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Science News for January 28, 2022


New study: 14 units a week still harmful to health

A new study published in Clinical Nutrition found that drinking less than the UK's recommended 14 units of alcohol per week increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a 23% increased risk of suffering a cardiovascular event for every additional 1.5 pints of beer consumed.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalClinical Nutrition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 28, 2022

Extremely harsh volcanic lake shows how life might have existed on Mars

A recent study discovered that a hydrothermal crater lake in Costa Rica's Poás volcano is home to a diverse range of microorganisms, including the single 'extremophile' genus Acidiphilium. These bacteria have adapted to survive in extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and toxic metals, which may be similar to those found on Mars.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2022

Leafy greens first dished up 3,500 years ago

Researchers from Goethe University and the University of Bristol analyzed prehistoric pots and found complex distributions of plant lipids, indicating the processing of various plant species. The study reveals that leafy greens were first used in West African cuisine around 3,500 years ago.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 28, 2022

Western Pacific tropical easterly jet significantly modulates tropical cyclone genesis over the western North Pacific

The study reveals that the Tropical easterly jet significantly modulates tropical cyclone genesis over the western North Pacific. The intensified WP_TEJ results in strong northerly winds, inducing large-scale divergence and upward motion that favors deep convection and TC formation.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 28, 2022

Rural residents tend to hold fatalistic beliefs and perceive more cancer-related information overload than urban residents

A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that rural residents are more likely to think fatally about cancer and feel information overload compared to urban adults. Lower education levels were associated with increased fatalism and information overload.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateJan 28, 2022

Researchers reveal the conduction band engineering of half-Heusler thermoeletrics with orbital chemistry

Half-Heusler compounds have been a focus of thermoelectric research, but n-type HH materials have lagged behind in improvements due to conduction band limitations. Researchers engineered conduction band convergence through orbital chemistry, boosting Seebeck coefficient and suppressing lattice thermal conductivity.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateJan 28, 2022

Novel strategy provides simple solution for stellarator permanent magnet design

Researchers developed a new 'two-step' magnet design strategy to standardize permanent magnet blocks, improving assembly accuracy and reducing technical barriers. The design enables mass production of identical cubic magnet blocks, which can be arranged in Halbach arrays for higher field strength.

New genetic clues on multiple sclerosis risk

A study published in Neuron suggests that oligodendrocytes and immune cells may play a crucial role in multiple sclerosis (MS) development. The research found that genetic mutations near immune genes can activate nearby genes in oligodendrocytes, potentially leading to misfunction and MS risk.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2022

Thawing permafrost can accelerate global warming

A study found that thawing permafrost in the Arctic releases large amounts of previously unaccounted-for carbon dioxide, amplifying global warming. The research team determined that up to 80% of this CO2 comes from ancient organic matter and 18% from inorganic sources.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalFrontiers in Earth Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2022

A link between early maturation and better aerobic performance identified in juvenile salmon

A study at the University of Helsinki identified a link between early sexual maturation and improved aerobic performance in juvenile salmon. Genetic variations associated with early maturity were found to enhance basal metabolism and energy production, leading to better overall performance.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London B Biological Sciences·DateJan 28, 2022

Don’t care about reputation? The surprising association between high-reputation underwriting firms and low-quality IPO companies in a nascent stock market

In a nascent market, high-reputation underwriters choose low-quality IPO firms due to higher fees, while long-term reputation concerns are sacrificed. As regulations strengthen, their client-picking behaviors adapt, prioritizing high-quality firms over fee-driven choices.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Entrepreneurship Journal·TypeCase study·DateJan 28, 2022

Post-mortem interval of human skeletal remains accurately determined by means of non-destructive techniques

A new model using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics has been developed to accurately determine the post-mortem interval (PMI) in human skeletal remains. This non-destructive technique provides valuable information for forensic medicine and anthropology, improving reliability and accuracy.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalForensic Science International·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2022

Scientists observe high-resolution slow photoelectron spectrum of sulfuric acid

Researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science have obtained the first high-resolution slow photoelectron spectrum of sulfuric acid (H2SO4), revealing three electronic states and dissociation into HSO3+ and OH fragments. The findings provide fundamental data for in-depth understanding of atmospheric nucleation mechanism.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateJan 28, 2022

Risk appetite of banks for small merchant renewable energy plants remains low

A recent study published in the KeAi journal found that commercial banks continue to view small merchant renewable energy projects as risky, despite the trend towards 'greening of banks'. Government banks in the Philippines were more open to providing credit to these developers, highlighting the need for innovative financing solutions.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalGlobal Transitions·TypeCase study·DateJan 28, 2022

