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Science News for August 25, 2021


The Daylight Award 2022 is open for nominations

The Daylight Award 2022 is now open for nominations, honoring groundbreaking research on the effects of daylight on human health and well-being. The award also recognizes innovative architectural projects showcasing unique uses of daylight, aiming to improve living conditions and environmental impact.

Majority of people with spinal cord injury use complementary and integrative healthcare

A study published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that 80% of people with spinal cord injury use complementary and integrative healthcare approaches. The most common reasons for use were general health and wellness, pain management, and to improve mobility and flexibility. However, there is a need for more res...

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·TypeSurvey·DateAug 25, 2021

Sea level rise will harm coastal wetlands in the Chesapeake—A bad sign for people and property

A new study assesses the impacts of sea level rise and wetland change on storm surge flooding in the Chesapeake Bay region. The results show that even relatively weak storms in 2100 could have a greater impact than high-intensity storms today, with significant property damage and effects on people.

SourceResources for the Future (RFF)·JournalNatural Hazards Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2021

Call for healthcare leaders to ensure women and girls have access to safe and affordable menstrual products and health

The need for public engagement on menstrual health is emphasized by a commentary in JAMA, highlighting the importance of sufficient funding and research. Menstrual equity is recognized as a human rights and public health issue with significant disparities affecting schoolgirls, women, and those experiencing homelessness.

Creation of the most perfect graphene

A team of researchers at the Institute for Basic Science has developed a method to produce large-area, single-crystal graphene with no wrinkles or adlayers. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-performance devices oriented in any direction over the entire graphene film.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2021

Operando monitoring transition dynamics of responsive polymer using optofluidic microcavities

A team of scientists developed a novel microcavity sensing technology to study the transition dynamics of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) using optofluidic microcavities. The self-referencing method decouples multiple effects involved in physical/chemical reactions, allowing for detection of complex processes.

Secrets of COVID-19 transmission revealed in turbulent puffs

Researchers developed a new model to study turbulent puffs, revealing the impact of temperature and humidity on turbulence. The findings suggest that buoyancy plays a significant role in shaping the behavior of tiny fluctuations within the puff, which can affect the movement of airborne droplets.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2021

Increase in registration of dementia as a cause of death

A new study published in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that dementia-related deaths have increased over the past 20 years, becoming the most common cause of death among people diagnosed with dementia. The growth may reflect improved diagnostic rates and a greater understanding of dementia as a fatal disease.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·DateAug 25, 2021

Carnegie Mellon, University of Washington to pioneer platforms that harness astrophysical data to unravel the universe’s mysteries

Scientists at Carnegie Mellon and University of Washington are developing new software platforms to analyze the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) dataset. The open-source platforms will enable researchers to make sense of big data and address fundamental questions about the universe, such as dark matter and dark energy.

Pregnant women with COVID-19 face higher risk of pre-eclampsia, study shows

A review of scientific literature found pregnant women infected by SARS-CoV-2 have a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia due to reduced ACE2 availability. ACE2 plays a crucial role in placental development, blood pressure control, and fetal development, making its impairment more susceptible to serious complications.

Exposure to tobacco smoke in early life is associated with accelerated biological ageing

A new study finds that early-life exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with accelerated biological ageing in children. The analysis of over 1,000 children in six European countries revealed that maternal tobacco smoke during pregnancy and indoor exposure to black carbon are linked to an acceleration in epigenetic ageing.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·DateAug 25, 2021

NeuroVision Imaging Inc. announces additional funding from the ADDF to accelerate development of novel blood-based lab test to predict dementia before clinical onset

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation has provided NeuroVision Imaging Inc. with additional funding to accelerate the development of a novel blood-based lab test that can predict dementia before clinical onset. This technology has the potential to make diagnostic testing more practical, less invasive and less costly.

Physicists make laser beams visible in vacuum

Researchers at the University of Bonn developed a method to visualize laser beams in a vacuum, allowing for precise alignment of individual atoms. This breakthrough enables faster and more accurate quantum optics experiments, potentially leading to advancements in computing and materials science.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateAug 25, 2021

Marine ecosystem models may greatly underestimate future climate change impacts

A new study found that global marine ecosystem models differ widely in their representation of key processes, leading to underestimation of climate change impacts. Marine ecosystem models generally agree on biomass decline but disagree on magnitude and location across the world's oceans through the 21st century.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalProgress In Oceanography·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2021

Amputation rates higher for people with PAD who are poor or Black; other health gaps noted in special issue

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) living in poor or Black metropolitan areas have higher amputation rates. The analysis also noted significant disparities in healthcare access and quality among different racial and socioeconomic groups.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateAug 25, 2021

Brain organoids mimic head size changes associated with type of autism

Researchers have created brain organoids from people with 16p11.2 genomic variations, which exhibit differences in brain size seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study revealed new information about molecular mechanisms that malfunction when this region is disrupted, providing opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 25, 2021

Novel AlN tunneling layer boost the graphene heterojunction photodetection

A novel engineered tunneling layer with enhanced impact ionization improves detection capabilities in graphene/insulator/silicon heterostructure photodetectors. The technique achieves a champion responsivity of ~1.03 AW-1 at a reverse bias of -10 V, showing great potential applications in sensing and communications.

