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Science News Archive March 2022 - Page 4


Page 4 of 44

Researchers identify new paraelectric phase prototypes for use in computational engineering of functional materials

Researchers at NCCR MARVEL identified two new cubic prototypes that exhibit energetically and dynamically stable paraelectric behavior, providing a microscopic representation of the material's properties. The discovery has significant implications for the study of ferroelectricity, superconductivity, and other functional materials.

SourceNational Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) MARVEL·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 30, 2022

Artificial modification of Earth’s radiation belts by ground-based very-low-frequency (VLF) transmitters

Researchers found that ground-based VLF transmitter waves can significantly contribute to electron losses in the near-Earth space, leading to the bifurcation of the inner energetic electron belt. This phenomenon can be controlled by human VLF wave generation, which may help mitigate natural space radiation environments.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateMar 30, 2022

Study sheds light on psychological therapies for chronic low back pain

A study of 97 randomised controlled trials found that combining physiotherapy with psychological interventions is more effective for improving physical function and reducing pain intensity. Pain education programs and behavioural therapy result in the most sustainable effects of treatment.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 30, 2022

Developing student learning in the ever-changing landscape of higher education

The special issue of the ECNU Review of Education examines how digital shift, international student mobility, and assessment methods impact student learning in higher education. Research reveals that offline interaction generates more desirable academic outcomes, while online education fosters student autonomy and thesis completion.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 30, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

For those thinking about plastic surgery, selfies give a distorted view

A study found that selfies significantly distort facial features, making noses appear 6.4% longer on average compared to standard clinical photographs. The distortion also affects the chin and base of the nose, leading to a significant increase in the ratio of nose to chin length.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open·DateMar 30, 2022

Pinpointing the sound of failure

Researchers at Texas A&M University have identified a unique sound signature produced by rocks as they crack and break. This discovery was made using a combination of supervised machine learning, causal discovery, and rapid simulations. The team found that an unusual pattern of positive and negative measurements in sound wave-transmiss...

SourceTexas A&M University·TypeNews article·DateMar 30, 2022

Engineering researchers develop porous nanoparticles for regenerative medicine

Scientists at Texas A¼M University have created water-stable, 2D covalent organic framework nanoparticles that can guide human mesenchymal stem cells to form bone tissue. The new technology has the potential to impact the treatment of bone regeneration and improve drug delivery.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeNews article·DateMar 30, 2022
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

A “perfect storm” of genetic mutations is behind rare sporadic brain malformations that cause stroke, seizures

A new study by researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine has identified a set of sporadic genetic mutations that make it more likely a person will develop cavernous angiomas, which can lead to stroke and seizures. Understanding these underlying causes is key to identifying patients at risk and finding effective treatments.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·DateMar 30, 2022

Tools reveal patterns of Neandertal extinction in the Iberian Peninsula

Researchers analyzed Châtelperronian tools in the Iberian Peninsula, finding evidence of local Neandertal extinction and replacement even before Homo sapiens arrived. The tool complex suggests older Iberian Neandertals disappeared, replaced by new groups using Châtelperronian technology.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 30, 2022

Study finds surprising way to make walking easier

A study has discovered that using a strategically-timed pull from a waist belt can help individuals walk more efficiently, reducing metabolic cost by as much as half. This approach uses biomechanical testing to optimize the timing of assistance, which was found to be most effective during a brief window between steps.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Cancer repair mechanism could be potential drug target

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center identified a potential new tactic to disrupt the repair mechanism that cancer cells use after treatment, blunting their ability to regenerate. This approach could present a new treatment strategy for targeted therapies.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 30, 2022

New study assesses the health impacts of the 2020 lockdowns in three European cities

A new study found that the health impacts of 2020 lockdowns varied across three European cities, with physical activity levels declining by up to 95% and resulting in increased diagnoses of heart attacks, strokes, depression, and anxiety. In contrast, decreases in air pollution and noise had positive effects on health.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 30, 2022

Orb-weaver spider uses web to capture sounds

Orb-weaver spiders have been found to use their massive webs as auditory arrays, capturing sounds and giving them advanced warning of prey or predators. The researchers used a special quiet room and placed a mini-speaker near the web, causing the spider to detect and respond.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2022

Astegolimab study reports improved quality of life in patients with COPD

A study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that astegolimab reduced exacerbation rates by 22% and improved quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Benefits were seen in those with specific inflammatory signals and genetic markers.

SourceUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 30, 2022

Sea turtles’ loyalty to their nesting sites conditions the sex of the offspring

Research by Universidad Complutense de Madrid found that sea turtles consistently choose the same nesting sites each season, affecting the sex of their offspring. The temperature-dependent sex determination of turtles means males are produced at lower temperatures, and nesting beneath trees may increase male births in warmer temperatures.

SourceUniversidad Complutense de Madrid·JournalClimatic Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 30, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

SNSF awards NCCR MARVEL a third tranche of 12.33 Million CHF

The NCCR MARVEL has been ranked in the top tier by the SNSF Research Council, receiving a bonus of 1.53 MCHF in addition to its regular budget. The review panel praises MARVEL's scientific excellence and added value, highlighting its expected high impact during phase III.

SourceNational Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) MARVEL·DateMar 30, 2022

We need to increase MMR uptake urgently

Low MMR vaccine uptake is being blamed for a decline in protective immunity, with only 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. Experts urge parents and healthcare professionals to improve awareness and uptake of the vaccine.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 30, 2022

New algorithm will improve bowel-cancer patient care

A new algorithm using AI and data analytics predicts bowel cancer patients' length of stay, readmission rates, and mortality, enabling healthcare providers to optimize patient care. The technology has been proven effective with an accuracy rate above 80%, and further development is planned with larger datasets.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalDiscover Oncology·DateMar 30, 2022

Record broken: hubble spots farthest star ever seen

The discovery of star Earendel breaks the record for the farthest individual star ever seen, located 12.9 billion years away. The Hubble Space Telescope detected light from this ancient star due to gravitational lensing by a massive galaxy cluster, allowing astronomers to study it in unprecedented detail.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

New research highlights “significant gap” in evidence about effectiveness of relationship education programmes

A systematic review of 20 relationship education programmes found a lack of high-quality evaluations, with only three programmes following participants for over a year. Experts recommend co-created programmes integrated into mental health-informed curricula and evaluated over the long-term to promote good mental health and wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPastoral Care in Education·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 30, 2022

COVID-19 and delays in access to sexual and reproductive health care

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant delays in accessing sexual and reproductive health care, especially among individuals experiencing financial instability. In three states, over half of respondents reported difficulties or delays in accessing contraception due to the pandemic.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Women s Health·TypeCase study·DateMar 30, 2022

Programmed assembly of wafer-scale atomically thin crystals

A team of scientists has developed a method for assembling wafer-scale films at the atomic level, enabling large-scale production of artificial crystalline materials. The new technique, which uses van der Waals interactions, produces nearly 100% pristine interfaces and shows promise for developing new materials with unique properties.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 30, 2022
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

New ‘crime scene investigation’ may save endangered carnivorous plants

Researchers have developed a new botanical 'CSI' tool combining DNA metabarcoding and macro photography to identify prey spectra of carnivorous plants. This method enables experts to understand the biology of critically endangered species, including what they eat, crucial for conservation plans.

SourceCurtin University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 30, 2022

Growing up in rural or suburban areas improves spatial navigation

A study published in Nature found that people raised in rural areas outperform those from cities, particularly grid-pattern streets, in navigating spatial environments. This suggests that the simplicity of rural street networks influences navigational abilities.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateMar 30, 2022

Anti-inflammatories show promise for treating a late-pregnancy complication

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center discovered that a combination of two anti-inflammatory drugs may prevent lung damage and asthma in infants born prematurely due to chorioamnionitis. The study used animal models, but further research is needed to confirm the results.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 30, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Improving predictions of bacteria in Ala Wai Canal, Hawai‘i

Researchers have developed a model to predict Vibrio vulnificus abundance in the canal by analyzing rainfall, water temperature, dissolved nutrients and organic matter. The study found that warmer waters due to climate change may lead to an increase of twice or three times current levels of bacteria by the end of the century.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeObservational study·DateMar 30, 2022

Artificial intelligence locates "invisible" water in Mali and Chad

A research team from Universidad Complutense de Madrid developed a machine learning-based tool to predict areas with best access to potable groundwater in Africa. The tool achieved a success rate of close to 90% in initial trials, particularly in Mali and Chad.

SourceUniversidad Complutense de Madrid·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·TypeCase study·DateMar 30, 2022

South African barn owls, star witnesses of the climate over two million years ago

Researchers analyzed fossil collections from the Wonderwerk cave, discovering that barn owls remained a dominant predator throughout the Lower Palaeolithic era. The consistent presence of barn owl remains suggests reliable paleo-environmental results over nearly 2 million years.

