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Science News Archive October 2022 - Page 14


Page 14 of 37

Chimpanzees synchronise their steps just like humans

Researchers observed chimpanzees exhibiting unintentional synchronisation in their steps when walking next to each other, suggesting a shared human trait. The study found that chimps showed inter-individual coordination in walking, with 79% of cases mirroring each other's movements within 0.5 seconds.

SourceUniversity of St. Andrews·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2022

Spillover benefits observed from world’s largest marine protected area, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

The world's largest fully protected marine protected area, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, provides spillover benefits for migratory species like bigeye and yellowfin tuna. Research reveals the protections of these regions also affect populations outside their borders.

Snacking on almonds boosts gut health

Researchers at King's College London found that eating almonds increases butyrate production, promoting gut health and potentially alleviating constipation. The study also showed improved nutrient intake and a positive impact on the gut microbiome.

SourceKing's College London·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 20, 2022

Alligators exposed to PFAS show autoimmune effects

A recent study found that alligators in the Cape Fear River basin have elevated levels of PFAS chemicals in their blood serum, leading to clinical and genetic indicators of immune system effects. The research team detected a significant association between PFAS exposure and autoimmune-like phenotypes in the affected alligators.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalFrontiers in Toxicology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2022

New data transmission record

Researchers from Technical University of Denmark and Chalmers University of Technology have achieved a world record in data transmission by transmitting 1.8 petabits per second using only a single laser and optical chip, significantly reducing power consumption and climate footprint.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 20, 2022

Where political views and fundamental beliefs intersect

A new study from The Primals Project at the University of Pennsylvania challenges the long-held assumption that conservatives see the world as more dangerous than liberals. Instead, researchers found that both conservatives and liberals view the world as similarly dangerous, with a hierarchical worldview playing a significant role in s...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 20, 2022

Research co-led by CityU develops a high-resolution, wearable electrotactile rendering device that virtualizes the sense of touch

A team co-led by CityU developed a wearable electrotactile rendering system that can mimic the sensation of touch with high spatial resolution and a rapid response rate. The device has various application potential, including enhancing VR/AR experiences and facilitating work in thick gloves.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2022

Monkeypox: High vaccine acceptance among users of European gay-dating apps

A survey among European gay-dating app users found a 82% crude vaccination acceptance rate. Willingness to vaccinate increased with factors like perceived severity of monkeypox, transmission risk, and existing health links. Higher acceptance rates were seen in northern and western Europe compared to southern and eastern regions.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeSurvey·DateOct 20, 2022

New study unveils vertically oriented 2D ruddlesden–popper phase perovskite passivation layer for efficient and stable inverted PSCS

Researchers have developed a vertically oriented 2D Ruddlesden–Popper phase perovskite passivation layer for efficient and stable inverted PSCs. The new design achieved a champion PCE of 21.4% in devices with outstanding humidity and thermal stability.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateOct 20, 2022

Gel-like, radioactive tumor implant obliterates pancreatic cancer in mice

Researchers at Duke University have developed a novel treatment that combines internal radiation and chemotherapy to eliminate tumors in 80% of mice with pancreatic cancer. The approach uses a gel-like depot implanted with radioactive iodine-131, which deposits beta radiation directly into the tumor without affecting surrounding tissue.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2022

New genetic research by UMass Amherst advances understanding of internal mechanisms of biological clocks

The study reveals that a genetic mutation can accelerate the body's internal clock, leading to improved adjustment to shift work schedules. The findings have implications for understanding the health consequences of circadian misalignment and developing medical treatments.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2022

Global collaboration led by Stanford researcher shows that a posed smile can improve your mood

A recent study published in Nature Human Behavior found that posed smiles can increase happiness. The Many Smiles Collaboration, led by Stanford researcher Nicholas Coles, involved over 3,800 participants from 19 countries and used three techniques to encourage smiling, with the pen-in-mouth method showing no significant effect.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateOct 20, 2022

eLife ends accept/reject decisions following peer review

eLife is ending its practice of making accept/reject decisions following peer review, instead publishing every paper it reviews as a Reviewed Preprint. This new model restores control to authors, promoting the assessment of scientists based on their research output rather than publication venue.

SourceeLife·DateOct 20, 2022

Can smartphones predict mortality risk?

