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Science News for May 19, 2020


Women told more white lies in evaluations than men: Study

New research by Cornell University reveals that women are more likely to be given inaccurate performance feedback, with underperforming women receiving less truthful but kinder feedback compared to equally underperforming men. This finding highlights a potential obstacle to equality in the workplace.

SourceCornell University·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 19, 2020

Seven at one pulse

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have developed a novel material that can increase the frequency of terahertz radiation by a factor of seven, paving the way for potential IT applications. The material, cadmium arsenide, is a three-dimensional Dirac material that enables non-linear frequency conversion.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 19, 2020

How do birds understand 'foreign' calls?

A study by Toshitaka Suzuki found that birds can visualize a snake when hearing specific alarm calls from another species. The coal tit was observed to approach the experimental area during these calls, indicating it mentally retrieves 'snake' images.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 19, 2020

Children not immune to coronavirus; new study from pandemic epicenter describes severe COVID-19 response in children

Children with COVID-19 often require hospitalization and intensive care due to inflammation and respiratory issues. Researchers found that obesity and asthma were not associated with increased risk of enhanced care, but over half of the children had no known contact with a positive person.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateMay 19, 2020

COVID-19 puts brakes on global emissions

Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel sources reached a maximum daily decline of 17 per cent in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease was primarily driven by a 36 per cent drop in surface transport emissions, equivalent to 7.5 megatonnes CO2.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 19, 2020

Intent defined optical network for intelligent operation and maintenance

Researchers developed an intent-defined optical network (IDON) with artificial intelligence-based automated operation and maintenance to address the challenges of manual configuration. IDON achieves intent-oriented configuration conversion, adaptive generation and optimization strategies, and closed-loop intent-guaranteed operations, d...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Information Sciences·DateMay 19, 2020

Depression symptoms linked to reduced cognitive control in people with autism

A new study found that depression symptoms are associated with reduced cognitive control in individuals with autism. The researchers used a picture-word Stroop test to assess proactive control, which is the ability to plan and prepare how to direct attention. Participants with autism who had more symptoms of depression showed less abil...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateMay 19, 2020

Less water could sustain more Californians if we make every drop count

California cities can rely on six key strategies to provide for growing populations: conserving water through behavioral changes, reusing non-potable water for irrigation, recycling water for drinking, capturing stormwater runoff, and desalinating seawater. These measures can help reduce costs while increasing the state's water supply.

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalTransactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers·DateMay 19, 2020

Rapid screening method targets fatty acids in yeast; Key to sustainable bioproducts

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a high-throughput screening tool to rapidly profile medium-chain fatty acids produced in yeast. They identified seven new genetically engineered mutants that produce higher levels of those fatty acids, which are crucial components of biodiesel and other industrial chemicals.

COVID-19 tests compared

The COVID-19 pandemic requires scalable testing technologies, but current methods vary widely, taking hours to complete and requiring extensive resources. Researchers assess various nucleic acid-based tests, highlighting the need for faster and more affordable alternatives.

Uncovering Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that menopause can reduce cognitive function and potentially play a role in Alzheimer's development in women. Animal studies using surgically induced menopause in rats showed poor memory and learning, indicating a decline in cognitive function.

Exposure to ultrafine aerosol particles in homes depends primarily on people themselves

A long-term study found that residents' daily activities, such as cooking and heating, significantly impact indoor ultrafine particle concentrations. The study, conducted in German apartments, showed that indoor activities account for most ultrafine particles, with outdoor air pollution playing a lesser role.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalAerosol and Air Quality Research·DateMay 19, 2020

Study suggests aggressive carbon taxation could help US meet targets in Paris agreement

A new study suggests that aggressive carbon taxation in the US could help meet its Paris Agreement targets by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research found that only limited opportunities for decarbonization exist outside of the electricity sector, but significant revenue can be generated from carbon taxes.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalEnvironmental Research Communications·DateMay 19, 2020

Nature unveiling herself before science

Scientists have developed a new prototype that amplifies signals up to 10,000-fold, enabling the monitoring of rapid chemical processes on the milliseconds timescale. This breakthrough allows for the analytical characterization of pre-nucleation species in biomineralization, challenging current theoretical frameworks.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateMay 19, 2020

Chemicals often found in consumer products could lead to obesity and fatty liver diseases

A Baylor University study found that exposure to obesogens, chemical compounds disrupting normal metabolic processes, can lead to increased susceptibility to weight gain across the lifespan. The study highlights the potential effects of chemicals in consumer products on lipid-related diseases, including obesity and fatty liver disease.

