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Science News for April 29, 2021


Lateral flow testing should not be used as a green light for activities

A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) are more effective at detecting higher quantities of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA, but struggle to identify infections in individuals with lower viral loads. The research highlights the need for frequent testing, particularly in early or late stages of infection.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 29, 2021

The Arctic's greening, but it won't save us

New research suggests that the Arctic's increasing plant biomass is not enough to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, as most of it is released through fires and timber harvests. The study estimates that only 430 million metric tons of biomass have accumulated over 31 years, with much of it being lost due to wildfires.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 29, 2021

New optical hydrogen sensors eliminate risk of sparking

A new study from the University of Georgia has developed an inexpensive and spark-free optical-based hydrogen sensor that detects hydrogen presence without electronics, making it safer for widespread use. The sensor boasts faster response time and increased sensitivity compared to previous models, addressing key hurdles in hydrogen pow...

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 29, 2021

Six out of every 10 teachers believe that changing the design of the classroom is key to improving learning

A recent study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that 6 out of 10 teachers believe changing the classroom design is crucial for improving learning. The researchers emphasized the need for flexible spaces that prioritize physical and psychological well-being, allowing students to take an active role in their learning. Additionall...

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalLearning Environments Research·DateApr 29, 2021

Digital mental health interventions for young people are perceived promising, but are they effective

Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy was found effective for anxiety and depression in adolescents and young people. However, the effectiveness of other digital interventions remains inconclusive. Engagement with a health professional or peer can strengthen the effectiveness of these interventions.

Alzheimer's disease is composed of four distinct subtypes

Researchers have identified four distinct patterns of tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease, each leading to unique symptoms and prognoses. These subtypes include variant one, which primarily affects memory, and variants two, three, and four, which impact executive functions, visuospatial processing, and language ability, respectively.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 29, 2021

Baby mantis shrimp don't pull their punches

Larval mantis shrimp display impressive accelerations despite being smaller than expected, highlighting the limitations of theoretical models. Their transparent exoskeletons allow researchers to study the inner workings of their spring-latch mechanisms.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 29, 2021

Fish have been swallowing microplastics since the 1950s

Researchers analyzed museum specimens to find that fish have been ingesting microplastics since the 1950s, with concentrations increasing over time. The study highlights the importance of natural history collections in museums and serves as a wake-up call for addressing plastic pollution.

SourceField Museum·JournalEcological Applications·DateApr 29, 2021

Many Hispanics died of COVID-19 because of work exposure

A new study by Ohio State University researchers suggests that Hispanic Americans are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 due to workplace exposure. The analysis of federal data showed that Hispanics of working age have died of COVID-19 at a higher rate than whites, with excess cases and deaths also highest among this group.

SourceOhio State University·JournalDemographic Research·DateApr 29, 2021

More than 25% of infants not getting common childhood vaccinations, study finds

A recent study from the University of Virginia Health System found that more than a quarter of American infants in 2018 had not received all recommended childhood vaccines. Disparities were observed among African-American infants, low-income families, and those with lower education levels. The researchers warn that these gaps can lead ...

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalHealth Equity·DateApr 29, 2021

Mantis shrimp larvae punch just like Ma and Pa

Researchers discover that mantis shrimp larvae can unleash powerful punches as little as 9 days after hatching, with limb accelerations reaching blistering speeds. The tiny creatures' appendages operate similarly to those of adult mantis shrimp, but scaled down, and can hurl the limb at rotational speeds of ~16,500deg/s.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 29, 2021

Hubble watches how a giant planet grows

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the first-ever direct image of a giant exoplanet, PDS 70b, which is feeding off material surrounding its young star. The observations provide a unique look at radiation from extremely hot gas falling onto the planet, allowing scientists to estimate how fast it's gaining mass.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateApr 29, 2021

Illinois, Nebraska scientists propose improvements to precision crop irrigation

Researchers developed a way to fuse high-resolution satellite data into one integrated product to track soil and plant conditions. The technology aims to redefine drought based on plant-centric metrics and provide precision irrigation with high accuracy, addressing farmer adoption challenges.

Partially sighted may be at higher risk of dementia

A new study published in Ageing Clinical and Experimental Research found that older people with vision loss are more likely to suffer mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia. The research examined World Health Organisation data on over 32,000 people and found a significant correlation between vision loss and increased risk o...

