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Science News Archive October 2022 - Page 25


Page 25 of 37

Opioid addiction treatment disparities could worsen if phone telehealth option ends, study suggests

A new study suggests that phone calls and video chats can help patients access care, especially for those with barriers to traditional in-person visits. The study found that veterans who received virtual visits were more likely to stay on buprenorphine treatment, but there were disparities by race, housing status, and age.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

Holistic evolution of charge transfer to photocatalyst surface sites mapped for first time

Scientists have revealed the complex mechanisms behind charge transfer in photocatalyst particles, providing insights into designing more efficient photocatalysts. The research used multiple techniques to map the spatiotemporal evolution of charge transfers, showing that built-in electric fields and defects can aid in charge separation.

Are smartwatch health apps to detect atrial fibrillation smart enough?

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that smartwatch health apps detecting atrial fibrillation generated a high rate of false positives and inconclusive results, especially in patients with certain cardiac conditions. Better algorithms and machine learning may help improve the accuracy of these devices.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

Lifestyle factors may act as preventative measures against severe COVID-19

A new study suggests that lifestyle choices can help prevent severe COVID-19 by reducing chronic inflammation and regulating the immune system. By adopting healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced diet, and stress management, individuals can lower their risk of developing severe disease and mitigate post-infection symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalAmerican Journal of Lifestyle Medicine·DateOct 12, 2022

How do tired animals stay awake?

Researchers studying fruit flies found that brain neurons adapt to help the flies stay awake despite tiredness in dangerous situations, and fall asleep after an intense day. Time-restricted feeding also improved sleep quality in the flies, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for humans.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

‘We’ve never seen anything like this before:’ Black hole spews out material years after shredding star

Astronomers were surprised to find that a black hole is ejecting material at half the speed of light nearly three years after shredding a nearby star. The delayed outflow challenges scientists' understanding of black hole feeding behavior, with one researcher likening it to a 'black hole burping'.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateOct 12, 2022

Career advancement slower for women in entomology, study finds

Women pursuing careers in entomology face persistent challenges in obtaining jobs compared to men. The study found that men published more research articles and were first authors on average, leading to higher H-index scores. Women are also less likely to hold industry positions as technical representatives and research scientists.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalAnnals of the Entomological Society of America·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

New abiotic pathway for the formation of oxygen

Researchers have discovered a new abiotic pathway for the formation of oxygen molecules, using sulphur dioxide as a precursor. This process can explain the presence of oxygen in the atmospheres of several Jupiter's moons, including Io, Europa and Ganymede, where biological life is absent.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

UNC-Chapel Hill researchers detect early deprivation continues to affect brain development well into adolescence

A new study published in Science Advances shows that early deprivation can have long-lasting effects on brain development, even into adolescence. Children who were randomly placed into high-quality foster care before the age of 3 had changes in areas of the brain supporting higher-order problem-solving years later.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 12, 2022

Study validates diagnostic assay for Asian cancers

A Singapore research team has validated a cancer diagnostic assay designed with Asian-centric biomarkers, showing high precision and sensitivity in measuring four major classes of biomarkers. The assay's performance was validated with clinical specimens, indicating its promise for reliable deployment in a clinical setting.

SourceSingHealth·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Biosciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 12, 2022

Computer platform helps match patients with cancer to trials of targeted therapy

A new platform developed at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute helps match patients with cancer to trials of targeted therapy by analyzing genomic alterations in their tumors. The platform, called MatchMiner, has been shown to expedite the process of finding an appropriate trial for patients, reducing the time to consent by 22%.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·Journalnpj Precision Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

Infections can have long-term consequences

A VUB study has mapped the immune system's response to brain infections, revealing that resident macrophages play a key role in defending against pathogens. The researchers found that blood-derived immune cells can eliminate parasites, but may retain 'memory' of past infections, altering their ability to respond to future insults.

SourceVrije Universiteit Brussel·JournalImmunity·DateOct 12, 2022

Putting liquid biopsies on solid ground: cancer diagnosis from a milliliter of blood

Researchers developed a multiparameter approach for diagnosing cancer using a small blood sample, finding distinct patterns of epigenetic marking and protein segments between healthy individuals and cancer patients. The technology has shown high precision, with 92% accuracy, and could lead to a non-invasive and cost-effective blood test.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateOct 12, 2022

Black hole discovered firing jets at neighboring galaxy

Astronomers have discovered a rare system featuring a black hole spewing a jet at a neighboring galaxy, providing insights into radio jet feedback and its impact on star formation. The unique nature of RAD12 has allowed researchers to study the interaction between the black hole's jet and the companion galaxy.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 12, 2022

Scientists say PFAS contamination should be presumed at over 57,000 US sites

A new study identifies over 57,400 locations across the US as potentially contaminated with PFAS, including industrial facilities and areas where fluorinated firefighting foams have been used. The research team developed a presumptive contamination model to help governments and industries rapidly identify potential exposure sources.

SourceGreen Science Policy Institute·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateOct 12, 2022

Global Biobank Meta-analysis Initiative making genome-wide association studies more diverse and representative

The Global Biobank Meta-analysis Initiative has made significant advancements in expanding genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to include more diverse and representative data from around the world. By analyzing genomic data from over 2 million individuals across four continents, researchers have identified new genetic variants asso...

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Genomics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

COVID-19 pandemic hurt academic experience for African international students, MU study finds

A recent MU study found that COVID-19 significantly impacted the academic experiences of African international students, with travel limitations, restricted employment opportunities, and family concerns making it difficult to focus on studies. The findings highlight the need for tailored support from universities during times of crisis.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

Analysis of US Endangered Species Act finds species are protected too late, with too small populations, and with insufficient funding, undermining the Act's effectiveness

The study finds that many species are protected too late, with insufficient time to recover and breed, and with limited financial resources to support conservation efforts. This analysis highlights the need for improved policy and increased funding to effectively protect endangered species in the US.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 12, 2022

Human brain cells in a dish learn to play Pong

Researchers created living brain cells in a dish that can perform goal-directed tasks and adapt to changes, opening doors for new understanding of brain function. The study also raises possibilities for alternative animal testing and biomimetic research.

SourceCortical Labs·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

New computational tools to help target sex, labor trafficking operations

Researchers developed computational models to identify massage businesses at risk of violating laws related to sex and labor trafficking. The models provide probability scores on the likelihood that a business is engaged in illegal activity, allowing law enforcement and organizations to prioritize investigations.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIISE Transactions·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 12, 2022

Does reducing screen time increase productivity? Not necessarily

A new study from San Diego State University's Fowler College of Business found that monitoring cellphone screen time with specific goals in mind can lead to higher perceived productivity and user satisfaction. However, excessive self-monitoring can induce fatigue and weaken the effect on productivity.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalAIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

Dissipative soliton generation and real-time dynamics in microresonator-filtered fiber lasers

Researchers have developed a new type of microcomb that generates dissipative solitons with flat-top spectral shape, enabling high-capacity optical communication. The new design also achieves self-starting operation, high mode efficiency, and low output power, making it suitable for real-world applications.

Night sweats versus hot flashes

A new study by the University of Massachusetts found that night sweats are significantly associated with depression and stress, while hot flashes are mainly linked to depression. Women experiencing night sweats may be at a greater disadvantage due to sleep disturbances.