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Science News for September 3, 2020


Natural pest control saving billions

Research by University of Queensland-led team finds biological control techniques saving farmers $20.1 billion to $26.8 billion annually in Asia-Pacific region. Biological control helps regulate invasive pest threats, particularly in key crops like banana, breadfruit and coconut.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateSep 3, 2020

Helping teens with type 1 diabetes improve diabetes control with MyDiaText

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that a text messaging intervention combined with MyDiaText improved self-care for adolescents with T1DM. The study showed persistent engagement and potential increase in glycemic control, suggesting a promising method to engage this population.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of Diabetes Science and Technology·DateSep 3, 2020

A spicy silver lining

Researchers developed a simple, low-cost method to synthesize silver nanoparticles using habanero peppers. The process utilizes the antioxidant properties of the peppers to reduce silver ions, resulting in stable nanoparticles with potential applications in optics, biosensing, and antimicrobial coatings.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Nanophotonics·DateSep 3, 2020

Comprehensive look at US fuel economy standards show big savings on fuel and emissions

The US fuel economy standards have been effective in reducing reliance on foreign oil and greenhouse gas emissions, saving consumers $5 trillion in fuel costs. The standards also prevented 14 billion metric tons of carbon from being released into the atmosphere, equivalent to eliminating all US emissions for nearly three years.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalEnergy Policy·DateSep 3, 2020

To make a better sensor, just add noise

Penn State researchers discovered that adding background noise can enhance weak signals in manmade sensors, a phenomenon common in the animal world. This technique, known as stochastic resonance, can be used to detect other signals with low energy consumption and space requirements, making it suitable for deployment in IoT applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 3, 2020

High levels of toxic flame retardant chemicals found in dust inside college classrooms

Researchers found high levels of toxic flame retardants in college classroom dust, with outdated furniture showing significantly lower levels. The study highlights the need to reduce harmful exposures and create healthier indoor environments, especially in institutions like colleges, offices, libraries, and hospitals.

SourceSilent Spring Institute·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateSep 3, 2020

When doing good boosts health, well-being

Research by the American Psychological Association found that performing acts of kindness and helping others can improve one's mental and physical health. The study, which analyzed 201 independent studies, showed a modest link between prosocial behavior and overall well-being, with younger givers and women reporting stronger relationsh...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateSep 3, 2020

Discovery of unconventional hall effect

A team of scientists has found a new Hall effect phenomenon in non-magnetic materials, revealing an intrinsic in-plane response that defies classical expectations. The observed effect is attributed to the interplay between Berry curvature and Weyl semimetal properties.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateSep 3, 2020

The circumstellar disk in the triple-star system GW-Orionis is shaped by disk tearing

A new observational study reveals that the GW-Orionis triple-star system's disk is misaligned due to disk tearing, which could lead to planetary systems with oblique or retrograde orbits. The study provides a three-dimensional model and simulation of the system, reproducing its highly deformed disk and misaligned rings.

Minimally invasive ellipsys system allows kidney patients to begin dialysis sooner

A new study shows that the Ellipsys Vascular Access System reduces the time before patients with kidney failure can start lifesaving dialysis treatments, while requiring fewer secondary procedures. The technology uses a small needle puncture and catheter to create an endovascular AVF, reducing the average time from fistula creation to ...

SourceDowling & Dennis PR·JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology·DateSep 3, 2020

Autonomous robot plays with NanoLEGO

Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence system that autonomously learns how to grip and move individual molecules, overcoming the complexity of nanoscale manipulation. The system uses reinforcement learning to find optimal movement patterns, enabling targeted assembly and separation of molecules.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 3, 2020

Old males vital to elephant societies

Research suggests that older bull elephants hold leading positions in male elephant societies, helping younger followers find food and water. The study's findings raise concerns over the removal of old bulls in both legal and illegal hunting practices.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 3, 2020

Seeing progress

Scientists have created a model that replicates the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease with no current treatment. By understanding how RPE cells respond to stress and changes in gene expression, researchers can now test potential therapeutics for dry AMD.

Study in half a million adults with overweight or obesity suggests benefit of weight loss on serious health problems

A study of over 550,000 adults in the UK found that losing an average of 13% of body weight reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 42%-44%, sleep apnoea by 22%-27%, high blood pressure by 18%-25%, and dyslipidaemia by 20-22%. The study suggests that intentional weight loss can markedly reduce disease risk in people with obes...

New understanding of electrolyte additives will improve dye-sensitised solar cells

Dye-sensitised solar cells can perform more consistently in low-light conditions thanks to improved understanding of electrolyte additives. Researchers have found that certain molecules, such as 4-tert-butylpyridine and 1-methyl-benzimidazole, are crucial to suppressing recombination losses and maximizing efficiency.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateSep 3, 2020

Attacking tumors from the inside

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered two experimental drugs that can suppress the growth and spread of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by affecting its blood vessels, oxygen levels, and other environmental factors. The findings highlight the potential of these drugs for NSCLC treatment.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCancer Research·DateSep 3, 2020

The Lancet: Many countries falling behind on global commitments to tackling premature deaths from chronic diseases, such as diabetes, lung cancer and heart disease

The Lancet report highlights that many countries are falling behind on their commitments to reduce premature deaths from chronic diseases. Despite a decline in death rates from some diseases over the past decade, others such as diabetes and lung cancer are not showing sufficient progress. The report warns that if current trends continu...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 3, 2020

Start here to make a protein

The structure of the mRNA initiation complex provides new insights into cancer and disease processes. The discovery proposes a model for how mRNA is pulled through the ribosome for scanning, revealing that start codons need to be sufficiently far from the front end of the mRNA.

Battery-free Game Boy runs forever

Researchers at Northwestern University and TU Delft have developed a battery-free, energy-harvesting Game Boy that can play games from original cartridges, reducing the need for batteries. The device harnesses energy from solar panels and user button presses to enable indefinite gameplay.

ERC Starting Grant for Sara Buson

Sara Buson aims to confirm blazars as the most important extragalactic neutrino sources, revolutionizing our understanding of blazar astrophysics. She will analyze a large sample of observations and physical data to establish a new framework for multimessenger studies.

Quantum leap for speed limit bounds

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for calculating the upper bound of speed limits in quantum matter, which produces more accurate results in some cases. This breakthrough could lead to improved understanding of quantum computing and materials science, as well as more precise numerical algorithms.

SourceRice University·JournalPRX Quantum·DateSep 3, 2020