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Science News Archive June 2022 - Page 9


Page 9 of 40

UTHealth Houston study: Flu vaccination linked to 40% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease

A new study from UTHealth Houston found that flu vaccination was associated with a 40% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in US adults over a four-year period. The study analyzed a large sample of patients and found that consistent flu vaccination every year had the strongest protective effect.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·DateJun 24, 2022

Stop for migration!

Researchers at Nagoya City University found that glycerol phosphate modification terminates matriglycan elongation, disrupting cell adhesion and promoting cancer cell migration. Enhanced GroP modification is correlated with increased PCYT2 expression in colorectal cancer tissue.

SourceNagoya City University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2022

Greater threat, greater syntony

Researchers investigated how fruit flies respond to threats in groups, finding that higher threat levels trigger greater attention to social cues. The study suggests that attunement with other animals allows individuals to respond quickly and efficiently to threats.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2022

Efficient satellite downlink with a Ka band dual circular polarization transmitter

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel Ka band dual circular polarization transmitter, reducing signal losses and increasing transmission efficiency. The design integrates adaptive impedance tuning and calibration techniques, enabling practical devices with improved power efficiency and wide-angle coverage.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2022

Quantum network nodes with warm atoms

Physicists at the University of Basel have created a quantum memory that stores single photons in a warm atomic gas, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of quantum information. The node can already be used for interesting applications, such as synchronizing randomly produced single photons.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPRX Quantum·DateJun 24, 2022

Attosecond-scale measurement of Wigner time delay in molecular photoionization

Scientists successfully measured the attosecond-scale Wigner time delay in molecular photoionization, providing insights into the timing of the photoemission process. The 'double-pointer attoclock' scheme was used to disentangle the orientation-dependent behavior of molecular Coulomb interaction and molecular orbital structure.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2022

Topology and machine learning reveal hidden relationship in amorphous silicon

Researchers used topological mathematics and machine learning to identify a hidden relationship between nano-scale structures and thermal conductivity in amorphous silicon. They found that the persistent homology diagram can be used as a descriptor for machine learning, achieving accurate predictions about thermal conductivities.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 24, 2022

Built infrastructure, hunting and climate change linked to huge migratory bird declines

A new study reveals that population declines have been greatest among species that migrate to areas with more human infrastructure, habitat degradation, and climate change. The research identified 16 human-induced threats to migratory birds, including infrastructure associated with bird disturbance and collisions.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2022

Arsenic in private well water contributes to low birth weight even at low levels

Researchers found an association between estimated groundwater arsenic concentration and risk of low birth weight, suggesting efforts to reduce arsenic in private wells could help more babies be born at healthy weights. The study used machine learning algorithms to estimate arsenic levels in nearly all US counties.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalEnvironment International·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2022

New data-driven simulation model projects national opioid crisis to worsen before it gets better

A new data-driven simulation model projects the national opioid crisis will worsen before it gets better, with over half a million additional deaths predicted over the next decade. The SOURCE model identifies three key strategies that could save more than 100,000 lives by 2032: fentanyl harm reduction, naloxone distribution, and recove...

SourceMIT Sloan School of Management·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2022

Environmental factors predict risk of death

A new study found that exposure to high levels of outdoor air pollution increases the risk of death by 20%, while living far from specialty medical clinics and near busy roads also poses a significant risk. The study's predictive model can help policymakers reduce disease burden in communities by mitigating environmental risk factors.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2022

Seeing is deceiving

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new method to detect deepfakes, using self-blended images that improve detection accuracy by 5-12%. The team created novel synthesized images with controlled artifacts to train algorithms and found significant improvements in detecting deepfake images and videos.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 24, 2022

Spiral wave teleportation theory offers new path to defibrillate hearts, terminate arrhythmias

Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology develop a new method to terminate arrhythmias by disrupting spiral waves with a single designed stimulus, utilizing a concept called 'teleportation' to move the waves out of control. This approach may reduce energy and pain compared to traditional defibrillation.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 24, 2022

Finding social support through social media during COVID lockdowns

During the pandemic, people used social media to bond with friends and family, learn new skills, and stay active. Social media use increased across all demographics, with significant increases among females and 18-24 year-olds, highlighting its potential as a source of social support.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2022

How intimate partner violence affects custody decisions

A new study found that intimate partner violence is often overlooked in custody cases, leading to longer court times and increased risk for mothers. The research suggests that documenting IPV can lead to worse custody outcomes, but also highlights the importance of addressing safety concerns.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Family Violence·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2022

Cocrystal engineering—a clever way for designing multifunctional material

Researchers developed Flu-TCNQ cocrystal with integrated red emission and n-type charge transport properties. This innovative strategy enables the design of multifunctional materials with improved optoelectronic performance. The study provides an effective solution to overcome the challenges of organic material shortages.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2022

Scientists discover new genetic disease that delays brain development in children

A new genetic disease has been identified that causes abnormal brain development in children, resulting in severe learning difficulties. Researchers have discovered the underlying cause of the condition by analyzing changes in a protein coding gene called GRIA1, which helps move electrical signals around the brain.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2022

New study indicates sight problems may increase dementia risk in older adults

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies involving 76,373 participants found a significant association between visual impairment and cognitive decline in older adults. The study highlights the need for further research on the effectiveness of treating sight problems to prevent cognitive impairment and dementia.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAging & Mental Health·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 24, 2022

Porous cells lead to poorer livers

Researchers discovered that porous cell membrane formation allows cancer-inducing proteins to escape and promote tumor growth in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-associated liver cancer. The release of IL-33 and IL-1β from senescent hepatic stellate cells accelerates cancer development by suppressing anti-tumor immunity.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2022

App to help doctors help patients with leukemia

Researchers have developed an app to help doctors identify patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at risk of developing infections, allowing for earlier treatment. The app uses blood test results and genetic data to predict patient risk, improving treatment outcomes and reducing pressure on the healthcare system.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeCase study·DateJun 24, 2022

American College of Radiology and healthcare institutions actively address global shortage of contrast media

The American College of Radiology has issued risk mitigation guidance to help healthcare institutions conserve contrast media supplies amid a global shortage. Two healthcare systems, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina, have implemented strategies that reduced their contrast use by at least 50%.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 23, 2022

Population bottlenecks that reduced genetic diversity were common throughout human history

A new analysis of ancient and contemporary genomes shows that more than half of historical groups experienced founder events, leading to reduced genetic diversity. This research has significant implications for scientists studying human genetic variation and the discovery of disease-causing mutations.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 23, 2022

Association of receipt of fourth Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dose with Omicron infection, COVID-19 hospitalizations among residents of long-term care facilities

A fourth dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provided high protection against severe outcomes from Omicron infection among elderly residents in Israeli long-term care facilities. The vaccine also offered modest protection against COVID-19 infections among this population during a surge in Omicron variant cases.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJun 23, 2022

Inside the jellyfish’s sting: Exploring the micro-architecture of a cellular weapon

Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research have developed a precise model for the stinging organelle of the starlet sea anemone, revealing its complex architecture and firing mechanism. The findings could lead to beneficial applications in medicine, including microscopic therapeutic delivery devices.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJun 23, 2022