Txikispora philomaios, a parasite that will help to explain the origin of animal multicellularity

Researchers discovered a new parasite, Txikispora philomaios, which evolved shortly after the common ancestor of animals and fungi, before its multicellularity was developed. The study provides insights into how animal multicellularity developed through cell communication and specialization.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalJournal of Eukaryotic Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2022

Underestimated ozone production in cities: Researchers observe higher HOx with self-developed instrument

A recent study by researchers at Hefei Institutes of Physical Science found that local ozone generation was greatly underestimated under high NOx conditions. They observed higher HOx levels using a self-developed instrument and attributed the discrepancy to complex carbonyls-related oxidation under elevated photochemistry.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateJan 28, 2022

Research team at NYU Tandon discovers mechanical basis for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Researchers at NYU Tandon have discovered the mechanical basis for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a complex vascular disease. They identified Piezo1, a novel culprit of mechanically fatigued aorta in AAA, and found that inhibition of Piezo1 prevents mice from developing AAA by alleviating pathological vascular remodeling.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2022

Wide-visible-light-responsive photocatalyst boosts solar water splitting

Researchers from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics developed a highly efficient Z-scheme OWS system, achieving benchmarked apparent quantum efficiency and solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency over particulate inorganic semiconductor photocatalysts driven by visible light. The system utilizes Ir as reduction cocatalyst and ...

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 28, 2022

Study: Nearly 1 in 7 COVID patients in ICU experienced severe bleeding when given full-dose blood thinners

A recent University at Buffalo-led study found that nearly 1 in 7 COVID patients in ICU experienced severe bleeding when given full-dose blood thinners. The research compared the safety and effectiveness of two blood clot treatment strategies, finding that a smaller dose was equally effective but carried less bleeding risk.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalHospital Pharmacy·DateJan 28, 2022

Acceleration of cancer biomarker detection for point of care diagnostics

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new approach to detect cancer biomarkers in human serum, reducing the detection time from hours to just one minute. This method uses magnetic-plasmonic nanoparticles and photonic resonator absorption microscopy to achieve high selectivity and rapid sample-to-answer analysis.

Oregon State hemp vs. COVID researcher thinks preclinical trials will happen in ‘next few months’

Researchers at Oregon State University have identified two hemp compounds that can block the coronavirus from entering human cells. Preclinical trials are expected to begin within a few months, and the study's findings suggest these compounds may be effective against variants of SARS-CoV-2.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Natural Products·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2022

Smartphone, M.D.: Going viral

A new smartphone app and lab kit can rapidly detect COVID-19 and flu viruses, providing a platform for inexpensive home-based testing. The system uses a smartphone's camera to measure a chemical reaction, achieving accurate diagnosis in 25 minutes at a fraction of the cost of current diagnostic methods.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 28, 2022

Precision machining produces tiny, light-guiding cubes for advancing info tech

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory created tiny electrically conductive cubes that interact with light and organize them in patterned structures to confine and relay electromagnetic signals. The cubes support collective waves of electrons, called plasmons, with the same frequency as light waves but with much tighter confinement.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2022

Exotic cocktail in the atmosphere of extreme exoplanet

The study reveals the presence of titanium oxide in the atmosphere of WASP-189b, a hot gas giant planet 322 light years from Earth. The researchers used high-resolution spectroscopy to analyze the exoplanet's atmosphere, finding a layered type of chemistry that suggests three-dimensional effects and winds play a crucial role.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 28, 2022

A game changer in water electrolysis technology for production of green hydrogen energy

Researchers developed a novel high-performance anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) technology that significantly improves durability and performance while lowering production costs. The new technology achieved a record cell performance of 7.68 A/cm2 and has the potential for large-scale commercialization.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJan 28, 2022

Solving a superconducting mystery with more precise computations

Researchers used a new method to study phonons and electrons in cuprates, resolving the basis for high-temperature superconductivity. The method, developed by Clemson University's Yao Wang, enabled accurate calculations of electron-phonon coupling and its impact on neighboring electrons.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 28, 2022

Fine Sediment in Open Water

This book provides a fundamental understanding of the physical, biological, and chemical processes governing fine sediment transport in open water. It covers various spatial and temporal scales, from micro-scale to system-wide, and discusses interactions between disciplines such as hydrodynamics and soft soil mechanics.