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Science News Archive September 2022 - Page 4


Page 4 of 38

The pros and cons of telemental health

A recent study found that telemental health can be effective in reducing treatment gaps and improving access to mental health care, especially for marginalized groups. However, it is crucial to consider individual preferences, circumstances, and technological access when implementing this approach.

SourceKing's College London·JournalInteractive Journal of Medical Research·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 28, 2022

Omega-3 fatty acids, and in particular DHA, are associated with increased attention scores in adolescents

A study of 332 adolescents found that higher levels of DHA were associated with better selective and sustained attention, while ALA was linked to lower impulsivity. The results suggest the importance of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids for healthy brain development.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2022

New York City coyotes do not need to rely on human food

Researchers analyzed DNA from coyote fecal samples to understand their diet in NYC. They found that coyotes eat a variety of native prey species, including raccoons and deer, as well as human-sourced food items. Urban coyotes consumed ~60% human food, while non-urban coyotes ate a wider range of natural food items.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2022

Machine learning creates opportunity for new personalized therapies

Researchers developed a computational platform to identify metabolic vulnerabilities in ovarian cancer genes, suggesting opportunities for targeted therapies. The study found that certain genetic alterations can create vulnerabilities in cancer cell metabolism, which can be exploited to selectively kill cancer cells.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Surface mapping a reliable diagnostic tool for gut health

Researchers at University of Auckland developed a non-invasive surface mapping tool to detect gastric slow wave activity, identifying two distinct disease subgroups in chronic nausea and vomiting syndromes. The technology has proven reliable for recording bio-electrical activity on the gut's surface and detecting changes in electromagn...

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Revealing the genome of the common ancestor of all mammals

Researchers reconstructed the genome organization of the earliest common ancestor of all mammals using high-quality genome sequences from 32 living species. The study reveals that the mammal ancestor had 19 autosomal chromosomes and conserved gene blocks across modern mammalian genomes.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 28, 2022

Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville trial shows that a bionic pancreas improves type 1 diabetes management compared to standard insulin delivery method

A bionic pancreas, which automatically delivers insulin based on blood glucose levels, was more effective than standard care at maintaining normal blood sugar levels. The study, funded by NIDDK and conducted at Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville, found the device to require less user input and provide more automation.

SourceNemours·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 28, 2022

Researchers refute common sleep myths about adolescents held by parents and caregivers

A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers surveyed parents and caregivers, finding that more than two-thirds believed in the top three most salient myths about sleep. The authors refute these myths, citing studies showing varying sleep schedules on weekends can worsen sleep, delayed school start times result in increased slee...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalSleep Health·TypeSurvey·DateSep 28, 2022

Scientists create 'non-psychedelic' compound with same anti-depressant effect

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill, UC San Francisco, Yale, Duke, and Stanford have developed a new compound that targets the same brain cell receptor as psychedelic drugs but triggers long-lasting antidepressant action without psychedelic effects. The compound is patented by Yale, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UCSF and licensed to Onsero.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Brazilian soybean growers’ use of biofertilizer is highlighted by a leading science journal

Using biofertilizer on 80% of their planted area, Brazilian soybean growers enjoy environmental and economic benefits by employing the microbiome instead of chemical fertilizers. The use of biofertilizer saves farmers huge amounts of money, with costs significantly lower than chemical fertilizer.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateSep 28, 2022

Immune function remodeled by mitochondrial shape

A new study led by Erika Pearce at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the shape and function of mitochondria in Th17 cells play a crucial role in controlling their autoimmune activity. The researchers identified several molecules, including LKB1, that can influence this process, paving the way for potential therapeutic modifications.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateSep 28, 2022

Research Brief: Explanations behind possible link between increased risk of most common childhood cancer and people with obesity prior to pregnancy

Researchers investigated the possible connection between maternal obesity and an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. Changes in fetal epigenetics, insulin-like growth factor profiles, and immune cell populations have been proposed as potential explanations for this association.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalLeukemia Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 28, 2022

Machine learning helps scientists peer (a second) into the future

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new machine learning method called next-generation reservoir computing that can learn spatiotemporal chaotic systems in a fraction of the time. The algorithm is more accurate and uses less training data, making it easier to predict complex physical processes like Earth's weather.

SourceOhio State University·JournalChaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 28, 2022

The process of waves carrying plasma heat is observed for the first time in the world

Researchers at National Institutes of Natural Sciences observe plasma heating due to electromagnetic waves for the first time. They used a new measurement system to capture ultrahigh-speed data, revealing that Landau damping transfers energy from high-energy particles to electromagnetic waves, which then heat the plasma.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Did the pandemic change our personalities?

A study of 7,109 Americans found small shifts in personality traits between pre-pandemic and 2022, with younger adults showing disrupted maturity. The changes were about one-tenth of a standard deviation and suggest that population-wide stressful events can slightly bend the trajectory of personality.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2022

How fish survive the extreme pressures of life in the oceans

Researchers at the University of Leeds have found a molecule called TMAO that helps marine organisms withstand high pressure in the deep oceans. The study used neutron scattering to analyze how TMAO strengthens and stabilizes the hydrogen bonding in water molecules, allowing them to resist extreme pressure.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2022

Dogs can smell when we’re stressed, study suggests

A new study found that dogs can differentiate between breath and sweat samples from people before and after a stress-inducing task with an accuracy of 93.75%. The researchers believe that dogs are able to detect changes in volatile organic compounds produced by humans in response to stress.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Study links cold water shock to catastrophic coral collapse in the Eastern Pacific

A recent study by the University of Plymouth and international partners reveals that rapid sea temperature drops of up to 10 degrees were a primary cause of a devastating coral die-off event in Costa Rica's Eastern Tropical Pacific. The research highlights the importance of considering upwellings when managing reef systems, and propose...

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalPeerJ·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2022

Evangelical Christians were less likely to get COVID-19 vaccine after conversations with faith leaders

A VCU-led study found that evangelical Christians who sought information from their religious leaders were less likely to get vaccinated, while those who spoke with a health care provider were more likely. The study highlights the influence of faith-based and healthcare providers on vaccine decision-making.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateSep 28, 2022

Edward Chouchani, PhD (Dana-Farber) and Ömer Yilmaz, MD, PhD (MIT) receive 2022 Breakthroughs In Gerontology (BIG) Awards from The Glenn Foundation for Medical Research and AFAR

Edward Chouchani, PhD, and Ömer Yilmaz, MD, PhD, will use the BIG Award to investigate redox active metabolites' role in longevity and age, and their impact on intestinal stem cells. Their research may lead to new therapeutics targeting human aging and healthspan.

Brain development of the preterm baby is improved by supporting emotional connection with the parent

A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine has found that supporting emotional connections between mothers and their premature infants can significantly improve brain development in these babies. The researchers measured the brain network functions of premature infants at term age after receiving either standard care or...

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 28, 2022

Novel 2-photon fluorescence microscopy imaging system developed by University of Rochester researchers could mean near-instant biopsy results

Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a novel 2-photon fluorescence microscopy imaging system that can detect basal cell carcinoma with perfect accuracy and squamous cell carcinoma with high accuracy. The system shortens the biopsy process to two minutes, enabling immediate treatment decisions for patients.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalJAMA Dermatology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022