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Science News for May 18, 2022


Sparking sustainable new chemical catalysts

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a new catalyst, tungsten oxide, that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into useful fuels and chemicals. This breakthrough could lead to a significant reduction in global warming by utilizing hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 18, 2022

Conservationists find high DDT and PCB contamination risk for critically endangered California coastal condors

A new study finds that California coastal condors are at increased risk of reproductive impairment due to consuming dead marine mammals contaminated with banned chemicals like DDT and PCBs. Baja California, Mexico, presents a reduced risk compared to the California coast.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 18, 2022

Study chronicles presence of chronic frames of race, gender, and wealth inequality

New research finds that journalists and laypersons describe racial and gender inequalities in terms of disadvantage, while wealth inequality is described in terms of advantage. The framing of inequalities is linked to their perceived legitimacy, with illegitimate inequalities being framed more strongly as disadvantages.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2022

400 GW wind, solar power per year to meet 1.5 C Paris Agreement

To achieve the EU's climate neutrality goal by 2050 with a maximum temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius, a massive rollout of solar and wind power is required, along with investments in Power-to-X technologies and carbon capture. The model suggests installing 400 GW of new solar and wind energy capacity every year from 2025-2035.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJoule·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 18, 2022

Remote teaching during the pandemic disadvantages students in New Jersey’s lower-income school districts

A Rutgers study finds that remote teaching during the pandemic contributed to teacher and student stress, particularly in lower-income school districts where students faced inequities in online learning opportunities. The study highlights the need for targeted e-learning solutions and retrospective audits to address digital inequality.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology·DateMay 18, 2022

Study in mice suggests that COVID-19 increases risk of developing Parkinson’s disease

A recent study published in Movement Disorders suggests that COVID-19 may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease by making brain cells more susceptible to damage. Researchers found that mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 were more likely to exhibit characteristic features of Parkinson's disease after exposure to a toxin.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalMovement Disorders·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

Scientists reveal different water isotope concentrations in both monthly and daily precipitation observations across Brazil’s diverse climate

The study found different isotopic compositions of water in continental and coastal areas, with varying seasonal patterns. Daily measurements revealed the influence of moisture source, transport, and convective activity on rainfall type, providing insights into regional atmospheric controls.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMay 18, 2022

Are microplastics pervasive in Nigerian drinking water?

A recent study found that microplastics are abundant in borehole drinking water and sediments in Lagos, Nigeria. Areas with high industrial activity had higher levels of microplastics than areas with less industrial activity and lower population densities.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateMay 18, 2022

After sprint for COVID-19 vaccines, HVTN researchers return to HIV marathon with fresh determination and knowledge, launch clinical research registry and ad campaign

The HIV Vaccine Trials Network is launching a new registry to connect people interested in supporting HIV vaccine research with clinical trials in their communities. The 'Help End HIV' campaign aims to raise awareness about the urgent need for HIV clinical trial volunteers, particularly among young people.

New research maps how the brain changes during depression treatment

Researchers have mapped the brain's changes during depression treatment using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The study found that certain brain regions activated by rTMS were associated with better treatment outcomes. This new understanding could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of depression.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 18, 2022

New model could improve matches between students and schools

A new model developed by Iowa State University researchers could improve matches between students and schools, reducing stress and inefficiencies in the admissions process. The algorithm pairs most students with their top choice schools, while also considering factors such as competition for seats and financial constraints.

SourceIowa State University·JournalGames and Economic Behavior·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 18, 2022

Study shows family medicine physicians face many barriers to providing medical abortions

A new study found that family medicine physicians face multiple barriers, including lack of training and institutional restrictions, to providing medical abortions. The study highlights the need for stronger exposure and training opportunities to strengthen access to safe abortion options.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·TypeContent analysis·DateMay 18, 2022

Component for brain-inspired computing

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel memristor design that can switch between two operation modes, enabling greater efficiency in machine learning applications. This breakthrough component is made of halide perovskite nanocrystals and simulates complex neural networks with high accuracy.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 18, 2022

Caesarean births not linked to increased risk of food allergy during infancy

A recent study published by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute found no significant association between caesarean birth and the development of food allergies in infants. The research involved over 2,000 infants and suggested that babies born via caesarean delivery are not at a higher risk of developing food allergies.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice·TypeObservational study·DateMay 18, 2022

Nationwide study finds significant decline in treatment for heart attacks during pandemic

A nationwide study analyzing rates of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) found a nearly 30% decline following the COVID-19 pandemic. STEMI cases have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting continued hesitation among patients to seek hospital care despite having a heart att...

