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Science News Archive September 2020 - Page 5


Page 5 of 49

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

Roboticizing fabrics

Scientists created a new type of fabric that can change shape and support loads, using heat-responsive alloy, stiff composite fibers, and conductive ink. The robotic fabric was used to make a tourniquet and napkin-sized sheet that can fold into a box supporting up to 50g of weight.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 28, 2020