Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for July 7, 2020


Study: Troubling connection between workplace pregnancy discrimination and health of mothers, babies

A management study led by Baylor University found a troubling connection between workplace pregnancy discrimination and the health of mothers and babies. Perceived pregnancy discrimination can lead to increased postpartum depressive symptoms for mothers and lower birth weights, gestational ages, and doctor visits for babies.

SourceBaylor University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateJul 7, 2020

Brain structural elements in psychiatric disorders

Researchers identified shared brain structural elements across major psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study also revealed distinct regional abnormalities for individual conditions, suggesting potential mechanisms underlying these disorders.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJul 7, 2020

Electrons in the fast lane

Researchers discovered ferroelastic twin domains in perovskite crystals that can influence electron movement. These structures, or 'electron highways,' could make perovskite solar cells more powerful and improve their efficiency.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJul 7, 2020

Nutrients in microalgae: An environmentally friendly alternative to fish

A new study by scientists from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg found that microalgae farming has a similar environmental impact to fish production, but produces more omega-3 fatty acids per unit area. This could lead to a more sustainable source of essential nutrients for humans and reduce pressure on the world's oceans.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalJournal of Applied Phycology·DateJul 7, 2020

Circular RNA makes fruit flies live longer

Scientists have discovered a specific circular RNA that prolongs fruit fly lifespan by regulating the insulin signalling pathway. The circRNA, called circSulfateless, is expressed at higher levels in long-lived flies and can directly influence their lifespan. These findings suggest a potential link between circRNAs and human ageing.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJul 7, 2020

Making a list of all creatures, great and small

A new PLOS Biology paper proposes a set of principles for creating and governing lists of the world's species, aiming to address the lack of an agreed list of all species. The proposed governance mechanism ensures that taxonomists' decisions are informed by stakeholders' needs.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 7, 2020

The cosmic commute towards star and planet formation

Researchers measured gas motions throughout the Milky Way and a nearby galaxy, finding that cold molecular gas motions appear to fluctuate in velocity, reminiscent of ocean waves. The team discovered that equidistantly spaced structure shows distinctive pattern, with periodic spacing likely resulting from gravitational instability.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 7, 2020

A new understanding of protein movement

Engineers from the University of Delaware develop procedure to purify monoclonal antibodies with 43% higher productivity, thanks to understanding of adsorption affinity and its role in protein transport into ion-exchange beads. This breakthrough could lead to reduced waste during expensive drug manufacturing process.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2020

Breakthrough machine learning approach quickly produces higher-resolution climate data

Researchers developed a breakthrough machine learning approach that quickly produces higher-resolution climate data, enhancing wind velocity and solar irradiance by 50 and 25 times respectively. This advancement will enable scientists to complete renewable energy studies with more accuracy and speed.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2020

Engineers use electricity to clean up toxic water

Researchers from the University of Sydney developed an electrochemical oxidation process to clean up complex wastewater containing toxic chemicals. The process transforms organic contaminants into harmless gases or minerals without requiring additional chemicals or severe operation conditions.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalAlgal Research·DateJul 7, 2020

Insufficient sleep harms children's mental health

A University of Houston study found that insufficient sleep alters children's emotional health, particularly in response to positive emotions. The research highlights the importance of assessing and prioritizing healthy sleep habits for emotionally vulnerable children.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJul 7, 2020

Strange bedfellows

Caterpillars of the Lycaenidae family have evolved to associate with ants, which protect them from predators in exchange for sugary secretions. These associations are driven by chemical signals and rewards, allowing caterpillars to minimize energetic costs while maximizing protection.

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 7, 2020

On-chip spin-Hall nanograting for simultaneously detecting phase and polarization singularities

Researchers developed an on-chip plasmonic spin-Hall nanograting to detect both phase and polarization singularities of incident beams. The structure directionally couples different positions depending on the polarization and topological charge of the beam, enabling rapid detection with high resolution.

