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Science News for June 3, 2020


Lighting the way to porous electronics and sensors

A straightforward fabrication method has been introduced by researchers from Osaka University to improve the gas sensing performance of common ceramic coatings. The new method involves depositing a thin, porous titanium dioxide film onto a surface using spin coating, resulting in a significant increase in detection speed and accuracy.

SourceOsaka University·JournalACS Applied Electronic Materials·DateJun 3, 2020

Preliminary Criterion scores do not help counteract racial gap in NIH grant awards

A new study finds that preliminary criterion scores do not mitigate racial disparities in NIH grant awards, with black investigators receiving worse scores on all five criteria. The study reveals substantial funding gaps between black and white applicants, with black PIs award probability only 55% of their white counterparts.

Osteoporosis treatment may also protect against pneumonia

A recent study found that N-BPs like alendronate are associated with a 24% lower risk of pneumonia and 35% lower risk of pneumonia mortality compared to no treatment. The results suggest that N-BP treatment may also protect against pneumonia, warranting further investigation into its potential for treating COVID-19 symptoms.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateJun 3, 2020

Larger streams are critical for wild brook trout conservation

A genetic analysis of brook trout in Loyalsock Creek drainage reveals that fish are moving between tributaries, using the mainstem as a seasonal corridor. This finding contradicts previous research and suggests that conservation efforts should focus on larger streams and rivers to protect critical movement corridors.

SourcePenn State·JournalEcological Applications·DateJun 3, 2020

Hubble makes surprising find in the early universe

A team of European researchers used Hubble Space Telescope to study the early Universe, finding no evidence of Population III stars. The discovery suggests that galaxies must have formed much earlier than previously thought, supporting the idea that low-mass galaxies are responsible for reionisation.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 3, 2020

Respiratory virus builds 'doorbell' to trick its way into cells, researchers find

Researchers found that RSV manipulates two gene receptors in cells to gain entry and infect. The discovery sheds light on how the common respiratory syncytial virus breaks into cells, a key step in infection. Current treatment options are limited, but blocking the interaction of the virus with the receptor may prevent infection.

Video messages may help spread the word about antibiotic risks

Researchers at Penn State created a brief animated video to educate people about the risks of antibiotics, finding it effective in convincing participants that antibiotic use can be risky. The study suggests that a video intervention could help increase public awareness and promote antibiotic stewardship.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateJun 3, 2020

The roots of a staple crop

A new study by UC Santa Barbara researcher Douglas J. Kennett and collaborators found that maize had become a staple grain in the Americas 4,700 years ago, exceeding what is considered a staple grain. By 4,000 years ago, maize was persistently used as a staple, continuing through the Classic Maya period until today.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 3, 2020

Pushing photons

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara developed a new approach to design LEDs that can extract and direct photons with high efficiency. By using metasurface concepts, they were able to confine electrons and holes in gallium nitride nanorods, allowing more light to escape the semiconductor structure.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 3, 2020

ETH researchers deconstruct tissue repair

Researchers from ETH Zurich have deconstructed the complex mechanisms that control tissue repair and scar formation, focusing on a signal molecule called activin. The study reveals how activin affects cell interactions and extracellular matrix composition, promoting wound healing but also causing scarring.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 3, 2020

Pinpointing the origins of Jerusalem's Temple Mount

A recent study using radiocarbon dating and microarchaeology has pinpointed the construction dates of Wilson's Arch on Jerusalem's Temple Mount to between 20 BC and 60 AD during Herod the Great's reign. This new timeline resolves a long-standing debate about the entrance to the holiest site in Jerusalem.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 3, 2020

Penn State researchers evaluate 2020 Census data privacy changes

A Penn State research team examined the effects of differential privacy on mortality rates in 2010, revealing dramatic changes in population counts for racial and ethnic minorities. The findings highlight concerns about data accuracy, funding allocations, and understated health risks in some areas.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2020

Researchers develop sustainable method for extracting vanillin from wood processing waste

Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed a new sustainable method to extract vanillin from lignin, reducing toxic waste and increasing commercial viability. The process uses electrolytic depolymerization in caustic soda, producing high-quality vanillin with a yield of around four percent.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateJun 3, 2020

Here be methane: Skoltech scientists investigate the origins of a gaping permafrost crater

Researchers from Skoltech studied a 20-meter wide and 20-meter deep crater in the Yamal Peninsula that formed after an explosive release of gas, mostly methane, from the permafrost. They found that the strongly negative δ13C ratio of methane pointed to a biogenic source, while other ratios suggested a deeper thermogenic source.

Study demonstrates association between exposure to air pollution and vascular damage

A study published in Environment International found that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon increases the risk of vascular damage in people living in India. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,000 individuals, showed a non-linear association between PM2.5 exposure and vascular injury.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·DateJun 3, 2020

How bacteria fertilize soya

Researchers have discovered that the symbiotic relationship between plants and rhizobia is more complex than previously thought, with plants actively trying to exploit the bacteria for nitrogen fixation. The study sheds light on how soya and clover harness bacterial nitrogen fixation, a process that could be applied to other crops.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateJun 3, 2020

'Unparalleled' discovery of ancient skeletons sheds light on mystery of when people started eating maize

The discovery of well-preserved ancient skeletons in Belize has provided new insights into the introduction of maize as a key part of people's diets in Central America. The study shows that maize became a major food source around 4,700 years ago, with its consumption increasing over time and eventually becoming a staple crop.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 3, 2020

Clinical trials in the era of digital engagement: A SWOG call to action

The SWOG Cancer Research Network is sparking discussion and creating consensus on how cancer clinical trial stakeholders can best interact on social platforms. The growing role of social media in raising awareness about trials and boosting accrual highlights both promises and challenges, including legal, ethical, and logistical hurdles.

