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Science News Archive June 2022 - Page 11


Page 11 of 40

Study identifies unique underlying molecular factors driving melanoma development

Researchers identify key features of a gene mutation responsible for 15-20% of melanomas, establishing a link between the frequency of specific NRAS mutations and spontaneous melanoma formation. The study could help pinpoint early events required for melanoma formation and develop targeted treatments.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2022

Smart implants to monitor healing

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed self-powered smart implants that can monitor spinal fusion healing in real-time. The implants use a new class of multifunctional mechanical metamaterials to record pressure and stresses, generating their own power and providing crucial information about the healing process.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJun 23, 2022

Climate change could lead to a dramatic temperature-linked decrease in essential omega-3 fatty acids, according to new study

A new study predicts a temperature-linked decrease in the production of essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for fish and human consumption. The researchers analyzed planktonic lipids in the global ocean, finding a significant decline in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) under worst-case climate scenarios.

NTU Singapore and ETH Zurich scientists decontaminate heavy metal water using protein from plant waste

Scientists have created a membrane made from a waste by-product of vegetable oil manufacturing that can filter out heavy metals from contaminated water. The membrane uses proteins derived from peanut or sunflower oil production to attract and trap heavy metal ions, purifying water to international drinking standards.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2022

Arecibo observatory scientists help unravel surprise asteroid mystery

The team at Arecibo Observatory successfully captured data on the mysterious asteroid 2019 OK, revealing it was a fast-rotating C-type or S-type asteroid with a diameter of .04 to .08 miles. The findings provide insights into asteroid composition and rotation rates, which can help inform deflection techniques to protect the planet.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 23, 2022

Novel sleep education learning modules developed for nurse practitioners

A first-of-its-kind study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing investigated the use of novel graduate-level sleep education curriculum for primary care nurse practitioners. The program positively impacted a range of learning outcomes, including improved recognition and evaluation of sleep disturbances and disorders.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateJun 23, 2022

Methods from weather forecasting can be adapted to assess risk of COVID-19 exposure

Researchers developed a smartphone app that harnesses weather forecasting data to provide individuals with a granular understanding of their COVID-19 risk. The app would blend various types of data, including surveillance testing and wearable sensor data, to forecast the spread of disease across a network of human contacts.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 23, 2022

Thermoelectrics: From heat to electricity

Scientists have discovered a way to optimize thermoelectric properties in one material by exploiting the Anderson transition, where electrons move freely, enabling efficient energy conversion. This breakthrough could lead to improved performance in thermoelectric devices and applications, such as power generation and waste heat recovery.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2022

Increase in leptin levels in preeclampsia prompts cardiovascular cascade that puts mother and baby at risk

Researchers discovered that midgestation leptin surge in preeclampsia leads to endothelial dysfunction, blood vessel constriction, and restricted fetal growth. This finding highlights the crucial role of leptin in pregnancy and its potential consequences on maternal and infant cardiovascular health.

Climate change negatively impacting bumble bees: Study

A new study published in Biology Letters found that climate change is negatively impacting bumble bees, with six species decreasing in population and 22 increasing, while the remaining 18 remained stable. Temperature changes were found to have a primary negative impact on bumble bee populations.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalBiology Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 23, 2022

College towns saw fewer COVID-19 cases when classes were held online and/or on-campus testing was conducted – suggesting regular tests could reduce future community infections

Researchers found that college towns experienced lower COVID-19 case rates when classes were held online or accompanied by regular on-campus testing. This suggests that implementing regular testing could help mitigate future community infections in these settings.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeObservational study·DateJun 23, 2022

How MRI and CT predict flap failure after head and neck reconstructive cancer surgery

Researchers used CT and MRI perfusion techniques to analyze 19 patients with successful free flap reconstruction and five with wound failure. The study found that both methods showed significant differences between the two patient groups. Early postoperative scans could help surgeons intervene earlier, potentially reducing hospital stays.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 23, 2022

Newer COVID-19 subvariants are less vulnerable to immunity induced by vaccination and previous infection, researchers find

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that newer Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 escape neutralizing antibodies induced by both vaccination and previous infection. These variants are now responsible for over 21% of new cases in the US, highlighting a shift in the COVID-19 landscape.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 23, 2022

Females itch less than males

Research at Kyoto University found that estradiol suppresses severe skin inflammation in females compared to males, revealing its therapeutic potential. The hormone regulates immune cells and reduces IL-17A and IL-1β cytokines production.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2022

