A new study found that 47 US states and territories do not require child care operators to notify parents about firearms on-site. Nearly one-quarter have no regulations governing firearms in centers, while only a handful prohibit them in homes.
SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 22, 2020
A recent study proposes that targeted interventions could minimize socio-economic damage while optimizing medical responses to COVID-19. Full lockdowns may have resulted in worse outcomes compared to partial lockdowns.
SourceSociety for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.·JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers have identified at least four new species of African leaf-nosed bats, which are cousins of horseshoe bats suspected of carrying the virus that caused COVID-19. The discovery highlights the importance of studying these animals to better understand disease transmission and prevention.
Researchers propose a two-step process to develop a more sustainable land management system: designing a framework with digital agriculture technologies and implementing policies that support farmers. The study suggests targeted tax incentives and subsidies can help drive policy change and reduce environmental impacts.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateApr 22, 2020
The article highlights the significance of interdisciplinary integration in academic research and application, citing COVID-19 as a case study. Effective collaboration among experts from various fields is vital for social development and innovation, leading to significant breakthroughs in biomedical research.
SourceCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·JournalBIO Integration·DateApr 22, 2020
A qualitative study found that women living with HIV prefer long-acting injectable (LAI) antiretroviral therapy due to its convenience, privacy, and perceived effectiveness. However, they also raised concerns about access, mistrust, and medical burden.
SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes·DateApr 22, 2020
A marine heatwave in 2015-16 triggered different genetic responses in five coral reef fish species, showing varying levels of vulnerability to climate change. The study found common molecular pathways associated with increased oxygen uptake and cellular stress responses among all species.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 22, 2020
Professor Maurizio Porfiri's research provides a model-free approach to determine the size of complex systems, even when only a small portion is accessible. For homogeneous networks, accessing just 10% of units can be sufficient to infer the entire network size.
SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers have discovered a gene signature, USC73, that can identify women with rare and aggressive uterine serous carcinoma who are unlikely to respond to standard chemotherapy. The high USC73 score is associated with poor patient survival, cancer cell proliferation, and low rates of complete response to treatment.
SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalGynecologic Oncology·DateApr 22, 2020
The NIAID Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research prioritizes improving fundamental knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, developing rapid diagnostic assays, testing potential treatments, and creating safe and effective vaccines. The plan aims to accelerate research to diagnose, prevent, and treat COVID-19.
SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers identified subsets of cells in the lung, nasal passages, and intestine that express RNA for both proteins helping SARS-CoV-2 enter human cells. These findings may help guide scientists developing new treatments or repurposing existing drugs.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell·DateApr 22, 2020
A recent study on African bats publishes new insights into their phylogenetics, systematics, and geographic distribution. The research also introduces a Linked Open Data (LOD) publishing approach to facilitate scientific collaborations in times of urgency.
The Caribbean coral reef decline began in the 1950s and 1960s due to local human activities such as fishing and land-clearing. Researchers used fossil data, historical records, and underwater survey data to reconstruct the abundance of staghorn and elkhorn corals over the past 125,000 years.
SourceArizona State University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 22, 2020
The Indiana Network for Population Health enables secure data exchange to track diseases and connect patients with community-based services addressing their social determinants of health. Integrating social determinants into electronic medical records enhances health surveillance, but current systems often lack access to this information.
Healthcare worker deaths during the pandemic should be independently reviewed by coroners. The BMJ editor advocates for no further delay in providing effective PPE to prevent such deaths.
Duke University researchers use a machine learning algorithm to estimate ground-level air pollution with high accuracy and resolution, surpassing current methods. The approach uses high-resolution micro-satellite imagery and weather data to detect tiny airborne particles like PM2.5.
SourceDuke University·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers discovered multiple RNA elements in the upper stem of pri-miRNAs crucial for regulating miRNA expression. These elements affect miRNA processing, leading to dysregulation and abnormal cell activities. The study's findings may help interpret miRNA-related human diseases and develop clinical diagnostics.
SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers found evidence of modern-like plate motion velocities at 3.2 Ga in rocks from the Honeyeater Basalt, pushing back the date for plate tectonics' onset. The discovery supports the theory that continuous uniform processes shaped Earth's crust.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 22, 2020
Research reveals unsustainable levels of soil erosion in the UK, with 16% of arable land showing erosion above 'tolerable' levels. Soil management practices and legislation are under scrutiny for their impact on soil fertility and ecosystem services.
Art therapy is shown to deliver improvements in mood, outlook, behaviours, confidence, personal relationships, and self-awareness for Australian veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study aims to provide evidence for increased funding for art therapy in Australia.
