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Science News for June 7, 2022


Study shows how mothers calm their distressed infants with soothing signals

A recent study published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science has shed new light on the mysterious process of soothing a distressed infant. The research found that mothers' heart-rate changes precede those of their infants, creating a 'soothing dance.' However, for mothers with postpartum depression, it is the infant'...

SourceYork University·JournalJournal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science·TypeObservational study·DateJun 7, 2022

Racial disparities in traffic fatalities much wider than previously known

A new analysis suggests that Black and Hispanic Americans are disproportionately affected by traffic-related deaths, and that these disparities are larger than previous estimates show. The study found that travel distances vary among racial/ethnic groups when walking, cycling, or driving, and when these differences in activity levels a...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 7, 2022

Radiotherapy not always needed for early breast cancer

A recent study by McMaster University researcher Timothy Whelan and his team has identified a specific group of patients with early stage breast cancer who can effectively treat their disease with just surgery and endocrine therapy. The study found that the recurrence of cancer in these patients was just 2.3% without radiotherapy.

SourceMcMaster University·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 7, 2022

Researchers design new emulator that reveals the intricacies of light behavior in complex evolving systems

A team of researchers has developed a novel photonic emulator that reveals the intricacies of light behavior in non-Hermitian optical systems. The findings suggest that the topology of energy surfaces plays a crucial role in determining light behavior, leading to novel mechanisms for light manipulation and technological advancements.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2022

Telemedicine helped ensure essential type 2 diabetes care amid the COVID-19 pandemic

A new study from University of Eastern Finland indicates that telemedicine played a crucial role in maintaining essential type 2 diabetes care amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite reduced face-to-face appointments, remote services for diabetes management cushioned the decline and kept overall contacts only 9% lower than 2019.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalBMC Health Services Research·DateJun 7, 2022

Risk of breakthrough Covid-19 infection after vaccination is higher among people with HIV

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that people with HIV are at a higher risk of breakthrough COVID-19 infections after vaccination. The study analyzed data from nearly 114,000 fully vaccinated individuals and found that the HIV group had a 28% higher rate of breakthrough infections compared to the non-HIV group.

Scientists show how fast-growing bacteria can resist antibiotics

A study published in eLife has shown that fast-growing bacteria can resist antibiotics by displaying higher ribosome expression, allowing them to avoid macrolide accumulation. This finding highlights a new survival strategy for bacteria and offers potential avenues for developing improved antibiotic compounds.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateJun 7, 2022

Nano-sensor detects pesticides on fruit in minutes

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed nano-sensors that can detect pesticide residues on fruit surfaces in just five minutes. The sensors use flame-sprayed nanoparticles made from silver to increase the signal of chemicals, overcoming high production costs and limited batch-to-batch reproducibility.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJun 7, 2022

Rapamycin increases Alzheimer’s-associated plaques in mice, study finds

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio found that rapamycin causes an increase in beta-amyloid protein plaques in mouse models, contradicting its potential benefits. However, a novel method to decrease plaques was discovered by deleting the Tsc1 gene from microglia, leading to increased Trem2 levels and decreased plaques.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2022

Yolk-shell nanocrystals with movable gold yolk: Next generation of photocatalysts

Researchers developed yolk-shell nanocrystals containing metallic gold yolk with semiconductor shells, exhibiting high photocatalytic activity. The structures were synthesized using a sequential ion-exchange process and evaluated using XPS and PL spectroscopy, revealing electronic interactions favorable for photocatalysis.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2022

'Ugly' reef fishes are most in need of conservation support

A recent study found that brightly colored, round-bodied fish are rated as the most beautiful by the public, while less attractive species tend to be more ecologically and evolutionarily distinct. These unattractive species, including those listed as threatened or in need of conservation evaluation, may receive less public support desp...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 7, 2022

Transcranial stimulation lowers blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension, study shows

A recent study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can lower blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. After a single session or ten sessions, the treatment reduced peripheral and central blood pressure in some patients by up to 15 mmHg.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine·DateJun 7, 2022

The first set of large ensemble simulations with a global climate system model reveal the role of internal climate variability

