Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive May 2020 - Page 3


Page 3 of 42

'Bottom-heavy squirmers' adopt characteristic group behaviours

A team of scientists found that groups of living organisms that move through squirming exhibit distinct collective properties depending on their velocities and bottom-heaviness. These characteristics can lead to intriguing emergent behaviors, such as clusters forming at the bottom or top of a container.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMay 28, 2020

Imaging reveals unexpected contractions in the human placenta

High-resolution imaging of human placenta reveals uniform oxygenation levels and efficient blood flow, while also discovering rapid draining from veins and utero-placental pump contractions that facilitate better circulation and fetal growth. These findings improve placental models and optimize MRI protocols for better diagnosis.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 28, 2020

Revealing how flies make decisions on the fly to survive

Researchers studied how hoverflies process visual information to control their flight movements, finding that descending neurons adapt like sensory neurons but also persistently fire like motor neurons. This unique integration of responses offers insights into the brain-behavior link in flies and potentially all vertebrates.

SourceFlinders University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 28, 2020

Gold mining with mercury poses health threats for miles downstream

A study by Duke University scientists found that native communities hundreds of kilometers away from gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon have high levels of mercury exposure, leading to intellectual deficits and IQ losses. Children with higher mercury levels in their hair showed cognitive effects, even at lower exposure levels.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateMay 28, 2020

Exploiting viruses to attack cancer cells

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed an adenovirus that specifically replicates in and kills cancer cells using RNA-stabilizing elements. The virus, AdARET, was found to be effective against a range of cancer types, including those without a mutated RAS gene.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalCancers·DateMay 28, 2020

Inequities in access to kidney transplantation exist even with universal healthcare

A new study found that patients with lower socioeconomic status and additional illnesses are less likely to be put on transplant waiting lists in the UK, despite universal healthcare. The study suggests that patient factors, such as age and health literacy, play a significant role in determining access to transplantation.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 28, 2020

Climate could cause abrupt British vegetation changes

Research by the University of Exeter suggests that climate change could lead to sudden changes in British vegetation, particularly in regions with warmer and wetter conditions. This increase in plant growth is expected due to factors such as CO2 fertilization, but soil drying out can also cause rapid decreases in vegetation productivity.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateMay 28, 2020

Modified Parkinson's drug shows potential in treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Scientists from GIST developed a novel peripheral serotonin antagonist, which showed promising results in obese mice with impaired liver function. The compound improved symptoms of fatty liver disease and reduced body fat. Researchers hope the drug candidate will offer relief to patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateMay 28, 2020

Tackling airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors

A study by the University of Surrey and Australian partners highlights the importance of adequate ventilation in indoor environments to prevent airborne transmission of COVID-19. Improving building ventilation is proposed as a key strategy to reduce the risk of infection, particularly in areas with high population densities.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalCity and Environment Interactions·DateMay 28, 2020

New study: Stroke patients are significantly delaying treatment amid COVID-19

A new study published in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery found that ischemic stroke patients are arriving at hospitals and treatment centers an average of 160 minutes later during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to a similar timeframe in 2019. This delay has severe consequences, including impacting survival and recovery.

SourceSociety of NeuroInterventional Surgery·JournalJournal of NeuroInterventional Surgery·DateMay 28, 2020

A small twist leads to a big reaction

Scientists at the University of Tokyo have discovered a way to speed up chemical reactions involving amide bonds, which are key components of proteins. By applying a slight twist to their structure, they increased reaction rates by up to 14 times, potentially benefiting medical research and drug development.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 28, 2020

Researchers track how bacteria purge toxic metals

Researchers at Cornell University used single-molecule tracking and protein quantitation to study the mechanism of bacteria's resistance to toxic metals, revealing a complex series of steps that lead to detoxification. The discovery could lead to the development of more effective antibacterial treatments.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 28, 2020

New view on how tissues flow in the embryo

Scientists at Columbia University developed a new method to analyze cell shapes in fruit fly embryos, revealing that tissues can behave like fluids during rapid changes. By combining experimental studies with theoretical modeling, the team found that anisotropy plays a crucial role in predicting tissue flow and elongation.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 28, 2020