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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 39


Page 39 of 47

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.