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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 423


Page 423 of 512

Specialized helper cells contribute to immunological memory

Researchers have discovered that T follicular helper cells can persist for at least 400 days after infection, supporting antibody production even in late stages. This finding opens up new prospects for creating long-term acquired immunity through vaccination strategies.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience Immunology·DateMar 6, 2020

Making puffer fish toxin in a flask

Researchers have introduced a novel total synthesis method for tetrodotoxin, a strong nerve toxin with potential as a pain reliever for cancer treatment. The new route enables easy and reliable production of the compound.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 6, 2020

Comprehensive review of heterogeneously integrated 2D materials

Researchers from Sungkyunkwan University provide a comprehensive review of heterogeneously integrated two-dimensional materials, enabling the design of novel devices. The review discusses various 2D heterostructures, their physical characteristics, and new functional applications.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalNANO·DateMar 6, 2020

The complex biology behind your love (or hatred) of coffee

A study of 4,788 child-parent pairs and 2,380 siblings found that 36-58% of coffee intake is genetically determined, with environmental factors influencing the amount consumed. The correlation between parent's and offspring's coffee drinking increased with each quantile, suggesting a complex interplay between genetics and environment.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalBehavior Genetics·DateMar 6, 2020

Dimming Betelgeuse likely isn't cold, just dusty, new study shows

Researchers at the University of Washington and Lowell Observatory found that Betelgeuse's surface temperature remains relatively stable despite recent dimming. The team calculated the average surface temperature of the star using a filter to 'dampen' its light, revealing a surface temperature of around 3,325 degrees Celsius.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 6, 2020

Argonne's pioneering user facility to add magic number factory

The Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) is being upgraded with a new capability to produce beams of heavy atomic nuclei consisting of 126 neutrons, a 'magic number', for nuclear structure and astrophysics research. This upgrade will help scientists test a reigning theory on the formation of heavy elements.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms·DateMar 6, 2020

Don't blame the messenger -- unless it's all stats and no story

A University at Buffalo researcher found that telling stories when communicating can make the speaker appear more warm and trustworthy, as opposed to speaking statistics. People rely on warmth and competence when forming impressions of someone, and previous research suggests scientists are perceived as smart but distant.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 6, 2020

World-first system forecasts warming of lakes globally

Scientists have developed a global system to predict future warming of lakes, which could threaten cold-water species like salmon and trout. By 2100, average lake temperature is expected to rise by 4 degrees Celsius under extreme climate change scenarios.

SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 6, 2020

Improving the vision of self-driving vehicles

A team from Deakin University in Australia developed an improved sight-correcting system for self-driving vehicles. By watching human operators complete tasks, the vehicles can learn to make decisions based on visual information, reducing the need for extensive training data.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateMar 6, 2020

One species to four: New analysis documents new bird diversity in the Pacific

International team parses Pacific Robin populations across South Pacific islands into several distinct species, revealing complex relationships and major conservation implications. The study highlights the importance of understanding biodiversity units for effective conservation, particularly for small, isolated island populations.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalJournal of Avian Biology·DateMar 6, 2020

Aggressive features in some small thyroid tumors increase the risk for metastasis

A study of 30,180 patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma found that nearly 20% had pathological signs of aggressive disease, increasing the risk of distant metastasis. The research emphasizes the need for new preoperative tests to identify high-risk tumors and thorough patient counseling on all treatment options.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMar 6, 2020

Alcohol marketing and underage drinking

A systematic review of 38 cross-sectional studies found a positive association between alcohol marketing exposure and young people's alcohol use behaviors. The researchers concluded that future policies should regulate alcohol marketing more strictly to reduce underage drinking and related problems.

SourcePacific Institute for Research and Evaluation·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateMar 6, 2020

Topology protects light propagation in photonic crystal

Researchers have successfully observed topologically protected light waves propagating along a special boundary in a photonic crystal, unaffected by sharp corners or imperfections. This breakthrough enables the development of optical chips with enhanced reliability and potential for quantum information transfer.

