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Science News Archive January 2022 - Page 13


Page 13 of 34

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

Into the vortex

Researchers at Texas Tech University use supercomputers to analyze the dynamics of vortices and turbulence, finding that reconnection can lead to the formation of new structures. The study aims to improve fuel efficiency for cars and develop energy-saving aircraft designs.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·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

Vaccine hesitance dropped faster among Blacks, study finds

A new study found that Black Americans who were initially hesitant about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine warmed up to the idea as the pandemic wore on and viewed vaccines as necessary for protection. The research highlights the importance of addressing access barriers, not just distrust or skepticism.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 21, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

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
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Study | Civic engagement does not improve well-being

Researchers from Germany and UK found that civic engagement has little impact on well-being, despite common assumptions. Non-political engagement in old age showed a small positive effect on life satisfaction, but other benefits were limited.

SourceUniversity of Vechta·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 21, 2022

Mange outbreak decimated a wild vicuña population in Argentina

A study published in PLOS ONE found that a mange outbreak in San Guillermo National Park, Argentina decimated the wild vicuña and guanaco populations, with nearly three-quarters of the animals lost between 2017-18. The authors suggest domestic llamas introduced to the site may have triggered the outbreak.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

Sidewinding young stellar jets spied by Gemini South

Astronomers have captured detailed images of sinuous stellar jets emanating from young stars, suggesting that their sidewinding appearances are caused by gravitational attraction from companion stars. The observations were made using the Gemini South telescope's adaptive optics system.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

Late-life exercise shows rejuvenating effects on cellular level

A study published in Aging Cell found that late-life exercise can reverse skeletal muscle epigenetic aging in mice, making them appear 8 weeks younger than sedentary mice of the same age. The researchers used a weighted exercise wheel to stimulate muscle growth and reduce DNA methylation, a biological process linked to aging.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalAging Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

UMass Lowell is working to freeze-dry COVID vaccines

Researchers at UMass Lowell are developing a production method to freeze-dry COVID-19 vaccines activated by messenger-RNA, eliminating the need for refrigeration. The innovation could ease supply chain issues and deliver lifesaving immunizations to more people worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell·DateJan 20, 2022

Like tiny drill sergeants, neurons identified in spinal cord coordinate our steps

Researchers identified a single type of neuron responsible for coordinating leg movement in the spinal cord, which was found to be necessary and sufficient for locomotor behavior. The findings have important implications for developing new treatments for people with spinal cord injuries or motor disorders.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2022
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

HNRCA launches national center for precision health

The HNRCA will collect data from a cohort of 2,000 people to develop algorithms predicting individual responses to diet and nutrition. The goal is to create personalized nutrition recommendations based on factors like genetics, metabolism, and environment.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·DateJan 20, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Study finds fewer breakthrough COVID-19 infections, lower risk of hospitalization in those who received Moderna vaccine compared to Pfizer–BioNTech

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that those who received the Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccine have a lower risk of experiencing 'breakthrough' COVID-19 cases compared to recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine. The study also found that Moderna recipients were less likely to be hospital...

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateJan 20, 2022

The 10-gene pig and other medical science advances enabled UAB’s transplant of a pig kidney into a brain-dead human recipient

UAB surgeons successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead human recipient, testing safety and feasibility in a novel human preclinical model. The experiment showed that the xenograft perfused normally and maintained vascular integrity, paving the way for potential treatment of thousands with organ failu...

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Is Vesuvius taking an extended siesta?

Researchers at ETH Zurich analyzed garnet crystals from volcanic deposits to infer magma chamber residence times. They found that phonolitic magma stored in the upper crust for several thousand years before triggering an eruption, and a reservoir of this magma has existed beneath Vesuvius for the last 10'000 years.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2022

Injuries to primary visual cortex cause long-term dysfunction of neural circuits

Research found that even mild head injuries can lead to a 35% reduction in primary visual cortex neurons and decreased neuronal activity, resulting in persistent visual impairment. The study used adult mice and showed that TBI affects inhibitory neurons more than excitatory ones.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJan 20, 2022
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

INRiM demonstrates a new technique for improving long-distance quantum key distribution in a real field

Researchers at INRIM demonstrate a novel method for enhancing long-distance quantum key distribution by leveraging coherent laser interferometry, single-photon technologies, and quantum metrology. This breakthrough enables lower error rates and increased message length, paving the way for more efficient QKD protocols.

SourceINRIM - Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 20, 2022

Predicting Long COVID at initial point of COVID-19 diagnosis

Researchers have identified several factors that can predict the development of long COVID, including the presence of certain autoantibodies, pre-existing Type 2 diabetes, and low cortisol levels. The study found that administering antivirals early in the disease course may also prevent some long COVID symptoms.

SourceInstitute for Systems Biology·JournalCell·DateJan 20, 2022

New study reports mask-wearing experiences of adults with asthma

A recent study found that 84% of adults with asthma experience discomfort while wearing a mask, and 75% report trouble breathing or shortness of breath. The study also discovered an association between poorer asthma control and higher symptoms while wearing a mask.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeSurvey·DateJan 20, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Scientists build bioreactors and engineer bacteria to advance biofuel research

Researchers have designed and built bioreactors at a fraction of the cost of commercial systems to investigate bacterial biofuel production. A subtle change to a single gene can result in remarkable changes to how sugars are converted to biofuel products, revealing new avenues for improving biofuel production.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalMicrobial Biotechnology·DateJan 20, 2022

UCLA-led meta-analysis may help guide treatment planning for patients with high-risk prostate cancer

A UCLA-led meta-analysis of individual patient data from three cohorts found that patients receiving high-dose external beam radiation therapy alone may benefit from longer androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) durations, while those with external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy boost may be optimally managed with shorter ADT. Th...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 20, 2022

Creating sustainable material from waste

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a low-pressure method to convert industrially processed biomass into high-performance plastics and valuable chemicals. The process uses glycerin as a solvent instead of methanol, reducing costs and environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 20, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Will prescription diets treat and prevent chronic disease?