Injured women half as likely as men to receive life-saving drug

A new study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that injured women are half as likely as men to receive the life-saving drug TXA, despite the treatment being equally effective regardless of sex. The study highlights a significant disparity in trauma care, with clinicians needing clearer guidance to reduce bias.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalBritish Journal of Anaesthesia·DateMay 18, 2022

Risk factors for dementia may vary with age

A new study finds that age-specific risk factors for dementia differ across various age groups. People around age 55 are more likely to develop dementia if they have diabetes or high blood pressure, while those in their 70s with a history of stroke and diabetes are at higher risk. The study's findings suggest that using age-specific ri...

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMay 18, 2022

Preliminary study shows minimally invasive diagnostic biomarker strategy successful in detecting early esophageal cancer

A minimally invasive device combined with molecular biomarkers has shown a 90% success rate in detecting esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the predominant subtype of esophageal cancer. Early detection is crucial to improve survival rates, as symptoms often become apparent too late for effective treatment.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalGastroenterology·DateMay 18, 2022

New Expert Consensus Statement published on achieving remission of type 2 diabetes using diet as a primary intervention

A panel of 15 experts reached consensus on 69 statements related to using diet as a primary intervention to achieve diabetes remission. The expert consensus statement emphasizes the effectiveness of whole, plant-based foods in achieving remission without medications or procedures.

SourceAmerican College of Lifestyle Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Lifestyle Medicine·DateMay 18, 2022

Aging-US: Hallmarks of cancer and hallmarks of aging

The article proposes a new framework for understanding the hallmarks of cancer and aging, highlighting their shared underlying principles. Dr. Blagosklonny's hyperfunction theory arranges these hallmarks in a hierarchical structure, revealing common signaling pathways involved in both aging and cancer.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 18, 2022

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center study points to expanded genomic testing that aims to benefit children and young adults with cancer

A Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center study uses comprehensive sequencing to identify at least one additional cancer-associated oncogenic variant in 54% of pediatric patients. The approach refines analysis to be accomplished in a few days, making precision medicine more inclusive for rare cancers.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2022

Penn Medicine study reveals imaging approach with potential to detect lung cancer earlier, at the cellular level

Researchers at Penn Medicine have developed an imaging agent that detects cancer cells in real-time during biopsies, offering promise for earlier and more accurate diagnoses. The technology, known as NIR-nCLE, uses a combination of near-infrared tracers and confocal laser endomicroscopy to identify microscopic cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

Antioxidant derived from unripe acerola can replace synthetic additive banned in several countries

Researchers at the University of São Paulo developed a natural antioxidant from unripe acerola, replacing banned synthetic additive TBHQ. The antioxidant microparticles were found to be effective in a range of applications, including food products and cosmetics, without affecting color, flavor or odor.

Korea Maritime and Ocean University scholars find key to reducing defects in multimaterials

Researchers from Korea Maritime and Ocean University have developed a way to synthesize high-performance functionally graded materials with minimized defects. By controlling the mixing gradient of component materials, they improved mechanical properties and eliminated interfacial cracks.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalJournal of Materials Research and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

Researchers find new approach to treating cardiovascular diseases

A research team discovered that an excessive number of thromboxane A2 receptors in blood vessel cells hinders the formation of new blood vessels, leading to vascular and cardiovascular diseases. The finding offers a promising biomarker for treatment and potential therapeutic benefits from blocking the receptor's action.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalArteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

