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Science News Archive January 2022 - Page 23


Page 23 of 34

How do the effects of childhood abuse extend into middle age?

Researchers found that women who experienced childhood sexual abuse developed blunted cortisol profiles, associated with health problems like depression and anxiety. Epigenetic age acceleration also contributed to these effects. The study aims to understand resilience to trauma and develop interventions for those affected.

SourcePenn State·JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 13, 2022

When water is coming from all sides

A team of researchers, including NOAA and William & Mary, has developed the world's first three-dimensional operational storm surge model, called SCHISM. The model forecasts coastal flooding in complex coastal regions by incorporating fine-scale features like engineered structures and culverts into its forecasts.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalNatural Hazards·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 13, 2022

Meeting ATS-recommended air quality standards would save thousands of lives

The American Thoracic Society recommends limiting long-term PM2.5 exposure to 8 µg/m³ and short-term exposure to 25 µg/m³, which could prevent an estimated 14,650 deaths and 33,000 additional illnesses. Implementing these standards could save thousands of lives by reducing morbidity and mortality from air pollution.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 13, 2022

Powerful sensors on planes detect crop nitrogen with high accuracy

Researchers from the University of Illinois developed a system using hyperspectral sensors on planes to quickly and accurately detect nitrogen status in corn crops. The technology achieved up to 85% accuracy and has potential for use in satellites, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about nitrogen side-dressing.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation·DateJan 13, 2022

Plants: RNA notes to self

Plant cells use RNA signals to coordinate growth, but these signals require a special escort protein to reach the right cells. Without this protein, plants fail to develop properly, highlights a crucial step in understanding how information is exchanged between cells.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJan 13, 2022

Lost birds and mammals spell doom for some plants

Researchers found animal-dispersed plant species' ability to adapt to climate change reduced by 60% due to bird and mammal losses. Global seed dispersal mapping revealed severe declines in temperate regions, with tropical areas at high risk if endangered species go extinct.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 13, 2022

Some birds sing the same song for hundreds of thousands of years

A recent study by UC Berkeley and Missouri State University scientists found that East African sunbirds have retained their songs for over 500,000 years, with some changes occurring in pulses. This discovery suggests that environmental stability may constrain the evolution of social signals like song.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2022

Unmuting the genome

Researchers at TUM and MPIMG decipher the molecular mechanisms responsible for deactivating genes in genomic imprinting. By removing known epigenetic 'off switches', they discovered that DNA methylation and Polycomb enzymes play a crucial role in silencing genes.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2022

Whole spine MRI suspected child abuse

A retrospective study found that whole-spine MRI commonly demonstrates isolated thoracolumbar injuries in children with suspected abusive head trauma. The study included 256 children who underwent whole-spine MRI as part of their evaluation, revealing that 23% of examinations showed injuries localized to the thoracolumbar spine.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2022

Listening to the leaves: Adding bioinspired veins to foamed polymers

A research team at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology developed a chemical process to mimic trees' vascular systems in foamed polymers, adding structure and enabling directional fluid transport. The team discovered that increasing or decreasing gelation time enables direct control over the foam's cellular structure.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2022

Stress associated with an increased risk of getting Covid-19, study finds

A new study found that people experiencing increased stress, anxiety, and depression during the pandemic were more likely to contract Covid-19 and experience severe symptoms. The research, led by Professor Kavita Vedhara, suggests that psychological distress may be a significant factor in increasing susceptibility to viral respiratory ...

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2022

People with hearing prostheses use timbre of voice to recognise emotions

Researchers at Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena investigated how people with cochlear implants perceive vocal emotions. They found that the group with cochlear implants showed lower scores overall in recognizing emotional nuances, but some individuals could effectively utilize timbre to distinguish between fearful and angry voices.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalEar and Hearing·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 12, 2022

US may have been responsible for almost half of recent past illegal tiger trade

A new study reveals that the US has played a significant role in the trafficking of tiger parts, with San Francisco, Dallas, and Atlanta emerging as major entry points. The research suggests that the scale of trade may have been underestimated, with seizures of illegal tiger products totaling 292 during 2003-2012.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalConservation Science and Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2022

Researchers identify a disordered region of Src protein that regulates its oncogenic capacity

A study by University of Barcelona and University of Montpellier researchers reveals that mutations in the disordered region of Src protein inhibit its oncogenic capacity in colon cancer cells. This finding suggests a novel layer of regulation by this unique region, providing new insights into malignant cell transformation.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalOncogene·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2022

Should e-cigarettes be licensed as medicines?

E-cigarette medicinal licensing may help smokers quit, but its effectiveness and societal risks are debated. Critics argue that licensed e-cigarettes could weaken sustainable cessation strategies and distract from other efforts to achieve the UK's smoke-free goal by 2030.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 12, 2022

Under a moon spell: Shark attacks related to lunar phases

Research from LSU and University of Florida found a correlation between lunar phases and shark attacks, with more incidents occurring during periods of higher illumination. The study analyzed global data from the International Shark Attack File and suggests that lunar forces may play a role in shark behavior.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2022

Thaw of permafrost has vast impact on built environment

A recent review highlights the devastating impact of permafrost thaw on infrastructure in the Arctic region, with damages ranging from less than 10% to as high as 80%. The region's transport and pipeline networks are particularly vulnerable, with costs projected to exceed 30 billion euros by 2060.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 12, 2022

Survival rate of adult patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia after hematopoietic cell transplantation has steadily increased over the past two decades

Survival rates for adult patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after hematopoietic cell transplantation have increased significantly over the past two decades. The two-year overall survival rate rose from 27.8% in 2000-2004 to 54.8% in 2015-2019, despite a significant increase in patient age at relapse.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 12, 2022

Atom by atom: new silicon computer chip technique opens up quantum computing construction possibilities

A team of researchers has developed a new technique to embed single atoms in silicon wafers, mirroring methods used to build conventional devices. The technique creates large-scale patterns of controlled atoms that can be manipulated and read out, enabling the construction of large-scale quantum devices.

SourceScience in Public·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2022

Environment key to injury recovery

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that injured Black men from disadvantaged neighborhoods experience higher mortality rates and psychological symptoms due to their environmental surroundings. The study emphasizes the need for intervention at critical windows of care, including better communication ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJan 12, 2022

ASTRO issues clinical guideline on external beam radiation therapy for primary liver cancers

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a new clinical guideline outlining the use of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to treat adult patients with primary liver cancers. The guidelines emphasize multidisciplinary care and provide evidence-based recommendations on indications, dosing, techniques, and trea...

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalPractical Radiation Oncology·DateJan 12, 2022