SourceBaylor University·JournalToxicology and Applied Pharmacology·DateMay 19, 2020

How the mouse conquered the house

A study of over 800 ancient remains reveals the house mouse's global spread from the Middle East to Europe, coinciding with domestic cat arrival. The researchers suggest cats were introduced to control mouse populations and protect food stocks.

SourceCNRS·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 19, 2020

Texas A&M lab engineers 3D-functional bone tissues

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed new biomaterials to advance the field of 3D bioprinting functional tissues. They created a highly printable bioink that can be used to engineer 3D-functional bone tissues, which could potentially create new treatments for patients suffering from arthritis and bone fractures.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 19, 2020

4D electric circuit network with topology

Scientists have developed a 4D electric circuit network that simulates a topological insulator, exhibiting unusual properties such as quantized Hall currents and surface excitations. The work paves the way for studying topological phase transitions, non-linear effects, and quantum open systems.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMay 19, 2020

Scientists dissect the complex choices of animals

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the University of Konstanz created artificial shelters that vary in precise ways, allowing them to reveal the underlying preferences of animals. The findings suggest that animals prefer certain traits over others when choosing a home, such as intactness over shell length.

New artificial intelligence model to bridge biology and chemistry

Researchers at Insilico Medicine developed a new AI model that combines generative biology and chemistry to generate novel molecular structures for a desired transcriptional response. The Bidirectional Adversarial Autoencoder can be used for virtual screening, discovering new molecular structures and predicting transcriptional responses.

SourceInSilico Medicine·JournalFrontiers in Pharmacology·DateMay 19, 2020

Subcellular chatter regulates longevity

Research at Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing reveals that NFYB-1 regulates mitochondrial function through lysosomal prosaposin, a key factor in cellular longevity. The study used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism and found that restoring cardiolipins improved worm health.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Metabolism·DateMay 19, 2020

Three-dimensional chessboards

Osaka University researchers have developed a new method to create nanocellulose films with multiple axes of alignment using liquid-phase 3D-patterning. This technology has the potential to lead to affordable and energy-efficient optical materials, including smartphone displays.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNanomaterials·DateMay 19, 2020

Scientists find a high hydrofluorocarbon emissions intensity in the Yangtze River Delta region

A recent study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences estimates that the Yangtze River Delta region contributes around one-third of China's total hydrofluorocarbon emissions. The study found that the region has a higher emissions intensity per capita, area, and GDP compared to national and global levels, with HFC-23 being the pr...

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMay 19, 2020

Immunotherapy, steroids had positive outcomes in children with COVID-related multi-system inflammatory syndrome

A new study found that treatment with antibodies and steroids restored heart function in most children with COVID-19-related multi-system inflammatory syndrome. The majority of patients recovered quickly with intravenous immune globulin and adjunctive steroid therapy, suggesting a promising approach to managing this condition.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateMay 19, 2020

Daily Internet use is linked to social isolation

A new study published in Ageing and Society found that daily internet use is associated with higher levels of social isolation among older adults. The research, which analyzed data from 4,492 adults in England, suggests that occasional internet users may have a better balance between online and offline contacts.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalAgeing and Society·DateMay 19, 2020

Parent-led discussion about mutual strengths benefits parent-teen communication

A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that a primary care-based intervention promoting parent-teen communication led to less distress among teens and more positive emotions. The intervention, which included an eight-page booklet with discussion prompts, showed promise in improving adolescent health outcomes.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateMay 19, 2020

Algorithmic autos

Researchers at the University of Delaware have optimized vehicle dynamics and powertrain operation using connectivity and automation to reduce stop-and-go driving and travel time while ensuring energy efficiency. The algorithms achieved a 30% increase in energy efficiency in real-world testing, surpassing simulation predictions.

Observing the freely behaving brain in action

Researchers at Max-Planck-Gesellschaft have created a miniature microscope that can capture neural activity in all cortical layers of freely behaving rats. This breakthrough technology allows for continuous imaging of neuron populations, even during complex behaviors, providing insights into the brain's circuit dynamics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Methods·DateMay 19, 2020

Sustainable palm oil? How environmental protection and poverty reduction can be reconciled

The expansion of oil palm cultivation has contributed significantly to economic growth and poverty reduction in local communities, particularly in Asia. However, large-scale deforestation and biodiversity loss are concerns due to the increased demand for palm oil, primarily used in food, fuel, and cosmetics industries.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalAnnual Review of Resource Economics·DateMay 19, 2020