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Science News Archive June 2022


Page 1 of 40

Telehealth enables 8 Texas nurseries to reduce antibiotic use in newborns by 32%

A three-year study found that telehealth consultations with a pediatric infectious disease specialist reduced antibiotic usage in 8 Texas nurseries serving rural and medically underserved areas by 32%. The consultations helped healthcare providers make more informed decisions about when to use antibiotics, ensuring the proper balance b...

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2022

Developmentally arrested IVF embryos can be coaxed to divide

A new study published in PLOS Biology found that IVF embryos often undergo genetic and metabolic changes that inhibit development. The researchers discovered that certain embryos enter a senescent-like state, but treating them with resveratrol can help overcome this arrest and promote further development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2022

Emu stands tall at detecting bacteria species

The Emu project effectively identifies bacterial species by leveraging long DNA sequences spanning the entire length of the gene under study. This approach facilitates the analysis of key genes in microbiome researchers' efforts to sort out harmful and helpful bacteria.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Methods·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 30, 2022

New study reveals impact of plastic on small mammals, as four out of seven species identified as ‘plastic positive’

Researchers found traces of plastics in over half of the species examined, including polyester, polyethylene, and polynorbornene. Four out of seven species, such as European hedgehogs and field voles, were identified as 'plastic positive', highlighting potential impacts on conservation status.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateJun 30, 2022

Laser oxidation-a new approach to tuning the optical third-order nonlinearity of boron nitride

Researchers developed a one-step ball milling method to enhance h-BN's solubility and create freestanding thin films. Femtosecond laser processing introduces oxidation, increasing the material's third-order nonlinear optical properties. This enables precise control and operation of light at micro/nano scales for various applications.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Science·DateJun 30, 2022

UV increases risks for disinfection of drinking water treatment: Scientists provide new insight

New research reveals UV disinfection can form trihalomethane disinfection byproducts from halobenzoquinones, posing a risk to public health and the environment. The study found UV enhances THM formation yield by nearly 10 times, highlighting the need for further investigation into combined UV/chlorine processes.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2022

Laser creates a miniature magnetosphere

Researchers at Osaka University have successfully created a miniature magnetosphere using lasers, directly measuring pure electron outflows associated with magnetic reconnection. This breakthrough sheds light on the microscopic electron dynamics driving space and astrophysical phenomena.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2022

Tonga volcano eruption was among the most powerful ever observed, triggering atmospheric gravity waves that reached the edge of space

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai submarine volcano eruption created the largest recorded volcanic explosion, producing massive gravity and atmospheric waves that reverberated around the earth. The study, published in Nature, highlights the importance of this event for improving weather and climate models.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJun 30, 2022

Adolescents more vulnerable to cannabis addiction but not other mental health risks

A new study led by UCL and King's College London researchers found that adolescents are three times more likely to develop a cannabis addiction than adults. However, they do not appear to be at increased risk of subclinical depression or anxiety. In contrast, adult users who become addicted may experience worsening mental health symptoms.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 30, 2022

Six guiding principles for the EU agricultural policy to halt biodiversity loss

The EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has three key measures to support biodiversity: Cross Compliance, Agri-Environment-Climate Measures, and Greening. Despite these measures, farmland biodiversity is still declining. A study by over 300 scientists recommends six guiding principles to improve the CAP for better biodiversity outcomes.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalConservation Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 30, 2022

THE LANCET DIABETES & ENDO.: COVID-19 vaccine protects people of all body weights from hospitalization and death, study of 9 million adults in England suggests

A recent study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduced severe disease cases across all BMI groups. Vaccine effectiveness was slightly lower in underweight individuals, but substantial reductions in risk were observed for those with healthy weights and higher BMIs.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 30, 2022

Found: The ‘holy grail of catalysis’ — turning methane into methanol under ambient conditions using light

Researchers have developed a novel process converting methane into liquid methanol at ambient temperature and pressure using visible light. The method uses a continuous flow of methane/oxygen-saturated water over a novel metal-organic framework (MOF) catalyst, achieving 100% selectivity with no by-products.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2022

Pioneering recycling turns mixed waste into premium plastics with no climate impact

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a thermochemical recycling method that produces gas containing carbon atoms from mixed waste, which can be used to create new plastic products. The process eliminates the need for fossil raw materials and achieves negative emissions.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 30, 2022

Simulating 3D-AFM images for systems not in equilibrium

A new simulation approach for 3D-AFM imaging has been developed to tackle complex systems not in equilibrium. This enables the study of biologically relevant systems like biomolecules and biopolymers. The method uses the Jarzynski equality to calculate force-distance curves, reproducing internal structures and fiber features.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry·DateJun 30, 2022

Winning by default: Tonsillectomy study shows power of pre-set opioid Rx size

A new study found that hospitals can reduce excessive opioid prescribing by implementing an evidence-based default setting for opioid prescriptions written in electronic health records. The study showed that patients who received a standard prescription size with a lower default dose of opioids had similar pain control, but took home f...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJun 30, 2022

New flood maps clarify the risk homeowners face

A new approach to developing flood maps uses confidence intervals to capture the uncertainty in flood predictions, providing a more realistic depiction of flood zones. This simplified method is more accessible and cost-effective than traditional methods, producing acceptable results with less effort and lower costs.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalWater·DateJun 30, 2022

Development of ultra-thin, high-efficiency piezoelectric elements that generate electricity from movements in daily life

Researchers at DGIST have created a new energy-generating device using biocompatible materials that can harness electrical energy from small movements of the human body. The developed device boasts an ultra-thin film design and achieves the world's highest energy conversion efficiency at 18.85%, making it suitable for long-term power s...