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Science News for February 27, 2020


Outsmarting pathogens

Scientists develop a new model to predict bacterial resistance to antibiotics and explore approaches for universal flu vaccines. Researchers also create a platform to accelerate drug development and study the impact of antibiotics on gut bacteria.

How enzymes build sugar trees

The study reveals the modular design of ALG6, an enzyme responsible for forming lipid-linked oligosaccharides, enabling its adaptation to various substrates. The researchers also developed methods for synthesizing complex glycans in the lab, providing new insights into LLO biosynthesis.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2020

Eat less, live longer

A new study by Salk scientists shows that caloric restriction can protect against aging in cellular pathways, reducing inflammation and increasing life span. The study found that 57% of age-related changes in cell composition were not present in rats on a restricted diet.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateFeb 27, 2020

How does the brain put decisions in context? Study finds unexpected brain region at work

Researchers discovered the anterior lateral motor cortex plays a crucial role in integrating vast amounts of information to make decisions, surpassing previous understanding of its primary function. This finding highlights the brain's remarkable ability to adapt to context and informs scientists' larger understanding of brain function.

The era of quantum supremacy is here

Researchers highlight successes and challenges of quantum computing in the NISQ era, a period where quantum computers approach evidence of quantum supremacy. Key findings include the development of new strategies to reduce measurement errors and the demonstration of programmability on quantum computers.

Eco-friendly biodiesel from palm oil?

Researchers from the University of Göttingen found that using palm oil from first rotation plantations leads to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. However, there is potential for carbon savings in plantations established on degraded land or by introducing longer rotation cycles or new oil palm varieties.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 27, 2020

Data centers use less energy than you think

A comprehensive analysis by Northwestern University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that data center energy use has remained roughly flat over the past decade, despite increasing demand for data. The researchers made strategic policy recommendations to manage future growth in energy use.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateFeb 27, 2020

A molecular atlas of skin cells

A detailed molecular atlas of skin cells has been created, revealing over 50 different cell types and new variations of cell types. The study uncovers how cells are coordinated during hair growth and rest, providing vital knowledge on the flexibility of the skin.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 27, 2020

Physics meets brain science in Denver

Researchers at the 2020 APS March Meeting in Denver are exploring the physics of the brain, including brain connectivity networks, the organization of the brain's wiring probability, and the shaping of the cerebellum. Music therapy is also being investigated for its potential benefits for patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Getting off of the blood sugar roller coaster

A team of McGill University researchers has created an artificial pancreas system that significantly improves glucose control, enhancing quality of life for individuals with type 1 diabetes. The system, which combines insulin and pramlintide, has shown promising results in minimizing glucose highs and lows.

SourceMcGill University·JournalDiabetes Care·DateFeb 27, 2020

New technique could streamline drug design

Researchers developed a process that reduces computational protein design work by using 3D structural models to project novel combinations of molecular blocks. This approach could ease the development of new medications and materials.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 27, 2020

Quantum researchers able to split one photon into three

Researchers from the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo have made a groundbreaking discovery by directly splitting one photon into three. The achievement uses the spontaneous parametric down-conversion method and creates a non-Gaussian state of light, a critical ingredient for gaining a quantum advantage.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 27, 2020

KIER raised possibilities for urban use of ultralight flexible CIGS thin film solar cell

The Korea Institute of Energy Research has successfully developed a lightweight and flexible CIGS thin-film solar cell on polymer substrate with an efficiency of 20.4%, surpassing the existing highest efficiency of 20.8%. The researchers introduced a new low-temperature film formation technology to enhance device efficiencies.

How do zebrafish get their stripes? New data analysis tool could provide an answer

A new data analysis tool has been developed to study the formation of zebrafish stripes, enabling scientists to objectively test ideas about how patterns are formed. The algorithm uses topological data analysis to quantify attributes of shapes and patterns, providing a more objective approach to understanding developmental processes.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 27, 2020

Artificial intelligence can scan doctors' notes to distinguish between types of back pain

Researchers at Mount Sinai have developed an AI model that can accurately determine the type of lower back pain by analyzing clinical notes in electronic medical records. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options, reduced opioid prescriptions, and more accurate billing and therapy recommendations.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateFeb 27, 2020

A new strategy to prevent the most aggressive tumors from generating resistance to chemotherapy

Researchers at CNIO propose a novel approach using CDK4/6 inhibitors after chemotherapy to prevent tumor cells from resisting treatments. This strategy shows promising results in preventing tumor growth and death in mice with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, suggesting new avenues for improving cancer treatment.

