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Science News for March 5, 2020


Corn productivity in real time: Satellites, field cameras, and farmers team up

Researchers developed a scalable method for estimating crop productivity in real time using satellite data, in-field camera networks, and ground measurements. The method provides highly accurate estimates of leaf area index (LAI) and can be used to detect underperforming fields or segments that need targeted management practices.

Mapping movement

Researchers have uncovered neural mechanisms that govern complex motor sequences in fruit flies, revealing the importance of spatial comparisons in decision-making. The findings could lend insight into pathologies such as Parkinson's Disease and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 5, 2020

Tissue-digging nanodrills do just enough damage

Researchers have successfully tested molecular motors that can destroy diseased cells in worms, plankton, and mice. The nanomachines caused various degrees of damage to tissues, showing their potential for treating skin diseases such as melanomas and eczema.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 5, 2020

Rats avoid to hurt other rats

In a study published in Current Biology, researchers found that rats exhibit harm aversion, stopping use of their preferred lever when it would cause pain to a neighboring rat. This phenomenon is linked to the same brain region associated with empathy in humans, suggesting that harm aversion is deeply ingrained in our biology.

Cooling magnets with sound

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a method to cool microparticles using sound waves, enabling quantum experiments without photons. This innovative approach also provides a path to probe and manipulate exotic dynamics of acoustic and magnetic waves in small particles.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 5, 2020

Ultra-wide field retinal imaging techniques cannot be used interchangeably

A new study from the Joslin Diabetes Center reveals that ultra-wide field (UWF) fluorescein angiography detects over three times more microaneurysms than UWF color imaging, highlighting the need for cautious use of these techniques when evaluating and treating diabetic retinopathy. The research also suggests that AI can automate the gr...

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology·DateMar 5, 2020

App, AI work together to provide rapid at-home assessment of coronavirus risk

A new coronavirus app coupled with machine intelligence will enable individuals to get an at-home risk assessment based on their symptoms and travel history. The app will also provide real-time information to local and public health officials, aiding in the targeting of prevention and treatment initiatives.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateMar 5, 2020

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries with high capacity and long life

The researchers developed a low-cost and straightforward liquid phase process to create an active sulfur material and carbon nanofiber composite. This composite showed higher discharge capacity and better cycle stability than traditional lithium-ion secondary batteries. The new battery technology has the potential to revolutionize the ...

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateMar 5, 2020

Is life a game of chance?

A new study suggests that life in the universe is likely to be common, but only under specific conditions. The research, led by Professor Tomonori Totani, found that complex RNA structures necessary for life to exist may have formed spontaneously in vast regions of space beyond our observable horizon.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 5, 2020

X-ray eyes peer deeper into deadly pathogen

A new study reveals unprecedented details of the bacterium Francisella tularensis' key membrane protein Flpp3, responsible for its virulence. The researchers used X-ray free electron laser technology to gather detailed structural information, which will help develop targeted drugs and effective vaccines against tularemia.

SourceArizona State University·JournalStructure·DateMar 5, 2020

Microcensus in bacteria

Researchers discovered that bacteria, specifically Bacillus subtilis, can sense the ratios of different bacterial groups in their environment. This ability allows them to adjust their behavior and make informed decisions about their surroundings.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 5, 2020

Cool beans: A vertical crop fit for Africa's changing climate and nutritional gaps

A new study proposes climbing beans as an intensification solution to increase yield and meet Africa's growing demand for food. Climbing beans can adapt to Africa's future climates in several ways, including intensifying cultivation in high-producing areas.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalMitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change·DateMar 5, 2020

Hong Kong study shows best practices protect healthcare workers from COVID-19

A Hong Kong study found that applying best practices for infection control, including handwashing and wearing personal protective equipment, prevented healthcare worker infections during the COVID-19 outbreak. Researchers tested over 1,275 cases and treated 42 active confirmed cases without any hospital-acquired infections.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateMar 5, 2020

