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Science News for April 7, 2021


The opportunities and risks of digitalization for sustainable development

A study by RIFS researchers highlights the need for digital innovation to be guided by a systemic perspective acknowledging environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts. This includes professional technology assessments and inclusive decision-making processes to foster sustainable development.

SourceResearch Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam·JournalGAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society·DateApr 7, 2021

South Korea data helps create framework to identify COVID-19 vulnerable areas worldwide

A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that South Korea's effective public health interventions and prompt measures helped decrease COVID-19 cases, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateApr 7, 2021

Rice, Intel optimize AI training for commodity hardware

Researchers at Rice University have optimized artificial intelligence software to run on commodity processors and train deep neural networks up to 15 times faster than top GPU trainers. The 'sub-linear deep learning engine' (SLIDE) uses hash tables to solve the search problem of matrix multiplication, reducing training time for AI models.

Losing weight through exercise

A recent study published in Nutrients investigated the influence of exercise on food intake. The results showed that physical activity increased the amount and urgency of food consumption, particularly after exercise. This finding highlights the importance of considering post-exercise eating habits for optimal weight loss.

Why lists of worldwide bird species disagree

Researchers compared four main bird species lists worldwide, finding that they agree on most birds but disagree in some regions. The lists differ by application, and some regions are understudied, leading to missed species. This highlights the need for true diversity recognition to conserve biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateApr 7, 2021

Mounting hope for new physics

The Muon g-2 Collaboration has published the first result of its measurement, revealing a discrepancy of 4.2 standard deviations between experiment and theory. The result strengthens evidence for the existence of new physics, potentially indicating previously unknown particles or forces.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 7, 2021

Chain length determines molecular colour

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an approach to generate a broad palette of colours by adjusting the chemical structure of molecules themselves. By varying the chain length of fluorescent organic polymers, they can produce polymers with different colours, including yellow, green, and blue.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 7, 2021

Silver linings to New Zealand lockdown

A University of Otago survey found 64% of New Zealanders experienced positive aspects during the lockdown, including pride in the country's response and increased time for family and hobbies. The study suggests that these silver linings can help people survive and thrive under adverse circumstances.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 7, 2021

Comfort care beneficial for hospitalized stroke patients, yet disparities in use persist

Hospitalized ischemic stroke patients who received palliative or hospice care experienced improved quality of life. However, disparities persist in comfort care utilization, particularly among non-white patients. Factors associated with higher comfort care utilization included older age, female sex, and private health insurance.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 7, 2021

The science of turning milk into cheese

Researchers at the UCO Dairy Laboratory found a link between milk pH and cheese-making capacity in Churra sheep, suggesting genetic selection can improve yield. The study analyzed over 1,000 sheep samples to identify optimal parameters for increasing cheese production efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateApr 7, 2021

Visionary bone damage study

A novel technique using an ancient inorganic salt-based material has been developed to pinpoint and illuminate bone damage, potentially leading to more efficient X-ray diagnostics and treatment. The new method could also be used for advanced applications such as bioimaging and optogenetics.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAggregate·DateApr 7, 2021

The structure and function of cortical brain cells modulated by attention

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how cognitive control and sensory information relate to cortical machinery. Researchers found that signal propagation between cortical areas V1 and V4 is modulated by attention, challenging previous theories about parallel processing flows.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2021

Crunching on coral

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that coral predators have a significant impact on young coral growth and survival, even when protected by fish. The study suggests that density has little effect on predation, as corals are vulnerable to predators regardless of group size or protection.

Fungi are present in your lungs

Researchers discovered fungi present in both healthy and diseased lungs, with no difference in composition between individuals with COPD using or not using inhaled steroids. The unique lung environment is dominated by the fungus Candida, which can cause disease when outcompeted.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 7, 2021

Measuring space-time 'entanglement' of electromagnetic waves

Scientists quantify space-time nonseparability of electromagnetic pulses using quantum state tomography and calculate fidelity, concurrence, and entanglement. They propose novel concepts for measuring space-time entanglement in structured light, opening new avenues for ultrahigh-capacity communication and high-security encryption.

Society is not ready to make human brains

A new paper by Kyoto University researchers highlights the ethical implications of brain organoid research, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases like dementia or schizophrenia. However, transplanting brain organoids raises concerns about consciousness, morality, and potential risks to patients.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAJOB Neuroscience·DateApr 7, 2021

Story tips from Johns Hopkins experts on COVID-19

A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine study compared inpatient and outpatient surgical volumes during the pandemic and found significant declines, especially in regions hardest hit. Outpatient volumes recovered quickly, while inpatient volumes improved to near-pre-pandemic levels by September 2020.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·DateApr 7, 2021

Manual workers face twice the risk of developing ALS

Researchers found that manual workers are twice as likely to develop ALS, with close to two-thirds of patients reporting a blue-collar job. The study also discovered that jobs involving sustained physical exertion, such as construction and carpentry, were associated with a higher risk of bulbar-onset ALS.

