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Science News for November 17, 2020


Drug discovery: First highly scalable method to monitor protein levels and localizations

Researchers at CeMM have developed a scalable method to study hundreds of proteins in parallel, enabling the observation of changes in protein levels and localization in real-time. This approach has potential applications in discovering new drug treatments and understanding proteome dynamics.

Like fire and ice: Why societies are increasingly fragmenting

A new theory suggests that societies can only be either cohesive or fragmented, with the number of social contacts being the tipping point. As people seek to minimize social stress, they increasingly avoid disagreements and form filter bubbles, leading to a breakdown in constructive communication and potentially threatening democracy.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateNov 17, 2020

Oil droplet predators chase oil droplet prey

A team of researchers from Penn State describes a system where oil droplets exhibit 'non-reciprocal' interactions, chasing down other droplets that flee like prey. The system is controlled by chemical signaling and can be tuned to understand interactions in many-body systems.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Chemistry·DateNov 17, 2020

Metal-organic frameworks become flexible

Researchers from TUM and RUB have developed flexible MOFs by adding carbon arms to the organic connecting pieces, allowing them to maintain their shape under pressure. The material's behavior is driven by configurational entropy, which enables it to transform between open-pored and closed-pore structures.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 17, 2020

Are e-cigarette users at greater risk of poor immune response to flu, COVID?

Researchers found that e-cigarette users exhibited significantly altered immune responses to a model of influenza virus infection, suggesting increased susceptibility to disease. The study also found that vaping changes the expression of genes and production of proteins in respiratory cells.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateNov 17, 2020

UCF researcher examines benefits of supportive communities for older adults

A University of Central Florida researcher studied three aging-in-community programs in Florida to examine the impact of supportive communities on older adults. She found that higher education levels were linked to lower perceptions of independent living, while neighborhood social cohesiveness was more common among married individuals....

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalGerontology and Geriatric Medicine·DateNov 17, 2020

Ancient zircon minerals from Mars reveal the elusive internal structure of the red planet

A team of scientists discovered ancient zircon minerals in a Martian meteorite that date back to 4.5 billion years ago, but also contain younger ages suggesting volcanic activity in the northern hemisphere. The zircons' hafnium isotope composition reveals a primitive reservoir in Mars' interior, unchanged since the planet's formation.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2020

Farms, tables and vast impacts between and beyond

A new study by Michigan State University reveals the far-reaching effects of irrigated agriculture on the environment, including water scarcity and greenhouse gas emissions. The research highlights the importance of considering the complex connections between food production, energy use, and environmental sustainability.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2020

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Chinese vaccine candidate based on inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus appears safe and induces an immune response in healthy volunteers, preliminary study finds

A phase 1/2 randomised controlled trial of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate CoronaVac involved over 700 healthy volunteers aged 18-59 years recruited in China. The study found that CoronaVac is safe and induces a robust antibody response within four weeks after two doses, with optimal dosing identified as 3μg.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateNov 17, 2020

Potential therapeutic strategy for obesity

Researchers have identified a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity by discovering the signalling pathways responsible for the development of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) in obesity. ATMs play a key role in preventing lipotoxicity, where fat molecules are deposited in non-adipose tissues.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalNature Metabolism·DateNov 17, 2020

'Vanished' or 'hidden' prostate cancer? Men with negative biopsies during active surveillance have good outcomes

A study of 514 men undergoing active surveillance for early-stage prostate cancer found that those with negative biopsies had more favorable clinical characteristics and excellent long-term outcomes. Negative biopsies indicated low-volume disease with lower rates of disease progression, supporting continued active surveillance.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateNov 17, 2020

Mastering the art of nanoscale construction to breathe easy and bust fraud

Researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science have developed a new nanoscale building method that can arrange tiny gold rods into precise patterns. This technique has potential applications in renewable energy, smartphones, laptops, and efficient lighting, as well as improving security features in banknotes and passports.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateNov 17, 2020

COVID-19 highlights risks of wildlife trade

A new study highlights the link between COVID-19 and wildlife trade, emphasizing the need for effective legislation to regulate the trade of wildlife and reduce consumer demand. The research suggests that addressing wildlife trade and habitat fragmentation can help prevent future zoonotic diseases.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateNov 17, 2020

