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Science News for March 7, 2022


Addressing healthcare needs of transgender adults: Qualitative study finds three main barriers to receiving primary care in a supportive environment

A qualitative study explores healthcare experiences of transgender patients in Indiana and reveals three major barriers: finding an affirming provider, navigating wait times, and feeling comfortable in care settings. The research highlights the need for primary care providers knowledgeable about transgender health and safe spaces to ad...

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 7, 2022

Studying diseases with better delivery of gene-editing tools

A Penn State-led team of researchers developed a new delivery system that improves the efficiency and lifespan of CRISPR gene-editing tools after delivery into stem cells. The method uses an enzyme called PiggyBac, which enables permanent integration of the editing tools into the cell's genetic code, resulting in 99% of mutated cells b...

SourcePenn State·JournalBioactive Materials·DateMar 7, 2022

Neuron counts reveal brain complexity evolution in land vertebrates

A comprehensive analysis of brain cellular composition across amniotes shows that mammals and birds have dramatically increased neuron numbers in the telencephalon and cerebellum, associated with higher cognition. The study suggests that only a handful of unique evolutionary events augmented brain processing power in these groups.

SourceUniverzita Karlova Prirodovedecka fakulta·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

Does studying abroad delay graduation?

Research from the University of Georgia found that studying abroad positively impacts graduation rates within four and six years. Students who study abroad also earn slightly more credits while completing their degrees faster than peers who don't.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalResearch in Higher Education·DateMar 7, 2022

Planting Science: A partnership program connecting students, teachers, and scientists proves effective for improving high school students’ science learning and how students view scientists

The Planting Science program, a partnership between students, teachers, and scientists, improves high school students' science knowledge and attitude towards scientists. The study found that students who participated in the program scored 11 percentile points higher on assessments than those who did not.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalJournal of Research in Science Teaching·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 7, 2022

Cameras reveal snowshoe hare density

A new study by Washington State University researchers has developed a camera-trapping method that accurately estimates the density of snowshoe hares and potentially other unmarked small mammals. The method, validated through a large-scale field test, shows promise as an inexpensive and non-invasive alternative to live-trapping.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Mammalogy·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2022

How baboons keep healthy family boundaries

Researchers analyzed 48 years of data on wild baboons' family trees and mate choices to understand how they avoid inbreeding. The study found that baboons generally steer clear of mates that are half-siblings or closer, but show less discrimination with their father's side of the family.

SourceDuke University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2022

New risk algorithm would improve screening for prostate cancer

A new study developed an algorithm estimating a person's risk of developing prostate cancer based on age and two prostate cancer markers. The approach was found to reduce the number of false positives by three quarters compared to a standard PSA test while catching the same proportion of cancers, making screening safer and more accurate.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Medical Screening·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 7, 2022

THE LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Large U.S. study confirms most mRNA COVID-19 vaccine side effects are mild and temporary

A large US study found that 92% of reported adverse events following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination were non-serious, with most side effects being mild and decreasing substantially after one day. The study also found that less than 1% of participants reported seeking medical care after vaccination.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 7, 2022

Bio-FlatScope dives deep for useful data

The new device, Bio-FlatScope, uses a custom algorithm to reconstruct images of micron-scale targets like cells and blood vessels inside the body. The light captured by Bio-FlatScope can be refocused after the fact to reveal 3D details, making it potentially valuable for detecting cancer or sepsis.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

Press release: Pre-clinical assessment of tobacco-free nicotine pouches demonstrates reduced in-vitro toxicity compared to combustible cigarette smoke in recent study

A recent study published in Applied In Vitro Toxicology found that tobacco-free nicotine pouches exhibit reduced levels of toxicants and biological activity compared to combustible cigarette smoke. The products, manufactured by Imperial Brands, showed substantially reduced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in three toxicological assays.

SourceImperial Brands·JournalApplied In Vitro Toxicology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

UCI researchers develop hybrid human-machine framework for building smarter AI

A new mathematical model developed by UCI researchers combines human and algorithmic predictions and confidence scores to improve AI accuracy. The hybrid model outperforms individual human or machine predictions, demonstrating the potential of human-AI collaboration in building smarter AI systems.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 7, 2022

UCF physicians partner in national asthma study to improve care for Black, Latinx patients

A national research study led by UCF physicians found that using inhaled corticosteroids significantly reduced severe asthma symptoms among Black and Latinx patients. The new guidelines resulted in improved asthma control, better quality of life, and fewer hospitalizations.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 7, 2022

Amazon rainforest is losing resilience: New evidence from satellite data analysis

Research from satellite data analysis suggests that three-quarters of the Amazon forest has lost its ability to recover from perturbations since the early 2000s. This loss of resilience increases the risk of dieback and contributes to global warming, highlighting the urgent need for limiting logging and greenhouse gas emissions.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 7, 2022

