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Science News Archive April 2020 - Page 28


Page 28 of 37

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

Researchers assess bird flu virus subtypes in China

In a recent study published in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, researchers isolated two H16N3 subtype influenza viruses that can bind to both human and avian-type cell receptors. The viruses showed evidence of genetic material from other species, suggesting they could infect humans and animals in the future.

SourceWiley·JournalTransboundary and Emerging Diseases·DateApr 8, 2020

How effective is quarantine alone or in combination with other public health measures to control coronavirus (COVID-19)?

This review found that quarantine can significantly reduce infections and deaths from COVID-19 when combined with other public health measures such as physical distancing, school closures, and travel restrictions. The effectiveness of quarantine alone was less consistent, but still showed promise in controlling outbreaks.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateApr 8, 2020

Public policies push schools to prioritize creating better test-takers over better people

Public schools in the US have shifted their focus to academic excellence, prioritizing standardized test scores over personal growth, job skills, and student self-awareness. The UB-led study found a significant rise in the ranking of academic excellence among public school principals, while personal growth and job skills declined.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalEducational Administration Quarterly·DateApr 8, 2020

Drinking green tea may help with food allergies

Research at Shinshu University found that green tea consumption increases Flavonifractor plautii bacteria in the gut, leading to a suppressed Th2 immune response to food allergies. This study suggests that drinking green tea may be a potential anti-allergy probiotic.

SourceShinshu University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateApr 8, 2020

Wallflowers could lead to new drugs

A team of researchers has identified the wallflower as a suitable model plant for discovering new cardenolides, which could lead to safer versions of heart disease and cancer treatments. The study provides a foundation for understanding the biosynthesis of cardenolides and their potential applications.

COVID-19 critical care bed modelling study: potential shortage in Canada

A national modelling paper suggests that Canada's ICU beds may not be enough to handle the demand during a COVID-19 outbreak, highlighting the need for higher rates of self-isolation. The study projects that at the outbreak's peak, the need for ICU beds per 10,000 population could be 2.6 times higher than the number of available beds.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 8, 2020

Harnessing the power of electricity-producing bacteria for programmable 'biohybrids'

Researchers have created a material that supports the growth of exoelectrogenic bacteria while efficiently conducting electricity in a controlled manner. By incorporating DNA strands into a nanocomposite scaffold, they can tailor the conductivity and properties of the material by varying the size and sequence of the DNA fragments.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 8, 2020

Mutation reduces energy waste in plants

Researchers identified mutations that improve photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana by reducing protein degradation and increasing chlorophyll production. The findings suggest a potential mechanism to enhance plant energy efficiency and biomass production.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 8, 2020

Impulse for research on fungi

Researchers have developed a new method to visualize fungi using expansion microscopy, allowing for detailed studies of fungal biology and potential applications in medicine. The technique has been successfully applied to three fungal species, including the clinically relevant Aspergillus fumigatus.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateApr 8, 2020

COVID-19 in children in Spain

A study from Madrid's Hospital Infanta Sofía of COVID-19 testing and treatment in children shows promising results, with over 90% of pediatric patients experiencing mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. The study's findings highlight the importance of early detection and treatment in managing childhood COVID-19 cases.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 8, 2020

First mobile app for caregivers of children with FASD reaches trial stage

A new mobile app, FMF Connect, has been designed to support caregivers of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The app provides easily accessible information and connects users with others who understand their experiences. Researchers conducted focus groups and beta tests to refine the app's components, including a Fa...

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateApr 8, 2020

Restricting sleep may affect emotional reactions

Participants in a study perceived pleasant and neutral pictures in a more negative way when their sleep was restricted. Insufficient sleep may impose a negative emotional bias, leading to an increased tendency to evaluate emotional stimuli as negative.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateApr 8, 2020

STEM students learn as well online as in classrooms

A study by Cornell University found that STEM students learned equally well in online courses as they did in traditional classroom settings, with significant cost savings. The research, which tracked over 300 students in Russia, showed that online courses can deliver the same learning outcomes at a fraction of the cost.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 8, 2020