A new federally funded study will use machine learning to create a first-of-its-kind algorithm predicting individual responses to food and dietary routines. The National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program will recruit 10,000 participants nationwide.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·DateJan 20, 2022

Cannabis use produces persistent cognitive impairments

A systematic review of 43,000 participants found cannabis use leads to acute cognitive impairments that persist beyond intoxication. Cannabis intoxication impairs areas including concentration and memory, with potential consequences for daily life, education, and work performance.

SourceSociety for the Study of Addiction·JournalAddiction·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 20, 2022

Confined Ni–In intermetallic alloy nanocatalyst for methane dry reforming

Researchers have developed a new nanocatalyst for the dry reforming of methane, overcoming coking resistance with its confined core-shell structure. The catalyst's superior carbon resistance is attributed to the confinement and electron transfer between In and Ni.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of Energy Chemistry·DateJan 20, 2022

UAB announces first clinical-grade transplant of gene-edited pig kidneys into brain-dead human

Researchers at UAB successfully transplanted genetically modified pig kidneys into a brain-dead human, demonstrating the feasibility of xenotransplantation. The kidneys functioned for 77 hours without immediate rejection, paving the way for potential treatment of thousands suffering from kidney failure.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2022
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

How do tics develop?

A team of researchers from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin has identified a neural network that generates tics, which could lead to improved treatment of people with Tourette syndrome. The study found that targeting this network via deep brain stimulation can alleviate symptoms in patients.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalBrain·DateJan 20, 2022

Lung cancer screening among non-smoking women in Taiwan led to overdiagnosi

A study found that lung cancer screening among non-smoking women in Taiwan has led to a 6-fold increase in early-stage diagnoses, while late-stage cancer and death rates remain stable. The researchers estimate that between 7,000 and 12,000 Taiwanese women have been overdiagnosed with lung cancer.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 20, 2022

New data suggest machine learning algorithms can accurately predict C. diff infection in hospitalized patients

Researchers used electronic health record data from over 700 hospitals to train and evaluate three machine learning algorithms, finding that XGBoost provided the highest accuracy in predicting CDI among hospitalized patients. The study suggests that MLAs can help reduce the clinical and economic impact of healthcare-associated infections.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 20, 2022

How scientists designed the assembly method of 3-arm robot to fix the load plate on space station?

Researchers developed an autonomous assembly method for a 3-arm robot to fix a multi-pin and hole load plate on a space station. This solution tackles the challenges of complex environmental lighting and matching multiple groups of holes and pins in the task. The study reduces astronaut safety risks by leveraging robots instead of humans.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2022

Towards compact quantum computers thanks to topology

Scientists have compared electron distribution in two semiconductors to develop stable topological quantum bits for quantum computing. Indium antimonide shows a low electron density below its oxide layer, which is advantageous for forming Majorana fermions and creating compact, efficient quantum computers.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalAdvanced Quantum Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2022
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

*Free* Nervous system consequences of COVID-19

Acute COVID-19 infection can lead to various neurological symptoms, including confusion, stroke, and depression, which persist months after infection. The authors propose possible mechanisms, such as vascular and immune dysfunction, that may give rise to these symptoms and trigger future neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 20, 2022

Fickle sunshine slows down Rubisco and limits photosynthetic productivity of crops

Researchers discovered that Rubisco's activity drops more rapidly in cowpea leaves when they go into the shade, resulting in missed opportunities to convert sunlight into sugars. This imperfection could be shared with other crops and may lead to targeted breeding for improved productivity.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2022

Reinterpreting our brain's body maps

A study by Professor Kazumichi Matsumiya from Tohoku University's Graduate School of Information Sciences has discovered separate body maps for different motor systems. This finding can contribute to the development of new diagnostic techniques and rehabilitation strategies for patients with motor dysfunctions.

SourceTohoku University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Introducing: New ultra-fast cell sorter that allows rapid genome-scale cellular studies

A new ultra-fast cell sorter uses fluorescence imaging to enable genome-scale studies of complex phenotypes, expanding the accessible phenotypic space for cell sorting applications. This technique can rapidly isolate and quantify cells with diverse phenotypes, including those with differently localized proteins or in different mitotic ...

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 20, 2022

Two worlds of residents: Car owners look at shared urban courtyards differently from pedestrians

A study found that car owners place a higher value on green spaces in shared courtyards, with a twofold increase in attention to trees making the area 30% more attractive. This internal conflict highlights the need for architects and developers to prioritize green spaces in construction planning.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalUrban Forestry & Urban Greening·DateJan 20, 2022

Social isolation among older adults linked to having fewer teeth

A new study of Chinese older adults found that higher levels of social isolation are associated with having fewer teeth and losing teeth more quickly over time. Despite this, loneliness was not linked to the number of remaining teeth or tooth loss rate.

SourceNew York University·JournalCommunity Dentistry And Oral Epidemiology·DateJan 20, 2022
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Oral immunotherapy induces remission of peanut allergy in some young children

A clinical trial found that peanut oral immunotherapy desensitized most highly allergic children and induced remission in one-fifth. Younger children and those with lower levels of peanut-specific antibodies were more likely to achieve remission, with 71% of 1-year-olds experiencing remission.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 20, 2022