Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for April 26, 2021


Greenhouse warming of early Mars

A global climate model simulation suggests that a cloud greenhouse effect could have warmed early Mars to support liquid surface water, with low clouds and warm stable climates emerging near surface water-ice patches. The results are consistent with geological data indicating a warm, arid early climate for the planet.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Skin and bones repaired by bioprinting during surgery

Using bioprinting, researchers successfully repaired traumatic injuries to the skin and bones of the face and skull in a rat model. The technique involved printing both bone and soft tissue layers, achieving 100% closure of soft tissue in four weeks and 80% closure of bone in six weeks.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 26, 2021

Nanobodies inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection

Australian researchers have identified neutralizing nanobodies that block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells, paving the way for alternative treatments. The discovery of a nanobody recognizing emerging global variants and original SARS virus suggests potential cross-protection against human coronaviruses.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Persuading consumers to go green

Researchers found that using gain language, which highlights positive benefits, can increase eco-friendly behavior. Anthropomorphism, such as giving objects human characteristics, also boosts green compliance. The study suggests that businesses can save money by shifting customers' behaviors to be greener.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPsychology and Marketing·DateApr 26, 2021

Six factors that determine success when working from home

Research from DTU found that young people experience better work-life balance, but more uncertainty about their work. Managers report higher efficiency and less lack of important work tools compared to employees. The six factors can help organizations understand how to promote efficiency and well-being when working from home.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateApr 26, 2021

Probing deep space with Interstellar

The Interstellar Probe mission aims to study how our Sun interacts with the local interstellar medium and learn more about the formation and evolution of the heliosphere. The probe will take 'images' of the heliosphere using energetic neutral atoms and observe extragalactic background light, shedding new light on the region.

First village-level mapping of childhood undernutrition in India reveals local disparities

The study found substantial variations in undernutrition across villages, with some areas having rates as low as 5% and others exceeding 70%. A machine-learning model was developed to predict the prevalence of undernutrition in every village, enabling policymakers to prioritize villages struggling with high burdens of undernutrition.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have a small risk of heart failure

A new Mount Sinai study found that patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have a small but significant risk of developing heart failure, even without a previous history of heart disease or cardiovascular risk factors. The study's findings may prompt clinicians to monitor for signs of congestive heart failure more closely in these patients.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 26, 2021

What spurs people to save the planet? Stories or facts?

A Johns Hopkins University study reveals that stories about pollution, such as a man's death from contaminated shellfish, increase willingness to buy eco-friendly products among Democrats by 17%, whereas it decreases their spending by 14%. In contrast, Republican participants showed no change or even decreased spending after hearing th...

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalOne Earth·DateApr 26, 2021

Airports could generate enough solar energy to power a city: Study

A study by RMIT University found that Australian government-owned airports could produce up to 10 times more electricity than residential panels in Bendigo, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions annually. The research suggests that installing large-scale rooftop solar systems at airports could power 136,000 homes and contribute towards a...

SourceRMIT University·JournalJournal of Building Engineering·DateApr 26, 2021

Stanford researchers reveal that homes in floodplains are overvalued by nearly $44 billion

A new Stanford University-led study estimates that single-family homes in floodplains are overvalued by nearly $44 billion collectively, with the average home losing around 2% of its value. The study suggests that inadequate disclosure laws and unaware buyers drive up financial risks, which could destabilize the real estate market.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Genomic study points to new treatment approaches for advanced small-cell lung cancer

Researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center identified distinct mutational and molecular changes in four SCLC subtypes, providing new insights into treatment resistance. The findings suggest that subtyping patients before systemic therapy could play a role in drug development and therapy selection.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJTO Clinical and Research Reports·DateApr 26, 2021

Psst! Have you heard that gossip isn't all bad?

A Dartmouth study reveals that gossip creates social connections and enables learning through indirect information sharing. The research finds that participants who engaged in private chats with their group members felt more connected and shared similar impressions of others.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 26, 2021

CRISPR/Cas-based diagnostics and gene therapy

CRISPR/Cas technology has advanced diagnostics and gene therapy, enabling fast and accurate disease diagnosis and treating untreatable diseases like cancer and blood disorders. Recent advances in CRISPR-Cas technologies are highlighted, with a discussion of the strength and challenges for its future clinical usage.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalBIO Integration·DateApr 26, 2021

Results of study could be biggest rehab advance in decades for patients after stroke

A study published in The Lancet found that patients who incorporated vagus nerve simulation during physical or occupational therapy showed a significant improvement in arm and hand function, up to 2-3 times more than those with sham stimulation. This breakthrough could be one of the most impressive advances in decades for stroke patients.

