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Science News Archive January 2022 - Page 4


Page 4 of 34

Genetic and lifestyle calculator reveals which younger adults are most at risk of colorectal cancer

A new polygenic risk score is made from genetic variants and lifestyle factors to identify younger adults at risk of colorectal cancer. The study found those with the highest risk scores were four times more likely to develop colorectal cancers than those with lower scores.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 27, 2022

Schools and the pandemic: Simulation model allows for safe operation

Researchers developed a school simulation model that shows how the virus spreads in different settings and calculates the effectiveness of measures against its spread. The model reveals that elementary and lower secondary schools can keep reproduction rates below 1 with classroom ventilation, wearing masks, and class size reduction.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 27, 2022

BU study: infant deaths from RSV are much higher than previously known

A new BU study found that nearly one in ten infant deaths under 6 months old were caused by RSV, with two-thirds occurring outside of hospitals. The virus was primarily concentrated in infants under 3 months old, and preventative measures such as maternal vaccinations could effectively reduce mortality rates.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 27, 2022

Review highlights potential of structural proteomics for treating neurodegenerative diseases

A recent review highlights the potential of structural proteomics in understanding pathological processes and predicting drug candidates for neurodegenerative diseases. The field combines protein chemistry and mass spectrometry to determine protein structure and interactions, which can lead to breakthroughs in treating serious health c...

Another pandemic challenge for nurses: Sleep problems

A recent study found that more than half of nurses experienced difficulty sleeping during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with reduced sleep increasing odds of anxiety and depression. The researchers urge employers to address work stress and provide support for mental healthcare.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateJan 27, 2022

Parental vaccination against coronavirus offers substantial protection to children as well

A large real-world study published by Israel's Clalit Research Institute found that parental vaccination with the BNT162b2 vaccine decreased the risk of infection for unvaccinated children by 58.1%, regardless of household size or child age. Vaccination also reduced transmission from infected parents to their unvaccinated children.

SourceClalit Research Institute·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateJan 27, 2022

Scientists make a new type of optical device using alumina

Researchers from Kavli Institute and University of Minnesota create new optical element using alumina, improving telescope performance in studying cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. The innovation reduces reflections by fifty-fold, allowing for more efficient instruments to study the Big Bang and universe's evolution.

Coral skeleton formation rate determines resilience to acidifying oceans

Researchers found that coral species with faster skeletal crystallization rates are more resilient to ocean acidification. A team of UW-Madison students contributed to the analysis and were co-authors on the study. The findings have significant implications for developing mitigation strategies against ocean acidification.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2022

Near-chirp-free pulses in normal-dispersion fiber lasers: birefringence-managed solitons

Researchers have discovered a new class of chirp-free pulse in normal-dispersion fiber lasers, termed as birefringence-managed soliton. This pulse is formed through the interaction between polarization-maintaining fiber and the laser cavity, resulting in a unique vector soliton with near-chirp-free properties.

Climate change in the Early Holocene

Researchers found that a large Early Holocene cemetery in Northern Russia was used for only one to two centuries and reveals human stress caused by a global cooling event. The team believes the creation of the cemetery shows a social response to climate change, with abundant grave offerings indicating complex social systems.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2022

The link between alcohol consumption and epilepsy: An update from scientists from Pusan National University

A team of scientists from Pusan National University conducted an updated meta-analysis to clarify the relationship between alcohol consumption and unprovoked seizures and epilepsy. They found that overall, alcohol drinkers were at a significantly higher risk of developing epilepsy compared to non-drinkers.

SourcePusan National University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 27, 2022

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers develop novel silk-based digital security device

Researchers from GIST have designed a novel silk-based digital security system that is practically unbreachable, utilizing unique physical components and optical technology. The system uses natural silk fibers to create a unique pattern of light intensity, which is converted into a digital format for authentication.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2022

Crowding, climate change, and the case for social distancing among trees

A new study reveals that trees benefit from having more space, reducing competition and helping them recover from fire damage. By alleviating stress caused by neighbors competing for limited water resources, trees can fend off beetle attacks and heal after fire, increasing their chances of survival.

Geoff Wehmeyer wins CAREER Award

Geoff Wehmeyer has been awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to deepen understanding of nanoscale heat transfer and improve device performance. He will use scanning transmission electron microscopy nano-thermometry experiments to better understand interfacial heat transport.

Queering environmental justice

The article highlights the disproportionate impact of environmental exposures on the LGBTQ+ community due to social and economic inequalities. The authors recommend implementing a system to collect sexual orientation data and incorporating LGBTQ+ issues into environmental justice research.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 27, 2022

Living near or downwind of unconventional oil and gas development linked with increased risk of early death

A large new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that living near or downwind of unconventional oil and gas development increases the risk of early death in elderly people. The study suggests that airborne contaminants emitted by UOGD are contributing to increased mortality.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 27, 2022

Change in hearing loss during pandemic

A recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, also known as sudden deafness, in Israel.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateJan 27, 2022

Pulse oximeter measurements of blood oxygen levels are unreliable in assessing severity of Covid-19 pneumonia across different ethnic groups

A study published in European Respiratory Journal found pulse oximeters give false readings of up to 7% higher in patients with Mixed, Black, and Asian ethnicities compared to White patients. This can delay timely treatment for Covid-19 pneumonia, leading to poorer outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2022

Better education needed about oral sex disease risk, poll of young people shows

A new poll shows that most teens and young adults know it's possible to catch or spread a sexually transmitted infection by having unprotected oral sex, but over half underestimate the level of that risk. Young people also call for more education about the risks of oral sex and normalization of protection through popular culture.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJan 27, 2022

Most older adults support steps to reduce firearm injury risk, study shows

A national survey of over 2,000 adults aged 50-80 found that most support steps to reduce firearm injury risk, including safety counseling and background checks. The study highlights opportunities to help older adults recognize and address risks in their homes, particularly for those living with children or experiencing cognitive decline.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalPreventive Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJan 27, 2022

Oregon State study finds lower math scores in high schools that switched to 4-day school week

A recent Oregon State University study found that 11th-grade students in four-day schools performed worse on standardized math tests compared to those in five-day schedules. The effect was more pronounced among students in non-rural schools and limited to math, while reading achievement showed no significant gap.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEducation Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 27, 2022

Rural air pollution may be as hazardous as urban, study finds

Researchers found that rural areas have similar levels of oxidative potential as urban areas, challenging the misconception that air pollution is more toxic in urban settings. The study also showed that summertime agricultural activity can produce PM2.5 particles that are just as toxic as those from urban settings.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2022

A mathematical secret of lizard camouflage

A multidisciplinary team at UNIGE has developed a simple mathematical equation to explain the complex distribution of scales in ocellated lizards. This discovery contributes to a better understanding of skin color pattern evolution and provides an optimal pattern for animal survival.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeNews article·DateJan 27, 2022

Hyperimmune intravenous immunoglobulin does not improve outcomes for adults hospitalized with COVID-19

A clinical trial found that combining remdesivir with hyperimmune intravenous immunoglobulin did not improve health status or safety for adults hospitalized with COVID-19. The trial also showed a higher risk of adverse outcomes among patients who generated SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies before treatment.