The study uses a global climate system model to simulate large ensemble experiments, which capture internal variabilities' impact on surface air temperature and land precipitation. The research helps improve understanding of forced climate changes and provides guidance for policymakers.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJun 7, 2022

Trends in prescription drug launch prices

Recent trends in US prescription drug launch prices show a significant increase from 2008 to 2021, with average annual growth rates reaching 9.5%. The study highlights the need for policymakers and regulators to address this issue and ensure affordable medication for patients.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJun 7, 2022

Study explains molecular basis of long COVID symptoms

A new study reveals that prolonged immune reactions in olfactory tissue contribute to long COVID symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and brain fog. The research found a unique inflammatory response in hamsters previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, which corresponded with behavior changes and brain cell biology abnormalities.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2022

Long-term study finds cigarette smoking doubled risk of developing heart failure

A long-term study found that cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of developing both reduced ejection fraction and preserved ejection fraction heart failure. Former smokers retained a higher risk of heart failure for decades after quitting, with the risk decreasing only after 30 years without smoking.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 7, 2022

Adherence to federal hospital price transparency rule

Researchers evaluated US hospital adherence to federal price transparency rule, finding that while overall compliance was high, significant variations existed between hospitals and markets. The study highlights the need for further analysis of these disparities to improve healthcare pricing transparency.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJun 7, 2022

Yoyo stars responsible for off-center bubbles

Researchers used a new simulation code to study the formation of star clusters and found that massive stars can eject off-center bubbles in the Orion Nebula. The simulations matched observations, showing that ejected stars can initiate ionized bubbles before falling back into the cluster.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 7, 2022

Targeted micronutrition ameliorates allergy symptoms

Researchers at the Messerli Research Institute developed a lozenge that compensates for micronutrient deficiencies in immune cells, reducing inflammation and allergic reactions. The study showed a 45% reduction in symptom burden during peak pollen season, presenting a new approach to allergy care.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalThe Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology In Practice·DateJun 7, 2022

Earth’s magnetic poles not likely to flip: study

Researchers analyzed burnt artifacts, volcanic samples, and sediment cores to recreate the Earth's magnetic field over 9,000 years. Their new modeling technique predicts that the South Atlantic Anomaly will disappear within 300 years, ruling out an impending polarity reversal.

SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 7, 2022

California’s ‘red flag’ law utilized for 58 threatened mass shootings

A new study from the University of California - Davis Health examines case details and mortality records from the first three years of California's Gun Violence Restraining Order law. The research found that GVROs were used to prevent firearm assault and homicide, with almost 30% of cases involving mass shooting threats.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalInjury Prevention·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 7, 2022

Colossal collisions linked to solar system science

A new study using Chandra X-ray Observatory data reveals a deep connection between cosmic collisions and solar system phenomena. The research, led by Helen Russell from the University of Nottingham, shows that electrons are heated by compression of gas in galaxy clusters.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateJun 7, 2022

Unfreezing waters in ligand binding sites

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital developed an algorithm to identify temperature-sensitive conformations in proteins, revealing the importance of water networks in ligand binding sites. The findings challenge the assumption that well-resolved cryogenic water positions are both precise and accurate.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2022

App Boosts Preschoolers’ Motor Skills

A new study published in Pediatrics found that a 12-week app program improved children's motor skills by an average of 15.5 percentage points. The app-based program focused on six motor skills, including hopping, throwing, and jumping, and was shown to be effective in preventing childhood obesity.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 7, 2022

New data challenges reliance on outdated guidelines to block patients with class i obesity from having weight-loss surgery

A recent study reveals that patients with lower body mass indexes (BMIs) could benefit from weight-loss surgery due to its effectiveness in treating type 2 diabetes and other comorbidities. The study found that patients with Class I obesity who underwent weight-loss procedures had shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and improv...

New insights on infant word learning reported in study

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences offers fresh insights into infant word learning. Researchers found that infants between 7 and 11 months old learn words by building up memory representations over time, rather than through repeated connections between words and objects.

SourceIndiana University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 7, 2022