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Science News for February 17, 2023


Kleptomaniacs can even take a hint

Researchers at Kyoto University found distinct patterns of gazing and brain activity in patients with kleptomania when shown relevant environmental cues. These results suggest a similar mechanism to drug addiction, potentially leading to the development of therapeutic treatments.

SourceKyoto University·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

Spraying compound probiotics improves growth performance and immunity and modulates gut microbiota and blood metabolites of suckling piglets

This study demonstrates that spraying a compound probiotic fermented liquid into the living environment of piglets can improve their growth performance and immunity. The treatment also modulates the piglets' gut microbiota structure and diversity, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and decreasing Escherichia coli.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2023

The unnecessary burden of war

A study finds that governments could help millions of people and save a lot of money with targeted energy subsidies. The research quantifies the impacts of the energy crisis on households worldwide, revealing that indirect energy costs impose the biggest burden on both high- and low-income countries.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Energy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 17, 2023

Tablet-based screening doubles detection of psychosis symptoms in youth

A study found that a 21-question pre-visit survey on a tablet significantly increased the detection of psychosis symptoms in young people. However, it did not reduce the time between first psychotic symptoms and treatment. The technology-based screening improved clinical decision-making but highlighted challenges in scaling up programs.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 17, 2023

Electrocatalysis – Iron and Cobalt Oxyhydroxides examined at BESSY II

Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin examined the chemistry of Cobalt-Iron Oxyhydroxides using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. They discovered that iron is present in higher oxidation states than previously thought, which could lead to improved electrocatalysts for water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

This ‘Harry Potter’ light sensor achieves magically high efficiency of 200 per cent

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a photodiode with sensitivity exceeding 200%, using green light and a double-layered cell design. This breakthrough enables the device to detect weak light signals, making it ideal for medical purposes, wearable monitoring, and machine vision applications.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

Two out of three corporate frauds go undetected, research finds

A study by researchers at the University of Toronto found that under typical surveillance, about 3% of US companies exhibit financial misrepresentation. However, during a period of heightened scrutiny following the Enron scandal, this rate tripled to 9%, indicating that at least 10% of companies may be involved in fraud.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalReview of Accounting Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 17, 2023

Tame heat with pressure

A Chinese research team has developed a barocaloric thermal battery concept that extracts thermal energy from low-temperature waste heat sources by controlling pressure. The system, materialized in ammonium thiocyanate, releases up to 11 times more heat than the mechanical energy input.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

How the Mongolian gerbil may help speed recovery of a rare inner ear problem

Researchers developed a testing model to understand cognitive challenges of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), a rare condition causing sound-induced dizziness and hearing abnormalities. The Mongolian gerbil model shows promise for accelerating recovery with reversible diagnostic findings characteristic of patients with SSCD.

SourceRutgers University·JournalFrontiers in Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

New pumping strategy could slash energy costs of fluid transport by 22%

A new pumping strategy has been developed to slash energy costs of fluid transport by up to 22%. By switching pumps on and off, turbulent flows can be reduced, resulting in more efficient fluid transport. This approach could bring significant economic and environmental benefits, particularly for the transition to green energy.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 17, 2023

Opportunistic pathogens are less likely to be present in the nose and throat of people vaccinated against COVID-19, who are also less likely to get severe disease compared to non-vaccinated individuals

A study found that vaccinated people are less likely to have opportunistic pathogens in their nose and throat, and also experience milder symptoms of COVID-19. This is attributed to the presence of transcriptionally active nasopharyngeal commensals, which play a key role in defining mild symptoms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 17, 2023

NIH researchers discover new gene involved in a toxic competition among yeast

Researchers at NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute identified a gene, KTD1, that provides resistance to the K28 toxin in yeast. This discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying toxin resistance and has implications for understanding human toxin resistance.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

Review: No proof that indwelling catheters cause more UTIs than intermittent catheterization

A systematic review published in Topics in SCI Rehabilitation suggests that indwelling catheters do not increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) compared to intermittent catheterization. The review found that only three studies reported significantly higher UTI rates with indwelling catheters, but all three had critical flaws.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalTopics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation·DateFeb 17, 2023

Space travel influences the way the brain works

A study by the University of Antwerp and University of Liège found that prolonged microgravity affects human cerebral connectivity, with some changes persisting even after returning to Earth. The research used MRI data from 14 astronaut brains before and after their space missions.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 17, 2023