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Science News for August 24, 2020


Early adversity and mental health

A longitudinal study of 167 children found that early adversity increases the risk of depression by flattening testosterone slopes, leading to reduced hippocampal growth and increased emotion dysregulation. The findings suggest a need for interventions targeting mental health problems resulting from early poverty.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Spurring our understanding

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have identified a gene critical to the development of columbines' iconic spurs, which has led to rapid expansion in the genus. The discovery provides new insights into how key innovations evolve and could shed light on the genetic changes underlying this trait.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Veterans undergoing elective PCI at community hospitals may have increased chance of death compared to those treated at VA hospitals

According to an analysis of nearly 9,000 veterans, treatment in community facilities for elective PCI is associated with worse outcomes, including a 33% increased hazard of death within the first year after intervention. This trend may be linked to varying levels of expertise among community facilities.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 24, 2020

Growth of children living at higher altitudes

Children growing at higher altitudes showed variations in growth rates, with some experiencing slower growth and others faster growth compared to those living at lower elevations. The study's findings suggest that altitude may play a role in shaping children's growth patterns.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateAug 24, 2020

Japanese expedition identifies East Antarctic melting hotspot

A Japanese expedition has identified a surprising melting hotspot in East Antarctica, with ice beneath Shirase Glacier Tongue melting at an alarming rate of 7-16 meters per year. This finding could significantly impact predictions of sea level rise and climate change, as the Antarctic ice sheet is Earth's largest freshwater reservoir.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 24, 2020

Pigs grow new liver in lymph nodes, study shows

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered that pigs can grow a new liver in their lymph nodes, which could potentially treat various liver diseases. The study found that large animals with damaged livers can regenerate hepatocytes, forming an ectopic liver that takes over liver functions.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalLiver Transplantation·DateAug 24, 2020

Excessive fructose consumption may cause a leaky gut, leading to fatty liver disease

A new study published in Nature Metabolism suggests that excessive fructose consumption can lead to a leaky gut and subsequently cause fatty liver disease. The researchers found that the high fructose corn syrup disrupts the epithelial barrier protecting internal organs from bacterial toxins, leading to chronic inflammatory conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Metabolism·DateAug 24, 2020

Lensless light-field imaging through diffuser encoding

A novel modality for computational light-field imaging using a diffuser as an encoder has been developed, enabling lensless imaging with adjustable spatio-angular resolutions. This approach avoids the resolution limitation of traditional sensors, allowing for viewpoint shifting, post-capture refocusing and depth sensing capabilities.

Are antivitamins the new antibiotics?

Researchers from the University of Göttingen have developed a promising new approach involving antivitamins to combat bacterial infections. The study found that antivitamins can inhibit bacterial proteins, preventing their function and leading to potential antibiotic effects.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateAug 24, 2020

Autistic people's nerve cells differ before birth

Researchers found autistic nerve cells differ in structure and gene expression from typical individuals as early as 9 days into development. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells to model brain development and provides new insights into the origins of autism.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateAug 24, 2020

Advanced biofuels show real promise for replacing some fossil fuels

A new study by Colorado State University predicts significant climate benefits from advanced biofuel technologies, accounting for carbon flows and comparing them to grasslands and forests. The team found clear strategies for biofuels to have a net carbon benefit, particularly in regions where planting trees is not an option.

SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

A leap forward for biomaterials design using AI

A team of researchers at Tokyo Tech successfully used machine learning with an artificial neural network model to predict two key properties of self-assembled monolayers, enabling advanced material screening and design. This approach opens up new possibilities for the development of biomaterials with desired functions.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·DateAug 24, 2020

Citizens' adherence to COVID-19 social distancing measures depends on government response

A new study found that citizens' adherence to COVID-19 social distancing measures depends on government response and citizen perception of trust. The researchers suggest policymakers explore ways to improve adherence, including providing more precise instructions and using social media channels to communicate with citizens.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Denver·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateAug 24, 2020

Energy-efficient design for mmWave-enabled NOMA-UAV networks

Researchers designed an energy-efficient transmission scheme for mmWave-enabled NOMA-UAV networks by optimizing UAV placement, hybrid precoding and power allocation. The proposed design achieved better performance in user fairness, spectrum efficiency and energy efficiency compared to other schemes without UAV placement optimization.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Information Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Hitting the nail on the head: overcoming therapeutic resistance in lung cancer

