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Science News Archive July 2022 - Page 5


Page 5 of 34

New photoacoustic endoscope fits inside a needle

Researchers have created a photoacoustic imaging endoscope probe that can fit inside a medical needle, resolving subcellular-scale tissue structural and molecular information in 3D. The device has an ultra-thin design, allowing for real-time 3D characterization of tissue during minimally invasive procedures.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateJul 27, 2022

”No pain, no gain” approach improves walking ability with peripheral artery disease

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that walking for exercise at a pace that induces leg pain or discomfort improves walking ability among people with peripheral artery disease. The study involved 264 participants who walked at home at either a comfortable pace or a pace that induced leg symptom...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJul 27, 2022

A natural phenomenon or a warning?

A dramatic decline in wild bees' pollination services was observed at fruit farms in New Jersey and Pennsylvania over an 8-year period. The rate of visitation by bees decreased more than half between 2005 and 2012, with similar declines for other types of wild bees.

SourceRutgers University·JournalInsect Conservation and Diversity·DateJul 27, 2022

Human-like features in robot behavior: Response time variability can be perceived as human-like

A study published in Science Robotics journal reveals that humans are unable to distinguish between a humanoid robot's response time variability and that of a human when interacting with the robot. This finding suggests robots can exhibit human-like behavior, raising questions about the blurring line between humans and machines.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2022

Magnetic quantum material broadens platform for probing next-gen information technologies

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered a specific iron trichloride material hosting a spiral spin liquid in its honeycomb lattice structure. This finding provides a test bed for future studies of physics phenomena that may drive next-generation information technologies, including fractons and skyrmions.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 27, 2022

Managing phage therapy to help save lives

Researchers at Texas A&M University's Center for Phage Technology have completed a study on phage therapy, identifying potential applications to fight multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The study showed promise in treating Acinetobacter baumannii, a deadly pathogen found in hospital settings and the Middle East.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 27, 2022

New research proposes local Biological Control Agent hubs to fight fall armyworm in Bangladesh

The study proposes the establishment of local Biological Control Agent (BCA) hubs to fight the devastating fall armyworm pest in Bangladesh. The hubs would be owner-managed by farm entrepreneurs and provide nucleus culture and technical support, allowing for non-linear business models that reverse low uptake of safer-to-use BCAs.

SourceCABI·JournalCABI Agriculture and Bioscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2022

Cash transfers more effective than workforce training in improving lives of Rwandans

A study by University of California San Diego found that cash transfers were more effective than workforce training in improving the lives of Rwandan youths. The research revealed that cash transfers improved ownership of assets and productive hours, while training only enhanced business knowledge.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Development Economics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 27, 2022

Exploring factors that may underlie how domestic cats can live in groups

A new study explores relationships between domestic cats' hormone levels, gut microbiomes, and social behaviors in cohabitating groups. The research found that low testosterone and cortisol concentrations enabled cats to share space, while high oxytocin levels were associated with less affiliative behavior.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 27, 2022

New model developed to predict landslides along wildfire burn scars

A new model developed by Northwestern University researchers can predict areas susceptible to debris flows, enabling early warnings for people living in high-risk areas. The model simulates how water moves over wildfire burn scars, finding that burned areas cause faster and greater water flow, increasing the risk of landslides.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 27, 2022

Researchers regulate pore size distribution to improve nanofiltration membrane

A research group developed a novel antifouling nanofiltration membrane by regulating pore size distribution through one-step multiple interfacial polymerization. The resulting membrane exhibits stronger antifouling performance and long-term stability, promising improved robustness in industrial liquid separation.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJul 27, 2022

How service dogs reduce PTSD symptoms: factors and mechanisms

A new analysis of service dog-veteran pairs found that lower dog excitability and closer relationships between veterans and their dogs are associated with reduced PTSD symptoms. Better mental health outcomes were also linked to perceptions of easy care for the dog and more frequent interactions initiated by the veteran.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 27, 2022

Supplemental vitamin D did not lower risk of fractures in healthy US adults

A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that supplemental vitamin D did not lower the risk of fractures in healthy US adults. The research, which involved over 1,991 incident fractures and 5.3 years of follow-up, also showed no effects on major osteoporotic fractures or wrist/pelvic fractures.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 27, 2022

Discrimination took a toll on the mental health of racial and ethnic minority groups during the COVID-19 pandemic

Research found that everyday discrimination during COVID-19 led to increased odds of moderate to severe depression and suicidal ideation, particularly among Hispanic/Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander participants. The study highlights the need for clinicians and society to address the toll of discrimination on mental health.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeSurvey·DateJul 27, 2022

Face shields don’t give high level COVID protection, study shows

A recent study from University of East Anglia compared 13 face shield styles in laboratory settings and surveyed over 600 people in Nigeria and Brazil about their views on face shields as PPE. The results showed that all face shields provided some protection, but none gave high levels against external droplets.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2022

Singapore researchers give 2D electronics a performance boost

Scientists from A*STAR and Fudan University found that placing 2D materials on substrates with bulged morphologies enhances carrier mobility by two orders, paving the way for competitive performance in field-effect transistors and thermoelectric devices. The discovery overcomes the intrinsic carrier mobility limit of the material.

Ancient DNA clarifies the early history of American colonial horses

A study published in PLOS ONE analyzed the oldest domestic horse specimen from the Americas, revealing a genetic lineage linked to Southern Europe. The findings support the hypothesis that horses originated on the Iberian Peninsula and highlight the importance of ancient DNA in understanding cultural and historical processes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 27, 2022

Ambitious career aspirations: A balancing act between success and disappointment

A new study co-authored by economist Dr. Reto Odermatt found that educational and occupational aspirations are important predictors of career success, with ambitious goals motivating people to invest more in their future career success. However, unrealistically high aspirations as a teenager can have negative effects on well-being as a...

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalEuropean Economic Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 26, 2022

Native New Zealand tree puts the sting on pain

Researchers at University of Queensland have found that native New Zealand stinging tree toxins activate pain receptors differently than Australian counterparts, offering potential for novel pain medication. The study aimed to understand pain pathways and tackle chronic pain effectively without side effects and addiction.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 26, 2022

LSU Health New Orleans analysis highlights importance of including demographic data in human research papers to reduce health disparities

A recent study published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that only 35.9% of articles reported patient race, 15.4% reported ethnicity, and 8.3% reported income. Including demographics in multivariable analyses is crucial to determine the applicability of study results to diverse patient populations.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 26, 2022

Manipulating the light-matter Interactions at 1 nm spatial resolution

Scientists have developed a novel method to probe the longitudinal distribution of light-matter interaction in gap-mode plasmonic nanocavities. By embedding monolayer MoS2 as an emitter in the nanogap, they achieve spatial resolution of ~1 nm and observe significant photoluminescence enhancement factors up to 2800 times.

Dynamic building facades inspired by marine organisms could reduce heating, cooling and lighting costs

A new 'optofluidic' system designed at the University of Toronto Engineering can enable buildings to save energy by dynamically changing the appearance of their exteriors. The system uses carefully controlled fluid injections to create a dynamic shading system, reducing the need for heating, cooling and lighting systems.

The busier, the better: number of places visited found important for physical activity among the elderly

A cross-sectional study found that the elderly's daily step count and physical activity level are strongly influenced by the number of places they visit, not just their out-of-home time. The researchers suggest that encouraging outings to diverse locations can be a healthier approach than simply going for longer periods.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalGeriatric Nursing·TypeObservational study·DateJul 26, 2022