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Science News Archive September 2022 - Page 12


Page 12 of 38

Shedding light on the happy hormone

A novel fluorescent sensor has been developed to visualize the release of oxytocin, also known as the 'happy hormone', in living animals. The sensor, called MTRIA OT, allows for real-time measurement of extracellular oxytocin dynamics in the brain, revealing variability in OT levels dependent on behavioral and physical conditions.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Methods·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

A swarm of 3D printing drones for construction and repair

A team of Swiss researchers has developed Aerial Additive Manufacturing (AAM), a system that uses flying drones to print materials for construction projects. The technology enables on-site manufacturing and building in difficult-to-access or dangerous locations, such as post-disaster relief construction and tall buildings.

Biologists unveil clues to evolutionary origins of brown-colored algae for health, biofuels research

Brown algae's unique pigments have evolved through a complex genetic pathway, enabling them to harness more light energy than green plants. This discovery could lead to insights into fucoxanthin's health applications and improved photosynthetic efficiency for biofuels production.

SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

Scientists publish perspective paper exploring use of artificial intelligence in skin diseases

A team of scientists from China published a perspective paper on the use of AI in skin diseases, highlighting its potential to assist clinicians. They propose several recommendations to improve AI-assisted diagnosis systems, including establishing a robust database and adapting algorithms to existing real-world databases.

SourceHealth Data Science·JournalHealth Data Science·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 22, 2022

A review on mobile sensing in the COVID-19 era

Researchers reviewed mobile sensing designs, outcomes, and limitations to better understand its capacity for remote detection, longitudinal tracking, and exposure tracing. Despite technical and societal challenges, advances in data analytics and machine learning may improve data quality and scalability.

SourceHealth Data Science·JournalHealth Data Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

RNA-editing tool a fast, sensitive test for COVID-19

Researchers developed an engineered Cas13 system that detects SARS-CoV-2 in biological samples with high sensitivity and speed. The new platform outperforms traditional PCR testing, finding 10 out of 11 positives and no false positives in clinical samples.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

A healthy lifestyle may help former smokers lower their risk of death from all causes

A recent study found that former smokers who stick to a healthy lifestyle have a lower risk of dying from all causes, including cancer and heart and lung diseases. The study analyzed data from over 159,000 former smokers and found that maintaining a healthy lifestyle was associated with a 27% reduction in the risk of death.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

Groundbreaking discovery from South Africa challenges the recent re-interpretation of magma chambers

Researchers have found evidence for a massive, molten chamber within the ancient crust of South Africa, contradicting recent views on the existence and longevity of such structures. The discovery suggests that 'big tank' magma chambers may be more common than thought, with implications for our understanding of Earth's geological history.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNature·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 22, 2022

It may already be too late to meet UN genetic diversity target, but new findings could guide conservation efforts

A study published in Science found that more than one-tenth of the world's terrestrial genetic diversity may already be lost due to climate change and habitat destruction. This could have serious implications for species' ability to adapt to climate change, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2022

Little rodent, big appetite

Invasive house mice on Southeast Farallon Island consume and compete with native species for food, leading to significant impacts on the island ecosystem. The study found that mice are highly opportunistic eaters whose diets vary throughout the year in response to changes in food availability.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalPeerJ·DateSep 22, 2022

St. Jude finds a new way to identify ‘safe harbor’ for gene therapies

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have created a tool to identify 'safe harbor' sites for gene therapies, balancing safety and therapeutic expression. The tool uses genomic and epigenetic information to find regions with high variability among healthy individuals, reducing the risk of cancer or other problems.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalGenome Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

COVID-19 infections increase risk of long-term brain problems

New research shows that COVID-19 infections can lead to a range of neurological complications in the first year after infection, including strokes, cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, and migraine headaches. The study analyzed over 14 million medical records and found that COVID-19 survivors were at increased risk of developing the...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

Monkeypox outbreak highlights need for One Health approach to prevent future zoonotic diseases

The current global monkeypox outbreak emphasizes the importance of a preventative One Health approach to minimize the risk of future emergence of known and unknown zoonotic pathogens. This is particularly crucial with the majority of people worldwide living in high population densities in cities, facilitating the spread of infectious d...

SourceCABI·JournalCABI One Health·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 22, 2022

Novel method to predict behavior of different COVID-19 waves in the vaccinated or previously infected

Researchers developed a faster, more affordable method to analyze serological data and predict COVID-19 wave behavior. The study showed that vaccination boosted immunity, with hybrid immunity producing higher protection levels. Antibody levels rose quickly after the first dose, especially in cities where case numbers were highest.

Climate change is making lakes less blue

A new study finds that climate change may decrease the percentage of blue lakes worldwide, leading to shifts in lake water color and ecosystem health. The research uses satellite images to determine a global inventory of lake colors, finding that green-brown lakes are more widespread than previously thought.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 22, 2022

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Eruption blasted vast quantities of water vapor into the stratosphere

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption injected at least 50 million metric tons of water vapor directly into the stratosphere, potentially increasing global stratospheric water vapor by more than 5%. This unprecedented event could lead to changes in atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, including stratospheric cooling and surface warming.

Shocking paint – let’s get cell in

Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, have developed a novel polymer-based solution that enables easy delivery of large molecules to cells. By applying hypertonic solutions, they can induce osmotic stress and relax the cell membrane, allowing for precise control over molecule transfer.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science·DateSep 22, 2022

Substance use disorder treatment during COVID-19

Researchers analyzed changes in substance use disorder treatment admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing significant disparities by sex and ethnicity. The study highlights the need for tailored treatment approaches to address these inequities and ensure equitable access to care.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 22, 2022

Teams of sperm swim more smoothly against the current

A recent study found that sperm clustering in viscoelastic fluid offers three biological benefits: reduced direction changes, improved alignment, and increased safety from strong flows. This research may inform studies on infertility and provide better selection of sperm for assisted-reproduction technologies.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

Pin-prick blood test identifies immunity to COVID-19

A finger-prick blood test developed by Cardiff University researchers can identify individuals most at risk of being reinfected with COVID-19. The test measures T cells that recognize SARS-CoV-2 and shows those with a stronger response are best protected from the virus.

SourceCardiff University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

The greatest increase in animal species in the history of the Earth can help us understand and control ocean deoxygenation

A recent study published in Communications Earth & Environment found that stable oxygen levels in the ocean, rather than high oxygen levels alone, triggered the greatest increase in animal species in Earth's history. This discovery may help scientists preserve marine ecosystems and understand how to control ocean deoxygenation.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

Modulating MoSe2 functional plane via doping-defect engineering strategy to develop conductive and electrocatalytic mediators in Li-S batteries

Researchers developed a conductive and electrocatalytic mediator for Li-S batteries by modulating the MoSe2 functional plane through doping-defect engineering. This approach improves lithium polysulfide adsorption, reducing the shuttle effect and enhancing overall battery performance.

Clarifying the chaos of narwhal behavior

Long-term monitoring data reveals previously undetected diurnal patterns in narwhal behavior, including changes in surface activity and diving patterns influenced by sea ice and squid migration. The study's method can be applied to assess the challenges faced by narwhals and other Arctic animals due to climate change.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2022

Aged neurons generated directly from skin more accurately model Parkinson’s disease

Researchers have successfully created dopaminergic neurons directly from the skin of patients with Parkinson's disease, preserving aged characteristics and cellular defects. This breakthrough allows for modeling PD-related neuronal defects in a larger cohort of patients, aiming to identify disease causes and potential therapies.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateSep 22, 2022