A team of researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina has identified a critical player in resistance to targeted therapy in lung cancer. The protein NRP2b was found to drive resistance in non-small cell lung cancer cells that had become resistant to therapy, and inhibiting it caused the death of these cells.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateAug 24, 2020

Why COVID-19 infection curves behave so unexpectedly

COVID-19 infection curves showed expected exponential growth, but instead of flattening, they remained constant with a similar number of new infections every day. The complexity scientists proposed a network effect where the virus spread from cluster to cluster, leading to linear growth and low infection prevalence.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

ESMO issues first recommendations on using next-generation sequencing for advanced cancers

The European Society for Medical Oncology has issued its first recommendations on the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for patients with metastatic cancers. The guidelines recommend routine NGS use for four specific cancer types, while also allowing patients to order larger gene panels if feasible and cost-effective. The recomme...

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateAug 24, 2020

Study identifies first step to beating water scarcity

A new US study reveals that improving water productivity in certain regions and industries can help conserve water. By setting realistic benchmarks, the research found that areas with high water stress have the most potential for water savings, with around half of those gains coming from agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateAug 24, 2020

The interplay of nonlinearity and topology--nontrivial eigenmodes coupling induced by nonlinearity

A team of scientists experimentally demonstrated nonlinearity-induced coupling of light into topological edge states using a photonic platform. They developed a general theoretical framework to explain the nonlinear process, revealing that nonlinearity enables energy flow from bulk modes into topological edge modes in linear systems.

Researchers create a map that highlights the brain circuits associated with mania

A team of scientists created a map highlighting the brain circuits affected in mania, which could lead to more effective treatments for bipolar disorder. The study identified specific regions, including the orbitofrontal cortex and inferior temporal cortex, as key players in mood regulation and emotional processing.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 24, 2020

Severe viral infection overwhelms immune cells

A team of researchers from the University of Melbourne has identified new mediators of immune exhaustion that may be targeted in therapies for cancer and severe viral infections. T cells can lose function within just a few days of severe infection, contrary to previous thought that it takes longer.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature Immunology·DateAug 24, 2020

Acute cardiovascular events common among adults hospitalized with influenza

A large population-based study found that acute cardiovascular events are common among adults hospitalized with influenza, with older age and underlying cardiovascular disease significantly increasing the risk. Vaccination is crucial for these patients, particularly those with cardiovascular risk factors, to prevent such complications.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 24, 2020

Nooks, crannies and critters

Researchers developed a new way to measure habitat complexity, which is crucial for understanding biodiversity and conservation status. The method uses three metrics: rugosity, fractal dimension, and height range, and can accurately predict the distribution of biodiversity in complex ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 24, 2020

New research contradicts claims that Asian American students are harmed when they cannot attend their first-choice university

A new study contradicts claims that Asian American students are harmed when they cannot attend their first-choice university. The study found no significant differences in outcomes between Asian American students who were admitted to and attending their first-choice university and those who were not.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateAug 24, 2020

'Safely returning America to work' -- Occupational medicine specialists offer expertise

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) has published a set of general guidelines for safely returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines address various aspects, including clinical manifestations of COVID-19, developing a successful return-to-work policy, and industry-specific guidance.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateAug 24, 2020

When it comes to supporting candidates, ideology trumps race and gender

A study by the American Psychological Association reveals that ideology is a more significant factor than demographics in determining voter support for politicians. Despite expressing prejudice against minorities and women, voters tend to support conservative candidates who align with their ideologies, regardless of race or sex.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateAug 24, 2020

Flexible targets help immune system make finely-tuned antibodies

Researchers discovered that when the foreign antigen is more flexible, the germinal centre can employ a greater number of evolution strategies to make antibodies that bind foreign but not self-molecules. The study provides new insights for vaccine design and may help address the major roadblock in generating effective HIV vaccines.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Ancient star explosions revealed in the deep sea

Researchers found clear traces of iron-60 in deep-sea sediments dating back 33,000 years, suggesting the Earth has been traveling through a cloud of faintly radioactive dust. The discovery suggests that the solar system may have recently passed through a denser cloud of gas and dust, known as the local interstellar cloud.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Fat crystals trigger chronic inflammation

