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Science News Archive March 2022 - Page 19


Page 19 of 44

New findings suggest that ‘one size does not fit all’ with regard to breast density education

A new study found that women have varying preferences for learning about their personal breast density, with higher rates among Non-Hispanic Black and Asian women. The study suggests that current breast density notifications may not meet the needs of all women, particularly those with lower literacy levels.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalPatient Education and Counseling·TypeSurvey·DateMar 21, 2022

Wind, solar could replace coal power in Texas

A new study by Rice University engineers suggests that wind and solar projects could eliminate the need for coal in Texas, drastically reducing pollution. The research uses optimization modeling to identify the least-cost combinations of proposed wind and solar projects that can replace coal-fired power generation.

SourceRice University·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 21, 2022

Striking lane-like patterns found in bacteria populations

Researchers from OIST found that Escherichia coli bacteria form lanes of genetically similar individuals when constrained to a channel, aligning parallel to the barriers. The study, published in PNAS, used microfluidic platforms and simulations to observe population dynamics over several generations.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2022

Astronomers reveal best image yet of mysterious ORCs in space

Researchers have captured a detailed image of odd radio circles (ORCs), which are enormous rings of faint radio emissions surrounding galaxies with active black holes. The new image provides more information to help narrow down theories on what causes ORCs, with three leading explanations including galactic shockwaves and wormholes.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 21, 2022

Opioid abuse treatment begun in emergency departments is rarely sustained

A study found that fewer than one-third of patients who fill buprenorphine prescriptions written by emergency physicians subsequently fill prescriptions from other clinicians. Researchers emphasize the need for improved systems to seamlessly transition patients from emergency settings to community treatment providers.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 21, 2022

The impact of extinction

New research links high levels of stratospheric sulfur to the Chicxulub impact, which ignited widespread fires and global cooling. The unique fingerprints in sulfur aerosols provide direct evidence for catastrophic climate change and cooling.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 21, 2022

Scientists led by NTU Singapore produce oils from microalgae that could replace palm oil in food production

Scientists at NTU Singapore have developed a method to produce and extract oils from a type of common microalgae, which are edible and have superior properties as those found in palm oil. The newly discovered method would serve as a healthier and greener alternative to palm oil.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalJournal of Applied Phycology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2022

Chef’s kiss: Research shows healthy home cooking equals a healthy mind

Researchers at Edith Cowan University found that a 7-week healthy cooking course improved participants' general health, mental health, and self-perceived mental well-being. Cooking confidence also increased significantly, particularly among women, who reported improved mental health benefits despite no changes in diet quality.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 20, 2022

Call to preserve hidden water

Groundwater supplies half of world's drinking water and is vital to agriculture and industry; poor management threatens global water security. A study in Australia highlights the benefits of collective action in groundwater management.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Hydrology·TypeCase study·DateMar 20, 2022

New ways to improve urban wetlands

Researchers found a wetland plant capable of reducing PFAS in soil and water, improving filtration efficiency. The study suggests using floating reed beds to increase PFAS removal rates, highlighting the potential for phyto-extraction as a remediation strategy.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2022

Study finds soil erosion and wildfire another nail in coffin for Triassic era

A recent study has identified soil erosion and wildfire activity as significant contributors to the mass extinction event that occurred at the end of the Triassic period. The research found that soil erosion was a more prominent terrestrial ecological stress than intensive wildfire activity, with fire events likely being localized rath...

SourceCurtin University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2022

Higher exposure to bisphenol a in the womb associated with increased risk for asthma and wheezing in school-age girls

A study of over 3,000 mother-child pairs from six European countries found an association between prenatal bisphenol A exposure and increased risk of asthma and wheezing in school-age girls. The study revealed a high prevalence of BPA in maternal urine during pregnancy.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·TypeObservational study·DateMar 18, 2022

Huntington's disease: Astrocytes to the rescue!

A recent study found that stimulating reactive astrocytes promotes the elimination of toxic protein aggregates in Huntington's disease. This cooperative mechanism between neurons and astrocytes holds promise for potential treatments.

SourceCNRS·JournalBrain·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2022

Youngest brain tumor patients have significantly poorer outcomes than older pediatric patients

Research led by Adam Green, MD, shows that the youngest patients with brain tumors (ages 0-3 months) have about half the five-year survival rate as children ages 1-19. The study analyzed population-based data for almost 14,500 children and found significantly poorer outcomes among the youngest patients.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Neuro-Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2022

Little evidence on how psilocybin therapy interacts with existing psychiatric treatments, review finds

A systematic review of psilocybin interactions with psychiatric medications reveals a lack of scientific research, leaving clinicians and patients uncertain about treatment combinations. The review highlights the need for further studies on clinical outcomes of combining pharmaceutical medications with psilocybin.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalPsychopharmacology·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 18, 2022

Gene regulation at its brightest

Researchers at Tohoku University create a novel method to quantify transcription factor activity in live organisms using viruses. This breakthrough enables scientists to understand how diseases develop and potentially treat them.

SourceTohoku University·JournaliScience·DateMar 18, 2022

Visible ocean plastics just the tip of the iceberg

A new study suggests that the majority of ocean plastics are on the seafloor or difficult to monitor, with an estimated 540 million metric tons trapped on land. The research estimates that large plastics and microplastics account for only a small percentage of total ocean plastic waste.

SourceKyushu University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 18, 2022

Illuminating the brain with an ultra-thin, flexible, multipoint microLED array film

Scientists have created a flexible, multipoint microLED array film that enables simultaneous optical stimulation at specific or multiple regions in the brain. The technology has potential broader applications in neuroscience research and could lead to new understanding of brain function and behavior.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalApplied Physics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2022

The colored skeletons of Çatalhöyük

The study provides the first analysis of pigment use in funerary and architectural contexts at Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic site in Turkey. The findings show that red ochre was commonly used on adults and children, while cinnabar and blue/green were associated with males and females, respectively.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2022

Marijuana for medical use may result in rapid onset of cannabis use disorder

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that medical marijuana users were more likely to develop cannabis use disorder (CUD) than expected, particularly those seeking relief from anxiety and depression. The study suggests that the current system of dispensing and using medical marijuana may be contributing to this issue.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 18, 2022

The most boring person in the world discovered by University of Essex research

Researchers found data analysis, accounting, cleaning, and banking to be the most boring jobs, while religion, watching TV, and bird watching were among the dullest hobbies. Stereotypically boring people are often disliked and avoided due to preconceptions, leading to social ostracization and increased loneliness.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeSurvey·DateMar 18, 2022