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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 26


Page 26 of 47

Only a third of pediatricians fully follow guidelines on peanut allergy prevention

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that only 30% of US pediatricians fully implement recommended practices for preventing peanut allergy, with common barriers including lack of clinic time and parental fear. The 2017 guidelines aim to introduce peanut-containing foods at 4-6 months to reduce prevalence.

Early life stress is associated with youth-onset depression for some types of stress but not others

A meta-analysis of 62 studies and 44,000 participants reveals that eight specific types of early life stress are associated with an increased risk of developing depression in youth. These include emotional abuse, poverty, and death of a family member, while others like sexual abuse and physical abuse show stronger links to the condition.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJul 15, 2020

The road to a battery-powered Europe

European manufacturers are emerging as sustainable successors to combustion engines, with the European Commission investing heavily in initiatives to establish new factories and mining operations across the region. The goal is to create hundreds of thousands of jobs while reducing the carbon footprint of production.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJul 15, 2020

Hyksos, 15th Dynasty rulers of Ancient Egypt, were an internal takeover

A study using chemical analysis reveals that the Hyksos rulers of Ancient Egypt were a multi-cultural group who rose to power from within. The research found that a large percentage of the population in the ancient capital city were non-locals who immigrated from various places, contradicting the common story of a sudden invasion.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 15, 2020

COVID-19 'price gouging' could be prevented

A new paper from the University of Portsmouth argues that excessive pricing due to COVID-19 can be prevented by enforcing EU competition law and applying price controls. The research suggests that imposing fines may not be effective in addressing price gouging, as companies may continue to raise prices in the future.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalJournal of European Competition Law & Practice·DateJul 15, 2020

Love-hate relationship of solvent and water leads to better biomass breakup

A team of scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used neutron scattering and supercomputing to understand how an organic solvent and water work together to break down plant biomass. They identified optimal temperatures for the process, which can aid in the rational design of even more efficient technologies.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 15, 2020

'Bystander' Cs meet their match in gene-editing technique

Biomolecular engineers at Rice University have developed a gene-editing technique that dramatically enhances the accuracy of CRISPR-based edits. The new technique, called A3G-BE, precisely modifies single targeted cytosine mutations while minimizing unwanted editing, showing significant success in treating disease-relevant contexts.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 15, 2020

In the sharing economy, consumers see themselves as helpers

A new study by Ohio State University suggests that consumers view independent providers in the sharing economy differently from traditional employees. Firms like Uber and Airbnb should focus on people who provide their services to effectively market themselves to consumers. This shift in perception may have implications for consumer be...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 15, 2020

Penn researchers find three distinct immune responses for sicker COVID-19 patients

A new study from Penn researchers identified three distinct immune profiles in severely ill COVID-19 patients. These immunotypes were characterized by different levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activity, with the third type showing little to no immune response. The findings could help predict disease severity and guide treatment strategies.