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Science News for November 22, 2022


Teaching photonic chips to learn

A research team developed an optical chip that can train machine learning hardware, improving AI performance and reducing energy consumption. This innovation uses photonic tensor cores and electronic-photonic application-specific integrated circuits to speed up the training step in machine learning systems.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalOptica·DateNov 22, 2022

Fewer patients with PTSD survive COVID

Researchers from UCSF and the San Francisco VA Health Care System found that veterans with PTSD had an 8% increased risk of death and a 9% increased risk of hospitalization compared to those without psychiatric diagnoses. Patients with psychosis had a 58% increased risk of death and a 66% increased risk of hospitalization.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateNov 22, 2022

Unexpected cognitive deteriorations in epilepsy

A study published in Annals of Neurology found that patients with severe epilepsy who undergo surgical tissue analysis are at risk for rare secondary diseases, including inflammation and incipient Alzheimer's dementia-like. These conditions can lead to unexpected cognitive decline months or years after surgery.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAnnals of Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2022

COVID-19 vaccine gives substantial protection against reinfection

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that COVID-19 vaccination provides significant protection against reinfection, with varying levels of effectiveness (60-94%) across different variants. The study analyzed data from over 200,000 people in Denmark and showed that vaccination offered up to 71% protection during the Alpha period...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 22, 2022

Cultural differences affect how we support close friends and family

A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that Japanese university students are hesitant to provide social support without explicit request. In contrast, American students are more willing to offer assistance when they recognize someone is in need. The research aims to encourage Japanese people to provide help when it's needed.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateNov 22, 2022

Low to moderate stress is good for you

A new study found that low to moderate levels of stress improve working memory and brain function, allowing individuals to optimize cognitive performance. In contrast, chronic high-stress levels can lead to changes in brain structure and increased susceptibility to illnesses like heart disease and high blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateNov 22, 2022

Death, hospital readmission more likely for Black patients after coronary stenting

A Michigan Medicine study found that Black patients who undergo minimally invasive procedures for clogged arteries are more likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital months after the procedure. Social determinants of health, including community economic well-being and preexisting health conditions, played a significant role in the...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Heart Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 22, 2022

Birth choices after previous cesarean and risk of pelvic floor surgery

A study of over 45,000 births in Scotland found that women who had a planned vaginal birth after a previous C-section were more likely to undergo pelvic floor surgery compared to those who planned another C-section. The risk was particularly high for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 22, 2022

The interplay between epidemics, prevention information, and mass media

A new model examines the interplay between epidemic spreading and information diffusion to understand how reliable info can be better disseminated during epidemics. Effective prevention practices and mass media can increase the epidemic threshold, making it harder for infections to spread.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalChaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 22, 2022

Gene-delivering viruses reach the brain in step toward gene therapy for neurological diseases

Researchers have engineered a family of adeno-associated viral vectors that can deliver cargo to the primate brain, offering a safer and more efficient way to treat genetic diseases. The PAL family of AAVs has been shown to be three times better at delivering their cargo into the brain than current leading AAV delivery vehicle AAV9.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalMed·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2022

Can smartphones really help me lose weight?

A new smartphone healthcare app called CALO mama Plus has been found to lead to significant reductions in body weight. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Tsukuba, tested the efficacy of a comprehensive behavior modification app and found it to be as effective as established interventions.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalNutrients·DateNov 22, 2022

Chung-Ang University researchers develop algorithm for optimal decision making under heavy-tailed noisy rewards

Chung-Ang University researchers propose a new algorithm, MR-UCB and MR-APE, to tackle stochastic multi-armed bandit problems with heavy-tailed noise distributions. The methods guarantee minimal loss for worst-case scenarios with minimal prior information.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 22, 2022

Key to chemical industries’ sustainable future? The world’s first industrial model of a flow photo-on-demand synthesis system

A new flow photo-on-demand synthesis system using chloroform as a precursor has been successfully developed by researchers at Kobe University. The system achieves high conversion rates and can synthesize various chemical products continuously in large quantities, offering a safe, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly alternative to...

