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Science News for June 15, 2020


As food insecurity continues to plague New Yorkers, impact on children is worrisome

A recent survey by the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health found that one in four households with children under 18 have reported a child experiencing hunger, leading to weight loss and health concerns. The survey also highlights widening dietary inequities among low-income and minority households.

SourceCUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateJun 15, 2020

COVID-19 hospitalizations could mean significant out-of-pocket medical costs for many Americans

Researchers analyzed insurance claims from 2016 to 2019 and found that out-of-pocket costs for respiratory illnesses were particularly high for consumer-directed plans. Tens of millions of Americans with self-insured health plans may face significant financial burden due to COVID-19 hospitalizations.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJun 15, 2020

Three new studies identify neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

Several newly discovered human antibodies target the SARS-CoV-2 virus, offering promising therapeutic leads and potential protection against new coronavirus outbreaks. Researchers have isolated hundreds of antibodies from convalescent donors, with some showing strong cross-neutralization capabilities against related bat coronaviruses.

Cell wall research reveals possibility of simple and sustainable method to protect crops

Scientists have found that cell wall extracts from immune-active plants can trigger plant immunity and disease resistance, providing a new approach to protecting crops against pathogens and pests. This breakthrough discovery could lead to the development of simple, sustainable, and effective treatments to reduce crop losses.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateJun 15, 2020

Aging and socioeconomic status

A study found that lower socioeconomic status accelerates decline in physical functions such as grip strength and gait speed, as well as cognitive abilities like memory and processing speed. Social circumstances also impact mental health, with less wealthy individuals experiencing more depressive symptoms and sight problems.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2020

Ethnic minorities' employment prospects lag behind white majority

A new study found that UK ethnic minorities continue to face significant challenges in employment, with many groups more likely to be in manual work or unemployed than their white counterparts. The research highlights the impact of persistent racism on access to positive socioeconomic outcomes and social mobility.

SourceSAGE·JournalSociology·DateJun 15, 2020

Vaccination and moral obligation

Researchers discovered that vaccinated participants were less generous to non-vaccinated individuals than to other vaccinated peers, especially among those who viewed vaccination as a moral duty. This suggests that vaccination is perceived as a societal obligation, transcending social group affiliations.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2020

New technical approach can enhance diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension

A new study in The American Journal of Pathology reports that gene expression analysis of lung explant tissue can accurately differentiate pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) from pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD). This molecular approach promises to facilitate clinical diagnostics and develop novel target-specific intervention...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJun 15, 2020

Beetle-inspired cooling film

A new photonic film inspired by fluffs on the longicorn beetle can reflect up to 95% of incoming solar radiation and emit infrared energy, achieving up to 5.1° C of passive cooling in direct sunlight. The film's efficiency is a breakthrough for efficient passive radiative cooling applications.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2020

3D X-ray reveals secrets from inside bones

Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown substructure in healthy bone tissue using new X-ray techniques, revealing deviations in the orientation of nanocrystals. This discovery has significant implications for understanding bone diseases and developing new biomaterials.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 15, 2020

A carbon sink shrinks in the arctic

The Arctic Ocean's capacity to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere has decreased due to rapid warming and sea-ice loss. This reduction will have significant implications for climate change, with the Canada Basin predicted to become a minimal carbon sink by 2030.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJun 15, 2020

Using Jenga to explain lithium-ion batteries

A University of Birmingham team has created a hands-on educational tool using Jenga to explain lithium-ion battery operation and characteristics. The game helps students visualize electrochemistry and redox reactions, demonstrating the importance of rate of charge and performance over time.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Chemical Education·DateJun 15, 2020

Scientists find key factors impacting sideswiping tropical cyclone precipitation

Researchers found that extreme rainfall events from STCs can occur over inland areas far from coastlines due to amplification of local terrain and large-scale forcing. The study suggests further investigation into asymmetrical distribution of STP, differences between STP and landfalling precipitation, and comparisons with other datasets.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJun 15, 2020

Who is at risk of heart rhythm disorders?

