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Science News for October 7, 2022


Awake patients can have kidney stones moved, blasted

Researchers have developed a new technique that combines ultrasound technologies to move, reposition, or break up kidney stones while the patient is awake and pain-free. In a feasibility study, 29 patients were treated with the new method, resulting in stone passage in 19 cases, with an average time of four days.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Urology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Mapping human brain development

Scientists have developed a new method to study human brain development by growing millimetre-sized three-dimensional tissues called organoids from pluripotent stem cells. The researchers characterized the cells in molecular-genetic terms, creating a kind of map showing the molecular fingerprint of each cell within the organoid.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Can cats and coyote co-exist?

A recent study found that cats and coyotes share green spaces in Los Angeles suburb Culver City, leading to increased cat mortality. Cats displayed more nocturnal behavior than typical urban cats, explaining high rates of cat deaths. The study recommends restricting outdoor cat access to mitigate human-wildlife conflict

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2022

Scientists at IRB Barcelona and the PCCB develop a study model for Ewing sarcoma in the Drosophila fly

Scientists at IRB Barcelona and the PCCB have created a genetically tractable model of Ewing sarcoma using Drosophila flies expressing a mutant version of the human oncogene EWS-FLI. This model allows for the identification of critical proteins required for EWS-FLI's oncogenic function and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Overcoming the limitations of conventional medical optical imaging using the world's first “ultrasound-induced tissue transparency” technology!

A joint research team developed the world's first 'ultrasound-induced tissue transparency' technology, enabling deeper observation of biological tissues. The technology increased the maximum imaging depth of optical imaging modalities like confocal fluorescence microscopy by six times.

Scientists peel back ancient layers of banana DNA to reveal ‘mystery ancestors’

A study reveals that domesticated banana varieties contain traces of three unknown wild ancestors, which were likely hybrids between subspecies and may hold useful traits such as parthenocarpy. The researchers believe these 'mystery ancestors' might still be alive in the wild, particularly in regions including the Gulf of Thailand, Bor...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 7, 2022

Borderline personality disorder-related stigma undermines patient care and efforts to reduce suicide

A new review finds that people with borderline personality disorder face discrimination, inadequate treatment, and stigmatizing experiences in healthcare services. The authors call for improved training, education, and resources to address these issues and provide better support to patients and their families.

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Mental Health Systems·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 7, 2022

Similarities in movie review content by critics and general users impact movie sales, study shows

A new study from the University of Notre Dame proposes a 'topic consistency' measure to capture overlap between critic and user review content. The study finds that similar aspects discussed by both groups increase memorability and likelihood of seeing a movie, with a 4.6% increase in box office revenue for movies with moderate ratings.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateOct 7, 2022

Are conferences worth the time and money?

A new Northwestern University study finds that scientists who interact with others during assigned sessions at conferences are more likely to form productive collaborations. Virtual conferences also show promise for encouraging interactions and sparking collaborations.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 7, 2022

Research examines which children were most severely sickened by COVID-19 and finds vaccinations were significantly protective

Research found that pre-existing illnesses and residence in the South region were most often associated with severe outcomes in children. Vaccination was significantly protective across all age groups, with infants having more severe illness than older children. Persistent health disparities across racial and geographic lines were also...

Blue energy

Scientists at Osaka University have developed an ultrathin silicon membrane with arrays of nanopores that can harness osmotic flow to generate electricity from seawater. The device achieved peak power efficiency of 400 kW/m² and demonstrated optimal configuration for best power generation.

SourceOsaka University·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Experimental treatment approach counters allergic asthma without weakening flu defenses

Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine have discovered a new treatment approach that suppresses allergic asthma without compromising the body's defenses against flu viruses. The treatment, which targets calcium channels in immune cells, has shown promise in reducing asthmatic inflammation and mucus build-up in mice.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Presenting a new decision-making model based on modern society… Published in TFSC, one of the world's Top 3 innovative economic journals

Researchers developed an 'inter-rationality' model, inheriting the limited rationality model, to present an economical alternative for modern societies. The new theory establishes a microeconomic foundation for corporate-level activities in open innovation structures.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalTechnological Forecasting and Social Change·DateOct 7, 2022

How the mother's mood influences her baby's ability to speak

A recent study at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences found that mothers' postnatal depressive moods can impact their babies' ability to distinguish speech sounds. Mothers in a negative mood tend to use less infant-directed speech, leading to delayed language development in infants.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Other SARS-CoV-2 proteins are important for disease severity, aside from the spike

Researchers identified genes that affect immune system response and replication of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Missing ORF3a/b gene led to milder infections, while missing ORF8 gene worsened lung inflammation. Spike protein severity varied across variants, with mutations in accessory proteins altering clinical presentation.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Sleep mode makes Energy Internet more energy efficient

Nagoya University scientists developed a controller with a sleep mode to procure energy only when needed, reducing the need for storage batteries and capacitors. This innovative solution enables efficient energy saving and promotes the practical application of power packet type energy Internet.

SourceNagoya University·JournalInternational Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control·DateOct 7, 2022

Research brief: Two popular diabetes drugs outperformed others in large clinical trial

A large clinical trial found that insulin glargine and liraglutide were superior to other diabetes drugs in controlling blood sugars. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, compared four common medications used to treat type 2 diabetes when added to metformin.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 7, 2022

3D map reveals DNA organization within human retina cells

NIH scientists mapped the organization of human retinal cell chromatin, revealing insights into regulation of gene expression and retinal function. The study identified distinct patterns of interaction at retinal genes suggesting how chromatin's 3D organization plays a crucial role in tissue-specific gene regulation.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 7, 2022

Adults who misused alcohol as teens report dissatisfaction and poor health in midlife

A Rutgers-led study of over 2,700 pairs of twins found that adolescent alcohol misuse is associated with poorer life satisfaction, physical symptoms, and self-rated health in midlife. The study's findings suggest that teenage drinking may have long-lasting indirect effects on physical health and well-being.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAlcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2022

Reign of PNG’s megafauna lasted long after humans arrived

A new study re-examines fossil bones from the Nombe Rock Shelter in PNG Highlands and suggests that several large mammal species may have survived for another 40,000 years. The research challenges general assumptions about megafaunal extinction timelines and provides fresh insights into the natural history of PNG.

SourceFlinders University·JournalArchaeology in Oceania·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 7, 2022