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Science News Archive May 2022


Page 25 of 40

What we’re still learning about how trees grow

Researchers found tree growth not source-limited but rather by cell growth, suggesting forests may not absorb as much carbon as thought. The study's findings challenge current forest growth models and highlight the need for climate change mitigation strategies.

Family size may influence cognitive functioning in later life

A new study finds that having three or more children is negatively correlated with late-life cognition, with the effect strongest in Northern Europe. The researchers suggest that this may be due to financial stress and reduced social interaction, leading to potential cognitive deterioration.

Not all is rosy for the pink pigeon, study finds

A recent study found that boosting the pink pigeon's numbers is not sufficient to prevent its extinction in the future. The species has a high genetic load of bad mutations, which puts it at risk of collapse if conservation efforts do not continue.

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COVID-19 and obesity disparities for Black communities

A new study provides recommendations for behavioral weight loss interventions to address the unmet needs of Black people with obesity. The research emphasizes the importance of enhancing recruitment and retention of Black men and women in behavioral weight loss intervention studies, as well as combining policy with behavioral changes.

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Pumping calcium for bigger bones

A Kyoto University study has discovered that c-type natriuretic peptide facilitates intracellular calcium signaling in chondrocytes to stimulate long bone growth. This finding may lead to the development of new bone growth-stimulating agents for treating developmental disorders.

First mutation-targeted bladder cancer drug may be under-used

A recent study analyzed a large database of bladder cancer patients and found that fewer than half had been tested for the relevant gene mutation or received erdafitinib treatment, despite its proven efficacy. The research highlights significant barriers to treatment, including obstacles in testing and education for healthcare providers.

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Illinois astronomers help capture first image of Milky Way's black hole

A team of University of Illinois researchers, led by Charles Gammie, has captured the first direct visual evidence of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The image reveals a dark central region surrounded by a bright ringlike structure, providing valuable clues about the workings of such giants.

Excessive sports training may have negative effects on mood state

A recent study published in PeerJ found that excessive sports training can lead to lower mood states and reduced heart rate variability. The research, conducted on amateur road cyclists, suggests that monitoring training intensity and recovery is essential for athletes' well-being.

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Study sheds light on what influences water supplied by snowmelt

A new study by University of Nevada, Reno and Desert Research Institute found that three factors – available winter snowfall, snow melt speed, and melting timing – impact critical water supplies. The research team developed a simple framework to help water managers predict timing and amount of streamflow as climate change accelerates.

Sophisticated fluid mechanics model is on a roll

The Rice-Waseda team created a computer simulation model that can accurately depict the complex aerodynamics around a moving car and its rolling tires. The model uses NURBS Surface-to-Volume Guided Mesh Generation method, which enables it to capture the deformation of tires as they roll on the road.

Adopting low-carbon energy can reduce racial disparities in air pollution

Research published in Science of the Total Environment found that adopting low-carbon fuels could reduce racial disparities in exposure to fine and ultrafine particle pollution by 20-40% in California by 2050. This would lead to improved air quality, reduced deaths, and estimated annual public health benefits of $20 billion.

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The genetic origins of the world’s first farmers clarified

The first farmers emerged from a population admixed between hunter-gatherers from Europe and the Near East, with a mixing process starting around 14,000 years ago. Genetic data from prehistoric skeletons were analyzed using novel demographic modeling techniques to reveal complex population dynamics.

Chemists synthesize psychotropic compound from rainforest tree

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have synthesized GB18, a psychotropic compound found in the bark of the Galbulimima belgraveana tree. The compound binds to opioid receptors in the brain, potentially offering new hope for treating depression and anxiety. Further studies are needed to adapt it for human use.

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Quantum systems and the flight of the bee

A team of scientists used a quantum simulator to study the behavior of a complex quantum system, finding that it exhibits characteristics similar to fluid dynamics. The research also showed that this phenomenon can be observed in the flights of bees, as well as in unusual stock market movements.

