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Science News for September 28, 2020


Roboticizing fabrics

Scientists created a new type of fabric that can change shape and support loads, using heat-responsive alloy, stiff composite fibers, and conductive ink. The robotic fabric was used to make a tourniquet and napkin-sized sheet that can fold into a box supporting up to 50g of weight.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 28, 2020

Sleep challenges during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant disruptions in children's sleep schedules. Experts from the University of Florida College of Medicine have identified key strategies for parents to help their children adjust to new routines.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateSep 28, 2020

Researchers identify 'druggable' signaling pathway that stimulates lung tissue repair

A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers has identified a cellular pathway that can be targeted with a naturally occurring drug to stimulate lung tissue regeneration. The findings could lead to better therapies for patients with lung diseases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateSep 28, 2020

Effect of time-restricted eating on weight loss

A randomized clinical trial found that restricting daily eating to between 12 pm and 8 pm resulted in significant weight loss among participants. The study also showed improvements in metabolic markers, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateSep 28, 2020

Fine-tuning stem cell metabolism prevents hair loss

Researchers discover that hair follicle stem cells can prolong their life by switching metabolic state in response to low oxygen concentration, preventing age-induced hair loss. The team identified Rictor signaling as crucial for this process, which involves a shift from glutamine metabolism to glycolysis.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalCell Metabolism·DateSep 28, 2020

AI learns to trace neuronal pathways

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have developed an AI tool that can efficiently recognize neurons in microscope images, significantly improving the accuracy of automated tracing and analysis. This breakthrough aims to untangle the mysteries of brain connectivity and enable humans to think about how brains work.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateSep 28, 2020

Memory training for the immune system

Scientists discovered a key transcription factor regulating T cell survival and immunological memory. Overexpressing this factor in CAR-T cells improved therapy efficiency for cancer treatments. Improved therapies could benefit patients with B cell lymphoma and other diseases.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Immunology·DateSep 28, 2020

Understanding ghost particle interactions

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory develop nuclear physics model to study neutrino interactions, shedding light on why neutrinos change flavors during space or matter travel. The team's findings are crucial for understanding the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance and fundamental questions about its origins.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review X·DateSep 28, 2020

Helium, a little atom for big physics

Researchers have developed methods to calculate the QED correction of helium to the 7th power series, which are the most accurate results to date. Precision measurements of helium atoms also have a broad impact on various important studies, including determining the radius of helium nuclei and calculating polarizability.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateSep 28, 2020

Sentinels of ocean acidification impacts survived Earth's last mass extinction

Research reveals that two groups of marine organisms, sea butterflies and sea angels, have survived dramatic global climate change and Earth's most recent mass extinction event. The study found that these pteropods evolved in the early Cretaceous period and likely survived previous episodes of ocean acidification.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 28, 2020

Earthquake lightning: Mysterious luminescence phenomena

Researchers investigated luminescence caused by landslides and found different rocks emit light due to unique reasons, with granite exhibiting remarkable photoemission. The study uses ultra-sensitive cameras and spectroscopes to analyze the phenomenon, which could lead to advancements in earthquake prediction and disaster prevention.

Antacid monotherapy more effective in relieving epigastric pain than in combination with lidocain

A double-blind, randomized clinical trial found antacid monotherapy to be the most palatable solution and had fewer side effects compared to antacid/lidocaine combinations. Antacid monotherapy was also found to be equally efficacious in relieving epigastric pain as lidocaine/antacid combination therapy.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateSep 28, 2020

Wound-healing waves

Cells utilize long-distance traveling waves in a self-organized manner to close wounds, guided by intricate interplay of cell movement, sensing, and protein activation. This coupled system enables robust communication of direction over large distances, promoting coordinated behavior for healing and growth.

