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Science News Archive June 2022 - Page 18


Page 18 of 40

Wildfire smoke exposure negatively impacts dairy cow health

A new study in the Journal of Dairy Science finds that dairy cows exposed to wildfire smoke experience reduced milk production and altered immune function. The researchers observed a decrease in milk yield for seven consecutive days during the smoke exposure period, which persisted for another seven days post-exposure.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2022

Soy sauce’s salt-enhancing peptides

Scientists identified proline-modified dipeptides and larger proteins that enhance umami and salty flavors in soy sauce. This discovery could help producers optimize fermentation conditions to boost desirable compounds and tailor the taste of soy sauce.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJun 16, 2022

A light twist

A researcher at the University of Tsukuba has developed a method for producing electrically conductive polymers with helical configurations, which can convert linearly polarized light into circular polarization. This approach may lead to cheaper and more energy-efficient electronic displays.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalMolecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals·DateJun 16, 2022

New strain of extensively drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae detected in Austria

Scientists detect a highly resistant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Austria, causing treatment failure with current antibiotics. The discovery highlights the urgent need for enhanced antimicrobial surveillance and development of novel treatments to combat this growing public health concern.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2022

Newly documented population of polar bears in Southeast Greenland sheds light on the species’ future in a warming Arctic

A previously unknown subpopulation of polar bears living in Southeast Greenland has been genetically distinct and uniquely adapted to its environment. The study provides insight into how the species might persist into the future, but highlights the need for careful extrapolation due to limited access to sea ice.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2022

Research extends the lifetime of molecules in organic flow batteries to practical values

Harvard researchers develop new method to extend the lifetime of organic molecules in organic aqueous flow batteries, improving their commercial viability. The approach works by periodically providing a shock to revive decomposed molecules, resulting in a net lifetime increase of up to 260 times.

Bringing daylight back into view: Scientists transplant human photoreceptors to successfully recover daylight perception in mice

Researchers at TU Dresden have developed a method to produce high numbers of human photoreceptor cells that can incorporate into partially degenerated mouse retinas and restore daylight perception. The incorporated photoreceptors developed characteristics of normal photoreceptors and could detect daylight in mice with damaged eyesight.

Sharks may be closer to the city than you think, new study finds

Researchers tracked shark movements near Miami's city limits, finding they spent significant time near lights and sounds. This suggests sharks may be drawn to shore by land-based activities like fish carcass discarding, potentially impacting their health and survival.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2022

To treat or to tolerate (pathogens), that is the question

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute identified genes and molecular pathways that control tolerance to pathogens in frog embryos, which are also found in mammals. The study suggests that increasing tolerance to pathogens could be an effective way to prevent death and disease without exacerbating antibiotic resistance.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2022

How autonomous non-destructive testing can change the future construction scenery

A new framework for autonomous non-destructive testing (NDT) uses active learning to guide sampling towards damaged locations, improving damage localization with fewer samples. The framework outperforms existing methods and can be applied to various NDT techniques, enabling more efficient and reliable construction processes.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAutomation in Construction·DateJun 16, 2022

Peanut allergy treatment safest when started for infants under 12 months

A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice found that infants under 12 months who undergo oral immunotherapy have a better safety profile compared to older preschoolers. The treatment, which involves gradually increasing exposure to peanut flour, is highly effective and safe for this age group.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2022

Cancer-causing pollutants in the global food chain exceed EU safety limits in 90% of the studied areas

A study found that nearly 90% of areas studied had cancer-causing dioxins and PCBs in free-range eggs exceeding EU regulatory food limits. Eggs are a major pathway for human exposure to toxic chemicals, and contaminated sites include industrial waste incinerators and plastic burning sites.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalEmerging Contaminants·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 16, 2022

Researchers develop a comprehensive atlas of disease mortality

Researchers have developed a comprehensive atlas of disease mortality, providing a resource to estimate reductions in life expectancy for various disorders. The study analyzed data from 7,378,598 people living in Denmark from 2000 to 2018 and generated a panel of epidemiological and mortality metrics.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2022