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Science News for November 12, 2020


Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may increase blood pressure in early life

A study by ISGlobal found that exposure to high levels of air pollution, particularly during pregnancy, is associated with higher blood pressure in childhood. The research team analyzed data from 4,279 children living in six European cities and found a significant link between NO2 levels and diastolic blood pressure.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·DateNov 12, 2020

Plasma Physics Meeting highlights

Researchers discussed various topics in plasma physics, including the young solar wind, fusion experiments, and alternative approaches to killing bacteria and viruses. The findings highlight potential pathways for controlled nuclear fusion and applications of plasmas in energy production and medicine.

Mimicking SARS-CoV-2 nasal infection in monkeys

A new animal model of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been developed in rhesus macaques, exhibiting clinical and pathological manifestations similar to those observed in humans. The study revealed long-term viral shedding and inflammation-promoting responses, highlighting the need for treatments targeting T cell responses and cytokine changes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateNov 12, 2020

Individualized brain stimulation therapy improves language performance in stroke survivors

A recent study found that individualized brain stimulation therapy improves language performance in stroke survivors with aphasia, targeting abnormal activity outside the damaged tissue. The therapy also shows promise for individuals with dementia, highlighting a personalized approach to treating this debilitating disorder.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 12, 2020

Re-mapping taste in the brain

A new study from Stony Brook University found that the brain's 'taste map' is not composed of clusters of specialized neurons, but rather a network of overlapping and spatially distributed populations. This challenges the long-held theory of taste coding, which proposed a topographic map in the gustatory cortex for specific tastes.

SourceStony Brook University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 12, 2020

Novel deep learning method enables clinic-ready automated screening for diabetes-related eye disease

Researchers developed a novel deep learning method that requires less annotated image data to screen for diabetic retinopathy, achieving the same diagnostic performance as human experts. The method enables clinics to automate screenings and reduce referrals to specialized eye care centers.

Skoltech scientists developed a novel bone implant manufacturing method

Skoltech researchers have developed a novel method for designing and manufacturing complex-shaped ceramic bone implants with controllable porous structures. The FRep method enables the creation of variable density implants tailored to individual patient needs, enhancing tissue fusion efficiency and overall implant performance.

Hearing test may detect autism in newborns

Researchers analyzed ABR tests of nearly 140,000 newborns in Florida and found slower brain responses to sounds in those later diagnosed with autism. The study presents a promising direction in using ABR testing as a method for precise autism detection at birth.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalAutism Research·DateNov 12, 2020

Escape from Mars: how water fled the red planet

Researchers discovered a large amount of water in the upper atmosphere of Mars, rapidly destroyed by ions, explaining part of the planet's mysterious dryness. This process contradicts the classical picture of water escape from Mars, suggesting it is incomplete and influenced by seasonal and dust storms.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience·DateNov 12, 2020

Some U.S. states hit harder by COVID-19 food insecurity

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened food insecurity in the United States, particularly in lower-wage jobs and service industry areas. According to a report by Craig Gundersen, over 50 million Americans will be food insecure in 2020, with regional differences existing across the country.

The connectivity of multicomponent fluids in subduction zones

A team of researchers has discovered more about the grain-scale fluid connectivity beneath the earth's surface, shedding new light on fluid circulation and seismic velocity anomalies in subduction zones. The study found that fluids with minor components, such as CO2 and NaCl, can have a significant impact on the dihedral angle between ...

SourceTohoku University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateNov 12, 2020

Convenient antioxidant capacity measurement of food

Researchers at Kumamoto University developed a new electrochemical system to measure antioxidant capacity in food, eliminating complex separation and extraction steps. This system allows for easy analysis of fat-soluble antioxidants in colorful or cloudy samples without extensive equipment or special treatment.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateNov 12, 2020

New study outlines steps higher education should take to prepare a new quantum workforce

A new study suggests that colleges should offer introductory, multidisciplinary courses with few prerequisites to teach fundamental concepts in quantum information science and technology. This will allow students across disciplines to learn the core concepts together, preparing them for a growing industry with applications in various f...

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Physics Education Research·DateNov 12, 2020

Men feel less powerful in their private lives

A new study suggests that men feel less powerful in their private lives compared to public lives. The research, conducted by Lund University and others, found that both men and women value private life over public life, with women perceiving themselves as having more power in this area.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 12, 2020

New approach to circuit compression could deliver real-world quantum computers years ahead of schedule

Researchers have developed a new software method for compressing quantum circuits, reducing the size and runtime of large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers. This compression technique achieves up to 77% reduction in volume, potentially enabling the realization of real-world quantum computers years ahead of schedule.

Pollution and pandemics: A dangerous mix

A new study from the Chakrabarty lab found a strong linear association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and R0, which denotes the expected number of people each sick person can infect. The researchers also discovered that secondary inorganic components in PM2.5 increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateNov 12, 2020

Cellular survivors

Researchers have identified two key factors involved in cellular recovery from extreme stress, which may provide new strategies for treating cancers. The study reveals that apoptosis is a more nuanced process than previously known, and sometimes cells survive the executioner caspase via anastasis.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 12, 2020

Teaching the internet of things to learn

The VEDLIoT project is developing a new generation of IoT platforms that use machine learning to improve the performance and energy efficiency of devices. The platform aims to enable autonomous vehicles, smart homes, and industrial applications to learn and adapt to their environments.