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Science News for July 6, 2020


Study: Dying stars breathe life into Earth

A new study published in Nature Astronomy sheds light on the origin of carbon in the Milky Way, revealing that dying stars play a crucial role in its synthesis. The research team found that low-mass stars shed more massive remnants than previously thought, breaking a linear trend in star formation and planetary evolution.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 6, 2020

Why it's no last orders for the Tequila bat

A study by researchers from the University of Bristol has identified the ancestral origin of tequila bats in Mexico, revealing distinct migratory patterns and breeding habits. The findings support the need for targeted conservation management strategies to protect this Near Threatened species.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·DateJul 6, 2020

Behind the dead-water phenomenon

Researchers from CNRS and University of Poitiers have explained the 'dead water' phenomenon in ships, where waves create drag, slowing down or stopping vessels. The study reveals waves act like an undulating conveyor belt, causing speed oscillations in trapped boats.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

When metal flows like liquid glass: a technology for producing superplastic wire is proposed

Lobachevsky University scientists have developed new ways to modify the structure of aluminium alloys, improving their performance. They used induction casting in vacuum and plastic deformation technologies to create homogeneous highly plastic structures that maintain high strength, thermal resistance, and electrical conductivity.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·DateJul 6, 2020

Scientists discover a new connection between the eyes and touch

A team of scientists at New York University has found that tiny eye movements can be used as an index of humans' ability to anticipate relevant information in the environment. The study reveals a connection between eye movements and the sense of touch, with micro-saccades hindering tactile discrimination and suppressing them enhancing it.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020

Harmful microbes found on sewer pipe walls

A Rutgers study reveals that sewer pipe walls harbor biofilms containing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can withstand standard disinfection methods. Cleaning with bleach can reduce biofilm density but not remove them entirely, posing health risks to wastewater treatment workers and the public.

The electrified brain

Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have identified a specific nerve bundle as the optimal target for deep brain stimulation in obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study's findings may improve treatment outcomes for patients with severe OCD, which affects over 2% of people worldwide.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020

New insights into van der Waals materials found

The study observed a rare phenomenon known as the dynamic breaking of Friedel's Law in layered van der Waals materials, where the pairs of Bragg peaks show opposite oscillating patterns. This unique behavior is attributed to the lattice structure of the material and its effect on electron diffraction.

SourcePenn State·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 6, 2020

Do we know what we want in a romantic partner? No more than a random stranger would

A study by UC Davis researchers suggests that people's ideal partner preferences do not reflect any unique personal insight. Participants who listed their top three attributes in an ideal partner showed increased romantic desire for others who possessed those same attributes, regardless of whether they were acquaintances or strangers.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateJul 6, 2020

New vitamin K-based drug shows promise against medication-resistant epilepsy

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have developed a vitamin K-based compound that eliminates medication-resistant epileptic seizures in mice. The compound works by increasing brain cells' ability to produce energy and protects mitochondrial health, making it a promising new treatment option for those with epilepsy.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateJul 6, 2020

Coconut confusion reveals consumer conundrum

A new study reveals that coconut oil production threatens more species per ton produced than palm or other vegetable oils, with 20 threatened species affected per million tons. The research highlights the difficulties of conscientious consumption due to a lack of objective guidance on environmental impacts.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 6, 2020

Running in Tarahumara culture

Researchers study Tarahumara runners to dispel stereotypes about their athletic prowess. They find that traditional long-distance running is a socially vital form of prayer and develops endurance through regular hard work and physical activities like walking and dancing.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateJul 6, 2020

How does Earth sustain its magnetic field?

The geodynamo generates Earth's magnetic field through the motion of liquid iron in the outer core. New research examines how lighter elements like silicon could drive this process, suggesting a concentration of 8 weight percent silicon is sufficient to sustain the geodynamo on heat transmission alone for the planet's entire history.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020

Fathers are more likely to be referred for nutrition or exercise counseling

A new study found that overweight and obese fathers are more likely to receive nutrition or exercise counseling than men without children. This increased referral rate may be attributed to the father's commitment to their child's health, highlighting a potential opportunity for healthcare providers to positively influence family outcomes.

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

Low-threshold topological nanolasers based on the second-order corner state

A team of scientists demonstrates a low-threshold topological nanolaser in a 2D topological photonic crystal nanocavity, achieving high performance comparable to conventional semiconductor lasers. The design features a second-order corner state that provides robustness against defects and enhances light-matter interaction.

