policies backed by experts gained more support and avoided polarizing effects.

SourceSwansea University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2022

Unveiled the epigenetic mechanism by which vitamin D modulates the tolerance of the immune system

Researchers at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute and the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital discovered that vitamin D activates the tolerance program of dendritic cells through epigenetic modification. This finding offers new hope for treating autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis by optimizing tolerogenic dendritic cells.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

Why don’t people with COVID-19 symptoms get tested?

A new study of over 4 million adults in the UK found that people with COVID-19 symptoms are less likely to get tested due to barriers such as mild symptoms, poor knowledge of nearby testing sites, and certain demographic factors. The study suggests that targeted messaging and improved education are needed to increase test uptake.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateJan 19, 2022

Scientists demonstrate utility of Bilateral Tumor Model for evaluating anti-cancer T-cell responses

A new bilateral tumor model was demonstrated to be useful for investigating the relationship between T-cell repertoire and cancer immunotherapy's therapeutic effects. The study found that T-cell profiles of both tumors were almost identical, indicating a similar anti-tumor response in a single mouse.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

New sensor grids record human brain signals in record-breaking resolution

The new sensor grids offer 100 times higher resolution than existing technology, allowing for more precise identification of seizure origins and preservation of healthy brain tissue. Longer term, the technology holds potential for permanent implantation to improve life quality for people with paralysis or neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

TV watching linked with potentially fatal blood clots

A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that prolonged TV watching is associated with a higher risk of blood clots, including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. To reduce this risk, scientists recommend taking breaks every 30 minutes to stand and stretch or using a stationary bike.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateJan 19, 2022

COVID’s environmental impact: Positives and negatives

The COVID-19 pandemic had both positive and negative impacts on environmental pollution and carbon emissions. The study found that water quality improved globally due to reduced commercial activities, while air pollutants like NO2 and CO decreased in most regions. However, sulphur dioxide and ozone levels increased, and soil contaminat...

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 19, 2022

Satellites reveal world’s most famous ‘mega iceberg’ released 152 billion tonnes of fresh water into ocean as it scraped past South Georgia

Scientists tracked A68A iceberg from its creation to its melting, revealing it released 152 billion tonnes of fresh water near South Georgia. The iceberg's melting influenced local ocean circulation and fostered biological production around the island.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 19, 2022

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2: a therapeutic trial opens new avenues

A recent clinical trial conducted by Prof. Alexandra Durr's team found that riluzole does not improve symptoms in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2, but provided valuable biomarkers for future trials. The study involved 45 patients and revealed a good tolerance and absence of adverse effects.

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 19, 2022

Hollow melanosomes from a 130 million-year-old fossil suggest earliest appearance of brilliant iridescent color in bird feathers

Researchers found hollow melanosomes in a 130-million-year-old fossil, suggesting the earliest appearance of brilliant iridescent color in bird feathers. The discovery was made on an Early Cretaceous basal bird from northern China and provides evidence for the evolution of complex feather colors.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 19, 2022

Artificial intelligence may reduce frequency of adverse drug events

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital conducted a scoping review of 78 articles to identify key use cases for AI in preventing or mitigating adverse drug events (ADEs). Genetic information is thought to be critical in improving AI algorithm performance, but systematic evaluations are necessary to generate evidence for this field.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 19, 2022

Internet use lessens extreme social isolation risk during COVID-19

A study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that increased internet use during COVID-19 lockdowns was associated with reduced risk of hikikomori, a state of marked social withdrawal. The research, which included participants from 45 countries, also highlighted an increased risk related to online gaming.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking·TypeCase study·DateJan 19, 2022

Combination therapies may improve outcomes due to independent, rather than synergistic or additive, drug action

A retrospective analysis of 13 clinical trials found that most combination therapies involving immune checkpoint inhibitors worked due to independent drug action, rather than synergy or additivity. This discovery has implications for cancer clinical trial design and may help improve treatment outcomes.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 19, 2022

Untangling the roots of plant genomes: Supporting a “moonshot” for botany

Researchers outline a roadmap to sequence plant genomes worldwide, aiming to decipher the secrets of plant DNA and advance understanding of ecosystems. The effort is part of the Earth BioGenome Project's 'moonshot' for biology, sequencing all eukaryotic biodiversity over ten years.

SourceFort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 19, 2022

Zeolite nanotube discovery made by researchers at Georgia Tech

The discovery of single-walled zeolitic nanotubes by researchers at Georgia Tech, Stockholm University, and Penn State University has the potential to revolutionize the field of materials science. The team found a unique arrangement of atoms in the zeolite nanotube walls that allows it to form as a 1D tube rather than a 2D or 3D material.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022

International meta-analysis quantifies impact of three prostate cancer therapy intensification strategies

A new meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that adding androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to definitive radiotherapy prevents one cancer from metastasizing for every 10 to 15 men treated. Prolonging adjuvant ADT also showed significant benefits, while neoadjuvant ADT was not effective beyond two months.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 19, 2022

Crystallography for the misfit crystals

Scientists have developed a new technique called small-molecule serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (smSFX) that can reveal the structures of not-so-neat-and-tidy materials. This method uses an exceptional X-ray laser and custom-built image processing algorithms to diffract individual granules of powders, providing a precise sharp...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

Chung-Ang University researchers shows a gold-paved path towards faster COVID-19 diagnosis

Researchers created a novel molecular diagnostic platform that can detect COVID-19 genes after only 8 cycles of amplification, significantly reducing the time required for diagnosis. The new SERS-PCR platform uses gold nanoparticles to produce high-sensitivity signals, providing an important tool in the fight against the pandemic.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

Calcium: important not just for your bones but also for your heart

A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine identified a novel causative gene, BAG5, for dilated cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of heart failure. The researchers found that mutations in this gene can lead to cardiomyopathy and found a potential treatment alternative using adeno-associated viruses (AAV) gene therapy.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

Racial inequity in follow-up appointment attendance after hospitalization disappears as telemedicine adopted

Researchers found that telemedicine improved access to primary care services for Black patients, reducing the historical racial gap in follow-up appointment attendance. Completion rates rose from 52% to 70%, while overall benefits included shorter wait times and higher completion rates via telemedicine.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 19, 2022

New kid on the block: Cerium oxide nanozyme joins the pesticide detection taskforce, according to Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis study

Scientists develop a sensitive electrochemical detector using cerium oxide nanozyme to identify organophosphate pesticides in plants. The method provides an unprecedented wider linear range and a detection limit of 0.06 mmol/L, making it suitable for detecting trace amounts of pesticide residues.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

The role of ribosomes in age-related diseases

Aging leads to protein misfolding, which overwhelms the cell's quality control system. Ribosome dysfunction causes a snowball effect of dysfunction, leading to disease. Insights from yeast and roundworm models suggest a two-pronged situation where aging increases stalling and collisions, but the safety net is lost.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateJan 19, 2022