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Science News Archive July 2022 - Page 20


Page 20 of 34

Crystal phase engineering offers glimpse of future potential, researchers say

Researchers summarize their work on crystal phase engineering for electrocatalysts, exploring how atomic arrangements influence properties and performance. The study suggests that manipulating atoms to form new lattices can lead to better electrocatalysis, paving the way for sustainable energy conversion processes.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalNano Research·DateJul 14, 2022

The role of TV ad content in viewers’ zapping behavior

The study found that TV ad content drives zapping through irritation, while creativity mitigates zapping by reducing it. Researchers recommend investing in creativity and refraining from too much information to discourage zapping behavior.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 14, 2022
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Loss of male sex chromosome leads to earlier death for men

Researchers found that men who lose their Y chromosome as they age are more likely to experience deadly heart scarring and earlier death. The study suggests an existing drug may help counteract the effects of this loss, potentially leading to longer, healthier lives for affected men.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalScience·DateJul 14, 2022

Covalent DNA aptamer: a long-acting but detoxifying drug modality

A covalent DNA aptamer has been developed to overcome limitations of traditional aptamers in drug use. The semi-permanent inhibition by the aptamer may lead to unexpected side effects or a too-strong medicinal effect.

SourceThe University of Electro-Communications·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2022

Neutrino factories in deep outer space

An international research team has shed light on the origin of neutrinos, shedding new evidence that blazars can be confidently associated with astrophysical neutrinos. The study utilizes neutrino data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and BZCat catalogue to establish a connection between high-energy neutrinos and galactic nuclei.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2022

BU study: Stem cell transplantation for AL amyloidosis leads to long-term survival and possible cure in selected patients

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation can produce prolonged survival in patients with AL amyloidosis. The study developed a predictive score to assess event-free survival, which showed improved safety and effectiveness for selected patients.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Hematology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

*Free* Limiting the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical compounds can bioaccumulate in wild animals and alter behavior, survival rates, and even drive species to extinction. Further ecotoxicological research is needed to evaluate the ecological impacts of pharmaceutical pollution, including mixture effects on complex natural systems.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 14, 2022

Comparing physicians’ performance to peers decreases job satisfaction and increases burnout

A five-month field experiment involving 199 primary care physicians found that comparing performance to peers decreased job satisfaction while increasing burnout. The study also showed that training leaders on how to best support physicians mitigated such negative effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateJul 14, 2022

Lumasiran shows efficacy in adults with reduced GFR and primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1)

Lumasiran, an RNA interference therapeutic, has been shown to reduce oxalate levels in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) who have relatively preserved kidney function. In the ILLUMINATE-C study, lumasiran resulted in substantial reductions in plasma oxalate with acceptable safety in patients on hemodialysis.

SourceNational Kidney Foundation·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateJul 14, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Using AI to diagnose birth defect in fetal ultrasound images

A University of Ottawa-led team has developed an AI-based deep learning model to identify cystic hygroma, a rare and life-threatening disorder, from first-trimester ultrasound scans with high sensitivity and specificity. The approach may be applied to other fetal anomalies identified by ultrasonography.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 14, 2022

NTU Singapore study finds that increased use of videoconferencing apps during COVID-19 pandemic led to more fatigue among workers

A recent NTU Singapore study reveals that frequent use of videoconferencing platforms contributed to higher levels of fatigue among workers. The researchers found a significant link between increased videoconferencing usage and feelings of fatigue, with reliable internet connections unable to mitigate this effect.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior Reports·DateJul 14, 2022

Stem cells and AI team up to predict cardiac arrhythmias in patients

Researchers used human heart muscle cells and machine learning to predict arrhythmias in patients, achieving over 90% accuracy. The study lays the foundation for safer and more effective medicines by generating patient risk profiles and drug toxicity testing.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateJul 14, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Bacteria in donor organs complicate immune response after transplantation

A study by researchers from the University of Chicago reveals that bacteria in donated organs complicate the immune response after transplantation. The findings show that immune responses against commensal bacteria add to the rejection of the organ, reducing the effectiveness of immunosuppressive drugs and causing damage to the graft.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2022

Europe supports Jena's energy storage research

The University of Jena has received €2.5M in funding from the European Research Council to advance its energy storage research, led by Prof. Dr Ulrich S. Schubert. The FutureBAT project aims to develop novel organic active materials for polymer-based redox flow batteries with improved capacity, efficiency, and sustainability.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·DateJul 14, 2022