NIH-funded study sheds light on abnormal neural function in rare genetic disorder

A NIH-funded study identified neuronal abnormalities in cortical cells from individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a genetic disorder associated with mental illnesses and developmental delays. The study suggests that overexpression of the DGCR8 gene and exposure to certain antipsychotic drugs can restore normal cellular functioning.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature Medicine·DateSep 28, 2020

New extreme ultraviolet facility opens for use

The new extreme ultraviolet facility allows for investigation of time-dependent phenomena and reveals details of biological or physical samples with unprecedented clarity. It offers ultrashort pulses with high frequencies, useful for probing fast phenomena and investigating the structure and chemical properties of matter.

Study finds older persons underrepresented in COVID-19 treatment and vaccine trials

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that older persons are highly likely to be excluded from COVID-19 clinical trials, despite accounting for 30-40% of cases and 80% of deaths globally. The exclusion poses a risk to the effectiveness and safety of treatments for older adults.

Painting a clearer picture of COVID-19

A team of researchers at MU, including an 8th grader and an undergraduate student, identified 3 specific mutations in the COVID-19 virus that may be contributing to its high infectivity in the US. The findings suggest a clearer picture of co-evolving mutations inside the virus.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology·DateSep 28, 2020

Recording thousands of nerve cell impulses at high resolution

Researchers developed a new generation of microelectrode-array chips that can record electrical activity from up to 20,000 nerve cells simultaneously. The new chip enables comprehensive measurements of more than 1,000 cells at once, suitable for testing the effects of drugs and reducing animal experiments.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 28, 2020

In-hospital cardiac arrest in COVID-19

A case series examines outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest among COVID-19 patients, highlighting the severity of the condition. The study reveals that in-hospital cardiac arrest is a rare but life-threatening complication of COVID-19, requiring prompt medical attention.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateSep 28, 2020

New study shows converting to electric vehicles alone won't meet climate targets

A new study published in Nature Climate Change estimates that meeting UN climate targets would require up to 90% of US passenger vehicles to be electric by 2050. The researchers found that a fleet of 350 million EVs would increase electricity demand by 41%, posing significant technological and infrastructure challenges.

Quantum vortex study recognized as finalists for prestigious Eureka Prize

The Australian Quantum Vortex team has been named a finalist in the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes for their groundbreaking study on turbulence. The team's use of laser technologies to observe quantum origins of turbulence has provided new insights into the behavior of vortices, which influence global weather and flight patterns.

CNIC design an algorithm for personalized cardiovascular risk estimation in healthy people

Scientists at CNIC designed an algorithm that estimates cardiovascular risk in healthy middle-aged individuals based on variables like age, blood pressure, diet, and biomarkers. The EN-PESA algorithm provides a personalized risk profile for those with subclinical atherosclerosis or high short-term disease progression risk.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 28, 2020

How important is sex to women as they age?

A significant percentage of women continue to value sex throughout midlife, with factors like ethnicity, health, and depression symptoms affecting their interest. The study identified three distinct trajectories in importance of sex with aging, with black women and those with higher education maintaining high levels of importance.

The Arctic is burning in a whole new way

The Arctic wildfire season is changing, with widespread wildfires burning earlier and farther north. Zombie fires, where fires smolder in peat underground, are a new feature of recent Arctic fires. The consequences for the global climate could be significant, including rapid thawing of permafrost and release of greenhouse gases.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 28, 2020

Anti-convulsant drug can modify DNA conformation and interact with chromosome proteins

Researchers from UNICAMP found that valproic acid can modify DNA conformation and interact with chromosome proteins. The compound causes changes in the conformation of histones H1 and H3, as well as DNA superstructure and molecular order. This discovery paves the way for novel pharmaceutical research.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Biological Macromolecules·DateSep 28, 2020

Surgical quality and safety rely on institutional leadership, resources, and culture

Key findings from a comprehensive literature review highlight the importance of top-down commitment to quality, mid-level leadership, and committee structure in achieving high-quality surgical outcomes. The study supports the ACS Quality Verification Program's Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality framework.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateSep 28, 2020

Disastrous duo: Heatwaves and droughts

A new study by McGill University researchers finds that combined dry and hot events are increasing in frequency and size, causing widespread damage. The study suggests that climate change is driving these extremes, which can be particularly devastating for agriculture and ecosystems.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 28, 2020