Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 8, 2022


Zoom fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic

A recent study has found that prolonged use of videoconferencing for work, known as 'Zoom fatigue,' is associated with increased levels of loneliness, depression, and even food insecurity. The researchers concluded that employers and employees should consider the impact of videoconferencing on mental health and productivity.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking·TypeCase study·DateJun 8, 2022

Updating our understanding of Earth’s architecture

Researchers have created new geological models that provide a better understanding of the Earth's history and natural hazards. The models include updated maps of tectonic plates and geological provinces, offering new insights into plate boundary zones and the formation of supercontinents.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalEarth-Science Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 8, 2022

A polyphenol-rich diet prevents inflammation in older people

A polyphenol-rich diet has been shown to increase the production of indole 3-propionic acid (IPA), a metabolite with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in older adults with preserved kidney function. This increase is associated with a decrease in inflammation levels and changes in gut microbiota.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

Bizarre meat-eating dinosaur joins “Rogues’ Gallery” of giant predators from classic fossil site in Egypt’s Sahara Desert

A new species of large-bodied meat-eating dinosaur, an abelisaurid theropod, has been found in the Bahariya Oasis of Egypt's Western Desert. The discovery provides the first known record of this group from a middle Cretaceous-aged rock unit, and sheds light on the biodiversity of Cretaceous dinosaurs in Egypt and northeastern Africa.

SourceOhio University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeNews article·DateJun 8, 2022

Microplastics in the Indian Ocean

Researchers have developed a new analysis method that accurately measures microplastic particles and fibers in the Indian Ocean. The study found an average concentration of 50 microplastic particles per cubic meter, with paint particles and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being the most common types.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

New insights into neutron star matter

Researchers combined knowledge from nuclear theory, nuclear experiment, and astrophysical observations to gain new insights into neutron star matter. The study found a higher pressure at intermediate densities in neutron stars using data from heavy-ion collision experiments.

SourceTechnische Universitat Darmstadt·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

Electron-phonon coupling assisted universal red luminescence of o-phenylenediamine-based CDs

Researchers investigate the formation process and fluorescence mechanism of o-phenylenediamine-based red emission CDs. The study reveals a systematic approach to analyzing emission mechanisms, providing insights into the structure-property relationship of carbon dots.

OSU study: Zoom-based mindfulness group proves feasible intervention for post-cancer sexual health

A recent Oregon State University study found that a mindfulness-based intervention delivered via videoconference was a feasible treatment option for survivors of breast and gynecologic cancers. The pilot study showed that participants learned mindfulness exercises, gained insight into sexual interest, and appreciated the group's suppor...

SourceOregon State University·JournalThe Journal of Sexual Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJun 8, 2022

How are environmental chemicals affecting vultures?

Old World vultures are vulnerable to chronic chemical exposure through the food chain, posing a threat to ecosystem health. Environmental chemicals such as legacy and emerging pollutants contribute to their decline, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateJun 8, 2022

Walking towards healthier knees

A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that walking for exercise can reduce new frequent knee pain and slow joint damage in people with knee osteoarthritis. Researchers analyzed data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative and found a 40% decrease in odds of new frequent knee pain among walkers compared to non-walkers.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 8, 2022

Do optimists live longer?

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that higher levels of optimism are associated with longer lifespans and a greater likelihood of living past 90 years of age. Lifestyle factors accounted for nearly one-quarter of the optimism-lifespan association across racial and ethnic groups.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 8, 2022

Amazon River freshwater fish show signs of overexploitation

The Amazon River's biodiversity is under strong fishing pressure, indicating a stress that menaces the region's ability to provide protein and other essential nutrients. The research found that large-bodied species are more vulnerable to overexploitation and being replaced by smaller species.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJun 8, 2022

New delivery method allows slow-release of broader array of peptide drugs in the body

A new study has discovered a novel drug delivery microencapsulation approach that allows for the slow release of broader arrays of peptide drugs in the body. This method enables more frequent injections with reduced discomfort, treating conditions like prostate cancer and endometriosis. The researchers also plan to expand their work on...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2022

More equal online: Study reveals people’s idealized self-representation on the internet

Researchers found a clear tendency for people to assign idealized attributes to their online avatars, particularly regarding psychological traits. This phenomenon suggests that internet users often present an idealized version of themselves, with significant differences between actual and ideal self-representations.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalCurrent Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

Unvaccinated children mount COVID-19 immune response, but vaccination may be key to strengthening immunity

A study found that unvaccinated children develop a rapid immune response to SARS-CoV-2, which may contribute to less severe symptoms, but limits the development of an immune memory response. Vaccination is believed to strengthen immunity by inducing key components such as memory T cell and B cell responses.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalImmunity·TypeObservational study·DateJun 8, 2022

Zinc found to play an important role in lung fibrosis

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have discovered that zinc, a common mineral, plays an important role in reversing lung damage and improving survival for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). By identifying a molecular pathway involving zinc, the team hopes to develop new therapies to reverse IPF-related lung damage.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 8, 2022

