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Science News for April 29, 2020


'Gargantuan' hail in Argentina may have smashed world record

A recent storm in Argentina produced hailstones up to 9.3 inches across, potentially setting a new world record. Researchers suggest classifying such large hailstones as 'gargantuan' and emphasize the need for more awareness and data collection to better understand these extreme events.

SourcePenn State·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateApr 29, 2020

The Lancet: First randomized trial of remdesivir suggests antiviral drug is not associated with significant clinical benefits, more research needed

A randomized trial of remdesivir suggests the antiviral drug is not associated with significant clinical benefits for treating COVID-19. Patients treated with remdesivir within 10 days of symptom onset showed faster recovery compared to those given placebo, but results were not statistically significant.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 29, 2020

A study places the origin of a group of trees growing in Africa 50 million years ago

A recent study by the University of Córdoba has pinpointed the origin of a group of trees growing in Africa to 50 million years ago. The research, which used molecular clock and phylogenetic methods, found that these legume plants diversified in response to climate changes and can be found in various parts of Africa and Madagascar.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·DateApr 29, 2020

Marooned on Mesozoic Madagascar

International researchers discovered a nearly complete skeleton of Adalatherium, a 66-million-year-old mammal that lived among dinosaurs and massive crocodiles. The finding sheds light on the evolutionary history of gondwanatherians, an extinct group of mammals known from isolated teeth and jaw fragments.

SourceStony Brook University·JournalNature·DateApr 29, 2020

Arteries respond in opposite ways for males and females

A new study reveals that a key protein in controlling high blood pressure behaves differently in males and females. In female mice, the protein Kv2.1 contracts blood vessels, while in male mice, it dilates them. This difference has significant implications for developing tailored treatment strategies for hypertension in men and women.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 29, 2020

Mapping health risks for people with mental disorders

A University of Queensland study reveals that people with mental disorders are significantly more likely to develop other health conditions. Women with anxiety disorders have a 50% increased risk of heart conditions or stroke over 15 years, and men with substance use disorders have a 400% increased risk of gut or liver disorders.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 29, 2020

A milder hair dye based on synthetic melanin

Researchers at Northwestern University created a gentler hair dye process using synthetic melanin, with conditions similar to or milder than those used for commercially available dyes. The natural-looking colors persisted for at least 18 washes, posing less damage and health risks compared to traditional methods.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateApr 29, 2020

Computational techniques explore 'the dark side of amyloid aggregation in the brain'

UMass Amherst scientists used computational techniques to study amyloid fibril growth and brain pathology, revealing that earlier forms of the protein are toxic. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the process, highlighting the importance of energy landscapes in disease progression.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 29, 2020

Algae in the oceans often steal genes from bacteria

A Rutgers co-authored study found that algae, responsible for producing 70% of oxygen and 45% of global primary production, acquire beneficial genes from bacteria. The study analyzed genomic data from 23 species of brown and golden-brown algae and discovered that gene stealing or acquisition varies substantially among different species.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 29, 2020

Learning from fish and flags to inform new propulsion strategies

A team of researchers has discovered a connection between resonance and nonlinearity in swimming performance, revealing potential new bio-inspired propulsion strategies. By understanding the passive dynamics at play when vehicles move through air or water, they aim to enhance performance while reducing energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateApr 29, 2020

Training linked to stronger promotion chances for women in IT over work performance

A new study found that training plays a crucial role in promotions for women in the tech industry, bypassing traditional notions of work performance. Women are more likely to be promoted due to their participation in training programs, highlighting the importance of equal opportunities in overcoming biases.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateApr 29, 2020

Drug reduces the risk of child sexual abuse

A new drug called degarelix, approved for prostate cancer treatment, has been shown to reduce the risk of men with pedophilic disorder committing child sexual abuse. The drug, administered every three months, dampens critical risk factors such as high sexual desire and attraction to children.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 29, 2020

A step closer to eradicating malaria

Strategies treating households near recent malaria cases with anti-malarial drugs and insecticides significantly reduce malaria in low-transmission settings. Researchers found that reactive focal mass drug administration (rfMDA) and reactive focal vector control (RAVC), used separately or together, can cut new cases by up to 75%.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 29, 2020

Breastfeeding helps prevent mothers from developing diabetes after childbirth

A study by Korean researchers found that breastfeeding lowers maternal postpartum diabetes incidence and improves metabolic health through serotonin production. The research showed sustained improvements in pancreatic beta cells lasting years after lactation cessation, reducing the risk of developing diabetes.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 29, 2020

Making a 'strange' discovery

Physicists led by Rene Bellwied aim to understand the role of 'dark' matter in the universe's evolution. The team will analyze data from international experiments STAR and ALICE to study the transition from quark-gluon plasma to existing particles.

Stark disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization and death rates among New York

A new study has identified significant disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization and death rates across New York City's five boroughs, with the Bronx experiencing nearly twice as many deaths per 100,000 persons compared to Manhattan. The research highlights the need for targeted public health strategies to mitigate these disparities.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateApr 29, 2020

Physio support in COVID-19 recovery

The new guidelines aim to prevent complications of the respiratory system and muscle deconditioning, while also improving long-term physical function and recovery. Physiotherapists are essential in providing treatment and limiting ICU-acquired weakness.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Physiotherapy·DateApr 29, 2020

Risks of potentially inappropriate medications post-hospitalization for older adults

A recent study found that older adults who receive potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) after hospitalization are more likely to experience harmful drug reactions, emergency department visits, rehospitalizations, and death. Nearly half of patients prescribed PIMs experienced these adverse events within 30 days of discharge.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateApr 29, 2020

Public does not grasp idea of 'futile treatment' for critically ill patients

A new UCLA study reveals that most laypersons misunderstand the concept of 'futile treatment,' a crucial discussion for families making end-of-life decisions. The research highlights the need for increased public engagement on this issue, particularly in resource-scarce healthcare systems like during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateApr 29, 2020

Nearly one-third of primary care providers do not view medication treatment for opioid use disorder as effective

A survey of U.S. primary care physicians found that nearly one-third do not view medication treatment for opioid use disorder as effective, despite strong research evidence and clinical guidelines emphasizing its life-saving benefits. The study also revealed low support for policies to remove prescription barriers and increase insuranc...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 29, 2020

Researchers devise new model to track COVID-19's spread

Yale researchers developed a new approach to track COVID-19's spread by leveraging real-time population flow data, demonstrating its effectiveness in forecasting the outbreak and identifying high-risk areas. The model accurately predicted subsequent COVID-19 infections across China and corroborated official case counts.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateApr 29, 2020

A one-hour exercise early in college improves career outcomes for black students years later

A one-hour exercise increasing feelings of social belonging in college students appears to significantly improve their lives and careers up to eleven years later. The study found that targeted psychological intervention can be an important tool to interrupt generational sociocultural disadvantages.

Mind-controlled arm prostheses that 'feel' are now a part of everyday life

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed mind-controlled arm prostheses that deliver sensations of touch, revolutionizing prosthetic technology. The new neuromusculoskeletal prosthesis is connected to the user's nerves, muscles, and skeleton, enabling patients with arm amputations to experience a sense of touch i...

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 29, 2020