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Science News Archive July 2022 - Page 25


Page 25 of 34

Blacks found twice as likely to have atherosclerosis as Hispanics in young adult populations in underserved communities

A new Mount Sinai study reveals that young Black adults are twice as likely to have atherosclerosis as their Hispanic counterparts. Researchers used comprehensive questionnaires and 3D vascular ultrasounds to determine cardiovascular risk scores, finding significant discrepancies between the groups.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Activating STING could make brain tumors more susceptible to treatment

Researchers found that activating the STING pathway in glioblastoma tumors attracted immune cells and produced a robust anti-tumor effect, laying the foundation for immunotherapy treatment. Human GBM explants responded to STING agonists by secreting cytokines, demonstrating the pathway's activity in human tumors.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Programmed cell death in cancer cells: Overcoming resistance through paraptosis-inducing compounds

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed novel complex-peptide hybrids that induce programmed cell death in apoptosis-resistant cancer cells through paraptosis. The compounds, syn-6 and anti-6, inhibit cell death by uncoupling mitochondrial calcium uptake and inducing cytoplasmic vacuolization, leading to cell death.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalBioconjugate Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Demonstration of a highly efficient modulator using the organic electro-optic polymer for visible light

Researchers at NICT developed an organic electro-optic polymer for visible light, significantly improving efficiency and miniaturization. The new modulator has lower absorption loss and higher electro-optic coefficient in visible light compared to conventional optical modulators.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Could a phytochemical derived from vegetables like broccoli be the answer to antibiotic resistant pathogens?

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have found a phytochemical derived from broccoli that breaks down biofilms protecting antibiotic-resistant pathogens, enabling eradication rates of up to 94% when combined with antibiotics. The compound also accelerates wound healing and is being further developed for commercialization.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalPharmaceutics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

How preschoolers’ brains develop self-control

Research finds that preschoolers' brain maturation improves inhibitory control abilities, with 4-year-olds outperforming 3-year-olds in tasks requiring stopping actions. The cognitive control network's distinct regions and white matter connections are associated with different aspects of self-control development.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2022

UBC Okanagan study determines psychedelic mushroom microdoses can improve mood, mental-health

A UBC Okanagan study published in Nature-Scientific Reports found that regular small amounts of psilocybin improved mood, mental health, and psychomotor ability in participants. Microdosing was associated with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly among those over 55.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 11, 2022

Ukraine war and refugee health

The article highlights key health considerations for Ukrainian refugees in Canada, including timely access to care and trauma-informed approaches. Key gaps in the Canadian healthcare system include lack of universal access to interpreters and coordinated care across services.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJul 11, 2022

Can you outrun a poor diet?

A large study found that high levels of physical activity do not offset a poor diet's impact on mortality risk. Those with both high-quality diets and regular exercise had lower mortality rates compared to those with the worst diets.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2022

SLAS Discovery July issue features a new method of detecting metal impurities in high-throughput screening – available now

Researchers have developed a new method to detect metal impurities in high-throughput screening, reducing false positive hits and saving time and resources. The technique uses acoustic mist ionization mass spectrometry to identify eight different metal contaminants, outperforming previous methods.

New model shows Earth’s deep mantle was drier from the start

A new study suggests that Earth's deep mantle was drier than initially thought, with a water concentration 4-250 times lower than the upper mantle. This finding challenges the assumption that the mantle was uniform from its formation and may have prevented mixing within the mantle.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 11, 2022

Molecular pathway by which stress affects lupus discovered

Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered a molecular pathway by which stress affects lupus, revealing a potential target for treatment. The study found that sleep deprivation caused the activation of microglial cells in the brain, leading to increased levels of IL12 and IL23, a diagnostic marker for neuropsychiatric SLE.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

How race, gun ownership, and Black Lives Matter shape Americans’ views of the January 6 Capitol attack

A new survey found that views on the January 6 Capitol attack can be predicted by support for Black Lives Matter and gun ownership, with BLM supporters more likely to label the rioters as extremists. White gun owners were significantly less likely to do so compared to non-gun owners.

SourceHarvard University·JournalSocius Sociological Research for a Dynamic World·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 11, 2022

Deep economic divide found even among employed people during COVID-19

Researchers examined precarity in employed adults and found that most fell into two categories: those doing well financially and those struggling. The study highlights the need for organizations to consider the long-term consequences of using precarious work arrangements, which can lead to a less healthy and less productive workforce.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 11, 2022

Video game players show enhanced brain activity, decision-making skill study: Video game players show enhanced brain activity, decision-making skill

A study by Georgia State University researchers found that frequent video game players exhibit superior sensorimotor decision-making skills and increased brain activity compared to non-players. The study suggests that video games can be used for training in perceptual decision-making, with no trade-off between speed and accuracy.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalNeuroImage·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

University of Limerick, Ireland research could reduce time required to bring new medicines to market

Researchers at University of Limerick develop a new modelling approach to pharmaceutical manufacturing, combining process engineering, modelling, and data science to optimize processes at a molecular scale. This study aims to reduce time required to bring medicines to market for the benefit of patients and society.

SourceUniversity of Limerick·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 11, 2022

Drinking alone foreshadows future alcohol problems

A new study from Carnegie Mellon University found that drinking alone during adolescence and young adulthood increases the risk of alcohol use disorder later in life, especially for women. Solitary drinking is a unique and robust risk factor for future alcohol problems, according to lead author Kasey Creswell.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJul 11, 2022

The best offense is a great defense for some carnivorous plants

Researchers discovered that plant carnivory evolved from calcium molecules' dynamic movement within cells in response to touch from live prey. This finding broadens our understanding of how plants interact with their environments and may lead to the development of crops that can survive in challenging conditions.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 11, 2022

Researchers warn about the climate change effects on fisheries and agriculture in tropical coastal communities

Researchers warn that climate change will cause significant food losses in tropical coastal communities due to increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The study predicts greater losses for fisheries than agriculture, highlighting the need for climate change mitigation.

SourceInstitut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC)·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 8, 2022

New paper from University Hospitals examines transfusion utilization and appropriateness: Thinking differently at a tertiary academic medical center

Researchers from University Hospitals developed a transfusion appropriateness algorithm to analyze blood transfusions for adult patients. The algorithm led to a decrease in transfusions and an increase in appropriate use, resulting in cost savings of $2.5 million over 12 months.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalPhysician Leadership Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2022

A 'wise counsel' for synthetic biology

A team of researchers at Max-Planck-Gesellschaft developed METIS, a modular software system for optimizing biological systems using machine learning. The tool allows users to optimize their already discovered or synthesized biological systems and can be used with different lab equipment.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 8, 2022

Swans sacrifice rest to squabble

Scientists studied mute and whooper swans, finding a trade-off between aggression and rest. The study suggests that providing enough foraging spots can reduce the need for aggression, allowing birds more time to rest.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 8, 2022