Bacteria killed by new light-activated coating

A new light-activated coating has been developed that successfully kills bacteria in low-intensity ambient light, including <em>Clostridioides difficile</em> and <em>Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus</em>. The coating works by producing hydrogen peroxide, a mild reagent used in contact lens cleaner solutions.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 5, 2020

Study finds music therapy helps stroke patients

A new study has found that music therapy sessions have a positive effect on the neurorehabilitation of acute stroke patients. The research, conducted at Anglia Ruskin University, showed that NMT helped improve mood regulation, concentration, and brain function through neural reorganisation.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalTopics in Stroke Rehabilitation·DateMar 5, 2020

Solving a mystery in 126 dimensions

Researchers from UNSW Sydney have successfully analyzed the complex structure of benzene in 126 dimensions, shedding light on its stability and interactions. The discovery reveals unexpected electron behavior, where up-spin double-bonded electrons interact with down-spin single-bonded electrons.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 5, 2020

Triglycerides control neurons in the reward circuit

Scientists at CNRS have discovered that triglycerides interact with certain neurons in the brain's reward circuit, reducing their excitability and strengthening reward-seeking behavior. The study also found a correlation between blood triglyceride levels and brain activity in response to food odors.

SourceCNRS·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 5, 2020

City fox and country fox

Researchers identified two genetically distinct 'urban' and 'rural' fox populations in Berlin, influenced by physical barriers and human activity levels. Foxes from the city population are bolder but prefer to avoid areas of high human activity, highlighting their risk management strategies.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateMar 5, 2020

Longest microwave quantum link

Researchers at ETH Zurich create a five-metre long microwave quantum link, demonstrating the feasibility of quantum local networks. The breakthrough could enable the development of powerful quantum computers by connecting smaller devices in a cluster.

App helps reduce osteoarthritis pain

A new mobile app has been shown to reduce osteoarthritis pain and improve physical function in patients by an average of 43% over six months. The study, published in PLOS ONE, used a mobile app to track daily exercises and provide information on the disease, with results exceeding expectations.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 5, 2020

LGBT health improves when friends are just like them

A recent study published in the Journal of Health and Aging reveals that having a large social network consisting of people who share one's sexual identity can significantly reduce harmful effects of discrimination on health. This finding underscores the importance of considering a person's background in their overall well-being.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Aging and Health·DateMar 5, 2020

Male privilege

A study by HSE University researchers found that men reap more benefits than women from additional job-related training, leading to a stronger sense of control over their lives. This disparity is attributed to societal perceptions of masculinity, with 'male' skills like leadership and physical endurance being valued more highly.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalInternational Journal of Lifelong Education·DateMar 5, 2020

Exciting tweaks for organic solar cells

Researchers at Kyoto University have improved the efficiency of organic solar cells by targeting the molecular backbone of the power-generating layer. The new design approach increased the excited state duration of the electron-accepting component, converting over 70% of light particles into current. Further modifications to the molecu...

SourceKyoto University·JournalChemical Science·DateMar 5, 2020

Two-faced bacteria

Researchers at Texas A&M University have discovered a previously unknown response to indole in the beneficial gut bacteria E. coli, which seems to both repel and attract bacteria. The Janus response displays sophistication and could lead to a better understanding of the complexities of the gut microbiome.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 5, 2020

Unexpected ways animals influence fires

Research reveals that animals like goats, termites, and elephants can suppress fires by altering plant consumption and habitat structure. Grazing animals can increase wildfire severity if not managed strategically, while insects stimulate plant defenses against flames.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 5, 2020

Discovery of accurate and far more efficient algorithm for point set registration problems

A new algorithm has been discovered that can accurately register two point sets consisting of millions of points in a fraction of the time taken by conventional methods. The algorithm's accuracy is not compromised despite using approximations, and it has wide-ranging applications in computer graphics and computer vision.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·DateMar 5, 2020