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Science News for September 7, 2022


Prospects for an all-optical remote magnetic field sensor

Researchers have developed a sensitive setup for detecting luminescence spectra in rare-earth doped crystals, enabling remote measurements of magnetic fields with high precision. The detection capabilities allow for accurate measurement of magnetic fields down to 17 μT and direction determination.

PITT pathway: Pitt scientists discover how cells repair longevity-promoting ‘recycling system’

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a universal mechanism for lysosomal repair, known as the PITT pathway, which helps maintain cellular longevity. The study reveals that damaged lysosomes are quickly repaired through the PITT pathway, but defects in this process can contribute to age-related diseases such as Al...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature·DateSep 7, 2022

Dedicated women’s heart centers can improve accurate diagnoses and outcomes

A prospective study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that dedicated women's heart centers can significantly improve clinical and psychological outcomes for women with myocardial ischemia. The study, which followed 154 patients, showed a significant decrease in chest pain frequency and improved quality of life after attending...

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2022

Three NSF grants support future of wireless

Rice University researchers have received three NSF grants to develop tools and techniques for improving wireless communications. The projects focus on creating more efficient sensing and communication technologies, as well as protocols for resilience in the face of natural or human-induced disasters.

According to the target classification level to select appropriate primers and databases for soil nematodes

This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate primers and databases according to the target taxonomic level when studying soil nematode biodiversity. The results show that different primers and databases can affect the annotation of nematode taxa, with finer taxonomic levels resulting in fewer shared taxa among databases.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalSoil Ecology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

From the soil to the sky

UC Santa Barbara researchers estimate that plants use an additional 14% of their harvested photosynthesis energy to lift water through their xylem. This process, called transpiration, is essential for plant life and has significant implications for our understanding of life on Earth.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences·DateSep 7, 2022

CityU invents a method to convert 3D-printed polymer into a 100-times stronger, ductile hybrid carbon microlattice material

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong create lightweight, ultra-tough hybrid carbon microlattices that are 100 times stronger and doubled in ductility compared to original polymers. The new method enables the creation of sophisticated 3D parts with tailored mechanical properties for various applications.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

Pipes two million times smaller than an ant

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have engineered microscopic pipes made of nanotubes that can transport molecules over long distances without leaking. The team successfully directed the flow of fluorescent molecules through the nanotubes, which could potentially be used to study diseases and understand how neurons interact with ...

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 7, 2022

Cravings for fatty foods traced to gut-brain connection

A study published in Nature found that fat entering the intestines triggers a signal that drives mice to consume fatty foods. The gut sends signals to the brain via the vagus nerve, with two types of cells responding to different nutrients. Blocking these signals prevents mice from developing an appetite for fat.

SourceColumbia University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

Replacing social media use by physical activity

A study found that replacing social media use with physical activity improves mental health, leading to increased happiness and reduced depression. Participants who followed the advice for two weeks experienced positive effects that lasted up to six months.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Public Health·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

Rare-earth based materials: An effective toolbox for brain technology

Rare-earth based materials are used for high-resolution brain imaging and efficient diagnosis of brain diseases through magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography imaging, and fluorescence imaging technologies. Additionally, they can be used for targeted therapy, overcoming the blood-brain barrier.

Transplanted gut bacteria causes cardiovascular changes in mice

Researchers found that transplanted gut bacteria from mice with obstructive sleep apnea caused increased blood pressure and impaired coronary function in recipient mice. Probiotics improved symptoms for the recipients but not the donor mice, highlighting a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

Extreme temperatures fuel online hate speech

A new study has found that extreme temperatures are fueling online hate speech, with hate tweets increasing by up to 12% for colder temperatures and 22% for hotter temperatures. The researchers analyzed over 4 billion tweets from the US between 2014 and 2020, finding a 'feel-good window' of 15-18°C where hate tweets were at their lowest.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalThe Lancet·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 7, 2022

Kessler Foundation receives major funding from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to advance research in spinal cord injury and fellowship education

The Kessler Foundation has received significant funding to advance research on spinal cord injury, including studies on epidural stimulation and shockwave therapy for spasticity. The funding will also support the SCI Medicine Fellowship Program, which has trained approximately 50 specialists in spinal cord injury.

