Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for May 4, 2022


How MRI could revolutionise heart failure diagnosis

A new study published in the European Heart Journal shows that MRI is superior to echocardiography for diagnosing heart failure and predicting patient outcomes. The research found that MRI can accurately measure left ventricular filling pressure, leading to improved diagnosis and reduced need for invasive assessments.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2022

The quest for an ideal quantum bit

A team of scientists at Argonne National Laboratory has developed a new qubit platform formed by freezing neon gas into a solid and trapping an electron there. The platform shows great promise in achieving ideal building blocks for future quantum computers, with promising coherence times competitive with state-of-the-art qubits.

California’s 2020 wildfire season

The study found that fires in 2020 followed an accelerating trend of increased burn area, severity, size, and costs to society and the economy. Human-caused fires accounted for nearly 60% of fires, but lightning-sparked fires burned more than five times the area burned by human-caused fires.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2022

A ‘factory reset’ for the brain cures anxiety, drinking behavior

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that gene editing can reverse epigenetic changes in the brain caused by adolescent binge drinking, leading to a decrease in anxiety and excessive drinking behavior. The study used CRISPR-dCas9 technology to manipulate histone acetylation and methylation processes at the Arc gene.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2022

The role of the cerebellum in absence seizures

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that stimulating cerebellar nuclei cells can prevent abnormal brain activity associated with absence seizures. The study used mice and optogenetic stimulation to confirm the therapeutic potential of targeted cerebellar stimulation.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCellular and Molecular Life Sciences·DateMay 4, 2022

Researchers at the GIST develop deep learning model to predict adverse drug-drug interactions

Researchers developed a deep learning-based model to predict drug-drug interactions using gene expression data. The DeSIDE-DDI model can identify potentially dangerous pairs and act as a drug safety monitoring system, helping establish the correct usage of drugs in the development phase.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of Cheminformatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 4, 2022

Asia and Africa have similar aging burden as the west

A new study reveals that Asia and Africa have a similar aging burden to the West, with a Health-Adjusted Dependency Ratio (HADR) that indicates the impact of ill-health on dependency ratios. The HADR metric suggests that demographic age is not the only factor determining dependency, and that health levels play a significant role.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·DateMay 4, 2022

A new 225-million-year-old reptile from Brazil

Researchers have re-examined ancient fossil material from Brazil, revealing two distinct species: Maehary bonapartei and Faxinalipterus minimus. The discovery contradicts previous assumptions that Faxinalipterus was a flying reptile, instead confirming it as a primitive reptile.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateMay 4, 2022

10-country survey reveals nearly one in four adolescents (24%) living with obesity (ALwO) do not know they have obesity, but most worry about how obesity will affect their future health

A 10-country survey of adolescents with obesity found that nearly 24% are unaware they have the condition, while two-thirds believe it's their sole responsibility to lose weight. Most participants worry about the impact of obesity on their future health.

Study identifies factors that shape vaccine preferences

A study involving hypothetical COVID-19 vaccines found that effectiveness and risk of side effects significantly influence people's vaccine preferences. The attributes of actual vaccines may not be as crucial for those already open to vaccinations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2022

New research will help minimize impact of wind energy development on migratory birds

Researchers used weather radar data to identify areas where large numbers of migrating birds fly through the rotor-swept zone and stopover in high densities. This information can guide the placement of new wind energy development and turbine operation to minimize collisions and habitat loss.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalConservation Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2022

Patients with past cancer history not associated with higher risk of COVID-19-related death or hospitalization

A new study led by UTHealth Houston found that patients with recent cancer diagnoses had a higher risk of death and hospitalization, but those with cancer more than one year ago were not significantly associated with increased mortality. The research also confirmed racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes among cancer patients.

Does the Earned Income Tax Credit encourage college enrollment?

A recent analysis found that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) does not appear to increase college enrollment rates. The study suggests that complex subsidies like EITC may be ineffective at altering college going. Researchers recommend providing tax credits as grants instead of tax credits to increase college enrollment rates.

SourceWiley·JournalEconomic Inquiry·DateMay 4, 2022

Fungi-based meat alternatives to help save Earth’s forests

A new analysis by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research suggests that substituting 20% of meat from cattle with microbial protein could halve deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Microbial protein can be produced in fermentation tanks, reducing pressure on land and methane emissions.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 4, 2022

Scientists announce comprehensive regional diagnostic of microbial ocean life using DNA testing

Researchers developed a comprehensive regional diagnostic method using DNA testing, allowing for precise identification of microorganisms and estimation of their abundance. The technique has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the ocean's food web and its role in removing greenhouse gases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 4, 2022

Alcohol use disorder–related mortality before, during pandemic

The study found a significant increase in US alcohol use disorder-related mortality rates across all age groups and sexes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers used vital statistics data from 2012 to 2019 to project mortality rates for 2020 and 2021, revealing a notable rise in mortality related to alcohol use disorders.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 4, 2022

New tool to create hearing cells lost in aging

Scientists have discovered a master gene that programs ear hair cells into either outer or inner ones, enabling the development of these cells to restore hearing. This breakthrough could provide a previously unavailable tool to create specific hair cells and improve treatments for age-related hearing loss.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateMay 4, 2022

International study finds nearly 13% of COVID-19 hospitalized patients had serious neurologic symptoms

An international study found that nearly 13% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients developed serious neurologic manifestations, including encephalopathy, stroke, and seizures. Patients with these symptoms had poorer outcomes, including longer hospital stays, increased need for ICU interventions, and higher mortality rates.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalCritical Care Explorations·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2022

How common are medication-related errors in home care?