Water makes tree branches droop at night

New study finds tree branches move downward up to 20 cm at night as leaves and branches replenish water storage. This phenomenon has practical applications, including monitoring plant water status in greenhouses to automate watering regimes.

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Changes in cholesterol production lead to tragic octopus death spiral

A study by researchers from the University of Chicago reveals that maternal octopuses undergo a massive shift in cholesterol metabolism, resulting in dramatic changes in steroid hormones produced. This phenomenon is linked to a life cycle process and has serious consequences on longevity and behavior across different animals.

Skin drug treatments may regress dangerous birthmarks and prevent melanoma

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a series of animal models to test nonsurgical drug treatments for congenital giant nevi, which can cause large and permanent scars. The studies found that some treatments led to significant nevus regressions and even prevented skin cancer formation.

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How shark teeth can decipher evolutionary processes

A study on tiger shark teeth reveals gradual and subtle changes in tooth shape during the shark's life, with younger sharks having simpler serrations. The study also describes the first comprehensive description of tiger shark embryos' teeth, which form in the womb without serrations and are swallowed before birth.

The origin of life: A paradigm shift

A new concept suggests that a novel molecular species composed of RNA and peptides emerged, setting the stage for complex life forms. This RNA-peptide world idea resolves the chicken-and-egg problem by creating a foundation for life's origin.

Elham Azizi recognized with NSF CAREER Award

Elham Azizi, a computational biologist at Columbia University, has received a $500,030 NSF CAREER Award to develop new computational methods for analyzing the interactions between immune cells and breast cancer. Her goal is to improve personalized cancer treatments by understanding how aggressive tumors evade the body's immune defenses.

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More gender segregation in jobs means more harassment, lower pay

A new study finds that workplaces with a larger share of men experience higher rates of sexual harassment, leading to women leaving for jobs with lower wages. Women are nearly six times more likely than men to be victims of harassment in male-dominated workplaces.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

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How cells correct errors under time pressure

A new mathematical theory explains how cells navigate the risk-speed tradeoff when dividing, balancing risk and speed to ensure survival. The theory applies broadly to all organisms, despite differences between yeast and mammalian cells.

An algorithm trained to detect unhappiness on social networks

Researchers developed an algorithm to identify users' basic needs from their Instagram posts, images, and captions. The study analyzed 86 profiles in Spanish and Persian, achieving promising accuracy and complementary information between visual and textual cues.

Quantum one-way street in topological insulator nanowires

Researchers have demonstrated that ultra-thin topological insulator nanowires can act as a quantum one-way street for electrons, offering a significant step towards achieving topological qubits. This breakthrough enables highly stable qubits, the building blocks of future quantum computers.

Novel species of pathogenic bacteria of onion identified in Texas

Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife have identified a novel species of pathogenic bacteria in onions, which can significantly impact marketable yield and quality. The discovery provides crucial information about the distribution and potential disease outbreaks of this newly documented pathogen, Pseudomonas uvaldensis sp. nov.

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MS patients with higher B cell counts have a better vaccine response

Researchers found that MS patients treated with Rituximab who have higher B cell counts of 40/µL or more develop protective levels of antibodies after vaccination. This suggests that measuring B cell level before vaccination is crucial for increasing the chance of a positive response.

The future of desalination?

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created a fast and efficient method for purifying saltwater using fluorine-based nanostructures. The new technology outperforms existing desalination methods, requiring less pressure, energy, and time to produce clean water.

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Deep learning autofluorescence-harmonic microscopy

Researchers developed a self-alignment attention-guided deep learning architecture to improve resolution and speed in label-free nonlinear optical microscopes. The technique achieved high-quality reconstruction with significant speed-ups and spatial resolution enhancements.

Women over 50 who snore face an elevated risk of sleep apnea

A new study from Tel Aviv University finds that women aged 55 and over who snore are at significant risk for sleep apnea, which can be fatal. The researchers warn that the phenomenon often occurs during sleep, causing women to be unaware of their condition.

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