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Science News for June 18, 2020


Study links financial hardship to more ED visits; less preventive care

A new study by American Cancer Society finds that cancer survivors experiencing higher medical and nonmedical financial hardships are more likely to visit the emergency department, receive less preventive care, and have worse self-rated health. The study highlights the growing healthcare costs and their impact on worsening health dispa...

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJun 18, 2020

US cities with pro sports see more flu deaths

A West Virginia University-led study found a significant increase in seasonal flu deaths in US cities with professional sports teams. Researchers analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and discovered that flu mortality rates rose by 5-24% during pro sports seasons, with the largest jump observed in NHL games.

Simulating cooperation in local communities

Researchers introduced a new system to improve cooperation among goods and service providers in rural villages, by assigning reputation scores and rewarding responsible welfare usage. The study's findings suggest that the payoff transfer mechanism can optimize public cooperation without significant costs.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJun 18, 2020

Australian scientists reveal a lost 8 billion light years of universe evolution

Researchers have developed a method to detect the presence of weak gravitational wave events, revealing a lost 8 billion light years of universe evolution. This breakthrough will allow scientists to observe farther away in space-time and gain insights into the early universe's structure.

SourceThe Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 18, 2020

New study: Publicizing OSHA violations increases compliance

A Duke researcher found that publicizing OSHA violations through press releases leads to a significant improvement in compliance among nearby facilities, with effects persisting up to 31 miles away. The study suggests that this approach can be an effective tool for regulatory agencies to promote safety and health in the workplace.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateJun 18, 2020

Predicting side effects

A new open-source machine learning tool identifies proteins associated with drug side effects, offering insights into how the human body responds to drug compounds. The algorithm has generated 221 associations between individual proteins and specific adverse drug reactions.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJun 18, 2020

Forest loss escalates biodiversity change

New international research reveals that forest cover loss amplifies both gains and losses in global biodiversity. The study, spanning 150 years and over 6,000 locations, finds that forests support around 80% of all land species, with some species declining rapidly after forest loss.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalScience·DateJun 18, 2020

Know the risks of investing in forests

Researchers warn that forests can be vulnerable to climate change, including fire, drought, and insect damage, which can undermine the effectiveness of forest-based natural climate solutions. Scientists must focus on assessing forest climate risks and sharing data with policymakers to inform climate strategies.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·DateJun 18, 2020

UC Davis study details use of extreme risk protection orders in Calif. over first four years

A UC Davis study found that the use of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) in California increased substantially over the first four years, with most orders requested by law enforcement officers for male and white individuals. The study also identified differences in ERPO use across counties and geographic clustering among neighbori...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 18, 2020

Decide now or wait for something better?

Researchers developed a mathematical model to describe human behavior in various scenarios, helping to understand decision-making. The study found that people tend to use a linear threshold model, increasing the price they're willing to pay over time.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 18, 2020

UAlberta clinician-scientists identify pink eye as possible primary symptom of COVID-19

Researchers have identified conjunctivitis as a potential primary symptom of COVID-19, leading to changes in patient diagnosis and treatment protocols. Ophthalmologists are now taking extra precautions when treating patients with conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis, including wearing personal protective equipment.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalCanadian Journal of Ophthalmology·DateJun 18, 2020

Anal cancer's first randomized trial for inoperable disease sets the treatment standard

The InterAAct trial found carboplatin-paclitaxel to be the optimal chemotherapy regimen for inoperable anal cancer, with a lower risk of adverse events and improved overall survival. Patients treated with this regimen experienced a trend towards better survival rates, suggesting it should become the standard of care.

SourceECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 18, 2020

COVID-19 affects adolescent and young adults sexual and reproductive health

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and young adults due to social distancing, school closures, and limited access to contraception and abortion care. Despite reduced opportunities for sex, many youth face significant challenges in accessing necessary healthcare services.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalPerspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health·DateJun 18, 2020

Suicide rate for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders 170 times higher

A study of 75,000 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders found that those who experienced a mood disorder or hospitalization prior to diagnosis were at the highest risk for suicide. The researchers suggest increasing age limits for first episode psychosis programs and extending clinical follow-up care as potential solutions.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalSchizophrenia Research·DateJun 18, 2020

Two-dimensional carbon networks

Researchers have developed a simple bottom-up synthesis method for graphdiyne, a two-dimensional carbon network with adjustable electronic properties. The material demonstrates excellent lithium-storage capacity and stability, making it suitable for electrochemical applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 18, 2020

Study: Urban density not linked to higher coronavirus infection rates — and is linked to lower COVID-19 death rates

A new study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found no significant association between urban density and COVID-19 infection rates. However, it was linked to lower COVID-19 death rates, possibly due to better healthcare systems in densely populated areas. Larger metropolitan areas with closely linked counties are ...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of the American Planning Association·DateJun 18, 2020

KU Leuven researchers shed new light on solar flares

Researchers at KU Leuven have created a self-consistent simulation of solar flares, allowing them to calculate the energy conversion efficiency. This breakthrough enables the prediction of key aspects of space weather phenomena, including the Northern Lights.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJun 18, 2020

New research says displaying fake reviews increases consumer trust in platforms by 80%

A new study published in INFORMS Journal Information Systems Research suggests that displaying fake reviews alongside truthful ones can increase consumer trust in review platforms by 80%. Consumers want to view both types of reviews together, and this transparency can help build trust. The study also highlights the importance of provid...

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateJun 18, 2020

Fish fossils become buried treasure

Researchers discovered that ancient fish fossils near Japan hold valuable rare-earth elements, indicating potential new global supply sources. The findings suggest that fish populations were drawn to specific locations due to climate change and underwater geology, resulting in concentrated deposits of these metals.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 18, 2020

Exploring mass dependence in electron-hole clusters

Research by Alexei Frolov finds distinct relationships between particle masses and cluster properties, improving understanding of semiconductors' optical spectra. The study's formulas could be adapted to describe clusters with varying masses, enabling finer tuning of semiconductor properties.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJun 18, 2020

Homeless patients are more likely to be readmitted to a hospital within 30 days

A new study found that homeless patients are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days due to chronic diseases and limited access to medical care. The study, conducted across three states, revealed a 17% combined 30-day readmission rate among homeless patients compared to 14% among housed individuals.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 18, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued new Practice Points on the effectiveness of masks for preventing COVID-19 disease. The guidelines emphasize the importance of N95 respirators in healthcare settings and recommend surgical masks for non-medical individuals to reduce transmission risk. ACP also emphasizes the need for c...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 18, 2020