A new international consensus statement outlines the best way to identify people at risk of developing common and devastating heart rhythm disorders, including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The guidelines focus on accurate risk assessment to enable earlier diagnosis and intervention with lifestyle changes or medi...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEP Europace·DateJun 15, 2020

Discovery of graphene switch

Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have successfully measured the current-voltage curve of graphene nanoribbons suspended between two electrodes. The study reveals that a critical bias voltage triggers an abrupt change in electrical conductance for zigzag GNRs, opening new possibilities for switching devi...

The Lancet Global Health: Estimates suggest one in five people worldwide have an underlying health condition that could increase their risk of severe COVID-19 if infected

A study estimates that 22% of the world population, around 1.7 billion, have at least one underlying health condition increasing their risk of severe COVID-19 if infected. The share is highest in countries with ageing populations, African countries with high HIV/AIDS prevalence, and small island nations with high diabetes prevalence.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJun 15, 2020

Excitons form superfluid in certain 2D combos

Researchers at Rice University discovered that excitons can spontaneously form in ground-state bilayers of specific 2D compounds, exhibiting superfluid-like behavior. This phenomenon holds promise for innovative electronic and quantum computing applications.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 15, 2020

The many lifetimes of plastics

New study analyzes nearly 60 infographics and documents on plastic lifetimes, revealing inconsistencies in reported estimates. Researchers found varying numbers of years, from one to hundreds of years, and even a striking uniformity in fishing line degradation estimates at 600 years.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2020

Maternal transmission of COVID-19 to baby during pregnancy is uncommon, study finds

A recent study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that COVID-19 transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy is rare. The research examined 49 studies involving 666 neonates and 655 women, revealing that only a small percentage of babies tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, the s...

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalBJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology·DateJun 15, 2020

NIH launches analytics platform to harness COVID-19 patient data to speed treatments

The National Institutes of Health has launched a centralized analytics platform to study COVID-19 patient data, aiming to develop effective treatments and improve clinical care. The platform will analyze health risk factors, identify potentially effective treatments, and enable researchers to explore connections and patterns in the data.

The benefits of slowness

Researchers developed an AI algorithm that uses the 'slowness principle' to estimate age and ethnicity by ignoring rapidly changing facial features. The system achieves impressive accuracy, outperforming even human experts in face recognition.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalMachine Learning·DateJun 15, 2020

Barriers exist to using risk stratification tools to evaluate pulmonary embolism in the ED

A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine identified common barriers to using risk stratification tools for evaluating pulmonary embolism in emergency departments. The study found that provider-level factors such as risk avoidance and lack of knowledge of the tools dominated as barriers, while inner-setting factors were i...

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateJun 15, 2020

73% of LGBTQ youth bullied for reasons beyond their sexual identity

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that 73% of LGBTQ adolescents experience bias-based bullying for reasons beyond their sexual identity. Schools with Gay Straight Alliances report lower rates of bullying, emphasizing the importance of promoting broad-reaching inclusion and acceptance.

SourceUConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJun 15, 2020

Tuberculosis vaccine strengthens immune system

A study by universities of Bonn and Nijmegen found that BCG vaccination enhances immune response to multiple infections, including TB and Covid-19. The vaccine's effect is attributed to trained immunity, which allows innate immune cells to become more efficient independently of reinfection.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJun 15, 2020

Even 'low-risk' drinking can be harmful

A recent study found that even low-risk drinking within Canada's guidelines can lead to hospitalization and death. Moderate drinkers are not insulated from harm, particularly men who experience harm at all drinking levels. The study suggests that guideline limits should be lowered to match those in the Netherlands.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateJun 15, 2020

A raft that won't save you

New research investigates how viruses trick cells into forming lipid rafts, allowing them to enter and infect the human body. The study suggests that understanding this process could lead to innovative approaches to fight viral infections.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids·DateJun 15, 2020