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Science News Archive November 2020 - Page 32


Page 32 of 43

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.