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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 417


Page 417 of 512

Opening up cryoEM

The Rosalind Franklin Institute has committed to developing a new detector for low-energy cryoEM, enabling atomic-scale images of biological samples. The goal is to make cryoEM more accessible and affordable, allowing for faster scientific progress in medical research and drug development.

SourceThe Rosalind Franklin Institute·DateMar 11, 2020

'Zombie' brain cells develop into working neurons

Researchers found that inhibiting apoptosis in fruit fly neurons led to the development of 'zombie' cells that formed new olfactory neuron networks with distinct properties. These neurons expressed different receptors, including those for carbon dioxide detection, giving the flies enhanced odor perception.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 11, 2020

Sugar tax has more public support than expected

A survey of over 1,000 German consumers found broad support for nutritional policy action, despite initial concerns about social acceptance. Key findings indicate that people's opinions on food policies are not tied to individual dietary struggles, with those who eat a healthy diet also being in favor of regulation.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNutrients·DateMar 11, 2020

Fast-charging damages electric car batteries

Researchers found that commercial fast-charging stations cause high temperatures and resistance damage to electric car batteries, leading to capacity loss and potential fires. The University of California, Riverside developed an adaptive fast-charging algorithm to mitigate this issue.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEnergy Storage·DateMar 11, 2020

Antibiotics: City dwellers and children take the most

Researchers analyzed 73 studies on antibiotic use in outpatient sectors worldwide, finding city dwellers, children, and seniors take more antibiotics. Higher education and richer countries reduce antibiotic use, while urban areas and doctor concentrations increase it.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalInternational Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·DateMar 11, 2020

Caught in a spin: Spiral vortex streamlines delivery of nanomaterials into cells

Scientists have developed a rapid and efficient delivery method that uses the power of a tiny fluid vortex to deform cell membranes, allowing for the delivery of nanomaterials such as DNA, proteins, and drugs. The device, called a spiral hydroporator, can deliver nanomaterials into around one million cells per minute with up to 96% eff...

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalACS Nano·DateMar 11, 2020

Can poor air quality make you gain weight?

A new study published in Environment International links poor air quality to changes in the human gut microbiome, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. Young adults exposed to higher levels of ozone showed less microbial diversity and more species associated with obesity and disease.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalEnvironment International·DateMar 11, 2020

Engineers crack 58-year-old puzzle on way to quantum breakthrough

A team of engineers at UNSW Sydney has successfully controlled the nucleus of a single atom using only electric fields, solving a problem that stood for over half a century. This breakthrough has major implications for the development of quantum computers and sensors, enabling precise control over individual atoms.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature·DateMar 11, 2020

Microbes far beneath the seafloor rely on recycling to survive

Researchers found a diverse community of microbes that efficiently recycle and store organic compounds to survive in hostile environments far beneath the ocean floor. The study reveals genetic material suggests many lower crust microbes rely on carbon from their surroundings to obtain energy.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature·DateMar 11, 2020

A novel technique to produce cheaper and more efficient chlorine

Researchers at UNIST have developed a novel catalyst for electrochemical chlorine generation, overcoming the drawbacks of existing metal oxide-based catalysts. The new catalyst, Pt1/CNT, exhibits high efficiency and selectivity for chlorine ions, enabling more efficient and affordable production.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 11, 2020

Warming mountaintops put snake at risk of extinction

A new study found that climate change is likely to cause the extinction of the Greek Meadow Viper, with up to 90% of its habitat becoming uninhabitable by the end of the 2080s. Rising temperatures and aridification due to climate change are the primary threats to the species' survival.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalOryx·DateMar 11, 2020

Bumblebees' aversion to pumpkin pollen may help plants thrive

Researchers at Cornell University found that squash and pumpkin pollen deter bumblebees from collecting and eating pollen, potentially providing an evolutionary benefit to cucurbit plants. This is because the pollen causes damage and distorted digestive tracts in adult bees and prevents them from reproducing.

