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Science News Archive May 2022 - Page 15


Page 15 of 40

A new idea for refining the biocrude

A new study examines the nitrogen pathway in biocrude obtained from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of microalgae, revealing key findings on NOC distribution and transformation. The research highlights the importance of reaction conditions and microalgae selection in optimizing HTL processes.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2022

Physical activity and healthy diet during menopause help to protect from the health risks associated with increased adiposity

A study of middle-aged women approaching menopause found increased body fat, particularly in the waist area, but those with healthier lifestyles had lower fat mass. The research suggests that maintaining physical activity and a balanced diet during this life stage may help protect against health risks associated with increased adiposity.

Talking about sexual consent and expectations can improve relationships and wellbeing

A new study found that teaching affirmative sexual consent and validating anxieties around consent communication improves relationships and wellbeing. Researchers identified barriers such as shame and guilt, but also found that discussing consent can enhance the relationship, create a safe context, and clarify expectations.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateMay 19, 2022

Patient safety and quality of care: Regenstrief study explores medical record linkage with goal of improving match accuracy

A new Regenstrief Institute study evaluates commercially available matching methodologies against real-world gold standard data to identify opportunities for improving match accuracy. The study found that referential patient matching demonstrates greater sensitivity and accuracy than traditional probabilistic approach.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateMay 19, 2022

Male pheromones improve health of females’ eggs

Researchers found that male pheromones slowed down the aging of female roundworm eggs, resulting in healthier offspring. This finding could lead to pharmacological interventions improving human egg cell quality and delaying reproductive aging. The study used C. elegans as a model organism.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2022

Watch and wait strategy could be better than emergency surgery for patients with severe levels of frailty, says study

A new study published in Anaesthesia found that a 'watch and wait' approach can lead to better outcomes for patients with severe frailty, reducing the need for emergency surgery. The study analyzed hospital data for adult patients with common acute conditions and found significant differences in survival rates between those who receive...

SourceAAGBI·JournalAnaesthesia·DateMay 19, 2022

SMART researchers enable early-stage detection of microbial contamination in cell therapy

Researchers from CAMP have identified a secreted metabolite biomarker, nicotinic acid to nicotinamide ratio, to detect microbial contaminations in human cell therapy products. This method enables early-stage detection of microbial contaminants and differentiates between live and dead bacteria.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalMolecular Therapy — Methods & Clinical Development·DateMay 19, 2022

THE LANCET: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) responsible for more than 100,000 deaths worldwide in children under five in 2019

A new study estimates that RSV-attributable acute lower respiratory infection was responsible for over 100,000 deaths worldwide in children under five in 2019. The study found that infants under six months old are particularly vulnerable to RSV and account for one in five of the total global cases.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 19, 2022

Discovery of high-speed moving plasma turbulence for the first time in the world

Researchers at NIFS have made a groundbreaking discovery in fusion plasmas, finding that turbulence moves faster than heat. This characteristic allows for predictive control of plasma temperature, paving the way for real-time manipulation. The study used advanced instruments to measure turbulent behavior with unprecedented accuracy.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2022

Genomic differences selected through evolution may offer clues as to why COVID-19 outcomes vary widely

A new study analyzed genomic data from global populations to identify genetic variants linked to COVID-19 severity. The investigation found dozens of genomic variations in critical genes, suggesting these may have evolved to protect against viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 19, 2022

Fly researchers find another layer to the code of life

A new study has discovered that rare pieces of genetic code can serve as another layer of control in the genome, essential for fertility and evolutionary innovation. Researchers found that certain tissues are more tolerant of diverse codons, particularly the testes, which may play a critical role in fertility.

SourceDuke University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2022

Medication treatment of pediatric psychiatric disorders reduces the later onset of substance use problems

Early treatment with psychotropic medications in children and adolescents significantly reduces the risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) by 30-35% for ADHD and major depressive disorder. Longer treatment durations also show positive results, especially when initiated before age nine.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 19, 2022

Diet plays key role in ADHD symptoms in children

A new study suggests that a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The research, which analyzed data from 134 kids with ADHD symptoms, found that those who consumed more fruits and veggies showed less severe symptoms of inattention.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNutritional Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateMay 19, 2022

‘Sting’ protein’s efforts to clean up brain cell damage may speed Parkinson’s disease progress

A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that a protein called STING responds to clean-up signals in brain cells damaged by Parkinson’s disease by creating a cycle of inflammation that accelerates the disease’s progression. In mice with deactivated STING proteins, there was less microglial activity and brain cell death.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 19, 2022

Should all chemosensory modalities be unified into a single sense?

A new paper proposes unifying chemosensory modalities into a single sense, moving beyond the traditional differentiation between gustation and olfaction. The authors argue that this distinction is based on anthropomorphic biases and has hindered research efforts in understanding the evolution of chemosensation.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Quarterly Review of Biology·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 19, 2022

Poll the audience: Using data from citizen science to keep wild birds in flight

A new analysis found that citizen science data from apps like eBird can be a valuable resource for researchers and managers, offering insights into wild bird populations. By comparing publicly-produced data with officially tracked numbers, researchers have identified patterns and potential areas for improvement.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalBiological Conservation·TypeCase study·DateMay 19, 2022

Topology is everywhere

A team of scientists discovered that over half of known 3D materials in nature exhibit at least one topological state, challenging the long-held idea that these materials are rare. The study also introduces a new concept called 'supertopological' and makes its data freely available to researchers.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalScience·DateMay 19, 2022

Epilepsy drug stops nervous system tumor growth in mice

Researchers discovered that neurons carrying a mutation in the Nf1 gene are hyperexcitable and suppressing this hyperactivity with lamotrigine stops tumor growth in mice. The study provides an explanation for why some people with NF1 lack optic gliomas or neurofibromas, highlighting the critical role of neurons in tumor biology.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2022

New process revolutionizes microfluidic fabrication

Researchers at Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences developed a novel photolithography technique to create self-enclosed, porous channels in microfluidic devices. This process enables the creation of high-resolution channels capable of carrying aqueous solutions and separating small biomolecules.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 19, 2022

Past events reveal how future warming could harm cold-water corals

A new study identifies food and oxygen supply as crucial environmental factors influencing the vitality of cold-water corals in the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The analysis of ancient sediments reveals that changes in food supply, rather than ocean temperature, are likely to determine the future health of these ecosystems.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 19, 2022

Repurposed antibiotic may be an effective therapeutic in COVID-19 infected mice

A study published in PLOS Pathogens suggests that the repurposed antibiotic clofoctol may be an effective therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2 infected mice, with decreased viral load, reduced inflammatory gene expression, and lowered pulmonary pathology. Further studies are needed to confirm its potential as a treatment for COVID-19 patients.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2022