Locally sourced: Pelican prefer native fish to sportfish at Utah's strawberry reservoir

Researchers found that pelicans primarily eat native fish species like Utah sucker and chub, with only a small percentage of cutthroat trout consumed. This discovery provides managers with more insight into the ecological dynamics of the reservoir, allowing them to focus on other factors impacting trout populations.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2022

Amazon rainforest losing resilience

The Amazon rainforest is experiencing a decline in resilience, which could trigger dieback and have severe consequences for the environment. The study found that resilience has dropped consistently since the early 2000s, with parts of the forest losing resilience faster due to deforestation and climate change.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 7, 2022

Lead exposure in last century shrunk IQ scores of half of Americans

A new study calculates that more than 170 million Americans lost an average of nearly three IQ points due to childhood lead exposure from car exhaust between the 1940s and 1996. This translates to a potential shift of millions from below-average cognitive ability to intellectual disability.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2022

Physicists discover method for emulating nonlinear quantum electrodynamics in a laboratory setting

Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a way to produce the long-sought effect of vacuum scattering into rainbows using novel materials and controlled magnetic fields. This breakthrough enables the study of fundamental quantum phenomena that were previously only observable in extreme environments, such as neutron stars.

SourcePurdue University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 7, 2022

A sieve for molecules

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum, Yale, and Bielefeld have successfully produced a layer of two-dimensional silicon dioxide with natural pores. This material can be used as a fine-mesh sieve for molecules and ions, offering potential applications in desalination, fuel cells, and sustainable energy solutions.

Vehicles Play Important Role in PRRSV Transmission

Researchers from North Carolina State University found that trucks transporting pigs and farm workers can spread porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) among farms. The model estimated that vehicle movements contributed up to 20% of PRRSV transmissions, highlighting the importance of enhancing biosecurity measures ...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalTransboundary and Emerging Diseases·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 7, 2022

Novel acute myeloid leukemia subtypes identified

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry have discovered a new subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) characterized by high amounts of mitochondrial proteins and altered mitochondrial metabolism. This subtype, called Mito-AML, shows clinical resistance to chemotherapy and can be effectively combated with inhibitors again...

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCancer Cell·DateMar 7, 2022

Communities with higher levels of racial prejudice have worse health outcomes

Research published by the American Psychological Association finds that communities with higher levels of racial prejudice have worse health outcomes, including more heart disease and mental health problems. Studies used big data sources to measure community-level racial prejudice and found an association between areas' climates and ad...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalHealth Psychology·DateMar 7, 2022

First-of-its-kind child ultrasonography dataset enables a wealth of research

Researchers have created a groundbreaking dataset of ultrasonography scans of three major arteries supplying blood to the brain in children. The dataset consists of 821 participants, allowing for the development of machine learning models that can accurately predict a child's age and cognitive abilities based on their ultrasounds.

New study provides first look at gene expression in brains of people with bipolar disorder

A comprehensive study published in Nature Neuroscience has pinpointed significant differences in gene expression in two key regions of the brain of individuals with bipolar disorder. The findings suggest that bipolar disorder may stem from chemical and structural changes in brain cells, impairing communication between brain cells.

SourceLieber Institute for Brain Development·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 7, 2022

Keep taking the tablets - ‘big data’ provides clues on how to help prevent repeat heart attacks

Research found that individuals who have previously taken cholesterol- or blood pressure-lowering medications before a heart attack were less likely to adhere to these medications afterwards. Despite the proven benefits, fewer than one-third of patients continued taking their prescribed tablets for over a year after hospitalization.

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalFrontiers in Pharmacology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2022

Rutgers researchers harness AI and robotics to treat spinal cord injuries

Researchers at Rutgers University have successfully stabilized an enzyme that degrades scar tissue resulting from spinal cord injuries, promoting tissue regeneration. The study used AI-driven liquid handling robotics to synthesize and test copolymers that stabilize the enzyme, offering new hope for patients with spinal cord injuries.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

Just follow the yellow brick road: new genetic-labeling method uses a single gene to reveal neuronal circuits from multiple upstream regions

A new genetic-labeling method developed by Osaka City University researchers uses a single gene to reveal neuronal circuits from multiple upstream regions. The 'intersectional, anterograde transsynaptic targeting system' demonstrates enhanced synaptic specificity in two different mouse brain circuits.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

Leaks an untapped opportunity for water savings

A study from the University of California, Davis, found that reducing leaks in urban water systems can be a highly effective and cost-competitive method for saving water. The research suggests that leak reduction is the most cost-effective tool in an urban water manager's toolkit, with estimated savings of $277 per acre-foot.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 7, 2022

How bacteria cope with stress

Researchers discovered that bacteria suppress membrane protein transport in response to stress, using alarm hormones to regulate the process. This allows the microorganisms to slow down their cellular processes and recover when conditions become more favorable.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

Survivors of heart attack plus cardiac arrest at increased risk of early death

Research by Imperial College London reveals that patients who experience both a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest are more likely to develop abnormal heart rhythms and die within three years. The study found that these patients were over twice as likely to have subsequent ventricular arrhythmia and 36% more likely to die.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMar 7, 2022

How does the brain make memories?

