Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for August 3, 2020


Roadmap to reducing colorectal cancer deaths

A new model of screening combines better risk assessment, noninvasive testing options, and targeted referrals for colonoscopy to save more lives. The American Gastroenterological Association proposes a universal approach to screening that reaches more people and offers alternatives to colonoscopy.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateAug 3, 2020

Child sleep problems associated with impaired academic and psychosocial functioning

A new study by CHOP sleep experts found that sleep disturbances at any age are associated with diminished well-being in children by 10 or 11 years old. Children with persistent sleep problems have the greatest impairments, while those with mild sleep problems over time also experience psychosocial impairments.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateAug 3, 2020

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health: Effective testing and contact tracing is essential for schools to safely open during COVID-19 pandemic, two studies show

Two studies published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal highlight the importance of test-trace-isolate strategies for schools to safely reopen. Modelling the impact of UK schools reopening in September suggests that a second wave of COVID-19 can be avoided with high coverage of testing and contact tracing, while data from...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateAug 3, 2020

Speech processing hierarchy in the dog brain

A new study reveals that dog brains, like human brains, process speech in a hierarchical manner, with intonation processed at lower stages and word meanings at higher stages. The research used functional MRI to measure brain activity in awake dogs while they listened to praise words and unknown neutral words in different tones.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 3, 2020

Raising the bar on disability care

A new study published in Disability & Society journal recommends a personal care system that focuses on high-quality personalised care building self-esteem and confidence in young people with disability. The research found that supporting workers to value the contributions of people with disability is a protective mechanism for both.

SourceFlinders University·JournalDisability & Society·DateAug 3, 2020

Anti-bullying PEACE program packs a punch

A South Australian program to help victims of bullying and aggression has been adapted by several state education systems in Europe, showing positive results in Italy. The Preparation, Education, Action, Coping, Evaluation (PEACE) antibullying program produced a significant reduction in bullying and improvements in student wellbeing.

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateAug 3, 2020

Improving the monitoring of ship emissions

A German-French research team is developing a new sensor network to monitor ship emissions and improve the monitoring of pollutants in the marine environment. The project aims to provide a tool for observing the extent of pollution arising from ship collisions, affecting coastal populations' health.

Arrhythmia-free survival is indeed survival of the fittest

A new study shows that physically fit patients are more likely to benefit from atrial fibrillation ablation, with a lower risk of recurrent arrhythmia and improved outcomes. The study found that high cardiorespiratory fitness can act as an antiarrhythmic medication, keeping patients in rhythm after the procedure.

SourceElsevier·JournalHeart Rhythm·DateAug 3, 2020

Anatomy of an acne treatment

Researchers at Yale University discovered how sarecycline's chemical structure makes it an effective antibiotic for treating acne. The study found that sarecycline binds to messenger RNA in bacterial ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis and boosting its effectiveness.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 3, 2020

Drug discovery: First rational strategy to find molecular glue degraders

Researchers at CeMM developed a scalable strategy to discover novel molecular glue degraders, which can eliminate disease-causing proteins by targeting the cellular protein quality control system. The study identifies a set of novel compounds that induce the degradation of cyclin K, essential in many cancer types.

Food menu fit for pandemic times

A new study by Flinders University researchers highlights the importance of sustainable food choices, which not only benefit individuals but also the environment. The study found that people who participate in community gardening or local food swaps experience improved mental health and social connections.

SourceFlinders University·JournalHealth Promotion Journal of Australia·DateAug 3, 2020

Humans and flies employ very similar mechanisms for brain development and function

Research has found that the brains of humans, flies, and mice share similar mechanisms for brain development and function. This similarity can be interpreted in two ways: as evidence of a single ancestral brain or independent evolution of brain circuits. The study identified shared genetic regulatory mechanisms controlling brain area f...

