Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 21, 2020


Online training helps preemies

A randomised controlled study found that computerised training can support preterm children's academic success, particularly in math and attention skills. The study tested two learning apps, Xtramath and Cogmed, on 65 first graders born preterm.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPediatric Research·DateSep 21, 2020

Southern hemisphere could see up to 30% less rain at end of the century

Climate models suggest that tropical and subtropical southern hemisphere countries, including Brazil, may experience longer droughts and reduced rainfall by the end of the century. The mid-Pliocene period, which occurred 3 million years ago, shares characteristics with modern warming, indicating a possible future scenario.

COVID-19 and human trafficking

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated human trafficking by increasing vulnerability among at-risk populations and disrupting support services. Researchers found that the global crisis has led to a surge in exploitation and abuse, particularly among children and women.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateSep 21, 2020

Marine sponges inspire the next generation of skyscrapers and bridges

Researchers at Harvard SEAS developed a new lattice design inspired by marine sponge skeletons, achieving higher strength-to-weight ratios than traditional designs. The diagonal reinforcement strategy improves structural strength without adding material, paving the way for innovative infrastructural applications.

It is time to embrace cannabis for medicinal use, say experts

Hundreds of thousands of UK patients are self-medicating with illegal cannabis-based products due to limited prescription availability. Researchers found that concerns about a perceived lack of scientific evidence and resistance from the medical profession hinder prescribing, despite substantial evidence of effectiveness in various dis...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·DateSep 21, 2020

How we age

Researchers construct a composite measure of physiological dysregulation among human populations and compare it to other primates. Despite differing lifestyles, Tsimane adults show marginally higher rates of increase in physiological dysregulation, but still lower rates compared to urban populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateSep 21, 2020

Researchers identify new type of superconductor

A team of Cornell researchers led by Brad Ramshaw discovered a possible third type of superconductor called g-wave. They used resonant ultrasound spectroscopy to study the material's symmetry properties and found that it is a two-component superconductor with no electrical resistance. This discovery could lead to major breakthroughs in...

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 21, 2020

Vaccination insights

Researchers investigating BCG vaccination's potential COVID-19 protection find no correlation between infancy vaccination and reduced pandemic cases. Instead, they suggest other factors like public health agency strength or risk aversion may play a role.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateSep 21, 2020

Biodiversity hypothesis called into question

A new study reveals that species are better equipped to thrive in both abundant and scarce food environments, contradicting the long-held 'gleaner-exploiter' trade-off theory. The researchers argue that a risk-taking trade-off to access food is more likely, explaining the diversity of biological species.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2020

Ryugu's rocky past

Researchers discover two types of boulders on Ryugu, hinting at a collision between a small S-type and C-type parent asteroid. The findings provide clues to the asteroid's turbulent past and may shed light on Earth's history.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 21, 2020

Belief in conspiracy theories is a barrier to controlling spread of COVID-19

A new study reveals that believing in COVID-19 conspiracy theories predicts increased resistance to vaccination and preventive behaviors, including mask-wearing. The researchers found a widening gap between those who strongly believed in conspiracies and those who did not, with believers being less likely to wear masks and get vaccinated.

Highly efficient perovskite solar cells with enhanced stability and minimised lead leakage

Researchers from City University of Hong Kong have developed a novel method to tackle instability and potential environmental impact in perovskite solar cells, achieving high power conversion efficiency while minimizing lead leakage. The team's innovative use of 2D metal-organic frameworks enhances device performance and stability.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 21, 2020

Minorities suffer most from COVID-19 in nursing homes, assisted living communities

Researchers found that older racial and ethnic minority residents and their caregivers are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in nursing homes and assisted living communities. The studies also highlighted disparities in data reporting and the lack of federal assistance to assisted living communities compared to nursing homes.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateSep 21, 2020

Study suggests the average person with type 1 diabetes will live almost 8 years less, and those with type 2 diabetes almost 2 years less, than people in the general population

A new study suggests that people with type 1 diabetes will live almost 8 years less and those with type 2 diabetes will live almost 2 years less than the general population. The study used data from the UK National Diabetes Audit and Office for National Statistics to calculate life expectancy, finding a significant gap in mortality rat...

SourceDiabetologia·JournalCardiovascular Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateSep 21, 2020

Comparing effectiveness of smartphone apps for quitting smoking

A randomized clinical trial compared two smartphone apps for helping smokers quit, with one approach using gamification and the other leveraging cognitive behavioral therapy. The study found that both apps were effective in reducing cigarette use, but the gamified app had a higher quit rate at 6-month follow-up.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateSep 21, 2020

Tracking the working dogs of 9/11

A study of search and rescue dogs found that dogs at the disaster site lived a similar length of time as those in a control group, with no discernable difference in cause of death. The most common cause of death was age-related conditions such as arthritis and cancer.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateSep 21, 2020

Middle-aged Americans report more pain than the elderly

A study published in PNAS found that middle-aged Americans without a college degree are reporting more pain than the elderly, which could put further strain on healthcare systems. The researchers attribute this trend to increasing social isolation, stagnant wages, and rising deaths of despair among less-educated populations.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2020

$2M USDA grant funds value-added grains project

A Cornell University scientist is leading a multi-institution team to develop value-added grains for staple foods, benefiting both humans and organic vegetable growers. Key findings include the development of new small grain varieties with improved nutritional quality and the creation of a supply chain for specialty markets.

