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Science News Archive September 2020


Page 1 of 49

Advancing carbon dioxide catalysis

Feng Jiao, a renowned chemical engineering expert, is leading research on transforming carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals using catalysis. His projects aim to produce formic acid and ethylene from CO2 without purification, with the goal of commercializing this technology.

Researchers use satellite imaging to map groundwater use in California's central valley

Researchers used satellite imaging to map groundwater use in California's San Joaquin Valley, finding that field crops and pasture crops have higher rates of subsidence than fruit and nut crops. This study provides new insights for irrigation policymaking and sustainable groundwater management in agricultural regions worldwide.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 30, 2020

Metal-ion breakthrough leads to new biomaterials

Cornell engineers developed a modular process for designing elastomers with metals like iron and calcium, creating a wide range of mechanical properties. The framework allows for the creation of biodegradable and elastic materials for soft tissue reconstruction and regeneration.

SourceCornell University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 30, 2020

The proof is in the pudding

Researchers at the University of South Australia found that increasing meal sizes can improve nutrition intake among aged care residents. The study showed a correlation between portion size and food consumption, with each kilojoule increase in served energy resulting in a 0.73 kilojoule increase in consumed energy.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalAustralasian Marketing Journal·DateSep 30, 2020

Teen social networks linked to adult depression

A new study by Michigan State University found that teens with fewer friends are more likely to experience depression as adults. However, for women, being popular in adolescence can lead to lower depressive symptoms in adulthood. The study suggests that gender roles and expectations may contribute to this difference.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateSep 30, 2020

Revealing the impacts of COVID-19 on unborn children

A new study of 388 pregnancies in 22 countries found that COVID-19 infection during early pregnancy significantly increases risk of adverse fetal outcomes. Only one baby tested positive for the disease and was asymptomatic, suggesting rare transmission from mother to child.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalJournal of Perinatal Medicine·DateSep 30, 2020

"Immortal" in tree resin

An international team detected DNA from ambrosia beetles trapped in recent tree resin for less than seven years. The study challenges previous fails in finding DNA in older samples and opens up new possibilities for genetic research.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 30, 2020

Consumers who avoid products with harmful chemicals on the label have lower body burden

A new study by Silent Spring Institute found that consumers who avoid products containing endocrine disruptors, such as parabens and BPA, have significantly lower levels of these chemicals in their bodies. The study showed that reading ingredient labels and avoiding certain products can reduce exposures to these harmful chemicals.

SourceSilent Spring Institute·JournalInternational Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·DateSep 30, 2020

Planktonic sea snails and slugs may be more adaptable to ocean acidification than expected

A recent study has found that pteropods, or 'wing-footed' sea snails and slugs, are much older than previously thought and survived past environmental changes in the ocean. The research suggests that these creatures may be more adaptable to ocean acidification than expected.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 30, 2020

Scientists propose immune cocktail therapy to boost cancer-immunity cycle in multiple aspects

A research team from Chinese Academy of Sciences proposes an innovative immune cocktail therapy combining ICT with other approaches to enhance cancer treatment. The therapy achieves anti-tumor effects by enhancing T cell priming, killing tumor cells, and generating immune memory T cells.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateSep 30, 2020

Cerebral palsy also has genetic underpinnings

A new study has identified mutations in single genes that can cause cerebral palsy, challenging the long-held notion that the disorder is caused by environmental factors. The research found that many of these mutations occur randomly and are not inherited from parents, but rather arise during development.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 30, 2020

NIH awards $35.5 million to use bioengineered organ models to improve clinical trials

The National Institutes of Health has awarded grants to support researchers' efforts in using tiny, bioengineered models of human tissues and organ systems to study diseases and test drugs. The goal is to develop ways to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from an investigational therapy prior to initiating clinical trials.

Coral's resilience to warming may depend on iron

A new study suggests that limited iron levels in corals could impair their ability to respond to climate change. High water temperatures and low iron availability compromise the algae living within coral cells, leading to reduced growth and function.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Phycology·DateSep 30, 2020