SourceUniversidad Complutense de Madrid·JournalQuaternary International·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2022

Researchers find topological phenomena at high, technologically relevant frequencies

A collaborative study from the University of Pennsylvania demonstrates topological control capabilities in an acoustic system at technologically relevant frequencies. The researchers have successfully shown that topological phenomena occur at higher frequency ranges, enabling unique signal propagation properties.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Researchers’ novel tool to help develop safer pesticides

Researchers at George Washington University developed a novel tool to rapidly screen pesticides for safety and performance. The new approach can aid in the design of next-generation molecules to develop safer pesticides, with only 7% of analyzed compounds meeting safety criteria.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 30, 2022

Those who ogle also more likely to have harmful attitudes

A new study from Edith Cowan University found that excessive body gaze is linked with harmful attitudes towards sexual assault. Men who showed strong preferences for gazing at women's bodies were more likely to assume women invite or tolerate rough sexual conduct, while women did not show body gaze preferences.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·TypeObservational study·DateMar 30, 2022

Follow-up prevents repeat ED visits for kids with asthma

A new study found that follow-up care after an asthma-related emergency department (ED) visit can help prevent future ED visits for children. Patients who received follow-up care within two weeks of their ED visit were 12% less likely to return to the ED for asthma within 60 days and 13% less likely to revisit for asthma in the next year.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAcademic Pediatrics·DateMar 30, 2022

Dressing up RNA molecules to last

A new mechanism has been discovered that decorates the end tails of RNA molecules in a parasite causing sleeping sickness, preventing their degradation and potentially increasing virulence. This fundamental discovery opens new avenues for treatment strategies for this disease, as well as other RNA-based infections/diseases.

SourceInstituto de Medicina Molecular·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2022
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Hands, feet, and fins: the connection that explains acral melanoma

A recent study from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reveals that a specific genetic program, positional identity, determines the location of acral melanoma. The research, led by Dr. Richard White, found that this program is conserved throughout evolution and explains why certain mutations lead to cancer in specific areas. This b...

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2022

The politics of Uber

Platform firms like Uber have adapted to regulations to provide different services and accumulate power, mediating between producers and consumers. The study shows that these companies' power stems from their position in the economy and strategic response to existing regulations.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalRegulation & Governance·TypeCase study·DateMar 30, 2022

When a band falls flat: Searching for flatness in materials

Researchers have created a catalogue of materials with exotic quantum properties, enabling large-scale searches for promising candidates. The team identified over 700 materials exhibiting potential flat bands, which could lead to breakthroughs in memory devices and power transport.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2022

Triggering cellular apoptosis by optical targeting

Researchers at Okayama University have created a new method to kill cancer cells using light-activated protein AR3, reducing the risk of adverse reactions. The approach uses green light to trigger apoptosis in targeted cells, offering a promising alternative to conventional treatments.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2022
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

US lung cancer screening linked to earlier diagnosis and better survival

Lung cancer screening in the US has been associated with increased early detection of non-small cell lung cancer and improved survival rates. However, disparities in access to screening remain, with economically deprived areas and racial/ethnic minority groups showing reduced benefits.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateMar 30, 2022

Global disparities persist in opioid painkiller access

A study led by UCL researchers found significant disparities in opioid painkiller access between countries, with some regions reporting rates as low as 0.01 MME per 1,000/day, while others have surpassed the US in opioid sales. The findings highlight the need for global policies to improve palliative care and pain relief provision.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 30, 2022

Oxytocin treatment can take lions from ferocious to friendly

Researchers found that an intranasal application of oxytocin could make lion interactions less life-threatening. After the treatments, lions displayed reduced vigilance towards other lions and became more tolerant of their presence.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2022

Elastic fields stretch the understanding of chiral molecular crystals

A team of researchers at The University of Tokyo has created a model that reveals the role of emergent elastic fields in chiral molecular and colloidal crystals. The findings provide a potential switch for developing new electro- and magneto-mechanical devices.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2022
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Sri Lankan twin study finds one-third of variation in depressive symptoms is genetic; two-thirds is environmentally influenced - and symptoms are strongly associated with health-related quality of life

A recent Sri Lankan twin study reveals that genetic factors contribute to approximately one-third of the variation in depressive symptoms, while environmental influences account for around two-thirds. The study also found a strong association between depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 30, 2022

Disparities in diabetic eye care

A new University of Houston study finds racial and ethnic disparities in diabetic eye care, with Whites more likely to receive regular exams than minorities. The study also reveals that Hispanics have the highest prevalence of diabetic eye complications.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalDiabetes Epidemiology and Management·DateMar 30, 2022
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.