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Science News for August 31, 2021


New findings on the field of perinatal brain injury

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg generated a comprehensive transcriptional atlas of neonatal mouse meningeal leukocytes, showing that these cells play a crucial role in brain development and pathology. The study also identified novel immune cell subtypes involved in brain injury and provided new insights into the interaction...

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalGenes & Development·TypeObservational study·DateAug 31, 2021

Ferroelectrics everywhere?

Researchers have identified a new family of ferroelectric materials, including magnesium-substituted zinc oxide, that can be used for low-energy digital storage. These materials have the potential to revolutionize information and energy storage, offering improved performance and reduced power consumption.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateAug 31, 2021

Sandia uncovers hidden factors that affect solar farms during severe weather

A study published by Sandia National Laboratories reveals that older solar farms are more susceptible to extreme weather events, while snowstorms have the highest impact on electricity production. Machine learning analysis also found that low sunlight levels due to cloud cover and geographical features of the farm are significant factors.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalApplied Energy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 31, 2021

Getting your head in the game

A PSU study found that reattaching to work in the morning enhances managers' positive moods and work focus, leading to better day-level outcomes. Successfully reconnecting with work also enables transformational leadership behaviors crucial for employee engagement.

SourcePortland State University·JournalJournal of Vocational Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateAug 31, 2021

Mapping the brain circuitry of spirituality

A new study has identified the periaqueductal gray as a critical hub for changes in spiritual identification, surprising researchers who previously thought it was associated with higher brain regions. The discovery could have significant implications for understanding spirituality's role in managing physical and emotional pain.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 31, 2021

Biomarkers found for COVID-19 condition in children

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has identified potential biomarkers for COVID-19 condition in children, known as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). The researchers hope that these biomarkers can help predict the severity of the disease and inform treatment decisions.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 31, 2021

New study sheds light on lives of people with Parkinson’s and their carers

A new European survey sheds light on the lives of people with Parkinson's disease and their carers, revealing a wide range of non-motor symptoms affecting quality of life. The study highlights the importance of individualized management and improved clinical practice in addressing the unique challenges faced by patients and caregivers.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Parkinson’s Disease·TypeCase study·DateAug 31, 2021

Keeping gonorrhea at bay

Researchers have identified a unique sequence essential for efficient multidrug efflux function of the MtrD protein in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a key mechanism for antimicrobial resistance. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotic treatments.

SourceFlinders University·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

Pandemic restrictions enabled unique bird study

A study by Per Henningsson of Lund University found that birds adapt their speed to navigate through narrow gaps, slowing down as they approach the smallest opening. However, this adaptation comes with a significant energy cost, requiring extra energy to fly at sub-optimal speeds and increasing wing beats.

SourceLund University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

A skin crawling treatment for acne?

A team of scientists at McGill University has invented a smart device for personalized skin care inspired by the male diving beetle. The device collects and monitors body fluids while sticking to the skin's surface, paving the way for more accurate diagnostics and treatment for skin diseases like acne.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

Goldilocks was right! No one-size-fits-all when it comes to kids’ health

Researchers developed a customisable time tool, the Goldilocks Day calculator, to help parents allocate hours and activities for optimal health outcomes. The tool considers physical health, cognitive abilities, and mental wellbeing, allowing parents to adjust daily schedules based on their child's needs.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 31, 2021

Understanding a nanomuscle

Researchers at Kanazawa University have made significant progress in understanding the constriction mechanism of dynamin, a protein involved in endocytosis. By combining experiments and simulations, they found that the nanomuscle's motion resembles a ratchet motor, generating enough force to cut off vesicles from cell membranes.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 31, 2021

Study finds telemedicine appointments reduce risk of further illness

A new study by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that telemedicine appointments combined with in-person visits significantly reduced the risk of further illness for children with medically complex cases. The study assessed 422 patients and found that those who received both telemedicine and c...

