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Science News for February 11, 2021


Wake-up call for neural stem cells

Researchers have identified a brain enzyme that activates dormant neural stem cells, enabling them to proliferate and generate new neurons. The study found that the enzyme Pr-set7 plays a crucial role in maintaining genome stability and regulating cell cycle, leading to reactivation of neural stem cells.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalEMBO Reports·DateFeb 11, 2021

Study identifies never-before-seen dual function in enzyme critical for cancer growth

Researchers have identified a previously unknown dual function of polymerase theta (pol theta) in DNA repair, which could lead to the development of new therapeutic options for breast and ovarian cancers. The finding shows pol theta can both extend DNA and trim it, making it a potential target for treatment development.

Facts on the ground: How microplastics in the soil contribute to environmental pollution

A study by scientists from Incheon National University reveals that microplastics in agricultural soil can affect soil quality, plant physiology, and even the environment. The researchers found that different shapes of MPs dominate various agricultural practices, highlighting the need for efficient management strategies to reduce the t...

SourceIncheon National University·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·DateFeb 11, 2021

Play and meaty food reduce hunting by cats

A new study found that introducing premium commercial food with high protein content from meat reduced the number of prey animals brought home by 36%, while five to ten minutes of daily play resulted in a 25% reduction. These non-invasive methods offer a solution for reducing hunting without restricting cat access.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 11, 2021

How do our memories take shape?

Researchers developed a computer program to create geometric shapes from video sequences, comparing them to participants' recounted experiences. The study found that people tend to remember major plot points accurately, while finer-scale details are distorted or forgotten.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateFeb 11, 2021

Tap water access linked to dengue risk

Researchers have identified tap water access as a strong predictor of dengue risk in urban environments. Poorly accessed colonies showed higher risks of exposure and recent infection compared to wealthier areas, highlighting the need for targeted mosquito control measures.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 11, 2021

Ebola is a master of disguise

A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens identified a key pathway that Ebola uses to gain entry into human cells. The researchers found that a specific FDA-approved drug can prevent the virus from using this pathway, potentially leading to new treatment options for Ebola patients.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 11, 2021

Chinese people may be more susceptible to obesity-related health risks than other racial, ethnic groups

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that Chinese adults are more likely to face high blood pressure and other health risks as a result of higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. The research analyzed data from over 126,000 participants and discovered that C...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateFeb 11, 2021

Bringing bad proteins back into the fold

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a mechanism controlling the activity of chaperone proteins, which guide proteins into proper shapes. The findings shed light on hundreds of degenerative and neurodegenerative diseases caused by protein misfolding, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2021

Most people are naturally armed against SARS-CoV-2

A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that most people can produce neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in severe cases of COVID-19. These antibodies can be combined to block the virus from spreading, offering a promising approach for treatment and prevention, especially for vulnerable populations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 11, 2021

The politics of synonyms

A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that people are more successful at identifying language associated with Republican speech than Democratic speech patterns. The study used machine learning to scan the Congressional Record and presidential debate corpora to isolate linguistic variation between the two parties.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 11, 2021

Want to hire more women? Expand your short list

A Cornell University study reveals that increasing the length of an initial job candidate shortlist can help hiring managers consider female candidates more, supporting gender equity efforts. By extending this list, it can increase the consideration of female candidates in male-dominant domains.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateFeb 11, 2021

Common pipistrelle bats attracted to wind turbines

A new study found that common pipistrelle bats are attracted to wind turbines, with activity around 30% higher at turbines than control locations. Ongoing monitoring and measures like idling blade rotation may help reduce fatalities. Soprano pipistrelle bat activity did not show conclusive evidence of attraction.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 11, 2021

A new way of forming planets

Scientists have developed a new modelling technique to simulate the effects of both gravity and magnetism on planetary formation. The study suggests that magnetic fields can make it difficult for growing planets to accumulate mass beyond a certain point, resulting in a higher frequency of intermediate-mass planets.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 11, 2021

Coronavirus test from a suitcase

A portable, suitcase-based laboratory provides rapid and accurate SARS-CoV-2 testing in regions with limited infrastructure. The mini-lab uses a recombinase polymerase amplification method, producing results in under 15 minutes.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateFeb 11, 2021

Mail-in sperm testing system just as reliable in predicting male fertility as tests performed in clinic settings