Surprising discovery by UCI-led team links Piezo1 and cholesterol during brain development

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered a link between Piezo1 and cholesterol levels during brain development, which may provide new avenues for treating diseases like Alzheimer's. The study found that Piezo1 influences cellular cholesterol metabolism, modulating cell quantity, quality, and organization.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateSep 7, 2022

Eating behaviors of parents play a role in teens' emotional eating

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior reveals that parents' eating behaviors play a significant role in shaping their teenagers' emotional eating habits. The research found that restrictive feeding practices and monitoring food led to increased emotional eating, while a parent's restrained eating beha...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateSep 7, 2022

Story tips: Inland water carbon emissions on the rise, sealed with silica, cancer-fighting chemistry, improving materials for energy storage, using math to predict SARS-CoV-2 protein mutations

Researchers found that inland water carbon emissions are on the rise, with estimates suggesting 4.4 billion metric tons of carbon are released annually, primarily as carbon dioxide or methane. A new thermal insulation composite made from silica particles also shows promise for improving energy efficiency and reducing moisture damage.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateSep 7, 2022

University of Cincinnati study: Immunotherapy drug did not increase surgery complications

Researchers conducted a study on administering immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab before surgery for oral cavity cancer and found no increased rates of complications during and after surgery. The findings are encouraging for patients who have not previously received treatment for their oral cavity cancer, suggesting that complication rat...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2022

Key advance in physics research could help enable super-efficient electrical power

Researchers at the University of Oxford have made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds light on the atomic mechanism behind high-temperature superconductors. The study reveals that copper pairs are held together by magnetic interactions in high-temperature superconductors, rather than thermal vibrations.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

The Wistar Institute and Jubilant Therapeutics Inc. find PAD4 inhibition in neutrophils halts cancer progression and metastasis

Researchers at The Wistar Institute and Jubilant Therapeutics Inc. found that PAD4 inhibition in neutrophils reduces primary tumor growth and metastasis, enhancing checkpoint inhibitor treatments. This novel mechanism targets PMN-MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment, presenting a potent anti-tumor effect.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalCancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

Bee it known: Biodiversity is critical to ecosystems

A Rutgers-led study finds that biodiversity of the bee population is crucial for maintaining stable pollination services over a growing season and years. The research suggests that different bee species pollinate the same plants at different times and dominate pollinators on specific types of plants in different years.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateSep 7, 2022

The way you talk to your child about math matters

A new study by the University of Georgia found that praising children's personal traits or innate abilities can dampen their math motivation and achievement over time. Parents who focus on strategy use and effort tend to give more process-oriented responses, which are linked to better math adjustment in children.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalChild Development·DateSep 7, 2022

Simple animal model reveals how environment and state are integrated to control behavior

A new study reveals how the C. elegans worm integrates environmental cues and internal states to guide food-seeking behavior, highlighting a potentially universal mechanism for nervous system integration. The research team found that internal states, such as hunger, can influence the expression of key smell receptors in sensory neurons.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

Magma and ice

Researchers discovered hydrated glass in Antarctic rocks that indicates polar glaciation during the Late Cretaceous, around 66-100 million years ago. The findings suggest that climate conditions in Antarctica were more complex than previously thought, with evidence of ice sheets existing alongside a generally warm and humid environment.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 7, 2022

Lensless camera creates 3D images from single exposure

Researchers developed a lensless camera that captures 3D information with a single exposure using a thin microlens array and new image processing algorithms. The camera can produce 3D images in real-time, enabling applications such as industrial part inspection, gesture recognition, and 3D display systems.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 7, 2022

Photo-induced ion displacement in mixed-halide perovskites for a battery directly chargeable by light

Researchers have discovered a nonlocal effect of anion segregation in mixed halide perovskite alloys, leading to the formation of a ring-shaped structure with potential applications for direct light charging. This phenomenon may not be an adverse effect but rather a useful mechanism for energy storage.

Patients with some forms of aggressive esophageal cancers may benefit from treatment targeting how cells self-regulate

A study by Case Western Reserve University has identified a promising path to developing therapies for esophageal tumors. The research team linked the TGFβ-pathway, a cell signaling mechanism, to tumor development and found that a protein-coding gene called HNF4α is a predictive biomarker of cancer.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalGastroenterology·DateSep 7, 2022

Scientists see spins in a 2D magnet

Researchers at Columbia University have discovered a way to visualize magnons in a 2D material, CrSBr, by pairing them with excitons that emit light. This breakthrough enables the observation of tiny changes in magnon spins, potentially leading to the development of more efficient quantum information networks.

