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Science News for April 12, 2021


Prenatal opioid exposure, risk of infant death

Researchers investigated prenatal opioid exposure and its impact on infant mortality, discovering a significant association between the two. Infants exposed to opioids in utero are at higher risk of death, with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome also increasing mortality rates.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 12, 2021

Spanking may affect the brain development of a child

A new study by Harvard researchers found that spanking can alter a child's neural responses to their environment, similar to experiencing more severe forms of violence. The study, published in the journal Child Development, analyzed brain activity in children who were spanked and compared it to those who were not.

SourceHarvard University·JournalChild Development·DateApr 12, 2021

Early cannabis use linked to heart disease

A recent University of Guelph study found that early cannabis use may be linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease. The research, which analyzed data from 35 young subjects aged 19-30, revealed subtle but potentially important changes in heart and artery function among cannabis users.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateApr 12, 2021

Paying for whose performance? Teacher incentive pay and the black-white test score gap

A study found that teacher incentive pay programs in North Carolina expanded the test score gap between Black and White students, with gains smaller for Black students. The programs aimed to increase teaching effectiveness in high-need schools but had little impact on average student achievement overall.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateApr 12, 2021

CNIC researchers explain how high blood pressure, the most important cause of disease worldwide, acc

Researchers found that high blood pressure alters artery structure, facilitating atherosclerosis development and increasing accumulation of LDL cholesterol in human-like arteries. Keeping both LDL cholesterol and blood pressure low is crucial for preventing atherosclerosis.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 12, 2021

E-cigarettes with a cigarette-like level of nicotine are effective in reducing smoking

A new study led by VCU researchers found that e-cigarettes delivering a high amount of nicotine are effective in reducing smoking and exposure to NNAL, a major pulmonary carcinogen. The study suggests that when e-cigarettes deliver nicotine effectively, smokers have greater success in quitting or reducing their smoking habit.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateApr 12, 2021

Spotting cows from space

A team of researchers used satellite imagery to study the interactions between cows and elk at the interface of wildland and rangeland. Their findings suggest that elk have acclimated to cattle by avoiding cow pastures and selecting separate foraging sites, reducing potential grazing conflicts.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalBiological Conservation·DateApr 12, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked with six unhealthy eating behaviors

A new study by the University of Minnesota Medical School and School of Public Health found correlations between COVID-19 and six unhealthy eating behaviors, including extreme weight control and binge eating. The study highlights the need for affordable and accessible interventions to prevent and treat eating disorders, particularly am...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalJournal of Eating Disorders·DateApr 12, 2021

More than the sum of mutations

A new algorithm can predict which genes cause cancer without DNA sequence changes. Researchers have identified 165 previously unknown cancer genes using machine learning technology, interacting closely with well-known cancer genes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateApr 12, 2021

Researchers identify surface protein as a new osteosarcoma therapeutic target for antibody-drug conjugates

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a new surface protein, MT1-MMP, as a promising therapeutic target for osteosarcoma. The protein is highly expressed on the surface of osteosarcoma cells but not in normal human tissues, making it an attractive target for antibody-drug conjugate therapy.

The indestructible light beam

Researchers at Utrecht University and TU Wien have developed special light waves that can bypass scattering in complex media, enabling precise imaging of objects. This breakthrough could revolutionize biological experiments, such as studying cells, by controlling light distribution inside tissues.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 12, 2021

Common approach to diversity in higher education reflects preferences of white Americans

A study by Princeton researchers found that universities adopting an 'instrumental rationale' for diversity, emphasizing benefits for all students, reflect the preferences of predominantly white Americans. This approach is associated with lower graduation rates and poorer outcomes for Black students.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2021

Study identifies specific antioxidants that may reduce oncogenic HPV infection in women

A study found that adequate levels of five antioxidants may reduce infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strains associated with cervical cancer. Lower levels of serum albumin and four dietary antioxidants were linked to a higher risk of HPV infection, suggesting a potential nutritional strategy for prevention.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateApr 12, 2021

