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Science News for June 25, 2020


These muscle cells are guideposts to help regenerative flatworms grow back their eyes

A new study from Peter Reddien's Lab at Whitehead Institute has identified muscle cells that serve as guideposts to help regrow axons from the eyes to the brain in regenerative flatworms. The discovery sheds light on neural circuit regeneration in adults and could have implications for understanding human brain or nerve damage.

Dolphins learn foraging skills from peers

A study published in Current Biology found that dolphins can learn new foraging skills by observing and imitating their peers, not just their mothers. The researchers identified over 1,000 individual dolphins performing the behavior, which spreads primarily within social networks.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 25, 2020

Science study: Chemists achieve breakthrough in the synthesis of graphene nanoribbons

Researchers at MLU, UT, and ORNL have successfully produced graphene nanoribbons directly on semiconductor surfaces, overcoming previous limitations. This breakthrough enables customization of the material's properties, paving the way for potential applications in storage technology, semiconductor industry, and quantum computing.

Dolphins learn in similar ways to great apes

Dolphins use complex techniques like 'shelling' to obtain food, a behavior comparable to tool use in humans. A study revealed that dolphins learn new foraging methods mainly through social transmission among peers, similar to great apes and gorillas. This discovery expands our understanding of how dolphins adapt to changing environment...

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 25, 2020

Selling something? Tap into consumer arrogance

A new study from Michigan State University found that consumer arrogance drives both positive and negative word-of-mouth communication, with consumers bragging about their purchases to show off their superiority. The research suggests that tapping into this phenomenon can be a key strategy for marketers on social media.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of the Academy of Marketing Science·DateJun 25, 2020

Research shows COVID-19 is an independent risk factor for acute ischemic stroke

A study published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology found COVID-19 infection to be significantly associated with acute ischemic stroke. After adjusting for age, gender, and risk factors, the researchers showed a 3.9-fold increased risk of stroke among patients with COVID-19 compared to control subjects.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology·DateJun 25, 2020

Smart phones are empowering women worldwide

Access to mobile phones is linked to improved health outcomes, including lower infant and maternal mortality rates. Mobile phones also enable women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, including the use of modern contraceptive methods.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2020

Disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on socially vulnerable communities

A new study found COVID-19 has a disproportionate impact on minority and non-English speaking communities, with increased risk of diagnosis and death in rural and urban counties. The study highlights the need for standardized collection of sociodemographic characteristics and targeted interventions to address these disparities.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 25, 2020

Tracking the spread of mosquito insecticide resistance across Africa

A recent study mapped mosquito insecticide resistance patterns across Africa, finding dramatic increases in resistance to five mainstream insecticides between 2005 and 2017. This surge in resistance poses a significant threat to malaria control efforts, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where over half of all cases occur.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 25, 2020

The CNRS 2020 Innovation Medal

The CNRS 2020 Innovation Medallists have made significant contributions to various fields, including graft rejection treatment and high-precision sensors. Their work has led to the development of innovative technologies with applications in industry, healthcare, and research.

SourceCNRS·DateJun 25, 2020

Receptor makes mice strong and slim

Researchers at the University of Bonn identified a receptor that regulates two side effects of aging: increased abdominal girth and shrinking muscles. The A2B receptor is found in mice and human cell cultures, and its activation increases heat generation and muscle growth.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 25, 2020

Illinois professor proposes guide for developing common data science approaches

A University of Illinois professor has proposed a framework for guiding researchers in developing common data science approaches, aiming to unify conversations and share knowledge across disciplines. The data science life cycle framework identifies key issues that can be generalized across fields and those specific to each discipline.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCommunications of the ACM·DateJun 25, 2020

University of Minnesota Medical School finds promising treatment to slow kidney disease doesn't prove out in clinical trial

A new clinical trial from the University of Minnesota Medical School found that allopurinol did not slow kidney function in people with type 1 diabetes, despite reducing uric acid levels. The three-year study enrolled 530 participants and followed their glomerular filtration rate to assess kidney health.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 25, 2020

Researchers discover new boron-lanthanide nanostructure

Researchers from Brown and Tsinghua Universities have created a bizarre cage-like structure by clustering boron atoms with lanthanide elements, challenging conventional chemistry rules. The discovery may shed light on bulk structure and chemical bonding behavior of boron lanthanides, an important class of materials.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 25, 2020

Superbug impact on the gut

The study found that C. difficile massively activates a human enzyme called plasminogen to destroy gut tissue and spread infection. Researchers developed an antibody that prevents plasminogen activation, stalling infection progress and tissue damage.

