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Science News Archive September 2022 - Page 17


Page 17 of 38

Don’t look at me like that!

A new study has decoded information about how we process gazes and facial expressions, revealing that emotional expressions of faces significantly impact our attention. The results show that faces showing joy or anger attract attention when looking directly at the observer, while disgusted faces with an averted gaze do the opposite.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022

New University of Ottawa research provides theory on why women stopped menstruating upon arrival at Nazi death camps

A new paper published in Social Science & Medicine proposes that synthetic steroids were administered to female captives in Nazi concentration camps to prevent menstruation and fertility. The study, led by Dr. Peggy J. Kleinplatz, is based on historical evidence and testimony from Holocaust survivors, who reported suspicious food ratio...

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateSep 20, 2022

New Chinese Medical Journal review elucidates potential contributors to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

A new Chinese Medical Journal review article elucidates the potential contributors to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression, highlighting the role of bile acid and sphingolipid biology. Researchers summarize current understanding of NAFLD, its progression, and potential therapeutic strategies.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 20, 2022

How cells take out the garbage

A team of researchers at Osaka University has identified a specific enzyme complex that initiates the removal of damaged lysosomes from cells. The complex, composed of CUL4A, DDB1, and WDFY1 proteins, acts preferentially during lysophagy to facilitate the degradation process.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022

Protein restriction can be effective in combating obesity and diabetes, study suggests

A randomized clinical trial found that protein restriction diets can lead to weight loss, improved blood sugar and lipid levels, and controlled blood pressure. The study involved 21 patients with metabolic syndrome, who were given either a calorie or protein restriction diet for 27 days.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNutrients·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 20, 2022

Mount Sinai researchers use artificial intelligence to uncover the cellular origins of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders

The study used a weakly supervised deep learning algorithm to analyze human brain autopsy tissues and predict the presence or absence of cognitive impairment. The model identified a signal associated with decreasing myelin staining, which was linked to cognitive impairment in the white matter.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalActa Neuropathologica Communications·DateSep 20, 2022

In Israel, COVID vaccines have been offered to five-to 11-year-olds for nearly a year, so why are so few vaccinated?

A study of Israeli parents found that only 20% of children aged 5-11 have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Parents prioritize returning to school and everyday life over protecting their children from the virus, with many expressing concerns about vaccine safety rather than COVID-19's severity.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics·DateSep 20, 2022

Scientists identify unique breast cancer cells that control their ability to proliferate and colonize the lungs

Researchers discovered a type of triple-negative breast cancer cell that can trigger dormancy, evading therapies and allowing for efficient survival in distant organs. This finding highlights the need for more selective therapeutic strategies targeting both dividing and invasive dormant cells.

Malaria spike linked to amphibian die-off

A study from the University of California, Davis found a clear connection between an amphibian die-off and a spike in malaria cases in Costa Rica and Panama. The research suggests that stable ecosystems are crucial for disease prevention and health, and massive ecosystem disruptions can have significant consequences for human well-being.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 20, 2022

Molecular changes in the brain in the aftermath of a traumatic event may help explain long-term susceptibility or resilience

Researchers found that stressed mice exhibited decreased neuron excitability in the dorsal hippocampus, which may drive social avoidance, while resilient mice showed increased excitability. This difference was linked to changes in stress hormone receptors and HCN1 protein expression.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateSep 20, 2022

HKU initiates Global Ant Census

A recent study by the University of Hong Kong estimates that there are between 20 x 10^15 and 2 x 10^17 individuals on Earth, weighing more than all wild birds and mammals combined. The study also found that ants are unevenly distributed over the global land surface, with tropical regions harbouring more ants than non-tropical regions.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateSep 20, 2022

Rapid land sinking is making many coastal cities worldwide vulnerable to sea level rise, finds international group of scientists

A team of international scientists found that many densely populated coastal cities worldwide are at risk from sea level rise due to land subsidence. The study used satellite images to estimate the rate of land sinking in 48 cities, with median speeds ranging from 16.2mm/year to 43mm/year.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateSep 20, 2022

University of Maryland School of Medicine and UMBC receive NIH FIRST grant to recruit new underrepresented faculty

The University of Maryland School of Medicine and UMBC have been awarded a 5-year, $13.7 million NIH grant to enhance efforts in recruiting and training junior faculty from underrepresented groups in biomedical science. The grant aims to build self-reinforcing communities of scientists committed to diversity and inclusive excellence.