A game changer: Virtual reality reduces pain and anxiety in children

A study at Children's Hospital Los Angeles shows that virtual reality can decrease pain and anxiety in children undergoing intravenous catheter placement. The technology works by shifting focus and preventing pain from being registered, leading to a more positive experience for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 25, 2021

Photonic-dispersion neural networks for inverse scattering problems

Researchers developed a high-throughput Fourier-optics-based angle-resolved imaging spectroscopy system with robust neural network-based algorithms to solve inverse scattering problems. The system achieved a strong linear correlation between the reconstructed geometric parameters and atomic force microscopy measurements.

Study shows certain efforts to recruit Black adults into cardiovascular disease clinical trials fall short

A systematic review of federally funded cardiovascular disease trials found that most failed to recruit adequate numbers of Black participants. Despite efforts to improve diversity, enrollment rates have not changed over time, with nearly a quarter of trials not specifying a target percentage of Black enrollees.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateAug 25, 2021

Protect habitat ‘stepping stones’ to help species cope with climate change, scientists say

A new study by the University of Liverpool warns that safe passages for species adapting to climate change are often not being protected. The researchers found that important connecting patches were left out of existing networks of protected areas, resulting in a 13.6% shortfall in connectivity.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2021

Direct observation of chaotic resonances in optical microcavities

Researchers developed a simple and robust method to map field patterns in silicon microdisks, observing resonant modes with drastically different dynamics. They confirmed chaos-assisted tunneling with unprecedented assurance by directly interrogating the dynamics inside the microcavity.

New sensor detects valuable rare earth element terbium from non-traditional sources

Researchers at Penn State developed a luminescent sensor that can detect and quantify low concentrations of terbium in complex acidic samples. The sensor uses a protein called lanmodulin, which is selectively binding to rare earth elements, and has the potential to help develop a domestic supply of these metals.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2021

Carnivore interactions are a game of risk and reward, Oregon State research shows

Researchers found coyotes often scavenge cougar kills but avoid them when not rewarded. Black bears have moderate scavenging rates and avert cougars, while bobcats show no interest in either. The study challenges traditional models of carnivore interactions, suggesting dominance hierarchies are more nuanced.

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateAug 25, 2021

DiLFM: an artifact-suppressed and noise-robust light-field microscopy through dictionary learning

Researchers have developed DiLFM, a dictionary-learning-based light-field microscopy that improves noise resistance and reduces artifacts. The method combines sparse signal representation and dictionary patching to produce high-quality volumetric imaging.

Severe malaria among young African children dramatically reduced through seasonal vaccination and preventative drug combination

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a combination of seasonal vaccination with RTS,S/AS01 E and antimalarial drugs significantly reduces clinical episodes, hospital admissions, and deaths from malaria. The results show a 70% reduction in these outcomes compared to current interventions.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 25, 2021

New paper reviews gut microbiome (bacterial and fungal communities) health for fighting depression during COVID-19 pandemic

A recent study suggests that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in mental health, with disruptions in beneficial microorganisms linked to depressive disorders. The researchers propose a multifaceted approach to manage depression through rebalancing and maintaining the gut microbiome using diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 25, 2021

Volcanic eruptions may have spurred first ‘whiffs’ of oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere

Researchers found that large volcanic eruptions may have stimulated population surges of marine microorganisms, creating the first puffs of oxygen into the atmosphere. This would change existing stories of Earth's early atmosphere and has implications for extraterrestrial life and climate change.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2021

Study finds praising middle school students improves on-task behavior by up to 70%

Middle school teachers who praised students more often than reprimanding them saw a significant improvement in class-wide on-task behavior, with some classrooms experiencing improvements of up to 60-70%. The study also found that high-risk students benefited from increased praise, leading to improved grades and reduced behavioral issues.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Positive Behavior Interventions·DateAug 25, 2021

Tailoring treatment of patients with the lung disease COPD

The study found that patients with low risk of exacerbations do not benefit from low to moderate dose inhaled corticosteroids, while high doses are associated with severe side effects. Tailoring treatment according to patient characteristics, such as age and blood cell count, can minimize over- and underuse of inhaled corticosteroids.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·TypeNews article·DateAug 25, 2021

Why do short-lived lung infections lead to long-lasting lung damage?

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that infection triggers the expression of a protein called IL-33, leading to overgrowth of air spaces and increased mucus production. The researchers suggest that blocking this process could prevent chronic lung damage caused by viral infections.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2021

New class of habitable exoplanets represent a big step forward in the search for life

Astronomers have identified a new class of habitable exoplanets dubbed 'Hycean' which are hot and ocean-covered with hydrogen-rich atmospheres, potentially supporting microbial life. These planets offer a wider habitable zone than Earth-like planets, making them promising candidates for finding biosignatures of life.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2021

Largest real-world study of COVID-19 vaccine safety published by Israel's Clalit Research Institute in The New England Journal of Medicine

A large-scale analysis of Israel's COVID-19 vaccination data found that the Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162B2 vaccine is very safe, with only a few potential side effects. The study also revealed that coronavirus infection poses a much higher risk of serious adverse events compared to vaccination.

SourceClalit Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 25, 2021