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Science News Archive January 2022 - Page 6


Page 6 of 34

Scientists regrow frog’s lost leg

Researchers at Tufts University successfully regrow a functional, nearly complete limb on adult frogs using a five-drug cocktail and silicone wearable bioreactor dome. The treatment sets in motion an 18-month period of growth restoring a fully functional leg.

SourceTufts University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2022

Screening study IDs inhibitor of key COVID virus enzyme

A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified a molecule with significant potential to disable the COVID-19 virus. The molecule was discovered using high-throughput virtual screening and laboratory experiments, and its ability to bind to the virus's main protease was confirmed through structural studies.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 26, 2022

HKUMed researchers identified a key molecule in extracellular vesicles of liver cancer patient as a potential new biomarker for early diagnosis and therapeutic target

Researchers at HKUMed have discovered a stepwise upregulation of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) in circulating extracellular vesicles from liver cancer patients, suggesting its potential as a non-invasive diagnostic marker. The study also found that pIgR-enriched EVs promote cancer stemness and tumorigenesis in mouse models, ...

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateJan 26, 2022

CityU new structured thermal armour achieves liquid cooling above 1,000°C; solves challenge presented by Leidenfrost effect since 1756

Researchers have designed a novel thermal armour that successfully inhibits the Leidenfrost effect up to 1,150°C and achieves efficient liquid cooling across a wide temperature range. The breakthrough has significant implications for applications in aerospace, space engineering, and next-generation nuclear reactors.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2022

When light loses symmetry, it can hold particles

Scientists at Huazhong University of Science and Technology have created a new type of fiber optical tweezers that can trap particles using transverse electromagnetic modes. This breakthrough enables the manipulation of single biomolecules like DNA and proteins, opening up new possibilities for bioparticle research.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2022

Will the COVID-19 pandemic make waste management more uncontrollable?

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the generation of medical waste, with daily output surging from 200 tons to over 29,000 tons in September 2020. The study also highlights the need to update emergency medical waste treatment strategies and manage personal protective equipment waste effectively.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 26, 2022

Evolution of dual-energy CT in gout workup

A retrospective study found that dual-energy CT examinations performed in 2019 had a significantly lower frequency of equivocal interpretations compared to those in 2013. Joint aspirations were also less likely to be performed after negative DECT interpretations in 2019.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 26, 2022

Help for stressed-out cells in a crisis

Researchers found that mitochondria can respire away harmful substances to protect protein folding, revealing an unexpected 'patron saint' role. This mechanism is triggered by reductive stress and protects proteins destined for export, showcasing the flexibility of plant mitochondria.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateJan 26, 2022

Over one-third of young adult US men involved in technology-related abuse, study finds

A study by Michigan Medicine reveals that 25% of young American men experience both delivering and receiving technology-facilitated abuse. Healthcare providers should consider addressing this issue, as men who have mental health care visits are more likely to be involved in abusive relationships.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 26, 2022

First of its kind study proves food intervention can be as effective as medications for lowering cholesterol

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that a 'food-as-medicine' approach can significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels, with participants experiencing an average 9% decrease within 30 days. This innovative intervention expands treatment options for high-risk patients unable or unwilling to take statin drugs.

SourceStep One Foods·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateJan 26, 2022

Bridging atmospheric scientists and solar engineers to reach carbon neutrality

A new überreview provides a comprehensive introduction to solar resource assessment and forecasting, helping bridge the gap between atmospheric scientists and solar engineers. The review compiles recent studies on critical parameters like cloud and aerosol, aiming to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration for carbon neutrality.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 26, 2022

Banning unhealthy products in plea for public health has financial downfalls for retailers

New research in Marketing Science reveals that banning tobacco products can result in a 4% decline in gross sales for retailers. The study also suggests that the impact of such bans can be felt across other unhealthy product categories, affecting overall store revenue.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 26, 2022

Ancient ice reveals mysterious solar storm

A team of researchers from Lund University analyzed ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica to discover a massive solar storm occurring during a quiet phase about 9,200 years ago. The study challenges the current understanding that solar storms are more likely to occur during active phases of the sun.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 26, 2022

Researchers develop optimised framework to help stem the spread of deadly, antibiotic-resistant pathogen

A new standardised test has been developed to accurately determine the transmission of VREfm, enabling rapid identification of potential outbreaks and early intervention. The framework uses genomic analysis to compare bacterial genomes and infer transmission links, facilitating global deployment for outbreak detection and investigation.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 26, 2022

Multi-level program enhances primary care treatment for opioid use disorder in rural Colorado

A multilevel program improved the awareness and adoption of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in rural Colorado. The program increased the proportion of practices providing or referring patients for treatment from 18.8% to 74.4%, with a significant increase in buprenorphine prescriptions over four years.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 26, 2022

Instagram teaches AI to recognize rooms

Researchers at the University of Groningen have developed an AI system that can recognize indoor spaces with high accuracy by combining image and audio data. The system achieved a 70% accuracy rate in recognizing nine different types of indoor spaces, surpassing previous results.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNeural Computing and Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2022

Updrafts crucial - clouds in the southern hemisphere more precisely understood

New insights into cloud behavior in the southern hemisphere reveal a stronger influence of updrafts, resulting in liquid water droplets and altered radiation balance. This study, led by Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, uses long-term measurements to improve climate models.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2022

Water as a precious commodity: Competition for natural resources prevents sustainable development and excludes entire communities from water resources

A study by Politecnico di Milano reveals that large-scale land acquisitions for agriculture lead to increased water scarcity, impacting local users. The research analyzed 160 acquisitions and found that 105 resulted in competition for water, often at the expense of local communities.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 26, 2022

Urinary metabolic ‘signatures’ predict diet quality and metabolic health in European children

Researchers identified four metabolites that indicate adherence to a Mediterranean diet, while ultra-processed foods consumption was associated with lower levels of these metabolites. The study's findings support public health efforts to recommend increased Mediterranean diet adoption and limiting ultra-processed food intake in childhood.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·TypeObservational study·DateJan 26, 2022

Seeing through random diffusers instantly without a computer

Researchers have developed an entirely new paradigm to image objects through diffusive media. A deep learning-based approach uses diffractive surfaces to optically reconstruct distorted images without digital processing. This computer-free method has significant potential for advancements in fields such as biomedical imaging, astronomy...

BU researchers identify a new protein that enables SARS-CoV-2 access into cells

A team of researchers from Boston University School of Medicine has identified extracellular vimentin as an attachment factor facilitating SARS-CoV-2 entry into human endothelial cells. The study found that depletion of vimentin significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection, while over-expression with ACE2 increases the infection rate.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2022

NEJM: New data on COVID-19 lung transplants

A national analysis of lung transplantations performed in the US between August 2020 and September 2021 shows that 7% of lung transplants were performed to treat COVID-19-related lung damage. The study suggests that lung transplantation may be a safe option for select patients with severe, irreversible lung damage.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 26, 2022