A study from Keck Medicine of USC found that a mail-in sperm testing kit can accurately analyze semen up to 52 hours after collection, surpassing the current one-hour test. This innovation allows men to provide specimens from home, improving flexibility and accessibility for fertility evaluations.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalFertility and Sterility·DateFeb 11, 2021

Smartphone app to change your personality

A digital intervention using a smartphone app altered major personality traits such as conscientiousness and extraversion. Participants who used the app for more than three months reported greater success in achieving their change goals compared to those who only used it for two months.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2021

Wafer-scale production of graphene-based photonic devices

Researchers from Graphene Flagship partners developed a wafer-scale fabrication method for graphene-based photonic devices, enabling automation and paving the way to large-scale production. The technique allows for integration into silicon wafers, offering ultra-broadband communications and ultra-high mobility of carriers.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 11, 2021

Handgun ownership associated with firearm suicide

A new study published in Archives of Suicide Research found that handgun ownership is associated with a greater odds of dying from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in suicide deaths. Researchers also discovered that individuals who only owned handguns were more likely to use them in their death compared to those who owned shotguns.

SourceRutgers University·JournalArchives of Suicide Research·DateFeb 11, 2021

Recent efforts haven't improved access to kidney transplantation

Despite policies and interventions aimed at improving access to kidney transplantation, a new study found no overall improvement in rates of wait list placement and transplantation over two decades. The researchers also identified striking disparities in access to transplantation, highlighting the need for more effective strategies to ...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 11, 2021

No new mountains formed during Earth's middle age, halting life's evolution for an eon

A new study reveals that mountain formation was paused for nearly a billion years during Earth's middle age, leading to a decline in crustal thickness and potentially halting life evolution. The prolonged orogenic quiescence may have resulted from the long-lived Nuna-Rodina supercontinent altering the thermal structure of the mantle.

Vibrating 2D materials

Scientists have successfully determined the strength of exciton-phonon coupling in 2D materials at room temperature, a crucial step towards optimizing their applications. This breakthrough was achieved using a novel method called coherent 2D microscopy, which combines high spatial resolution with femtosecond time resolution.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2021

Learning by observation reduces cognitive bias, research suggests

New research suggests that observing others' decision-making can teach people to make better decisions themselves. The study, co-authored by Professor Irene Scopelliti, tested the effectiveness of a new debiasing training strategy and reports first evidence that watching others make decisions can improve our own decision making.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateFeb 11, 2021

Patient education program with mental health component reduces cardiovascular disease risks

A 12-month patient education program that integrated mental health information significantly reduced cardiovascular disease risks, improving measures such as fasting blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, and BMI. Patients who received the program maintained most of these improvements six months later.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPreventive Medicine Reports·DateFeb 11, 2021

One dose of COVID-19 vaccine provokes strong immune response in those previously infected

A recent study published in Eurosurveillance found that one dose of the Pfizer vaccine triggers a strong immune response in people who have previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2. The researchers also observed similar responses across multi-ethnic groups, suggesting that vaccination priority for those previously infected may not be n...

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalEurosurveillance·DateFeb 11, 2021

Chemotherapy and hearing loss: Until now, an unquantified risk

The largest multi-center study of cisplatin-induced hearing loss reveals that permanent hearing loss occurs in 20-90% of patients, with higher doses and vincristine use increasing risk. The study establishes benchmarks for the prevalence of hearing loss and provides insights into how adjusting dosing approaches can minimize side effects.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateFeb 11, 2021

Heart failure cases soar globally

Global heart failure cases rose from 33.5 million in 1990 to 64.3 million in 2017, mainly due to increased risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The prevalence of heart failure decreased only in high-income countries, while it increased in low- and middle-income countries.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateFeb 11, 2021

Vaporised crusts of Earth-like planets found in dying stars

University of Warwick astronomers detect lithium and potassium in the atmospheres of four nearby white dwarf stars, revealing remnants of rocky planet crusts. The chemical composition of these crusts is similar to Earth's continental crust, providing a glimpse of the planets that may have orbited these dying stars billions of years ago.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 11, 2021

Gene variants increase risk of Addison's disease

A large-scale genetic study found that variants of nine genes increase the risk of developing Addison's disease, a rare autoimmune disorder. The study identified specific gene variants associated with the disease, including the AIRE gene, which plays a crucial role in immune system function.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2021