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Science News for June 24, 2020


Study confirms "classic" symptoms of COVID-19

A major review of COVID-19 scientific literature confirms a cough and fever as the most common symptoms, with fatigue, loss of smell, and difficulty breathing also reported. The study analyzed data from over 24,000 patients across nine countries, ratifying the World Health Organisation's initial symptom list.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 24, 2020

Increased warming in latest generation of climate models likely caused by clouds

A new study suggests that challenges simulating clouds are causing some climate models to be more sensitive to carbon dioxide, potentially leading to a warmer future. The updated models have shown a greater range of responses than previous generations, with some models showing higher sensitivity and others lower.

Towards an AI diagnosis like the doctor's

AI systems can learn to recognize abnormalities, but often lack transparency and make 'lazy' diagnoses. Researchers from Radboud University Medical Center developed an approach to improve sensitivity and transparency in AI diagnosis, achieving a 11.2% increase in diabetic retinopathy detection

SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournalIEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging·DateJun 24, 2020

Linking hospital and other records can predict both fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses, study suggests

A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that hospital visits, release from prison, and patterns of medication use can predict both fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses. The researchers used linked databases to analyze over 2.29 million records and identified groups at highest risk.

Invasive fire ants limiting spread of meat allergy -- but pose their own dangers

Researchers found that areas with high fire ant populations had lower rates of the meat allergy, which is caused by the lone star tick. The study suggests that fire ants may be competing with ticks for a resource, limiting the spread of the allergy. However, this also means that fire ant bites can cause severe allergic reactions.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJun 24, 2020

Polarized tweets reveal deep divisions in congressional COVID-19 messaging

A study analyzing congressional tweets reveals deep divisions in COVID-19 messaging along party lines, with Democrats discussing the crisis more frequently and using different word choices than Republicans. The analysis found a stark contrast between Democratic and Republican communication on Twitter during the pandemic.

Increased caseloads may explain why reducing resident physicians’ work hours doesn’t always improve patient safety

A new study by Boston Children's Hospital found that reducing resident physicians' work hours can worsen patient safety if caseloads are too high. The study discovered that residents who cared for more patients experienced a higher rate of medical errors, highlighting the need for better staffing standards.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 24, 2020

Feed additive reduces enteric methane emissions in dairy cows

A study published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that a feed additive called 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) can reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy cows by 22-40%. The addition of 3-NOP to the diet did not affect dry matter intake or milk yield but increased milk fat concentration and yield.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateJun 24, 2020

Growing polymers with different lengths

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to control the dispersity of polymer materials, allowing for the production of polymers with specific properties. This is achieved by using two catalysts with different effects, enabling chemists to adjust the dispersity precisely and produce uniform or highly dispersed polymers.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalChem·DateJun 24, 2020

Unexpected mental illnesses found in a spectrum of a rare genetic disorder

Researchers discovered a range of co-existing conditions in patients with fragile X syndrome and premutation disorder. Lower FMRP levels are associated with emotional processing issues, including mood disorders, anxiety, and psychotic features. The study calls for more research on psychosis and FMRP levels, as well as greater awareness...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateJun 24, 2020

Pulse pressure: A game changer in the fight against dementia

Researchers propose that elevated pulse pressure in blood traveling to the brain can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular dysfunction, leading to brain damage and cognitive decline. The study suggests reducing elevated pulse pressure could prove synergistic with other therapeutic approaches to treat dementia.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateJun 24, 2020

Sunnier but riskier

Research confirms that breeding areas with more open canopies do provide opportunities for timber rattlesnakes to reach required body temperatures, but also increase risk of hawks and bobcats. Forest managers should balance canopy cover and predation risk during future conservation efforts.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Herpetology·DateJun 24, 2020

Should diabetes treatment lessen for older adults approaching the end of life?

A recent study found that nearly half of veteran nursing home residents with limited life expectancy or dementia were overtreated for diabetes, suggesting that deintensification may be beneficial. Lowering diabetes treatment could prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and increase patient comfort without compromising health outcomes.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 24, 2020

Exotic mixtures

Researchers have developed a precise method for evaluating the behavior of mixtures under high pressure using X-ray scattering. The study reveals that hot hydrocarbon mixtures in ice giants can produce diamond rain, which generates an additional energy source.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 24, 2020

COVID-19 outbreak and mental health

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on mental health, highlighting the need for online platforms to facilitate social support and continued mental health care delivery. The study discusses effective strategies for utilizing online platforms during the pandemic.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJun 24, 2020

Genes affecting brains and brawn?

A new study by Penn State researchers reveals that genetic deletions linked to neurodevelopmental disorders affect not only brain development but also other parts of the body. The findings suggest that these deletions can cause defects in multiple organ systems, including heart, kidney, and skeletal structures.

