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Science News for September 22, 2020


Black and Hispanic people in US face increased risk of testing positive for coronavirus

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that individuals from Black and Hispanic backgrounds in the US are twice as likely to test positive for COVID-19 than their White counterparts. Despite this higher risk, there was no significant difference in mortality rates among those who tested positive across racial and ethnic groups....

Self-harm content on Instagram: "self-harm or self-help?"

A study found that Instagram users posting self-harm content use ambiguous hashtags to avoid detection, creating online communities for those seeking support. The prevalence and impact of such content remain unknown, with some research suggesting potential benefits from supportive interactions and others highlighting risks of normaliza...

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 22, 2020

When painting reveals increases in social trust

Facial displays of trustworthiness increased in European portraits between the fourteenth and twenty-first centuries, closely following rising living standards. The study used face-processing software on over 6,000 portraits to validate its findings.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 22, 2020

Global survey suggests patients most with type 1 diabetes that have adapted to remote medical appointments would continue this post COVID-19 pandemic

A global survey of over 7,000 patients with type 1 diabetes found that three-quarters would continue using online or telephone appointments with their doctors. Glucose control was positively associated with a positive perception of telemedicine, and age and education level did not appear to influence perceptions.

When bots do the negotiating, humans more likely to engage in deceptive techniques

Researchers found that humans are more willing to employ deceptive negotiating techniques when using virtual agents, particularly those with prior experience or negative negotiation experiences. The study suggests that people may feel more comfortable relying on virtual agents to act deceptively, as they perceive it as less personal.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Artificial Intelligence Research·DateSep 22, 2020

Fungi in a warmer world

A $1m research project will examine fossilised fungi from 15-17 million years ago to forecast the impact of predicted rises in current global temperature on present day species. The study aims to understand how fungi respond to past warm climates, which could provide valuable information for adapting to climate change.

Wels catfish genome assembled

A research team has successfully sequenced and assembled the Wels catfish genome, which is expected to reveal insights into its remarkable growth rate, appetite, and lifespan. The study's findings will help address bottlenecks in aquaculture and conservation of wild populations.

Exercise hormone may modulate genes associated with replication of novel coronavirus

Researchers found that irisin altered the expression of genes regulating ACE-2, a key protein in viral entry. Irisin also tripled levels of TRIB3 transcription, which has been linked to lower replication of SARS-CoV-2. The study suggests irisin's therapeutic potential for COVID-19 treatment.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMolecular and Cellular Endocrinology·DateSep 22, 2020

Is rheumatoid arthritis two different diseases?

A new study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without autoantibodies have distinct conditions. Longitudinal data from 1,285 RA patients showed improved disease activity but varying long-term outcomes depending on autoantibody status.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 22, 2020

Small increase in risk of autism seen for pre- and post-term births

A study of over 3.5 million Nordic children found a slight increase in autism risk for each week of gestation before or after 40 weeks, regardless of sex or birth weight. The relative risk was highest for children born at 22-31 weeks and lowest for those born post-term (after 42 weeks), with an overall low ASD incidence of 1.44%.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 22, 2020

Engineers pre-train AI computers to make them even more powerful

Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology engineers developed an approach to overcome the initial trial-and-error phase of reinforcement learning. This allows computers to quickly find the right path without extreme fluctuations, slashing energy use by over 20% in complex systems.

SourceSwiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology - CSEM·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·DateSep 22, 2020

Under (intraocular) pressure

A team of Pitt professors has received a $1 million NSF grant to create an at-home glaucoma monitoring device that uses acoustic waves to measure intraocular pressure. The project aims to enable patients and non-clinicians to reliably assess IOP, allowing doctors to tailor treatments more effectively.

Water trapped in star dust

A research team from Friedrich Schiller University Jena has proven that dust particles and ice are mixed in the interstellar medium. This finding suggests complex organic molecules may be present on dust particles, which can contribute to planetary formation. The study also reveals a hidden reservoir of oxygen in solid-state water.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 22, 2020

Herd immunity an impractical strategy, study finds

A new model developed by University of Georgia scientists found that achieving herd immunity through mitigation is unlikely without constant adjustments in lockdown measures. The suppression strategy offers a more feasible approach, predicting fewer fatalities with self-isolation engagement and social distancing measures.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2020

Seismic data explains continental collision beneath Tibet

New seismic data gathered by Stanford University researchers provides the first west-to-east view of the subsurface where India and Asia collide. The study suggests two competing processes are operating beneath the collision zone: movement of one tectonic plate under another, as well as thinning and collapse of the crust.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2020

Stanford researchers combine CAT scans and advanced computing to fight wildfires

Using advanced X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) to study smoldering, Stanford researchers developed a new analysis method that provides three-dimensional images of wood structures. Their computer model can predict where wildfires might strike next and allocate resources more efficiently, saving lives and reducing property loss.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the Combustion Institute·DateSep 22, 2020

Reading in company boosts creativity

Researchers found that reading in company favors a more creative and integrated understanding of language, whereas solo reading is more detailed and systematic. This study highlights the importance of social interaction in language comprehension and suggests that it can be beneficial for both education and professional settings.