To combat gum disease, help oral bacteria evolve

A study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that exercise can alter the oral environment, favoring less harmful bacteria in people with NAFLD and gum disease. This shift may help reduce inflammation and improve overall health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateApr 12, 2021

Efficient generations of complex vectorial optical fields with metasurfaces

Scientists develop a generic approach to generate arbitrary vectorial optical fields (VOFs) using metasurfaces, offering improved efficiency and control over polarization. They experimentally demonstrate the generation of VOFs in both far-field and near-field regimes with tailored wave fronts and inhomogeneous polarization distributions.

Living foams

A team of researchers has developed a computational framework that captures cell interactions and their impact on embryonic tissue dynamics. They found that dynamic forces and tension fluctuations are responsible for the fluid state of tissues during development.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 12, 2021

Differences in B cell responses to coronaviruses and other pathogens in children and adults

A new study finds that pre-pandemic children have higher frequencies of convergent B cell clones for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, while adult blood shows few such clones. The research suggests that early childhood B cell clonal expansions may stimulate cross-reactive memory, leading to better responses to novel pathogens.

Study snapshot: Disproportionate burden

A new study estimates that FAFSA verification costs public colleges and universities nearly $500 million annually, with community colleges spending 22% of their financial aid office budget on verification. The burden falls disproportionately on these institutions, which enroll nearly half of all undergraduates.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateApr 12, 2021

Blood vessel formation in damaged tissues with mussel adhesive protein

A novel adhesive patch platform has been developed by a research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) to efficiently deliver blood vessel-forming growth factors using mussel adhesive protein. The platform demonstrated effective neovascularization in rat models for myocardial infarction and excisional wounds.

Gut epithelium muscles up against infection

Researchers at Uppsala University discovered that the surface layer of the intestinal mucosa can contract in response to bacterial attack, preventing damage and promoting healing. This finding offers a potential solution to treating bacterial gut infections, which affect hundreds of millions worldwide.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2021

Bioactive implant coatings resistant to most bacterial strains are obtained in Russia

Researchers from NUST MISIS have created innovative multilayer coatings that synthesizes protective properties of nanoparticles, biopolymers, anticoagulants, and antibiotics. The coatings demonstrated excellent bactericidal efficacy against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains with a prolonged antibacterial effect up to 7 days.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalApplied Surface Science·DateApr 12, 2021

Circularly polarized luminescence from organic micro-/nano-structures

Chinese scientists summarize the latest progress of CPL-active organic micro-/nano-structures, which can reduce energy loss in displays and photonic technologies. The review discusses design principles, external stimuli regulation, and potential applications, including OLEDs, optical information recording, and sensing technologies.

SMART discovers the science behind varying performance of different colored LEDs

The study reveals indium atoms are randomly distributed in low-indium content InGaN and partially phase-separate in higher-indium content material. The findings advance understanding of atomic microstructure and its effect on LED performance, enabling future research to optimize compositional fluctuations.

Prehistoric Pacific Coast diets had salmon limits

Researchers have found that prehistoric Pacific Coast people employed various dietary solutions to balance their diet and avoid 'salmon starvation'. They offset stored salmon protein with acorns, root crops like camas, and fat-heavy fish, and traded or processed bone marrow from caribou and elk.

SourceWashington State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateApr 12, 2021

Marshall University researcher receives $400K NIH grant to study nervous system development

A Marshall University researcher has received a $400K NIH grant to investigate sex-dependent interactions in brain cell development, aiming to develop targeted therapies for individuals with autism and schizophrenia. The research will uncover novel roles of sex and hormones in brain development, shedding light on neurological dysfunction.

Study snapshot: Untested admissions

A study found that test-optional admissions policies at selective private institutions led to a 3-4% increase in Pell Grant recipients, a 10-12% increase in first-time Black, Latinx, and Native students, and a 6-8% increase in women enrollment. However, these gains were relatively small compared to the overall student body.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateApr 12, 2021