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Science News for March 25, 2022


Family-based treatment of children with severe obesity shows promising results according to new study

A new study finds family-based behavioral treatment improves weight-related outcomes significantly more than usual treatment among children aged 6-18 years with severe obesity. The treatment model was delivered at an outpatient clinic and consists of 17 sessions over six months, involving school and leisure activities.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalClinical Obesity·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 25, 2022

Half of all women experience false positive mammograms after 10 years of annual screening

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that half of all women will experience at least one false positive mammogram over a decade of annual breast cancer screening with 3D mammography. The risk of false positives is lower for women screened every other year, and non-dense breasts also show a lower false positive risk.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 25, 2022

Vagus nerve stimulation lowers costs of care for children with uncontrolled epilepsy

A new study found that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) plus anti-seizure medications significantly reduces hospital costs for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The study showed patients treated with VNS and ASM had lower inpatient healthcare utilization and outpatient care costs compared to those treated with ASM alone.

Legal language affects how police officers are judged

Researchers found that using the phrase 'objectively reasonable' to describe a police officer leads to less negative judgments, affecting perceptions of competence and warmth. The study suggests that legal language has a powerful impact on how citizens evaluate police officers, particularly those serving on juries.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateMar 25, 2022

Snapshot measurement of single nanostructure’s circular dichroism

Scientists developed a new technique for single nanostructure circular dichroism spectroscopy using a nano-patterned liquid-crystal polarization grating, allowing for real-time tracking and analysis of individual functional units. The new method is equivalent to conventional CD spectroscopy and has high efficiency and accuracy.

An ultrafast X-ray glance into photoacid electronic structure

Researchers have provided direct insight into the electronic structure of a proton donating group in an amine aromatic photoacid using ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy. The study reveals major electronic structure changes occur on the base side of the Förster cycle, resolving the long-standing open question.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

The hardy wild grass that could save our bread

A team of researchers identified a stem rust resistance gene from wild goat grass species Aegilops sharonensis, which can be cross-bred into wheat for immunity against deadly crop pathogens. The genetic potential of this hardy relative has been largely unexplored and holds promise for reducing the threat of the stem rust disease.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

Stem cell secrets allow researchers to revamp reprogramming

A genome-wide functional screen identified critical regulators of naïve stem cell reprogramming, enabling the creation of high-quality, stable stem cell populations. The study also uncovered epigenetic factors that hinder or help reprogramming, including the essential PRC1.3 complex and inhibitory HDAC2 protein.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

Keeping the light from fading

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology developed a new calibration method to compensate for variations in illumination while scanning stained-glass windows. This approach can help capture the colors of cultural artifacts in a lifelike way, even with long scanning times.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Computer Vision·DateMar 25, 2022

New study estimates annual cost of incarcerating adults convicted of child sex crimes topped $5.4 billion in 2021

A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimated that the US spent an average of $34,191 per incarcerated adult convicted of sex crimes against children under 18 in 2021. The total annual cost was over $5.4 billion, with conservative estimates suggesting nearly $49 billion for the current cohort of inmates.

Alpaca nanobodies potently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have developed a novel strategy to identify potent miniature antibodies, so-called nanobodies, against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. The approach led to the discovery of multiple nanobodies that effectively blocked infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

How fingers could point to a link between low testosterone and Covid hospitalizations

A study published in Scientific Reports found that patients with 'feminized' short fingers tend to experience severe Covid-19 symptoms, while those with large right-hand-left hand differences have elevated probabilities of hospitalization. The research suggests a link between low testosterone and high oestrogen levels and Covid severity.

SourceSwansea University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 25, 2022

“How much is too much” for assistance level using robotic therapy in stroke rehabilitation

A study found that robotic therapy with high assistance levels improves upper limb function in severe-to-moderate stroke survivors, while moderate-to-mild patients perform better with less assistance. The researchers suggest tailoring robotic assistance to individual patient needs and encourage further research using objective tools.

