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Science News for January 21, 2022


Finding a link between emissions taxes and R&D investments

A new study finds a strong link between emissions taxes and increased R&D investments in high-polluting industries with knowledge spillovers. Manufacturers significantly boost R&D spending to adopt cleaner technologies and improve production efficiency without necessarily slowing economic growth.

SourceIowa State University·JournalReview of Financial Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 21, 2022

Trastuzumab with chemoradiation and surgery does not improve outcomes for esophageal cancer patients, trial highlights future research opportunities

The NRG-RTOG 1010 clinical trial found that adding trastuzumab to chemoradiation and surgery did not improve disease-free survival for HER2-positive esophageal adenocarcinoma patients. Despite this, the study highlights future research opportunities to explore combining trastuzumab with other HER2-targeting agents.

SourceNRG Oncology·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJan 21, 2022

Granddaughters and great-granddaughters of men who start to smoke before puberty, have more body fat than expected, research shows

A new study by University of Bristol researchers found increased body fat in females whose grandfathers or great-grandfathers started smoking before puberty. This study extends previous findings on paternal smoking and its effects on sons, now exploring the impact on daughters across multiple generations.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

Children’s Hospital Colorado study explores methods to help reduce injury following successful post-concussion return-to-play

A Children's Hospital Colorado study explores a neuromuscular training intervention to reduce injury risk in athletes returning from sports-related concussions. The research found that athletes who completed the 8-week training program had a significantly lower risk of time-loss injuries compared to those who did not participate.

SourceChildren's Hospital Colorado·JournalThe American Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 21, 2022

In visual memory, size matters

A Bar-Ilan University study found that participants remembered large images 1.5 times more than small ones, regardless of detail or resolution. This phenomenon may affect screen quality and learning on smartphones, suggesting larger screens could be better for studying.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2022

Research finds patients and providers differ in opinions about immediate access to medical records

A recent survey found that while most clinicians and patients agree that transparency is essential, providers are concerned about added stress for patients due to complex reports. Patients want providers to contact them within 24 hours of abnormal results, but clinicians struggle with managing time and navigating data.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe American Journal of Surgery·TypeSurvey·DateJan 21, 2022

Consistent asteroid showers rock previous thinking on Mars craters

Researchers have confirmed that the frequency of asteroid collisions forming impact craters on Mars has been consistent over the past 600 million years. The study used a crater detection algorithm to analyze more than 500 large Martian craters and found no significant variation in asteroid collision frequencies.

SourceCurtin University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

What we know and don’t know about interventions to address gender-related barriers to girls’ education

The review identified several promising approaches to address financial barriers, lack of academic support, and school-related gender-based violence. However, evidence gaps remain for many other interventions, including those targeting child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and menstrual health supplies.

SourcePopulation Council·JournalCampbell Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 21, 2022

More than a third of care home residents in England caught Covid-19 in early waves of pandemic

A UK study found that over a third of care home residents and a quarter of staff in England showed evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first two waves of the pandemic. The study also revealed that antibodies against the virus became undetectable in half of the population within eight months.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

How robots learn to hike

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new control technology that enables ANYmal, a quadrupedal robot, to combine visual perception of its environment with proprioception-based sensing. This allows the robot to tackle rough terrain faster and more efficiently.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022

COVID virus linked with headaches, altered mental status in hospitalized kids

A new study found that hospitalized children who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were more likely to develop neurological symptoms, including headache and altered mental status. The research also showed that these symptoms were more common in kids with MIS-C, a condition characterized by fever, inflammation, and organ dysfunction.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalPediatric Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

Using ice to boil water: Researcher makes heat transfer discovery that expands on 18th century principle

Researchers found that levitating ice requires a significantly higher temperature threshold than liquid water, with the meltwater layer creating a temperature differential that consumes most of the surface's heat. This results in a larger temperature window for boiling, leading to better heat transfer compared to using a liquid alone.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateJan 21, 2022

Rusting iron can be its own worst enemy

Researchers at Rice University found that iron itself plays a role in its own corrosion when exposed to supercritical CO2 and trace amounts of water. Thin layers of 2D materials like graphene can serve as a barrier to prevent corrosion.

SourceRice University·JournalMatter·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 21, 2022

Social media use tied to poor physical health

A study by University at Buffalo researchers found a correlation between excessive social media use and higher levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of chronic inflammation. Participants who used social media excessively also reported more frequent visits to doctors and health centers for illness treatment.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022

Exploring fish flow from fisheries to supper

Researchers developed unprecedented insights into the natural and commercial flow of fish, highlighting the importance of inclusive approaches to fisheries management and conservation. The study's findings indicate a strong connection between larval dispersal and catch distribution in Hawaii, emphasizing the need for community-based ma...

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 21, 2022

Germanium halides serve as ideal precursors to synthesize high-quality perovskite nanocrystals

A research group from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics used non-toxic GeX4 as precursors to synthesize Pb-free and Pb-based PNCs with improved optoelectronic quality. They attributed this success to better control over halide ion release, resulting in regular crystal surfaces with fewer point defects.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNano Letters·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 21, 2022

AI light-field camera reads 3D facial expressions​

A joint research team at KAIST developed a technique for facial expression detection using near-infrared light-field cameras and AI technology. The resulting NIR-based light-field camera (NIR-LFC) acquired high-quality 3D reconstruction images of facial expressions regardless of lighting conditions.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022

Investigation identifies recurring diagnostic pitfalls and points to ways that uncovering pitfalls can help improve medical diagnosis

A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital investigated diagnostic pitfalls in primary care, identifying patterns of errors and creating a taxonomy of generic types. The findings highlight disease-specific and generic cross-cutting pitfalls that clinicians can use to inform educational and quality improvement efforts.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

Researchers led by UCLA Health call for more work to address overlooked issues affecting women with Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers identified gaps in care and treatment for women with Parkinson's Disease, highlighting the need for personalized medicine and psychosocial support. The study calls for increased attention to sex and gender differences in PD management.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalMovement Disorders·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 21, 2022

New guidelines on pelvic girdle pain in the postpartum period – Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy presents evidence-based recommendations

Postpartum pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a complex condition requiring a multidisciplinary care approach. The new clinical practice guideline presents evidence-based recommendations for physical therapy management, including a hybrid diagnostic model and classification system.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Womenʼs Health Physical Therapy·DateJan 21, 2022