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Science News Archive February 2023 - Page 13


Page 13 of 36

Computer tomography images reveal dinosaur bones in unopened bamboo corsets and transport crates

Scientists used CT scans to analyze unopened expedition crates from the Tendaguru dinosaur site, revealing numerous dinosaur bones, including those of Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki. The images also provide a valuable testimony of the historic expedition and colonial context.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalPalaeontologia Electronica·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 20, 2023

Using sewage to forecast COVID-19 infections

A new mathematical model uses wastewater samples to predict COVID-19 cases five days in advance, detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA with high sensitivity. The approach could help authorities tailor infection control policies when clinical surveillance is lacking.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalEnvironment International·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 20, 2023

Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University researchers find that new approach to boosting protein production could advance mRNA and protein-based medicines

A new approach to boosting protein production has been discovered, which could lead to the generation of a universal booster for protein production. The breakthrough centers on Exin21, a sequence that increases mRNA synthesis and stability and protein expression and secretion.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateFeb 20, 2023

Correspondence shows troubling interactions between US officials and the alcohol industry

Researchers found extensive interaction between US officials and the alcohol industry, including sharing scientific research and policy implications. The study suggests a significant influence of industry on public health science, threatening the integrity of NIAAA's funding.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 20, 2023

Review and outlook of atomic layer deposition for nanoscale oxide semiconductor thin film transistor

The article reviews the outlook of atomic layer deposition (ALD) based oxide semiconductor thin film transistors (TFTs), highlighting four benefits: in-situ composition control, vertical structure engineering, chemical reaction and film properties, and insulator and interface engineering. Despite these advantages, challenging issues re...

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateFeb 20, 2023

Illinois Tech psychology researchers find communication is key in reducing prejudice in workforce

A team of Illinois Tech associate professors and an alumnus surveyed over 1,400 British police officers and found that autonomy-supportive communication practices reduced antagonism towards diversity initiatives. The study's lead researcher hopes that this approach will increase cooperation in professions where prejudice is high.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Applied Social Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 20, 2023

New study reveals ketamine could be effective treatment for cocaine-use disorders

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University used AI to analyze vast amounts of biomedical knowledge and electronic health records. The study found that ketamine improved remission rates among patients with cocaine-use disorders by two to four times. While promising, additional clinical trials are needed to fully assess ketamine's po...

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalAddiction·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 20, 2023

COVID-19 vaccination linked to fewer cardiac events

A US study found that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events, particularly among those with comorbidities. Even partial vaccination was linked to a reduced risk of adverse cardiovascular events. The research suggests that vaccination may have beneficial effects on post-COVID-19 complications.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 20, 2023

A tale of two sustainable cities

A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and University of Georgia is leading a $749,997 NSF Convergence project to collect and analyze data in Pittsburgh and Georgia to build a more circular economy. They will use the Circularity Assessment Protocol (CAP) to examine material usage and management at community levels.

Newly discovered form of salty ice could exist on surface of extraterrestrial moons

Scientists have discovered a new type of solid crystal that forms when water and table salt combine in cold and high-pressure conditions, potentially existing on the surface of Jupiter's moons. This finding has significant implications for planetary science and the search for extraterrestrial life, as it could explain the mysterious ch...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 20, 2023

With a little help – European Northern Bald Ibis population well on the way to self-sustainability

The European Northern Bald Ibis population is well on its way to self-sustainability, thanks to a successful reintroduction project that began over 20 years ago. With good survival and reproduction rates, the population has demonstrated positive future survival probabilities, even in the face of catastrophes.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalOryx·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 20, 2023

Cohesion and connection drop in ageing population

A new study of rhesus macaques found that older female macaques have fewer friends, reducing their ability to transmit knowledge outside their social circles. This decline in cohesion and connection has significant consequences for network structure, potentially affecting information transmission and cooperation.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 19, 2023

Scientists at Ben-Gurion University have stumbled upon a groundbreaking approach for treating Alzheimer's disease that has shown remarkable success in mouse models

Scientists at Ben-Gurion University have discovered a groundbreaking treatment approach targeting the mitochondrial gatekeeper VDAC1 for Alzheimer's disease. The new therapy, VBIT-4, demonstrates significant improvement in mouse models, preventing cell death and neuroinflammation while promoting healthy neuron growth.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalTranslational Neurodegeneration·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2023

Researchers reveal synergistic interplay mechanism of dual active sites on bimetallic oxide for syngas conversion

A research team at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics reveals the synergistic interplay mechanism of dual active sites on bimetallic oxide for efficient syngas conversion. They identified key intermediates and proposed a catalytic mechanism using advanced solid-state NMR technologies.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChem·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 19, 2023

How COVID-19 can impact the heart

Studies have shown that COVID-19 infection increases the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. The virus causes changes in calcium channels, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the heart, leading to arrhythmias and myocarditis.

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