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Science News for November 24, 2020


Stable catalysts for new energy

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed stable catalysts for water splitting and CO2 reduction by studying atomic surface structures. The team found that specific surface angles can create microscopically small triangular holes that stabilize the material and enhance its effectiveness.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 24, 2020

Potential treatment against antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing gonorrhea and meningitis

A Canadian team has developed an inexpensive molecule to fight antibiotic-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, two bacteria responsible for gonorrhea and meningococcal meningitis. The molecule's specificity allows it to target pathogenic Neisseria while leaving other types unaffected.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateNov 24, 2020

Blast from the past

A team of astronomers using Gemini North's GNIRS instrument discovered that CK Vulpeculae, a bright new star in 1670, is approximately five times farther away and has ejected gas at much higher speeds than previously reported. The new findings suggest the explosion was far more violent, releasing roughly 25 times more energy than a nova.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 24, 2020

'Crisis decision making at the speed of COVID-19' - Bay Area public health officials share their experience with shelter-in-place order

In response to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, Bay Area public health officials issued the first U.S. regional shelter-in-place order in mid-March 2020. They share their experience on crisis decision-making approach, including meta-leadership and decision intelligence, which improved routine team decisions.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Public Health Management and Practice·DateNov 24, 2020

New graph-based statistical method detects threats to vehicular communications networks

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a cost-effective way to detect security threats in vehicle networks using graph-based anomaly detection techniques. This simple method requires less energy than machine learning or AI methods and can be easily adapted by car manufacturers.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalIEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems·DateNov 24, 2020

Defined blockade

A new method enables specific inhibition and removal of DNA methylation at targeted locations using enzymatic photocaging. This technique involves attaching photocages to AdoMet analogues, which are then transferred to methylation sites, allowing for precise control over gene regulation.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 24, 2020

How dolphins avoid "the bends"

A new study reveals that dolphins adjust their heart rate to suit the length of their planned dive, conserving oxygen and avoiding decompression sickness. This conscious adjustment allows them to safely dive for long periods, providing insights into marine mammal physiology.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateNov 24, 2020

Immune strategy based on limited information in the network

Researchers develop efficient immunization strategy using limited network information, significantly reducing disease spread for small groups of individuals. By focusing on the most connected nodes, they achieve a lower fraction of nodes needed to stop the epidemic, highlighting the potential for effective control measures.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateNov 24, 2020

Scientists apply the METRIC model to estimate the land surface evapotranspiration in Nepal

The METRIC model was used to simulate and evaluate surface evapotranspiration in Nepal, showing good applicability and accuracy. The study found an inverse relation between elevation and ET, highlighting its potential for irrigation management and soil moisture assessment in the country's mountainous regions.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateNov 24, 2020

Animal-free method predicts nanoparticle toxicity for safer industrial materials

Researchers developed an animal-free method to predict nanoparticle toxicity, enabling safer industrial materials production and reducing environmental risks. The new approach identifies key cellular events triggering inflammation, allowing for high-throughput testing and connectable with in silico modeling.

Experimental evolution reveals how bacteria gain drug resistance

A research team at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research successfully evolved Escherichia coli under antibiotic pressure, identifying mechanisms and constraints underlying drug resistance. The findings can be used to develop strategies that minimize the chance of bacteria developing resistance.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 24, 2020

Closing the racial disparity gap in survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that better medical-surgical nurse staffing has a greater effect on black patients than white patients, and differences in survival to discharge after an IHCA are more pronounced in poorly staffed hospitals. The study included over 14,000 patients in 75 US hospitals.

Brain waves guide us in spotlighting surprises

Researchers found that dynamic interplay of brain wave frequencies, rather than dedicated circuitry, governs the brain's knack for highlighting surprising and downplaying predictable stimuli. This regulatory system has a key role in predictive coding, which is disrupted in autism spectrum disorders.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2020

Shining a light on nanoscale dynamics

Researchers from University of Konstanz and LMU Munich demonstrate ultrafast electron diffraction to uncover nanomaterials' functionality. They observe quantum mechanical phase shift through interaction with light waves, providing a movie-like sequence of images revealing fundamental light-matter interactions.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 24, 2020

Quantum magic squares

Researchers from University of Innsbruck introduce quantum magic squares, a non-commutative generalization of classical magic squares. Quantum magic squares cannot be easily characterized by convex combinations of quantum permutation matrices, as previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalJournal of Mathematical Physics·DateNov 24, 2020

Act now to meet global heart disease targets

The European Society of Cardiology report highlights alarming trends in cardiovascular disease, including rising obesity and diabetes rates, to emphasize the need for urgent action. The report also shows that middle-income countries are struggling to meet World Health Organization targets for heart disease prevention.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateNov 24, 2020

Head in the game

Blind soccer players use larger downward head rotations when trapping a ball, outperforming sighted non-athletes. The study may lead to improved smart-assistant devices that utilize similar techniques.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 24, 2020

Taking a shine to polymers: Fluorescent molecule betrays the breakdown of polymer materials

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a method to measure polymer breakdown using a fluorescent molecule, enabling the estimation of resistance to mechanical stress. This breakthrough allows for the evaluation of polymer performance and specificity, paving the way for improved material design.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 24, 2020

Attosecond interferometry in time-energy domain

Researchers developed an all-optical attosecond few slit interferometer to measure ultrafast processes in the time-energy domain. The technique uses laser-driven high order harmonics and introduces a perturbing field to alter harmonic generation, enabling wave-front controlled attosecond interferometry with precise energy resolution.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateNov 24, 2020

Stronger memories can help us make sense of future changes

A study published in PNAS found that stronger initial memories are easier to update with new information, allowing for better comprehension and adaptation. Older adults showed poorer memory performance but more confidence in their recall, possibly due to relying on general, generic responses rather than specific situational features.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2020

COVID-19: Air quality influences the pandemic

Researchers found that high concentrations of fine particles less than 2.5 micrometers in size can modulate the waves of SARS-CoV-2 contamination and explain the profile of the COVID-19 pandemic. Acute exposure to these particles aggravates respiratory, pulmonary, and cardiovascular issues, promoting severe disease progression.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalEarth Systems and Environment·DateNov 24, 2020

Team uses copper to image Alzheimer's aggregates in the brain

Scientists have developed a new imaging agent using copper isotopes that can effectively detect amyloid-beta protein deposits in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. The copper-based compounds outlast traditional diagnostic agents, making it possible for clinics with PET scanners to diagnose the condition more easily.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2020

How an infectious tumor in Tasmanian devils evolved as it spread

A team of researchers analyzed 648 DFT1 tumors collected between 2003 and 2018, revealing that early on in the spread of the tumor, five clades emerged, with two dying out while three continued to spread. The study highlights the importance of geography in influencing the movements of devils and their disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 24, 2020

Tackling metabolic complexity

Researchers applied CRISPRi technology to understand metabolic robustness in E. coli, revealing mechanisms that buffer enzyme knockdowns. The study identified specific buffering mechanisms across multiple metabolic pathways, paving the way for developing industrially useful microbes with controlled metabolism.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 24, 2020