Environmental scientists' new ozonation method treats water from antibiotic residues

Environmental scientists at TalTech have developed a new ozonation method to treat drinking water contaminated with pharmaceutical residues. The study compared the efficiency of ozone, ozone/hydrogen peroxide and ozone/persulfate processes in degrading sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, finding promising results for the O3/PS process.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateNov 17, 2020

Americans' attitudes about guns influenced by owners' race and gender

A new study from Rice University found that racial and gender biases significantly impact American attitudes toward gun ownership. The research revealed that Republicans are more likely to support gun rights for white men, while Democrats are more willing to support white women's right to own firearms. These findings highlight the need...

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateNov 17, 2020

Study: Jumps in elementary school violence linked to increased student transfers

A new study finds that student exposure to violent crime in urban elementary schools is linked to higher transfer rates, particularly for less advantaged students. The study suggests that creating a safe school environment could reduce violence-related transfers and increase stability in enrollment patterns.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateNov 17, 2020

Could your vacuum be listening to you?

A team of researchers demonstrated that popular robotic household vacuum cleaners can be remotely hacked to record speech and music. They used signal processing and deep learning techniques to recover sound waves from the laser-based navigation system, revealing potential security risks and privacy breaches.

Study: How saliva is made

A new paper in Cell Reports breaks down the details of how salivary glands collectively produce proteins found in saliva. The study identifies which proteins are produced by each type of gland and shows that individual cells within a single gland can secrete different proteins.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 17, 2020

Birds of a feather do flock together

Researchers used genetic evidence to explain how different species of capuchino seedeaters acquired distinct patterns of coloration. Soft selective sweeps were found to be the primary cause of these differences, driven by changes in environment and sexual selection.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2020

Comprehensive safety testing of COVID-19 vaccines based on experience with prior vaccines

The article emphasizes the importance of conducting rigorous evaluation to ensure COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy. Historical experience with vaccine development informs regulatory practices, including pre-licensure monitoring for rare adverse events and post-licensure pauses if serious adverse events are detected.

'Meet people where they are:' local health departments key to hepatitis B vaccination

A West Virginia University study suggests that local health departments are crucial in getting the hepatitis B vaccine to those who need it most, particularly individuals at risk of contracting the virus. The study found that partnerships between health departments and local drug treatment programs significantly increased vaccine compl...

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 17, 2020

Researchers improve neuronal reprogramming by manipulating mitochondria

By expressing neuron-enriched mitochondrial proteins at an early stage, researchers achieved a four times higher conversion rate and increased the speed of reprogramming. This breakthrough may lead to developing reliable regenerative medicine therapies for brain diseases and injuries.

Small differences, big impact

Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research identified tiny variations in an amino acid sequence critical to retaining ancestral gene function. The study found that small differences can lead to significant evolutionary changes and highlights the importance of studying protein sequences.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalGenes & Development·DateNov 17, 2020

Potential cholera vaccine target discovered

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found a unique mechanism of protection against Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera. Human antibodies block the bacteria's motility, preventing it from causing disease. This breakthrough could lead to more effective vaccines for cholera, particularly in young children.

Study highlights sex-specific variability in mouse features

Scientists found that sex-specific differences in variability depend on individual physical and physiological features in mice, debunking theories about male or female variability. The study suggests including both males and females in studies, with statistical adjustments necessary to account for variation in traits among sexes.

SourceeLife·DateNov 17, 2020

Home oxygen therapy for adults with COPD and ILD: New ATS clinical practice guideline

The new ATS clinical practice guideline provides comprehensive guidance on long-term and ambulatory oxygen therapy for adults with COPD and ILD. The guideline recommends LTOT for severe chronic resting room air hypoxemia in both COPD and ILD patients, and suggests ambulatory oxygen for moderate exertional room air hypoxemia in COPD pat...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 17, 2020

Healthy food labels that work and don't work

Researchers found that displaying PAE labels alongside the Healthier Choice Symbol reduced its effectiveness in encouraging consumers to buy healthier options. The Healthier Choice Symbol alone led to a 5% increase in purchasing healthier products, but combining it with PAE labels had little impact.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalAppetite·DateNov 17, 2020