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeObservational study·DateAug 31, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among patients in two urban emergency departments

A study of over 1,000 patients in Philadelphia's emergency departments found that vaccine hesitancy is common among this population, driven by concerns about safety and research. The authors suggest that EDs can play a valuable role in addressing vaccine hesitancy through targeted education and outreach efforts.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateAug 31, 2021

Quantum networks in our future

Researchers propose a time-sensitive network control plane as a key component of quantum networks, enabling real-time control and low costs. Industry applications include cybersecurity through quantum key distribution, but standardization and certification are needed.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAVS Quantum Science·DateAug 31, 2021

Chemotherapy plus immunotherapy before surgery is beneficial for invasive bladder cancer outcomes

A new study reports that chemotherapy plus immunotherapy before surgical removal reduces tumor invasiveness in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. In the phase II clinical trial, nearly 25% of bladder cancers were found to be invasive, and surgery often had limited success due to microscopic cancer cell spread.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 31, 2021

Do distressed, help-seeking couples improve on their own? Not much, study says

A recent study examined the dynamics of distressed couples who sought online help for their relationship but had to wait six months before starting an intervention program. The researchers found that while some couples did experience improvements in satisfaction and support, overall levels of distress remained elevated. In contrast, ot...

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalFamily Process·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 31, 2021

Minimum wage hike boosts customer experience

A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that a minimum wage hike improves consumer perceptions of service quality, particularly in independently owned restaurants. The study analyzed online reviews before and after the wage increase and discovered a decrease in negative discussions about worker courtesy and friendliness.

SourceCornell University·JournalMarketing Science·DateAug 31, 2021

Fighting brain cancer at its root

Researchers at McGill University identified proteins that drive cancer stem cells in brain tumours. Targeting the protein galectin1 may provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma when combined with radiation therapy. The study found significant improvement in tumour response to radiation therapy, resulting in expanded lifespan.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

Veterans with PTSD may benefit from manualized Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT)--The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry-Embargoed to 1:00 PM EDT(US) Tues., Aug 31, 2021

A recent study found that manualized Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT-PTSD) is safe, feasible, and clinically viable for treating veterans with PTSD. The therapy resulted in marked reductions in both clinician-rated and self-reported symptoms of PTSD and depression.

SourceMan O’War Project·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 31, 2021

Regulators for extracellular vesicle production

Researchers from Kanazawa University have identified 4 potential regulators for extracellular vesicle (EV) production, including 1 inhibitor and 3 activators. The inhibitors and activators were screened using a high-throughput method to detect EVs with high sensitivity and versatility.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 31, 2021

Cancer treatment with built-in light

Researchers have developed a new photodynamic tumor therapy that works for deep tumors, eliminating the need for external irradiation. The 'intelligent' drug consists of four components linked into a single molecule that brings its own light source and switches it on in acidic tumorous tissue.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

Predicting climate anomalies: a real challenge

The World Climate Research Programme has made efforts to improve climate prediction, but many problems remain, including predicting extreme weather events. The Center for Climate System Prediction Research (CCSP) aims to tackle these challenges through research on ENSO, extended-range weather forecasting, and interannual-to-decadal cli...

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateAug 31, 2021

Russian physicists mix classical light with half a photon on a qubit

A Russian-U.K. research team has proposed a theoretical description for the new effect of quantum wave mixing involving classical and nonclassical states of microwave radiation. The study builds on earlier experiments on artificial atoms, which serve as qubits for quantum computers and probes fundamental laws of nature.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalPhysical Review A·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 31, 2021

Artificial intelligence used to predict how much water irrigators will use in each rate period

Researchers at the University of Córdoba developed an AI model that predicts how much water irrigators will use during different rate periods, optimizing energy usage. The CANGENFIS model combines AI techniques like fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks to model irrigator behavior and predict water distribution by rate period.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalAgricultural Water Management·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 31, 2021

Researchers from Tel Aviv University prove for the first time that silent mutations can predict the development of cancer cells

Silent mutations, which don't change protein sequences, hold diagnostic value in predicting cancer types and patient survival. The study analyzed over 10,000 cancer genomes and found that combining information from silent and non-silent mutations improved classification and prognostication up to 17% and 5%, respectively.

