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Science News for April 21, 2021


Study: 'Fingerprint' for 3D printer accurate 92% of time

Researchers developed a unique identification system using a 3D printer's hot end, allowing for accurate tracking of intellectual property and security threats. The 'ThermoTag' method compares the printing process to a human fingerprint, enabling precise identification of printer models.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalIEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security·DateApr 21, 2021

Study explains 'cocktail party effect' in hearing impairment

New research reveals that people with hearing impairment experience abnormal binaural pitch fusion, which can lead to sound blending together and difficulties with understanding speech in noisy environments. This discovery suggests the possibility of targeted rehabilitation strategies to improve speech perception in noise.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalJournal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology·DateApr 21, 2021

Great white feeding ground

A new study found an aggregation site of great white sharks in the Gulf of California, with estimated mortality rates potentially three times higher than previously thought. This discovery raises concerns about conservation efforts and highlights opportunities for sustainable eco-tourism.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalConservation Letters·DateApr 21, 2021

Toward safer stem cell transplants

Researchers are developing new conditioning therapies with fewer side effects, targeting specific proteins on hematopoietic stem cells to make room for healthy ones. This could lead to more patients being able to safely undergo stem cell treatments, reducing complications and improving outcomes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 21, 2021

Genes linked to creativity were the "secret weapon" in the survival of Homo sapiens

An international team of scientists has identified 267 genes linked to creativity that differentiate Homo sapiens from Neanderthals, suggesting this genetic difference enabled humans to replace them. These genes are also associated with superior adaptation to the environment, resilience to ageing and disease, and greater physical fitness.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateApr 21, 2021

Do school shootings have a copycat effect?

An analysis of US school shootings between 1990 and 2017 found that following a shooting, the risk of additional incidents in the same and neighboring states increases significantly. The study suggests that media coverage can minimize the risk of provoking further shootings by finding a balance between reporting on these events.

SourceWiley·JournalContemporary Economic Policy·DateApr 21, 2021

Pregnant women stressed, depressed and lonely during COVID-19 pandemic

A survey of 6,894 pregnant and postpartum women in 64 countries found that a substantial number scored high for symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and post-traumatic stress in relation to COVID-19. High information seeking from any source was associated with increased odds of elevated post-traumatic stress and anxiety/depress...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 21, 2021

A receptor that controls appetite presents a target for anorexia, suggests mouse study

Researchers have successfully altered feeding and anxiety-like behaviors linked to anorexia in mice by targeting the MC3R receptor. The study suggests that fine-tuning the receptor's activity could help change feeding habits and promote weight gain in patients with eating disorders, offering a potential new treatment for anorexia.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 21, 2021

Chronic stress may reduce lifespan in wild baboons, according to new multi-decadal study

A new multi-decadal study involving 242 wild female baboons found evidence to support chronic stress as a significant factor affecting survival. High stress levels throughout adult life were linked to shorter lifespans, with females experiencing a loss of 5.4 years of life compared to those with lower stress responses.

No-Cath forecast

Researchers at MUSC developed an AI software to predict CAD blockages' significance without catheterization. The software analyzes CT images of heart vessels and plaques, estimating blood flow and identifying high-risk features. This noninvasive method saves time, costs, and risks for patients and clinicians.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology·DateApr 21, 2021

Time seems to pass more slowly in the UK COVID-19 lockdown

During England's second national lockdown, people with depression experienced distorted perceptions of time, while those dissatisfied with social interactions also reported slower time passage. The findings suggest that mental health and social dissatisfaction play a significant role in how we experience time during isolation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 21, 2021

Direct observation of the ad- and desorption of guest atoms into a mesoporous host

Scientists have developed a new method to directly observe the filling and emptying of tiny pores in materials, revealing complex mechanisms behind guest-atom interactions. This breakthrough uses combined X-ray methods to provide empirical insights into confined matter in battery electrodes, catalysts, and hydrogen storage materials.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateApr 21, 2021

Music improves older adults' sleep quality

Listening to music before bed significantly improves sleep quality among older adults. Longer listening periods yield the most effective results. Music therapy is an easy-to-administer strategy that may become a first-line treatment option.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateApr 21, 2021

Stress and death in female baboons

A new study has found that female baboons with high levels of glucocorticoids, a hormone involved in the 'fight or flight' response, have a greater risk of dying. The research, which analyzed data from over 20 years, showed that females with higher levels of glucocorticoids tend to die younger than those with lower levels.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 21, 2021

Pedram Hassanzadeh wins NSF CAREER Award

Pedram Hassanzadeh, a fluid dynamicist at Rice University, has been awarded a prestigious NSF CAREER grant to investigate the physics behind atmospheric blocking events that cause extreme weather. His research aims to improve climate modeling capabilities and predict how these events will change in the future.