SourceColumbia University·JournalNature·DateSep 7, 2022

Climate data can help model the spread of COVID-19

A new study finds that climate data, particularly UV radiation levels, can help accurately model the spread of COVID-19. The research analyzed data from 196 countries and found that high UV radiation levels are strongly associated with reduced COVID-19 transmission rates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 7, 2022

New research shows PSMA PET/CT imaging changes management for close to 50 percent of prostate cancer patients

A new study shows that PSMA PET/CT imaging can change treatment plans for nearly 50% of patients with prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy. The imaging technique detected disease in 46.9% of patients, leading to major changes in treatment plans, including recommendations for additional treatments.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateSep 7, 2022

Lung cancer screening increases percentage of Stage I cases detected, while reducing percentage of Stage IV cases

A multicenter cohort study found that lung cancer screening increased the percentage of Stage I cases detected by 8.4% and reduced the percentage of Stage IV cases by 6.6%. The study suggests that implementation of screening achieves the desired effect of identifying early-stage lung cancers without resulting in overdiagnosis.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 7, 2022

Rutgers study indicates who faces highest risk of HPV infection and anal cancer

A Rutgers study found that previous sexually transmitted infections and multiple sexual partners increase the risk of new HPV infections in men who have sex with men, other cisgender sexual minority men, and transgender women. The study also highlights the importance of HPV vaccination and regular screening to prevent anal cancer.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Men s Health·TypeSurvey·DateSep 7, 2022

Groundbreaking study of fraternity hazing co-authored by Kent State researcher reveals little connection to group solidarity

A groundbreaking study by Kent State researcher Aldo Cimino reveals that hazing has little impact on group solidarity in fraternities. The study tracked six sets of fraternity inductees and found that inductees' self-reported ratings of fun, rather than harshness, were the key drivers of solidarity.

SourceKent State University·JournalEvolution and Human Behavior·DateSep 7, 2022

Understanding the effect of wildfires on air quality: a NASA initiative

A NASA initiative studies wildfire-induced air pollution by measuring atmospheric CO and O3 levels using airborne observations. The study found that CO levels increased in the plume as it was transported away from the fire site, while plume age was associated with distance in both vertical and horizontal directions.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Applied Remote Sensing·DateSep 7, 2022

Do say gay: Understanding the significance of inclusive sexuality discussions between parent and son

A new study led by University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing researchers found that inclusive parent-child sex conversations can reduce internalized stigma and promote support among adolescents. The study also underscores the significance of these conversations for heterosexual children, who can become allies to LGBTQ peers.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of Pediatric Health Care·DateSep 7, 2022

Facebook and Instagram addiction in adolescents linked to inequality, international study of 179,000 children suggests

A new study published in Information, Communication and Society journal found a strong link between economic inequality and problematic social media use among adolescents. The research, involving over 179,000 schoolchildren from 40 countries, suggests that new strategies are needed to reduce the impact of deprivation on social media use.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInformation Communication & Society·DateSep 7, 2022

Growing numbers of Native American households in Nevada face plumbing poverty, water quality problems

A new study found that Native American households in Nevada lack complete indoor plumbing, with an average of 0.67% households affected between 1990-2019. The study also revealed a significant increase in Safe Drinking Water Act violations, with over 20,000 people impacted in 2019.

SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalEnvironmental Science & Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 7, 2022

Over-reliance on biomass-based carbon removal technologies could increase climate and food security risks

A recent study by IIASA and Fudan University warns that relying too much on biomass-based carbon removal technologies could exacerbate global warming and reduce crop yields, leading to food shortages. The simulation results show that delayed mitigation and BECCS deployment could increase global warming from 1.7°C to 3.7°C by 2200.

What is the best way to group students?

A new mathematical approach to grouping theory uses math to determine the most effective way to organize individuals to maximize learning. The research found that like-skilled tiered grouping is better than cross-sectional or random grouping, when the end goal is improving learning for all individuals.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalEducational Practice and Theory·DateSep 7, 2022

Just wait a femtosecond

Scientists from the University of Tsukuba created a scanning tunneling microscopy system that captures images as fast as 30 femtoseconds, allowing for faster study of rapid processes in materials. This advancement enables researchers to understand ultrafast dynamics and behavior of materials more accurately.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalACS Photonics·DateSep 7, 2022

Men take more financial risks after positive fortune telling

Researchers found that men who received positive fortune telling outcomes were more likely to take financial risks, while the effect was weaker in women. This study suggests that superstition can influence behavior, even among those who claim not to be superstitious.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

Interactions between genetics and the environment can explain variability seen in common neuropsychiatric disorders

Researchers used data from over 400,000 individuals to model genetic and environmental factors influencing common neuropsychiatric disorders. Gene-environment interactions accounted for a significant proportion of variability in some disorders, while others showed more substantial contributions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateSep 7, 2022