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Science News Archive January 2022 - Page 8


Page 8 of 34

Constant tinnitus is linked to altered brain activity

Researchers from Karolinska Institutet developed a novel method to diagnose constant tinnitus using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). The study found that people with occasional tinnitus are at increased risk of developing constant tinnitus, while those with existing constant tinnitus are more likely to experience persistent symptoms.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 26, 2022

Chat box usage supports primary care medical staff needs for information, resources and peer support during COVID-19 crisis

Researchers found that chat box interactions supported clinicians' needs for trustworthy information, practical resources, and affirmation, creating a community for connection and validation. The study highlights the importance of meeting clinician needs during public health crises for primary care to reach its full potential.

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

Mutant stem cells defy rules of development

A recent study by Gladstone Institutes researchers found that mouse stem cells can spontaneously transition from heart cell precursors to brain cell precursors when a specific gene is removed. This discovery upends current understanding of how stem cells differentiate into adult cells and maintain their identity. The study's findings h...

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature·DateJan 26, 2022

Shining light on the dark proteome

Researchers are developing new methods to identify and characterize unknown proteins, including those with multiple forms and modifications. Artificial intelligence-based tools are also helping predict protein structures and functions, providing clues to their roles in health and disease.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJan 26, 2022

Ground-breaking study reveals dynamics of DNA replication ‘licensing’

A new study has revealed the dynamics of DNA replication 'licensing,' a process that regulates genome replication during cell division. The researchers found that heterochromatin regions are more susceptible to under-replication and DNA damage when the G1 phase is shortened, potentially leading to genomic instability in cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2022

New hair dyes avoid allergic reactions

Researchers have created a range of permanent hair dyes that avoid the allergenic properties of traditional formulations, producing a range of hues from rosy pinks to deep blacks. The new dyes were found to be less reactive toward proteins and generated a reduced inflammatory response in cells compared to PPD.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateJan 26, 2022

Copycat red nectar shows promise as a natural colorant and is gecko-approved

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have identified a natural colorant derived from plant nectar, which has been shown to attract pollinators. The discovery, known as nesocodin, has significant implications for the food and textile industries, where synthetic colorants are currently relied upon.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2022

New sequencing technique established for low-biomass, degraded or contaminated microbiome samples

A new sequencing technique called 2bRAD-M has been developed to accurately identify species-level information from low-biomass and degraded microbiome samples. The method uses restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to produce high-resolution profiles of bacteria, archaea, and fungi down to the level of species.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalGenome Biology·DateJan 25, 2022

Ion pairings change honeycomb crystal states

The team used high pressure and synchrotron X-ray experiments to analyze the crystal's structure, finding a unique ladder-like pattern of vanadium-vanadium dimers at temperatures below 500K. This arrangement may enable the creation of new magnetic or electrical functions in similar materials.

SourceTohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 25, 2022

How we view the future may hold keys to recovery from alcohol use disorder

Researchers at Virginia Tech found that people with 'slow' life-history strategies, focusing on future rewards, exhibited positive behaviors and were more likely to be in remission. In contrast, those with 'fast' life-history strategies, prioritizing immediate rewards, faced greater challenges during recovery.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalAlcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2022

An effectiveness study of combinatorial pharmacogenetics testing to guide the treatment of depression in adolescents

A randomized controlled trial of combinatorial pharmacogenetics testing found no significant improvement in depressive symptoms among adolescents with depression. However, the study suggests that testing results may influence physician decision-making and could be useful in specific cases where individual gene-drug pairs impact clinica...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 25, 2022

Using the eye as a window into heart disease

Researchers developed an AI system that can analyze retinal scans to identify patients at high risk of a heart attack over the next year. The system uses deep learning techniques and achieves an accuracy of 70-80%, revolutionizing the way patients are screened for signs of heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 25, 2022

New discovery shows how targeting healthy cells could help develop treatments for pancreatic cancer

Researchers at Barts Cancer Institute made a breakthrough finding that blocking PKN2 in healthy cells around tumours can change their behavior, potentially leading to new treatments for pancreatic cancer. Fibroblasts, highly mobile and invasive cells, may play both positive and negative roles in cancer progression.

SourceWorldwide Cancer Research·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2022

Forward-thinking gym lifts weights, shifts attitudes

A Boston gym's anti-racism program has effectively shifted views on race and class, according to a study by University at Buffalo researcher Christopher St. Vil. The program utilizes intergroup contact theory, which suggests that contact between different racial and class groups can reduce bias and prejudice.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Community Practice·TypeObservational study·DateJan 25, 2022

‘Lefty’ tightens control of embryonic development

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that the Lefty protein plays a crucial role in regulating Nodal signaling during embryonic development. By visualizing the interaction between Nodal and Lefty, they found that cells relay the signal to produce new Nodals, triggering a wave of differentiation. This study provides new insigh...

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2022

Scientists warn that ocean microplastic pollution may be greater than estimated

A study by ICTA-UAB suggests that microplastic levels in the Mediterranean Sea are likely higher than previously estimated due to the limitations of current sampling methods. The researchers emphasize the need for a common framework to compare results and combine methods to better understand the distribution and impacts of microplastics.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 25, 2022

Multi-organoid system to simulate human liver-islet axis in normal and type 2 diabetes

Researchers developed a novel multi-organoid system to simulate the human liver-islet axis, enabling 3D co-culture of hiPSC-derived organoids for up to 30 days. The system exhibited cooperative interaction between liver and islet organoids, reflecting the dynamic interplay among organs in type 2 diabetes.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 25, 2022

Sediments a likely culprit in spread of deadly disease on Florida coral reefs, study finds

A new study found that seafloor sediments can transmit a deadly pathogen to local corals, contributing to the persistence of a devastating coral disease outbreak. Coastal construction activities like dredging and beach renourishment may further spread the disease.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2022

Amber fossil reveals new clues about ancient cockroach ecology

A 100-million-year-old cockroach fossil provides insights into its sensory organs, which suggest the species lived in bright environments during the day. The study found that the extinct species had well-developed eyes and a unique pattern of receptors on its antenna, indicating it may have used these to communicate between sexes.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalThe Science of Nature·TypeObservational study·DateJan 25, 2022

Scientists fabricate smart heat isolator

Researchers create intelligent material that automatically controls heat transmission, enabling thermal insulation at low temperatures while dissipating excess heat during overheating. The study reveals a promising model for building thermal fields, providing new avenues for designing smart reactors for green chemical industries.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalGreen Energy & Environment·DateJan 25, 2022