Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for July 9, 2020


Trust me if you can

Researchers found that shared values are insufficient for mutual trust between stakeholders; beliefs and emotions play a stronger role. Improved awareness of each other's views and emotions can benefit collaboration and find solutions to the conflict.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalEnergy Reports·DateJul 9, 2020

Distorted passage of time during the COVID-19 lockdown

A survey of 604 UK participants found that over 80% experienced changes to their perception of time during the lockdown, with slower passage associated with older age and reduced social satisfaction. The study suggests that significant changes to daily routine can distort our perception of time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 9, 2020

Streamlining acute malnutrition treatment brings same recovery in children at lower cost

A new simplified protocol for treating acute malnutrition in young children shows similar recovery rates as the standard approach but is more cost-effective. The streamlined protocol resulted in $123 less per child recovered and reduced ready-to-use food required, providing a potential solution to addressing the issue of nearly 50 mill...

UQ researchers solve a 50-year-old enzyme mystery

UQ researchers have solved a 50-year-old enzyme mystery, revealing the complete structure of an essential amino acid synthesizing enzyme. This discovery could lead to the development of new herbicides and antimicrobial agents, potentially restoring effective treatment options for infections such as tuberculosis and invasive Candida.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2020

Scientists urge caution, further assessment of ecological impacts above deep sea mining

A new study highlights the need for further assessment of ecological impacts from deep-sea mining, which could harm vast midwater ecosystems and affect fisheries, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. The International Seabed Authority must consider midwater research efforts to minimize environmental harm.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2020

Scientists discover protective Alzheimer's gene and develop rapid drug-testing platform

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered a naturally suppressive gene that prevents Alzheimer's Disease in brain cells, leading to the development of a rapid drug-screening system. The system demonstrates proof-of-principle for early preventative-drug testing and identifies a potential biomarker for risk assessment.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJul 9, 2020

How can education researchers support education and public health and institutions during COVID-19?

The article provides recommendations for education researchers to support education and public health institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors suggest that researchers can provide research support to medical fields, synthesize and translate research for educational leaders, and develop timely professional development oppo...

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateJul 9, 2020

Vulnerability for at-risk populations identified in US influenza data

A new influenza-monitoring system reveals critical biases in US disease surveillance, particularly among lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. The study suggests that these disparities are linked to reduced access to healthcare and increase the risk of hospitalization for flu-related complications.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 9, 2020

Using electricity to break down pollutants left over after wastewater treatment

Researchers at INRS have successfully tested an advanced electro-oxidation process, which uses electric current to break down non-biodegradable pollutants in treated domestic wastewater. The process generates hydroxide radicals that attack refractory molecules without requiring chemicals, reducing the cost of treatment.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJul 9, 2020

Intimate partner violence, history of childhood abuse worsen trauma symptoms for new moms

A study found that recent episodes of intimate partner violence and history of childhood abuse worsen trauma symptoms such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, and sleep disorders in new mothers. Postnatal medical screenings may help identify signs of abuse and provide an opportunity for intervention.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·DateJul 9, 2020

Cell-cell signaling promotes invariability in sea squirt embryogenesis

Researchers discovered precise cell-to-cell contact areas required for invariant embryonic cell lineages, suggesting a range of cell signaling events limits reproducibility during development. Ascidian embryos maintain highly regimented cell-fate from early developmental stages to later stages, even between distantly related species.

Unraveling the mystery of wheat herbicide tolerance

Researchers used alien substitution lines to pinpoint chromosomal region 5A as key player in wheat's natural tolerance to synthetic auxin herbicides. They found minimal injury in some plant lines due to their ability to naturally detoxify the chemical, while others were highly sensitive to high rates of the herbicide.

Evolution makes the world less ragged

A team of international researchers found that evolution tends to dampen or smooth out variations in ecological patterns across landscapes. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed over 500 studies and identified 14 mechanisms affecting the direction of evolution's impact.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2020

Aquaculture's role in nutrition in the COVID-19 era

The article discusses four possible scenarios for the future of aquaculture, including a growth-first nationalistic approach, sustainable localized production, and a globally competitive market. These scenarios aim to maximize aquaculture's nutrition benefits while ensuring environmental sustainability.

SourceAmerican University·JournalReviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture·DateJul 9, 2020

Native bees also facing novel pandemic

A growing evidence suggests a fungal pathogen known as Nosema is infecting native bees worldwide, with little known about its impact on these species. This infection threatens pollination and ecosystems, as native bees contribute to agricultural crop pollination and play a crucial role in local ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 9, 2020

Shining light into the dark

Researchers have developed a new method to analyze microscopic samples without using external light, reducing interference and damage to living specimens. The 'glow in the dark' approach uses chemical stimuli to activate chemicals, enabling precise control over localized oxidative hotspots.

SourceCurtin University·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateJul 9, 2020

Cherned up to the maximum

Researchers have observed that palladium gallium (PdGa) reaches the maximum allowed Chern number of four, a fundamental aspect yet to be settled in topological physics. The team also demonstrated control over the sign of the Chern number by manipulating the crystal's handedness during growth.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2020

Flaring, massively

Astronomers have successfully detected a superflare on the nearby red dwarf AD Leonis, with one flare being 20 times larger than those emitted by our sun. The high-quality data from the Seimei Telescope has revealed intriguing phenomena, including an increase in high-energy electrons and unusual light patterns.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·DateJul 9, 2020

Rochester community initiative increases teenage use of effective contraception

A University of Rochester Medical Center partnership increased long-acting reversible contraception adoption among adolescents in Rochester by 20 times compared to the national average. The Hoekelman Center's community outreach initiative empowered adults to educate teens, providing accurate information and resources.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateJul 9, 2020

Study sheds light on bushfires' microclimate impact

Researchers monitored air temperature, humidity, and particulate matter pollution during the 2019-20 Australian bushfires. The study found specific combinations of air temperature and relative humidity led to higher pollutant accumulation, highlighting the importance of understanding microclimatic impacts on urban areas.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Communications·DateJul 9, 2020

Bats offer clues to treating COVID-19

Researchers found that bats' ability to control inflammation may hold clues to developing new treatments for diseases in humans. By understanding the mechanisms underlying bats' unique abilities, scientists may be able to develop therapies to fight diseases like COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJul 9, 2020

A new look at deep-sea microbes

Researchers found that microbes inside hydrocarbon seeps have less efficient, fast-growing lifestyles while those outside have slower but more efficient lives. This difference in lifestyle could mirror how microbes behave higher in the water column.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 9, 2020

Fishing for a theory of emergent behavior

The study used advanced metrics from information theory to describe the collective behavior of small schools of ayu fish, finding that groups of three or more exhibited noticeably different dynamics. This work may aid in developing cooperative biomimetic swarming robots and help understand fundamental problems in complexity theory.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalEntropy·DateJul 9, 2020

Fair justice systems need open data access

A Northwestern University-led team has developed an AI-powered platform to make federal court records publicly available, enabling researchers to analyze and evaluate the justice system. The tool aims to provide quantitative feedback to fix variations in judges' decisions on fee waivers, ultimately promoting fair access to justice.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2020