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Science News Archive March 2022 - Page 34


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New analysis shows chronic lower extremity lymphedema has dramatic impact on physical function in large number of older female cancer survivors

A new study found that nearly one-third of older adult female survivors of colorectal, endometrial, and ovarian cancer experience quality-of-life-impacting challenges with physical activity due to chronic lower extremity lymphedema. The researchers urge the medical community to include regular lymphedema assessments in survivorship care.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 9, 2022

Global environmental risks from treated wastewater

A new global database reveals 1.2 million km of rivers at risk from treated wastewater discharge, with some exceeding environmental thresholds for concern. The research aims to identify hotspots and pinpoint individual treatment plants in need of improvement to mitigate water pollution risks.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEarth System Science Data·DateMar 9, 2022

Office buildings with infrequent water use may have poor water quality

A study published in PLOS Water found that office buildings with low-consumption plumbing may experience chemical and microbiological safety issues due to weekend stagnation. The research highlights the need for regular water testing in commercial buildings, even those designed as 'green' to reduce water consumption.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Water·TypeObservational study·DateMar 9, 2022

Even at best hospitals, low-income older cancer patients struggle after surgery

A new study found that dual-eligible patients for Medicare and Medicaid have poorer outcomes and higher costs after cancer surgery, even in high-quality hospitals. These patients are more likely to experience complications, longer hospital stays, and lower chances of going home instead of a nursing facility.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 9, 2022

Are pesticides used in urban and suburban areas harming honey bees?

A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found that pesticide levels are low in nectar and pollen collected by honey bees in urban and suburban areas across the US. Chemical analyses detected 17 pesticides in nectar and 60 in pollen samples, with 73% of all samples containing no detectable pesticide residues.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateMar 9, 2022

Prof. Zhu Tong’s team reveals the association between short-term exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels increase

A panel study in Beijing found a consistent, robust increase in fasting blood glucose levels after exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs). The research suggests potential biological pathways, including pro-opiomelanocortin processing and regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 A function.

SourcePeking University·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·DateMar 9, 2022

The Lancet Public Health: Maintaining face mask use for short time after hitting particular COVID-19 vaccination targets offers major economic and health benefits, modelling indicates

A modelling study published in The Lancet Public Health suggests that continuing to use face masks for at least two weeks after hitting COVID-19 vaccination targets is cost-effective and saves lives. The study found that maintaining mask use saves billions of dollars in societal and healthcare costs and greatly reduces hospitalisations...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 8, 2022

Follow-up shows 'very high odds' of long-term disability for veterans with combat concussion

A study published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation found that service members who sustained combat-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at high risk of long-term disability. The odds of being on a trajectory of worse long-term outcome were 49 times higher for those with blast TBI compared to those with no blast exposure.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation·DateMar 8, 2022

Lockdowns did not significantly affect young people’s mental health

A new study from the University of Copenhagen concludes that lockdowns did not have a significant impact on young people's mental health, with some short-term decline. Young people with depressive symptoms showed improvement in mental health after lockdowns, contrary to previous assumptions.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·TypeSurvey·DateMar 8, 2022

The language of the eyes

A study by Dr. Fuhimiro Kano and colleagues found that humans can distinguish gaze directions from each other more accurately than chimpanzees, particularly in challenging conditions. The researchers used computerized tasks to present images of human and chimpanzee eyes to both species, with white sclera in the chimpanzee eye improving...

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournaleLife·DateMar 8, 2022

Hail to the squid — A vampyropod fit for a president

A 328-million-year-old fossil discovered in Montana has revealed the earliest known relative of modern octopuses and vampire squid. The newly identified species, Syllipsimopodi bideni, challenges current understanding of vampyropod evolution and offers a new model for internally-shelled cephalopods.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2022

Six ways to alleviate the stressed healthcare industry in light of COVID-19, according to WVU economists

Economists Ed Timmons and Conor Norris suggest reforms such as shorter medical school pathways, expanded physician assistant and nurse practitioner independence, and federal regulation of telemedicine to alleviate the healthcare industry's stress in light of COVID-19. These proposals aim to address staffing shortages, improve access to...

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalHealth Policy OPEN·DateMar 8, 2022

Stunning new-to-science fairy wrasse is first-ever fish described by a Maldivian scientist

A new species of fish, the Rose-Veiled Fairy Wrasse, has been described by a Maldivian researcher and colleagues as part of the California Academy of Sciences' global Hope for Reefs initiative. The discovery reveals that the species is actually two different species with potentially more restricted distributions.

SourceCalifornia Academy of Sciences·JournalZooKeys·TypeObservational study·DateMar 8, 2022

Largest-ever IPD meta-analysis of malaria patients to inform haemoglobin changes

A new study using pooled individual patient data from over 70,000 patients has found that artemisinin-based combination therapy can suppress the bone marrow response and contribute to anaemia. The analysis identified patients at greatest risk of severe anaemia and highlights potential advantages of alternative treatment regimens.

SourceInfectious Diseases Data Observatory·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 8, 2022

Healers provide bridge to biomedical healthcare while reshaping sexual health in contemporary Uganda

In a study published in Social Science & Medicine, researchers found that young people in Uganda are turning to healers for their holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health. Healers provide a destigmatized, holistic SRH experience by embracing young people's sexual citizenship.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateMar 8, 2022

Natural gas flares likely source of respiratory illness spike

Researchers at Washington State University found a causal link between natural gas flaring and increased hospital visits for respiratory health in North Dakota. The study estimated that a 1% increase in flared natural gas increases the hospitalization rate by 0.73%, highlighting the significant impact of flaring on human health.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Public Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 8, 2022

A nanoscale look at coronavirus infection

Researchers have used super-resolution light microscopy to pinpoint the location of viral molecules within human cells during coronavirus infection. The study reveals that the virus-replicating machinery and RNA product are physically separated in the cell, providing new insights into the viral life cycle.

SourceStanford University·JournalCell Reports Methods·DateMar 8, 2022

Remembering is seeing

Studies investigating the impact of memory on perception aim to understand how our brains alter sensory information, enabling us to conserve energy on expected stimuli. This research may lead to advancements in treating PTSD by analyzing communication between brain regions affected by trauma.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 8, 2022

PCORI Board of Governors approves $71.5 million to fund new research studies on topics including maternal health, autism, and urinary incontinence

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board of Governors approved funding for 12 new comparative clinical effectiveness research studies focusing on maternal health, autism, and urinary incontinence. These studies will improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes in real-world settings.

O-pH, a new UW dental tool prototype, can spot the acidic conditions that lead to cavities

Researchers created a dental tool that measures plaque acidity using an LED light and FDA-approved chemical dye, providing dentists with early warning signs of cavity development. The device can help limit the need for specific harmful bacteria tests and educate patients about sugar's impact on oral health.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2022