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Science News Archive March 2022


Page 1 of 44

New Johns Hopkins study explores relationship between psychedelics and consciousness

A new Johns Hopkins study examines the link between psychedelics and consciousness, revealing a significant increase in attributing consciousness to various entities following a psychedelic experience. The study found that participants who reported belief-changing experiences showed substantial increases in attributing consciousness to...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMar 31, 2022

Researchers find patterns of handgun carrying among youth in rural areas, building foundation for injury prevention

A recent study found that young people in rural areas carry handguns nearly twice as often as urban youths, with one in three reporting carrying by age 26. The study identified six longitudinal trajectories of handgun carrying, suggesting different cultural contexts and motivations for the behavior.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateMar 31, 2022

Quantum ‘shock absorbers’ allow perovskite to exhibit superfluorescence at room temperature

Researchers at NC State University discovered that built-in thermal shock absorbers in perovskites protect dipoles from thermal interference, enabling room-temperature superfluorescence. The 'Quantum Analog of Vibration Isolation' mechanism creates a filter that allows synchronized emission of photons.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

Under (blood) pressure

A study by Alisa Auer and Petra Wirtz found that men with essential hypertension are more likely to recognize angry expressions when looking at others' faces. This 'anger recognition bias' contributes to increased blood pressure over time if someone experiences high levels of anger.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateMar 31, 2022

T. rex's short arms may have lowered risk of bites during feeding frenzies

Paleontologist Kevin Padian suggests that T. rex's short arms evolved to prevent accidental or intentional amputation during pack feeding, a behavior thought to be common among the species. This hypothesis proposes that the reduced forelimbs provided an adaptive advantage by reducing the risk of injury during intense feeding interactions.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalActa Palaeontologica Polonica·TypeCase study·DateMar 31, 2022

How e-scooters can safely operate in a city

Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology present a framework for comparing e-scooter safety, highlighting the importance of analyzing rider behavior and identifying strategies for improving traffic safety. The study found that braking performance is superior on bicycles, while e-scooters excel in steering maneuvers.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalJournal of Safety Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

Simulation and retrieval for spaceborne aerosol and cloud high spectral resolution lidar of China

The study aims to investigate China's spaceborne Aerosol and Cloud High Spectral Resolution Lidar (ACHSRL) for its potential in retrieving aerosol and cloud data. The research reveals that the uncertainty of aerosol depolarization ratio and Poisson noise are significant error sources, but proposes correction schemes to improve accuracy.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateMar 31, 2022

Scientists develop environmentally safe, frost-resistant coatings

Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have created a new family of environmentally safe, frost-resistant coatings that can delay the formation of frost for extended hours. These coatings can be applied to various surfaces without preconditioning or expensive surface treatments, reducing pollution and ice-related problems.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

Ozone may be heating the planet more than we realise

Research reveals that ozone levels in the upper and lower atmosphere are weakening one of Earth's main cooling mechanisms, making it a significant greenhouse gas. The study found that increased ozone in the lower atmosphere caused 60% of the overall ozone-induced warming seen in Southern Ocean waters.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 31, 2022

New gene targets for treating adult blood cancer

Hokkaido University scientists have identified CDK6 as a promising target for treating adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) with the drug palbociclib. The combination of palbociclib with everolimus also showed significant tumor growth reduction and minimal side effects in mice models.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

New virology data shows the investigational COVID antiviral drug molnupiravir eliminates actively infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus by day 3 of starting therapy

New data from the MOVe-OUT trial reveals that molnupiravir significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection within three days of treatment. In contrast, those receiving a placebo took up to five days to clear the virus. The study confirms molnupiravir's effectiveness in accelerating viral RNA decline and eliminating infectious virus.

Better crime scene testing

Researchers at Flinders University have developed more accurate special aerosol fluorescent dye 'marker' to find touch DNA, and found that some people shed more or less DNA on their thumbs. This new study helps understand the difference between high, intermediate and low skin 'shedders', which will aid in crime scene investigation.

SourceFlinders University·JournalForensic Science International Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

Scientists identify asymmetry in the pressure anomalies of the mid–high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere

Research reveals eight patterns of SAM events with distinct zonal asymmetries, including symmetric, split-center, West Antarctica, and tripole patterns. These patterns may help classify and discuss formation causes and climate impacts of different SAM events.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMar 31, 2022

Structure of a bacterial “drug pump” reveals new way to counter hospital-borne infection

Researchers have designed a therapeutic that sabotages the bacterial 'drug pump', restoring antibiotic effectiveness against drug-resistant strains. The breakthrough uses antibodies to overcome structural challenges, revealing a potential new treatment against MRSA and other resistant pathogens.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

New study suggests increased flu vaccination among U.S. home healthcare workers could reduce patient illness and hospitalization

A new study suggests increasing flu vaccination among US home healthcare workers could significantly reduce flu-related illnesses and hospitalizations among elderly patients. The research highlights the association between HHC staff flu-vaccination rates and patient illness at a national level.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 31, 2022

Burst of accumulated zinc shows how the mineral boosts immune function, suggesting ways to improve health

A new study reveals that zinc supports immunity by developing disease-fighting immune cells called T cells and regrowing the thymus, an immune organ. Zinc supplementation also promotes immune recovery after bone marrow transplant and works even better than the natural mineral in experimental compounds.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

Positive top-line data from monotherapy arm of the ATHENA (GOG 3020/ENGOT-ov45) trial (ATHENA-MONO) significantly improves progression-free survival in first-line maintenance treatment in patients with ovarian cancer regardless of their biomarker status

The ATHENA-MONO trial shows significant improvements in progression-free survival for patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with Rubraca as maintenance therapy. Benefit was observed across all patients, including those with homologous recombination deficiency and BRCA mutant tumors.

SourceThe GOG Foundation Inc·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 31, 2022

Rising parental expectations linked to perfectionism in college students

Research finds that increased parental expectations and criticism are associated with higher levels of perfectionism among college students, which can lead to negative mental health consequences. Parents' anxious expectations can perpetuate a lifelong trait, with perfectionist parents raising perfectionist children.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 31, 2022