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Science News for March 18, 2022


Higher exposure to bisphenol a in the womb associated with increased risk for asthma and wheezing in school-age girls

A study of over 3,000 mother-child pairs from six European countries found an association between prenatal bisphenol A exposure and increased risk of asthma and wheezing in school-age girls. The study revealed a high prevalence of BPA in maternal urine during pregnancy.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·TypeObservational study·DateMar 18, 2022

Huntington's disease: Astrocytes to the rescue!

A recent study found that stimulating reactive astrocytes promotes the elimination of toxic protein aggregates in Huntington's disease. This cooperative mechanism between neurons and astrocytes holds promise for potential treatments.

SourceCNRS·JournalBrain·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2022

Youngest brain tumor patients have significantly poorer outcomes than older pediatric patients

Research led by Adam Green, MD, shows that the youngest patients with brain tumors (ages 0-3 months) have about half the five-year survival rate as children ages 1-19. The study analyzed population-based data for almost 14,500 children and found significantly poorer outcomes among the youngest patients.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Neuro-Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2022

Little evidence on how psilocybin therapy interacts with existing psychiatric treatments, review finds

A systematic review of psilocybin interactions with psychiatric medications reveals a lack of scientific research, leaving clinicians and patients uncertain about treatment combinations. The review highlights the need for further studies on clinical outcomes of combining pharmaceutical medications with psilocybin.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalPsychopharmacology·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 18, 2022

Gene regulation at its brightest

Researchers at Tohoku University create a novel method to quantify transcription factor activity in live organisms using viruses. This breakthrough enables scientists to understand how diseases develop and potentially treat them.

SourceTohoku University·JournaliScience·DateMar 18, 2022

Visible ocean plastics just the tip of the iceberg

A new study suggests that the majority of ocean plastics are on the seafloor or difficult to monitor, with an estimated 540 million metric tons trapped on land. The research estimates that large plastics and microplastics account for only a small percentage of total ocean plastic waste.

SourceKyushu University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 18, 2022

Illuminating the brain with an ultra-thin, flexible, multipoint microLED array film

Scientists have created a flexible, multipoint microLED array film that enables simultaneous optical stimulation at specific or multiple regions in the brain. The technology has potential broader applications in neuroscience research and could lead to new understanding of brain function and behavior.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalApplied Physics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2022

The colored skeletons of Çatalhöyük

The study provides the first analysis of pigment use in funerary and architectural contexts at Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic site in Turkey. The findings show that red ochre was commonly used on adults and children, while cinnabar and blue/green were associated with males and females, respectively.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2022

Marijuana for medical use may result in rapid onset of cannabis use disorder

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that medical marijuana users were more likely to develop cannabis use disorder (CUD) than expected, particularly those seeking relief from anxiety and depression. The study suggests that the current system of dispensing and using medical marijuana may be contributing to this issue.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 18, 2022

The most boring person in the world discovered by University of Essex research

Researchers found data analysis, accounting, cleaning, and banking to be the most boring jobs, while religion, watching TV, and bird watching were among the dullest hobbies. Stereotypically boring people are often disliked and avoided due to preconceptions, leading to social ostracization and increased loneliness.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeSurvey·DateMar 18, 2022

Artificial intelligence paves the way to discovering new rare-earth compounds

Researchers developed an AI-powered model to assess rare-earth compound stability, leveraging machine learning and high-throughput density-functional theory. This framework has far-reaching applications in materials science, including designing new compounds for clean energy technologies and optimizing magnetic properties.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalActa Materialia·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 18, 2022

Scientists see what research participants picture in their mind’s eye

Scientists have developed a new technology to decode brain activity and infer the meaning of a person's mental picture. The study used electrocorticogram to detect patterns in brain activity while patients imagined different images, revealing distinct representations for each concept. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ...

SourceOsaka University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2022

HRR mutational status prognostic of survival outcomes in biomarker analysis of NRG oncology trial for women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer

The study found that homologous recombination repair mutant type (HRRmt) was prognostic of progression-free survival and predictive for olaparib activity in women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. Patients with BRCA mutations showed clinically significant activity when treated with experimental drugs.

A collaboration study led by HKUMed finds that patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) have greater risk of mortality and healthcare costs; calls for early and subsequent clinical monitoring

A collaboration study led by HKUMed found that patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) have a 52% greater risk of all-cause mortality compared to treatment-responsive patients. TRD also consumes greater healthcare resources in both psychiatric and non-psychiatric services.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific·DateMar 18, 2022

Urinary proteomics identified alternation of an enzyme that consumes itaconate in the TCA cycle and implicated a role of itaconite as an immune modulating metabolite in COVID-19

Scientists analyzed urine proteomes from COVID-19 patients and identified CLYBL, a citramalyl-CoA lyase that consumes itaconate in the TCA cycle. Increased CLYBL levels led to decreased itaconate levels, suggesting its potential as an immune modulating metabolite for COVID-19 treatment.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateMar 18, 2022

Conversion process turns pollution into cash

Engineers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a promising electrochemical system to convert emissions from chemical and power plants into useful products while addressing climate change. The two-step cascade reaction converts carbon dioxide to ethylene, a chemical used in various industries.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2022

Enhancing historical climate model data using super-resolution technology

Historical climate model data can now be improved using super-resolution technology, a new analysis tool that enhances older meteorological model data. Researchers have successfully reconstructed high-quality and high-resolution data using this method, which was previously used for image and video upscaling.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMar 18, 2022

Decoding brain signals to control a robotic arm​

A team of researchers from KAIST has developed a mind-reading system that can interpret arm movement directions from neural signals in the brain. The new system, based on a machine-learning algorithm and mathematical probability model, successfully classified arm movements in 24 directions in three-dimensional space.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalApplied Soft Computing·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 18, 2022

CMIP6 models have improved in simulating sea surface salinity and freshwater flux

Recent studies show that CMIP6 models better simulate the spatial distribution of sea surface salinity and freshwater flux variability associated with ENSO. However, some models still have large uncertainties in simulating interannual variations, requiring further improvement in related physical processes.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMar 18, 2022

Early English lessons have lasting effects

Children who started learning English in primary school performed significantly better in listening and reading comprehension in grade nine compared to those who started later. The study found that the transition between school types played a key role in the long-term success of English language education, highlighting the need for wel...

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalSystem·DateMar 18, 2022

Ending automatic early release from prison of terrorists threatens their human rights, new analysis argues

A new analysis suggests that ending automatic early release from prison for terrorists will undermine their rehabilitation and threaten their human rights. The study, published in Legal Studies, argues that the changes, known as TORERA 2020, create a 'cliff-edge' in managing the risks of releasing terrorists.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalLegal Studies·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 18, 2022

New insight into the possible origins of life

Scientists at the University of Tokyo have successfully created an RNA molecule that undergoes Darwinian evolution, developing from a simple single molecule into diverse complex molecules. This breakthrough experiment provides empirical evidence for the emergence of complex life systems from simple biological molecules.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2022

Increasing access to breastfeeding services for incarcerated women

A new article provides guidance on increasing breastfeeding rates among incarcerated women, highlighting the need for policy updates and strategic collaborations with existing programs. The recommendations aim to address structural barriers and low implementation of lactation support in hospitals and correctional facilities.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of Correctional Health Care·DateMar 18, 2022

How children are affected by coronavirus, RS virus and rhinovirus

Children who contract both corona and RS virus have a higher risk of hospitalization than those with corona alone. The study found that the proportion of serious illness among children with both viruses was lower than for those with corona, suggesting an advantage to contracting both viruses.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2022