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Science News for October 21, 2022


US food insufficiency spiked by 25% after monthly Child Tax Credits expired

A new study found that the expiration of monthly Child Tax Credit payments led to a 25% increase in food insufficiency among US households with children. The loss of cash relief benefits disproportionately impacted Black, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant families, exacerbating racial and economic inequities.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateOct 21, 2022

Study finds earlier mammograms for women with family history of breast cancer may not be needed

A new study found that women with a first-degree family relative diagnosed with breast cancer may benefit from screening 5-8 years earlier than their relative's diagnosis age. This is equivalent to the recommended age for average-risk women of 50. The study analyzed data from over 300,000 women and found that increasing the age for ini...

These cellulose nanofibers might be an alternative to petroleum-based plastics

Scientists at Osaka University have created a new material that could replace traditional plastics with a sustainable, biodegradable alternative. The cellulose nanofibers were engineered to exhibit direction-dependent properties, allowing for facile molding into complex structures such as microneedles and bio/nanotechnology architectures.

SourceOsaka University·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2022

Cervical cancer discovery offers major new clue to better understand the disease

Researchers have identified two distinct molecular subgroups of cervical cancer, C1 and C2, which differ in their clinical aggressiveness and response to treatment. The study suggests that determining the subgroup of a patient's cervical cancer could provide additional prognostic information for planning treatment.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 21, 2022

NKF/TOS urge collaboration, clinical strategies to improve understanding of managing co-existing relationship between obesity, chronic kidney disease

Experts recognize obesity as a prime inducer of CKD and related adverse outcomes, emphasizing the need for bridging common ground between nephrology and obesity medicine. Strategies include recognizing obesity as a chronic disease with targeted treatments and trained clinical extenders to promote effective care.

SourceThe Obesity Society·JournalObesity·DateOct 21, 2022

A broader definition of learning could help stimulate interdisciplinary research

Researchers propose a broader definition of learning that includes behavioral adaptation to environmental features, enabling collaboration across fields and promoting new research. This 'mechanism-free' approach highlights the importance of system-level responses to environment in various domains.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 21, 2022

How scientist designed the trajectory of microsatellite swarm from the macro-micro perspective?

A new method combines Centroidal Voronoi tessellation (CVT) and Model Predictive Control (MPC) to optimize microsatellite swarm trajectories, ensuring collision avoidance while minimizing fuel consumption. Numerical simulations validate the effectiveness of this macro-micro trajectory planning approach.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateOct 21, 2022

Review article regarding development of assay methods and blood levels of a hormone indicating gonadal functions in domestic animals

A review article by Osaka Metropolitan University researcher Professor Noritoshi Kawate explores the use of INSL3 as a hormone indicating gonadal functions in domestic animals. The study reveals that INSL3 secretions in bulls and male goats are stimulated by luteinizing hormone, making it a reliable fertility indicator.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalReproductive Medicine and Biology·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 21, 2022

Researchers examine what happens when patients can choose concurrent dialysis and hospice care

A retrospective cross-sectional study found that VA-financed hospice services were associated with higher rates of concurrent dialysis among veterans with end-stage kidney disease. Patients who received VA-financed hospice services lived approximately 43 days after stopping dialysis, compared to just four days for those who stopped dia...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeObservational study·DateOct 21, 2022

Head and neck cancer researchers demonstrate the capability of a deep learning algorithm in the post-surgery setting to assess the stage of disease more accurately using standard CT scans

Researchers have developed a deep learning algorithm that can accurately assess the stage of head and neck cancer using standard CT scans, outperforming expert radiologists. The algorithm demonstrated superior accuracy in measuring the extent of cancer spread, especially for patients with high-risk disease.

Variation in HPV vaccination effectiveness by age at vaccination

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination effectiveness differs significantly depending on the age at which it is administered. The researchers analyzed self-reported data from female participants and discovered that HPV vaccination is most effective when administered earlier in life.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 21, 2022

The research group led by Prof. Seung Hwan Ko, in Dept. of Mechanical Engineering in Seoul National University, developed the paper-based biodegradable and eco-friendly sensor for sensing the food status.

Researchers at Seoul National University have developed a biodegradable and eco-friendly sensor that can detect food temperature and freshness. The sensor, made from laser-induced graphene on commercial paper, enables real-time monitoring of food spoilage and can be used in various industrial fields.

SourceSeoul National University·JournalApplied Materials Today·DateOct 21, 2022

After 30 years -- new guidelines for weight-loss surgery

The new guidelines, issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO), recommend metabolic and bariatric surgery for individuals with a BMI of 35 or more, regardless of obesity-related conditions. The guidelines also endo...

SourceAmerican Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery·JournalSurgery for Obesity and Related Diseases·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 21, 2022

In pre-clinical trials, drug shows potential to combat exaggerated inflammation associated with COVID-19

A new study suggests that niclosamide, an anthelmintic drug, shows promise in combating exaggerated inflammation associated with severe COVID-19. The drug's anti-inflammatory effects are attributed to its inhibition of the inflammasome mechanism, a protein complex present in defense cells.

SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, and how maternal COVID-19 vaccination could prevent stillbirth

A recent literature review found that vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 can effectively prevent adverse conditions such as stillbirth and infant death. Pregnant women with COVID-19 have an increased risk for stillbirth compared to uninfected women, and those who vaccinate can more effectively prevent these events.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAJOG Global Reports·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 21, 2022

New analysis led by UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center finds timing androgen-deprivation therapy with radiation therapy improves outcomes in localized prostate cancer

A new analysis by UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that men with prostate cancer benefit from adding androgen deprivation therapy to radiation treatment. The study showed improved metastasis-free survival for patients receiving short-term ADT before or after radiation, especially in those receiving prostate-only RT.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 21, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic decreased child routine vaccination coverage and increased vaccine delays in India.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a marked decrease in routine childhood immunization rates in India, with significant implications for the country's immunization program and COVID-19 recovery policies. The study highlights the urgent need for catch-up vaccination campaigns and investments in health systems.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia·DateOct 21, 2022

Double trouble when 2 disasters strike electrical transmission infrastructure

Researchers developed a machine learning model to analyze how susceptible overhead transmission lines are to damage from back-to-back natural hazards. The study found that previous damage can have a significant impact on the fragility and reliability of power grids, especially when followed by a hurricane.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEarthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 21, 2022

New strategy enables targeted treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

A new strategy for treating rheumatoid arthritis has been proposed, integrating small interfering RNAs and Prussian blue nanoparticles to silence proinflammatory cytokines and scavenge reactive oxygen species. The approach was tested in a mouse model, showing improved therapeutic efficacy and real-time monitoring capabilities.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 21, 2022