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Science News Archive September 2022 - Page 11


Page 11 of 38

Findings explain exceptional auditory abilities in Williams-Beuren Syndrome

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified the mechanism behind superior auditory abilities in Williams-Beuren Syndrome patients as hyperexcitable interneurons in the auditory cortex. The study suggests that reducing neuronal hyperexcitability might be a general mechanism for treating WBS through targeting VIPR1.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2022

Endoscopy COVID-19 testing requirements disproportionately impact medically underserved communities

Medically underserved communities face significant barriers to endoscopy-related COVID-19 testing, potentially worsening health care disparities. Researchers recommend addressing these challenges by mailing test kits or offering rapid testing to mitigate delays in diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal illnesses.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalGastroenterology·TypeSurvey·DateSep 22, 2022

Villaseñor co-authors PNAS paper on extinction of megafauna

A study co-authored by Amelia Villaseñor reveals that the extinction of megafauna in North America more than 10,000 years ago resulted in a reorganized, vulnerable ecosystem. The research found that surviving mammal communities were affected, with vacant niches and changes in dietary habits.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateSep 22, 2022

Big planets get a head start in pancake-thin nurseries

A study at Europlanet Science Congress 2022 found that super-thin planet nurseries can accelerate the formation of big planets. The team observed a remarkably thin disc of dust and gas around a young star, where large particles settled into a dense midplane, creating conditions favourable for planetary growth.

Warming oceans are changing Australian reef fish populations

Researchers analyzed data from Australia's Reef Life Survey and two major reef monitoring programs to understand the effects of warming waters on reef fish populations. The study found that temperature changes had a greater impact on temperate reefs, while tropical reefs were more affected by habitat changes such as coral bleaching.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2022

UK trial shows remission from type 2 diabetes possible even in people with lower body weight – supporting idea that everyone has a ‘personal fat threshold’

A UK trial found that 70% of people with normal weight and type 2 diabetes entered remission by losing around 10% of their body weight, supporting the concept of a personal fat threshold. The study showed that even though participants had normal BMI, they had higher levels of fat in their liver and pancreas than healthy controls.

Gut microbiomes help bears with very different diets reach the same size

A recent study of Alaskan brown bears reveals that their gut microbiomes play a crucial role in supporting health and achieving comparable size despite eating vastly different diets. The research sheds light on the importance of diverse dietary niches for bears, which can help them extract nutrition from various food sources.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateSep 22, 2022

University of Colorado research shows that telehealth follow-up after gall bladder surgery is just as effective as in-person clinic visits

A new research study by Danielle Abbitt, MD, shows that telehealth follow-up appointments are just as effective as in-clinic visits for detecting and addressing postoperative complications. The study found no significant difference in complication rates or emergency department utilization between telehealth and in-person follow-ups.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalSurgical Endoscopy·DateSep 22, 2022

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers design durable organic semiconductor photocathodes with metal foil encapsulation

Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology design a novel approach to create durable organic semiconductor photocathodes, enabling high-efficiency conversion of solar energy to hydrogen. The developed photocathodes demonstrate remarkable stability and can produce hydrogen under actual sunlight.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

BU study: Monthly caps on out-of-pocket costs would provide financial relief to privately insured patients

A new study found that placing a monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs for commercially insured patients could lower their highest monthly healthcare bills by 50-60%. A $500 monthly limit would affect about 25% of enrollees and reduce in-network OOP costs over a year by 46%, while a $250 limit would show a 51% reduction.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateSep 22, 2022

Babies react to taste and smell in the womb – new research

Scientists recorded facial expressions of 100 unborn babies to see how they reacted to carrot and kale flavours. Fetuses exposed to carrot showed more laughter-like responses, while those exposed to kale showed more crying-like responses. This study could help understand the development of human taste and smell receptors.

SourceAston University·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

Ultracold circuits

Researchers at the University of Basel have achieved a record low temperature of 220 microkelvin by cooling an electric circuit made of copper on a silicon chip using magnetic fields and an improved thermometer. This breakthrough allows for further study of quantum effects and potential applications in quantum technologies.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

A new understanding of the neurobiology of impulsivity

A new genetically based score developed by McGill University researchers can identify children at high risk for impulsive behavior with a high degree of accuracy. The score was created by analyzing the co-expression of genes in key brain regions, providing a novel understanding of the neurobiology of impulsivity.

SourceMcGill University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateSep 22, 2022

The Lancet Psychiatry: Adults with a history of childhood trauma can benefit from recommended depression treatments, contrary to current theory

A new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that adults with a history of childhood trauma can experience symptom improvement after pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, or combination treatment. Despite previous theories, these common treatments are effective for patients with childhood trauma.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

Solvent study solves solar cell durability puzzle

Researchers at Rice University have created stable and efficient halide perovskite solar cells by finding the right solvent design to apply a 2D top layer on top of a 3D bottom layer. The new method achieves high power conversion efficiencies, comparable to commercially available solar cells, while maintaining stability.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

Key element for a scalable quantum computer

Physicists at Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University have successfully transferred electrons over several micrometres on a quantum chip, paving the way for a scalable quantum computer architecture that can support millions of qubits. The 'quantum bus' approach enables the coupling of qubits without the need for extensive c...

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·Journalnpj Quantum Information·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

A sea change for plastic pollution: New material biodegrades in ocean water

Scientists at the University of California San Diego have developed a new biodegradable polyurethane material that can break down in seawater, reducing plastic pollution. The material was tested in marine environments and found to be degraded by microorganisms, which consume the chemicals as nutrients.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

Journal editorial: Regenstrief researcher calls for tailoring colorectal cancer screening for 45-to-49-year-olds

The author suggests that individuals at average risk between 45 and 49 years old should consider non-invasive screening alternatives, such as fecal immunochemical tests or stool DNA testing. This approach would benefit others who need more invasive screening resources and reduce the strain on colonoscopy services.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateSep 22, 2022