SourceCornell University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 11, 2020

New COVID-19 content from Annals of Internal Medicine

Two new articles published in Annals of Internal Medicine provide guidance on how US hospitals can prepare for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The first article offers ideas for protecting hospitals from the invisible threat of coronavirus, while the second article provides recommendations for preparing hospitals for a surge in cases.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 11, 2020

Power struggles hinder urban adaptation policies to climate change

A study analyzing Barcelona's 'Superblocks' program reveals how political struggles for municipal power hindered its implementation. The program aimed to reduce car traffic and emissions, but resistance from local forces and public participation issues threatened its success.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalCities·DateMar 11, 2020

$21.4 million initiative to develop water-energy technologies

The Collaborative Water-Energy Research Center (CoWERC) aims to reduce energy needed for desalination, improve water recovery and support safe water reuse through research, development and commercialization of new technologies. CoWERC will enable the creation of energy-water systems that could be implemented worldwide.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateMar 11, 2020

Popular painkiller ibuprofen affects liver enzymes in mice

A new study from the University of California, Davis found that ibuprofen causes significant changes in liver enzymes in laboratory mice. The research highlights marked differences in how males and females metabolize the drug, with potential implications for human health.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 11, 2020

Healthy lifestyle reduces risk of disease, death

A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that individuals who maintain intermediate to ideal cardiovascular health for longer periods are 33% less likely to develop hypertension and other diseases. This suggests that promoting healthy behaviors throughout life may be beneficial for reducing the risk of chronic diseases and mortality.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateMar 11, 2020

Deciphering disorder

Researchers have measured atomic positions of all atoms in a 2D material and calculated its impact on electronic properties. They found that materials are far from perfect, with constant misalignment, missing, or replaced atoms affecting the system's behavior.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 11, 2020

Magic twist angles of graphene sheets identified

The study reveals how twisted graphene sheets behave and their stability at different sizes and temperatures, providing insights into self-alignment mechanisms and forces. This fundamental research could pave the way for manufacturers to achieve fine control over twist angles in 2D material structures.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review B·DateMar 11, 2020

How secure are four and six-digit mobile phone PINs?

Researchers investigated how users choose their mobile phone PINs and found that six-digit PINs do not provide more security than four-digit ones. The study also showed that Apple's blacklist could be optimized and would make sense on Android devices.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·DateMar 11, 2020

Fossil footprints show stegosaurs left their mark on Scottish isle

A team of palaeontologists has discovered stegosaur fossil footprints on the Isle of Skye, shedding light on dinosaur diversity in the Middle Jurassic period. The findings reveal that stegosaurs roamed the island around 170 million years ago and provide a clearer picture of Scotland's dinosaur evolution during this time.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 11, 2020

Like patching a flat tire: New fix heals herniated discs

A new two-step technique repairs herniated discs by re-inflating the disc with hyaluronic acid gel and sealing the hole with collagen gel. This method maintains mechanical function and prevents collapse or deterioration, offering a promising alternative to existing treatments.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 11, 2020

Permanent magnets stronger than those on refrigerator could be a solution for delivering fusion energy

Scientists have proposed using permanent magnets to simplify the design and production of stellarators, which are twisty fusion facilities that can produce massive amounts of energy. This innovation could lead to the creation of simpler, non-twisted coils and lower costs for engineering and manufacturing.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 11, 2020

Smaller tropical forest fragments vanish faster than larger forest blocks

Researchers found that smaller tropical forest fragments experienced greater losses than larger ones between 2001 and 2018. Connecting small fragments to reestablish wide-ranging tree cover is crucial in Central America, West Africa, and Southeast Asia.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 11, 2020

Remote South American kelp forests surveyed for first time since 1973

Researchers surveyed remote South American kelp forests for the first time in 45 years, finding relatively unchanged ecosystems despite global threats from climate change and human activities. No signs of destructive sea urchin grazing were observed, but fish populations varied by location within the study area.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 11, 2020

Piracy takes greater toll on small Persian gulf energy exporters

A new study by Duke University reveals that piracy in the Strait of Hormuz can have a significant toll on smaller Persian Gulf countries, including Bahrain and Kuwait. These nations export refined petroleum products, which make up a larger proportion of their GDP, making them more vulnerable to slowdowns in energy shipping.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnergy Policy·DateMar 11, 2020

Researchers find new minor planets beyond Neptune

Using DES data, researchers found more than 300 trans-Neptunian objects, including 245 discoveries made by DES. The method developed by Pedro Bernardinelli can also be used to search for TNOs in upcoming astronomy surveys.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateMar 11, 2020

Intralipid improves efficacy of chemotherapy treatment

Researchers found that pairing Abraxane with Intralipid enhances tumor-killing macrophages, reducing cancer growth and protecting organs from damage. The combination also decreases the amount of expensive drugs needed for treatment.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 10, 2020

Observed: An occultation of a brown dwarf by another

Astronomers detected velocities of both brown dwarfs in a system orbiting each other, confirming the hypothesis that 2M1510 is composed of two brown dwarfs. The discovery provides rare data on the mass, radius, and age of brown dwarfs, allowing for verification of theoretical models.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 10, 2020

NIST study uncovers a potential driver of premature solar panel failures

Researchers at NIST identified acetic acid as a prime suspect in accelerating the degradation of polyamide-based backsheets, which are common in solar panels. The study highlights the importance of interplay between solar panel components in determining their longevity.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalProgress in Photovoltaics Research and Applications·DateMar 10, 2020

Muscle stem cells compiled in 'atlas'

A team of Cornell researchers compiled a 'cell atlas' of muscle regeneration, cataloging the activity of almost every type of cell involved in muscle repair. The dataset provides a comprehensive picture of cellular interactions and may lead to improved rehabilitation strategies for patients recovering from muscle injuries.

