Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 8, 2022


Study: Minority, immigrant populations faced misinformation, hostility when seeking COVID-19 information online

A new study from the University of Kansas found that racial and ethnic minority populations in the US faced unique challenges while seeking COVID-19 information online, including misinformation, harassment, and hostility. Younger and healthier individuals were more resistant to vaccination due to lower perceived risk and benefit.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalConvergence The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies·TypeSurvey·DateSep 8, 2022

Researchers study historical developments of the periodic system of chemical elements

Researchers analyzed the knowledge of chemical space between 1800 and 1869 to discover how well the periodic table corresponds to the chemical data at its formulation. They found that the periodic table's basic structure was already encoded in space by the 1840s, two decades before its creation.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 8, 2022

Gamers can have their cake and eat it too

A study by Kyoto University and BonBon Inc found that complex games like Potion can measure distinct cognitive skills such as stealth behavior and abstract thinking in young players. However, older players did not exhibit the same level of engagement, challenging existing beliefs about gaming's impact on cognition.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 8, 2022

Digging a little deeper: New Earth Science Frontiers study explores the nanoscale properties of the Gulong shale oil reservoir

A new study published in Earth Science Frontiers elucidates the role of nanopores in accumulating shale oil in the Gulong-Qingshankou reservoir in China. The research found that well-developed nanopores and nanofissures play a crucial role in storing shale oil, leading to a high source-reservoir ratio.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalEarth Science Frontiers·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 8, 2022

New study confirms that postoperative pain can be reduced with NOL guided analgesia

A new randomized, controlled trial demonstrates that Medasense's NOL monitoring during major abdominal surgery can reduce postoperative pain by 30% compared to standard care. The study found that personalized fentanyl dosing with NOL guidance leads to lower sympathetic activation and surgical stress, resulting in reduced PACU pain scores.

SourceMedasense Biometrics·JournalJournal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 8, 2022

Gender inequities in mentoring may disproportionately affect women researchers

A new analysis of mentoring relationships in academic research reveals that gender inequities in resources available to women mentors may indirectly affect their trainees. Trainees with female mentors were less likely to become academic mentors themselves, a disparity reduced when accounting for institutional bias factors.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2022

Weedy rice has become herbicide resistant through rapid evolution

Scientists found that weedy rice has developed herbicide resistance through gene flow from crop rice, with most fields showing resistant plants within 20 years of herbicide-resistant rice cultivation. This rapid evolution is due to the close proximity of weedy and crop rice in the same fields, allowing for pollen transfer and outcrossing.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2022

Technological revolution of membrane process for water treatment: PTC pre-coagulation for fouling control of ceramic membrane

Researchers found PTC pre-coagulation significantly improves organic matter removal and filtration quality of ceramic membranes. The study provides a high-effective pretreatment technology to enhance filtration performance and control membrane fouling.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2022

Cli­mate change threat­ens ice caves in Aus­tria

Researchers analyzed eight ice caves in Tyrol, Styria, Upper Austria, and Carinthia, finding a decline in ice mass over the past 2000 years due to human-induced climate change. The study mirrors the evolution of glaciers during the Late Holocene period, with significant consequences for these underground ice formations.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 8, 2022

HKUMed research team estimates over 30% elevated risk of breast cancer among antipsychotic users

A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies found a moderate association between antipsychotic use and an increased risk of breast cancer, estimated at over 30%. The study highlights the importance of risk-benefit assessment of antipsychotic prescription in high-risk patients.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalEpidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2022

New published study finds hospital hand hygiene performance rates improve the most when facilities partner with AHHMS vendor

A recent study found that hospitals partner with their automated hand hygiene monitoring system (AHHMS) vendor can achieve greater improvement in hand hygiene performance. The study analyzed data from 58 units in 10 hospitals across North America and found sustained increases in hand hygiene performance when the hospital worked collabo...

SourceGOJO Industries·JournalInfection Control·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2022

High-volume surgeons no better at reducing postoperative incontinence

A study from the University of Gothenburg found that the number of surgeries performed by a urology surgeon has no effect on men's risk of developing postoperative urinary incontinence after prostate cancer surgery. The researchers analyzed data from over 4,600 men who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy between 2017 and 2019.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScandinavian Journal of Urology·TypeSurvey·DateSep 8, 2022

Family ties: Inherited genetic variants increase risk of Hodgkin lymphoma

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital studied 36 families affected by Hodgkin lymphoma and identified 44 novel genetic variants linked to cancer predisposition, including PAX5, GATA3, IRF7, EEF2KMT, and POLR1E. The study provides new insights into the disease and may help identify potential targets for new treatments.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2022

Why does fasting reduce seizures?

A new study published in Cell Reports has identified the molecular pathways responsible for reduced seizures during fasting. The researchers found that amino acid sensing plays a critical role in the beneficial effects of fasting on seizures, suggesting targeted dietary strategies may be effective for patients without DEPDC5 mutations.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 8, 2022

Fix up Earth to exit COVID-19: Critical link between environment, pandemics

A new study by Flinders University researchers highlights the critical link between environmental degradation and pandemics, emphasizing the need for urgent ecosystem restoration efforts to aid in COVID-19 recovery. The study suggests that up to 95% of land on Earth will be degraded by 2050 if effective measures are not taken.

