Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 18, 2020


NYUAD study finds opposite-gender mentorships may be more beneficial to female researchers

A new NYUAD study found that opposite-gender mentorships increase the impact of female scientists' research, while same-gender mentorships can reduce it. The study examined thousands of mentor-protégé relationships and found a significant association between increasing female mentors and reducing their protégés' post-mentorship impact.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 18, 2020

Machine learning innovation to develop chemical library

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a machine learning model that can predict reaction outcomes and test new reactions in a blind prospective manner. The model uses statistical robust machine learning models trained on a small number of reactions to provide interpretable chemical reactivity flowcharts.

SourcePurdue University·JournalOrganic Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

Are high-protein total diet replacements the key to maintaining healthy weight?

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high-protein total diet replacements led to higher energy expenditure, increased fat oxidation, and negative fat balance compared to a typical North American diet. This suggests that these diets may be a promising nutritional strategy for weight management.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 18, 2020

Racial attitudes in a community affect COVID-19 numbers

Researchers found a positive association between the percent of Black residents and COVID-19 cases and deaths, as well as explicit and implicit racial attitudes. The study suggests that implicit racial attitudes in communities can help explain racial disparities in COVID-19 rates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 18, 2020

Surprises in 'active' aging

Physicists from the University of Göttingen used computer simulations to investigate aging in living glassy systems, finding that persistent particle activity drives aging. This discovery has potential consequences for biological processes such as wound-healing and cancer metastasis.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

Does air pollution affect mental health later in life?

A study of women aged 80 found a significant association between air pollution exposure and increased depressive symptoms. Long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide or fine particulate air pollution was linked to small but notable effects on depressive symptoms.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 18, 2020

Vertebrate biodiversity- a glimmer of hope

A McGill University-led team found that extreme population declines among a small number of vertebrate species drive the apparent global decline. Removing these outliers reveals a more hopeful picture of global biodiversity. The study provides reason for hope in conservation efforts.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature·DateNov 18, 2020

Accounting for 'research fatigue' in human studies

Research fatigue in marginalized communities is a systemic issue that requires systematic responses, as noted by Florence Ashley. The article emphasizes the need for researchers to ensure studies are responsive to the community's needs and tailored to minimize fatigue.

SourceWiley·JournalBioethics·DateNov 18, 2020

Can memory manipulation help treat alcohol addiction?

Researchers at Boston University used optogenetics to study the effects of alcohol on brain function and behavior. They found that artificially dampening fear responses in mice could mitigate addiction-related behaviors. This suggests that memory manipulation may be a promising approach to treating alcohol addiction.

SourceBoston University·JournalHippocampus·DateNov 18, 2020

Prehistoric shark hid its largest teeth

Researchers used CT scanning and 3D printing to study a 370-million-year-old chondrichthyan from Morocco. They discovered that the ancient shark's lower jaw was not fused in the middle, allowing it to rotate outwards when opening its mouth, bringing larger teeth into an upright position.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCommunications Biology·DateNov 18, 2020

Media registration open for ENDO 2021

The Endocrine Society's virtual annual meeting, ENDO 2021, offers journalists the opportunity to discuss groundbreaking research with world-renowned experts in diverse fields. The event features over 70 live sessions, 20 oral sessions, and six plenaries, covering topics such as diabetes, obesity, reproductive health, and more.

Technology lets clinicians objectively detect tinnitus for first time

A new study published in PLOS ONE describes the use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to objectively detect tinnitus. The technology revealed differences in brain connectivity between people with and without tinnitus, and accurately differentiated patients with mild from moderate/severe cases using machine learning.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 18, 2020

Printed solid-state batteries

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new method for creating high-quality, high-performance solid-state electrolyte thin films. This 'printing and radiative heating' approach enables rapid production of dense and uniform films with superior ionic conductivity.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 18, 2020

Compound for Alzheimer's combats bacterial resistance to last-resort antibiotics in mice

Researchers found that PBT2 disrupts metals in polymyxin-resistant bacteria, resensitizing them to treatment and boosting survival rates in mice with sepsis. The compound may offer a solution to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, which poses a grave danger to patients with bacterial infections.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 18, 2020

Study confirms contribution of bioenergy to climate change mitigation

A study by a cross-border team of researchers confirms that biofuels can contribute significantly to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. The study highlights the potential of switchgrass cultivation for cellulosic ethanol production as comparable to reforestation and grassland restoration on a per-hectare basis.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 18, 2020