Caltech's Wei Gao creates an electronic skin that runs on biofuel cells powered by lactate in human sweat, generating enough electricity to power sensors and a Bluetooth device. The e-skin can monitor heart rate, body temperature, and metabolic byproducts, enabling continuous health tracking.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Robotics·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers at the University of Guelph used advanced cloning techniques to produce 1,000 plants from just two seeds, offering a new method for conserving endangered plant species. The CPR method preserves genetic material and can produce large quantities of plants in a controlled environment.
The US Army has developed a new type of multi-polymer filament for 3D printing, allowing for the production of high-strength parts at an affordable cost. This breakthrough enables the use of simple printers to create parts with mechanical properties competitive with injection-molded plastics.
SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Engineering Materials·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers have found a rare marine snail, Leptogyra bujnitzkii, in a biological collection from the Soviet Arctic expeditions of the 1930s. The discovery suggests the presence of sunken wood biocenoses in the Arctic Ocean.
SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalZootaxa·DateApr 22, 2020
A recent trial of a MERS coronavirus vaccine candidate has shown promising results, with the vaccine inducing antibody and T cell responses in nearly all trial subjects. The findings have implications for the development of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, with plans to conduct further trials.
SourceGerman Center for Infection Research·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateApr 22, 2020
Purdue University researchers developed a technique to turn waste polyethylene terephthalate into battery components using ultrafast microwave irradiation. The technology has shown promising results for lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells, offering a low-cost and sustainable solution for renewable energy storage.
SourcePurdue University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateApr 22, 2020
A new database, FiCli, has been created to track the impacts of climate change on freshwater fish. The searchable directory of peer-reviewed journal articles provides information on projected or documented effects of climate change on inland fishes.
SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalScientific Data·DateApr 22, 2020
A study published in Advances in Preventive Medicine found that Canadians with a history of cannabis dependence are more likely to have some form of mental illness or substance dependence. Social support and being older were also associated with better mental health outcomes.
SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAdvances in Preventive Medicine·DateApr 22, 2020
A commentary warns of a potential suicide epidemic in the US due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as gun sales skyrocket and social distancing disrupts support networks. The authors discuss ways to address this growing concern and mitigate its impact on public health.
SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 22, 2020
Harvard researchers have detected some of the earliest evidence for modern-like plate motion in ancient rocks from Australia and South Africa, dating back to 3.2 billion years ago. The study suggests that tectonic movement occurred on the early Earth, providing valuable insights into the evolution of life and climate.
SourceHarvard University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 22, 2020
Michigan State University Professor Alexandra Gade reviews advancements in describing rare isotopes, revealing new magic numbers and shell evolution. The study has implications for nuclear astrophysics, nuclear security, and nuclear medicine.
SourceMichigan State University Facility for Rare Isotope Beams·JournalReviews of Modern Physics·DateApr 22, 2020
Filtered brew is safest for reducing heart attacks and death, with a 15% reduced risk of death from any cause compared to no coffee. Drinking filtered coffee was associated with lower cardiovascular mortality in men and women, especially those consuming 1-4 cups per day.
SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateApr 22, 2020
Long-term crop straw incorporation reduces annual ammonia volatilization fluxes by 16.1% to 35.1%, likely due to high C/N ratio of straw increasing microbial N immobilization and ammonium transformation. This practice sustains agricultural development while minimizing environmental impact.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateApr 22, 2020
A study published in the Journal of Cultural Analytics found that the proportion of female faces in Time magazine varied over time, correlating with shifting attitudes towards women. The 'Faces of Time' project identified four phases of fluctuation, with a steady increase in female representation since the early 1990s.
SourceChapman University·JournalJournal of Cultural Analytics·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers found that pancreatic cancer cells use autophagy to degrade MHC-I proteins, making them resistant to immunotherapies. Blocking autophagy or using drugs like chloroquine enhances MHC-I expression on the surface of cancer cells, increasing their susceptibility to immunotherapy.
SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 2020
A study published in the Astrophysical Journal reveals that massive galaxies attain their size by merging with smaller ones. Researchers used a combination of observation and modelling to analyze how gases within galaxies move, finding evidence that many stars have been acquired from outside.
SourceARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)·DateApr 22, 2020
The University of Maryland is funding joint research projects between UMB and UMD to address major healthcare challenges in chronic pain, mental health, aging, and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. The AIM-HI program aims to develop new technologies and approaches to relieve painful ailments.
Researchers have developed a hydrogel that can cool down electronic devices and convert waste heat into electricity, reducing overheating issues and increasing device efficiency. The new material, which is self-regenerating and safe for use, has shown promising results in cooling cell phone batteries during fast discharging.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers found that cells protect themselves from mechanical stress by not only deforming cell nuclei but also softening the genetic material itself. This mechanism helps prevent DNA damage and disease, including cancer. The study also reveals that healthy stem cells are more resistant to mechanical stretch than cancer cells.
The study evaluates impact response of ultra-high-strength concrete with different steel fiber contents and section heights. Increasing steel fiber content reduces damage by 30-50%, enabling enhanced building safety in high-rise buildings, bridges, and roads.
