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Science News for September 4, 2020


Images of captive torment in art

A study of WWII art made by prisoners of war in Australian and New Zealand internment camps uncovers surprising quality and artistic confidence among the works. The artworks, created between 1942 and 1945, depict alluring female figures and cultural symbols, providing insight into the lives of ethnic and part-Japanese detainees.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Art·DateSep 4, 2020

Relief for people who struggle with CPAP masks

A new surgical trial found excellent outcomes for patients with obstructive sleep apnea who couldn't use CPAP masks, with significant reductions in night-time apnoea events and improvements in daytime sleepiness. The procedure combines palate surgery with a low-risk tongue procedure to create an improved airway.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJAMA·DateSep 4, 2020

Squaring the circle -- Breaking the symmetry of a sphere to control the polarization of light

Scientists at Tokyo Tech and ICFO develop a method to generate circularly polarized light from a sphere by breaking its symmetry through electron beam excitation. This enables the precise control of phase and polarization, paving the way for novel quantum communication and encryption technologies. The approach has been experimentally v...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 4, 2020

Electric current is manipulated by light in an organic superconductor

Scientists have successfully moved electrons in an organic superconductor by irradiation of ultrashort laser pulses, generating a polarized net current. The observed effect is attributed to scattering-free current, sensitive to superconducting fluctuations, with potential applications in ultra-fast computing and understanding microscop...

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 4, 2020

Autophagy: the beginning of the end

Researchers have identified Atg9 vesicles as a platform for assembling the autophagy machinery to build autophagosomes. The biogenesis of autophagosomes involves numerous proteins, and isolating 21 components has enabled scientists to rebuild parts of the machinery in a controlled manner.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience·DateSep 4, 2020

Running on fumes

A hospitalist reflects on his emotional struggle as he transitions from a COVID-19 pandemic high to a state of burnout and exhaustion. He shares his personal story of feeling overwhelmed and undervalued as healthcare workers face increasing demands.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateSep 4, 2020

Nanoearthquakes control spin centers in SiC

Researchers have demonstrated the use of elastic vibrations to manipulate the spin states of optically active color centers in SiC at room temperature. The findings show a non-trivial dependence on the spin quantization direction, enabling chiral spin-acoustic resonances and full control of spin states without external microwave fields.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 4, 2020

2020 Virtual National Health Research Forum

The 2020 Virtual National Health Research Forum featured discussions on vaccine development, with experts discussing the progress made in developing COVID-19 vaccines. The forum also touched on the importance of diversity and inclusiveness in scientific research and its impact on health equity.

Apps and social distancing: Why we accept corona rules - or not

A study by Professor Kai Kaspar found that people's motivation to socially distance increases with the severity of their perceived infection. Motivation to use corona apps also depends on trust in official providers and confidence in data handling, with users more likely to report higher motivation when they believe apps will help prev...

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateSep 4, 2020

How screen time and green time may affect youth psychological outcomes

A systematic scoping review of 186 studies found that high levels of screen time are linked to unfavorable psychological outcomes, while green time is associated with favorable outcomes among children and adolescents. Young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds may be disproportionately affected by high screen time and low green time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 4, 2020

Ocean carbon uptake widely underestimated

A new study finds the world's oceans soak up significantly more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than previous estimates, with a net flux up to twice as much in certain times and locations. This accounts for approximately 10% of global fossil fuel emissions.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 4, 2020

Uncovering the genetics behind heart attacks that surprise young, healthy women

A genome-wide association study identified specific genetic regions associated with SCAD, which also predict the risk of SCAD among individuals with fibromuscular dysplasia. The findings suggest a shared genetic basis for migraine headache and SCAD, highlighting the need for further research into its clinical implications.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 4, 2020

Common cold combats influenza

A study by Yale researchers found that rhinovirus, the common cold virus, can prevent influenza virus from infecting airways by triggering antiviral defenses. This finding helps explain why there was no surge in swine flu cases in Europe during a similar period when the common cold became widespread.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·DateSep 4, 2020

Surprise on Mars

Researchers detected a slight tilt in the seismometer's signal during solar eclipses, likely due to ground cooling and deformation. This effect could be used to map Phobos' orbit with increased precision, important for future missions to the Martian moon.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 4, 2020

Blood breakdown product commandeers important enzyme

The study found that heme can be commandeered by activated protein C (APC), which can reduce the toxic effect of heme while also reducing the risk of clot formation in the bloodstream. This interaction may provide new insights into blood coagulation disorders and hemolytic diseases.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAntioxidants and Redox Signaling·DateSep 4, 2020