SourceKobe University·JournalOrganic Process Research & Development·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2022

Chinese Medical Journal study explores the association of influenza vaccination with COVID-19 infection and associated outcomes

A systematic review of 36 studies found that influenza vaccination reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 20% and poor outcomes like ICU admission and death by 17-31%. The findings suggest that routine influenza vaccination could offer non-specific immunity against COVID-19 symptoms.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 22, 2022

Chinese Medical Journal editorial probes into the role of blood vessels in treating obesity-related disorders

Researchers explore the interactions between adipose tissues and surrounding blood vessels in connection with lipid metabolism and associated diseases. Targeting angiogenesis may provide a gateway for treating obesity, while its inhibition or promotion depends on the specific disease context.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 22, 2022

Shared conserved module found in formation of moss midribs and seed plant axillary meristems

Researchers identified a shared conserved module in the formation of moss midribs and seed plant axillary meristems, highlighting a universal mechanism associated with evolutionary innovation. The GRAS family genes promote cell division in both structures, leading to defects when this process is compromised.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2022

Chemicals could undercut global plastics treaty

A recent study identifies over 10,000 chemical substances used in plastic production, highlighting the complexity of plastics and their negative impacts on human and ecosystem health. The diversity of chemicals makes it difficult to achieve standardized plastic formulations, posing challenges to recycling and pollution solutions.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeSurvey·DateNov 22, 2022

Of mice and men: Treating acne with systemic antibiotics can have unintended consequences on the maturing skeleton during adolescence

Long-term use of systemic antibiotics can alter the gut microbiome, leading to reduced bone mass accrual and impaired skeletal maturation. Researchers found that minocycline therapy causes changes to the gut microbiome, disrupting normal communication between the liver and small intestine.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJCI Insight·DateNov 22, 2022

‘Primordial super-enhancers’ provide early snapshot of the mechanisms that allowed for multicellularity

Researchers at the University of Chicago discovered that yeast cells use membrane-less compartments to drive high-level gene expression in response to environmental stress, mirroring a mechanism used by mammalian cells. This finding has implications for understanding human diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 22, 2022

World's first demonstration of optical transmission and switching of 15-mode multiplexed signals on a field-deployed multi-mode fiber network

Scientists successfully transmit and switch 15-mode multiplexed signals over a 6.1 km long multi-mode fiber ring in Italy, demonstrating a new approach to increasing fiber network capacity. This achievement is significant for future communication systems beyond 5G.

Drug triggers immune cells to attack prostate cancer

A single drug compound attacks prostate cancer on several fronts by triggering immune cells to attack, helping them penetrate the tumor, and cutting off its ability to use testosterone as fuel. The study found that the drug activates anti-cancer T cells in a novel way and increases their ability to penetrate tumors.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 22, 2022

Warmer brain-irrigation fluid in surgery more efficacious

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that using warmer brain irrigation fluid can halve the number of repeat operations needed to remedy bleeding under the cranium. This method involves replacing room temperature irrigation fluid with body temperature fluid, resulting in a significant reduction in surgical interventions.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 22, 2022

HIV infection leaves a ‘memory’ in cells

A new study reveals that HIV infection permanently alters immune cells, leading to overreaction to other pathogens and prolonged inflammation. This 'immunologic memory' of the original HIV infection puts people living with HIV at risk for cardiovascular disease and neurocognitive dysfunction.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2022

Pushing the boundaries of science

Prof. Katharina Boguslawski and Prof. Piotr Wcisło from Nicolaus Copernicus University have been awarded ERC grants for their ambitious projects, which aim to push the boundaries of knowledge in physics and astronomy. The awards will provide significant funding for research, equipment, and personnel over a period of five years.

Microchannel-containing nanofiber aerogels with small protein molecule enable accelerated diabetic wound healing

Researchers developed a nanofiber aerogel that promotes faster and more effective healing of diabetic wounds. The aerogel facilitates cell migration, oxygen, and nutrient delivery to the wound bed, while incorporating an anti-microbial peptide prevents bacterial growth and promotes healing.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2022

NTU Singapore scientists convert waste paper into battery parts for smartphones and electric vehicles

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have developed a technique to convert waste paper into lithium-ion battery electrodes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing durability. The new method uses carbonisation and laser cutting to create reusable batteries with superior properties.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalAdditive Manufacturing·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2022

Sequencing project to unleash the biotechnology potential of euglenoids

The Euglena International Network (EIN) has launched a decade-long effort to sequence genomes of all known species of euglenoids, with the goal of understanding basic biology and translational applications. This will aid in exploring products for ecological and environmental management, as well as human welfare through biotechnology.

Oncotarget | Association of fall rate and functional status by APOE genotype in cancer survivors after exercise intervention

A study published in Oncotarget found that APOE genotype is associated with the presence and severity of cancer treatment-related side effects and symptoms, as well as the response to exercise-based interventions in cancer survivors. ApoE4 carriers showed a lower fall rate after exercise intervention compared to non-carriers.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeObservational study·DateNov 22, 2022