SourceKing's College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 3, 2020

The six strains of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers analyzed 48,635 coronavirus genomes, revealing the six strains of SARS-CoV-2 and their global spread. The study found that strain G and its related strains GR and GH are the most frequent, representing 74% of all gene sequences.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateAug 3, 2020

New method to defend against smart home cyber attacks developed by Ben-Gurion University researchers

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University and National University of Singapore have developed a new method to detect connected, vulnerable IoT devices before they are compromised. This enables telcos to take preventive actions quickly and prevent massive DDoS attacks from hitting their infrastructure.

PLOS Special Collection: Successful approaches to HIV care

The special collection highlights RWHAP's strategies for improving HIV care, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), data analysis, and collaborative efforts. HRSA's program serves over half a million people in the US annually, achieving high viral suppression rates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 3, 2020

The effects of COVID-19 on emergency visits, hospitalizations

A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that emergency department visits declined by 42-64% during the four-month period, with largest declines seen in areas with high COVID-19 cases. Hospital admissions remained relatively stable until local increases in COVID-19 cases led to dramatic upticks.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 3, 2020

Novel magnetic stirrer speaks to lab equipment

The Smart Stirrer, a novel magnetic stirrer, monitors multiple parameters such as color, transparency, conductivity, viscosity, and temperature wirelessly to enable real-time tracking of chemical reactions. This innovative device allows for automation, reproducibility, and safety in laboratory settings.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalACS Sensors·DateAug 3, 2020

Ancient shell llama offering found in lake Titicaca

Researchers from Penn State and Université libre de Bruxelles have discovered an ancient shell llama offering in Lake Titicaca, revealing the lake's significance as a locus of ritual and ceremonial activity for the Inca Empire. The finding suggests that Lake Titicaca played a crucial role in the consolidation of the empire.

SourcePenn State·JournalAntiquity·DateAug 3, 2020

The art of making tiny holes

Researchers have created a method to selectively process surfaces on an atomic scale, leaving one layer intact while perforating another. By utilizing highly charged ions, they can anchor metals on ultra-thin layers, enabling the creation of new materials with promising properties.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 3, 2020

An averted glance gives a glimpse of the mind behind the eyes

Scientists found that when someone is caught staring, their brain sends a signal that the gaze is not significant, allowing others to ignore it. This study sheds light on how social dynamics shape visual attention and reveals the brain's ability to perceive intentions behind an averted glance.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 3, 2020

Germany-wide rainfall measurements by utilizing the mobile network

Scientists have developed a new method to measure rainfall in Germany using commercial microwave links, achieving high accuracy and temporal resolution. The technique involves analyzing signal attenuation caused by precipitation, with the help of artificial intelligence, and has been successfully tested for application in West Africa.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalAtmospheric Measurement Techniques·DateAug 3, 2020

Cannabinoids may affect activity of other pharmaceuticals

Penn State researchers identified 57 medications with a narrow therapeutic index that may be impacted by concomitant cannabinoid use. This list helps medical professionals make safe prescribing choices for patients using prescription or over-the-counter cannabinoids.

SourcePenn State·JournalMedical Cannabis and Cannabinoids·DateAug 3, 2020

Racial discrimination linked to suicide

Two studies reveal a compelling story about racial discrimination and its link to suicide. Racial discrimination is found to be uniquely painful for Black adults, increasing their capability for self-harm. Reframing, such as dispositional forgiveness, can serve as a helpful coping strategy associated with fewer depressive symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior·DateAug 3, 2020

Scientists discover secret behind Earth's biodiversity hotspots

Research reveals Cape Floristic Region in South Africa is rich in plant species due to long period of ecological stability, contradicting theory that high productivity is required for high diversity. The study emphasizes the need for protection and conservation in extraordinary places threatened by climate change.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 3, 2020

Unequal neutron-star mergers create unique "bang" in simulations

A team of researchers found that unequal neutron-star mergers can create an electromagnetic signal, which could be detected using gravitational-wave detectors like LIGO. The simulations revealed that the larger star tears apart its partner, creating a slower merger and allowing an 'electromagnetic bang' to escape.

