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Science News Archive March 2022 - Page 11


Page 11 of 44

Deforestation impacts go far beyond carbon

A new study reveals that deforestation has significant biophysical effects on climate, including changes in heat distribution and water cycles. Forests play a crucial role in dispersing heat and transferring water from the surface to the atmosphere, which affects regional hydrological cycles.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

TGen-Temple review suggests even normal weight individuals are susceptible to severe fatty liver disease

Even normal weight individuals are susceptible to severe fatty liver disease due to various risk factors including diet, genetics, and ethnicity. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis if left undiagnosed or untreated.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·JournalDiabetology & Metabolic Syndrome·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 24, 2022

Study supports shortened quarantine period among asymptomatic health care professionals exposed to SARS-CoV-2

A new study suggests that asymptomatic healthcare professionals can safely return to work after seven days of quarantine if they receive a negative COVID-19 test. The findings, from the first reported study evaluating reduced quarantine duration in a healthcare setting, offer a potential new strategy for mitigating staffing shortages.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Astronomers reveal remarkable simulations of the early universe, from the Dark Ages through First Light

Researchers at the Center for Astrophysics created a suite of simulations named Thesan, resolving interactions in the early universe with unprecedented detail. The simulations capture properties of early galaxies and how light impacts gas, spanning over 300 million light years across.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 24, 2022

Mom’s protective behaviors run deep

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that the brain region responsible for social behavior, the locus coeruleus, is activated precisely when a mother retrieves her pup. This finding could help reveal causes of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and autism, leading to potential new treatments.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalJNeurosci·DateMar 24, 2022

Penn-Developed CAR T Cells Suppress GI Solid Tumor Cells, Without Toxicity to Healthy Tissue, in Preclinical Research

Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered a new approach to treat solid cancers using CDH17CAR T cells, which selectively target and eliminate gastrointestinal (GI) solid tumors like gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers in preclinical models. Unlike other immunotherapies, CDH17CAR T cells do not show toxicity to healthy tissues.

Stanford-led study: Methane leaks are far worse than estimates, at least in New Mexico, but there’s hope

A Stanford-led study found that methane leaks in the Permian Basin of New Mexico are several times greater than federal estimates, with over 9% of production being leaked. The researchers used airborne sensors to detect leaks and identified super-emitters responsible for the majority of emissions.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Mayo Clinic researchers develop new antibody test to diagnose MS

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a new antibody test to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS), a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. The validated test measures kappa immunoglobulin free light chains in cerebrospinal fluid, offering a faster and more cost-effective alternative to existing tests.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateMar 24, 2022

Set back on the way to meet SDG targets: Progress in tackling tuberculosis reversed by the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a setback in global efforts to meet SDG targets for tackling tuberculosis. TB mortality plateaued in Europe between 2019 and 2020, likely due to disruptions in essential TB services. Researchers highlight the need for continued commitment and investments to prevent further progress being reversed.

Tuberculosis infection protects mice from developing COVID-19

Researchers discovered that mice infected with tuberculosis are resistant to developing COVID-19, suggesting a potential protective effect against the virus. The findings may explain why double infections of both diseases are rare in humans and contribute to the high rates of infection for each disease individually.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Enhancing the electromechanical behavior of a flexible polymer

A Penn State-led team of researchers developed a flexible polymer with enhanced electromechanical behavior, resulting in a 60% increase in electricity generation efficiency. The material's properties were improved by deliberately introducing chemical impurities through doping and stretching the polymer to align molecular chains.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateMar 24, 2022

A better way to separate gases

Researchers have developed a new type of membrane material that can significantly improve the efficiency of gas separation processes. The membranes, based on hydrocarbon ladder polymers, offer both high permeability and selectivity, making them outperform other polymer materials in many gas separations.

Popular male dolphins produce more offspring

A recent study led by the University of Zurich found that well-integrated male dolphins with strong social bonds to many alliance partners produce the most offspring. The researchers analyzed 30 years of behavioral data from 85 male dolphins and used genetic data to conduct paternity analyses for more than 400 dolphins.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022