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Science News Archive February 2020


Page 1 of 40

Immunology: Tonsils as a testbed

A team of scientists at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München has isolated immune cells from human tonsils obtained following routine surgery, allowing them to analyze the immune response and test anti-inflammatory agents. The new culture system enables researchers to study human lymphoid tissue under physiologically relevant conditions.

Hunter-gatherer networks accelerated human evolution

A study of Agta hunter-gatherers in the Philippines revealed that their complex social networks accelerated cultural evolution and innovation. The researchers found that sharing knowledge and combining individual insights led to faster development of medicinal products, with an average of 250-500 rounds of interactions required.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 28, 2020

Sugar gets the red light from consumers in new study

A recent study found that sugar content is the most important factor in deciding on healthy food options, overriding fat and salt. The research used the traffic light labelling system and showed that participants preferred products with lower sugar content, even if they had higher levels of other nutrients.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJournal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics·DateFeb 28, 2020

Scientists came up with nanoconcrete for casting under negative temperature conditions

Researchers from Far Eastern Federal University develop a novel concrete mixture with nano additives, allowing for casting under low-temperature conditions and reducing the need for major renewal after 50 years. The new mixture also exhibits improved strength, density, and durability compared to conventional concrete.

SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalConstruction and Building Materials·DateFeb 28, 2020

New state-of-the-MOF materials

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully converted crystalline MOFs into glassy or liquid states, demonstrating porosity, ion conductivity, and optical properties. The new materials show promise for heat storage, gas permeation, and catalytic reactions.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 28, 2020

An iron-clad asteroid

Researchers find tiny iron crystals on asteroid Itokawa's surface, formed by space weathering and the release of iron from troilite minerals. The discovery provides insights into weathering processes on other celestial bodies and helps date asteroids.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 28, 2020

Robot research honored

Assistant Professor Fabrizio Sergi at the University of Delaware received a NSF CAREER Award for his work on motor control and brain-body interaction using MRI-compatible robots. His research aims to improve neurorehabilitation practices for individuals with motor impairment, such as stroke survivors.

KIST develops biofuel production process in cooperation with North American researchers

Researchers at KIST and international partners develop a new biofuel production process that uses genetic engineering to remove lignin, a major obstacle in biofuel production. The innovative process also utilizes bio-derived deep eutectic solvents and analysis technology to ensure economic feasibility.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateFeb 28, 2020

Antioxidant supplements do not improve male fertility, NIH study suggests

A new NIH study found that antioxidant supplements did not improve semen quality or pregnancy and live birth rates in men with infertility. The Males, Antioxidants, and Infertility Trial (MOXI) reported no statistically significant differences between the placebo and antioxidant groups.

Male-killing bacteria linked to butterfly color changes

A recent study found that a bacterium specifically kills male African monarch butterflies, leading to highly variable warning patterns. The researchers discovered that the bacterium's interaction with the female butterflies' unique chromosome arrangement causes this variability.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 28, 2020

Cat food mystery foils diet study

Researchers at North Carolina State University attempted to measure how much pet cats supplement their diets with wild prey using isotopic analysis. However, they found that cat food manufacturers regularly change ingredient composition within the same flavors, preventing accurate identification of a cat's diet.

Advancing gene therapies: PIP pip hurray!

Researchers at Kyoto University have designed a new compound that can bind to DNA and activate genes, which could lead to new treatments for cancers and hereditary diseases. The compound, called ePIP-HoGu, targets specific DNA sequences and recruits gene-modifying molecules.

SourceKyoto University·JournalChemical Communications·DateFeb 28, 2020

AJR: Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) imaging features overlap with SARS and MERS

COVID-19 imaging features exhibit variable and nonspecific characteristics, but also share similarities with those of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Initial chest imaging abnormalities are common, affecting at least 85% of patients, often displaying bilateral lung involvement.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateFeb 28, 2020

Cartilage cells, chromosomes and DNA preserved in 75-million-year-old baby duck-billed dinosaur

Researchers have discovered remarkably well-preserved cartilage cells linked by an intercellular bridge and containing internal dark structures morphologically consistent with chromosomes. The team also found evidence of original molecules preserved in the dinosaur's cartilage, including a reaction to antibodies of Collagen II.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateFeb 28, 2020

Omega-3 fats do not protect against cancer

Two systematic reviews found that omega-3 supplements have minimal effects on health, with a small protective effect on cardiovascular disease but a slight increase in prostate cancer risk. The benefits are negligible, and the research team suggests that taking fish oil supplements for cancer prevention is not beneficial.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateFeb 28, 2020

Even damaged livers can handle life-saving medication

A recent study published in Drug Metabolism and Disposition found that mice with drug-induced liver damage can safely take medications for diabetes, hypertension, and depression at lower doses. This breakthrough suggests that people with damaged livers may be able to continue taking life-saving medications while healing.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalDrug Metabolism and Disposition·DateFeb 28, 2020

Tracking down the mystery of matter

Researchers at PSI measured a property of the neutron more precisely than ever before, finding it has a significantly smaller electric dipole moment. This challenges the long-held assumption that this dipole moment could help explain the excess of matter in the universe.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 28, 2020

Conspiracy beliefs could increase fringe political engagement, shows new study

New research suggests that conspiracy beliefs can lead to more willingness for non-normative political actions, such as illegally blocking public entryways. In contrast, those who accept a low-conspiracy worldview are more likely to engage in typical political activities like voting and participating in rallies. The study's findings ha...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateFeb 28, 2020