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Science News for February 23, 2021


Abundance of iron drives cell death and could inform novel treatments for neuroblastoma

A recent study found that MYCN overexpression leads to increased iron levels, which induce ferroptosis, a type of cell death. This vulnerability can be exploited by drugs blocking ROS elimination, making cancer cells susceptible to treatment. The researchers plan to test FDA-approved rheumatoid arthritis drugs in preclinical models.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalCancer Research·DateFeb 23, 2021

Alaska thunderstorms may triple with climate change

Researchers predict that Alaska will experience a significant increase in thunderstorms by the end of the century, with storms becoming more frequent and intense, especially in southern regions. This shift is driven by warming temperatures and ice-free waters around Alaska, which will fuel atmospheric moisture.

Losing Obamacare protections during pandemic could increase health disparities

A third of patients with COVID-19 did not have another health condition before contracting the virus, highlighting the need to protect those with pre-existing conditions. This study suggests that repealing Affordable Care Act protections for pre-existing conditions could further increase health disparities among people of color.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateFeb 23, 2021

For selenium in rivers, timing matters

Research in the Lower Gunnison River Basin found that selenium concentrations in fish prey were highest in April and August due to snowmelt and irrigation. This study highlights the importance of considering the timing of exposure to selenium, which can impair development and survival in aquatic species.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 23, 2021

Waitlist policies may contribute to racial disparities in kidney transplant access

A recent study found that enrolling Black patients on the waitlist with slightly better kidney function could reduce racial disparities in transplant access. This approach aims to bridge the gap between Black and white patients' wait times before kidney failure, ultimately promoting greater equality in transplantation.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 23, 2021

Models to predict dengue, zika and yellow fever outbreaks are developed by researchers

A groundbreaking study aims to create predictive models to monitor and combat epidemics of yellow fever and other mosquito-borne diseases. By analyzing factors such as deforestation, rainfall variations and non-human primate populations, researchers hope to develop models that can predict outbreaks and protect the public.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEmerging Topics in Life Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2021

Oxidation processes in combustion engines and in the atmosphere take the same routes

A research team at TROPOS and University of Helsinki has discovered that alkanes in fuels produce highly oxygenated compounds that can form organic aerosol and contribute to air pollution. The study uses state-of-the-art measurement technology to demonstrate an efficient autoxidation chain reaction for saturated hydrocarbons.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateFeb 23, 2021

New therapeutic target for Huntington's treatment

Researchers at the University of Barcelona have identified small RNAs as a potential therapeutic target for Huntington's disease, which could lead to new treatments and biomarkers. The study reveals that sRNAs play a crucial role in the progression of the disease, including neurotoxicity and neuronal loss.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalActa Neuropathologica·DateFeb 23, 2021

For students of color, online racism leads to real-world mental health challenges

A recent study found that online racism has a significant impact on the mental health of college students of color, even more so than in-person experiences. The study suggests that social media platforms can be a breeding ground for racialized aggressions and assaults, which can lead to real and significant mental health impacts.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of Student Affairs Research and Practice·DateFeb 23, 2021

Low-level jets create winds of change for turbines

Researchers found that low-level jets can increase power production by up to 30% when positioned below turbines. Turbines placed above or at the same height as LLJs experience reduced efficiency due to blocked airflow. The study highlights the importance of optimizing turbine height for maximum energy capture.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateFeb 23, 2021

CUHK study brings new direction for treating neurological diseases

A recent CUHK study has provided a novel understanding of the molecular regulatory mechanisms behind the function of the blood-CSF barrier. The research team found that SOX9 is essential to prevent leakage of undesired molecules into the cerebrospinal fluid, highlighting its critical role in maintaining brain homeostasis.