A study found that nearly half of all nursing staff made medication-related errors within the last year when administering medications to patients. Nurses who had attended medication training within the last 2 years were less likely to make these errors.

SourceWiley·JournalPharmacology Research & Perspectives·DateMay 4, 2022

The pandemic and the presidential election: Feeling certain about the future can predict poor information-seeking and antisocial behaviors

A new study by New York University researchers found that individuals with certainty about the future of the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to disregard medical expertise and adhere to conspiracy theories. Similar findings were observed in relation to the 2020 presidential election, where those certain about their candidate's win w...

SourceNew York University·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2022

The 2014 Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion had positive spillover effects, increasing participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by almost 3 percentage points (or 7%) among low income individuals

The 2014 Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion had a positive spillover effect on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), increasing participation among low-income individuals. The study found a significant increase of almost 3 percentage points (or 7%) in SNAP participation after the expansion.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 4, 2022

As few as 1 in 20 English adults may be meeting physical activity guidelines, especially strengthening exercise, in study of over 250,000 people - with those who are female, older, or in deprived areas being especially unlikely to exercise enough

A study of over 250,000 English adults found that only a fraction meet physical activity guidelines, particularly strengthening exercises. Women, older adults, and those from disadvantaged areas are less likely to engage in sufficient exercise.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 4, 2022

New Curtin research resurrects ‘lost’ coral species

Researchers have discovered a hidden species of coral in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, which was previously misclassified as a single species. The study provides crucial insights into coral ecology and conservation, highlighting the importance of taxonomy projects in protecting endangered species.

SourceCurtin University·JournalMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2022

New map may help conservation efforts for an endangered songbird

Researchers created a warbler distribution map to identify areas important for conservation, indicating places where habitat improvement and restoration can benefit the species. The model suggests promoting woodlands with high tree canopy cover, 60–80% Ashe juniper composition, and tree heights over 3 meters.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateMay 4, 2022

Faecal transplants reverse hallmarks of ageing

Scientists have found that transplanting faecal microbiota from young mice into old mice can reverse hallmarks of ageing in the gut, eyes, and brain. The study suggests that gut microbes play a role in regulating some of the detrimental effects of ageing, offering a potential solution in the form of gut microbe replacement therapy.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalMicrobiome·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2022

Obesity associated with a higher risk of fatal prostate cancer, biggest study of its kind finds

A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that obesity is associated with an increased risk of fatal prostate cancer. For every 10cm (four inches) on the waist, the risk of fatal disease increases by 7%. The study analyzed data from over 2.5 million men and found a link between body fat and prostate cancer risk.

Like a pebble in a whirlpool

Researchers at Osaka University used silicon nanoparticles to visualize the coalescence of quantized vortices in superfluid helium. This technique enables better understanding of quantum fluids and materials, including superconductors. The study also opens up new possibilities for optical research on other quantum properties.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2022

Research presented at #AGS22 focuses on prescribing practices, early mobility programs and evaluating mortality risk and dementia

Researchers presented studies on reducing medication errors, improving hospital mobility, and predicting mortality risk in older adults with dementia. The EQUiPPED study showed a significant decrease in potentially inappropriate medication prescribing, while the Comparative Effectiveness study found improvements in delirium scores and ...

New study reviews anti-cancer activity of sustained release capsaicin formulations

A recent study published in Pharmacology & Therapeutics provides an in-depth description of the anti-cancer activity of sustained release capsaicin formulations. The research team found that capsaicin displayed robust growth-inhibitory activity in a diverse array of human cancers, but its clinical applications were hindered by poor sol...

SourceMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine·JournalPharmacology & Therapeutics·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 4, 2022

Remote programming of cardiac implantable devices is safe for MRI scan

Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have developed a novel approach to reprogramming cardiac implantable devices during MRI scans remotely. This technology has shown safe and effective results, saving time and money by eliminating the need for device representatives or on-site personnel.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 4, 2022

Unvaccinated individuals with heart problems up to 9 times more likely to die or suffer serious complications from COVID-19

Researchers analyzed 110 studies and found that unvaccinated individuals with pre-existing heart conditions are up to nine times more likely to suffer severe outcomes, including death. The study identified multiple predictors of worse Covid-19 outcomes in unvaccinated patients compared to vaccinated individuals.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalFrontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine·DateMay 4, 2022

A new wearable technology — for plants (video)

Researchers have created a wearable sensor for plant leaves that wirelessly transmits data to a smartphone app, allowing for early detection of water loss and remote monitoring of drought stress. The device has the potential to save resources and increase yields by providing reliable data on plant health.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 4, 2022

Scientists discover comet's hourglass-shaped dust trail

Researchers from Finland, Canada, and Russia have discovered an unusual, hourglass-shaped dust trail of the comet 17P/Holmes. The particles that formed the dust trail were released by the most powerful outburst by a comet, with the authors developing a new model that realistically describes the evolution of cometary dust trails.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2022

How herpesviruses awaken

Researchers discovered a viral microRNA that induces the reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), linked to impaired heart function and diseases like multiple sclerosis and ME/CFS. The miR-aU14 acts as a master regulator, interfering with cellular signaling pathways to trigger reactivation.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2022