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Science News Archive January 2022 - Page 28


Page 28 of 34

Reducing air pollution could lower dementia risk

A new study found that reducing air pollution can lower dementia risk among older women by decreasing their likelihood of developing dementia. The benefits were consistent despite differences among participants in age, geographic area, socioeconomic background, and other factors.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJan 10, 2022

Researchers Switch Off Gene to Switch On Ultraviolet in Butterfly Wings

A team of researchers at George Washington University identified a gene that determines whether ultraviolet iridescence appears in the wings of butterflies. Removing this gene from non-iridescent species leads to UV coloration in their wings, highlighting its critical role in evolutionary differences between species.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 10, 2022

Ohio study finds recent growth and sudden declines in Antarctic sea ice to be unique changes since the early 20th century

A recent Ohio University study provides the first complete estimate of total Antarctic sea ice extent back through the 20th century, revealing unique changes in climate patterns. The research shows a regime shift with increases in sea ice since 1979 and sudden declines throughout the early and middle 20th century.

SourceOhio University·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 10, 2022

Rapid preparation of CdSe thin-film solar cells

A new rapid thermal evaporation method was developed to deposit high-quality CdSe thin films, enabling the creation of efficient CdSe solar cells. The study achieved an efficiency of 1.88% in a Si-based tandem configuration, demonstrating potential for high-performance solar cells.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2022

UCI-led team first to discover new neural circuits that regulate spatial learning and memory in the brain’s hippocampal formation

A UCI-led research team has identified novel functional roles of new circuit connections between the CA1 region and dorsal CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Genetic inactivation of this projection impairs object-related spatial learning and memory, but does not modulate anxiety-related behaviors.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 10, 2022

Using a different language can reduce vaccine hesitancy

A new study found that providing health information in a foreign language can reduce vaccine hesitancy. In a study conducted in Hong Kong, participants who received the same information in Cantonese showed lower willingness to get vaccinated compared to those who received it in English. The researchers suggest that language choice shou...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·TypeSurvey·DateJan 10, 2022

Manifolds in commonly used atomic fingerprints lead to failure in machine-learning four-body interactions

Researchers found that two commonly used atomic fingerprints, ACSF and SOAP, are insensitive to certain movements, leading to the failure of machine learning in resolving four-body interactions. This limitation affects the accuracy of reproducing these interactions with limited success.

SourceNational Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) MARVEL·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 10, 2022

How the Amazon basin waters the Atacama Desert

Researchers discover Amazon basin as main mechanism for precipitation in Atacama Desert, accounting for 40-80% of total precipitation. The findings reveal a new pathway of water supply for the driest region on Earth, aside from summer rain, through moist easterly winds and winter storms.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 10, 2022

Breakthrough into the cause of male infertility

Scientists at Newcastle University have discovered a new genetic mechanism that causes severe forms of male infertility. The study found that new mutations occurring during reproduction play a significant role in this condition. This breakthrough could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for infertile couples.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 10, 2022

Boosting one gene in the brain’s helper cells slows Alzheimer’s progression in mice

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that increasing Nrf2 gene expression in astrocytes protects neurons from Alzheimer's disease progression. Boosting Nrf2 slowed cognitive and physical decline, reduced beta-amyloid accumulation, and reversed genetic changes in mouse models.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 10, 2022

Personalizing treatment for severe limb injuries

A team of scientists at the University of Missouri used small wearable sensors to gather data on how people with a traumatic hand amputation use a prosthesis versus a transplanted hand. The study found that hand transplant recipients exhibit a more balanced pattern of limb use, while prosthesis users rely heavily on their prosthetic hand.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNeurorehabilitation and Neural Repair·DateJan 10, 2022

Scientists uncover new information about cellular death process, previously thought to be irreversible

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a new method for analyzing pyroptosis, a process of cell death previously thought to be irreversible. By using optogenetic gasdermin, they found that certain conditions can trigger pores to close within tens of seconds, suggesting the process dynamically self-regulates.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2022

Dengue virus makes mosquitos bite more often to better transmit disease

A study published in PNAS reveals that dengue-infected mosquitoes are more attracted to mammals and bite more often, increasing disease transmission chances. The research found that infected mosquitoes have difficulty locating blood vessels for feeding, leading to increased biting attempts and transmission events.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJan 10, 2022

Atom-optically synthetic gauge fields for a noninteracting Bose gas

Scientists demonstrated experimental realization of an atom-optically synthetic gauge field in a noninteracting Bose gas of Cs atoms. They observed gauge flux-dependent populations and chiral atomic currents, which are significant for understanding gauge fields in synthetic dimensions.

Pheasants lose their cool after fighting

A study by University of Exeter scientists found that pheasants' heads cool rapidly before a fight, indicating a stress response. After the confrontation, their heads heat up again as normal blood flow is restored.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJan 9, 2022

Unintended consequences of edicts to wear a mask

A study by University of Leeds researchers found that compulsory mask wearing in Bangladesh led to an increase in mobility and a rise in COVID-19 cases. The study analyzed Google community mobility data and found statistically significant evidence of risk compensation, where people adopted riskier behavior if they felt safer with masks.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 9, 2022

Growing liver from spleen

Researchers successfully reprogrammed a mouse spleen to perform liver functions without transplanting cells or tissue from another body. The study demonstrates the potential of transforming an existing organ to perform liver functions, avoiding safety issues associated with traditional methods.

SourceNanjing University School of Life Sciences·JournalGut·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2022