SourceCornell University·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 10, 2020

More than a nice coating

Researchers found that degrading perineuronal nets improves learning abilities in mice but disrupts memory storage. Children's brains have flexible connections allowing for better learning and recovery from brain injury due to intact perineuronal nets.

SourceNetherlands Institute for Neuroscience - KNAW·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2020

APS tip sheet: Understanding the tears of wine

Researchers created a new model to account for wine tears' complex fluid structures, which form due to changes in surface tension induced by alcohol evaporation. The study reveals the interplay between gravity, surface tension, and fluid physics leading to these unusual phenomena.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateMar 10, 2020

Cancer cells spread using a copper-binding protein

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology identified Atox1 as a copper-binding protein that facilitates breast cancer cell migration. High Atox1 levels in tumours are linked to lower survival times, suggesting it may be a biomarker for disease aggressiveness.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2020

Wetting property of Li metal with graphite

Graphite has been found to be intrinsically lithiophilic at 500K, contradicting previous conclusions that it was lithiophobic. The study uses ab initio molecular dynamics simulation and shows that surface chemistry plays a key role in the wetting performance of Li metal on graphite.

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

Disturbed retinal gene function underlying canine blindness

A study by University of Helsinki researchers identified a gene variant in the regulatory region of the retina responsible for canine blindness in Miniature Schnauzers. The finding provides valuable insights into retinal biology and offers a new model for understanding related diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 10, 2020

Biomass fuels can significantly mitigate global warming

Researchers found that biomass fuels derived from grasses like switchgrass and giant miscanthus can reduce carbon emissions by 78-290% compared to petroleum-based fuels. The study suggests that these crops could provide a significant portion of the decarbonization needed to curb global warming.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 10, 2020

Indian Ocean phenomenon spells climate trouble for Australia

Researchers find historically rare events in Indian Ocean have become more frequent and intense, with potential dire impacts on Australia's climate. The study uses coral records to reconstruct variability over the last millennium, providing new insights into how the Indian Ocean interacts with ENSO.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature·DateMar 10, 2020

Study ties kin selection to host-manipulating behavior in parasites

A new study by Texas A&M University biologist Dr. Charles Criscione and collaborators reveals that family ties play a crucial role in the survival of parasitic organisms. Brain flukes sacrifice themselves to ensure the survival of their relatives, who co-infect the same ant's abdomen.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2020

How heartbreak and hardship shape growing old

A new study found that people who experienced the greatest levels of hardship, stress, and personal loss were five times more likely to experience a lower quality of life, with significantly more health and physical difficulties in later life. Those raised by emotionally cold mothers were also less likely to experience good quality of ...

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Public Health·DateMar 10, 2020

A possible end to 'forever' chemicals

Excess electrons can shatter carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS, breaking them down into by-products that may accelerate the process. The discovery offers a potential method to tackle widespread contamination of water supplies across America.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateMar 10, 2020

NCCN releases recommendations for standardizing quality measurement in oncology

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has published a list of high-impact measures for assessing quality improvements in cancer care. The recommendations reflect a landscape analysis from leading oncology experts and include endorsement of 15 existing measures and seven new concepts proposed for development.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateMar 10, 2020

FAIR Health launches shared decision-making tools for palliative care

FAIR Health has launched a groundbreaking website feature that combines clinical and cost information to support seriously and chronically ill patients in shared decision making with clinicians. The new tool offers three palliative care scenarios, including kidney dialysis, nutrition options, and breathing assistance.

SourceFAIR Health·DateMar 10, 2020

Inherited arrhythmia in young Finnish Leonbergers under investigation

A study of 46 Finnish Leonbergers found that 15% had severe arrhythmia and 15% had milder cardiac changes, with sudden deaths linked to cardiac arrhythmia. The researchers aim to identify the genetic cause of the disorder to develop early diagnostics, breeding programs, and potential drug therapies.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Veterinary Cardiology·DateMar 10, 2020