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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 383


Page 383 of 512

Achieving strong structures with carbon fiber reinforced plastics

A new unbonded carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) method for strengthening steel structures has been developed by researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology. This approach enhances buckling performance without the need for surface treatments, resulting in cost savings and improved structural integrity.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalConstruction and Building Materials·DateApr 9, 2020

Marijuana withdrawal symptoms among regular users who quit

A study combining 47 studies with 23,000 participants estimated that cannabis withdrawal syndrome affects approximately 8% of individuals who stop using the substance. The syndrome's symptoms include irritability, nervousness or anxiety, depression, and headache.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 9, 2020

New study finds EPA mercury analysis is 'seriously flawed'

A new study finds deep flaws in EPA's benefit-cost analysis supporting a proposed rule to roll back Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. The analysis ignores scientific evidence and economic best practice, failing to account for recent science and changes in electricity generation.

SourceResources for the Future (RFF)·JournalScience·DateApr 9, 2020

New hardware project would boost 5G networks

A University of Houston engineer is developing a system capable of supporting 5G infrastructure, enabling faster speeds and greater bandwidth. The $1.7 million grant-funded project aims to improve radio frequency communication capacity and advance power electronics to support the demands of 5G networks.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateApr 9, 2020

Reframing biosecurity governance as an experimental space, including as relates to handling COVID-19

Experts argue for a more experimental approach to biosecurity governance, focusing on systematically evaluating effectiveness and limitations of current solutions. This shift could help address previously unknown security concerns created by advancements in biological sciences like CRISPR and synthetic genomics.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 9, 2020

First in-human study of drug targeting brain inflammation supports further development

A first-in-human study of a drug candidate targeting brain inflammation has shown promising results, supporting its further development for treating acute brain injuries. The study, conducted by a team from the University of Kentucky and other institutions, found that MW189 was safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalClinical Pharmacology in Drug Development·DateApr 9, 2020

Astronomers measure wind speed on a brown dwarf

Researchers have successfully measured wind speed on a brown dwarf, an object intermediate in mass between a planet and a star. The study found that the brown dwarf's atmosphere is rotating faster than its interior, with a calculated wind speed of about 1425 miles per hour.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalScience·DateApr 9, 2020

How do mantis shrimp find their way home?

Researchers found that mantis shrimps rely on external cues from the sun, followed by polarization patterns in light, before using their internal navigation system when other options are unavailable. These findings provide new insights into the complex behaviors of these fascinating creatures.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 9, 2020

Greenland ice sheet meltwater can flow in winter, too

Scientists have found that liquid meltwater from Greenland's glaciers can flow deep below the ice sheet during winter, raising questions about sea-level rise and future climate change. This discovery highlights the need for year-round Arctic hydrological investigations to understand how meltwater moves through the ice sheet.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 9, 2020

Discovery of second primate lineage that crossed the Atlantic to settle in the New World

Analyses of four fossilized molars found in Peruvian Amazon reveal a new primate lineage, Ucayalipithecus perdita, with features distinct from the known Platyrrhini. This discovery suggests that another group of primates may have crossed the Atlantic Ocean around 35-32 million years ago, settling in the New World.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 9, 2020

Broad spectrum

A hybrid material has been developed that can detect a broad range of light wavelengths, from ultraviolet to near infrared, due to its small bandgap. The material's electronic properties were investigated, revealing promising results for optoelectronic applications.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 9, 2020

Rare, damaging inherited mutations work together to reduce lifespan

A new study suggests that rare, damaging inherited mutations can have a significant impact on an individual's healthspan and longevity. Researchers found that people with more ultra-rare protein-truncating variants (PTVs) had shorter lifespans and healthspans, with each additional variant accounting for a six-month reduction in lifespa...

SourceeLife·DateApr 9, 2020

Now metal surfaces can be instant bacteria killers

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a technique that uses laser-texturing to create nanoscale patterns on metal surfaces, instantly killing bacteria and viruses. The technology has potential applications in medical devices such as orthopedic implants and wearable patches for chronic wounds.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateApr 9, 2020

Call to action: Traditional, complementary and integrative health COVID-19 support registry

The TCIHM COVID-19 Support Registry will characterize care, report indications of potential value or harm, and inform future treatments. Led by the Helfgott Research Institute, the registry is backed by over a dozen practitioner organizations and aims to provide valuable insights into integrative health practices during the pandemic.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateApr 9, 2020

3D-printed corals provide more fertile ground for algae growth

Researchers have successfully 3D printed coral-inspired structures that can grow dense populations of microscopic algae, up to 100 times more densely than natural corals. This breakthrough could lead to the development of efficient bioreactors for producing algae-based biofuels and help restore coral reefs.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 9, 2020

Stuttering DNA orchestrates the start of the mosquito's life

Researchers discovered that a type of junk DNA in mosquitoes orchestrates the start of their life by regulating the activity of other RNA molecules. The breakdown of maternal RNA is essential for further development and is controlled by the stuttering DNA.

SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournalNature·DateApr 9, 2020

New study shows how oxygen transfer is altered in diseased lung tissue

Researchers developed graphene-based sensors to measure oxygen transport in bovine lung tissue, revealing that a surfactant called cardiolipin disrupts oxygen balance in pneumonia patients. The study also found damaged spots in diseased tissue, which may be responsible for increased oxygen transfer.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 9, 2020

COVID-19 drug lead treatments identified

An international team of researchers has identified six potential COVID-19 treatment candidates after testing over 10,000 compounds. The targeted therapeutics were found to be effective in inhibiting the main protease enzyme of the virus.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature·DateApr 9, 2020

Whether marijuana helps with pain is unclear, study suggests

Daily marijuana users with severe pain reported worsening health over the past year, despite frequent cannabis use. The study found no association between marijuana use and changes in health status among those with low levels of pain.

