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Science News for August 6, 2020


Long neck helped reptile hunt underwater

A new study has revealed that the long-necked reptile Tanystropheus was a surprisingly adaptable creature, living in water and hunting underwater. The researchers reconstructed its skull in unprecedented detail, showing adaptations for life in water, including long teeth for catching prey.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 6, 2020

Children's pester power a future target for interventions

A new study found that children's pester power significantly influences their family's dietary intake and parenting practices. The research suggests that children's influence on their homes may be an underdeveloped potential target for future interventions.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateAug 6, 2020

New CT scanning method may improve heart massage

A new CT scanning method developed by researchers from Aarhus University and University of Leicester has shown how the chest and abdominal region of a deceased person move during simulated heart massage. This detailed information can help clarify important physiological mechanisms and improve resuscitation techniques.

SourceAarhus University·JournalResuscitation·DateAug 6, 2020

Racial disparities in high-cost cancer treatment for children

A new study reveals racial disparities in high-cost proton radiotherapy for childhood cancer treatment, with Black and low-income children facing barriers to access. The research highlights the urgent need for equitable healthcare policies to ensure all children receive quality cancer care regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateAug 6, 2020

Identifying local solutions in the Barotse floodplain for sustainable agricultural development

Researchers employed a gendered ecosystem services approach with Lozi communities to identify locally relevant strategies for sustainable agricultural development. The study found that agroecological intensification, such as multiple cropping and agroforestry, can restore and maintain ecosystem services in cultivated lands while reduci...

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalInternational Journal of Agricultural Sustainability·DateAug 6, 2020

Surgical delays for very early stage breast cancer not tied to worse survival outcomes

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that surgical delays for very early stage breast cancer patients did not impact overall survival. In fact, increased time to surgery was associated with a small increase in pathological upstaging, but no significant difference in survival rates.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateAug 6, 2020

Why the 'wimpy' Y chromosome hasn't evolved out of existence

Researchers propose a new hypothesis that the Y chromosome is protected from extinction by carrying 'executioner genes' that self-regulate and ensure successful sperm production. These genes, which regulate meiotic silencing, are toxic when activated at the wrong time, protecting the Y chromosome from loss.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Genetics·DateAug 6, 2020

REM sleep tunes eating behavior

Researchers discovered that REM sleep tunes eating behavior by reducing the activation of hypothalamic neurons in mice, indicating the importance of sleep quality in maintaining stable feeding habits. The study suggests a long-lasting effect on neuronal activity and feeding behavior.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2020

Delay in breast cancer operations appears non-life-threatening for early-stage disease

A new study from the American College of Surgeons found that longer time to surgical treatment does not lower overall survival for women with early-stage breast cancer who underwent delayed operations before the pandemic. Patients who received neoadjuvant endocrine therapy also showed no decreased survival, according to the research.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateAug 6, 2020

Prioritizing cancer care during pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted oncology clinicians to prioritize cancer care, leveraging expertise from low-resource settings for guidance. Prioritization involves weighing the benefits and harms of different treatments, considering factors such as patient outcomes and healthcare resource availability.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateAug 6, 2020

Revealing destructive cracks in rock

Researchers at Texas A&M University are using advanced machine-learning analysis to reveal the evolution of cracks in rock and concrete. By combining data from multiple sources, including sound waves, electromagnetics, and pressure measurements, they aim to improve our understanding of crack damage and development.

Bone-anchored leg prostheses also prove to be a valuable procedure after 5-year follow-up

After a 5-year follow-up, bone-anchored leg prostheses show significant improvements in daily functioning, mobility, and quality of life for patients with above-knee amputations. Despite initial stoma problems, these prostheses lead to permanent benefits, including increased prosthesis use and improved health-related quality of life.

SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateAug 6, 2020

Researchers discover sex-specific differences in neural mechanisms for glucose regulation

A study by Tufts University researchers found that estrogen can have a disruptive effect on glucose metabolism in females, but not males, when a specific protein is absent. The study identified a key protein in the brain that mediates these effects and provides insight into the differences between men and women in their risk of diabetes.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2020

Grow faster, die sooner

Research by Technical University of Munich shows that faster-growing bacteria are more likely to die when deprived of food, highlighting the balance between growth and survivability in bacterial fitness. The study may lead to improved effectiveness of antibiotics by stimulating intestinal bacteria growth.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateAug 6, 2020

COVID-19: The long road to recovery

Researchers identified a pattern of longer-term symptoms in COVID-19 patients, including fatigue, breathlessness, and psychological distress. The study found that some patients experienced symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), highlighting the need for specialist rehabilitation services.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·DateAug 6, 2020

First food-grade intermediate wheatgrass released

The first commercially available intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) cultivar has been released, providing a sustainable crop option for agriculture. MN-Clearwater produces high grain yields of 696 kg ha-1, with minimal lodging and disease levels, making it suitable for the US Upper Midwest, southern Canada, and Northeast regions.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Plant Registrations·DateAug 6, 2020

Fuel from disused tyres

A recent study published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews has explored the potential of using catalytic pyrolysis to convert used tyres into alternative fuels. The process produces liquid fuel with aromatic compounds, as well as gas and solid products that can be used for energy production and carbon black reuse.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·DateAug 6, 2020

Study shows variation in hospital visitor & ICU communication policies due to COVID-19

A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers documents how hospitals reacted to the pandemic and found that most implemented a 'no visitors' policy, but some allowed exceptions for end-of-life visits. ICU teams also shifted to telephones and video chats to connect with families.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 6, 2020