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Science News for September 9, 2020


Seeing objects through clouds and fog

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a system that can reconstruct three-dimensional hidden scenes based on the movement of individual particles of light. This technique complements other vision systems and is more focused on large-scale situations, such as navigating self-driving cars in fog or heavy rain.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 9, 2020

Sampling the gut microbiome with an ingestible pill

Scientists have created an ingestible capsule that captures bacteria and biological samples from the gut while passing through the gastrointestinal tract. The device, which doesn't cause inflammation or toxicity, can be triggered over a range of pH to deliver biologics, providing insight into associated GI disease progression.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 9, 2020

University of Illinois awarded $4.5 million to develop commercial carbon credit tools

The University of Illinois has been awarded $4.5 million to develop a commercial solution called SYMFONI, which enables accurate and rapid field-level quantification of carbon intensity at a regional scale. This technology will facilitate the adoption of new technologies to increase feedstock productivity and reduce carbon footprint in...

National parks preserve more than species

Researchers analyzed over 4,200 camera trap photos in Costa Rica's Braulio Carrillo National Park, finding that trait diversity within the park did not decline despite deforestation. The study suggests national parks can be more resilient than expected, particularly in terms of functional redundancy.

SourceRice University·JournalBiotropica·DateSep 9, 2020

Development of photovoltaics that can be applied like paint for real-life application

Researchers at KIST have developed high-efficiency large-area organic photovoltaics by controlling solvent evaporation rates, achieving 30% higher power conversion efficiency than existing photovoltaics. This breakthrough enables the creation of practical solar cell technology for future energy self-sufficiency and eco-friendly energy ...

Cultivating Black chemists

HBCUs graduate more successful Black chemists than other schools due to their supportive faculty, rigorous curriculum, and diverse environment. However, HBCUs face limitations in funding and faculty burden, which can impact publication and collaboration.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateSep 9, 2020

Nature as a model: Researchers develop novel anti-inflammatory substance

A research group at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg has developed a method to produce controlled-quality phospholipid-based substances that can reduce inflammation without triggering an immune response. These natural compounds have shown promise in treating conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, and infarcts.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences·DateSep 9, 2020

Refined finish for fine fish oil

Researchers developed a superior method to produce high-quality dietary Omega-3 health supplements using vortex fluidic device processing. The process enriches Omega-3 fatty acid content without changing sensory values, improving shelf life and purity.

The Lancet Global Health: Modelling study estimates health-care cost of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries at US$52 billion every four weeks

A modelling study estimates that the COVID-19 response in low- and middle-income countries costs around $52 billion over four weeks, with increased transmission scenarios leading to higher costs. The study highlights the importance of investing in pandemic preparedness to reduce virus transmission and contain costs.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateSep 9, 2020

A new study of ocean salinity finds substantial amplification of the global water cycle

A new study has found substantial amplification of the global water cycle, with increased evaporation and precipitation rates, due to changes in ocean salinity. This change is largely driven by human influence and has significant implications for future climate, including more extreme weather events and droughts.

Feline leukaemia virus infection: A clinical and epidemiological enigma

The article reviews recent insights into feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection pathogenesis using molecular techniques. It explains the various outcomes of FeLV infection, including progressive, regressive, focal, and abortive infections, highlighting the importance of understanding the cat's immune response and the virus.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·DateSep 9, 2020

The birth of a male sex chromosome in Atlantic herring

Researchers at Uppsala University have reconstructed the birth of a male sex chromosome in Atlantic herring, identifying a tiny region with only three genes. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of sex determination and provides insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying sex-based traits.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2020

During the pandemic, online lecture series helps fill gaps in training for urology residents

During the pandemic, an online urology lecture series has provided invaluable training opportunities for resident physicians, with thousands of views and overwhelmingly positive reviews. The multi-institutional collaboration, Urology COViD, has been a smashing success, offering a sense of community connectedness during social isolation.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalUrology Practice·DateSep 9, 2020

UC Davis researchers find a way to help stem cells work for the heart

Researchers at UC Davis Health have made a breakthrough in using stem cell treatments for heart disease. By blocking an enzyme linked with inflammation, they were able to increase the survival of transplanted stem cells and improve cardiac function. This discovery could lead to a cellular-based treatment for heart failure.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateSep 9, 2020

Wild cousins may help crops battle climate change

Researchers tested using wild crop relatives in breeding programs to improve crop resilience. The results showed that these relatives provided increased resistance to heat, drought, and some diseases, making them a promising approach to address climate change adaptation. However, breeders must also consider the potential impact on indu...

