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Science News for June 3, 2022


New insight: Socio-economic disparities in physical activity levels during the COVID-19 pandemic

A study by Kobe University researchers found significant socio-economic disparities in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with vulnerable populations experiencing reduced levels of activity. The findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring to address widening health disparities stemming from economic circumstances.

SourceKobe University·JournalPublic Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 3, 2022

Catching microplastics with spider webs

A study by researchers at the University of Oldenburg found that spider webs are contaminated with varying levels of microplastic particles, including PET and PVC. The team discovered that the amount of plastic particles in the webs depends on location, with roads having high traffic volumes producing more microplastics.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeObservational study·DateJun 3, 2022

New drug combination lengthened survival for some with lung cancer

A new drug combination of ramucirumab and pembrolizumab significantly extended overall survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients who had progressed on prior immunotherapy. The study found a 31% reduction in risk of death compared to standard therapy, with median overall survival times of 14.5 months.

SourceSWOG Cancer Research Network·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 3, 2022

Insulation from wood research proves better than existing plastic-based materials

Researchers developed a wood-based insulating material that offers superior thermal performance to existing plastic-based materials. The new aerogel-integrated wood material is created without adding additional substances and has the potential to replace fossil-based aerogels for energy efficiency and sustainable development.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJun 3, 2022

Ibrutinib with chemoimmunotherapy improved progression-free survival for newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma patients

The study found that combination chemoimmunotherapy with ibrutinib improved progression-free survival over standard chemoimmunotherapy in patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma. The median PFS was 80.6 months with the ibrutinib combination versus 52.9 months in the control arm.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 3, 2022

Grain boundaries go with the flow

A team of researchers from Rice University has modeled the dynamics of grain boundaries in polycrystalline materials using a rotating magnetic field technique. The study shows that grain boundaries can change readily in response to shear stress, and voids in these structures can act as sources and sinks for their movement.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 3, 2022

How plesiosaurs swam underwater

Researchers found that plesiosaurs used a unique swimming motion, twisting their flippers to create lift and propel themselves through the water. This was achieved by using muscles to twist the flippers around their long axis, allowing for efficient swimming without rotating the upper arm and thigh.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPeerJ·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 3, 2022

In first year of COVID-19 pandemic and after George Floyd’s death, rates of some crimes rose while others fell

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd's murder on crime rates in 28 US cities. The study found that homicides and auto thefts increased, while robberies and larcenies declined. The authors suggest that social unrest, economic conditions, and changed police behavior may b...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalStatistics and Public Policy·DateJun 3, 2022

Oregon State research sheds light on why not all obese patients develop type 2 diabetes

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new analytical method that reveals why some obese patients develop type 2 diabetes while others don't. The study found that a particular type of gut microbe leads to insulin resistance, and treatments targeting microbiota may be a new therapeutic strategy for the disease.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 3, 2022

Issue cover image a new study points to evolutionary causes and ecological consequences of the absence of a digestive enzyme in birds

A new study reveals that birds lost the ability to digest trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide found in common food sources, likely due to evolutionary divergence from their common ancestor. This loss has significant ecological implications, including reduced access to energy-rich foods and potential adaptations by other species.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 3, 2022

Black girls commonly have negative experiences related to their natural hair

A recent study published in the journal Body Image found that young Black girls experience high levels of verbal teasing and unwanted hair touching due to their natural hair. The research highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of these issues to promote positive body image and self-acceptance among young Black girls.

SourceArizona State University·JournalBody Image·TypeObservational study·DateJun 3, 2022

Pathways to the skies: NAU and CCC launch partnership to increase URM participation in astronomy, planetary science and other STEM fields

Northern Arizona University has launched a partnership with Coconino Community College to increase underrepresented minority (URM) student participation in astronomy, planetary science, and other STEM fields. The two-year project will provide paid internships for 20 students, enabling them to carry out research on various topics.

LSU Health study shows promise of NB-UVB phototherapy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study found that NB-UVB phototherapy decreased mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with no adverse events reported. The treatment was effective in both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, with reduced pathologic inflammation and improved intracellular killing of pathogens.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalExperimental Dermatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 3, 2022

Promising results for chemo-immunotherapy combination against pancreatic cancer, Penn study finds

Researchers found that combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy increased one-year survival rates for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, with anti-PD-1/chemo regimen showing the highest response. The study identified key immune system biomarkers associated with better outcomes, offering new hope for precision oncology.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 3, 2022

A novel path for sustainable photon upconversion with non-precious metals

Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have achieved a breakthrough in using chromium compounds for efficient green-to-blue photon upconversion. This process can expand the use of low-energy sunlight in solar cells and photochemical reactions, reducing environmental impacts associated with rare metal extraction.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 3, 2022

Great timing, supercomputer upgrade lead to successful forecast of volcanic eruption

A team of geologists successfully forecasted a Sierra Negra volcano eruption in June 2018 using a supercomputer-powered model. The model predicted an imminent eruption five months before it occurred, highlighting the power of high-performance computing in volcanic forecasting.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 3, 2022

Everolimus after surgery can improve outcomes in those with high-risk kidney cancer

A study of patients with high-risk renal cell carcinoma found that those taking everolimus daily after surgery lived longer without disease recurrence. The results, although narrowly missed statistical significance, showed improvement primarily in very high-risk disease, with a 21% improvement in RFS for those with the highest risk.

SourceSWOG Cancer Research Network·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 3, 2022