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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 386


Page 386 of 512

Successful online management of COVID-19 infection

A multidisciplinary self-managed home quarantine method was developed in Wuhan, China, controlling the source of COVID-19 infection and alleviating medical resource shortages. The method involved online monitoring, strict compliance with quarantine measures, and regular communication between patients and the quarantine team.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTelemedicine and e-Health·DateApr 7, 2020

New method to monitor Alzheimer's proteins

Researchers developed a new technique to detect the aggregation state of amyloid beta proteins in solution, which could aid early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The technique uses terahertz waves and provides a dementia quotient index to distinguish between protein states.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 7, 2020

Marketing researchers identify the three most powerful drivers of effective crowdfunding

Researchers found that investors' forward-looking strategic behavior, social interactions among individual investors, and their expectations on the crowd's behavior contribute to crowdfunding dynamics. Fundraisers can optimize fundraising goals and crowdfunding platforms can predict successful campaigns by understanding these mechanisms.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·DateApr 7, 2020

Uncovering stimulation's impact on neurons

Takashi Kozai aims to design a coating technology that can control neuron activity using biomolecules. The goal is to establish the relationship between different types of stimulation and their impact on excitability, which could improve BCI technology for rehabilitation of neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateApr 7, 2020

Neutron research: Magnetic monopoles detected in Kagome spin ice systems

Researchers have detected magnetic monopoles in a metal for the first time, using a two-dimensional Kagome spin-ice system consisting of holmium, silver, and germanium. The team's findings suggest that this system behaves as if magnetic monopoles were present.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience·DateApr 7, 2020

Successful MERS vaccine in mice may hold promise for COVID-19 vaccine

Researchers have successfully developed a MERS vaccine that fully protects mice against the deadly virus, and it may hold promise for developing vaccines against COVID-19. The vaccine uses a harmless virus to deliver a MERS coronavirus protein into cells, generating an immune response.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalmBio·DateApr 7, 2020

Genes sow seeds of neuropsychiatric diseases before birth, in early childhood

A new study by Yale University researchers found that genetic variations can trigger functional changes in the brain before birth, during early childhood, and later in life. The study analyzed DNA and RNA data from 176 tissue samples across various developmental stages, revealing age-specific effects of genetic variants on brain function.

SourceYale University·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 7, 2020

NASA finds Tropical Cyclone Harold between Vanuatu and Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Harold brought heavy rains and hurricane-force winds to Vanuatu, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite tracking its movement towards Fiji. Forecasters expect the storm to make a brief landfall over Fiji on April 7, although intensity may remain steady or increase if an eye forms.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 7, 2020

New genetic tools expand capacity to investigate microbes

A team of international scientists has developed over 200 new genetic techniques for using marine microbes, overcoming a bottleneck in microbial oceanography. The tools enable researchers to study the cellular instructions that underpin microbial life and potentially harness beneficial applications.

SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalNature Methods·DateApr 7, 2020

No need to steer clear of electric cars if you have a pacemaker

A new study published in Technology and Health Care reveals that four leading electric car brands do not trigger electromagnetic interference with cardiac implantable electronic devices. The research, which tested over 100 CIED patients driving and charging four e-cars, provides reassuring evidence for pacemaker users.

SourceIOS Press·JournalTechnology and Health Care·DateApr 7, 2020

Coquí fossil from Puerto Rico takes title of oldest Caribbean frog

A 29-million-year-old coquí frog fossil discovered in Puerto Rico has been identified as the oldest record of frogs in the Caribbean. The ancient species displaces an amber frog fossil previously thought to be the oldest, shedding new light on the origins of Caribbean wildlife.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalBiology Letters·DateApr 7, 2020

Evaluating embryo quality with ultrasensitive protein detection

A new method detects trace proteins secreted by embryos using microfluidic droplets and multicolor fluorescence, predicting developmental potential with high accuracy. The technique improves upon conventional morphological scoring, reducing variability among embryologists.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateApr 7, 2020