SourcePenn State·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 3, 2020

Cold-sensitive staphylococci reveal a weakness

Researchers at Université de Genève discovered that the RNA helicase protein contributes to the synthesis of fatty acids, a crucial component of bacterial membranes. The findings provide insight into golden staph's ability to adapt to changing environments and may lead to new treatment options.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateAug 3, 2020

Iron-rich meteorites show record of core crystallization in system's oldest planetesimals

Researchers uncover new details about the oldest planetary objects in our Solar System, which formed iron-rich meteorites. The distinct chemical signatures of these meteorites can be explained by core crystallization in their parent bodies, deepening our understanding of the geochemistry occurring in the Solar System's youth.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 3, 2020

Social bonds in adulthood don't mediate early life trauma

A study of wild female baboons found that early life trauma had a significant negative impact on adult glucocorticoid concentrations, which are a measure of health. Despite having strong social relationships as adults, the stress hormone levels were still significantly higher in those who experienced trauma in early life.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 3, 2020

Evaluating the effectiveness of travel bans

A new IIASA-led study examines how COVID-19 spreads regionally and between countries, revealing that government measures such as border closures and flight suspensions were crucial in preventing further transmission. The research also shows that international air travel played a significant role in the early stages of the pandemic.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalLetters in Spatial and Resource Sciences·DateAug 3, 2020

Fatty liver disease despite a normal weight

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects both obese and non-obese individuals, with distinct differences found in male and female patients of varying body mass indexes. Key findings include lower skeletal muscle mass and insulin resistance in non-obese NAFLD patients compared to their obese counterparts.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalHepatology Research·DateAug 3, 2020

New published study from K-State virologists identifies potential COVID-19 treatment

A new study published in Science Translational Medicine reveals that small molecule protease inhibitors can effectively block coronavirus replication and improve survival in MERS-CoV-infected mice. The findings suggest that these compounds could be investigated further as a potential therapeutic for human coronavirus infection.

SourceKansas State University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 3, 2020

Challenges in diagnosing hypersensitivity pneumonitis addressed in latest guidelines

The American Thoracic Society and its collaborators have developed new clinical practice guidelines for diagnosing hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a condition that manifests as interstitial lung disease. The guidelines aim to standardize clinical care and facilitate research by providing a framework for clinicians to make accurate diagno...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 3, 2020

Light shines on chemical production method

Researchers at Yokohama National University have developed a novel light-based reaction that yields high numbers of a key chemical component. The method uses green visible light to selectively reorganize chemical components, resulting in the production of multisubstituted cyclobutanes with high efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalOrganic Letters·DateAug 3, 2020

Chlamydia: Greedy for glutamine

Chlamydia bacteria reprogram human host cell metabolism to increase glutamine import, essential for proliferation. The discovery could lead to new treatments for chronic infections and severe diseases like cervical and ovarian cancer.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Microbiology·DateAug 3, 2020

Children's National Hospital case report sounds the alarm for antibiotic resistance

A case report from Children's National Hospital reveals isolated N. meningitidis testing positive for resistance to two antibiotics it has historically been susceptible to, raising concerns about the rise in antibiotic resistance. The finding could lead to changes in laboratory and clinical practices across the US.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJournal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society·DateAug 3, 2020

Eye-tracking tech helps aged care assessment

Researchers used eye-tracking technology to investigate how older adults process information and make decisions about their care. The study found that eye-tracking can inform the design of assessments and improve the inclusivity of older people with cognitive impairment.

SourceFlinders University·JournalApplied Health Economics and Health Policy·DateAug 3, 2020

For solar boom, scrap silicon for this promising mineral

Researchers at Cornell University have found that photovoltaic wafers made from all-perovskite structures outperform traditional silicon-based solar panels. This breakthrough could lead to a more sustainable future for solar energy, with perovskite cells offering faster returns on investment and lower environmental impacts.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 3, 2020