SourceAMOLF·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 6, 2020

Scholars explore role of digital environments in international marketing

The Journal of International Marketing explores the impact of digital environments on international marketing, with research highlighting key trends and frameworks. Studies examine social media, global brand building, customer journeys, dark net markets, and more, shedding light on the latest developments in the field.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of International Marketing·DateMar 6, 2020

Biomarker in saliva predicts childhood obesity risk

A molecular marker in saliva is associated with childhood obesity emergence in preschool-aged Hispanic children. Salivary methylation of the NRF1 gene predicted childhood obesity three years later, even after controlling for maternal BMI and behavioral factors.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalBMC Medical Genetics·DateMar 6, 2020

Using technology during mealtimes may decrease food intake, study finds

Researchers found that participants who consumed a meal while playing a computer game ate significantly less than those who ate without distractions. The study also showed that the effect of distraction on food consumption can persist even after the initial distracted eating experience.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateMar 6, 2020

What women really want

Researchers at the University of Göttingen investigated whether changes in a woman's menstrual cycle affect her preferences for men's behavior. The study found that women find all men slightly more attractive when fertile and perceive flirtier men as more attractive for short-term relationships, but less attractive for long-term ones. ...

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 6, 2020

Healthcare innovators focus on 'quality as a business strategy' -- update from Journal of Healthcare Quality

The Journal for Healthcare Quality has published a special issue on quality as a business strategy, featuring six innovative approaches to improving healthcare. These programs include improving clinical documentation, assessing the costs of pressure injuries, and implementing bundled payments for joint replacement.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal for Healthcare Quality·DateMar 6, 2020

Argonne's Valerii Vinokur awarded Fritz London Prize

Valerii Vinokur, a senior scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, has made significant contributions to understanding topological properties of matter and their related phase transitions. His research has enabled the discovery of novel superinsulating states of matter in disordered superconducting films.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·DateMar 6, 2020

Recovering phosphorus from corn ethanol production can help reduce groundwater pollution

Researchers developed a process to recover 80-90% of phosphorus from dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS), reducing excess phosphorus in manure and minimizing algae production. The process is estimated to add $1 million annually in revenue for ethanol plants, while improving environmental sustainability.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalCereal Chemistry·DateMar 6, 2020

Endangered species on supermarket shelves

A study published in Science Advances found nearly 50% of retail eel products in Hong Kong supermarkets contained endangered European eel. The investigation exposed a surprising prevalence of illegally traded glass eels from Europe, posing a significant threat to the species' survival.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 6, 2020

Damaging impacts of warming moderated by migration of rainfed crops

A new study finds that warming temperatures have been substantially mitigated by the migration of rainfed corn, wheat, and rice. However, continued migration may result in significant environmental costs, including biodiversity loss and increased carbon emissions.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 6, 2020

Space lettuce

Researchers at Kennedy Space Center successfully grew red romaine lettuce in space onboard the International Space Station, demonstrating its safety and nutritional value. The study found that space-grown lettuce was similar to Earth-grown controls in terms of composition but showed increased levels of certain nutrients and antioxidants.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateMar 6, 2020

Gut bacteria can penetrate tumors and aid cancer therapy, study suggests

Researchers found that Bifidobacteria accumulate in tumors and activate the stimulation of interferon genes pathway, enhancing anti-tumor efficacy of CD47 immunotherapy. Supplementation with Bifidobacteria improved treatment response in mice with previously non-responsive tumors.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMar 6, 2020

Fire from the sky

Researchers discover cosmic impact evidence at Abu Hureyra archaeological site in northern Syria, dating back to the earliest human settlement. The impact is believed to have caused destruction and burning of the settlement nearly 12,800 years ago.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 6, 2020

Lunar lasers and cosmic crops: NASA funds UArizona space exploration missions

Researchers at the University of Arizona are working with NASA to develop new methods for harvesting water from the lunar surface using lasers. The mission aims to create a system that can efficiently extract water and nutrients from the lunar environment, enabling sustainable food production in space. With the help of tiny satellites ...

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateMar 6, 2020

The harmful effects of stress during pregnancy can last a lifetime

Researchers at Yale University found that mice exposed to stress in the womb and after birth experience lifelong immune system deficiencies, making them more susceptible to bacterial infections and tumors. Early-life exposure to glucocorticoids permanently alters immune responses, rewiring the body to respond differently.