SourceUniversity of Malta·JournalAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration·DateApr 7, 2021

NIH-funded researchers develop language test for people with Down syndrome

A new test has been developed to evaluate expressive language skills in individuals with Down syndrome, offering a more effective approach than current methods. The test was found to be reliable and consistent across different versions, making it suitable for most individuals between the ages of 6 and 23.

High index surfaces-exposed PtCu3@Pt3Cu@Pt nanodendrites as ORR electrocatalyst

Researchers designed a nanodendrite Pt-Cu alloy electrocatalyst with high-index surfaces and graded composition, achieving excellent mass and area activities for oxygen reduction reaction. The catalyst's unique morphology and composition provide a high specific surface area to improve Pt utilization and enhance ORR activity.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateApr 7, 2021

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted peoples' interactions with nature?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people's interactions with nature in both positive and negative ways, providing valuable knowledge about these interactions. The article highlights the potential long-term consequences of this shift and recommends further research to establish actions that can positively impact humans and nature.

SourceWiley·JournalPeople and Nature·DateApr 7, 2021

Particle physics: Will muons lead us towards a new physics?

A new theoretical calculation of the muon magnetic moment has reduced the discrepancy with experimental measurements, but sparks debate on the standard model's fate. The calculation, involving CNRS physicists, used precise measurements made with electron-positron colliders and European supercomputers.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 2021

A protein with a dual role: Both repair and mutation

The Mfd protein's dual role in repairing bacterial DNA and promoting mutations has been discovered, offering new avenues for fighting antibiotic resistance. This phenomenon could also lead to a better understanding of cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2021

How Japanese speakers confuse the pronunciations of /hi/ and /si/

A study by Toyohashi University of Technology found that Japanese speakers often confuse the pronunciations of /hi/ and /si/ due to palatalized tongue articulation. Real-time MRI and supercomputer simulations revealed that acoustic contrast between the sounds can be produced by differences in tongue shape in the transverse direction.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateApr 7, 2021

Are early treatments for cerebral palsy effective?

Research on early treatments for cerebral palsy has generated limited supportive data, but emerging efforts aim to improve developmental motor outcomes in children with the condition. Newer, more targeted interventions are being explored to provide novel insights and transform treatment approaches.

SourceWiley·JournalDevelopmental Medicine & Child Neurology·DateApr 7, 2021

New findings on how diabetes impacts bone health

Type 1 diabetes and diabetic neuropathy contribute to various bone structure impacts but don't fully explain higher fracture risk in patients. Balance and muscle strength also play a role in increased fracture risk, according to new findings.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateApr 7, 2021

Program may help patients with rheumatic diseases quit smoking

A new protocol called Quit Connect has been shown to increase electronic referrals to free, state-run tobacco quitlines among patients with rheumatic diseases. The program, which leverages electronic health record prompts for nurses and medical assistants, resulted in a 71% increase in referrals.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateApr 7, 2021

The case for embedding equity into incident command

The authors argue that a structural change to national Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) guidelines is needed to ensure inclusion of an Equity Officer and health equity specialists. This change could help mitigate inequities in hospital responses during disasters, particularly for historically marginalized populations.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 7, 2021

The muon's magnetic moment fits just fine

Researchers estimated muon's magnetic field strength using a fully verified theory independent of experimental measurements. The result aligns with the standard model of particle physics, suggesting no need for new physics to explain the phenomenon.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 2021

Clinical trial completion rates decline during COVID-19 pandemic

Global clinical trial completion rates dropped by 13-23% during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. The decline was most significant in trials funded by government, academic or medical entities, and was attributed to reduced patient enrollment and increased challenges in following up on patients.

SourcePenn State·JournalClinical and Translational Science·DateApr 7, 2021

Research brief: Reflecting sunlight could cool the Earth's ecosystem

A team of researchers explored the effect of solar radiation modification technologies on ecology, focusing on a specific strategy called stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI) that creates a sulfate aerosol cloud in the stratosphere to reduce incoming sunlight and radiation. The study highlights the complexity of cascading relations...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2021

Johns Hopkins Medicine expert creates comprehensive guide to new diabetes drugs

A clinical practice review article by Rita Kalyani provides a systematic approach for treating patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The article recommends using GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, particularly for patients with heart or blood vessel disease, to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 7, 2021

State immigrant policies and preterm births

A study of 3.4 million live births in 2018 found that criminalizing immigrant policies were associated with higher preterm birth rates for Black women born outside the US, while inclusive policies were linked to lower preterm birth rates for all women born outside the US and particularly White women outside the US.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 7, 2021