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Science News for April 22, 2020


The downside of feeling prepared

Researchers found that feelings of preparedness in one area can lead to more confident thoughts about unrelated topics, even if those thoughts are not based on actual knowledge. Participants who were told they had to prepare for bad news later showed more positive attitudes towards research funding proposals than those who didn't prepare.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 22, 2020

Who's a bot and who's not

Researchers found trends in human behavior absent in social media bots, including increased social interaction and decreased content production over time. The study suggests these differences can be used to develop more sophisticated bot detection strategies.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physics·DateApr 22, 2020

SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents

The study examines pediatric cases of SARS-CoV-2 from China and Singapore, highlighting key clinical features and diagnostic tests. Current therapeutic management and prognosis are also discussed, providing valuable insights into managing the disease in this vulnerable population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 22, 2020

Toward a more energy-efficient spintronics

Researchers at Spintec Laboratory and CNRS/Thales Laboratory developed a non-magnetic system to detect spin information at low power. This breakthrough enables the creation of ferroelectricity-based spintronic devices that consume significantly less energy than traditional systems.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 2020

New study reveals life's earliest evolution was more complicated than previously suspected

A new study analyzes thousands of phylogenetic trees to shed light on the nature of the earliest living organisms. It suggests that early mutation rates were much higher than at present, leading to a complex 'family tree' of life. The research provides insight into how quickly early organisms may have evolved billions of years ago.

Gene signature found for poor response to standard chemotherapy in rare uterine cancer

Researchers have discovered a gene signature, USC73, that can identify women with rare and aggressive uterine serous carcinoma who are unlikely to respond to standard chemotherapy. The high USC73 score is associated with poor patient survival, cancer cell proliferation, and low rates of complete response to treatment.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalGynecologic Oncology·DateApr 22, 2020

Microwaves power new technology for batteries, energy

Purdue University researchers developed a technique to turn waste polyethylene terephthalate into battery components using ultrafast microwave irradiation. The technology has shown promising results for lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells, offering a low-cost and sustainable solution for renewable energy storage.

SourcePurdue University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateApr 22, 2020

A win-win solution -- Shredded straws can enhance soil fertility and reduce ammonia pollution

Long-term crop straw incorporation reduces annual ammonia volatilization fluxes by 16.1% to 35.1%, likely due to high C/N ratio of straw increasing microbial N immobilization and ammonium transformation. This practice sustains agricultural development while minimizing environmental impact.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateApr 22, 2020

Women's faces in Time Magazine throughout history

A study published in the Journal of Cultural Analytics found that the proportion of female faces in Time magazine varied over time, correlating with shifting attitudes towards women. The 'Faces of Time' project identified four phases of fluctuation, with a steady increase in female representation since the early 1990s.

SourceChapman University·JournalJournal of Cultural Analytics·DateApr 22, 2020

Tissues protect their DNA under mechanical stress

Researchers found that cells protect themselves from mechanical stress by not only deforming cell nuclei but also softening the genetic material itself. This mechanism helps prevent DNA damage and disease, including cancer. The study also reveals that healthy stem cells are more resistant to mechanical stretch than cancer cells.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCell·DateApr 22, 2020

Research reveals a new malaria vaccine candidate

Researchers have identified a promising new strategy for combating malaria by targeting the parasite's 'kill switch' with PfGARP antibodies. The approach, which involves generating anti-PfGARP antibodies or directly infusing them into individuals, has shown promise in nonhuman primates and holds hope for preventing severe malaria.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 2020

Inappropriate diagnoses

A small but concerning number of former NFL players report receiving clinical diagnoses of CTE, raising concerns of inappropriate diagnosis and overlooking of treatable conditions. Players with sleep apnea, heart disease, and depression are more likely to receive a CTE diagnosis, which could downplay the effects of these conditions.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateApr 22, 2020

Examining suicidal acts in US

Researchers examined 1.2 million US suicides and nonfatal attempts from 2006 to 2015, finding significant increases in mortality rates among younger adults. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address rising suicidal acts in the US population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 22, 2020

Health disparities in rural US: Higher coronary artery disease death in women under 65 and people with heart failure

Researchers found a significant increase in premature coronary artery disease deaths among rural women under 65, while also noting that people living in rural areas have lower survival rates for heart failure. This disparity highlights the need for targeted public health efforts to improve cardiovascular health in rural communities.

What protects minority languages from extinction?

Researchers have identified two scenarios in which minority languages can survive: linguistic diversity and mixed speaker populations. By applying mathematical modeling, the authors propose a new framework for understanding language coexistence, shedding light on the complexities of minority language preservation.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateApr 22, 2020

Orujo olive oil reduces obesity

Researchers found that Orujo Olive Oil significantly reduced obesity in mice by 30%, while also decreasing body fat, hepatic inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity. The study highlights the biological value of orujo oil as a functional food with great therapeutic potential against metabolic disorders.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalNutrients·DateApr 22, 2020

How we end up 'confined' on YouTube

Researchers studied YouTube recommendations from a thousand videos, generating half a million, and found a 'confined' phenomenon. The most confined recommendation networks revolve around the most viewed or longest-watched videos.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 22, 2020

Helping the heart heal itself

Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a protein called Meis1 that works with Hoxb13 to stop heart cell division, but deleting both genes can help heart cells regenerate. This finding could lead to new treatments for heart failure and other conditions.

Computers join the fight against COVID-19

Global efforts to combat COVID-19 involve leveraging computing power and collaboration across disciplines. Researchers worldwide have access to free computing resources through consortia such as Google's cloud services and Oak Ridge National Laboratory's supercomputers.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 22, 2020

The future of semiconductors is clear

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created a tin dioxide semiconductor with the highest mobility ever reported, enabling more efficient solar panels and touch-sensitive displays. This breakthrough could lead to improved transparency and conductivity in materials, benefiting various industries.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 22, 2020

Tiny sensors fit 30,000 to a penny, transmit data from living tissue

The team's microsensors can measure inputs like voltage and temperature in hard-to-reach environments, such as inside living tissue. They successfully embedded a sensor in brain tissue and wirelessly relayed the results, paving the way for generations of microsensors that use less power while tracking more complicated phenomena.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 22, 2020

In it together

Researchers found that a social marketing program, Fish Forever, increased community support for sustainable fishing practices. The program's customizable approach and community-led initiatives helped shift social norms and improve perception of management interventions.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalConservation Biology·DateApr 22, 2020

Online tool helps to protect tropical forests

Researchers at KU Leuven developed an online tool that maps threats to tropical dry forests in Peru and Ecuador, advising local governments on forest restoration and conservation. The tool uses tree species traits to predict resilience and identify most-at-risk areas.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 22, 2020

Promoting advantages of product category, such as e-cigarettes, can backfire

A UC Davis study found that promoting e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative to combustible cigarettes backfired, resulting in increased social valuations of e-cigarettes as bad or worse than cigarettes. The study analyzed over 1,200 documents and conducted interviews with policymakers, public health advocates, and industry leaders.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAdministrative Science Quarterly·DateApr 22, 2020