Machine learning reveals vulnerabilities in 3D-printed carbon-fiber composites

A team of researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering used machine learning to reverse-engineer 3D-printed composite parts, demonstrating a method to capture fiber orientation with high accuracy. The study highlights the potential risks of intellectual property theft in 3D printing and emphasizes the need for secure toolpaths.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalComposites Science and Technology·DateJul 6, 2020

Using Epo against Covid-19

Researchers suggest Epo may mitigate severe disease progression and protect patients from neurological effects in Covid-19. Initial case studies indicate a positive effect of Epo treatment, with one patient showing rapid recovery after treatment.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalMolecular Medicine·DateJul 6, 2020

Highest peak power and excellent stability

Researchers have developed a new system delivering few-ps pulses at 2 μm wavelength with peak power of 17 GW, exceeding previous records. The system features excellent stability and brilliant beam quality, making it suitable for applications in nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, and materials processing.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalOptics Letters·DateJul 6, 2020

New study looks at opioid use and driving outcomes among older adults

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that older adults taking opioids are at a higher risk of crashing, with a 5.4% increase in reported crashes compared to non-users. However, they also tend to self-regulate their driving habits and report lower self-rated driving ability.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateJul 6, 2020

Global success for Canadian companies depends on prior R&D investment, receptiveness to new learning

A new study found that global success for Canadian companies depends on prior R&D investment and the company's ability to learn from international exposure. The research shows that Canadian companies that go international are more productive and successful due to investments in R&D and learning from new markets.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of International Business Studies·DateJul 6, 2020

Palm trees most abundant in American rainforests

A new study reveals that palm trees are the most abundant tree species in American rainforests, outnumbering other tropical forest plants by a significant margin. The research, led by scientists at Uppsala University and University of Campinas, Brazil, has quantified palm numbers globally for the first time.

SourceUppsala University·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateJul 6, 2020

St. Jude researchers create an analytic tool that opens a new frontier of cancer discovery

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have developed a computational tool called cis-X to identify alterations that drive tumor formation in the human genome. The method analyzes abnormal expression of tumor RNA and identifies novel pathogenic variants and oncogenes activated by such variants in regulatory noncoding DNA.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 6, 2020

Permian-Triassic mass extinction and biodiversity

A study analyzed biogeographic distributions of 52,318 marine fossils and found the latitudinal diversity gradient flattened rapidly during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction due to intense global warming and reduced ocean oxygen levels. The curve gradually returned to resemble modern biodiversity patterns after around 5 million years.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

Lack of lockdown increased COVID-19 deaths in Sweden, analysis finds

A new analysis by University of Virginia Health System researchers found that Sweden's lack of lockdown during COVID-19 led to more deaths and greater healthcare demand than countries with earlier interventions. However, Sweden fared better than expected when considering public-health mandates alone, similar to France, Italy, and Spain.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJul 6, 2020

U of SC: How non-alcoholic fatty liver disease causes Alzheimer's-like neuroinflammation

A recent study reveals the cause behind the link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and neurological problems, including Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms. The unique role of an adipokine called Lipocalin-2 in causing neuroinflammation may explain the prevalence of MAFLD among individuals with neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Neuroinflammation·DateJul 6, 2020

Researchers develop novel approach to modeling yet-unconfirmed rare nuclear process

Physicists at Michigan State University's Facility for Rare Isotope Beams have developed a new method to model neutrinoless double-beta decay, a yet-unconfirmed rare nuclear process with significant implications for particle physics and cosmology. The novel approach, known as the In-Medium Generator-Coordinate Method, enables controlle...

Story tips: Predicting fire risk, solid state stability check and images in a flash

Researchers developed a machine learning approach to predict seasonal fire risk in Africa, using data on ocean temperatures and land surface changes. Additionally, scientists found that charge loss in lithium-ion batteries is related to the inherent structural instability of the cathode's crystalline structure. A new microscope tool pr...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020

2D semiconductors found to be close-to-ideal fractional quantum hall platform

Researchers at Columbia University have observed fractional quantum Hall states (FQHS) in a monolayer 2D semiconductor, demonstrating excellent intrinsic quality and establishing it as a unique test platform for studying FQHS. The study reveals unexpected behavior and suggests that 2D semiconductors are close-to-ideal platforms to furt...

Atomic 'Swiss army knife' precisely measures materials for quantum computers

Scientists at NIST have developed a novel instrument that can make three kinds of atom-scale measurements simultaneously, helping researchers uncover new knowledge about special materials crucial for developing the next generation of quantum computers and communications. The instrument combines an atomic force microscope, scanning tunn...

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateJul 6, 2020

Early screening may reduce breast cancer deaths by more than half in childhood cancer survivors

A new study suggests that early initiation of annual breast cancer screening with MRI and mammography may reduce breast cancer mortality by half or more in female childhood cancer survivors previously exposed to chest radiation. The findings highlight the importance of MRI in reducing deaths from breast cancer in this population.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 6, 2020