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Science News Archive September 2022 - Page 5


Page 5 of 38

Exposure to air pollution worsens COVID-19 outcomes, even among the fully vaccinated

Researchers found that air pollutants, particularly fine particles and nitrogen dioxide, increase the risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations up to 30% in vaccinated individuals. Long-term exposure also worsens outcomes, even among those fully vaccinated, highlighting the importance of improving indoor air quality.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 28, 2022

Haze pollution levels exhibit short-term seesaw behavior over North China Plain

Researchers observed a short-term 'seesaw' phenomenon in haze pollution over the North China Plain, with periods of high pollution followed by low haze levels. The study suggests that sudden changes in atmospheric movement linked to abnormal sea surface temperatures are responsible for this behavior.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateSep 28, 2022

Compostable bioleather offers sustainable solutions for the clothing industry and beyond

Researchers at Columbia Engineering created a compostable bioleather with superior flame-retardance and low environmental impact. The microbial nanocellulose (MC) bioleather has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than synthetic leather or cotton, making it an attractive alternative to traditional leather.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalEnvironmental Science Advances·DateSep 28, 2022

From droplet to discovery

Researchers found that proteins coalesce into a liquid droplet to process and relay information in stem cells, which could be a target for cancer therapies. The droplet's unique structure enables efficient processing of proteins, making it a crucial component in cancer development.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 28, 2022

Are extreme heat waves happening more than expected? UCLA research says not yet

A new study by UCLA climate scientist Karen McKinnon found that the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave was roughly a once-in-10,000-years event. The research analyzed historical trends and climate model simulations, concluding that climate change is increasing heat waves and average summer temperatures at the same pace.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 28, 2022

Men's experiences of sexual racism differ in two online dating communities

A recent survey found that 99% of Black men in online dating reported encountering racialized sexual discrimination. Men who primarily used Grindr reported more frequent instances of white men rejecting them due to their skin color, while those who used Jack'd experienced greater prevalence of same-race physical objectification. These ...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateSep 28, 2022

A next-generation liquid biopsy detects nano-sized signs of breast cancer in early-stage patients, USC researchers find.

A USC-led team has found indications for an early breast cancer detection method using high-definition liquid biopsies. The test detected multiple cancer biomarkers, including 'oncosomes,' in the blood samples of most early-stage breast cancer patients.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·Journalnpj Breast Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 28, 2022

Action must be taken to help retain older anesthetists to prevent staff shortage of 11,000 by 2040, preventing more than 8 million operations

The UK anaesthesia workforce is facing a large-scale staff shortage of 11,000 by 2040, primarily due to the retirement of experienced anaesthetists. The paper proposes solutions such as part-time working, standardized retire-and-return policies, and addressing health and educational needs of anaesthetists as they age.

SourceAAGBI·JournalAnaesthesia·DateSep 28, 2022

Molecular engineering toward sustainable development of multiple-doped hierarchical porous carbons for superior zinc ion storage

Researchers developed a novel material fabrication strategy to create highly porous carbons with multiple heteroatoms doping, achieving outstanding storage capacities and performance. The strategy enables the design of carbon materials for different applications without compromising environmental issues.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Materials·DateSep 28, 2022

Engineering robust and scalable molecular qubits

Molecular qubits are more stable in asymmetric environments, according to a study published in Physical Review X. This discovery opens new doors for potential applications of emerging technology. The asymmetric environment provides coherence protection, allowing the qubits to keep their quantum information even in chaotic places.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPhysical Review X·DateSep 28, 2022

Two birds one stone strategy to treat both joint pain and cognitive impairment in rheumatoid arthritis

A study found that aberrant expression of MAO-B causes both peripheral and neuroinflammation in RA patients, leading to joint pain and cognitive impairment. Administering an MAO-B inhibitor called KDS2010 improved both joint inflammation and cognitive function in a RA animal model.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalExperimental & Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Encouraging girls to roleplay as successful female scientists could help close the gender gap in STEM

Research suggests that encouraging girls to roleplay as successful female scientists can increase their persistence in science activities, counteracting negative gender stereotypes. By pretending to be a scientist, girls may psychologically distance themselves from biases and feel more engaged in STEM fields.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Engineers discover new process for synthetic material growth, enabling soft robots that grow like plants

Researchers developed a plant-inspired extrusion process for synthetic material growth, enabling soft robots to create new material and navigate obstacles. This technology has applications in remote areas and biomedical fields, potentially reducing the need for expensive machinery.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Chinese researchers reveal SERCA2a as a molecular link between insulin resistance and the early pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy

A recent study published in Life Metabolism found that impaired phosphorylation of SERCA2a plays a bidirectional role in myocardial insulin resistance, dysregulation of calcium homeostasis, and the early stages of DCM. This mechanism involves the regulation of protein stability and insulin receptor maturation.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalLife Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Lunar glass shows Moon asteroid impacts mirrored on Earth

A Curtin-led research team found asteroid impacts on the Moon millions of years ago coincide with large meteorite impacts on Earth, such as the one that wiped out dinosaurs. The study also reveals that major impact events on Earth were accompanied by smaller impacts, providing new insights into asteroid dynamics.

SourceCurtin University·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 28, 2022

New 3D printing method designed by Stanford engineers promises faster printing with multiple materials

Researchers at Stanford University have designed a new 3D printing method called injection CLIP (iCLIP) that is 5-10 times faster than the quickest high-resolution printer currently available. This technology allows for the use of multiple types of resin in a single object, enabling the creation of complex objects with varying properti...

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 28, 2022

3D printing can now manufacture customized sensors for robots, pacemakers, and more

A new 3D printing technique allows for the mass production of customized electronic machines, enabling advanced applications in robotics, medical devices, and others. This breakthrough could revolutionize manufacturing by providing a cost-effective solution for producing sensors in smaller volumes.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Kidney resident macrophages have distinct subpopulations and occupy distinct microenvironments

Researchers identified seven distinct subpopulations of kidney resident macrophages, each with unique transcriptomic signatures and functions. These subpopulations are associated with different portions of the nephron and have distinct roles in protecting the kidney from infection and maintaining tissue health.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJCI Insight·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Focusing on complex waves

A team from Kyoto University has demonstrated that deep-water wave groups can propagate independently, regardless of interference. This finding challenges existing understanding of ocean waves and has implications for fields like offshore engineering and plasma physics.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

An emergency department-based ICU improves survival without raising costs, study finds

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that the Emergency Critical Care Center within an emergency department improved patient survival rates without increasing costs. The ED-ICU model reduced total direct cost per encounter by 22.1% for critically ill patients, likely due to early, coordinated critical care.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 28, 2022

In a study recently published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers at Juntendo University unravel a biomolecule that mitigates eczema in mice

A team of researchers at Juntendo University has identified a biomolecule called human-β-defensin-3 (hBD-3) that can mitigate eczema in mice by regulating autophagy and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway. This discovery provides new insights into the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and potential therapeutic solutions.

SourceJuntendo University Research Promotion Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

DryEyeRhythm: A reliable, valid, and non-invasive app to assess dry eye disease

A new smartphone application, DryEyeRhythm, uses cameras to measure blink characteristics and administer questionnaires for diagnosing dry eye disease. The app has been validated in a study, showing high reliability and validity in assessing DED, with promising implications for early diagnosis and treatment.

SourceJuntendo University Research Promotion Center·JournalThe Ocular Surface·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2022