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Science News Archive June 2022 - Page 40


Page 40 of 40

High fat diet, unregulated athletic exercise endurance enhancers linked to risk of pancreatic cancer

A study found that high fat diets and synthetic substances in unregulated athletic performance enhancers can activate a receptor accelerating the progression of pre-cancerous lesions to pancreatic cancer in mice. Limiting exposure to these substances may help prevent pancreatic cancer development.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

A ‘Goldilocks amount’ of time spent online could be good for teenagers’ wellbeing

A new study from Trinity College Dublin suggests that teenagers who spend a 'goldilocks amount' of time online may have better mental wellbeing. The research found that low engagement with digital media is also associated with poor mental health outcomes for adolescents, while high engagement predicts worse mental health outcomes.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateJun 1, 2022

New ultrasound tool measures blood flow, images microvasculature in the brain

Researchers developed a new ultrasound localization microscopy technique to image blood vessels and measure blood flow in the brain. The method uses microscopic bubbles as a contrast agent and accelerates post-processing to 10-30 seconds, enabling rapid imaging of whole-brain microvasculature.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

New genomic tools shed light on the evolutionary history of chimpanzees and contribute to their conservation

An international research team has created the largest and most detailed genomic diversity atlas of wild chimpanzees, revealing their evolutionary history and genetic diversity. The study sheds light on demographic past, genetic differentiation, and exchanges between subspecies, providing valuable insights for conservation.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalCell Genomics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

The space between us

A study from Washington University in St. Louis highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy forest functioning. The research shows that tree beta diversity, a measure of site-to-site variation in species composition, is stronger than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalEcology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2022

Study examines why the memory of fear is seared into our brains

Researchers discovered that stress neurotransmitter norepinephrine stimulates a specific population of inhibitory neurons in the amygdala to generate a repetitive bursting pattern of electrical discharges. This leads to the formation of fear memories, which can be difficult to forget due to their association with traumatic experiences.

SourceTulane University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

In bias we trust?

Researchers at MIT found that explanation methods used to aid human decision-makers in high-stakes situations often have lower accuracy for minoritized subgroups. The fidelity of these explanations varies dramatically between subgroups, with the quality often significantly lower for women and Black people.

At least 2,000 species of reptiles are threatened

The first international study of its kind assesses the status of all reptile species, revealing that at least 2,000 species are threatened with extinction. The study found that 50% of turtle and crocodile species face extinction threats, while 30% of forest-dwelling reptiles and 14% of arid area reptiles are in danger.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2022

NTU Singapore scientists develop a ‘fabric’ that turns body movement into electricity

Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a flexible and durable fabric that harnesses energy from human movements, providing a potential solution for wearable power sources. The fabric generates enough electricity to light up LEDs and charge capacitors, demonstrating its potential for use in smart textiles and wearable electronics.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 1, 2022

Bacteria-killing drills get an upgrade

Researchers at Rice University have developed molecular machines that can kill bacteria using visible light, targeting gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The breakthrough study uses rotors spinning at millions of times per second to break up biofilms and persister cells, making these infections more treatable.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

Community-engagement preventive intervention promotes mental health of Bhutanese families in Western Massachusetts

A peer-led, family-centered preventive intervention is being tested to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among Bhutanese immigrants. The program, developed by Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar, uses problem management plus (PMP) and addresses multiple stressors, resulting in improved coping skills and social networking.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalBMJ Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 1, 2022

A new duality solves a physics mystery

Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a new method to create curved spaces without physical distortions, utilizing non-Hermiticity. This breakthrough solves a long-standing physics mystery and opens up new avenues for exploring non-Hermitian quantum phenomena in curved spaces.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 1, 2022

Malnutrition links kidney disease, weaker muscles

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that malnutrition contributes to sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients, characterized by muscle mass, strength, and function losses. The Nutrition Risk Index (NRI) is a simple and convenient metric developed in Japan, which shows significant relationships between NRI score and sarcopenia,...

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2022

New type of triterpenes discovered

Researchers have discovered a new type of triterpenes in fungi that don't require squalene, overturning current knowledge and offering a new approach to pharmaceutical science. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for creating more valuable compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and other properties.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

Compared to COVID-19 PCR testing, dogs can detect infections with high sensitivity (97%), though lower specificity (91%) - even when patients are asymptomatic

A study published in PLOS ONE found that dogs can detect SARS-CoV-2 infections with high sensitivity (97%) and lower specificity (91%), even when patients are asymptomatic. The diagnostic accuracy of canine olfaction for non-invasive detection of COVID-19 was demonstrated in a clinical trial conducted in France and the UAE.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 1, 2022