Researchers used data from 100,000 UK Biobank participants to develop predictive models of mortality risk using only 6 minutes of steady walking collected by smartphone sensors. These models achieved similar accuracy to traditional measures of gait speed and walk pace.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2022

Study: Stock purchases by senators generate abnormal returns for firms

A new study by University of Arkansas researchers found that the firms experiencing greater returns around the date of senator's purchase disclosure have direct jurisdiction over them through a committee assignment or sponsorship. This suggests investors' perception of senators trading on inside information may be inaccurate over time.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeCase study·DateOct 20, 2022

Mountain gorilla population growth related to group density and female movements

A recent study by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International analyzed demographic data over 50 years to understand factors influencing mountain gorilla population growth. The research found that increased group density led to slower reproduction in females, resulting in a significant slowing of population growth.

SourceDian Fossey Gorilla Fund International·JournalAnimal Conservation·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2022

Rice lab advances water-splitting catalysts

Engineers at Rice University have discovered a method to make oxygen evolution catalysis in acids more economical and practical. They replaced rare and expensive iridium with ruthenium, a far more abundant precious metal, as the positive-electrode catalyst in a reactor that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2022

Sickly shades of grey: Disease outbreaks influence the color of wolves across North America

Research from the University of Oxford and Yellowstone National Park found that wolves with black coats are more likely to survive canine distemper virus (CDV) outbreaks. This suggests that the gene for a black coat may provide protection against the virus, leading to its increased frequency in areas with CDV outbreaks.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2022

Two drugs reverse key pancreatic cancer step in the lab

Scientists at the University of Florida have identified two small molecules that inhibit precancerous cell progression and reverse a key process involved in pancreatic cancer progression. This discovery could lead to earlier treatments and improved survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalCell Death Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022

DGIST research team led by Professor Sangaraju Shanmugam developed an eco-friendly ammonia catalyst

A new eco-friendly catalyst has been developed to convert nitric oxide into ammonia with high efficiency and stability. The core-shell nickel nanoparticle coated with nitrogen-doped carbon nanostructured electrocatalysts offers a Faradaic efficiency of 72.3% at low overpotential, making it suitable for large-scale industrial applications.

Engineers record neurons to pinpoint synaptic links

Researchers created a 3D electrode array that maps the locations and activity of up to 1 million potential synaptic links in living brains. The system uses recordings of millisecond-scale evolution of electrical pulses in tens of thousands of neurons, allowing for dense and accurate mapping of brain circuits.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022

New window into brain’s computational function

The study found that human neocortical pyramidal neurons have a more elaborate structure than other mammals, with larger and more complex dendritic trees. This enhancement may contribute to the brain's increased processing power. The research has implications for understanding how the brain is affected in diseases such as epilepsy.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022

A 10,000-year-old infant burial provides insights into the use of baby carriers and family heirlooms in prehistory

Researchers found evidence of a 10,000-year-old infant carrier at the Arma Veirana site in Liguria, Italy. The carrier was buried with the infant, nicknamed Neve, who wore over 70 pierced shell beads and pendants that were likely handed down as heirlooms.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Denver·JournalJournal of Archaeological Method and Theory·TypeObservational study·DateOct 19, 2022

Clear as mud

A team of researchers used clear mud to study turbulence in water flows, discovering that low clay concentrations alter the structure of turbulent dynamics. This finding has implications for understanding sediment transport and predicting flow behavior in natural environments.

Does topic consistency matter in movie reviews? A study of critic and user reviews and their impact on movie demand

Researchers found that content overlap between critic and user reviews increases movie demand, particularly for movies with mediocre review ratings. The study suggests that producers and marketers can leverage this by engaging with both professional critics and general consumers to find commonalities in their reviews.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateOct 19, 2022

Trapping polaritons in an engineered quantum box

Australian researchers have engineered a quantum box for polaritons in a two-dimensional material, achieving large polariton densities and a partially 'coherent' quantum state. The novel technique allows researchers to access striking collective quantum phenomena and enable ultra-energy-efficient technologies.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022

Patients believe in psychotherapy more when practitioners demonstrate warmth and competence

Research found that therapists with high warmth and competence can shape patients' expectations by inspiring more positive beliefs about the effectiveness of therapy. This study suggests that practitioners' characteristics, such as warmth and competence, can influence clinical outcomes.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalClinical Psychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022