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Science News for November 9, 2020


You drive like a girl: Study shows gender bias in perceptions of ride-sharing performance

A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that gender bias exists in ride-sharing performance ratings, with female drivers receiving significantly lower ratings when their performance is poor compared to male drivers. The researchers created an online experiment where participants rated driver performance, finding that custom...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·DateNov 9, 2020

Clinicians who prescribe unnecessary antibiotics fuel future antibiotic use

A Harvard Medical School study found that clinicians who prescribe unnecessary antibiotics for viral infections increase the likelihood of patients seeking care for similar infections in the future. This leads to a significant increase in antibiotic prescriptions, exacerbating the problem of antibiotic resistance and unnecessary spending.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateNov 9, 2020

A biomimetic membrane for desalinating seawater on an industrial scale

Researchers have developed a hybrid membrane that combines artificial water channels with a polyamide matrix, resulting in higher flow rates and reduced energy needs for seawater desalination. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective desalination processes on an industrial scale.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 9, 2020

In a warming world, Cape Town's 'Day Zero' drought won't be an anomaly

Researchers warn that extreme events like the 'Day Zero' drought could become common by the end of the century due to climate change. The study used high-resolution simulations to conclude that human-caused climate change made the drought five to six times more likely, and such events could impact regions with similar climates.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2020

Hollow porphyrinic nanospheres

Scientists at the Institute for Basic Science successfully synthesized a large organic cage composed of multi-porphyrin units without using templates. The P12L24 cage has a truncated cuboctahedral structure and an inner cavity diameter of 4 nm, making it suitable for encapsulating large guest molecules.

Slow-living animal species could be disease 'reservoirs'

Research suggests slow-living animal species are more likely to act as disease reservoirs due to higher demographic competence for persistent infections. The study highlights the importance of using ecological characteristics like lifespan and reproductive capacity to identify potential wildlife reservoirs.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateNov 9, 2020

Nuclear war could take a big bite out of the world's seafood

A new study reveals that a nuclear war could lead to significant losses in wild-caught seafood, potentially rivaling the impacts of climate change on fisheries. The team estimates that a large-scale nuclear conflict could reduce seafood production by as much as 30%, with potential losses of tens of millions of tons per year.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2020

Prescriptions of antipsychotic medications in young children is declining

A Rutgers study found antipsychotic prescribing in young children is declining, but doctors continue to prescribe for conditions lacking FDA approval and without recommended psychiatric consultations. The study highlights the need for safer first-line psychosocial treatments to minimize risks associated with antipsychotic treatment.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateNov 9, 2020

Severe COVID-19 infection rare in newborns

A UK-wide analysis of COVID-19 infections in newborn babies found that severe infection was rare, affecting only 0.06% of births. The study also found higher proportions of Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups were affected, highlighting the need for further investigation.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateNov 9, 2020

Mare Plasticum - The Plastic Sea

The book Mare Plasticum delves into the devastating effects of plastics and microplastics on marine environments. It aims to change society's consciousness towards more responsible behavior, highlighting urgent need for action.

People who eat chili pepper may live longer?

A study found that consuming chili pepper was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality, including a 26% relative reduction in cardiovascular mortality. Researchers analyzed data from over 570,000 individuals and found significant reductions in all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality rates.

Marine fisheries will not offset farm losses after nuclear war

A study by Rutgers University suggests that pre-war fisheries management could boost ocean protein contributions during a global food emergency, but widespread overfishing would not offset land-based food losses after a nuclear war. Effective regulation could lead to significantly higher catches in the first year post-war.

SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2020

Trauma hospitalizations fall in Philly during COVID-19 lockdown, but gun violence rises

Gun violence patients made up nearly 23% of trauma hospitalizations during the 2020 stay-at-home order, a significant increase from previous years. Trauma cases overall dropped by half during this time, but gun violence remained a major concern, disproportionately affecting people of color.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateNov 9, 2020

Study suggests greater social support linked to lower diabetes distress

A new study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that increased social support reduces diabetes-related distress and improves treatment outcomes. Researchers emphasize the importance of integrating patients' family and support systems into their diabetes management plans to optimize care.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateNov 9, 2020

Coating plastics by porous nanofilm

Researchers from Tohoku University developed a new method for creating MOF thin films with designable pores, opening up its use for humidity sensing, gas sensing and resistive switching devices. The 'layer-by-layer' method involves sequential immersing of substrates into ingredient solutions.

SourceTohoku University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 9, 2020

The ecology of crop pests

Research by Ashley Larsen and Frederik Noack found that less diverse croplands lead to greater variability in pesticide use, while more diverse landscapes reduce pesticide application. The study suggests strategies for increasing food production while minimizing environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Sustainability·DateNov 9, 2020

Putting stock into Twitter: Social media can influence returns, WVU finance professor says

A study by WVU finance professor Alexander Kurov and his co-author Chen Gu found that firm-level Twitter content can predict next-day stock returns and contains information about upcoming analyst recommendation changes, quarterly earnings surprises, and opening prices of initial public offerings. This research has important implication...

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalJournal of Banking & Finance·DateNov 9, 2020