SourceFlinders University·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2022

Black children with complex communication needs face instructional deficits

A new study reveals that Black children with complex communication needs receive significantly less AAC-based instruction than their white counterparts. Research examined two waves of data from 78 children and found that only 29% of Black students received 90 minutes or more of AAC instruction per week, compared to 63% of white students.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Speech-Language Pathology·DateSep 8, 2022

Mount Sinai researchers unravel the crystal structure of a key enzyme of SARS-CoV-2, paving the way for new antivirals

Researchers at Mount Sinai have produced a high-resolution crystal structure of the nsp14 enzyme essential to SARS-CoV-2 survival. This discovery could lead to the design of new antivirals to combat current and future coronaviruses.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2022

Changes to Toronto’s public transit system would eliminate barriers, retain riders

A new study from the University of Waterloo highlights the need for Toronto's public transit system to improve its accessibility and affordability to retain vulnerable users. The researchers recommend a reassessment of travel networks, equitable pricing, and enhanced safety measures to connect core riders better with the rest of the city.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Planning and Policy / Aménagement et politique au Canada·DateSep 8, 2022

Pregnant women with obesity and diabetes may be more likely to have a child with ADHD

Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes and obesity are twice as likely to develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new study. The researchers found that excessive weight gain during pregnancy was a significant risk factor for ADHD in offspring, but not within normal weight gain ranges.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateSep 8, 2022

How to deal with sleep problems during heat waves

Researchers from the European Insomnia Network found that outdoor nighttime temperatures outside thermal comfort can affect human sleep. To combat this, try keeping a bedroom below 25 degrees Celsius, using fans instead of air conditioning, and staying hydrated during heatwaves.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateSep 8, 2022

Climate simulation reveals the regional differences and controlling factors of precipitation isotope changes in Asian monsoon and arid regions for the past 300,000 years

A climate simulation study analyzed precipitation isotope changes in Asian monsoon and arid regions over the past 300,000 years. The study found significant regional differences in annual δ18Op variations, with distinct controlling factors for each region.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateSep 8, 2022

Chlamydia’s stealthy cloaking device identified

Researchers at Duke University have discovered a protein called GarD that cloaks Chlamydia bacteria from the host cell's immune system, allowing it to evade detection and elimination. Mutating this protein makes the bacteria vulnerable to destruction, offering new avenues for treatment.

SourceDuke University·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2022

New study in Earth Science Frontiers explores an untapped reserve of oil and gas resources

A research team analyzed the economic feasibility of in situ upgrading technology by assessing the energy consumption ratio. They found that appropriate well spacing and minimum total organic content are crucial for efficient energy use. The study aims to promote the application of this technology for optimized oil shale exploitation.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalEarth Science Frontiers·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 8, 2022

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University show that all COVID-19 infections include a wide mix of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found wide genetic variation in SARS-CoV-2 viruses among 360 patients, showing that all individual infections include multiple variants of the virus. The study highlights the importance of examining variations that are historically considered noise to better understand how these genetic ch...

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateSep 8, 2022

Research Brief: Study examines how to improve hospitalized patients' access to antimicrobials

The study found that hospitals vary in their stocking practices and often rely on wholesale distributors or neighboring facilities to acquire non-stocked antimicrobials. Researchers recommend improving information sharing and collaboration among local hospitals to reduce barriers to timely treatment.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalJournal of the American Pharmacists Association·TypeSurvey·DateSep 8, 2022

NIH researchers develop gene therapy for rare ciliopathy

Researchers have developed a gene therapy that rescues cilia defects in retinal cells affected by Leber congenital amaurosis, a disease causing blindness in early childhood. The therapy restores opsin protein concentration in photoreceptor outer segments, suggesting functional NPHP5 may stabilize the primary cilium gate.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2022

Suffocating cancer cells

Researchers have developed a synthetic drug that stops cancer cells from producing energy by blocking oxygen conversion. The tiny hairs formed by the drug's molecules can kill even aggressive and untreatable cancer cells within four hours.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Polymer Research·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2022

How can dermatology take action against climate change?

The International Journal of Dermatology calls on dermatologists to take action against climate change by reducing carbon emissions through increased use of telehealth. The authors also emphasize the need for funding prioritization for climate-health research to improve healthcare sustainability and decarbonize the profession.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Dermatology·DateSep 8, 2022

New study in JNCCN suggests way to predict outcomes with high accuracy prior to surgery for pancreatic cancer patients

Researchers at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center found that metabolic imaging, combined with traditional treatment response assessment methods, can provide critical information to guide therapy for pancreatic cancer patients. The use of positron emission tomography (PET) with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) tracer adds significant pr...

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateSep 8, 2022

Dr. Nathan Hogaboom of Kessler Foundation named winner of the Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development by the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine

Dr. Nathan Hogaboom has won the prestigious Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development for his pioneering work on regenerative rehabilitation research in spinal cord injury. His award-winning study applied novel principles to treat debilitating shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.

Intimate partner violence among some LGBT couples increased during pandemic

A Rutgers University study found that over 18% of previously abused LGBT residents reported increased intimate partner violence during the early days of the pandemic. Those living in the South and with moderate to severe depression were particularly affected, being more than four times as likely to report increased instances of IPV.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services·TypeSurvey·DateSep 8, 2022