Cedars-Sinai researchers identified two types of brain cells that divide continuous human experience into distinct segments, enabling the brain to recall memories. The discovery provides new hope for treatments of memory disorders like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 7, 2022

Uncovering how immune cells nurture brain connections

In a breakthrough discovery, microglia have been found to play a crucial role in forming critical synapses in the brain, particularly in chandelier cells. This finding suggests that immune cells may not only remove unwanted connections but also nurture their formation, which is essential for cognitive functioning.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 7, 2022

New study discovers novel inhibitory roles of hnRNPK in skeletal muscle cell differentiation

Researchers uncover the pleiotropic functions of hnRNPK in regulating skeletal muscle cell differentiation, including inhibition of myoblast differentiation and suppression of genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress. The study suggests that targeting hnRNPK could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating human disorders.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

Reading builds resilience among at-risk kids

A study from University of South Australia found that reading aloud to children can triple a child's resilience at school, particularly for those who have suffered abuse or neglect. The study identified reading as a key factor in supporting children's emotional, social and physical development before they start school.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalChild Abuse & Neglect·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 7, 2022

Which promote greater metabolic health, almonds or potatoes? Rigorous, randomized trial weighs in

A rigorous randomized controlled trial found that adding a 300-calorie serving of French fries to one's diet daily for a month did not result in differential weight gain or biomarker changes compared to an isocaloric daily serving of almonds. The study measured body composition, blood sugar, and insulin levels, finding no clinically si...

SourceThe Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE)·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 7, 2022

Upcycling biomass waste into Fe single atom catalysts for pollutant control

Researchers have developed a sustainable methodology to utilize biomass waste for efficient remediation of antibiotic pollution. Fe-contaminated biomass waste ferns are used to synthesize highly active single atom catalysts, demonstrating an appealing strategy for pollutant control and other applications.

New study questions explanation for last winter’s brutal U.S. cold snap

A new study questions a widely-held theory that sudden stratospheric warming caused the extreme cold weather in Texas and other parts of the US. The research suggests that the polar vortex's disruption, which occurred six weeks after the initial warming event, was not significant enough to impact the weather.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 7, 2022

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC researcher becomes Virginia Tech’s first NIH Outstanding Investigator Award recipient

Robert Gourdie, a cardiovascular scientist at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, has been awarded an R35 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This seven-year, $6.4 million grant enables him to pursue research on intercellular communication and its applications in treating various medical challenges.

How do spiders hunt "in unison"?

Researchers from CNRS have identified the mechanisms behind synchronized spider hunting behavior. Spiders in tropical colonies use vibrations to mask prey signals, increasing their ability to detect and capture prey up to several hundred times their size.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 7, 2022

Using raw materials more sustainably

Scientists elucidated the structures at the interface between a working catalyst and reacting molecules in vanadium pentoxide, revealing which oxygen atoms activate hydrocarbons. The study showed that temperature and gas composition influence the reaction, leading to more sustainable oxidation processes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

Mutant mice shed no tears

A study led by Kyoto University researchers found that modulating hormone levels can improve meibomian gland disorder, a common cause of dry eyes. Topical administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) boosted NAD levels and rebooted 3-HSD activity in mutant mice, alleviating dryness.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

Providing legal advocacy reduces hospital admissions by 38%

A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that medical-legal partnerships, which connect pediatric patients with advocates from Legal Aid Society, significantly reduce hospital admissions for children. The program, launched in 2008, has resulted in a 38% reduction in hospitalizations among referred cases.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 7, 2022

Disadvantaged older adults face greater risk of function, cognition decline after ICU admission

A retrospective analysis found that socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults are at a higher risk of decline in function and cognition after an intensive care unit hospitalization. The study highlights the need to prioritize low-income seniors in rehabilitation and recovery efforts after critical illness.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 7, 2022

Novel enzyme catalyzing the formation of glycosidic bonds in complex sugar moieties characterized

Researchers have identified a novel enzyme that catalyzes the formation of glycosidic bonds in complex sugar moieties. The discovery provides fresh insights into carbohydrate metabolism and offers a breakthrough for the synthesis of sugar chains, which play key roles in various biological processes.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022