Researchers at the University of Bonn identify a disease mechanism where fat crystals cause immune system hyperreaction, leading to chronic inflammation. The study reveals that deoxysphingolipid crystals disrupt mitochondrial function and activate an inflammatory response in immune cells.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAutophagy·DateAug 24, 2020

How dinosaur research can help medicine

A team of researchers led by Dr. Tanja Wintrich discovered that even Tyrannosaurus rex could have suffered a slipped disc, as ancient reptiles had intervertebral discs similar to those in humans. This finding provides new insights into human spine mobility and medicine.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 24, 2020

Optical illusions explained in a fly's eyes

Scientists at Yale University found that flies perceive motion in static images similarly to humans, using a shared strategy for motion detection. By analyzing specific neuron types and behavior, the researchers developed a theory explaining how optical illusions work, which may also apply to human visual systems.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Faulty brain circuits arise from abnormal fusion

Researchers at the University of Queensland discovered that neurons can fuse together, disrupting electrical circuits and leading to behavioral impairments in nematode worms. The study provides a novel cause for malfunction of brain's electrical circuits and a possible underlying cause of neurological diseases.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Landmark HKU-led volume on past progress and new frontiers in the study of early birds and their close relatives

The publication provides a comprehensive overview of pennaraptoran theropods, covering their fossil record, systematics, anatomy, and early flight studies. Key findings include the identification of key avian traits that originated deep within theropod evolution and the discovery of unique reproductive strategies.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalBulletin of the American Museum of Natural History·DateAug 24, 2020

The mathematical magic of bending grids

A team of mathematicians from TU Wien has developed a technique to calculate flat grids that can be unfolded into desired three-dimensional shapes. The method uses findings in differential geometry and has been successfully tested in practice, resulting in stable and structurally sound 3D structures with good static properties.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateAug 24, 2020

Hydrogen vehicles might soon become the global norm

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new catalyst that can produce cheaper and more sustainable hydrogen-powered vehicles, reducing reliance on precious materials like platinum. The breakthrough could make hydrogen vehicles more durable and scalable, leading to a potential shift towards sustainable transportation.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 24, 2020

'Biggest holes in the system'

A new study by Washington State University scientist Raven Weaver found that older adults living in very rural settings are less likely to receive available services compared to those in mostly rural areas. The study highlights the most vulnerable groups within the rural classification, emphasizing the need for proactive support.

SourceWashington State University·JournalThe International Journal of Aging and Human Development·DateAug 24, 2020

Protein 'chameleon' colors long-term memory

Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth have discovered how a chameleon-like protein, CPEB3, interacts with actin filaments in neurons. This interaction enables the protein to adapt its binding sites to either SUMO or actin, allowing it to form long-lived aggregates that store memories.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Reducing transmission risk of livestock disease

A new study found that transmission risk of the PPRV virus increases with specific husbandry practices, including introducing sheep or goats to herds and attending seasonal grazing camps. In contrast, herd size was not related to transmission risk, but rather social cliques formed within individual compounds.

SourcePenn State·JournalViruses·DateAug 24, 2020

Small quake clusters can't hide from AI

Researchers used data gathered before a 2017 deadly landslide in Greenland to demonstrate the effectiveness of deep learning in predicting seismic events. The study found weak but repetitive rumblings that accelerated over time, leading to the landslide, which could be detected by AI.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 24, 2020

Each human gut has a viral 'fingerprint'

A comprehensive database of 33,242 unique viral populations in the human digestive system has been assembled by Ohio State University scientists. This discovery reveals a complex relationship between viruses and bacteria in the gut, with higher diversity associated with healthier individuals.

SourceOhio State University·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateAug 24, 2020

Routing valley exciton emission of a WS2 monolayer via in-plane inversion-symmetry broken PhC slabs

Scientists demonstrate efficient separation of valley exciton emission of a WS2 monolayer using two-dimensional all-dielectric PhC slabs without in-plane inversion symmetry. The delocalized Bloch modes play a critical role in separating and enhancing directional valley exciton emission.

Global forest restoration and the importance of empowering local communities

A new study emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in global forest restoration efforts, which could provide benefits to millions of people living on lands suitable for forest restoration. The research highlights opportunities for tropical countries to remove atmospheric carbon, promote biodiversity conservation, and ...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 24, 2020