Limitations of super-resolution microscopy overcome

Researchers have overcome the limitation of super-resolution microscopy by combining dSTORM and expansion microscopy, achieving a distance error reduction to just five nanometers. This enables fluorescence imaging with molecular resolution for the first time, allowing detailed insights into molecular function and architecture.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2020

A chemical cocktail of air pollution in Beijing, China during COVID-19 outbreak

A recent study by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics found that Beijing's air quality did not improve as expected during the COVID-19 lockdown, with secondary aerosol species showing only small changes. The research highlights a challenge for mitigating secondary air pollution in regions with high concentrations of gaseous precursors.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJul 7, 2020

Iodine exposure in the NICU may lead to decrease in thyroid function, NIH study suggests

A new NIH study found that infants exposed to iodine in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at higher risk for developing congenital hypothyroidism. Infants with this condition often require thyroid hormone therapy within four weeks of birth, and permanent intellectual disability may result if treatment is delayed.

Study: Surgical delay associated with increased risk in some gastrointestinal malignancies

A new study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that surgical delays of 30-40 days are associated with shorter survival times in patients with colon cancer. For pancreatic and gastric cancers, the results indicate that longer surgical delays may increase cancer progression and worsen patient outcomes.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of Gastrointestinal Surgery·DateJul 7, 2020

COVID-19 in patients who have received kidney transplants or are undergoing dialysis

Two new studies investigate COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients, finding most don't need hospitalization, and patients on dialysis may experience different symptoms. Additionally, another study reveals distinct clinical features of dialysis patients with COVID-19, highlighting the need for more research and guidance.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 7, 2020

Excitation of robust materials

Researchers at Kiel University have observed rapid electronic changes in tungsten ditelluride using laser pulses, which could enable ultra-fast optoelectronic switches. The team used time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to visualize the changes in the material's electronic structure, revealing new insights into its unusual properties.

SourceKiel University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2020

Repurposing public health systems to decode COVID-19

Researchers have successfully linked UK public health monitoring systems with the UK Biobank, enabling analysis of genetic and epidemiological factors associated with severe COVID-19. The resulting pooled data can provide near-to-real-time insights into SARS-CoV-2 spread, testing, and disease characteristics.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalMicrobial Genomics·DateJul 7, 2020

Dopamine neurons mull over your options

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that dopamine neurons represent different parts of the decision-making process, including both evaluation and choice. The study suggests that these neurons send decision signals to other brain areas, ultimately influencing muscle action and informing choices in everyday life.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 7, 2020

Curtin study could rewrite Earth's history

Researchers from Curtin University have found evidence that the Earth's first continents were not formed by subduction in a modern-like plate tectonics environment. The team measured iron and zinc isotopes in rocks sourced from central Siberia and South Africa, suggesting an alternative formation process.

SourceCurtin University·JournalGeology·DateJul 7, 2020

The complex relationship between deforestation and diet diversity in the Amazon

A study in Peru found that shifting from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture is associated with less diverse diets and reduced access to food among local communities. The expansion of cash crops like palm oil and cocoa has led to simplified production systems and decreased agricultural biodiversity.

Old X-rays, new vision: A nano-focused X-ray laser

Scientists from Osaka University have reduced X-ray free-electron laser beam diameter to 6 nanometers, enabling precise imaging of single virus particles and ultrafast chemical processes. This advancement improves the accuracy of measurements closer to the atomic level than previously possible.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Synchrotron Radiation·DateJul 7, 2020

Host cell fusion in bacteria infection alarms immune system, causing host cell destruction

The study reveals that Burkholderia pseudomallei infection sets off a series of events that provoke the host's immune system, causing infected cells to self-destruct. The researchers found that abnormal cell fusion stimulates the type 1 interferon signaling pathway, leading to autophagy and cell death.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2020

Men and younger adults less active in lockdown

New research from Anglia Ruskin University found that women and older adults are more likely to meet exercise targets, whereas men and younger adults were less active. The study suggests that the public's increased free time during lockdown led to higher levels of physical activity.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine·DateJul 7, 2020