Litter problem at England's protected coasts

A recent study by the University of Exeter and Marine Conservation Society found no difference in litter levels inside and outside England's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), with plastic being the main form of litter. The research highlights the need for locally appropriate management to tackle specific sources of litter in different areas.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateApr 7, 2020

Treatment relieves depression in 90% of participants in small study

A new form of magnetic brain stimulation, SAINT, rapidly relieved symptoms of severe depression in 90% of participants. The treatment targets the brain's neurocircuitry and has shown promising results in treating people with treatment-resistant depression.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateApr 7, 2020

Stanford researchers show how forest loss leads to spread of disease

A new Stanford study finds that deforestation and agriculture expansion increase human-wild primate interactions, leading to a higher risk of zoonotic diseases. The researchers suggest creating buffer zones around biodiversity-rich forests and providing alternative resources to reduce pressure on people to venture into forested areas.

SourceStanford University·JournalLandscape Ecology·DateApr 7, 2020

Better plant edits by enhancing DNA repair

A new genome editing system has been developed to enhance the efficiency of an error-free DNA repair pathway, which could help improve agronomic traits in multiple crops. The system uses Cas9 and VirD2 to facilitate homology-directed repair, increasing the rate of precise genetic modifications.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalCommunications Biology·DateApr 7, 2020

US public concerns about COVID-19 pandemic

A recent survey study published in JAMA Internal Medicine investigated public concerns about COVID-19 symptoms and individual actions taken to mitigate the pandemic. The study found that many Americans were worried about their own health, family safety, and economy amidst the pandemic.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 7, 2020

54.8% of COVID-19 cases imported to Brazil by March 5 came from Italy

A study found that 54.8% of COVID-19 cases imported to Brazil by March 5 came from Italy, while 24.9% traveled from Italy to São Paulo. The virus spread quickly in Brazil, with the first cases reported in São Paulo City, and sustained community transmission now prevails.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of Travel Medicine·DateApr 7, 2020

How serotonin balances communication within the brain

A team of scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum discovered that distinct serotonergic receptor types control the gain of both streams of information in a separable manner. This finding may facilitate new concepts of diagnosis and therapy for neuronal disorders related to malfunction of the serotonin system.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·DateApr 7, 2020

Scientists develop new way to identify the sex of sea turtle hatchlings

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have created a minimally invasive technique to determine the sex of sea turtle hatchlings using small blood samples. This method is more reliable and efficient than existing methods, providing valuable insights into the impact of climate change on imperiled turtle species.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 7, 2020

Some flowers have learned to bounce back after injury

Bilaterally symmetrical flowers can restore their 'correct' orientation by moving individual flower stems or even the stalk that supports a cluster of flowers. This ability helps them attract pollinators and produce seeds. In contrast, radially symmetrical flowers lack this ability and rarely recover after an injury.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalNew Phytologist·DateApr 7, 2020

What cells does the novel coronavirus attack?

Scientists have discovered that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects progenitor cells in the lungs and bronchi, which are responsible for producing cilia that sweep mucus and bacteria out of the lungs. The virus acts in a highly selective manner, dependent on certain human cells to spread and replicate.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateApr 7, 2020

Young children find a parent's hug more calming than a stranger's

A study found that parents and infants both experience a slowed heart rate during hugs, while younger infants also show relaxation when their back is pressed by a parent's hand. The research suggests that hugs play an important role in early bonding between parents and children.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·DateApr 7, 2020

River-groundwater hot spot for arsenic

Researchers used computer modeling to understand sources and distribution of arsenic-polluted groundwater, pinpointing the source to river muds that fuelled biogeochemical reactions. The model highlighted four key factors influencing arsenic release at surface water/groundwater interfaces.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 7, 2020