Acknowledgment of antimicrobial resistance in regulatory frameworks for accelerated drug approval could improve access to new antibiotics

A new report highlights the importance of acknowledging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in regulatory frameworks for accelerated drug approval. The analysis provides recommendations to improve access to new antibiotics in Brazil, India, and South Africa, where antibiotic development is hampered by regulatory hurdles.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·DateJul 14, 2022

Study suggests that c. difficile drives some colorectal cancers

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) bacteria may cause colorectal cancer in younger adults. The bacterium causes serious diarrheal infections and is linked to approximately 500,000 infections annually in the US.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCancer Discovery·DateJul 14, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

A type of ‘step therapy’ is an effective strategy for diabetic eye disease

A specific step strategy, starting with a less expensive medicine and switching to a more expensive one if vision does not improve sufficiently, gives results similar to starting off with the higher-priced drug. After two years, both groups had similar visual acuity outcomes, improving on average approximately three lines on an eye chart.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 14, 2022

One-hit wonder: How awards, recognition decrease inventors’ creativity

Research from Washington University in St. Louis found that awards and recognition can temper creativity by making producers feel threatened by the prospect of compromising their identity with mediocre work. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among first-time producers, who are more likely to stop producing altogether if they f...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

A newly identified stem cell regulator enables lifelong sperm production

Research by Jeremy Wang at the University of Pennsylvania has discovered that DOT1L, a stem cell self-renewal factor, is essential for mice to produce sperm throughout their adult lives. The team found that mice lacking DOT1L fail to maintain spermatogonial stem cells and lose the ability to continuously produce sperm.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalGenes & Development·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2022

Eco-friendly sound absorbers from seaweed

Researchers have created a biodegradable seaweed-derived film that effectively absorbs sounds in the range of human voices, traffic, and music. The agar-based composite films outperform traditional acoustic foams in terms of sound-absorbing qualities.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateJul 14, 2022

Consider farmers at individual level when controlling livestock disease outbreaks, researchers say

A new study suggests that incorporating farmers' behaviors into national infection control policies can better manage livestock disease outbreaks. The research found that individual farmers may respond differently to disease control measures, and their actions could be critical in protecting animal welfare and the farming industry.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 14, 2022

Evaluating rising incidence of thyroid cancer

A study of 1,300 patients found most thyroid cancers are discovered in asymptomatic individuals, supporting the hypothesis of ongoing subclinical disease detection. The findings contradict the notion of a rising incidence of thyroid cancer.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateJul 14, 2022
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Harvard researcher awarded HSFP Program Award 2022 Research Grant to study water to land transitions in arthropod evolution

A Harvard researcher has been awarded a $1.1 million grant to study the evolution of aerial breathing in arthropods, exploring how they transitioned from water to land over 100 million years ago. The team aims to understand the role of atmospheric oxygen in facilitating this process and its impact on respiratory structures.

SourceHarvard University, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology·DateJul 14, 2022
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Research probes how people control unwanted thoughts

A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that proactively avoiding associations can help prevent the repetitive looping of unwanted thoughts. Researchers found that most people use reactive control, which can strengthen unwanted thoughts, but also discovered that preemptive control can partially mitigate this effect.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2022

Simple skin biopsy can assess tissue damage related to COVID-19

Researchers found clots in small venous and arterial blood vessels in normal-looking skin from patients with severe COVID-19, distinguishable from other forms of respiratory illness. Antiviral proteins and interferon-induced inflammatory proteins were also detected, associated with disease severity.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2022
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Music-making and the flow of aerosols

Aerosols generated by musicians dissipate within 6 feet, settling into the background air draft. Flute-generated aerosols traveled farther due to airflow over the instrument.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2022

Utility of objective testing for initiation of a throwing program following shoulder and elbow surgery in competitive baseball players

A study by Dr. James B. Carr and colleagues evaluated 48 competitive baseball players who underwent shoulder or elbow surgery. The results show that 75% passed an objective return-to-throwing evaluation, while 25% failed due to insufficient shoulder strength and/or endurance. All failing players were able to achieve a passing grade two...

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateJul 14, 2022

Women already live longer. They can live better with an improved diet

Research from the University of Georgia suggests that a diet rich in bright-colored fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in lutein and zeaxanthin, can help prevent visual and cognitive loss in women. This is due to the antioxidant properties of these carotenoids, which have been shown to improve central nervous system degener...

