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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 381


Page 381 of 512

Study finds rise in between-workplace inequalities in the US, high-income countries

A study of 20 years of data found that between-workplace share of wage inequality is growing in 12 of the 14 high-income countries studied, including the US. Rising between-firm inequalities are linked to declining national labor market institutions and weak protections for lower-skilled workers.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 13, 2020

Cell membrane proteins imaged in 3D

Scientists developed a new technique to image proteins in 3D with nanoscale resolution using lanthanide-binding tags, enabling researchers to identify precise protein locations within individual cells. This breakthrough provides new insights into disease mechanisms and potential treatments.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 13, 2020

Toxic cell atlas guides new therapies for neurodegeneration

Scientists have created a comprehensive atlas of toxic immune cells that damage the brain, revealing a potential new drug target for multiple sclerosis and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases. The 'atlas' was generated using a novel method called Tox-seq, which links gene expression to function in single cells.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Immunology·DateApr 13, 2020

New findings shed light on selective therapeutics for IDH1-mutated glioma

A new study has identified a potent Nrf2 inhibitor, triptolide, as a promising therapeutic approach for IDH1-mutated glioma. The research reveals that disrupting the glutathione synthesis pathway establishes synergistic lethality with a neomorphic IDH1 mutation.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 13, 2020

Could inhibiting the DPP4 enzyme help treat coronavirus?

Researchers investigate DPP4 enzyme inhibition as a possible treatment for coronavirus. Preliminary studies suggest that inhibiting the DPP4 enzyme could effectively treat COVID-19, offering new hope for treatment options.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalDiabetes Research and Clinical Practice·DateApr 13, 2020

CUNY SPH weekly COVID-19 survey update week 5

New Yorkers face difficulties with schooling at home, particularly for parents with lower education levels; vaccination hopes are mixed, with 53% of respondents willing to get vaccinated. The most trusted source of information is Governor Andrew Cuomo, according to the CUNY SPH weekly COVID-19 survey.

SourceCUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateApr 13, 2020

Tech not hurting social skills of 'kids these days'

A new study from Ohio State University found that children's social skills have not declined due to increased screen time, with teachers rating both generations similarly. The study also showed that even heavy screen users showed similar development in social skills compared to those with little exposure.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateApr 13, 2020

Untangling untidy folds to understand diseases

Understanding interactions between metal ions and peptides may lead to improved treatments for diabetes, Alzheimer's, and other diseases. Researchers found that copper can impede the aggregation of pramlintide, but not rat amylin.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalInorganic Chemistry·DateApr 13, 2020

Milk allergy guidelines may cause overdiagnosis in babies and children

Current medical guidelines for diagnosing cow's milk allergy in babies and young children may lead to overdiagnosis due to common symptoms being mistaken for the condition. Studies have found that only around 1% of infants have cow's milk allergy, but up to 14% of families believe their child has it.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 13, 2020

Scientists discover bent-toed gecko species in Cambodia

A new species of bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus phnomchiensis, has been described from Phnom Chi mountain in the sanctuary. The discovery highlights the importance of biodiversity conservation and underscores the need to strengthen management of the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary.

SourceNorth Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences·JournalZooKeys·DateApr 13, 2020

Indices of health under our feet

A new study using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) analyzes caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol consumption in a large university population, providing valuable data on psychotropic compound use. The findings highlight the utility of long-term monitoring networks for improving student health and identifying disease trends.

SourceArizona State University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateApr 11, 2020

Observing the atmosphere at high altitudes using unmanned aerial vehicles

Researchers found that UAV sounding data can improve Antarctic weather forecasting, especially for temperature, wind speed, and humidity predictions. The limited flight altitude of UAVs restricts the improvement to the atmospheric boundary layer.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 11, 2020

Reducing sulfur dioxide emissions alone cannot substantially decrease air pollution

A recent study found that reducing sulfur dioxide emissions alone can significantly decrease air pollution, mainly due to the stability of ammonium nitrate formed with nitrogen oxides and ammonia. In China, nitrogen dioxide control is more effective in reducing surface PM2.5 concentrations.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateApr 11, 2020

