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Science News Archive April 2023 - Page 8


Page 8 of 37

Argonne’s self-driving lab accelerates the discovery process for materials with multiple applications

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a self-driving laboratory called Polybot, which automates electronic polymer research and frees scientists' time to work on tasks only humans can accomplish. The tool combines AI and robotics to streamline experimental processes and accelerate discovery.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateApr 25, 2023

Reduced access to TAVR to treat aortic stenosis in Canada compared to the US may affect mortality risk, potentially threatening lives

A new study comparing outcomes between Ontario and New York State found patients in Ontario more likely to die within a month of procedure due to inadequate availability and long wait times. The study suggests that improved access to TAVR may lead to better post-procedural outcomes.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 25, 2023

Q & A with Shanna van Trigt, Vrije Universiteit author of “Autistic Traits and Self-Conscious Emotions in Early Childhood” Child Development

A new study finds that children with more autistic traits exhibit shame-like avoidance after transgressions, rather than less guilt and embarrassment, contradicting previous assumptions. This association is not fully explained by lower Theory of Mind abilities.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateApr 25, 2023

Study: Treatment for opioid addiction lags despite policies designed to increase it

A new study finds that buprenorphine initiation rates and six-month retention rates remain flat despite policy changes aimed at increasing access to the medication. Only 22% of patients who started treatment kept refilling their prescriptions for at least six months, highlighting barriers to prescribing enough of the life-saving drug.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 25, 2023

Biomarker pattern found in kids with COVID 19-linked inflammatory syndrome

A study funded by the NIH found that children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) have unique biochemical indicators of cell injury and death. The researchers developed a method to distinguish MIS-C from other conditions, which could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for these patients.

BSC develops pioneering artificial intelligence method to fight urban air pollution

The Barcelona Supercomputing Center's new AI method combines CALIOPE-Urban predictions with urban data to provide accurate air quality maps and predict pollution limit exceedances. The study identifies the Eixample district as the worst-affected area in Barcelona, highlighting the need for effective policies to improve air quality.

SourceBarcelona Supercomputing Center·JournalGeoscientific Model Development·DateApr 25, 2023

Better social drinkers don’t earn more

A study of working men in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea found that alcohol-tolerant individuals do not earn more than their intolerant colleagues. Despite the cultural pressure to drink, better social drinkers did not experience a wage premium in terms of working hours or earnings.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalHealth Economics·TypeSurvey·DateApr 25, 2023

Researchers capture first atomic-scale images depicting early stages of particle accelerator film formation

Scientists have captured the first atomic-scale images of tin on niobium during the growth process of next-generation particle accelerators, revealing potential for greater control over superconducting Nb3Sn films. The study aims to optimize fabrication of next-generation accelerator cavities and reduce cryogenic infrastructure costs.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateApr 25, 2023

Luring the virus into a trap

Heidelberg researchers have identified key proteins that can prevent the formation of fusion pores, allowing viruses like influenza A and Ebola to be trapped in a lipid membrane. This breakthrough could lead to new approaches for preventing infections with these highly infectious viruses.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 25, 2023

Study identifies a new building block in the navigation system of fish; boundary vector cells in central telencephalon of goldfish enable unique encoding of position, documented here for the first time in the largest group of vertebrates

Researchers identified boundary vector cells in goldfish central telencephalon that encode spatial information for the first time in a vertebrate. These cells enable unique positioning and represent a significant discovery in understanding fish navigation systems.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 25, 2023

Estimated 6.5 million Californians know someone at risk of harming themselves, others

A new study finds that an estimated 6.5 million Californians are concerned about a friend or family member who may harm themselves or others due to substance misuse, history of violence, or firearm access. The survey shows that 85% of respondents who knew someone at risk took actions to reduce the risk, but few addressed firearm access.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalPreventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 25, 2023

Mixing theory, observation to envision warmer world

Researchers combine theory and observation to understand damselfly responses to warming temperatures, discovering a more realistic predator-prey simulation model. This work provides groundwork for understanding how other species will adapt to a warmer world, particularly species like mosquitoes.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateApr 25, 2023

Woodpecker guides post-fire forest management

A new online tool predicts the potential abundance of Black-backed Woodpeckers after fire by incorporating pyrodiversity into forest management decisions. This helps balance human and wildlife needs in post-fire landscapes.

SourceCornell University·JournalEcological Applications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 25, 2023

Jellyfish-like robots could one day clean up the world’s oceans

Researchers have developed a jellyfish-like robot capable of collecting and transporting waste particles in the ocean without causing harm to marine species. The robot uses electrohydraulic actuators to swim and create currents, allowing it to trap objects along its path and transport them to the surface for recycling.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2023

Presenting information about mental health in a second language could help counter cultural norms against treatment

Bilingual individuals from cultures where mental health is stigmatized may be more open to treatment when presented with information in their second language. Studies found participants recommended therapy more strongly in English compared to Chinese, suggesting a potential counteractive effect of cultural norms.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalClinical Psychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2023