SourceSWOG·DateJun 3, 2020

Innocent and highly oxidizing

Researchers at University of Freiburg developed a novel, stable oxidizing agent that overcomes common disadvantages of existing oxidants. The new reagent allows for the synthesis of reactive species in standard laboratory solvents and has broad applicability in inorganic, organic chemistry, electrochemical research.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 3, 2020

Cognitive behavior therapy tops other psychotherapies in reducing inflammation

A review of 56 randomized clinical trials found that cognitive behavior therapy is superior to other psychotherapies in reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system. CBT was most effective in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.

Discrimination may erase 'birthweight advantage' of black US immigrants in one generation

A recent study published by Princeton University researchers reveals that the 'healthy immigrant' effect experienced by foreign-born black women is lost within a single generation due to discrimination and inequality. In contrast, foreign-born Hispanic women maintain a modest advantage in birthweight across generations.

Study finds PFAS exposure may cause early menopause in women

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that PFAS exposure may cause menopause to occur two years earlier in women. High levels of PFAS were associated with an increased risk of early menopause, which could have significant impacts on cardiovascular and bone health.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJun 3, 2020

Experts debate saturated fat consumption guidelines for Americans

Researchers disagree on whether reducing saturated fat intake can lower rates of heart disease, with some arguing that the evidence is inconclusive and others citing a strong link between saturated fats and increased LDL cholesterol levels. Experts caution against replacing foods high in saturated fat with added sugars and refined carb...

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJun 3, 2020

Certain personality traits may affect risk of 'pre-dementia'

A study of 524 adults aged 65+ found that openness was linked to a 6% reduced risk of motoric cognitive risk (MCR), while neuroticism increased the risk of non-amnestic MCI. Personality traits played an independent role in pre-dementia syndromes, emphasizing their importance in dementia risk assessment.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 3, 2020

A promise to restore hearing

Harvard University researchers successfully used base editing to correct a recessive genetic mutation causing complete deafness in mice. The treatment restored partially functional hearing, and the scientists hope to apply this technique to humans with similar conditions.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 3, 2020

Fear of COVID-19 keeping more than half of heart attack patients away from hospitals

A global survey by the European Society of Cardiology found that heart attack patients are avoiding hospitals due to fear of COVID-19, resulting in a 50% drop in urgent hospital care. Most respondents reported delays in treatment, with 48% arriving late and beyond optimal window for life-saving intervention.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes·DateJun 3, 2020

New laser system provides 3D reconstructions of living deep-sea animals and mucus filters

A new laser-based system provides 3D models of diaphanous marine animals and their mucus structures, allowing researchers to understand how they function and what roles they play in the ocean. The study focused on larvaceans, which create complex mucus filters that remove vast amounts of carbon-rich food from the surrounding water.

A new immunotherapeutic agent for children and adolescents with advanced lymphoma

A new immunotherapeutic agent has been shown to significantly improve treatment outcomes for children and adolescents with advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly Burkitt lymphoma. The agent, rituximab, in combination with chemotherapy, has a cure rate of over 95% and reduces the risk of disease progression by up to 70%.

SourceComprehensive Cancer Centre Gustave Roussy·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 3, 2020

What are the risks and benefits of low-dose aspirin?

The review found that low-dose aspirin significantly lowers cardiovascular disease risk by 17% and increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and intracranial bleeding. The benefits should be weighted against the risks in formal decision analyses to guide aspirin use.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateJun 3, 2020

'Terminator' protein halts cancer-causing cellular processes

Researchers at Cornell University have identified a protein called TiPARP that acts as a terminator for several cancer-causing transcription factors, including HIF-1. This discovery establishes TiPARP as a potential tumor suppressor and offers new insights into the mechanisms of cancer growth.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2020

Australian researchers set record for carbon dioxide capture

Researchers from Monash University and CSIRO have developed a magnetized Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) nanocomposite that captures carbon dioxide with remarkable speed and low energy cost. This technology is 45% more efficient than commercially deployed materials, making it a promising solution for emissions reduction and renewable e...

SourceMonash University·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateJun 3, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found asymptomatic persons account for approximately 40-45% of SARS-CoV-2 infections, emphasizing the need for symptomless testing. The pandemic has highlighted a shortage of infectious disease (ID) experts in the US, with nearly two-thirds of Americans living in counties with below-average ID physician access.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 3, 2020

Key gene in leukemia discovered

Researchers at Lund University have identified CXCR4 as essential for the survival of leukemia stem cells, which can be controlled by cutting off the gene using CRISPR technology. This discovery reveals a fundamental difference in how leukemia stem cells and normal blood stem cells are regulated.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 3, 2020

Science snapshots May 2020

New research evaluates how US wind plant performance changes with age, finding that older plants experience relatively low levels of decline in peak performance compared to European fleets. Fungi food choices study reveals enzymes used for breaking down plant cell walls can be mass-produced and used in industrial processes.