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Science News for March 23, 2020


Obesity alert for April 2020

Researchers examined the impact of antibiotics during pregnancy and infancy on childhood obesity and found no association. Additionally, a study investigated the effects of bariatric surgery on mental health and recommended managing challenges through evaluation and support.

SourceThe Obesity Society·JournalObesity·DateMar 23, 2020

World's first ultrasound biosensor created in Australia

Researchers in Australia have developed a new ultrasound biosensor that can be used to track disease states in real-time, using cheap and portable technology. The sensor uses nanoparticles that alter their stiffness in response to pH changes, allowing for accurate monitoring of biomarkers such as tumor shrinkage and organ response.

SourceMonash University·JournalACS Sensors·DateMar 23, 2020

Skoltech scientists developed a new cathode material for metal-ion batteries

Researchers created a commercially attractive advanced cathode material based on titanium fluoride phosphate, exhibiting high electrochemical potential and unprecedented stability at high charge/discharge rates. The discovery opens up new opportunities for practical applications of titanium-containing cathode materials.

New material developed could help clean energy revolution

Researchers at Aalto University developed a new graphene-carbon nanotube catalyst to improve the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells and water electrolyzers. The catalyst's electrocatalytic activity can be altered depending on the material it is deposited on, offering a promising strategy for producing green technology.

SourceAalto University·JournalACS Catalysis·DateMar 23, 2020

New device quickly detects harmful bacteria in blood

Engineers created a tiny device to rapidly detect harmful bacteria in blood, allowing for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potentially deadly infections. The device can capture up to 86% of target bacteria, including E. coli, making it ideal for laboratory and healthcare settings.

SourceRutgers University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 23, 2020

Unlocking schizophrenia

A novel imaging marker has been developed to help diagnose and treat schizophrenia, using abnormal striatal function as a promising biomarker. The study, published in Nature Medicine, shows that this biomarker can distinguish between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls, while also predicting treatment response.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 23, 2020

Anxious about COVID-19? Stress can have lasting impacts on sperm and future offspring

A study found that stress can alter sperm composition and influence fetal brain development in the womb, potentially affecting future generations. Researchers discovered a biological mechanism by which stress changes sperm and interacts with maturing sperm, leading to significant changes in brain development and stress response.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 23, 2020

Pain in a well-toned body

A study of 865 sports students found that over half experience pain in two or more regions of the body, with frequent depressions, anxiety, and low self-compassion. The lack of attention to physical limitations can lead to chronic pain, emphasizing the need for early discussion and consideration of athletes' health.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJournal of Sports Science and Medicine·DateMar 23, 2020

Automated speech recognition and racial bias

Researchers found that state-of-the-art ASR systems performed worse on black speakers than white speakers, with error rates of 0.35 and 0.19 words per hour respectively. The study attributes these disparities to limitations in the acoustic models' ability to capture African American Vernacular English pronunciation and prosody.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2020

Labor after previous cesarean should be considered

A recent study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth found that labor after cesarean (TOLAC) is a safe option for many women, with 64.1% opting for TOLAC and 91.3% experiencing successful vaginal births. Health professionals are advised to educate expectant mothers on the risks and benefits of each delivery option.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·DateMar 23, 2020

Among wild mammals too, females live longer

Research compiled demographic data for 134 populations of 101 mammalian species, finding that 60% of female mammals live longer than males. Mortality risk is lower among females at all ages, but the rise in mortality with age varies between sexes.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2020

Uncertainty about facts can be reported without damaging public trust in news -- study

Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that communicating uncertainty around key facts and figures can maintain public trust in information and its source, even on contentious issues. The study suggests presenting numerical ranges or verbal cautions can effectively signal uncertainty without reducing trust.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2020

New genetic editing powers discovered in squid

Researchers have found that squid edit their genetic instructions outside the nucleus, in the axon, allowing for localized protein function adjustments. This discovery has implications for understanding neurological disorders and potentially harnessing natural RNA editing processes for therapeutic benefits.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateMar 23, 2020

Jets of bacteria carry microscopic cargoes

Scientists at the Niels Bohr Institute have successfully controlled bacterial jets to carry strings of microscopic cargos, opening up new possibilities for biological tools and medical applications. The novel approach utilizes a liquid crystal to dictate bacterial movement, suppressing instabilities and enabling precise cargo transport.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 23, 2020

Study uncovers increasing global rates of liver cancer

A new study found increasing global rates of liver cancer, particularly in people aged 30-59 years and 60 years and older, as well as a notable increase in men. The research, published in the journal Cancer, also revealed that hepatitis B vaccinations and obesity are associated with decreased rates of liver cancer in younger adults.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateMar 23, 2020

Can migration, workforce participation, and education balance the cost of aging in Europe?

A new IIASA study shows that higher levels of education and increasing workforce participation can offset the economic burden of an aging population in Europe. The 'productivity-weighted labor force dependency ratio' reflects the impact of expanding education and labor market participation, particularly among women and the elderly.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2020

After statewide teacher evaluation reform, low-rated teachers leave struggling schools: Study finds

A recent study by New York University found that statewide teacher evaluation reform is associated with increased turnover of lower-performing instructors, particularly in urban districts and low-performing schools. The research suggests that these reforms can help retain more effective teachers for longer periods.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateMar 23, 2020

Associations between screen use, language skills

Research combining data from 42 studies shows a correlation between increased screen time and decreased language proficiency in young children. The analysis found that children who spent more time on screens had poorer language skills, suggesting a potential link between excessive screen use and delayed linguistic development.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMar 23, 2020

Five language outcome measures evaluated for intellectual disabilities studies

Researchers developed five language outcome measures using expressive language sampling (ELS) to assess treatment efficacy in individuals with fragile X syndrome and intellectual disabilities. The study found that ELS yielded valid and reliable measures for most participants, but were more challenging for younger or less able individuals.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders·DateMar 23, 2020

Counteracting a legacy of extinctions

A new study comparing introduced herbivore species to those of the past reveals that these introductions have restored many important ecological traits that have been lost for thousands of years. Introduced megafauna are now ecologically similar to their extinct relatives, making the world more similar to its pre-extinction state.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2020

Made to degrade (eventually)

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a marine biodegradable plastic using starch and cellulose, demonstrating excellent water-resistance and high strength. The new material has the potential to significantly reduce marine debris accumulation and contribute to sustainable development goals.

'Thermometer' protein regulates blooming

Researchers have discovered that a thermosensing protein complex regulates plant growth and flowering in response to temperature changes. The study found that ELF3 protein plays a crucial role in this process, preventing the complex from repressing plant genes when temperatures rise.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2020

Clinicians should consider screening for TSH-R-Abs before pregnancy in patients with history of autoimmune thyroid disorders

Screening for thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies (TSH-R-Abs) before pregnancy is crucial for patients with a history of autoimmune thyroid disease. This is because TSH-R-Abs can lead to irreversible impairment in fetal neurodevelopment. A case report highlights the importance of screening, especially in women with Graves' ...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 23, 2020