Opioid use disorder medications improve health outcomes after endocarditis hospitalization

A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases shows that treating opioid use disorder with medications within 30 days of discharge from the hospital due to injection drug use-related endocarditis improves health outcomes. Those who received medication had a reduced risk of overdose and rehospitalization within a year.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 27, 2020

University Hospitals part of study showing 'Fast Breast MRIs' outperform 3-D mammograms

A new study published in JAMA found that Fast Breast MRI detected significantly more breast cancers than digital breast tomosynthesis (3-D mammography) in average-risk women with dense breast tissue. The study showed that Fast Breast MRI was almost two and a half times more effective at detecting breast cancers in these women.

How cardiorespiratory function is related to genetics

An international team of researchers has identified genes related to cardiorespiratory function during acute periodic breathing, a condition that occurs in most humans at high altitudes. The study found that genetic variants affecting the response to insufficient oxygen impact the coordination between heart and lung functions.

SourceLancaster University·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateFeb 27, 2020

New JACEP Open analyses explore coronavirus risk factors and public health concerns

Risk factors for transmission of coronavirus include flu-like symptoms, recent travel to China, and close contact with someone infected. Public health concerns highlighted by the outbreak include economic and social risks, misinformation, and anxiety-driven public behavior change.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalJournal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open·DateFeb 27, 2020

Study reveals how green space can reduce violent crime

A new study reveals that properly designed and maintained green space can reduce violent crime and gun violence. Researchers analyzed over 14,000 papers to identify patterns that inform public policy and urban design. The findings suggest that greening interventions at the urban level can significantly reduce violent crime.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateFeb 27, 2020

Excellent long-term stability of treatment gains of stepwise treatment for pediatric OCD

A study published in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that stepwise treatment for pediatric OCD results in excellent long-term stability of treatment gains. Most participants responded well to treatment, with significant improvements in symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and depressive symptoms.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 27, 2020

Using a cappella to explain speech and music specialization

A study using a cappella recordings revealed that humans have complementary neural systems for speech and music processing. The research found that temporal information is crucial for speech perception, while spectral information is key to music perception. This suggests that hemispheric specialization may be the nervous system's way o...

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·DateFeb 27, 2020

Risk of recurrent fractures lowered by new care routines

A new study from the University of Gothenburg shows that structured and preventive care can significantly reduce the risk of recurrent fractures. The study found that patients who received fracture liaison services had an 18% lower risk of having another fracture compared to those without these services. This reduction in risk was attr...

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateFeb 27, 2020

Imaging can guide whether liquid biopsy will benefit individual glioblastoma patients

A new Penn study found that imaging techniques, such as MRI, may help identify which glioblastoma patients are best candidates for liquid biopsies. The research showed a correlation between the blood-brain barrier and macrophage density with circulating DNA levels, suggesting the potential for personalized treatment decisions.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNeuro-Oncology Advances·DateFeb 27, 2020

Big data helps farmers adapt to climate variability

A new study by Michigan State University quantifies soil and landscape features and spatial and temporal yield variations in response to climate variability. The research identifies areas within individual fields where yield is unstable, with over one-quarter of corn and soybean cropland in the Midwest experiencing this issue.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 27, 2020

A common gut microbe secretes a carcinogen

Researchers at Hubrecht Institute and Princess Máxima Center found that Escherichia coli bacteria induce unique DNA mutations in human cells, similar to those found in colon cancer patients. The study establishes a direct link between the microbes inhabiting our bodies and genetic alterations that drive cancer development.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2020

Anthropogenic seed dispersal: rethinking the origins of plant domestication

A new manuscript by Dr. Robert Spengler suggests that all earliest traits of plant domestication are linked to a mutualistic relationship in which plants recruited humans for seed dispersal. This concept, known as seed-dispersal-based evolution, explains why the first traits of domestication in crops were similar across different species.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalTrends in Plant Science·DateFeb 27, 2020