We've been at it a long time

A team of geologists and archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem confirms that ancient humans were making simple Oldowan stone tools inside the Wonderwerk Cave 1.8 million years ago. The discovery also dates the deliberate use of fire by prehistoric ancestors to 1 million years ago.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateApr 26, 2021

Association of preeclampsia with stroke in later life

A new study published in JAMA Network Open explores the link between preeclampsia during pregnancy and increased risk of stroke in later life. The research suggests that women with a history of preeclampsia may be at higher risk for stroke, highlighting the importance of monitoring and managing this condition.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 26, 2021

Normally harmless cell molecule triggers neuron death

Researchers discovered that farnesyl pyrophosphate, an intermediate in normal cell metabolism, causes rapid and extensive cell death when present at high concentrations outside cells. Inhibition of TRPM2 channels or targeting its metabolic pathway may offer new avenues for reducing stroke damage.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 26, 2021

Cleaner water through corn

Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have developed an energy-efficient way to convert corn stover into activated carbon for water treatment. The process produces activated carbon that absorbs up to 98% of vanillin from water, showcasing a promising approach to combating climate change by repurposing idle resources.

Football Fitness gives an important boost to health in women treated for breast cancer

A study by the University of Southern Denmark found that Football Fitness improves balance, strengthens muscles, and increases bone density in women treated for breast cancer. The 12-month training program reduced the risk of falls and broken bones, making everyday activities easier.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateApr 26, 2021

Netflix commits to local productions to continue leading the streaming platform market

A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya researchers reveals Netflix's diverse strategy for original feature films, which includes premieres, film festivals and local production. The platform has increased its investment in in-house production and distribution to offer unique content and differentiate itself from rival platforms.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalCommunication & Society·DateApr 26, 2021

Higher education does not influence how the brain ages

A recent study by the Lifebrain consortium found that brains shrink at the same rate in highly educated and less educated individuals. Despite slightly larger brain volumes in highly educated people, their brains age similarly throughout life. The researchers measured brain aging using MRI scans from over 2000 participants and tracked ...

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Supervisors focused on others' needs get 'benefit of the doubt' from employees

Employees perceive prosocially motivated supervisors as fairer and are more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt, even when they make mistakes. Research from the University of Notre Dame found that supervisor motives impact fairness judgments and that focusing on prosocial motives can buffer the negative effects of low justice ...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateApr 26, 2021

Ozone pollution in Germany falls thanks to lower nitrogen oxide emissions

A recent study found that ozone pollution in Germany has decreased primarily due to reduced nitrogen oxide emissions. Ozone formation is often linked to NOx emissions from traffic and industrial processes. Lower NOx levels are positively correlated with lower ozone concentrations, especially in regions like southwestern Germany.

How COVID-19 impacted UK healthcare

A new study by University of East Anglia researchers found that despite high levels of unmet healthcare need, the NHS upheld its principle of equal treatment for equal need, with no difference in access to hospital care between income groups. However, those on higher incomes had better access to GP consultations and medical helplines.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalHealth Economics·DateApr 26, 2021

Icy clouds could have kept early Mars warm enough for rivers and lakes, study finds

A new simulation led by University of Chicago geoscientist Edwin Kite finds that high-altitude water ice clouds could have created a greenhouse effect on early Mars, enabling the presence of flowing rivers and lakes. The study challenges previous assumptions about the Martian climate and offers insights into the planet's habitability.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Against presbyopia

A team of researchers from UPV, UV, and AIKEN Foundation has created the first fully transparent trifocal corneal inlay that allows good eyesight for people with presbyopia at multiple distances. The inlay is designed to be compatible with laser refractive surgery and may offer an alternative to glasses or contact lenses.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 26, 2021

Prototype for mobile devices could screen children at risk for autism spectrum disorder

Researchers developed an eye-tracking app that can screen children at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by tracking their gaze patterns while watching social videos. The study found that children with ASD were less likely to focus on social cues and visually track conversations in the videos.