SourceOsaka Prefecture University·JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 25, 2022

Speed limit of computers detected

Scientists have discovered a speed limit for computer chips, with one petahertz being the maximum frequency for signal transmission. The research uses ultra-short laser pulses to create electrical currents in dielectric materials, allowing for faster data transmission.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

Innovative AI technology aids personalized care for diabetes patients needing complex drug treatment

Researchers developed an AI method to analyze electronic health record data and predict optimal drug regimens for type 2 diabetes patients with similar characteristics. The algorithm successfully supported medication selection for over 83% of patients, leading to better management of the disease and improved patient engagement.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of Biomedical Informatics·DateMar 25, 2022

Quantum physics sets a speed limit to electronics

Researchers investigated the shortest possible time scale of optoelectronic phenomena and found that it cannot be increased beyond one petahertz. The experiments used ultra-short laser pulses to create free charge carriers in materials, which were then moved by a second pulse to generate an electric current.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 25, 2022

Improving self-driving car reliability with electromagnetic wave absorption and shielding technology!

Researchers at KIMS create ultra-thin composite film absorbing over 90% of 5G electromagnetic waves, improving self-driving car reliability and reducing secondary interference. The technology has potential applications in smartphones, automotive radars, and low-orbit communication satellites.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateMar 25, 2022

COVID-19 infection linked to higher risk of neuropathy

Researchers found that COVID-19 infected individuals were three times more likely to report pain, numbness, or tingling in their hands and feet compared to those with negative tests. Nearly 30% of patients who tested positive also reported neuropathy problems at diagnosis, with some symptoms persisting for up to three months.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPain·TypeObservational study·DateMar 25, 2022

Losing the cover of darkness

A study by researchers at the University of Plymouth reveals that energy-efficient broad spectrum lighting is reducing the efficacy of coastal species' camouflage. This can have significant impacts on visually guided ecological processes, with certain color variations being more vulnerable to detection.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

Peering into precise ultrafast dynamics in matter

Researchers developed TDAP method for investigating precise ultrafast processes in matter, providing robust dynamic simulations based on quantum mechanical principles. The approach has been applied to strong field physics and photocatalysis, demonstrating effective treatment of ultrafast quantum dynamical processes.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

Can Bessel beams be realized in the ultrabroad terahertz frequency range?

A team of scientists has successfully generated Bessel terahertz pulses from superluminal laser plasma filaments, showcasing a promising approach for various applications. The method, which manipulates the spatial-temporal structure with tailored femtosecond lasers, produces ultrabroad bandwidth and high-order Bessel beam profiles.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

Large study challenges the theory that light alcohol consumption benefits heart health

A large study published in JAMA Network Open found no evidence that light alcohol consumption provides heart-related health benefits, instead suggesting lifestyle factors common among moderate drinkers contribute to the observed benefit. The study linked high-risk cardiovascular disease across all levels of alcohol intake.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 25, 2022

Amygdala overgrowth that occurs in autism spectrum disorder may begin during infancy

A new study funded by the NIH found that amygdala overgrowth in autism spectrum disorder begins between 6-12 months of age, suggesting early intervention may be effective in reducing symptoms. The study also identified distinct brain growth patterns in infants with Fragile X syndrome.

Water resource conservation promotes sustainable development in China's northern drylands

A research group studied China's water conservation regulations in the northern drylands and found they drove industrial transformation, reducing negative environmental impacts. Adaptive strategies were developed for 12 cities to integrate their development pathways and promote holistic sustainable development through cooperation.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeContent analysis·DateMar 25, 2022

Like father like child – male parents lead young birds on first migration

A study published in Nature Communications found that male Caspian terns carry the main responsibility for teaching young birds the secrets of migration during their first journey. Young birds always remained close to an adult bird and died if they lost contact, highlighting the importance of experienced adults guiding them to survive.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMar 25, 2022