SourceMonash University·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJun 25, 2020

Indirect adverse effects of COVID-19 on children and youth's mental, physical health

The COVID-19 pandemic has significant indirect adverse effects on children's physical and mental health, including delayed care for non-COVID-19 illnesses, missed vaccinations, and increased family violence. Reduced social interaction and lack of structured routines also contribute to anxiety, depression, and decreased physical activity.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJun 25, 2020

Why are plants green?

Researchers developed a model that reproduces a general feature of photosynthetic light harvesting, observed across many photosynthetic organisms. The model suggests that absorbing specific colors of light can protect against sudden changes in solar energy, resulting in efficient power conversion.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A commentary from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reviews basic respiratory physiology and highlights the clinician's role in educating the public against relying on speech as a sign of adequate respiration. Data from studies of war and torture victims show that suffocation is a strong predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 25, 2020

Wavy surfaces for better light control

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to produce more efficient and precise diffraction gratings, which can be used to create miniaturized optical devices. These devices have potential applications in futuristic smartphone cameras, biosensors, and autonomous vision for robots and self-driving cars.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJun 25, 2020

Mountain meadow restoration can bring birds back

A study published in Restoration Ecology found that mountain meadow restorations using the 'pond and plug' technique increased bird populations over time. The study's authors concluded that both hydrologic measures and vegetative measures were helpful in creating habitat for birds, with the latter approach accelerating positive impacts.

SourcePoint Blue Conservation Science·JournalRestoration Ecology·DateJun 25, 2020

Helping consumers in a crisis

A new study shows that quantitative easing drove down mortgage interest rates, allowed consumers to refinance their house loans, and spent more on everyday items, bolstering the economy. However, the benefits were primarily targeted at mortgage holders from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Review of Economic Studies·DateJun 25, 2020

Quantum entanglement demonstrated aboard orbiting CubeSat

Researchers successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement onboard a CubeSat, paving the way for a cost-effective global quantum communications network. The miniaturized photon source operated successfully in space, maintaining high-quality entanglement despite temperature changes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJun 25, 2020

Nearness of newly found exoplanetary system offers great promise for studying exoplanet atmospheres

The newly discovered GJ 887 system hosts multiple super-Earth sized planets, making it an ideal target for the James Webb Space Telescope. The system's proximity and relatively quiet red dwarf star reduce the risk of harmful solar flares, providing a promising opportunity to study exoplanet atmospheres.

Better sleep with a partner

Research found that couples sleeping together exhibit increased rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and synchronized sleep patterns, positively associated with relationship depth. This study suggests that sharing a bed may enhance REM sleep, leading to improved social interactions and reduced emotional stress.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·DateJun 25, 2020

Children of academics exhibit more stress

A Swiss-German research team found that first-year students from academic households exhibit higher stress levels due to the fear of jeopardizing family social status. Hair cortisol analysis revealed no differences in subjective stress perception between academic and non-academic families.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·DateJun 25, 2020

Those with IDD living in group homes more likely to die from COVID-19, study shows

A recent study published in the Disability and Health Journal found that individuals with IDD living in residential group homes are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, including case rates, case-fatality rate, and mortality rate. The study examined data from New York State and found significant disparities in these outcomes c...

SourceSyracuse University·JournalDisability and Health Journal·DateJun 25, 2020

Control over work-life boundaries creates crucial buffer to manage after-hours work stress

A study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that workers who have greater control over their work and personal lives can create a buffer to manage after-hours work stress. This includes using technological boundary tactics such as turning off work email alerts on smartphones.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior·DateJun 25, 2020

Cancer survivors overestimate the quality of their diets, finds first study on the topic

A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that cancer survivors tend to overestimate the quality of their diets. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,300 cancer survivors and compared it to a control group, revealing that those who overrated their diet quality had poorer overall health.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJun 25, 2020

Looking for better customer engagement value? Be more strategic on social media

A new study by University of Vaasa researchers highlights the importance of strategic social media use in creating customer engagement value. The study identifies four distinct social media marketing strategies: social commerce, content, monitoring, and CRM, which can foster collaborative conversations and enhance customer relationships.

SourceUniversity of Vaasa·JournalJournal of the Academy of Marketing Science·DateJun 25, 2020