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Science News for October 16, 2020


Unique adaptations allow owls to rule the night

Researchers found genes involved in sensory perception showed accelerated evolution, including those for light perception, dim-light vision, and retina development. The study also identified 32 genes related to DNA packaging and chromosome condensation, which may enable owls to channel light more efficiently.

New study highlights the role of risk communication in coping with COVID-19

A new study by psychologists at Zhengzhou Normal University found that effective risk communication mitigates emotional contagion and anxiety, while inconsistent findings suggest a reciprocal correlation between anxiety and risk communication. The study analyzed data from January to February 2020 and showed that prevention activities w...

SourceZhengzhou Normal University·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateOct 16, 2020

Surrey is leading the way in perovskite tandem solar cells

The University of Surrey has made significant advancements in perovskite tandem solar cells, achieving higher power conversion efficiencies through adjustments to thickness and the development of more effective protective layers. This progress holds promise for accelerating commercialization and promoting a shift towards green energy.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalChemical Reviews·DateOct 16, 2020

Trees prefer the big city life

A study found that trees in larger cities are healthier and more productive than those in less dense areas, with red maples being the most productive in urban environments. The research highlights the importance of planting the right tree species in cities to support ecological resilience.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 16, 2020

Suicide prevention in COVID-19 era

A new study emphasizes the importance of suicide prevention in the COVID-19 era, highlighting both pandemic-specific and prepandemic risk factors. The authors stress the need for a multifaceted approach to address these risks, leveraging political will and federal investments to support vulnerable populations.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateOct 16, 2020

When good governments go bad

Researchers found that societies with good governance, characterized by equitable power and wealth distribution, tend to collapse more thoroughly than autocratic regimes. Leaders who abandon core principles and moral guidelines can destabilize their societies, leading to a loss of citizen confidence and fiscal health.

SourceField Museum·JournalFrontiers in Political Science·DateOct 16, 2020

Study reveals kidney disease or injury is associated with much higher risk of mortality for COVID-19 patients in ICU

Researchers found that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI) due to COVID-19 had significantly higher mortality rates in intensive care, with mortality rates ranging from 21% for those without kidney injury to 86% for patients with kidney transplants. The study highlights the need for calibration of IC...

SourceAAGBI·JournalAnaesthesia·DateOct 16, 2020

Novel mechanical mechanism of metastatic cancer cells in substrates of different stiffness revealed

Researchers discovered a novel mechanical mechanism of metastatic cancer cells responding to varying substrate stiffness. Metastatic breast cancer cells adapt their tension and viscoelasticity to survive in new environments, enabling the development of diagnostic kits and drug-screening tests.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateOct 16, 2020

Malice leaves a nasty smell

A study by researchers at the University of Geneva suggests that unhealthy behaviors trigger brain responses similar to those prompted by bad smells. Disgust is identified as a biomarker in the brain for this phenomenon, which has implications for our understanding of moral judgments and survival reflexes.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateOct 16, 2020

Natural nanodiamonds in oceanic rocks

Researchers have discovered natural nanodiamonds in oceanic rocks, confirming the formation of diamonds under low-pressure conditions. The discovery was made in Cuba's Moa-Baracoa Ophiolitic Massif and provides new insights into the geological processes that form these valuable gemstones.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalGeochemical Perspectives Letters·DateOct 16, 2020

Are climate scientists being too cautious when linking extreme weather to climate change?

Researchers argue that current approaches to attributing extreme weather events to global warming focus too much on raising the threshold for false alarms, neglecting the importance of accurate warnings. By prioritizing probability of detection, climate scientists can strike a better balance between caution and timely warning.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateOct 16, 2020

Lineage tracing of direct astrocyte-to-neuron conversion for brain repair

Researchers at Jinan University successfully convert astrocytes into neurons using transgenic reporter mice and AAV viral system, providing unambiguous evidence of direct glia-to-neuron conversion. The findings dispel controversies in the field and offer a promising technology for treating neurological disorders.

Justice for all: How race and American identity may affect politics

A recent study published in the National Review of Black Politics found that people who don't embody a typical white American identity may have complicated feelings of Americanness that affect their politics. The researchers analyzed data from the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey and found that racial and ethnic mino...

SourcePenn State·JournalNational Review of Black Politics·DateOct 16, 2020

During COVID, scientists turn to computers to understand C4 photosynthesis

Researchers compared the DNA of four C3 grass crops and four C4 grass crops to identify regions that control the expression of four enzymes involved in photosynthesis. They found 'activators' that trigger expression in bundle sheath cells and 'repressors' that restrict expression in mesophyll cells.

Utilizing telemedicine in the ER can reduce wait times and patient length of stay

A new study published in INFORMS Journal found that increasing telemedicine availability in emergency rooms (ERs) can significantly reduce average patients' length of stay and waiting time. This improvement comes without compromising care quality or patient cost, offering a promising solution to ER congestion.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateOct 16, 2020

Drug repurposing

University of New Mexico researchers have identified three medications with potential to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection: amodiaquine, zuclophentixol, and nebivolol. These drugs showed promise in test tube experiments and could be combined with remdesivir for a more potent attack.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico Health Sciences Center·JournalACS Pharmacology & Translational Science·DateOct 16, 2020

Explaining teamwork in male lions

Researchers from the University of Minnesota and Wildlife Institute of India found that large male lion coalitions consist mainly of brothers and cousins, while pairs of unrelated males also team up for better territory and mate acquisition. This study provides new insights into male cooperation among lions.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 16, 2020