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNutritional Neuroscience·DateJul 14, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Moderate drinking linked to brain changes and cognitive decline

A study of almost 21,000 people found that moderate drinking is associated with higher iron levels in the brain and poorer cognitive function. Iron accumulation is a potential mechanism for alcohol-related cognitive decline, which can lead to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2022

Whole blood exchange could offer disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

A new study from UTHealth Houston found that whole blood exchange treatments decreased amyloid plaque formation in mice with Alzheimer's disease-causing amyloid precursor proteins. This approach has the advantage of treating the disease in the circulation instead of the brain, potentially bypassing the blood-brain barrier.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJul 14, 2022

New research reveals mutation responsible for disease resistance in Cassava

A team of researchers has identified a single nucleotide mutation that confers resistance to cassava mosaic disease, which causes significant yield losses worldwide. This discovery has implications for improving cassava yields and sustaining farmer income, and could also shed light on disease-resistance in other major crops.

SourceDonald Danforth Plant Science Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 13, 2022
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

New study reveals where memory fragments are stored

A new study found that individual memory details are parsed and stored in the prefrontal cortex, while overall experiences are stored in the hippocampus. This separation enables efficient recall of memories triggered by specific cues.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateJul 13, 2022

Research reveals how brain inflammation may link Alzheimer’s risk, sleep disturbance

A recent study discovered that brain inflammation may be a key link between Alzheimer's disease risk and sleep disturbance. The research found that age-related increases in brain inflammation can disrupt fast sleep spindles, which are crucial for long-term memory retention. This disruption contributes to age-related memory impairment i...

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalSLEEP·TypeObservational study·DateJul 13, 2022

Regular screening of people at high risk for pancreatic cancer pays off

A new study found that most patients with pancreatic cancer diagnosed through regular screenings had early-stage disease, leading to long-term survival. The study suggests that surveillance programs can help detect precancerous conditions and cancers early, when they are most treatable.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJul 13, 2022

Social development of infants unaffected by COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers at University of Zurich found that the presence of parents and caregivers mitigates pandemic's negative effects on social development in infants. Infants born during COVID-19 pandemic exhibit similar social behavior as same-aged infants before pandemic, with no significant behavioral differences detected.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalInfancy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2022
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

A review of seismo-electromagnetic research in China

Researchers in China have developed new techniques for monitoring and predicting earthquake precursors using satellite observation and ground-based methods. These methods include earth resistivity, magnetotelluric, geomagnetic, and geoelectric field observations, as well as EM radiation and satellite observation.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateJul 13, 2022

White iron rust material provides safe UV protection

Researchers developed an iron oxide-based ultraviolet-absorbing powder material, which can neutralize UV radiation and is safer than titanium dioxide. The material was found to have comparable performance and stability to TiO2 materials currently used in sunscreens.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalMaterials Today Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2022

COVID-19 antibodies from eggs

Scientists at UC Davis have successfully produced COVID-19 antibodies in hen eggs, which may be used as a preventative measure or treatment for people exposed to the disease. The antibodies, similar to those found in human blood, were shown to neutralize the virus effectively.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalViruses·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2022

PPPL scientists propose solution to a long-puzzling fusion problem

Researchers at PPPL have discovered a mechanism that causes the temperature to flatten or even decrease in the center of the plasma, despite increased heating power. This finding addresses a long-standing mystery and has significant implications for fusion research and development.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 13, 2022

Widely-used kidney function tests underestimate scale of kidney disease in Africa

A study found that widely-used kidney function tests are inaccurate for predicting kidney disease in African populations, suggesting a significant underestimation of kidney disease prevalence. The creatinine-based test was shown to be less effective due to unique biological characteristics in African populations, while the cystatin C t...

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Speeding up the search for the next COVID-19 antiviral

Researchers developed a new method to quickly screen large numbers of molecules for activity against the nsp13 protein, which is essential for viral replication. The approach identified six promising compounds as potential starting points for antiviral drug development.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·DateJul 13, 2022

Hidden Consciousness Detected with EEG Predicts Recovery of Unresponsive Patients

A new study found that subtle brainwaves detectable with EEG are the strongest predictor of eventual recovery for brain-injured patients who appear unresponsive. Covert consciousness, detectable through customized artificial intelligence software, is linked to higher and faster rates of recovery.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 13, 2022