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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

Why are shallow lakes prone to eutrophication?

Researchers found that shallow lakes are linked to fertile plains, high anthropogenic disturbances, and strong water-sediment interactions, making them susceptible to eutrophication. Lake depth also predicts external nutrient load and sensitivity to human disturbance, with shallower lakes being more sensitive.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalWater Research·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
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

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

Light travelling in a distorting medium can appear undistorted

A team of researchers has discovered a property of light that remains unchanged in complex media, allowing for distortion-free communication and sensing. By applying a novel quantum approach, they showed that all light has this invariant property, which can be exploited to correct distortions without losing any light.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 24, 2022

Theories on socio-political evolution put to the test

An international research team applied a new dynamical model and exceptional historical data to examine major explanations for cultural complexity evolution. The study found little support for many influential theories, including the transition to agriculture and conflict theories.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2022
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

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

Food-packaging system reduces health risks and saves food

A new biodegradable food packaging system reduces microbial contamination and extends shelf life, reducing waste and foodborne illness. The system uses pullulan-based fibers with natural antimicrobial agents, demonstrating a significant reduction in contamination and an increase in avocado shelf life.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Food·DateJun 24, 2022

Biofinder advances detection of extraterrestrial life

The Biofinder instrument has successfully detected bio-residue in ancient fish fossils from the Green River formation, confirming that biological residues can survive millions of years. The device's capabilities make it an ideal tool for future NASA missions to detect signs of past life on other planetary bodies.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalScientific Reports·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 24, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Seismic waves from earthquakes reveal changes in the Earth’s outer core

Researchers have discovered changes in the Earth's outer core, which are responsible for generating the magnetic field. According to Zhou's findings, a one-second discrepancy in SKS wave travel time indicates the formation of low-density regions with light elements such as hydrogen and oxygen.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·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
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

New study offers insight into past—and future—of west-side wildfires

Researchers examine historical data and weather patterns to understand west-side wildfires' timing, size, and causes. They find that severe fires are normal for the region when looking at longer time scales, and conventional fire management tools may be less effective due to extreme winds.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Research Station·JournalEcosphere·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
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

A scoping review of the knowledge graph used in medical imaging analysis

A scoping review of knowledge graph applications in medical imaging analysis identifies increasing trend and potential future directions. The study highlights the effectiveness of prior knowledge in medical imaging tasks, but also reveals limitations, including limited annotated data and weak generalizability.

SourceHealth Data Science·JournalHealth Data Science·TypeLiterature review·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
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

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

Flexing the power of a conductive polymer

Researchers at UCSB develop soft, semiconducting carbon-based polymer for reconfigurable logic circuits. The conjugated polyelectrolyte enables flexible and power-efficient electronics, promising a new era in computing systems.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 24, 2022
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Beyond the spike: New antibody analysis predicts severe COVID-19 outcomes

Researchers analyzed antibodies to internal and surface proteins of SARS-CoV-2, finding that profiles of internal proteins predicted survival outcomes as well as those for surface proteins. The study suggests targeting other parts of the virus could enhance COVID-19 vaccines and therapies.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCell Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2022

New research transforms glucose transporter proteins to water-soluble form

Researchers led by Dr. Shuguang Zhang create method to predict design of hydrophilic variant structures of glucose transport membrane proteins, allowing for easier study in water. The new method could lead to development of antibodies to starve tumors of sugar and treat cancer metastasis.

SourceDr. Shuguang Zhang·JournalQRB Discovery·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 24, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

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

With roommates, it’s all about chemistry, molecularly speaking

A study found that indoor pollutants and human activities impact home biology and chemistry. Researchers detected diverse molecules from skin care products, food, and feces in a test home, with human-derived metabolites dominating the microbiome.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Advances·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
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

University of Houston research allows for 3D printing of 'organic electronics'

The University of Houston research team has successfully developed a method for 3D printing organic semiconductor devices using multiphoton lithography, enabling the creation of highly conductive microstructures. The technology has potential applications in emerging fields such as nanoelectronics and bioelectronics.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 24, 2022

Microscopy technique enables 3D super-resolution nanometre-scale imaging

A research team developed a novel super-resolution microscopy technique combining metal-induced energy transfer and single-molecule localization microscopy. The method achieves isotropic three-dimensional imaging of sub-cellular structures, allowing for high-resolution analysis of protein complexes and organelles.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·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
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

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
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

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
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Many human genomes shaped by past events that caused sharp dips in the population

A new study reveals that over half of human populations worldwide have experienced sharp dips in population size due to founder events, associated with geographic isolation, hunter-gatherer lifestyle, or cultural practices. This analysis technique, ASCEND, will help identify groups at high risk of genetic diseases.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateJun 23, 2022

Scarless skin grafting using mussel adhesive protein

Researchers developed a bioadhesive containing allantoin and epidermal growth factor to promote wound healing. The study found that the bioadhesive effectively revived skin without sutures, resulting in minimal scarring and hair follicle loss.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateJun 23, 2022

Fewer youth attempt suicide in states with hate crime laws

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that states with hate crime laws protecting LGBTQ populations have lower rates of suicide attempts among both sexual and gender minority students, as well as heterosexual students. Overall, suicide attempt rates decreased by 16% in those states.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology Public Policy and Law·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
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Research Brief: Researchers discover solutions to gender bias in autism diagnoses

A multidisciplinary study by the University of Minnesota found that girls and boys show similar rates of concerns for autism spectrum disorder when screened earlier. The research identified subtle differences in core symptoms but corrected for these biases to reveal a 'high concern' group with an equal sex ratio.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJun 23, 2022