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Science News for June 16, 2020


Scientists grow optical chips in a petri dish

A team of scientists from ITMO University developed a method to create optical chips in a Petri dish using gallium phosphide as a material for the waveguides. The new chip elements are three times smaller than those working in the IR spectral range, enabling compact and affordable production of lasers and waveguides.

SourceITMO University·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 16, 2020

Study in Philadelphia links growth in tree canopy to decrease in human mortality

A study by the USDA Forest Service found that increasing tree canopy in Philadelphia could prevent between 271 and 400 premature deaths annually. The research suggests that even modest increases in tree canopy cover can lead to significant reductions in mortality rates, particularly in areas with lower socioeconomic status.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateJun 16, 2020

How the beetle got its bang

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology reveal how bombardier beetles biosynthesize chemicals to create fuel for their explosions. The study shows the beetles' biochemistry is intricate, with toxic chemicals derived from coal tar and benzene-like compounds metabolized from hydroquinone.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalThe Science of Nature·DateJun 16, 2020

Strangely ordinary strata

Research reveals that ordinary river deposits dominate the stratigraphic record due to hierarchical organization in river dynamics. This understanding solves a long-standing enigma in geology and has implications for modern river systems affected by climate change and sea level rise.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 16, 2020

A coordinated COVID-19 response helped western Washington state "flatten the curve"

The region's successful response was attributed to six key factors: early communication and coordination, regional coordination and situational awareness, rapid testing development, proactive management of long-term care facilities, effective physical distancing in the community, and partnership with local organizations. This coordinat...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJun 16, 2020

The rafts used by viruses

Researchers discovered how viruses exploit lipid rafts in the cell membrane to trick receptors into binding, allowing the virus to enter the cell. The study may suggest new strategies for preventing or combating diseases like SARS and Covid-19 by understanding the interactions between viruses and host cells.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalJournal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids·DateJun 16, 2020

'Relaxed' T cells critical to immune response

Rice University researchers suggest that T cell relaxation time is key to immune response, explaining how invaders prompt the immune system. The approach helps explain why T cells can react so fast and selectively, despite self-ligand imposters outnumbering invaders by a factor of 100,000.

SourceRice University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateJun 16, 2020

New discovery paves way for next generation malaria vaccine

Scientists at Seattle Children's Research Institute have developed a genetically attenuated parasite (GAP) that arrests late in the liver stage of human malaria, paving the way for a novel next-generation vaccine. The GAP technology has the potential to offer protection to those living in regions where malaria transmission is widespread.

SourceSeattle Children's·JournalJCI Insight·DateJun 16, 2020

Improved heat-resistant wheat varieties are identified

Researchers at the University of Córdoba have identified 10 genetically improved wheat genotypes that can tolerate high temperatures better than others. These varieties, recently developed through genetic improvement programs, demonstrated their effectiveness in maintaining productivity under heat-stress conditions.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalJournal of Cereal Science·DateJun 16, 2020

Refugee camps vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks

A new study simulates the spread of COVID-19 in a densely populated refugee settlement in Bangladesh, predicting over 420,000 infected people and 2,800 deaths in one year. The researchers emphasize the need for innovative responses and intervention to quell the spread and treat the infected population.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 16, 2020

Shhhh, the whales are resting

Researchers from Aarhus University found that boat engines can disturb humpback whales, causing them to change behavior and reducing their resting time. The team recommends a 150 dB noise emission standard to minimize disturbance, ensuring whales receive some peace and quiet.

World's most complete health analysis of nesting sea turtles conducted in Florida

A team from Florida Atlantic University conducted the world's most complete health analysis of nesting green sea turtles in Florida, providing critical insights into physiology, biology, and herpesvirus epidemiology. The study found no significant differences between healthy and infected turtles, indicating that these viruses are endem...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalEndangered Species Research·DateJun 16, 2020

Digital strategies to fight COVID-19

The article discusses Luxembourg's expertise in digital health and its role in fighting COVID-19. The country has developed innovative digital solutions, including telemedicine, mobile apps, and AI-powered tools, to support healthcare systems and monitor the pandemic. The 'Predi-COVID' study is a prime example of this efforts, using da...

SourceLuxembourg Institute of Health·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateJun 16, 2020

Support drives fate of protected gold nanoclusters as catalysts

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä have discovered that the choice of a support material for gold nanocluster catalysts can drastically affect their structure. On certain supports, clusters disintegrate completely, while on others, the protective organic layer peels away, leaving behind intact metallic nanoclusters.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateJun 16, 2020

Australian fossil reveals new plant species

A new plant species, Keraphyton mawsoniae, has been discovered in a 372-359 million year old Australian fossil. The fern-like plant shares similarities with modern ferns and horsetails, providing valuable information on plant evolution during the Devonian-Carboniferous period.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPeerJ·DateJun 16, 2020

Characteristics of patients with COVID-19 in Detroit

This case series examines clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients in Detroit, providing a comparative analysis of hospitalized and ambulatory populations. Key findings highlight the importance of considering patient demographics and comorbidities in managing COVID-19 cases.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 16, 2020

Digitize your dog into a computer game

Researchers from the University of Bath have developed motion capture technology that can digitise dogs without a suit and using only one camera. This technology has various applications, including helping vets diagnose lameness and monitoring recovery in canine patients.

How COVID-19 affects pediatric patients

A study of 34 pediatric COVID-19 patients in China found that children presented with mild to moderate symptoms, including fever and cough, which recovered within days after treatment. Chest CT scans revealed distinct lung patterns, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and intervention in suspected cases.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 16, 2020

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: UK modelling study finds case isolation and contact tracing vital to COVID-19 epidemic control

A new UK modelling study suggests that combining self-isolation, intensive contact tracing, and moderate physical distancing measures can effectively control the COVID-19 epidemic. The study found that a high incidence of cases would require a large number of individuals to be quarantined to control transmission.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJun 16, 2020

Asthma among children with developmental disabilities

The study found that asthma was significantly more common among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and vision, hearing, or speech delays. Children with these conditions were nearly twice as likely to have asthma compared to their non-disabled peers.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 16, 2020

A sugar hit to help destroy cancer cells

Researchers at USC Viterbi's Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science have discovered a fatal vulnerability in many cancer cells: their inability to adapt to alternative sugars like galactose. The discovery could lead to new metabolic treatments for cancer, targeting cells with specific genetic mutations.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Cell Science·DateJun 16, 2020

Teens who say their parents are overcontrolling struggle with relationships, educational goals as adults

A new longitudinal study found that teenagers whose parents are overbearing experience difficulties in social relationships and educational attainment by adulthood. The study, published in Child Development, suggests that overcontrolling parenting can stunt adolescent development and lead to long-term problems.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateJun 16, 2020

Researcher builds solution to work-from-home cloud-computing 'storms'

A computer science researcher has developed an algorithm called Orchestra that reduces spikes in resource demands in cloud computing, allowing companies to maintain smooth operations despite increased work-from-home usage. The solution uses lightweight monitoring and performance-based models to adjust cloud resources in real-time.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalIEEE Transactions on Cloud Computing·DateJun 16, 2020

Adding lean beef to a healthy diet does not adversely affect heart health or diabetes risk

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consuming lean beef as part of a healthy diet does not negatively impact cardiovascular health or type 2 diabetes risk. The study compared two diets: one with an additional 5.3 ounces of lean beef and another without it, both following US-style eating patterns.

SourceNational Cattlemen's Beef Association·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateJun 16, 2020