SourceOhio State University·JournalInternational Journal of Drug Policy·DateApr 8, 2020

Researchers successfully repair stroke-damaged rat brains

Using reprogrammed human skin cells, researchers successfully restored mobility and sensation in stroke-afflicted rats by transplanting them into their brains. The study showed that the transplanted cells formed connections correctly, repairing damaged nerve circuits.

SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2020

Don't look to mature forests to soak up carbon dioxide emissions

Research suggests mature forests cannot absorb additional carbon as atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase. Carbon is quickly cycled through the soil and returned to the atmosphere, with only half being stored by trees and half by fungi and bacteria.

SourceSUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry·JournalNature·DateApr 8, 2020

Researchers assess bird flu virus subtypes in China

In a recent study published in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, researchers isolated two H16N3 subtype influenza viruses that can bind to both human and avian-type cell receptors. The viruses showed evidence of genetic material from other species, suggesting they could infect humans and animals in the future.

SourceWiley·JournalTransboundary and Emerging Diseases·DateApr 8, 2020

How effective is quarantine alone or in combination with other public health measures to control coronavirus (COVID-19)?

This review found that quarantine can significantly reduce infections and deaths from COVID-19 when combined with other public health measures such as physical distancing, school closures, and travel restrictions. The effectiveness of quarantine alone was less consistent, but still showed promise in controlling outbreaks.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateApr 8, 2020

Security guards struggle with PTSD and lack mental health support

A recent study by the University of Portsmouth found that almost 40% of UK security guards suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to frequent episodes of verbal and physical abuse. The research also highlighted a lack of provision for employee mental health and wellbeing services by security companies.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalPolicing & Society·DateApr 8, 2020

Public policies push schools to prioritize creating better test-takers over better people

Public schools in the US have shifted their focus to academic excellence, prioritizing standardized test scores over personal growth, job skills, and student self-awareness. The UB-led study found a significant rise in the ranking of academic excellence among public school principals, while personal growth and job skills declined.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalEducational Administration Quarterly·DateApr 8, 2020

Drinking green tea may help with food allergies

Research at Shinshu University found that green tea consumption increases Flavonifractor plautii bacteria in the gut, leading to a suppressed Th2 immune response to food allergies. This study suggests that drinking green tea may be a potential anti-allergy probiotic.

SourceShinshu University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateApr 8, 2020

Wallflowers could lead to new drugs

A team of researchers has identified the wallflower as a suitable model plant for discovering new cardenolides, which could lead to safer versions of heart disease and cancer treatments. The study provides a foundation for understanding the biosynthesis of cardenolides and their potential applications.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·DateApr 8, 2020

New data reveals even low levels of air pollution impacts gene expression

A twin study conducted by Monash University researchers found that even low levels of air pollution can affect gene expression, leading to long-term health consequences. The study suggests exposure to air pollutants, even at low levels, has real-life implications for the current COVID pandemic.

SourceMonash University·JournalEnvironment International·DateApr 8, 2020

A rapidly changing Arctic

A new study finds that freshwater runoff from rivers and shelf sediments are bringing significant quantities of carbon and trace elements into the Arctic Ocean. This increase in nutrients may boost Arctic marine productivity, but also exacerbates climate warming.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·DateApr 8, 2020

COVID-19 critical care bed modelling study: potential shortage in Canada

A national modelling paper suggests that Canada's ICU beds may not be enough to handle the demand during a COVID-19 outbreak, highlighting the need for higher rates of self-isolation. The study projects that at the outbreak's peak, the need for ICU beds per 10,000 population could be 2.6 times higher than the number of available beds.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 8, 2020

UC San Diego to advance stem cell therapies in new space station lab

Researchers at UC San Diego Health are developing a dedicated space stem cell orbital research laboratory within the International Space Station (ISS) to study microgravity's effects on human biology. The studies aim to understand aging, degenerative diseases, and cancers in space, with potential applications for therapeutics on Earth.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateApr 8, 2020

Harnessing the power of electricity-producing bacteria for programmable 'biohybrids'

Researchers have created a material that supports the growth of exoelectrogenic bacteria while efficiently conducting electricity in a controlled manner. By incorporating DNA strands into a nanocomposite scaffold, they can tailor the conductivity and properties of the material by varying the size and sequence of the DNA fragments.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 8, 2020

Researchers uncover importance of aligning biological clock with day-night cycles

Researchers at University of California San Diego discovered that internal circadian clocks regulate DNA uptake in cyanobacteria, increasing its efficiency during nighttime hours. This finding highlights the crucial role of synchronizing biological processes with environmental rhythms for human health and disease prevention.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 8, 2020

KIST develops foldable and washable luminescent film

A Korean research team has developed a multi-functional luminescent film that can visualize near-infrared light through wavelength conversion, increasing its application range. The film's high efficiency enables the use of infrared or ultraviolet light for displays or imaging devices.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 8, 2020

Mutation reduces energy waste in plants

Researchers identified mutations that improve photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana by reducing protein degradation and increasing chlorophyll production. The findings suggest a potential mechanism to enhance plant energy efficiency and biomass production.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 8, 2020

Premature birth linked to the mother's vaginal microbiome

Researchers found that women who deliver prematurely have a more diverse vaginal microbiome, especially in the first trimester. This link highlights specific bacteria associated with premature birth, which could aid future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateApr 8, 2020

Impulse for research on fungi

Researchers have developed a new method to visualize fungi using expansion microscopy, allowing for detailed studies of fungal biology and potential applications in medicine. The technique has been successfully applied to three fungal species, including the clinically relevant Aspergillus fumigatus.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateApr 8, 2020