SourceYale University·JournalCell·DateMar 5, 2020

What we don't know (about lakes) could hurt us

Researchers found a significant knowledge gap in how lakes respond to extreme storms, with inconsistent findings across studies. The team calls for a collaborative effort to develop a research framework to better predict phytoplankton responses to storm-induced changes.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateMar 5, 2020

Corn productivity in real time: Satellites, field cameras, and farmers team up

Researchers developed a scalable method for estimating crop productivity in real time using satellite data, in-field camera networks, and ground measurements. The method provides highly accurate estimates of leaf area index (LAI) and can be used to detect underperforming fields or segments that need targeted management practices.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·DateMar 5, 2020

Mapping movement

Researchers have uncovered neural mechanisms that govern complex motor sequences in fruit flies, revealing the importance of spatial comparisons in decision-making. The findings could lend insight into pathologies such as Parkinson's Disease and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 5, 2020

Tissue-digging nanodrills do just enough damage

Researchers have successfully tested molecular motors that can destroy diseased cells in worms, plankton, and mice. The nanomachines caused various degrees of damage to tissues, showing their potential for treating skin diseases such as melanomas and eczema.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 5, 2020

Rats avoid to hurt other rats

In a study published in Current Biology, researchers found that rats exhibit harm aversion, stopping use of their preferred lever when it would cause pain to a neighboring rat. This phenomenon is linked to the same brain region associated with empathy in humans, suggesting that harm aversion is deeply ingrained in our biology.

SourceNetherlands Institute for Neuroscience - KNAW·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 5, 2020

World's smelliest fruit could charge your mobile phone

Researchers from University of Sydney have developed a method to store electricity efficiently using durian and jackfruit waste. The fruits' biomass is converted into super-capacitors that can quickly charge electronic devices, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of Energy Storage·DateMar 5, 2020

Veterinarians: Dogs, too, can experience hearing loss

Researchers describe cases of hearing loss in working dogs, highlighting the importance of noise protection. Hearing loss can be treated, and owners can adapt to help their pets thrive despite the condition.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalTopics in Companion Animal Medicine·DateMar 5, 2020

Self-driving car trajectory tracking gets closer to human-driver ideal

Researchers have developed a new optimization method for tracking self-driving car trajectories that reduces errors while keeping computation demands low. The method prioritizes passenger comfort, aiming to replicate human drivers' ability to balance speed, safety, and route choice.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateMar 5, 2020

Unexpected discovery: Blue-green algae produce oil

Cyanobacteria, previously thought to lack oil production ability, can now produce oil from water and carbon dioxide with light. This discovery opens up possibilities for producing animal feed or biofuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 5, 2020

Cooling magnets with sound

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a method to cool microparticles using sound waves, enabling quantum experiments without photons. This innovative approach also provides a path to probe and manipulate exotic dynamics of acoustic and magnetic waves in small particles.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 5, 2020

Novel sepsis treatment enhances bacterial capture by neutrophil 'traps'

Researchers developed a novel treatment that compacts and stabilizes neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to enhance bacterial capture, resist degradation, and improve sepsis outcomes. The treatment improved survival in mice with sepsis by reducing severity of illness and decreasing bacteria levels.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalBlood·DateMar 5, 2020

Artificial Intelligence to improve the precision of mammograms

A combination of AI algorithms and radiologist interpretations improved mammogram accuracy, avoiding unnecessary tests for 10% false positives. This approach has the potential to increase detection value and make healthcare more sustainable.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalJAMA·DateMar 5, 2020

Spin-preserving chiral photonic crystal mirror

Researchers have developed a novel planar chiral mirror that preserves the spin of light upon reflection, overcoming limitations of traditional mirrors. This innovation has potential applications in quantum information processing and quantum optics.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMar 5, 2020

Satellite data boosts understanding of climate change's effects on kelp

Researchers used 35 years of satellite imagery to study the effects of climate change on kelp forests in Oregon, finding that warm water isn't always bad news for these near-shore seaweeds. The study also challenged previous assumptions about the impact of large winter waves on kelp populations.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEcology·DateMar 5, 2020

'Tickling' an atom to investigate the behavior of materials

Scientists have developed a diagnostic technique using electron microscopy to measure the behavior of individual atoms in materials. This allows them to detect and monitor impurities at the atomic level, with potential applications in various fields such as electronics and materials science.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScience·DateMar 5, 2020

Food scientists slice time off salmonella identification process

Researchers from Cornell and Mars Global Food Safety Center developed a method for whole-genome sequencing to determine salmonella serotypes in two hours. This improves the efficiency of food safety response to salmonella contamination incidents, which can occur in various foods.

SourceCornell University·JournalFood Microbiology·DateMar 5, 2020

Ultra-wide field retinal imaging techniques cannot be used interchangeably

A new study from the Joslin Diabetes Center reveals that ultra-wide field (UWF) fluorescein angiography detects over three times more microaneurysms than UWF color imaging, highlighting the need for cautious use of these techniques when evaluating and treating diabetic retinopathy. The research also suggests that AI can automate the gr...

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology·DateMar 5, 2020