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Science News for September 29, 2020


Welsh-medium school pupils underperform in tests despite more advantaged backgrounds

A new study by Lancaster University found that Welsh-medium school pupils consistently score lower than their English-speaking counterparts in standardised tests. Despite attending schools with wealthier families and having more access to resources at home, these pupils still fail to match the academic performance of their peers.

SourceLancaster University·JournalCylchgrawn Addysg Cymru / Wales Journal of Education·DateSep 29, 2020

Generating renewable hydrogen fuel from the sea

A team of Penn State researchers has integrated water purification technology into a sea water electrolyzer, which uses an electric current to split apart the hydrogen and oxygen in water molecules. This new method can make it easier to turn wind and solar energy into a storable and portable fuel.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateSep 29, 2020

Can mobile tech offer new pathways to improve recovery from serious traumatic injuries?

A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing demonstrates the potential of mobile technology in improving recovery from serious traumatic injuries. The research showed that mobile health monitoring was feasible and acceptable for tracking biometric indicators of physical activity and sleep among Black men recovering ...

Forgetting past misdeeds to justify future ones

In a study published in PNAS, researchers found that when participants were informed they could return some of the money they had overreported, they forgot their past cheating behavior more accurately. This 'unethical amnesia' allowed them to restore their reputation, making it more acceptable for future moral breaches.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2020

Facile synthesis of quinoline in water

Quinoline and its derivatives have diverse chemical and pharmacological properties. The new water-mediated synthetic method offers environmentally friendly and regioselective transformations. This innovation provides an alternative route for the synthesis of quinolines, minimizing waste and improving efficiency.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Organic Chemistry·DateSep 29, 2020

Identified the cellular process by which Cisplatin chemotherapy causes neuronal damage

Researchers have identified the cellular process by which Cisplatin chemotherapy causes neuronal damage, revealing that it induces senescence of peripheral neurons through overexpression of the p21 protein. This discovery provides new targets for neuroprotective treatments to alleviate or avoid the adverse effects of Cisplatin.

Noise can put you off your food

A laboratory study replicates common restaurant noise levels and shows that even 'normal' background noise can be unpleasant to diners. The study suggests noise management strategies, including quiet dining areas for older and noise-sensitive individuals, to improve dining experiences.

SourceFlinders University·JournalApplied Acoustics·DateSep 29, 2020

Coming soon to a circuit near you

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have made a breakthrough in harnessing DNA molecules for disease detection and electronics. They developed a highly-reliable method to measure electric currents passing through individual DNA molecules, finding that the current flows along the backbone rather than base-pairs.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 29, 2020

Geoscience: Cosmic diamonds formed during gigantic planetary collisions

An international research team found large diamonds and nanodiamonds in ureilite meteorites, suggesting they formed through massive impact events rather than continuous pressure in planetary precursors. The discovery challenges existing theories and provides insights into the extreme forces that shaped the early solar system.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2020

Washington COVID-19 biorepository expands sample types

The Washington COVID-19 biorepository has expanded its sample types to include convalescent plasma, enabling diagnostics developers to accelerate the development and validation of quality diagnostic products. This move aims to improve the performance of antibody assays and facilitate the verification of tests for global markets.

SourcePATH·DateSep 29, 2020

'I'll sleep when I'm dead': The sleep-deprived masculinity stereotype

A new study reveals that sleeping less is associated with being seen as more masculine and positively judged by society, while women are not subjected to the same effects. The research suggests that this stereotype can have detrimental consequences on mental and physical health, as well as contribute to aggressive behavior.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateSep 29, 2020

Girls benefit from doing sports

A new Canadian study found that girls who participate in school sports activities during middle childhood show improved behaviour and attentiveness in early adolescence. The study, led by Linda Pagani, suggests that extracurricular sports can be a positive approach to promote psychological well-being and reduce ADHD symptoms in girls.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateSep 29, 2020

Preferences for public allocation of vaccine for COVID-19

A survey study explores public preferences for COVID-19 vaccine allocation. The results show that most people prioritize vaccine distribution to high-risk groups, including seniors and individuals with chronic health conditions. This preference is expected to influence healthcare policy decisions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 29, 2020

Brain circuitry shaped by competition for space as well as genetics

A new computer modelling study suggests that simple interactions between nerve cells contribute to the development of complex brain circuits, making a precise genetic blueprint unnecessary. The findings help answer how the brain wires itself during development and may inform new ways to treat conditions that disrupt brain circuits.

SourceeLife·DateSep 29, 2020

Smart cruise control steers drivers toward better decisions

A team of researchers developed a cooperative adaptive cruise control model that uses streaming data to predict the driving states of preceding vehicles, reducing congestion and traffic accidents. The model can be tested using actual connected, autonomous vehicles and could create a safer future for everyone sharing the road.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalTransportation Research Part B Methodological·DateSep 29, 2020

Breast cancer medication risk

A new study published in Frontiers In Oncology found a negative association between beta-blocker use and survival outcomes in patients with HER2 positive advanced breast cancer. The research highlights a subgroup of patients whose survival outcomes are poorer and calls for further investigation to improve treatment outcomes.

SourceFlinders University·JournalFrontiers in Oncology·DateSep 29, 2020

Study identifies shortcomings in FDA evaluations for new opioid drug approvals over two decades

A study found that FDA evaluations for new opioid drugs approved between 1997 and 2018 lacked systematic assessments of safety-related outcomes, particularly for chronic pain applications. The analysis revealed that trials often excluded patients who could not tolerate the drugs and failed to assess important adverse events.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 29, 2020

A cancer shredder

Researchers at University of Würzburg developed a drug that can disarm Aurora-A kinase, a protein that causes extensive damage in cancers like leukemias and neuroblastomas. The new PROTAC substance completely degrades the Aurora protein in cancer cells, leading to cell death.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateSep 29, 2020

New mechanism for anti-infection effects of dietary fiber

Researchers found that dietary fiber-derived fatty acids activate macrophage activity against Salmonella infection by binding to apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), triggering inflammasome activation. This new mechanism provides insights into the effects of dietary fiber on the immune system.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 29, 2020

Inflammatory gene provides clue to obesity risk

A study from the University of Queensland found that a gene controlling inflammation increases the risk of obesity. Researchers discovered that variations in this gene lead to excessive inflammation in fat tissue, contributing to weight gain. By turning off the gene in mice, they were able to prevent weight gain and reduce diabetes risk

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Metabolism·DateSep 29, 2020

Lessons from a cooling climate

A team of researchers has applied their model to the emergence of Southeast Asia, finding that volcanic rock provinces in the tropics are a major factor in determining CO2 levels. This discovery sheds light on our current climate crisis and provides insights into how geological processes can help mitigate its effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2020

Achieving clean air for all is possible

A new study shows that clean air is achievable globally with policy interventions in multiple sectors, including environmental policies, energy and climate policies, and agricultural production system transformation. The required measures would also contribute to sustainable development and human development goals.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateSep 29, 2020