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Science News Archive March 2022 - Page 7


Page 7 of 44

Disinfectant use during pregnancy linked to childhood asthma and eczema

A population study found a significant link between mothers' exposure to disinfectants during pregnancy and their children's risk of developing asthma or eczema. The study, published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, suggests that prenatal exposure to disinfectants may exert an effect on allergies in offspring.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2022

Personalized testing for safety and effectiveness of common medicines must be offered throughout the health service

A report by the British Pharmacological Society and Royal College of Physicians recommends integrating pharmacogenomic testing to ensure medicines work safely and effectively for individual patients. The UK is a world leader in genomic medicine, and expanded testing would further demonstrate this leadership.

SourceBritish Pharmacological Society·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 28, 2022

Layover or nonstop? UCLA Health research says unique pattern of connectivity lets highly creative people’s brains take road less traveled to their destination

A study led by UCLA Health scientists finds that highly creative people's brains exhibit an atypical approach to connectivity, enabling them to bypass traditional hubs and form distant connections. This 'road less traveled' pattern is more efficient for creative thinking but may not be optimal in all situations.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPsychology of Aesthetics Creativity and the Arts·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2022

Lack of sleep increases unhealthy abdominal fat

A randomized controlled study found that lack of sufficient sleep increased calorie intake and visceral fat area by 9% and 11%, respectively. The study suggests that inadequate sleep is a previously unrecognized trigger for visceral fat deposition, potentially contributing to obesity and metabolic diseases.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 28, 2022

Stanford engineers enable simple cameras to see in 3D

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new approach to enable standard image sensors to capture light in three dimensions. The system uses acoustic resonance and piezoelectric properties of lithium niobate to modulate light, allowing for high-performance lidar capabilities in compact devices.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2022

Global diets are harming human and planetary health

Experts warn that a global diet rich in ultra-processed foods is damaging human health directly and causing environmental degradation. The dominance of these foods is leading to declining agrobiodiversity, with fewer than 200 crop species accounting for over 66% of global food production.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 28, 2022

The value of installing new technologies in supply chains: How current users are getting it wrong and how to change it

A Bayes Business School study found that supply chain professionals overestimate technology benefits and underestimate needs, leading to disappointment. The study offers a list of goals, constraints, and benefits to help managers better calibrate expectations.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalProduction and Operations Management·TypeSurvey·DateMar 28, 2022

Clot buster

A new test predicts sepsis soon after infection in mice, enabling early antibiotic treatment and markedly increased survival. The findings provide a platform for developing rapid clinical tests for early sepsis detection and intervention.

New oncogenic mechanisms in lymphoma via extracellular vesicles discovered

Researchers have identified a new mechanism of action for extracellular vesicles in the development and progression of lymphomas. sPLA2 secreted by tumor-associated macrophages degrades EV-derived phospholipids, enhancing EV function and inducing vital phenomena. This discovery may lead to new drug targets for cancer treatment.

SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2022

Visualizing the invisible

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new model to aid interpretation of atomic resolution molecular images. The Z-correlated molecular model accurately fits imaging data and helps chemists analyze electron microscope images without theoretical calculations.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 28, 2022

New computational model proposed for Alzheimer's disease

Mayo Clinic researchers propose a novel computational model that links Alzheimer's disease symptoms to brain anatomy, revealing a complex relationship between mental processing and brain function. The model uses machine learning to analyze patient brain imaging data and compresses complex brain anatomy into a conceptual framework.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2022

Sound to touch

Researchers developed an automated auditory training program that enables marmoset monkeys to perform hearing tests in their familiar environment on a voluntary basis. The study demonstrates the animals' ability to abstract from learned sounds and suggests they are ideal model animals for hearing system research.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2022

Inhibiting the thermal quenching of high-efficiency quasi-2D perovskite light-emitting diodes

Researchers developed a passivation strategy to improve the performance of quasi-2D perovskite light-emitting diodes by suppressing thermal-induced fluorescence quenching. The strategy, using alkyl phosphates as passivation functional groups, resulted in higher EQE peak values and improved device stability at high temperatures.

Einstein researchers find new strategy for preventing clogged arteries

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that increasing chaperone-mediated autophagy activity can prevent atherosclerosis by protecting macrophages and smooth muscle cells from damage. The study suggests that boosting CMA could be an effective strategy for curbing atherosclerosis and halting its progression, particular...

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2022

Invading hordes of crazy ants may have finally met their kryptonite

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have found a natural fungus that can kill off local populations of tawny crazy ants, with 62% of infected populations disappearing entirely. The fungus is specific to crazy ants and has no effect on native species, making it a promising biocontrol agent for protecting sensitive habitats.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2022

Flame-retardants and plasticizers found in the oceans

A new study finds that flame-retardants and plasticizers are present in the oceans, harming marine organisms and potentially affecting human health. The substances, which are widely used in everyday products, can be transported from inland sources to coastal environments through air masses and ocean currents.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 28, 2022

Longitudinal data from India reveals that low-birth-weight infants experience lower test scores compared with normal birth weight infants

A study using longitudinal data from the Indian Young Lives survey found that low-birth-weight infants experienced lower test scores compared to normal birth weight infants. The study estimated a 10% increase in birth weight corresponds to a 0.11 standard deviation increase in cognitive test scores at ages 5-8 years.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalEconomic Papers A journal of applied economics and policy·DateMar 28, 2022

Bonding through teamwork: A route to sustainable chemistry

Researchers at Ritsumeikan University develop a sustainable alternative to transition metal catalysts for producing diaryl ethers, which are crucial for pharmaceutical applications. The new method uses a readily available starting material and achieves significantly higher yields and selectivity than existing techniques.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalOrganic Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2022