Many heart-related emergencies are due to uncontrolled blood pressure

A recent study by the American Heart Association highlights that poorly controlled high blood pressure is a leading cause of cardiovascular emergencies in the US. The study analyzed over 20 million emergency department visits and found that 13% were for essential hypertension, which led to hospital admission less than 3% of the time.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateSep 20, 2022

Role of overconfidence and perceived ability in preferences for income equality

A new study by Tokyo University of Science researchers reveals that overconfidence in one's ability can lead to a desire for income equality, but with nuances. Participants who experienced a gap between their income and self-evaluated ability were more likely to support reducing income inequality, particularly among left-wing individuals.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalEuropean Journal of Political Economy·TypeSurvey·DateSep 20, 2022

As health problems stack up, so do serious financial woes, study shows

A new study from Michigan Medicine found that adults with more chronic health conditions are at higher risk of serious financial problems, including late payments, poor credit scores, and bankruptcy. The study analyzed nearly 3 million privately insured adults and found that those with seven or more chronic conditions had three to four...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 20, 2022

Mathematics enable scientists to understand organization within a cell’s nucleus

Researchers developed a new mathematical technique to analyze cell nucleus organization, revealing self-sustaining transcription clusters that play a key role in maintaining cell identity. This understanding may expose vulnerabilities for targeting cancer cells and reprogramming them to stop uncontrollable cell division.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022

New study finds that natural gas leaked from interstate pipelines contains hazardous air pollutants and carcinogens

A new study published in Environmental Research Letters found that natural gas transported by interstate pipelines contains hazardous air pollutants and known human carcinogens. The study analyzed industry-reported data and found surprising levels of harmful air pollutants, including benzene, mercury, radon, and hydrogen sulfide.

SourcePSE Healthy Energy·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 20, 2022

Researchers discover dozens of genetic defects important for immune defence - relevant for patients with rare diseases

Two studies identify 22 previously unreported NFKB1 variants linked to immune system dysfunction, including reduced expression of the protein and altered gene expression. The findings suggest targeted inhibition of NFkB signaling pathway components as an attractive therapeutic approach for treating these diseases.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateSep 20, 2022

Neurologic complications of smallpox, monkeypox

This review examines the known neurologic complications of smallpox and monkeypox, including their complications from vaccination. The study highlights the importance of understanding these neurological effects to improve treatment and prevention strategies.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateSep 20, 2022

Plant breeding: Using “invisible” chromosomes to pass on packages of positive traits

Researchers at KIT have developed a method to suppress nine-tenths of a chromosome using CRISPR/Cas molecular scissors, preventing genetic exchange and allowing positive traits to be passed on together. This technique can improve the efficiency of crop breeding by combining favorable traits in one plant.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022

Home ownership leads to less happiness than expected

A study by University of Basel economists found that homeownership leads to increased happiness, but not as long as predicted. Status-oriented individuals overestimated the benefits of home ownership, while intrinsically-oriented individuals were more accurate in their expectations.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 20, 2022

UF researchers find new sugar substitutes in citrus that could change food and beverage industry

Researchers at the University of Florida have identified eight new sweetener compounds in 11 citrus cultivars, providing a potential solution to reduce sugar content in processed foods while maintaining sweetness. This breakthrough could lead to the development of natural, non-caloric sweeteners for the food industry.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateSep 20, 2022