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateSep 9, 2020

Malnutrition among a hunter-gatherer group

A San group in Namibia faces malnutrition due to a dysfunctional local food system, with no agency over food sources and limited access to traditional foods. The researchers recommend context-specific solutions, including eliminating movement restrictions and supporting traditional foodways to supplement diets with key nutritional groups.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalAppetite·DateSep 9, 2020

Feeling misunderstood boosts support for Brexit

A new study by University of Exeter researchers found that feeling misunderstood by other groups significantly increases support for Brexit and other separatist movements. The research also revealed a unique link between 'felt understanding' and trust, with those who feel understood being more likely to trust and forgive others.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateSep 9, 2020

Baboon matriarchs enjoy less stress

A Duke University-led study found that alpha female baboons have significantly lower levels of glucocorticoids, hormones produced in response to stress. The researchers discovered that higher-ranking females get preferential treatment, leading to faster-growing babies and increased survival rates.

SourceDuke University·JournalHormones and Behavior·DateSep 9, 2020

Urbanization and agriculture are land uses that most affect Brazil's rivers

A nationwide survey of land use impacts on water quality in Brazil reveals that agriculture and urbanization are the main culprits behind river pollution. The study found that degradation varies according to scale or dimension used to evaluate it, and that catchment analysis appears to best reflect overall water quality.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·DateSep 9, 2020

Adolescent girls at risk for self-injury can be identified using a short psychological profile

A study identified three key factors that predict the first occurrence of nonsuicidal self-harm in adolescent girls: low conscientiousness, high avoidance, and parental substance abuse history. These psychological vulnerabilities were found to distinguish girls who initiated self-harm from those who did not.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateSep 9, 2020

Failure to calibrate for ethnicity in fracture epidemiology would do more harm than good

The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) is widely used to predict major osteoporotic fractures, but experts warn that failing to calibrate for ethnicity could lead to large errors in fracture risk assessment. Ethnicity-specific models have been calibrated for specific populations, and their inclusion is crucial for accurate stratifica...

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateSep 9, 2020

Bat tick found for the first time in New Jersey

A new species of 'soft' tick associated with bats has been reported in New Jersey, raising concerns about public health risks. The tick, Carios kelleyi, was found on big brown bat larvae in Mercer and Sussex counties, highlighting the need for further research into its disease-carrying potential.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateSep 9, 2020

New drug could improve life expectancy and quality for pancreatic cancer patients

A new drug developed by University of Sheffield researchers could block signals from a hormone that helps cancer cells grow and spread, potentially improving life expectancy and quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients. The compound targets a specific receptor in cancer cells without affecting vital bodily processes.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalACS Pharmacology & Translational Science·DateSep 9, 2020

Muscle aging: Stronger for longer

Researchers discovered that rapamycin preserves muscle function by stabilizing neuromuscular junctions, a key factor in maintaining healthy muscles during aging. A molecular signature of sarcopenia was also identified, highlighting mTORC1 as the primary contributor to age-related muscle wasting.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 9, 2020

Adding stem cells to educational intervention can significantly help kids with autism

A clinical trial indicates that a combination of stem cell therapy and educational intervention can significantly improve social communication, language, and daily skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study found positive changes in various aspects after stem cell transplantation combined with educational interve...

SourceAlphaMed Press·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateSep 9, 2020

New ultrafast yellow laser poised to benefit biomedical applications

Researchers created a compact and ultrafast high-power yellow laser with excellent beam quality, filling the need for practical yellow light source emitting ultrafast pulses. The laser's wavelength range is highly absorbed by hemoglobin in blood, making it useful for medical treatments, dermatology, and eye surgery.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateSep 9, 2020

A new kind of liquid scintillator via hybridizing perovskite nanocrystals with organic molecules

Researchers have created a new kind of liquid scintillator by combining perovskite nanocrystals with organic molecules, enabling efficient X-ray detection and high-resolution imaging. The hybrid material outperforms conventional scintillators in terms of quantum yield and scintillation decay time.

Brain stimulation reduces dyslexia deficits

Researchers from Université de Genève demonstrate a causal relationship between brain oscillations at 30 Hz and phoneme processing essential for reading. Non-invasive brain electrical stimulation improves phonological deficits and reading accuracy in adults with dyslexia, paving the way for targeted non-invasive therapeutic interventions.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 9, 2020

Quantum shake

Researchers use Poincaré sections to simplify chaotic behavior, revealing underlying symmetry and structure. This insight enables a deeper understanding of quantum chaos and potential links between classical and quantum physics.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateSep 9, 2020

Targeting 'cost-effective zones' to protect global biodiversity could help balance conservation goals and political priorities

A meta-analysis identified seven countries with high biodiversity risk, including the US, which has a large unprotected area with significant species diversity. Targeting 'cost-effective zones' could help balance conservation goals with economic priorities, potentially expanding protected areas globally.

Common diabetes drug reverses inflammation in the liver

Researchers at Salk Institute discover that metformin's anti-inflammatory effects require communication between AMPK and mTORC1. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of metformin's action and reveals its potential as a treatment for inflammatory diseases, including liver inflammation.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalGenes & Development·DateSep 9, 2020