Celiac disease linked to increased risk of premature death

A new study from Karolinska Institutet and Columbia University finds that celiac disease is associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disease. The study examined almost 50,000 patients with celiac disease and found a 21% increase in overall mortality compared to controls.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA·DateApr 7, 2020

Climate change triggers Great Barrier Reef bleaching

The Great Barrier Reef has suffered its third coral bleaching event in just five years, with the most recent event being the worst. Severe bleaching has struck all three regions of the reef, causing widespread damage to coral habitats.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·DateApr 7, 2020

Cell muscle movements visualized for first time

Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new microscopy technique that allows them to visualize the dynamics of protein assemblies in cells, providing insights into cellular muscle movements. The study reveals that myosin proteins exhibit different regimes of fluctuations, enabling the cell to exert forces and propagate.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateApr 6, 2020

Sulfur 'spices' alien atmospheres

Researchers found that a small presence of sulfur in the atmosphere can lead to three times more haze particles, primarily organic sulfur products. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about sulfur's role in exoplanet atmospheres and highlights the importance of caution when interpreting spectroscopic data.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 6, 2020

Nanopore reveals shape-shifting enzyme linked to catalysis

University of Groningen researchers used nanopore technology to observe a single enzyme in four different folded states, which play an active role in the reaction mechanism. The study's findings have significant implications for enzyme engineering and the development of inhibitors.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 6, 2020

Climate change to affect fish sizes and complex food webs

A new study led by Dr. Asta Audzijonyte found that changes in water temperature drive changes in average fish species sizes across time and spatial scales. Tropical species tend to get smaller at warmer end of their distribution ranges, while larger species tend to increase in size.

SourceUniversity of Tasmania·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 6, 2020

Societal transformations and resilience in Arabia across 12,000 years of climate change

The study reveals how ancient peoples in Arabia adapted to arid conditions through mobility, water management, and economic transformation. In contrast, southeastern populations relied on coastal resources during droughts, highlighting the importance of considering regional responses to climate change.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2020

Curbing the rising toll of adults with complex care needs

The number of people with clinically complex health and social needs is increasing. Effective solutions require micro- and macro-level innovations that prioritize public and private investments in addressing health inequities.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateApr 6, 2020

Condensed matter: Bethe strings experimentally observed

Physicists have successfully isolated and characterized Bethe strings in a real solid for the first time. The team used high magnetic fields to investigate SrCo2V2O8 crystals, obtaining a phase diagram that confirms their presence.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 6, 2020

Ride-hailing linked to more crashes for motorists and pedestrians

A new study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that ride-hailing trips increase the number of crashes for motorists and pedestrians at pick-up and drop-off locations. The research used data for individual ride-hailing trips and found no link between ride-hailing and cyclist or taxi crashes.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalInjury Prevention·DateApr 6, 2020

The ocean's 'biological pump' captures more carbon than expected

A new study from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals the ocean's biological carbon pump is more efficient than previously estimated, capturing twice as much carbon as thought. This discovery has significant implications for future climate assessments and policy.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2020

Tiny marine organisms as the key to global cycles

Scientists have developed new methods to analyze individual proteins in marine protists, enabling studies on how these tiny organisms respond to environmental changes. The research sheds light on seasonal fluctuations and climate change impacts, providing insights into global cycles driven by phytoplankton.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Methods·DateApr 6, 2020

Fossil evidence of arthropod ancestor

Researchers discovered fossils of a group called euthycarcinoids in Scotland, which share similarities with living myriapods. These findings provide an early aquatic ancestor to land-dwelling arthropods, bridging the gap between molecular divergence dates and terrestrial fossil records

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2020

APS tip sheet: First results from the Belle II experiment

The Belle II experiment at SuperKEKB Collider has performed the first searches for low mass Z' bosons, hypothetical new particles that could connect ordinary and dark matter. Researchers aim to identify unexpected physical phenomena and develop new principles to improve understanding of the universe.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 6, 2020