Study on the effect of rosemary and ginger essential oils against Klebsiella pneumoniae

This study investigates the antimicrobial effect of rosemary and ginger essential oil-based nano-sized formulations on colistin-resistant K. pneumonia clinical isolates. The results show that oil-loaded chitosan nanoparticles exhibit high antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity, inhibiting the expression of the biofilm gene mrkD.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Microbiology Journal·DateSep 21, 2020

Customising an electronic material

PSI scientists investigate strontium-iridium oxide, an antiferromagnetic material, to systematically control its magnetic and electronic properties. By manipulating thin films, they can fine-tune the material's properties, leading to potential applications in data storage.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2020

Changes in hospitalizations for alcohol use disorder in US

Hospitalizations for alcohol use disorder in the US rose significantly over a nearly two-decade period, with an increase of 10%, resulting in more in-hospital deaths. The study also found that age-standardized rates of hospitalization and death due to alcohol use disorder remained high across different demographic groups.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 21, 2020

Parkinson's disease is not one, but two diseases

Researchers have identified two variants of Parkinson's disease, with one starting in the intestines and spreading to the brain, and another starting in the brain and affecting the intestines and heart. This discovery could lead to personalized medicine and new treatment options for patients.

SourceAarhus University·JournalBrain·DateSep 21, 2020

Making sense of diabetes

Research suggests that witnessing a relative or neighbor manage diabetes can influence an individual's approach to self-management. Healthcare providers must consider patients' life circumstances, including financial resources, to optimize care. Asks healthcare providers to collect both quantitative and qualitative data to better under...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Clinical Nursing·DateSep 21, 2020

Better catalysts for a sustainable bioeconomy

The researchers recommend returning to classic zeolites, which are efficient catalysts that can be modified and adapted for specific purposes. The team found inconsistencies in the literature on how aluminium atoms catalyse reactions, highlighting the need for further understanding of these active centres.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 21, 2020

Study: Black women with breast cancer experience delayed, longer treatment than whites

A recent study published in the journal Cancer found that Black women with breast cancer experience delays in starting treatment and have extended durations of treatment compared to white women. The study, led by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers, also identified socioeconomic status as a significant factor influen...

Do rats like to be tickled?

Researchers developed a behavioural test to measure rats' individual emotional experiences and found that vocalisations during 'tickling' accurately reflect their emotional states. The study suggests using call patterns to understand and improve rat welfare.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 21, 2020

The right formula for scaling production of promising material to decontaminate water

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a method to fabricate large quantities of Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) in a controlled and tunable dimension, making it an attractive material for water treatment and various applications. The process reduces production costs by 3,000 times compared to previous methods.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 21, 2020

Mental illness treatment varies widely among american adolescents within and across zip codes

Researchers found that only 70.8% of children received any follow-up treatment for mental illness within the first three months, varying widely by ZIP code. Many children were prescribed strong drugs with little evidence of effectiveness, despite generally recommended therapy as a first line of treatment.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2020

Extra stability for magnetic knots

Researchers at Kiel University found that neglected magnetic interactions play a key role in stabilizing skyrmions, increasing their lifetime and opening up new material systems. The discovery could enhance the stability of skyrmions, enabling their use in future electronic devices and data storage concepts.

SourceKiel University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 21, 2020

Phone system for assessing chest troubles is unsafe and unreliable

A semi-automatic phone triage system designed to help people with chest discomfort during out-of-hours periods has been found to be unsafe and unreliable. The system underestimated the severity of more than a quarter of patients with serious heart conditions, highlighting the need for input from nurses to ensure accurate assessment.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOpen Heart·DateSep 21, 2020

Examining links between age and pain in the United States

A US study found that middle-aged individuals without a bachelor's degree reported more pain than elderly individuals, unlike in other wealthy countries where pain rises with age. The finding suggests that pain prevalence will continue to increase for less-educated adults in the US, with significant implications for healthcare.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2020

Tree planting has potential to increase carbon sequestration capacity on Nation's forests

A new study suggests that concentrating tree planting efforts on understocked forest land, particularly in western states and the Northeast, can substantially increase carbon sequestration capacity. This targeted approach could enhance ecosystem services and offset a significant portion of the country's carbon dioxide emissions.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2020