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Science News Archive September 2020 - Page 16


Page 16 of 49

Fungi in a warmer world

A $1m research project will examine fossilised fungi from 15-17 million years ago to forecast the impact of predicted rises in current global temperature on present day species. The study aims to understand how fungi respond to past warm climates, which could provide valuable information for adapting to climate change.

Wels catfish genome assembled

A research team has successfully sequenced and assembled the Wels catfish genome, which is expected to reveal insights into its remarkable growth rate, appetite, and lifespan. The study's findings will help address bottlenecks in aquaculture and conservation of wild populations.

Exercise hormone may modulate genes associated with replication of novel coronavirus

Researchers found that irisin altered the expression of genes regulating ACE-2, a key protein in viral entry. Irisin also tripled levels of TRIB3 transcription, which has been linked to lower replication of SARS-CoV-2. The study suggests irisin's therapeutic potential for COVID-19 treatment.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMolecular and Cellular Endocrinology·DateSep 22, 2020

Is rheumatoid arthritis two different diseases?

A new study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without autoantibodies have distinct conditions. Longitudinal data from 1,285 RA patients showed improved disease activity but varying long-term outcomes depending on autoantibody status.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 22, 2020

Small increase in risk of autism seen for pre- and post-term births

A study of over 3.5 million Nordic children found a slight increase in autism risk for each week of gestation before or after 40 weeks, regardless of sex or birth weight. The relative risk was highest for children born at 22-31 weeks and lowest for those born post-term (after 42 weeks), with an overall low ASD incidence of 1.44%.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 22, 2020

Engineers pre-train AI computers to make them even more powerful

Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology engineers developed an approach to overcome the initial trial-and-error phase of reinforcement learning. This allows computers to quickly find the right path without extreme fluctuations, slashing energy use by over 20% in complex systems.

SourceSwiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology - CSEM·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·DateSep 22, 2020

Under (intraocular) pressure

A team of Pitt professors has received a $1 million NSF grant to create an at-home glaucoma monitoring device that uses acoustic waves to measure intraocular pressure. The project aims to enable patients and non-clinicians to reliably assess IOP, allowing doctors to tailor treatments more effectively.

Water trapped in star dust

A research team from Friedrich Schiller University Jena has proven that dust particles and ice are mixed in the interstellar medium. This finding suggests complex organic molecules may be present on dust particles, which can contribute to planetary formation. The study also reveals a hidden reservoir of oxygen in solid-state water.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 22, 2020

Herd immunity an impractical strategy, study finds

A new model developed by University of Georgia scientists found that achieving herd immunity through mitigation is unlikely without constant adjustments in lockdown measures. The suppression strategy offers a more feasible approach, predicting fewer fatalities with self-isolation engagement and social distancing measures.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2020

Seismic data explains continental collision beneath Tibet

New seismic data gathered by Stanford University researchers provides the first west-to-east view of the subsurface where India and Asia collide. The study suggests two competing processes are operating beneath the collision zone: movement of one tectonic plate under another, as well as thinning and collapse of the crust.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2020

Stanford researchers combine CAT scans and advanced computing to fight wildfires

Using advanced X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) to study smoldering, Stanford researchers developed a new analysis method that provides three-dimensional images of wood structures. Their computer model can predict where wildfires might strike next and allocate resources more efficiently, saving lives and reducing property loss.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the Combustion Institute·DateSep 22, 2020

Reading in company boosts creativity

Researchers found that reading in company favors a more creative and integrated understanding of language, whereas solo reading is more detailed and systematic. This study highlights the importance of social interaction in language comprehension and suggests that it can be beneficial for both education and professional settings.

Making raw data more usable

A team of researchers, led by Gautam Das at the University of Texas at Arlington, is working on a human-in-the-loop framework to optimize the data science pipeline. This approach involves humans adding context to datasets, which can help computers determine what information is relevant, making the process faster and less labor-intensive.

Study shows that 40% of healthcare workers asymptomatic when COVID-19 positive, raising risk of silent transmission

A meta-analysis of studies shows that 40% of healthcare workers with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, increasing the risk of silent transmission. Healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 are at risk of severe complications and death, highlighting the need for universal screening.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateSep 22, 2020

Mount Sinai researchers develop COVID-19 mortality prediction model

Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital developed a COVID-19 mortality prediction model based on patient's age, minimum oxygen saturation, and type of encounter. The model showed high accuracy (AUC=0·91) in predicting mortality among patients with COVID-19, offering potential for improved prognostication and management.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·DateSep 22, 2020