SourceTel-Aviv University·Journalnpj Genomic Medicine·DateAug 31, 2021

Paint the town

A team of scientists from Osaka University developed a machine learning method for classifying the type of building and its primary façade color using deep learning models applied to street-level images. This work may assist in fostering neighborhood cohesion and support urban renewal by providing tailored street-view datasets.

SourceOsaka University·JournalISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information·DateAug 31, 2021

Anchoring single atoms

Researchers from Vienna University of Technology have developed a new method to anchor single atoms on surfaces, paving the way for single-atom catalysis. The technique uses silicon atoms as anchors for single metal atoms, which can be used to accelerate chemical reactions.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

Cancer cells on the wrong path

Researchers from Charité and the German Cancer Consortium studied colorectal cancer cells using single cell sequencing to identify adaptations that render treatment ineffective. The study provides insights into the development process of cancer and suggests ways to improve current treatment approaches.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateAug 31, 2021

A new approach creates an exceptional single-atom catalyst for water splitting

Scientists created a new approach to anchoring individual iridium atoms on the surface of a catalytic particle, increasing its efficiency in splitting water molecules to record levels. This breakthrough could ease the bottleneck for sustainable energy production by enabling more efficient electrolysis.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

How to produce proteins at the right speed

Researchers at UNIGE deciphered the genetic mechanisms controlling protein synthesis speed, revealing a dynamic observation technique called ribosome profiling. This method showed that regulatory factors modulate translation rate, affecting protein structure and aggregation.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCell Reports·TypeNews article·DateAug 31, 2021

Older people with abdominal fat and weak muscles are more likely to develop mobility problems

A Brazilian-UK study found that older individuals with both abdominal fat and muscle weakness experience a significant loss of gait speed over eight years. This decline can lead to difficulty walking and increased risk of falls, impacting independence. Researchers urge health workers to measure abdominal fat and muscle strength to pred...

Innovative, faster and more cost-effective technology identifies drug that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 growth in lab setting

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed a new drug discovery technology to screen billions of compounds for potential treatments against viruses. They identified an inhibitor of the viral protein Mpro, which is needed for virus propagation, and demonstrated its potential in preventing SARS-CoV-2 replication.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

Highlighting new innovations in early cancer detection

PLOS Medicine features five studies outlining novel strategies for detecting cancer and identifying minimal residual disease. Researchers discuss innovative approaches, including plasma cell-free DNA sequencing and urine tumor DNA detection, to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 31, 2021

Bacteria may hold key for energy storage, biofuels

Researchers have identified a mechanism in Shewanella oneidensis that allows the microbe to take energy into its system for use in its metabolism. The study reveals a pathway for electron uptake that could be used to create efficient, scalable, and cheap methods for storing renewable energy and producing biofuels.

SourceCornell University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 31, 2021

SLAS Discovery’s September special collection “Applications of biophysics in early drug discovery” now available

This special collection highlights the use of biophysical methods in identifying and characterizing molecules in early drug discovery, including graphene bioelectronic sensing technology and mass spectrometry. It also showcases a fully automated acoustic ejection mass spectrometry technology for high-throughput screening.

Extreme sea levels to become much more common worldwide as Earth warms

A new study predicts extreme sea levels will become 100 times more frequent worldwide, with an annual occurrence by the end of the century. The research, led by Claudia Tebaldi, suggests rising temperatures will have a significant impact on coastal regions, particularly in the tropics and lower latitudes.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 31, 2021

Revealing the hidden structure of quantum entangled states

Researchers at the University of Witwatersrand have developed a new approach to probing high-dimensional quantum states, reducing measurement time from decades to minutes. The method enables faster quantum computing and communication by determining key parameters such as dimensionality and purity of the quantum state.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 31, 2021

Breathing humid and salt-enriched air reduces respiratory droplet generation; may contribute to the effectiveness of cotton masks and reduce incidence of and death by COVID-19 near seacoasts

Researchers found that breathing humid air and delivering salt droplets reduced respiratory droplet generation by 50% within 10 minutes. A correlation between elevated airborne salt concentration and reduced COVID-19 incidence and deaths was also observed along US coastlines.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalMolecular Frontiers Journal·DateAug 31, 2021