Skoltech researchers find a new HIT defense bacteria use against antibiotics

Skoltech researchers have found a new mechanism of bacterial self-defense against microcin C, a potent antibiotic produced by some strains of Escherichia coli. The discovery involves histidine-triad (HIT) superfamily hydrolases, enzymes that break down the antibiotic and render it useless.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalmBio·DateApr 11, 2020

COVID-19 and the built environment

The review emphasizes the importance of natural daylight and air circulation in reducing disease transmission. Opening windows to improve airflow and admitting natural light can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalmSystems·DateApr 10, 2020

Video games improve the visual attention of expert players

Research reveals that long-term experience of gaming improves cognitive development, particularly in allocating brain resources to individual visual stimuli. Expert players outperform beginners in tasks requiring rapid processing and attentional control.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateApr 10, 2020

What is the origin of water on Earth?

A team of researchers led by Cédric Gillmann found that water on Earth has been there since its formation, likely buried deep in the planet. This discovery challenges previous ideas about the origin of water and has implications for habitability of ancient planets.

SourceUniversité libre de Bruxelles·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 10, 2020

Ion channel VRAC enhances immune response against viruses

The VRAC ion channel transports the messenger substance cGAMP from cell to cell, strengthening the immune response to DNA virus infections. This discovery could also have implications for cancer treatment and new strategies against DNA viruses.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalImmunity·DateApr 10, 2020

Suicide mortality and COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to an increase in US suicide rates, according to a recent study. The researchers found that the pandemic may have contributed to rising rates of mental health problems and decreased access to healthcare services.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 10, 2020

Neurologic manifestations of hospitalized patients with COVID-19

A study investigating neurologic symptoms in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 found notable cases of neurological disorders, including stroke and seizures. The research provides insight into the often-overlooked but serious neurological manifestations of the disease.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 10, 2020

Piercing the dark birthplaces of massive stars with Webb

The James Webb Space Telescope will study three dense clouds, known as infrared-dark clouds, to understand the formation process of massive stars. These clouds are thought to be raw dough before baking, providing a unique window into the environment needed for star birth.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 10, 2020

Magnet research takes giant leap

Scientists at the University of Central Florida and partners have successfully created anti-ferromagnetic devices that operate on the terahertz level, paving the way for ultra-fast electronics. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize guidance systems, communications, and even mimic brain function.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalScience·DateApr 10, 2020

New protocol identifies fascinating quantum states

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck propose a new measurement protocol to identify topological states in interacting systems. This method can extract topological invariants from statistical correlations of simple, local random measurements.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 10, 2020

Belgian scientists identify ATP10B as novel risk gene for Parkinson's disease

Researchers have identified ATP10B as a novel risk gene for Parkinson's disease, revealing its role in transporting glucosylceramide, a lipid critical to the disease's pathogenesis. Mutations in this gene can lead to neuronal loss and increased sensitivity to environmental risk factors.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalActa Neuropathologica·DateApr 10, 2020

PARP inhibitor drugs can be 'tuned' for better killing of tumor cells

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a way to modify PARP inhibitor compounds to increase their effectiveness in killing cancer cells. By structurally modifying veliparib, a previously ineffective compound, they were able to boost its ability to trap and kill tumor cells.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience·DateApr 10, 2020

USDA-ARS scientists find new tool to combat major wheat disease

Researchers have identified a gene that can help combat Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), a major threat to wheat crops worldwide. The discovery sheds light on molecular mechanisms making wheat resistant to the pathogen and paves the way for new varieties with improved FHB resistance.

SourceUS Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service·JournalScience·DateApr 10, 2020

Ants or plants? Evolutionary diversification factors of aphids

Researchers found that Stomaphis aphid diversification was primarily driven by host plant shifts, rather than associated ant species. The study revealed a surprising finding that the aphids had not shifted between closely related plant species, but instead between very distantly related host plant taxa.

