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Science News for April 9, 2020


Ordering of atoms in liquid gallium under pressure

Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that liquid gallium maintains local order and forms regions of low entropy with five-fold symmetry even at extremely high pressures. This finding opens up new avenues for studying rapid temperature quenched melts leading to the production of metallic glass materials.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 9, 2020

Cost-effective oxygen concentrators

ETH Zurich researchers have designed cost-effective oxygen concentrators to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The devices use a novel membrane technology and can be replicated almost anywhere in the world using locally available materials.

TU Dresden chemists develop noble metal aerogels for electrochemical hydrogen production

Researchers from TU Dresden have developed novel noble metal aerogels that exhibit exceptional electrocatalytic properties, outperforming commercial platinum catalysts in a range of applications. These advanced materials show promise for efficient electrochemical hydrogen production, including green hydrogen and fuel cells.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateApr 9, 2020

Money can't buy love -- or friendship

Researchers at UB and Harvard Business School found that people who base their self-worth on financial success experience pressure and lack of autonomy, leading to negative social outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of preserving personal relationships in maintaining good mental health.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateApr 9, 2020

Risk aversion as a survival strategy in ants

Ants adapt their behavior to avoid traps by associating visual cues with negative experiences. Researchers studied two species of ants that changed their route on the second attempt after experiencing a setback.

SourceCNRS·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 9, 2020

Firework-related eye injuries

From 1999 to 2017, approximately 64,000 firework-related eye injuries were treated in US emergency departments. The study found that men and children under 18 were more likely to be injured.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateApr 9, 2020

Special issue explores consumer access and power

The Journal of Public Policy & Marketing explores the complex relationship between consumer power and access, examining how technology, wealth, and industry organization influence this dynamic. Key findings highlight the importance of perceived access to healthcare, financial capability, and trait hope in improving consumer outcomes.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateApr 9, 2020

Research sheds light on how silver ions kill bacteria

Researchers used advanced imaging to study proteins at the molecular level in live E. coli bacteria. Silver ions caused paired DNA strands to separate and protein binding to weaken, resulting in faster protein movement. This new understanding could help develop better antibiotics using silver nanoparticles.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 9, 2020

USC scientists develop a better redox flow battery

USC scientists have developed a new redox flow battery that stores electricity in solutions, sorts electrons, and releases power when needed. The technology uses iron sulfate and anthraquinone disulfonic acid (AQDS) to store electrochemical energy, with advantages over competitors in terms of cost, durability, and scalability.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateApr 9, 2020

Rethinking biosecurity governance

The article highlights the need for a new approach to biosecurity governance, grounded in experimentation. Key findings include the importance of framing governance experiments with hypotheses, developing capacity to quickly identify difficult cases, and fostering cross-biology communities for iterative improvement.

SourceHarvard Kennedy School·JournalScience·DateApr 9, 2020

Neanderthal cord weaver

Researchers discovered evidence of cord making on a flint fragment from Abri du Maras in France, dating back 40,000 years. The remains showed twisted fibres made of cellulose, likely from coniferous trees, highlighting the cognitive abilities and knowledge of Neanderthals.

SourceCNRS·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 9, 2020

Looking for dark matter

Physicists Rees McNally and Tanya Zelevinsky have proposed two novel methods of searching for dark matter by measuring tiny perturbations in fundamental constants. These methods involve using gravity sensors and LIGO gravitational wave detectors to detect a small extra 'push' or acceleration on normal matter caused by dark matter clumps.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateApr 9, 2020

Canada lynx disappearing from Washington state

A massive monitoring study found Canada lynx on only 20% of its potential habitat in Washington state, highlighting the impact of climate change and wildfire on their survival. The research suggests that lynx are a key indicator species for climate change, with warming temperatures and reduced snowpack threatening their ability to thrive.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateApr 9, 2020

Ear's inner secrets revealed with new technology

Scientists have developed a new technology to study the inner ear using synchrotron X-rays, providing insights into cochlear implant success. The method allows for three-dimensional mapping of blood vessels in the inner ear, which may lead to improved electrode design and better hearing results.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 9, 2020

Immunotherapy treatment after chemotherapy significantly slows metastatic bladder cancer

A clinical trial found that immunotherapy significantly slowed the worsening of urothelial cancer when given after platinum-based chemotherapy, with a 60% longer time to cancer progression compared to the control group. The switch maintenance immunotherapy approach is expected to become a standard of care for metastatic bladder cancer.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 9, 2020

New hardware project would boost 5G networks

A University of Houston engineer is developing a system capable of supporting 5G infrastructure, enabling faster speeds and greater bandwidth. The $1.7 million grant-funded project aims to improve radio frequency communication capacity and advance power electronics to support the demands of 5G networks.

Reframing biosecurity governance as an experimental space, including as relates to handling COVID-19

Experts argue for a more experimental approach to biosecurity governance, focusing on systematically evaluating effectiveness and limitations of current solutions. This shift could help address previously unknown security concerns created by advancements in biological sciences like CRISPR and synthetic genomics.

First in-human study of drug targeting brain inflammation supports further development

A first-in-human study of a drug candidate targeting brain inflammation has shown promising results, supporting its further development for treating acute brain injuries. The study, conducted by a team from the University of Kentucky and other institutions, found that MW189 was safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalClinical Pharmacology in Drug Development·DateApr 9, 2020

Discovery of second primate lineage that crossed the Atlantic to settle in the New World

Analyses of four fossilized molars found in Peruvian Amazon reveal a new primate lineage, Ucayalipithecus perdita, with features distinct from the known Platyrrhini. This discovery suggests that another group of primates may have crossed the Atlantic Ocean around 35-32 million years ago, settling in the New World.

Broad spectrum

A hybrid material has been developed that can detect a broad range of light wavelengths, from ultraviolet to near infrared, due to its small bandgap. The material's electronic properties were investigated, revealing promising results for optoelectronic applications.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 9, 2020

Rare, damaging inherited mutations work together to reduce lifespan

A new study suggests that rare, damaging inherited mutations can have a significant impact on an individual's healthspan and longevity. Researchers found that people with more ultra-rare protein-truncating variants (PTVs) had shorter lifespans and healthspans, with each additional variant accounting for a six-month reduction in lifespa...

SourceeLife·DateApr 9, 2020

Now metal surfaces can be instant bacteria killers

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a technique that uses laser-texturing to create nanoscale patterns on metal surfaces, instantly killing bacteria and viruses. The technology has potential applications in medical devices such as orthopedic implants and wearable patches for chronic wounds.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateApr 9, 2020

Call to action: Traditional, complementary and integrative health COVID-19 support registry

The TCIHM COVID-19 Support Registry will characterize care, report indications of potential value or harm, and inform future treatments. Led by the Helfgott Research Institute, the registry is backed by over a dozen practitioner organizations and aims to provide valuable insights into integrative health practices during the pandemic.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateApr 9, 2020