SourcePenn State·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJun 24, 2020

Food-grade wheatgrass variety released for public use

The University of Minnesota has released the first food-grade wheatgrass variety, MN-Clearwater, allowing farmers to grow this beneficial crop. The new variety provides benefits such as reduced soil loss, fewer chemicals entering groundwater systems, and improved carbon storage, making it an attractive option for sustainable agriculture.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Plant Registrations·DateJun 24, 2020

Medicinal cannabis may reduce behavioral problems in kids with intellectual disabilities

A pilot study found that cannabidiol significantly reduced irritability, aggression, self-injury, and yelling in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. The intervention was safe and well-tolerated by most participants, providing hope for a larger-scale trial to definitively test its effectiveness.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateJun 24, 2020

Treating leukaemia more effectively

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt and University of Kent have discovered that the enzyme SAMHD1 can split phosphate groups off nelarabine, making it less effective in B-ALL patients. This breakthrough could lead to more targeted treatment options for individual patients.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJun 24, 2020

Blood vessels can make you fat, and yet fit

Researchers have identified Angiopoietin-2 as a hormone that enables the proper transport of fatty acids into blood vessels, preventing insulin resistance and promoting healthier weight distribution. By targeting this mechanism, scientists hope to develop novel therapeutic strategies for treating obesity-induced metabolic disorders.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 24, 2020

Adirondack boreal peatlands near southern range limit likely threatened by warmer climate

Researchers from SUNY ESF predict that warmer climate and nitrogen deposition will lead to the invasion of temperate tree species into boreal peatlands, threatening biodiversity conservation. The study uses data from Shingle Shanty Preserve as a critical resource for understanding the biological response to climate change.

'Ironing' out the differences: Understanding superconductivity in ultrathin FeSe

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology elucidate the underlying cause behind different critical transition temperatures reported for ultrathin iron selenide (FeSe) superconductors, finding the interface between FeSe and STO substrate essential for high-temperature superconductivity. The study reveals variability in Tc values du...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 24, 2020

Measure squeezing in a novel way

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have developed a new method to measure squeezing in systems, allowing for more sensitive detection of signals. The technique, led by Professor Eva Weig, uses a simpler approach than existing methods and enables measurements in previously inaccessible systems.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJun 24, 2020

Order out of disorder in ice

An international research team identified a temperature/time-dependent kinetic pathway with three distinctive transitions in the structural evolution from metastable crystalline ice (ice VII or ice VIII) to the thermodynamically stable ice I. The end result is a juxtaposition of these processes, where intermediate amorphous-ices compet...

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2020

Best way found to treat children with sickle cell anemia in sub-Saharan Africa

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that dose escalation of hydroxyurea treatment is more effective and has similar side effects than a lower fixed dose for children with sickle cell anemia in Uganda. The findings have global implications and could impact use of hydroxyurea worldwide.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 24, 2020

Undergrad-led study suggests light environment modifications could maximize productivity

A recent study published in Frontiers in Plant Science found that crops' lower leaves are less efficient due to altered light conditions, not age. This 'Achilles' heel' can cause a 10% loss of potential canopy photosynthesis gain, highlighting the importance of optimizing light environments for improved crop yields.

Virtually screening antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2 structure may speed up drug and vaccine D

Researchers used a structure-based approach to virtually screen antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2, identifying potential candidates for repurposed therapies and new vaccines. The study found high-affinity binding of several antiviral drugs to the spike protein and main protease, revealing promising leads for further research.

Genetic malfunction of brain astrocytes triggers migraine

Researchers have identified a new mechanism implicated in familial hemiplegic migraine type 2, a debilitating condition affecting the central nervous system. The study found that genetic mutations cause malfunction of astrocytes in the cingulate cortex, leading to increased sensitivity to pain triggers and neuronal excitability.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 24, 2020

Tour scores prestigious Centenary Prize

James Tour, a Rice University chemist, has won the Royal Society of Chemistry Centenary Prize for his groundbreaking work in materials chemistry with applications in medicine and nanotechnology. The award recognizes his research group's contributions over 32 years.

An innovative catalyst with Pt, Re and SnO2 nanoparticles as anode material in ethanol fuel cells

Scientists designed a functional ternary Pt/Re/SnO2/C catalyst, which exhibits more than ten times higher activity in the ethanol oxidation reaction compared to commercial platinum catalysts. The new catalyst features improved stability and is suitable for use as an anode material in direct ethanol fuel cells.

Biomedical researchers get closer to why eczema happens

A new study from Binghamton University connects lipids and bacteria to aid in understanding eczema. Researchers found that decreased levels of ceramides can allow Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to penetrate the skin barrier, leading to inflammation and infection. Further research is needed to unlock the secrets of atopic dermatitis.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalTissue Barriers·DateJun 24, 2020