Young adults with higher exposure to household air pollution show worse lung function

A recent study published in Environment International found that young adults exposed to higher levels of ambient and household air pollution had poorer lung function. Household air pollution from unvented biomass stoves was particularly detrimental, causing a significant decrease in lung capacity.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·TypeObservational study·DateJun 22, 2022

Sniffing out your identity with breath biometrics

A team of researchers from Kyushu University has developed an olfactory sensor capable of identifying individuals by analyzing the compounds in their breath. The system, combined with machine learning, achieved an average accuracy of over 97% in authenticating up to 20 individuals.

SourceKyushu University·JournalChemical Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022

Exploring globular clusters with the lens of asteroseismology

Asteroseismology helps determine mass, age, and features of stars in globular clusters, such as M4. A sample of 37 stars was analyzed, with most being red giants and others horizontal branch stars. The study provides an asteroseismic characterization of the stellar populations, shedding light on their origins and chemical characteristics.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateJun 22, 2022

Can acupuncture reduce headaches?

A study published in Neurology found that acupuncture can reduce the average number of headache days per month for those struggling with chronic tension-type headaches. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in headache frequency, with participants experiencing a decrease from 20 to 7 days per month.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJun 22, 2022

Study shows that getting pesticide reduction policies right is crucial for food security

Researchers explored agri-food and environmental implications of Shanghai's pesticide use reduction policy, finding that imposing the policy at district level reduced crop acreage but alleviated pollution in water resources. The study suggests regional-level implementation can improve outcomes while maintaining food security.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalFundamental Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 22, 2022

Custom suits for worms that really deliver

Researchers from Osaka University have developed a system to coat nematodes with hydrogel sheaths that can carry functional cargo. The study found that the sheaths protect the worms from UV light and hydrogen peroxide while allowing them to deliver anti-cancer agents to kill cancer cells in vitro.

SourceOsaka University·JournalMaterials Today Bio·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022

PICASSO technique drives biological molecules into technicolor​

Researchers developed a new imaging technique called PICASSO that allows for the use of more than 15 colors to image and parse overlapping proteins. This approach, which employs artificial intelligence, enables accurate information unmixing without reference spectra measurements, making it suitable for complex specimens like the brain.

Research with a bite

Researchers at the University of Bonn present a mobile sensor system called forceX to measure insect bite forces, allowing them to understand how these forces evolved. The system achieves high accuracy, with a deviation of only 2.2 percent between measurements.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022

A flicker from the dark

A team of scientists used the flickering light of gas around a black hole to construct an accurate model of our galaxy's central black hole. They found that gas is directly infalling from large distances, rather than being siphoned off over time.

SourceInstitute for Advanced Study·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 22, 2022

The younger we feel, the better we rehabilitate

Researchers found that patients who felt younger at hospital admission showed better functional independence at discharge. This effect was seen in both those rehabilitated from osteoporotic fractures and strokes. A younger subjective age is associated with improved rehabilitation outcomes, stronger than chronological age or physical mu...

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalGerontology·DateJun 22, 2022

Tapping the ocean as a source of natural products

Researchers discovered 40,000 biosynthetic gene clusters in ocean microorganisms, including a new species with giant genome size. These clusters may hold key to new natural products with antibiotic properties. Collaboration between ETH Zurich and Jörn Piel's group validated the structure and function of two promising molecules.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022

Interactive tool to catalog omega-3 human studies introduced by trade group

The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) has introduced an interactive tool to catalog all human studies on EPA and DHA omega-3s. The Clinical Study Database (CSD) provides a comprehensive searchable database with over 45,000 studies, allowing users to filter by outcome, population demographics, study size or dosage.

SourceGOED·JournalProstaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids·DateJun 22, 2022

Following ultrafast magnetization dynamics in depth

Scientists at Max Born Institute create novel method to probe magnetic thin film systems, identifying heat injection from platinum layer as cause of magnetization changes. The approach allows femtosecond temporal and nanometer spatial resolution, paving way for studying ultrafast magnetism and device-relevant geometries.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022

Tree species diversity under pressure

A global study found that half of a tree species' distribution is in unprotected landscapes, with 13.6% having no protection at all. The researchers propose protecting 17% of land areas to safeguard tree diversity, covering 66-83% of their habitats.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 22, 2022