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Science News for November 4, 2020


New multiscale view of the human brain

Researchers developed a geometric network model to study the multiscale organization of the brain, finding that layers at different resolutions exhibit self-similar structure and efficient decentralized communication. This discovery has implications for understanding brain functioning and may lead to advanced tools for brain simulation.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2020

Mothers' lifestyle predicts when offspring will have first heart attack or stroke

A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that mothers' cardiovascular health significantly affects their children's risk of developing heart disease. Offspring of mothers with ideal cardiovascular health lived nine more years without cardiovascular disease compared to those with poor health.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateNov 4, 2020

New understanding of how proteins operate

Centenary Institute scientists discovered that two key proteins involved in blood clotting and immunity exist in multiple disulphide-bonded states. This finding has significant implications for drug development and the fight against disease, as different states of a protein may bind more or less preferentially to drugs.

SourceCentenary Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 4, 2020

Microbial space travel on a molecular scale

Researchers found that D. radiodurans produced outer membrane vesicles and initiated multifaceted protein responses to alleviate cell stress after 1 year of exposure to low Earth orbit. The bacteria also used polyamine putrescine as a reactive oxygen species scavenger during regeneration.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalMicrobiome·DateNov 4, 2020

Recipe for a storm

Researchers at the University of Oldenburg generated turbulent flows in a wind tunnel, simulating conditions similar to those encountered in real storms. The team discovered that the wind tunnel flow combines two components into perfect, realistic storm turbulence.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 4, 2020

Identifying communities at risk for impacts of extreme heat

A recent analysis suggests that California's CalEnviroScreen 3.0 index may identify only 25% of at-risk communities, while other indices reveal an additional 12.6% vulnerable to heat-related health impacts. This highlights the need for a more holistic approach to quantify vulnerability to extreme heat and other climate hazards.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 4, 2020

Vitamin D lessens symptoms of severe eczema in children

A randomized controlled trial found that vitamin D supplementation improved clinical outcomes for children with severe atopic dermatitis. The study involved 86 patients who received either oral daily vitamin D or placebo for 12 weeks.

SourceWiley·JournalPharmacology Research & Perspectives·DateNov 4, 2020

Divide and conquer--modular controller design strategy makes upgrading power grids easier

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel approach for modular controller design, enabling decentralized system upgrades without compromising stability. The new design allows individual subsystem developers to design and implement controllers independently, improving overall system performance.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Automatic Control·DateNov 4, 2020

Exposure to high temperatures linked to poor pregnancy outcomes

A systematic review and meta-analysis found associations between exposure to high temperatures in pregnancy and increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth. The study analyzed data from 70 studies across 27 countries and found that the odds of preterm birth rose by 5% per 1°C increase in temperature.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateNov 4, 2020

Building a quantum network one node at a time

Scientists at University of Rochester and Cornell University have developed a nanoscale node made of magnetic and semiconducting materials that can interact with other nodes using laser light. The device uses entanglement, a phenomenon in quantum mechanics, to connect quantum nodes across a remote network.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 4, 2020

Convection-permitting modelling improves simulated precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau

Researchers improve simulated precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau using convection-permitting models. These models better depict precipitation frequency and intensity, reducing the wet bias in traditional climate models. Higher resolution and more accurate parameterizations lead to improved simulations.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalQuarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society·DateNov 4, 2020

Plot twist

A study on the eradication of black rats from Palmyra Atoll found a 14-fold increase in seedling biomass, mostly composed of juvenile coconut palms. The removal of rats allowed native species to thrive, but also led to an invasion of coconut palms, which can alter island ecology and deprive native birds of nutrients.

Lighting the way to selective membrane imaging

Researchers at Kanazawa University demonstrate the ability to reversibly control the emission of blue-green light from water-soluble tetraphenylethene molecules on artificial cell membrane surfaces. This controlled emission has potential applications in new biological sensors and smart drug delivery platforms.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalLangmuir·DateNov 4, 2020

A campus COVID-19 success story

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign implemented a campus-wide COVID-19 screening program called Shield, which processes over 10,000 saliva tests each day. The program's success led to the creation of a statewide Shield-Illinois and has inspired governments to establish similar programs.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateNov 4, 2020

