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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 31


Page 31 of 47

New solar material could clean drinking water

Researchers developed a new aluminum panel that concentrates solar energy to evaporate and purify contaminated water, reducing contaminants to safe levels for drinking. The technology uses a burst of laser pulses to etch the surface of aluminum, creating a super-wicking and light-absorbing surface that can efficiently purify water.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJul 13, 2020

Patients overestimate the success of CPR

Research found patients significantly overestimating CPR success and understating its negative impact. Clinicians should discuss CPR with patients to clarify success rates and risks before consent is given. The study highlighted the importance of informed decision-making in end-of-life care.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateJul 13, 2020

Study finds weight loss surgery cost disparity

A new study from the University of Georgia finds that bariatric weight loss surgery is more expensive for public insurance patients compared to private insurance. The study analyzed a national dataset and found that Medicare patients paid the highest average cost per surgery, while publicly insured patients paid more overall.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalClinical Obesity·DateJul 13, 2020

Study links attraction to 'tyrannical' leaders to dysfunctional family dynamics

A recent study by San Francisco State University found a correlation between adolescents who reported high conflict at home and those who later identified socially undesirable traits as ideal leadership qualities. Researchers discovered that individuals who experienced high conflict in their childhood were more likely to prefer tyranni...

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalJournal of Leadership & Organizational Studies·DateJul 13, 2020

About nine family members to suffer grief from every COVID-19 fatality

A study by Penn State researchers found that every COVID-19 death will impact around nine surviving close family members, including grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, and children. The multiplier effect may help raise awareness about the disease's ripple effects and inform policies on family leave and paid leave.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

The Lancet Global Health: Modelling study predicts surge in HIV, TB, and malaria deaths due to COVID-19 pandemic

A modelling study predicts that COVID-19 could lead to a significant increase in HIV, TB, and malaria deaths in low- and middle-income countries. The study suggests that prioritizing antiretroviral therapy, timely diagnosis and treatment of TB, and long-lasting insecticide-treated nets could mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJul 13, 2020

Better vaccines are in our blood

A new vaccine platform technology called Erythrocyte-Driven Immune Targeting (EDIT) successfully slowed the growth of cancerous tumors in mice by delivering antigens to antigen-presenting cells in the spleen. The approach uses red blood cells as delivery vehicles, generating an immune response without the need for adjuvants.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

Bird droppings carry risk of antibiotic resistance

A recent study by Rice University environmental engineers has found high levels of antibiotic-resistant genes in the droppings of common urban ducks, crows, and gulls. The researchers discovered that these genes encoded significant resistance to tetracycline, beta-lactam, and sulfonamide antibiotics.

SourceRice University·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateJul 13, 2020

Researchers find the worst reason to give a gift

Researchers found that gifts intended to save time are seen as compliments, while those meant to save money are perceived as a reflection of the recipient's lower status. In real-world situations, people who received money-saving gift cards reported feeling embarrassed and believed the giver thought they were incompetent.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateJul 13, 2020

Power of DNA to store information gets an upgrade

Researchers discovered a new DNA storage technique that encodes and retrieves information with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. The method harnesses the capacity of intertwined DNA strands to store durable and compact data, outperforming current methods in information accuracy and efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

Partnerships with health systems can provide support to nursing homes during pandemic

Nursing homes face extreme challenges in the COVID-19 pandemic, but partnerships with health systems can support better staffing, virus testing, and data sharing. This collaboration can facilitate reduced hospital readmissions, improved safety of transitions of care, and ultimately improve care for vulnerable populations.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 13, 2020