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Science News Archive March 2022 - Page 12


Page 12 of 44

Can supermarkets coax people into buying healthier food?

Researchers found that increasing availability of healthier options, such as low-fat chips and lower-calorie biscuits, led to significant changes in purchasing behaviors. Removing seasonal chocolates from prominent locations also attenuated the usual increase in confectionery sales.

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

Cheap, eco-friendly catalyst opens new possibilities for organic molecules built from pyruvate

Researchers develop an eco-friendly organic catalyst system that improves the production of organic molecules from pyruvate, a key biomolecule in metabolic pathways. The catalyst promotes reactions where pyruvate donates electrons to produce molecules like amino acids.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalOrganic Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Taking context seriously

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on smallholder farmers in the developing world, with up to 80% reporting reduced food purchases and 50% suffering income loss. The study highlights the need for policymakers to balance disease containment measures with the food security needs of rural populations.

SourceInternational Livestock Research Institute·JournalAgricultural Systems·TypeSurvey·DateMar 24, 2022

Simply printing high-performance perovskite-based transistors

A research team from POSTECH has developed a method to print high-performance p-type semiconductor transistors using inorganic metal halide perovskite, exhibiting high hole mobility and current ratio. This technology enables solution-processed perovskite transistors to be simply printed as semiconductor-like circuits, paving the way fo...

Rapid spin-flip in colloidal nanocrystals to generate molecular triplets

A team of scientists developed a method to generate molecular triplets in colloidal nanocrystals through rapid spin-flip, which can be used for photochemical applications such as photon upconversion and singlet oxygen generation. The study demonstrates the potential of solution-processed semiconductor materials for new fields.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChem·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 24, 2022

Illinois researchers find exotic sources of resistance to tar spot in corn

Illinois researchers identified two tropical corn germplasm lines showing promising levels of tar spot resistance, regardless of location. The study developed a new method for scoring tar spot incidence and severity, which will aid breeding programs. The findings suggest resistant hybrids are key to managing the disease long-term.

Evidence of defendants’ adverse childhood experiences can elicit jurors’ leniency in capital trials

A new study found that defense testimony about defendants' adverse childhood experiences can elicit leniency in jurors' sentencing decisions in capital trials. The study suggests that investigating and presenting ACE evidence is critical in eliciting leniency, with sympathy being a key factor in jurors' decisions.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateMar 24, 2022

ASMR fans are hypersensitive to the world

Research reveals that ASMR enthusiasts are hypersensitive to their environment, easily overstimulated by noise and movement. They also possess heightened bodily awareness, noticing physical changes when experiencing emotions.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·TypeSurvey·DateMar 24, 2022

Carbon budget and balance critical processes of the regional land-water-air interface: Indicating the earth system’s carbon neutrality

The study analyzes global land-water-gas carbon transport and budget changes, focusing on inland water carbon budget and cycle in land-sea-gas budget. Climate change drives riverine-based carbon transport processes, while anthropogenic activities affect carbon sources, cycling, and budgets.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateMar 24, 2022

Artificial sweeteners may not be safe sugar alternatives

A study published in PLOS Medicine found associations between consuming artificial sweeteners and increased cancer risk. The researchers analyzed data from 102,865 French adults and discovered higher risks for overall cancer, breast cancer, and obesity-related cancers.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Breaking down plastic into its constituent parts

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to break down certain polymers into their basic building blocks, enabling full recycling. The breakthrough involves creating 'radicals' at the end of a polymer chain, triggering depolymerisation and recovering up to 92% of the monomers.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Women who report significant antibiotic use in midlife are more likely to experience cognitive decline in later life, perhaps through gut microbiome changes, in study of almost 15,000 U.S. nurses

A study of nearly 15,000 US nurses found that significant antibiotic use in midlife is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline later in life. The researchers suggest that this may be related to changes in the gut microbiome, which can impact brain function and overall health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 23, 2022

Online and offline victimization: Two sides of the same coin?

A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that 73.7% of university students have been victimized online, with a higher risk for those who were offline victims during childhood or intimate partner violence., Researchers identified three groups based on cybercrime risk: low-risk, financial cybervictimization, and high-risk groups ...

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalSocial Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateMar 23, 2022

Obese pregnant women are more likely to experience stillbirth or neonatal death, and over 60 percent of this increased risk is associated with delivery occurring at an earlier gestational age

A recent study found that obese pregnant women are at a higher risk of experiencing stillbirth or neonatal death. The research revealed that over 60% of this increased risk is associated with deliveries occurring at an earlier gestational age, highlighting the importance of careful prenatal care and monitoring.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 23, 2022

Novel therapeutic strategy shows promise against pancreatic cancer

Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a novel therapeutic strategy that uses bacteria to deliver tetanus toxin into pancreatic tumor cells, inducing an immune response and killing the cancer. The treatment has shown promise in reducing cancer metastases by 87% and increasing mouse lifespan by 40%.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2022

Study finds complex relationships between bacteria and markers of lower airway infection and inflammation in cystic fibrosis

Researchers identified unique metabolite biomarkers associated with increased inflammation and bacterial burden in cystic fibrosis lungs. The study found correlations between metabolites and bacterial communities, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of infection and inflammation in CF.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateMar 23, 2022

Discovery could pave way for new lung treatment

Researchers have identified a new family of proteins in blood vessels that prevent fluid from entering the lungs, offering a potential new avenue for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome. Stimulating these bitter taste receptors has been shown to provide protection against fluid leak into the lung.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateMar 23, 2022

Decoding a material’s ‘memory’

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania discovered that disordered materials can retain a memory of external forces, allowing them to predict when and how they will flow. By analyzing individual particle distributions, scientists can determine a material's stability and response to stressors.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2022

Multifaceted approaches to engineer fluorescence in nanomaterials via a focused laser beam

Scientists review key influence of various laser techniques on fluorescence properties across a range of nanomaterials. Laser-induced control over nanomaterial composition and dimension enables tunability in fluorescence colors. The study also explores instances where lasers convert non-fluorescing precursors to fluorescent forms.