Missing the radiological forest for the trees

A study by University of Utah researchers found that experienced radiologists can miss clear abnormalities when looking for one specific issue, highlighting the limits of human cognition. The experiment demonstrates that years of experience don't guarantee detection of critical findings.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateNov 18, 2020

Ten chemistry start-ups to watch

The American Chemical Society has unveiled its annual list of 10 promising chemistry start-ups, focusing on innovative solutions for drug discovery, waste recycling, sustainable materials, and quantum computing. Companies like Aryballe and Evrnu are developing groundbreaking technologies to address pressing global challenges.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateNov 18, 2020

AI may predict response to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with metastatic melanoma

A computational method combining clinicodemographic variables and deep learning of pre-treatment histology images accurately predicts response to immune checkpoint blockade. The model, validated in an independent cohort, achieves high accuracy and can stratify patients into high versus low risk for disease progression.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateNov 18, 2020

'Oasis effect' in urban parks could contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, ASU study finds

Researchers at Arizona State University found that urban parks experience a significant increase in evaporative losses during the night due to the oasis effect, leading to higher carbon dioxide emissions. This can have important implications for water conservation and greenhouse gas emission management in desert cities like Phoenix.

SourceArizona State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

Algae breathe life into 3D engineered tissues

Researchers developed an algae-based 3D bioprinting method to incorporate vascular patterns within engineered tissues and provide a sustainable source of oxygen for human cells. The approach showed promise for applications in disease modeling, drug development, regenerative and personalized medicine.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·DateNov 18, 2020

Starved, stuffed and squandered: Consequences of decades of global nutrition transition

A new study warns that the current global nutrition transition will lead to an unprecedented increase in overweight and obese individuals, surpassing 4 billion by 2050. This, combined with food waste and unsustainable agricultural practices, poses significant threats to global hunger, public health, and environmental protection.

Ovarian cancer cells cooperate to metastasize

A study by Harvard Medical School scientists reveals a transient, cooperative interaction between ovarian cancer cells that allows nonmetastatic tumor cells to invade distant sites. The team identified amplified ERBB2 levels in a specific cell population, which was activated by amphiregulin, a signaling protein found in advanced ovaria...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 18, 2020

Diagnosing the cause of exercise-induced respiratory symptoms

A study of 214 children found that final diagnoses differ from referral diagnoses in 54% of cases, with asthma being the most common cause. Inhaling medication was prescribed to 91% of children with a final diagnosis of asthma, while physiotherapy was recommended for 50% of those with dysfunctional breathing.

SourceWiley·JournalPediatric Pulmonology·DateNov 18, 2020

Neurorehabilitation experts highlight breakthroughs in neurogenic pain management

The new issue of NeuroRehabilitation focuses on the challenges of classifying, assessing, and treating neurogenic pain disorders. Experts describe the latest advancements in neurogenic classification and pain management, including new treatment options for peripheral neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and craniofacial ne...

SourceIOS Press·JournalNeuroRehabilitation An International Interdisciplinary Journal·DateNov 18, 2020

Antiviral defense from the gut

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a group of gut microbes and a specific molecule that modulate immune responses to viral infections. The study found that these microbes, particularly Bacteroides fragilis, trigger the release of interferon-beta, which confers antiviral protection.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateNov 18, 2020

Antibiotic resistance surveillance tools in Puerto Rican watersheds after Hurricane Maria

Researchers developed an antibiotic resistance surveillance approach by applying DNA sequencing techniques to detect the spread of disease in watersheds impacted by large-scale storms. Baseline levels of antibiotic resistance genes in Puerto Rican watersheds prior to Hurricane Maria are unknown, but the study identified single gene tar...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Environmental Science and Technology·DateNov 18, 2020

Predicting urban water needs

A Stanford University study uses Zillow and census data to identify residential water use patterns and trends in different community groupings. The research found that income levels do not always correlate with water usage, and that changing community development can impact water consumption patterns.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

Review examines sexual aggression in mammals

A recent review of published studies found that male behavior causing harm to females during mating is a common issue in several mammalian orders. The most common response from females was grouping around a dominant male, suggesting that sexual aggression may not be as widespread as previously thought.

SourceWiley·JournalMammal Review·DateNov 18, 2020