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Science News Archive March 2022 - Page 10


Page 10 of 44

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

Firing it up

A team at Harvard Medical School identified a mechanism that triggers local dopamine release in the brain when acetylcholine binds to axons, not previously known to initiate firing. This finding reveals more about the interaction between acetylcholine and dopamine systems, suggesting a new strategy for treating diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 24, 2022

Study of skin biopsies offers potential as new diagnostic marker for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Researchers have identified a biomarker, TDP-43, detectable in small skin samples of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), allowing for potentially easier diagnosis and early detection. The presence of this protein in the skin of ALS patients is associated with an increased number of fibroblasts with disease marks.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalCells·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 24, 2022

Life at the top: Scientists find first molecular clues behind high-altitude adaptation in gelada monkeys

Researchers found no evidence that gelada monkeys' hemoglobin provides increased oxygen-carrying capacity, but discovered other physiological adaptations that enable them to thrive at high altitudes. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind human adaptation and potential treatments for diseases associated with high altitude.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Scientists solve solar secret

Researchers have solved a key part of the coronal heating problem by merging two previous theories into one. The study used six-dimensional supercomputer simulations to show how turbulence creates magnetic waves that heat the gas in the Sun's atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 24, 2022

Tropical peatland, sea level rise and climate change

Researchers analyzed two peat cores to discover that higher concentrations of charcoal occurred between 9,000 to 4,000 years ago due to larger forest fires. Mangrove pollen found in the earlier period indicates rising sea levels and increased salt, contributing to dry conditions suitable for massive forest fires.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

The proton's innate charm may trouble astronomers

Physicists from Cracow-based Institute of Nuclear Physics found that the proton's charm structure might affect our understanding of cosmic neutrinos. Recent LHCb detector measurements support a model with a higher charm quark contribution, which could mislead astronomers about high-energy neutrino origins.

Spinal fluid sampling used to track treatment response in pediatric glioma

Researchers collected hundreds of cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with Diffuse Midline Glioma, tracking changes in cell-free tumor DNA over time. The findings suggest that this method could provide data about tumors sooner than MRIs alone, allowing clinicians to address aggressive brain cancer more effectively.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNeuro-Oncology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Peer-reviewed study: Without tropical forests, global temperatures would be 1°c warmer

A recent peer-reviewed study reveals that tropical forests play a vital role in maintaining global climate stability by reducing extreme temperatures and promoting local climate stability. The study finds that the entire world benefits from the band of tropical rainforests, which keep the planet cooler by up to 1 degree Celsius.

SourceUniversity of Virginia·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 24, 2022

Artificial intelligence to bring museum specimens to the masses

Scientists from Cardiff University have developed a new artificial intelligence method to automate the extraction of information from large collections of museum specimens. The 'image segmentation' method can accurately locate and bound different visual regions on images, allowing for faster and more efficient digitization processes.

SourceCardiff University·JournalMachine Vision and Applications·DateMar 24, 2022

Breakthrough in cell research: Jacobs University scientists discover new method for drug delivery

Researchers at Jacobs University have developed a novel method for drug delivery using boron clusters, enabling efficient transport of bioactive substances into cells. The breakthrough has potential applications in overcoming antibiotic resistance and delivering innovative therapeutics, such as peptides and protein-based drugs.

SourceJacobs University Bremen gGmbH·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

IgA antibodies seem to protect unvaccinated against COVID-19

A University of Gothenburg study found that IgA antibodies present in the respiratory tract protected healthcare workers from contracting COVID-19. The research, published in the European Journal of Immunology, suggests that these antibodies may play a crucial role in preventing severe illness and hospitalization.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Probing the orbital angular momentum of intense vortex pulses with strong-field ionization

Researchers developed an approach to measure the orbital angular momentum of intense vortex pulses using photoelectron momentum imaging via strong-field photoionization. They successfully characterized three different OAM modes and proposed a universal scheme for higher OAM detection, with minimal influence on the OAM states.

Brazilian dataset of whole-genome sequences brings more diversity in international databases, study says

A new Brazilian database of whole-genome sequences brings diverse genetic information to international databases, shedding light on the genetics of aging and disease in Brazil's elderly population. The study identified over 2 million novel genetic variants, providing insights into the health and well-being of older adults.

Intense press coverage prompts new expeditions to Dyatlov Pass

Researchers at EPFL and ETH Zurich propose a rational explanation for the deaths of nine hikers in 1959, attributing their injuries to a small slab avalanche. The team's work was met with intense media attention and criticism from conspiracy theorists before being accepted by the Russian scientific community.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Getting warmer: Improving heat flux modeling

Scientists at Osaka University developed a new numerical technique to visualize heat flux at the atomic scale for the first time. The team found that sub-atomic stresses in solid and liquid structures determine the direction of heat flux, enabling more efficient nanoscale manufacturing.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review E·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 24, 2022

Researchers document prevalence of patients’ social risks and their desire for health system assistance

A new study found that 48% of patients with subsidized health care insurance reported one or more social risks, with housing instability being the most prevalent. Patients with social risks were twice as likely to report having poor health, despite being demographically similar to those without social risks.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 24, 2022