University of California, Irvine scientists observe effects of heat in materials with atomic resolution

Researchers at UCI and MIT observe phonon behavior in silicon-germanium alloy, revealing softened vibrations that reduce thermal conductivity. The study's novel technique enables direct observation of nonequilibrium phonons near interfaces, advancing thermoelectric technology and energy efficiency.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJun 8, 2022

High optimism linked with longer life and living past 90 in women across racial, ethnic groups

A study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that higher levels of optimism were associated with longer lifespan and living beyond age 90 in women from diverse racial and ethnic groups. Optimism was linked to a 5.4% longer lifespan and a 10% greater likelihood of living beyond 90 years.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeObservational study·DateJun 8, 2022

Study: More equitable vaccine coverage could have prevented over 250 COVID-19 deaths in Chicago

A new study by researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine found that COVID-19-related deaths could have been prevented in 52 of Chicago's zip codes with more equitable vaccine coverage. The study revealed a 75% reduction in deaths if the least-vaccinated areas had followed the same vaccination trend as the most-vaccinated areas.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 8, 2022

Pregnant women’s drinking correlates with their partner’s drinking

A new study found that pregnant women's use of alcohol correlates with that of their partner, highlighting the importance of both parents reducing their alcohol consumption. The research, which analyzed data from 14,822 Finnish women and their partners, showed that exposure to alcohol can have detrimental effects on fetal development.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalAlcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research·DateJun 8, 2022

Obesity lowering the age for knee replacements

A study by the University of Queensland found that obese patients were up to 17.3 times more likely to undergo a knee replacement than their healthy weight counterparts. Modest weight loss has been shown to effectively reduce knee OA symptoms, suggesting a potential solution to address the growing burden of revision knee replacements.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalANZ Journal of Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 8, 2022

Whole-body learning can boost children's letter sound recognition - the first step towards reading

A new study by the University of Copenhagen found that children who move while learning sounds of letters significantly improve their ability to recognize individual letter sounds. This embodied learning approach can help give beginner readers a good start and may lead to better reading skills in the long run.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalEducational Psychology Review·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 8, 2022

Inaccurate global irrigation models can cause extensive societal harm

A new study reveals that large-scale hydrological models producing global irrigation water withdrawal estimates are unreliable due to overlooking uncertainties and traditional irrigator practices. The researchers argue that these biases can lead to grave policy misjudgments, devastating consequences and inaccurate water management.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 8, 2022

A bellwether for COVID-19

Researchers at Harvard Medical School used a new technique to analyze SARS-CoV-2 samples from university screening programs and found that omicron accounted for over 90% of infections just nine days after arrival. The study suggests universities can serve as monitoring hubs for early detection of infectious disease outbreaks.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJun 8, 2022

Smoke break: UNLV study strengthens link between smoking and increased fracture risk in men

A UNLV study analyzed nearly 30,000 broken bone cases and found that smoking increases the risk of breaking a bone by as much as 37%. The study also found that men are more likely to experience fractures, particularly in the wrists, spine, and shoulders, due to nicotine's negative impact on bone cells and calcium absorption.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalScientific Reports·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 8, 2022

THE LANCET HEALTHY LONGEVITY: Little evidence testosterone treatment increases the risk of cardiovascular events, most in-depth analysis suggests

A comprehensive analysis of testosterone replacement therapy found no increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events in the short-to-medium term. Testosterone treatment was also found to reduce serum cholesterol levels, but no significant differences were observed in blood pressure or glycaemic parameters.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 8, 2022

New LLU study associates intake of dairy milk with greater risk of prostate cancer

A new Loma Linda University study associates high dairy milk intake with a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer. Researchers found no association between non-dairy calcium and prostate cancer risk, suggesting substances other than calcium contribute to the increased risk.

SourceLoma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateJun 8, 2022

Adding up costs to enroll in stormwater management incentive programs

A University of Maryland study estimates the dollar value of barriers to homeowners participating in cost-sharing programs for stormwater management. The researchers found that features requiring effort from homeowners can significantly reduce the incentive's effectiveness, with some combinations resulting in a mere $1.85/sqft cost sha...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·TypeSurvey·DateJun 8, 2022

Vegan diet rich in legumes beneficial for decreased weight in new study

A new study by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that a vegan diet rich in legumes is associated with decreased weight and improved insulin sensitivity. The 16-week study involved 244 overweight adults who followed either a low-fat vegan diet or made no changes, resulting in an average weight loss of 13 pounds.

SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 8, 2022

Preventing adverse birth outcomes could boost education, income

A new modeling study found that reducing excess prevalence of low birthweight, preterm birth, or small-for-gestational-age birth in low- and middle-income countries could lead to substantial long-term human capital gains. The study estimates potential gains of 20.3 million school years and $68.8 billion in lifetime income per birth coh...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 8, 2022

New blood test could spare thousands of colon cancer patients from unnecessary chemotherapy

A new blood test has been developed to identify colon cancer patients who can safely avoid chemotherapy, reducing the number of patients treated with unnecessary treatment. The test assesses levels of circulating tumour DNA and could revolutionise chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer patients.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 8, 2022

Oncotarget | A novel group of genes that cause endocrine resistance in breast cancer identified by dynamic gene expression analysis

A recent study identified 34 novel genes that contribute to endocrine resistance in breast cancer using dynamic gene expression analysis. The researchers found that these genes are differentially expressed in both estrogen receptor-positive and triple-negative breast cancers, suggesting shared genetic mechanisms underlying resistance d...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 8, 2022

Higher rate of COVID-19 death before vaccination linked to certain common inflammatory immune conditions

A study analyzing 17 million patient GP records in England found that people with certain inflammatory immune conditions were at higher risk of dying or needing hospital care from COVID-19. The analysis suggests that targeting prevention strategies and early interventions towards those most at risk can help inform evidence-based policy.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Rheumatology·DateJun 8, 2022

New study shows how having had COVID-19 may negatively impact your performance at work

A new study from the University of Waterloo found that individuals who had contracted COVID-19 reported significantly more cognitive failures at work, including memory and attention problems. The study suggests that returning to work after contracting COVID-19 may require accommodations such as reduced workloads or flexible arrangements.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 8, 2022

Adult survivors of childhood cancer often undertreated for cardiovascular risk factors

A new study found that adult survivors of childhood cancer are 80% more likely to be undertreated for cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. The study highlights the need for increased awareness among healthcare professionals and improved health management strategies for cancer survivors.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJun 8, 2022

How company leaders talk about creativity can hurt investor confidence

Researchers found that discussing creativity and innovation negatively affects investors' confidence in a company's market performance. However, firms with leaders who discuss creativity positively tend to have higher earnings, suggesting the importance of tone in mitigating this effect.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

Human skin can be damaged by exposure to thirdhand smoke and electronic cigarette spills

Researchers discovered that dermal contact with nicotine concentrations found in thirdhand smoke and electronic cigarette spills can impair wound healing, increase susceptibility to skin infections, and cause oxidative stress in skin cells. The study suggests that even a short exposure of 24 hours is sufficient to cause skin damage.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalAtmosphere·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

Theory proves local equilibrium at interfaces

A new theory developed by researchers at the University of Chicago proves the existence of local equilibrium at interfaces, which are regions where materials interact and connect. This finding has significant implications for understanding and engineering systems with multiple components.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2022

Women feel less stressed on weekends

A recent Binghamton University study found that women experience reduced stress levels on weekends due to increased downtime. The research also discovered that physically fit individuals relax faster and can benefit from incorporating physical activity into their daily routine.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJun 8, 2022

New study in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis reveals influence of host plant on medicinal qualities of mistletoe

A study published in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis found that the quality of mistletoe, a traditional Chinese medicine, is affected by its host plant. The researchers used metabolomics to investigate the influence of host plants and environmental factors on mistletoe's medicinal qualities. The results show that both host plants an...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

Social and governance performances affect institutional ownership in the hospitality and tourism sector

The study examines four CSR dimensions and their impact on institutional investment in the hospitality and tourism sector, finding strong reactions to performance in social awareness and corporate governance. Environmental concerns have limited bearing on institutional investment in this industry.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalTourism Economics·TypeObservational study·DateJun 8, 2022

First-ever elucidation of a small protein’s structure could signal help for those with epilepsy and other disorders

Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have elucidated the structure of a small protein carrying GABA into neurons using cryogenic electron microscopy. This breakthrough could lead to more effective drugs for conditions such as epilepsy, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and autism spectru...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 8, 2022

Tailoring defects in hard carbon anode towards enhanced Na storage performance

Scientists designed novel hard carbon anodes with controlled defects, pore structures, and cation doping to boost sodium storage capacity. The optimized materials showed improved rate capability, cycling stability, and energy density. Introducing potassium ions regulated the microstructure and surface functionality of the anodes.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalEnergy Material Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

Traditional native Indian medicine is effective in treatment of type 2 diabetes, says new study

A new study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that traditional Ayurvedic medicines are effective in maintaining blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The review analyzed 219 articles and included 98 Ayurvedic medicines, showing benefits in glycemic control, body weight, and other diabetes-related parameters.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalFrontiers in Pharmacology·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 8, 2022

Towards indoor lighting-powered thin-film, flexible solar cells with piezophototronics

Ritsumeikan University researchers create a novel thin-film flexible piezoelectric-photovoltaic device that can generate electricity from indoor lighting. The device's performance is improved through strain-induced polarization in the ZnMgO layer, increasing open-circuit voltage and overcoming charge recombination issues.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalNano Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

COIVD-19 greatly increases risk of complications and death for pregnant people in sub-Saharan Africa

A new multicenter study found that pregnant women with COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa have a significantly increased risk of needing intensive care and dying compared to uninfected hospitalized pregnant women. The study also highlighted the importance of COVID-19 vaccination as part of prenatal care to improve mother and infant outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJun 8, 2022