SourceThe Chinese University of Hong Kong·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2021

Climate impacts drive east-west divide in forest seed production

A new study finds that eastern forests are more responsive to climate change, with younger trees increasing their seed production. In contrast, older western trees have been less responsive, which could limit their ability to regenerate after diebacks. The study reveals a continental divide in forest responses to climate change.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 23, 2021

COVID-19 communication

A medical school professor highlights the importance of empathy in COVID-19 care, prioritizing humanity over statistics for families affected by critical illness. The essay aims to shift the focus from data-driven approaches to compassion and caring in healthcare.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 23, 2021

Study finds COVID risk communication targeting younger adults may have biggest impact

A US study suggests that young adults (under 40) perceive COVID-19 risks differently than older generations, with lower perceived risk and fewer preventive measures taken. Effective targeted communication efforts could encourage more risk reduction behaviors among younger generations.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateFeb 23, 2021

Elsevier donates original drawings of the Pernkopf Anatomy Atlas to the MedUni Vienna

The Medical University of Vienna has received the original drawings and materials of the famous Pernkopf Atlas of Anatomy from Elsevier, along with funding for digitization and cataloguing. The donation supports historical reappraisal of the atlas's creation, which used models from executed victims of Nazi justice.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalAnnals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger·DateFeb 23, 2021

Nonconscious brain modulation to remove fears, increase confidence

A new dataset from ATR Brain Information Communication Research Laboratory Group provides insights into Decoded Neurofeedback, a technique that uses AI and brain scanning to modify fear memories and boost confidence. The dataset includes five studies and could lead to new treatments for PTSD, phobias, and anxiety disorders.

UIC researchers invent new gene-editing tool

Researchers have discovered a new gene-editing technique that allows for the programming of sequential cuts in genes, enabling researchers to better investigate time-sensitive processes like cancer development. The discovery was made by UIC's Bradley Merrill and colleagues using special molecules called 'proGuides',

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalMolecular Cell·DateFeb 23, 2021

'Missing ice problem' finally solved

Climate researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute have developed a new method to reconcile sea-level height and glacier thickness, advancing our understanding of past climate history. By analyzing sediment cores and geological conditions, they found that glaciers were larger than previously thought, resolving the 'missing ice problem'.

You've got to move it, move it

Researchers found that light-intensity physical activity, such as gardening or walking, may protect mobility in older women. Women who spent the most time performing light-intensity activities had a 46% lower risk of mobility loss compared to those with lower levels of physical activity.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 23, 2021

LSU Health New Orleans study finds disadvantaged census tracts linked to COVID incidence

A new LSU Health New Orleans study found a positive association between social vulnerability and COVID-19 incidence at the census tract level. Census tracts with higher levels of social vulnerability were associated with higher COVID-19 cumulative incidence, suggesting targeted interventions could reduce transmission in vulnerable popu...

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateFeb 23, 2021

New strategy blocks chronic lung disease in mice

Researchers at WashU Medicine have found a new way to block chronic lung diseases such as asthma and COPD by targeting the packaging of inflammatory cytokines in exosomes. By blocking the release of these packaged cytokines, they can prevent damage to the lungs and slow disease progression in mice.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJCI Insight·DateFeb 23, 2021

Green revolution in electronic displays expected to ease energy and health crises

New strategies aim to achieve ideal bistable electrochromic systems for green displays. Researchers explore various approaches, including material design optimization, indirect EC systems, and device structure improvements. The goal is to overcome technical bottlenecks and enable widespread adoption of sustainable displays.

Spintronics: New production method makes crystalline microstructures universally usable

A new production method developed by physicists at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg enables the transfer of crystalline microstructures to any material, advancing the production of smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient components. The method has potential applications in spintronics, magnonics, and hybrid components.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 23, 2021

'Good bacteria' in breast milk changes over time

Scientists have identified a range of microbiome species never before detected in human milk, which change significantly between early and late lactation. These bacteria are thought to protect the infant gastrointestinal tract and improve aspects of long-term health, such as allergy prevention and toxin resistance.

SourceMcGill University·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateFeb 23, 2021

Incarceration is strongly linked with premature death in US

A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a strong association between jail incarceration and death rates from various causes in the US. The research estimated that every 1,000 population increase in local jail incarceration rate was associated with significant increases in mortality rates from infectio...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateFeb 23, 2021

Give the heart a ketone? It may be beneficial

Emerging evidence suggests ketone bodies exert protective effects on patients with heart disease, potentially providing a safer alternative to the keto diet. Increasing circulating ketone levels through multiple mechanisms may offer therapeutic advantages in reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 23, 2021

A memory without a brain

Researchers have identified how Physarum polycephalum, a single-celled organism, stores and retrieves information about its environment through its network architecture. The slime mold weaves memories of food encounters into the architecture and uses stored information to make future decisions.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2021