Making raw data more usable

A team of researchers, led by Gautam Das at the University of Texas at Arlington, is working on a human-in-the-loop framework to optimize the data science pipeline. This approach involves humans adding context to datasets, which can help computers determine what information is relevant, making the process faster and less labor-intensive.

Study shows that 40% of healthcare workers asymptomatic when COVID-19 positive, raising risk of silent transmission

A meta-analysis of studies shows that 40% of healthcare workers with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, increasing the risk of silent transmission. Healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 are at risk of severe complications and death, highlighting the need for universal screening.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateSep 22, 2020

Mount Sinai researchers develop COVID-19 mortality prediction model

Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital developed a COVID-19 mortality prediction model based on patient's age, minimum oxygen saturation, and type of encounter. The model showed high accuracy (AUC=0·91) in predicting mortality among patients with COVID-19, offering potential for improved prognostication and management.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·DateSep 22, 2020

Wild birds as offerings to the Egyptian gods

Scientists analyzed geochemical data from mummy remains to determine if they were bred or hunted. The results indicate that the birds were wild and migrating seasonally, suggesting mass hunting and capture. This discovery sheds light on ancient Egyptian practices and their impact on the environment.

SourceCNRS·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 22, 2020

Cities beat suburbs at inspiring cutting-edge innovations

A recent study suggests that population density plays a crucial role in innovation, with cities producing unconventional patents and suburbs producing conventional ones. The research found that large innovative companies tend to perform their research in suburban office parks, while urban cores facilitate interactions between researche...

SourceOhio State University·JournalThe Economic Journal·DateSep 22, 2020

Test, isolate, communicate: Keys to controlling a COVID-19 outbreak in a long-term care facility

A study by West Virginia University found that COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities can be controlled through rapid testing, isolation, and effective communication among staff, residents, and families. Communication played a crucial role in quashing an outbreak at Sundale facility, where only five residents died.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalJournal of Applied Gerontology·DateSep 22, 2020

Fostering 'political' attitude adjustments

Researchers at the University of Missouri developed a narrative writing exercise to encourage people to reduce political polarization. The study found that this exercise can foster different perspectives and create a sense of common identity, reducing angst toward those with opposing views.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Applied Communication Research·DateSep 22, 2020

Thin and ultra-fast photodetector sees the full spectrum

Researchers at RMIT University developed a hyper-efficient broadband photodetector that can see all shades of light, shrinking it by 1,000 times while maintaining speed and low-light sensitivity. The device has potential applications in biomedical imaging, motion detection, and fibre optic communication.

SourceRMIT University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 22, 2020

Divide and enlarge

A research team led by Prof. Dr. Robert Grosse has found that bundled fibers of actin play a crucial role in the expansion of cell nuclei after division. This process is essential for reorganizing genetic information and processing chromatin.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalEMBO Reports·DateSep 22, 2020

Web resources bring new insight into COVID-19

Researchers have developed two new web resources to study the effects of coronavirus infection on host molecular signaling pathways. These resources, freely available through the Signaling Pathways Project and Network Data Exchange, provide valuable information for accelerating the development of novel therapeutic strategies for COVID-19.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalScientific Data·DateSep 22, 2020

Underground connection

Researchers developed the Effective Catchment Index (ECI) to analyze global data sets and determine how topographic and actual catchment areas differ. The study found that every third catchment has an effective area greater than twice or less than half its topographical area, influenced by water management activities.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 22, 2020

Study shows that control of blood sugar levels improved among people with type 1 diabetes who stopped working during lockdown

Among individuals with type 1 diabetes, those who stopped working during lockdown experienced improved blood sugar levels. This improvement was attributed to reduced opportunities for exercise and heightened psychological stress being replaced by a more regular lifestyle and increased focus on diabetes management.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetes Therapy·DateSep 22, 2020

Who's Tweeting about scientific research? And why?

Researchers mined Twitter users' follower descriptions to characterize them in detail and analyze the impact of taxpayer-funded research on academia. The study found that hundreds of papers had audience sectors dominated by conspiracy theorists or science denialists, highlighting the need for scientists to monitor social media engagement.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 22, 2020