SourceKanazawa University·JournalInternational Journal of Civil Engineering·DateApr 22, 2020
Using electrostatic charge, researchers created crystalline materials resembling table salt and opals. This process allows for mass production of functional materials with adjustable size and shape.
A new theoretical framework for heredity proposes that information is stored outside the genome, in regulatory molecules that help cells function. This approach may provide new avenues for understanding hereditary diseases and evolution.
SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers have found that elevated ferritin concentrations are associated with increased production of special signalling molecules, leading to complications and death in COVID-19 patients. Marker CD163 is also an important indicator of macrophage activation and high risk of complications.
SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalAutoimmunity Reviews·DateApr 22, 2020
A new study by ISGlobal found an association between air pollution exposure during pregnancy and delays in physical growth in early childhood. The research analyzed data from over 1,700 mother-child pairs and estimated exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter during the first trimester of pregnancy.
SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Health·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers have identified a promising new strategy for combating malaria by targeting the parasite's 'kill switch' with PfGARP antibodies. The approach, which involves generating anti-PfGARP antibodies or directly infusing them into individuals, has shown promise in nonhuman primates and holds hope for preventing severe malaria.
New research finds that atrazine regulations have been successful in reducing overall concentration of atrazine in water. However, the rate of breakdown to less toxic compound DEA is influenced by soil microbes and climate. The study also shows that dry areas without tile drainage lead to faster breakdown of atrazine.
SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateApr 22, 2020
A small but concerning number of former NFL players report receiving clinical diagnoses of CTE, raising concerns of inappropriate diagnosis and overlooking of treatable conditions. Players with sleep apnea, heart disease, and depression are more likely to receive a CTE diagnosis, which could downplay the effects of these conditions.
SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateApr 22, 2020
A study by Newcastle University and NHS Trust found that COVID-19 infection rates among patient-facing NHS staff were similar to those in non-clinical roles, suggesting current isolation protocols are sufficient. The research also showed that social distancing measures led to a flattening of the growth curve of positive tests.
SourceNewcastle University·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers at Texas A&M University have created a dual-action coating that repels and kills bacteria, reducing the risk of cross-contamination in fresh produce. The coating, made from silica and lysozyme, retains its germicidal action longer due to its water-repelling property.
SourceTexas A&M University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 22, 2020
Experts argue that age should not be used to decide who receives life-saving treatment, as it leads to unfair discrimination. Dave Archard suggests the fair innings argument, while Arthur Caplan believes age can be a valid criterion supported by data.
Researchers found that people with depression have impaired mood homeostasis, which can be improved through targeted interventions. The study suggests that training individuals to regulate their mood through daily activities could prevent or better treat depression.
SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers developed a new type of liposome called a sterosome, which successfully activated bone regeneration on its own in mice with bone defects. The sterosomes were found to stimulate cells to develop into bone-forming cells and reduced defect size by an average of 50% in a six-week study.
SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel method to deliver therapeutic proteins inside the body using an acoustically sensitive carrier and ultrasound imaging. The method uses a fluorous mask to interact with the particle's fluorous liquid medium, allowing the protein to be released in a precise manner.
Chinese scientists developed two novel compounds that inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease and show good anti-viral activity in cell culture. The high-resolution crystal structure of the complexes revealed the mechanism of inhibition, providing a promising strategy for designing specific antiviral leads against SARS-CoV-2.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 2020
The RAND Corporation's latest study found that child-access prevention laws reduce self-inflicted fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries among young people. Stand-your-ground laws are associated with increases in firearm homicides, while waiting periods may reduce firearm suicides.
Researchers found that people are drawn to fictional villains who share similarities with themselves, as it removes discomfort and allows exploration of dark aspects. This preference is linked to the idea that fiction provides a 'safe haven' for comparison.
SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 22, 2020
A new study using European satellite data found that Permian oil and gas operations are releasing methane at twice the average rate, with implications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The data highlights the importance of satellite technology in tracking methane emissions from large areas.
SourceEnvironmental Defense Fund·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 22, 2020
The study found that combinations of paclitaxel (PAC) and withaferin A (WFA) are highly synergistic against human non-small cell lung cancer cells, showing greater sensitivity than either treatment alone. WFA was active against PAC-sensitive and PAC-resistant NSCLC cells, demonstrating its potential therapeutic efficacy.
SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateApr 22, 2020
Researchers examined 1.2 million US suicides and nonfatal attempts from 2006 to 2015, finding significant increases in mortality rates among younger adults. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address rising suicidal acts in the US population.
Climate scientists predict that human-caused warming will cause a significant slowdown in hurricane motion, particularly in populated mid-latitude regions. This could result in more damage from storms lingering over an area, like Hurricane Dorian, which had a translational speed of just 1.3 mph.
SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 22, 2020