New insights on inflammation in COVID-19

A new study in Arthritis & Rheumatology identifies specific blood markers to distinguish excessive COVID-19 inflammation from cytokine storm syndromes. This finding has significant implications for treating critically ill patients with COVID-19.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateApr 21, 2021

Simplifying our world

Scientists discovered that mice categorize surprisingly well, even assigning patterns they've never seen before into correct categories. Category-selective neurons in the prefrontal cortex gradually develop during category learning, playing a key role in long-term memory.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateApr 21, 2021

Cracking the code of the Dead Sea Scrolls

University of Groningen researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze the Dead Sea Scrolls, identifying two scribes who wrote the famous Great Isaiah Scroll. The AI tool separated text from background and analyzed handwriting patterns, revealing differences between the two scribes.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 21, 2021

Brushing away oral health disparities in America's rural children

A recent study from Medical University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina found that rural children are less likely to receive preventive dental care than their urban counterparts. This disparity can have serious consequences for children's oral health, including increased risk of decay and bacterial growth.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Public Health Dentistry·DateApr 21, 2021

Consistent use of food pantries needed to address food insecurity, related health issues

A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center and economists at the University of Dallas found that consistent use of food pantries can improve food security, health, and well-being. The researchers calculated a 10 percentage-point increase in pantry visits led to a 5.7% reduced likelihood of food insecurity.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalApplied Economic Perspectives and Policy·DateApr 21, 2021

Review: Changing views on atherosclerosis

Recent advances in understanding atherosclerosis have shifted traditional views on who is at risk for heart attacks and strokes, highlighting the importance of HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammation. This review paper explores these changes and their implications for treatment and prevention.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature·DateApr 21, 2021

Why climate change is driving some to skip having kids

A new study finds that climate change is a major consideration for people deciding whether or not to have children, with many citing concerns over resource depletion and population growth. The research identifies three themes: overconsumption, overpopulation, and an uncertain future, which can evoke feelings of guilt and moral obligation.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPopulation and Environment·DateApr 21, 2021

Stem cell therapy promotes recovery from stroke and dementia in mice

A new UCLA study finds that a one-time injection of an experimental stem cell therapy can repair brain damage and improve memory function in mice with conditions that replicate human strokes and dementia. The therapy, developed from glial cells, stimulates the brain's own repair processes and enhances neural connections.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 21, 2021

COVID-19 peaks reflect time-dependent social activity, not herd immunity

Scientists developed a model showing that collective immunity emerged during the early COVID-19 epidemic but was destroyed as people changed their social behaviors over time. The model suggests that subsequent waves of infection will appear due to variations in imposed mitigations and pandemic fatigue.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 21, 2021

New analysis addresses fear of cancer recurrence

A new analysis published in Psycho-Oncology found that fear of cancer recurrence leads to increased use of healthcare resources by cancer survivors. Implementing existing effective interventions for fear of cancer recurrence may improve both mental health and reduce unnecessary healthcare usage.

SourceWiley·JournalPsycho-Oncology·DateApr 21, 2021

Using floodwaters to weather droughts

A new Stanford-led study develops a framework to calculate future floodwater volumes under climate change, identifying areas for infrastructure investments in California's aging water infrastructure. The tool aims to maximize groundwater recharge, reducing drought risks and building water reserves, while also mitigating flood risks.

Verbal fluency deficits in multiple sclerosis may reflect impaired language ability

Researchers found that individuals with multiple sclerosis experience subtle language impairments that can be attributed to impaired executive functions or language ability. The study suggests the need for more comprehensive neuropsychological testing to fully understand cognitive profiles and provide optimal interventions.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders·DateApr 21, 2021

Babies surviving Group B strep more likely to require special educational support

A large study shows that infants infected with Group B strep are twice as likely to have neurodevelopmental impairments and need special education compared to uninfected children. The study also found significant long-term effects, including cognitive impairment and higher rates of hospitalization, in up to one in twenty survivors.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateApr 21, 2021

Bypassing broken genes

Researchers developed a new approach called Co-opting Regulation Bypass Repair (CRBR) that can correct genetic diseases caused by single gene mutations. The method uses the CRISPR/Cas9 system and non-homologous end joining to insert a functional copy of the gene, enabling treatment in all adult tissues.

SourcePenn State·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateApr 21, 2021

Swing vote 'trumped' turnout in 2016 election

A Yale University study reveals that conversion among swing voters was the primary factor behind Donald Trump's electoral success in 2016. The researchers found that voters switching from Democrat to Republican more consistently explained the GOP's gains than did increases in voter turnout.

SourceYale University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 21, 2021

The wave beneath their wings

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a theoretical model explaining how pelicans exploit wind updrafts from breaking waves to conserve energy during flight. This discovery has potential applications in drone control and weather forecasting, highlighting the intricate dance between ocean, wind, and bird behavior.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalMovement Ecology·DateApr 21, 2021

Jane Austen quote encoded in a polymer

Scientists have successfully encoded a passage from Jane Austen's Mansfield Park in a series of oligomers, allowing for efficient information storage. The technique uses urethane-like plastics and enables dense data storage without DNA-based approaches.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateApr 21, 2021