Beetles cooperate in brood care

Researchers have discovered a highly developed social system in the sugarcane shot-hole borer beetle, where females can reproduce and help with caring for fungal cultures. The beetles' cooperative brood care is rare in nature and may provide insights into the evolution of sociality.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateNov 4, 2020

Fighting Zika? Call in the T cells

A new study suggests that combining T cell activation with antibody production could lead to longer-term protection against Zika virus. Researchers found that inducing CD8+ T cells was key in preventing Zika infection in mice, offering a promising approach for developing effective vaccines.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 4, 2020

First global soil biodiversity assessment

The report assesses soil biodiversity across the globe, highlighting its decline and impact on ecosystem services such as water cycle regulation and carbon sequestration. The study provides a comprehensive framework for managing soil health, which is crucial for maintaining agricultural productivity and mitigating climate change.

New opportunities for detecting osteoporosis

A large-scale study found that LDCT scans can identify a significant number of adults with low bone mineral density, equating to 49 million and 22.8 million Chinese citizens, respectively. The study revealed an unexpectedly high prevalence of osteoporosis in men, which may impact management strategies.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateNov 4, 2020

Hydrogen bonds may be key to airborne dicamba

Washington University researchers found that hydrogen bonding functional groups on amines play a key role in controlling dicamba volatility. The team's study suggests that amines with more hydrogen bonding sites decrease dicamba's ability to become airborne, potentially leading to improved formulations and reduced crop damage.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateNov 4, 2020

3D print experts discover how to make tomorrow's technology using ink-jet printed graphene

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have successfully used inkjet printing to create novel electronic devices with useful properties. The study shows that combining advanced manufacturing techniques with quantum wave modeling enables the creation of customized structures with promising applications for optoelectronic devices, w...

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateNov 4, 2020

New multicomponent reaction frontiers

A team of researchers from the University of Barcelona has developed a new protocol combining multicomponent reactions with domino type processes to synthesize complex molecules. The study reveals a key principle that enables access to high structural complexity, offering a more efficient and sustainable synthetic pathway.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 4, 2020

Seabirds' response to abrupt climate change transformed sub-Antarctic island ecosystems

A new study found that seabirds' arrival in the Falkland Islands 5,000 years ago transformed the ecosystem through nutrient deposition, enriching the soil and driving changes in plant community structure. The research highlights the critical link between terrestrial-marine ecosystems and emphasizes the need for long-term monitoring to ...

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 4, 2020

New technique extends next-generation lithium metal batteries

Researchers at Columbia University discovered that adding potassium ions to conventional lithium battery electrolytes prevents lithium microstructure proliferation, ultimately limiting the growth of dendrites that can cause short-circuiting and fires. This breakthrough enables stable lithium metal batteries with improved performance.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateNov 4, 2020

Sea-level rise will have complex consequences

A new study examines 12,000 years of sea-level rise and finds that changes in land area and human cultures happened at variable rates, out of step with the prevailing rate of sea-level rise. Researchers warn that future sea-level rise will not always be simple and that human responses will be equally localized.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 4, 2020

Safety of HPV vaccines in males

New analysis shows HPV vaccines are safe for males, with similar side effects to females. The study evaluated reports of adverse events from the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System between 2006 and 2018.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateNov 4, 2020

Tricking fake news detectors with malicious user comments

A new study from Penn State reveals how fake news detectors can be manipulated through user comments, allowing adversaries to influence the detector's assessment of a story. The researchers developed a framework called Malcom to generate and optimize malicious comments that fool leading fake news detectors over 93% of the time.

Hormone differences

A University of Delaware researcher studies the impact of birth experiences on hormone development, finding that C-sections disrupt natural hormonal signals. He proposes investigating potential interventions to promote healthier outcomes, such as reintroducing missing microbes or hormones in children born via cesarean.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Endocrinology·DateNov 4, 2020

DNA in seawater can reveal fish diversity in the deep ocean

A new study demonstrates the effectiveness of eDNA metabarcoding for detecting deep-sea fish, revealing 11 fish families, 11 genera, and 8 species. This method provides broader coverage of fish diversity and uses significantly less logistical effort than conventional methods.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 4, 2020

The dangers of collecting drinking water

A new international study reveals that collecting drinking water can cause serious injury, with 13% of respondents reporting an injury while fetching water. Women are twice as likely to be hurt as men, highlighting the social and gender inequities of this hidden global health challenge.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalBMJ Global Health·DateNov 4, 2020