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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 32


Page 32 of 47

Airplane noise appears to negatively impact fetal health

Researchers at Lehigh University have identified a causal link between high-level noise exposure and low birth weight. The study found that mothers living close to Newark Liberty International Airport, exposed to noise levels over 55 dB threshold, had a 22% increased risk of having a low birth weight baby.

SourceLehigh University·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateJul 13, 2020

Vascular development may be at risk in autism

Researchers found that mice with a common genetic mutation in autism spectrum disorder had delayed and weaker blood vessel responses, which led to neuronal dysfunction and autistic traits. The study suggests that problems with blood vessels begin early in life and can contribute to the development of autism.

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 13, 2020

Turning off 'junk DNA' may free stem cells to become neurons

A new NIH study suggests that deactivating certain genes in the human genome may play a role in controlling the differentiation of stem cells into neurons. The research found that these genes, which were once thought to be inactive 'junk DNA', may help regulate the maturation process of stem cells, leading to improved understanding of ...

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

STRIDE study tests ways to prevent injuries from falls

A new study by Yale University researchers found that a nurse-delivered strategy to prevent falls among older adults reduced the rate of first adjudicated serious fall injury by nearly 10%. The approach also produced significant reductions in self-reported injuries, highlighting its potential in reducing fall-related harm.

SourceYale University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 12, 2020

Total-body PET/CT captures full picture of systemic inflammatory arthritis

The uEXPLORER TB-PET/CT scanner offers a new imaging option for inflammatory arthritis by capturing glucose metabolism in normal and diseased joint tissues across the body. This allows for quantifying systemic inflammatory burden, which could have direct implications for disease staging, treatment selection, and monitoring of treatment...

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJul 11, 2020

Optical shaping of polarization anisotropy in a laterally-coupled-quantum-dot dimer

Researchers found emission from laterally coupled quantum dots is strongly polarized along the coupling direction and can be shaped by changing excitation polarization. This control enables optically-controlled anisotropic wavefunctions, opening new avenues for data storage and thermoelectric energy harvesting.

More than meets the eye

A new study finds that people with face blindness use different memory processes for face recognition, relying on familiarity rather than recollection. The research suggests that successful facial recognition requires more than a vague familiarity with a face.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCortex·DateJul 10, 2020

Construction: How to turn 36 seconds into USD 5.4 billion

A study from Aarhus University links national productivity statistics with actual work done on construction sites, revealing a decline in productivity since the 1970s. By optimizing processes, contractors can generate an estimated $5.4 billion annually in the US and Canada by spending just 36 seconds more per hour on value-adding work.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Construction Engineering and Management·DateJul 10, 2020

Largest study of prostate cancer genomics in Black Americans ids targets for therapies

A new study has identified genes more frequently altered in prostate tumors from men of African ancestry compared to other racial groups. The research found no significant differences in frequencies of mutations in genes important for current prostate cancer therapies, but suggests that precision medicine approaches can be effective if...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJul 10, 2020

COVID-19 can be transmitted in the womb, reports pediatric infectious disease journal

A recent study reports evidence of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to infant, highlighting the importance of protecting pregnant women from COVID-19. The findings suggest that infection can occur during pregnancy, and researchers emphasize the need for further research into mechanisms and risk factors.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal·DateJul 10, 2020

Extraordinary regeneration of neurons in zebrafish

Biologists at the University of Bayreuth have discovered a unique form of rapid regeneration in zebrafish neurons. Mauthner cells, responsible for escape behavior, can regenerate their axons within a week after injury. This finding disproves the widely accepted view that these cells are unable to regenerate.

SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJul 10, 2020

Liquid metal synthesis for better piezoelectrics: Atomically-thin tin-monosulfide

A new study applies liquid-metal synthesis to create atomically-thin tin-monosulfide with excellent electronic and piezoelectric properties, enabling flexible nanogenerators for wearable electronics and biosensors. The resulting material displays high durability and flexibility, making it suitable for commercial implementation.

Black phosphorus-based van der Waals heterostructures for mid-infrared light-emission applications

Researchers propose a novel vdW heterostructure for MIR light-emission applications using BP and TMDC materials. The BP-WSe2 heterostructure shows a type-I band alignment, enhancing MIR photoluminescence by ~200%. In contrast, the BP-MoS2 heterostructure forms a type-II band alignment, enabling efficient MIR electroluminescence.