SourceShinshu University·JournalThe Science of Nature·DateApr 10, 2020

A new strategy to create 2D magnetic order

Researchers at Peking University and Chinese Academy of Sciences discover atomic mechanism of spin-valve magnetoresistance at asymmetry SrRuO3 grain boundary. The study reveals a new strategy to create 2D magnetic order in grain boundaries, which can dominate response in nanoscale devices.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateApr 10, 2020

Single-electron pumping in a ZnO single-nanobelt transistor

Scientists have developed single-electron pumping devices in ZnO nanobelt transistors, enabling controlled single- and double-electron pumping at room temperature. This breakthrough has significant implications for spin-based quantum computing and quantum information processing.

SourceScience China Press·DateApr 10, 2020

UC San Diego researchers move closer to producing heparin in the lab

Researchers at UC San Diego discovered the critical gene ZNF263, which regulates heparin biosynthesis in human cells. This breakthrough could enable the production of heparin in well-controlled cell culture, providing a safer and more sustainable alternative to current methods.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 10, 2020

Hair surface engineering to be advanced by nano vehicles

Researchers at Kazan Federal University develop a technology to modify hair fibers using functional ceramic nano containers, expanding the field of application for natural fibers. The technology can change aesthetic properties, protect against biodegradation, and release topical anti-inflammatory drugs.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalNew Journal of Chemistry·DateApr 10, 2020

Extra-tropical Cyclone Harold caught by NASA's Terra Satellite

Cyclone Harold's transformation into an extra-tropical cyclone was captured by NASA's Terra satellite, revealing elongated clouds and convection displaced to the southeast. The system is undergoing a transition characterized by wind shear and baroclinic processes, which may retain hurricane-force winds.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 10, 2020

Development of new photovoltaic commercialization technology

A research team has identified the cause of performance degradation in CQD PV devices and developed a material processing method to stabilize their performance. The method uses ligand substitution with potassium iodide, maintaining device efficiency above 80% for 300 hours.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 10, 2020

A novel Li-ion superconductor makes possible an era of safe battery

Researchers at KIST have developed a sulfide-based superionic conductor that delivers Li-ion conductivity comparable to liquid electrolytes, solving a key challenge in all-solid-state battery technology. The new material enables accelerated mass production and commercialization of safe batteries.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 10, 2020

Details of treatment for patients in China who died of COVID-19

A case series study in China describes clinical characteristics of patients who died from COVID-19, highlighting differences in treatment approaches. The study aims to provide insights into factors contributing to mortality rates in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 10, 2020

Should infants be separated from COVID-19-positive mothers?

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recommends keeping mothers and infants together, citing no evidence that separation improves outcomes. Separation may minimize virus transmission but can have negative consequences for both mother and infant, including disrupted breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBreastfeeding Medicine·DateApr 10, 2020

AGA releases official guidance for patients with IBD during the COVID-19 pandemic

The American Gastroenterological Association has released official guidance for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the AGA, patients with IBD should continue their medication, including scheduled infusions, and stop certain medications if they develop COVID-19 symptoms.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateApr 10, 2020

Computer model predicts how drugs affect heart rhythm

UC Davis researchers developed a computer model to screen drugs for unintended cardiac side effects, especially arrhythmia risk. The model uses a drug's chemical formula to predict its impact on heart rhythm and has been validated with comparisons to clinical data from electrocardiogram results of patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalCirculation Research·DateApr 10, 2020

Mental health consequences of COVID-19, physical distancing

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health, emphasizing the need for effective physical distancing strategies. The study found that prolonged social isolation can lead to increased symptoms of anxiety and depression.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 10, 2020

A remote military medical team can offer insights to US hospitals preparing for COVID-19

A remote military surgical team transformed into a pandemic response team to provide care in an isolated population, adapting innovative solutions. Their recommendations emphasize the importance of evaluating everyone's skillsets and experience, including non-medical labor to provide medical interventions.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateApr 10, 2020

Light driven proton pump in distant relative

Researchers discovered a novel light-sensitive protein in Asgard archaea that functions as an inward proton pump, opening possibilities for controlling pH levels in cells or microorganisms with light. This finding could lead to the development of new biomolecular tools and applications in optogenetics.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 10, 2020