For wetland plants, sea-level rise stamps out benefits of higher CO2

A new study published in Science Advances reveals that the environmental stress of too much water wipes out the plant growth benefits of higher CO2 levels. Rising sea levels have caused the effects of increased CO2 to disappear in a 33-year field experiment, highlighting the critical need for conservation and adaptation efforts.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

15-minute city within reach for Vancouver: SFU study

A recent SFU study found that 79% of Vancouver residents have access to a grocery store within a 15-minute walk, while 99% can reach one via cycling. However, there are inequities in access across populations and neighbourhoods, disproportionately affecting children, older adults, and racialized populations.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives·DateMay 18, 2022

NBA sees rise in acts of symbolic violence

A new analysis reveals a decline in physical violence and a rise in symbolic violence among NBA players. Symbolic violence is framed as harmless by commentators, contributing to its increasing prevalence.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 18, 2022

New weight-loss intervention targets instinctive desire to eat

A new weight-loss intervention has been developed to target the instinctive desire to eat, particularly in individuals who struggle with resisting food cues. The Regulation of Cues program trains individuals to use natural hunger cues, reinforces tolerance of cravings, and inhibits urges to eat palatable foods when not physically hungry.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 18, 2022

Moffitt researchers identify tumor-based methylation patterns as cancer biomarkers

The study identified a specific methylation signature, TCF7, which predicts the presence of anti-tumor T cells and patient outcomes. The findings suggest that determining immunoepignomic status through tumor-based expression quantitative trait methylation screening could allow for accurate prediction of patient outcomes.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

Both nature and nurture contribute to signatures of socioeconomic status in the brain

A new study found that genetics and environmental influences both contribute to socioeconomic status's impact on the brain, with different effects on various brain regions. The research used the UK Biobank dataset to analyze nearly 24,000 individuals and identified specific brain regions related to socioeconomic status.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2022

Researchers discover effective combination immunotherapy for liver cancer

A new combination therapy using a tumor-suppressing lipid molecule and an antibody for cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 has been shown to significantly slow tumor growth and enhance the strength of tumor-attacking T cells in liver cancer. This promising approach offers hope for patients with limited treatment options.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalThe FASEB Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

Lifestyle coaching lowers blood pressure in Black adults

A Kaiser Permanente study found that culturally tailored lifestyle coaching can help Black adults with hypertension improve their blood pressure control, leading to long-term benefits. The coaching program resulted in better blood pressure control compared to usual care and enhanced medication management programs.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 18, 2022

Study explores concentrations of microplastics in the Rhine floodplains near Langel in Cologne

Researchers at Universities of Cologne and Bayreuth found that flooding frequency and topography determine the abundance of microplastics in an alluvial Rhine soil. The study, published in Science of the Total Environment, revealed that microplastics can accumulate in floodplains and be transported into deeper soil layers.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateMay 18, 2022

Graphene-wrapped zeolite membranes for fast hydrogen separation

Researchers have developed a new type of separation membrane that can separate hydrogen from methane at speeds 100 times faster than conventional membranes. The graphene-wrapped zeolite membrane achieves a high separation factor of 245, making it suitable for energy-saving separation technologies in various industries.

SourceShinshu University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

Synthesis of two-dimensional holey graphyne

Researchers have successfully synthesized a new type of carbon allotrope called holey graphyne, which has semiconductor properties and can be used in various applications. The material was created using a bottom-up approach and consists of alternately linked benzene rings and C≡C bonds.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

Accelerating the pace of machine learning

A new distributed learning technique, GD-SEC, reduces communication requirements in wireless architecture, improving efficiency and reducing computational cost. The method employs data compression to transmit only meaningful, usable data, enhancing the impact of machine learning while minimizing its limitations.

SourceLehigh University·JournalIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing·DateMay 18, 2022

Important genetic origin of our senses identified

A study by researchers at the University of Innsbruck discovered that the Cranial Sensory Ganglia in vertebrates shares a common genetic origin with Bipolar Tail Neurons found in tunicates. This finding suggests that Hmx, a gene conserved across evolution, played a crucial role in the formation of highly specialized sensory organs.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022