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalAging Clinical and Experimental Research·DateApr 29, 2021

Global glacier retreat has accelerated

A new study reveals that global glacier retreat has accelerated by 267 gigatonnes of ice per year on average between 2000 and 2019, contributing to rising sea levels. The loss of glacial mass is having a profound impact on mountain glaciers in the Himalayas and other regions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateApr 29, 2021

Risk of eczema after early exposure to antibiotics

A Swedish study of over 100,000 children found that early antibiotic exposure before birth and during the first year of life increases the risk of developing eczema. The research suggests a potential long-term consequence of antibiotic use on childhood skin health.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 29, 2021

Blueprint for a robust quantum future

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and international partners have developed guidelines for discovering new defect-based quantum systems, which could lead to breakthroughs in quantum communications, sensing, and computing. The guidelines provide a framework for designing qubits tailored to specific applications.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Reviews Materials·DateApr 29, 2021

Decrease in prostate cancer diagnoses due to pandemic

A new study found a 36% decrease in prostate cancer diagnoses in Sweden during the first pandemic wave, with most pronounced declines among men aged 75 and over. The number of patients receiving curative treatment remained unaffected, suggesting that healthcare prioritized cancer care during the pandemic.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScandinavian Journal of Urology·DateApr 29, 2021

A silver lining for extreme electronics

A team of researchers at Michigan State University has developed more heat resilient silver circuitry by adding an intermediate layer of porous nickel, which helps to improve adhesion to ceramic components. The technology has the potential to benefit various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and energy.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScripta Materialia·DateApr 29, 2021

Nearly $500M a year in Medicare costs goes to 7 services with no net health benefits

A UCLA-led study reveals that seven preventive medical services have no likely health benefit to patients and may even be harmful. These services, including asymptomatic bacteriuria screening and prostate cancer screening, are ordered over 31 million times annually at a cost of nearly $500 million per year.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateApr 29, 2021

Data from China's Fengyun meteorological satellites available to global Earth system science applications

Fengyun satellite data is available for real-time users, scientific researchers, and public users, with over 10TB of daily data volume produced daily. The data has been validated with in-situ observations and cross-referenced with other well-known satellite products.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 29, 2021

Northern forest fires could accelerate climate change

New research reveals that northern forests' ability to absorb atmospheric carbon is being hindered by increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires. The study found that these fires are releasing more carbon into the atmosphere, while also altering the composition of tree species, with conifers being replaced by hardwoods.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 29, 2021

Lightning flashes increase Earth's atmosphere's cleansing capacity, airborne study shows

A recent airborne study reveals extreme amounts of hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals generated by lightning, suggesting a substantial proportion of global atmospheric oxidation. The results could indicate that lightning-generated oxidants are responsible for between 2-16% of the Earth's atmosphere oxidizing capacity.

How diet controls RNA maturation

Researchers at UNIGE discovered a new mechanism for regulating RNA maturation dependent on diet, finding that methylation of specific mRNA sequences leads to its degradation. This control mechanism ensures a fair balance of methylations and prevents aberrant reactions, which can cause diseases.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCell·DateApr 29, 2021

Unlocking herbaria biodiversity using a QR code sampling-to-sequencing workflow

Researchers have developed a QR code-based digitization workflow to streamline specimen collection, reduce errors, and make data more accessible. The workflow uses unique object identifiers, citizen science platforms, and QR codes to automate data entry and analysis, allowing for the creation of large-scale phylogenetic studies.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateApr 29, 2021

Less innocent than it looks

Researchers at the University of California - Santa Barbara have identified a major cause of limitations to efficiency in hybrid perovskite solar cells. A study found that missing hydrogen atoms in the organic molecules can cause massive efficiency losses due to unwanted energy dissipation, resulting in lower photovoltaic performance.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Materials·DateApr 29, 2021

Battery parts can be recycled without crushing or melting

Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a new recycling method for lithium-ion batteries that replenishes spent lithium in electrodes without crushing or melting. This process saves valuable raw materials and likely energy compared to traditional methods, which extract metals from crushed batteries by melting or dissolving them.

SourceAalto University·JournalChemSusChem·DateApr 29, 2021

Widespread Amazonian depopulation and reforestation before Europeans' arrival

A new study found that Amazonian depopulation and forest regrowth began centuries before European arrival, rejecting the hypothesis of widespread reforestation contributing to reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Forest pollen records suggest land abandonment and regrowth started 300-600 years prior to European contact.

Corals that "spit" algae

Corals use an ancient immune mechanism to select suitable microalgae as symbionts, tolerating them over time. The 'vomocytosis' process involves immune suppression that allows algae to establish a niche within the coral's cells, facilitating nutrient exchange.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateApr 29, 2021