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Science News for January 19, 2021


Online courses reinforce inequalities

A study by Université de Genève found that online courses deepen inequalities between high-potential and struggling students by 5%. The research suggests that different behaviour patterns, such as preferring face-to-face classes or streaming, contribute to these disparities.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalJournal of the European Economic Association·DateJan 19, 2021

Do children view punishment as rehabilitative? A new study takes a look

A new study by Columbia University researchers found that children but not adults report 'mean' individuals becoming nicer after severe punishment. Adults, however, believe that 'nice' individuals become less nice following incarceration. The study suggests that with age, people in the US become increasingly pessimistic about punishmen...

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateJan 19, 2021

Dinosaur-era sea lizard had teeth like a shark

A new species of mosasaur with shark-like cutting teeth has been discovered in Morocco, highlighting the diverse range of predators that thrived in ancient seas. The discovery suggests that marine reptiles were expanding their diversity before they went extinct, contradicting previous assumptions about ecosystem decline.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalCretaceous Research·DateJan 19, 2021

Constructing termite turrets without a blueprint

Scientists have created a mathematical framework to understand how termites construct intricate mounds without a plan. By analyzing the spacing and arrangement of floors and ramps, researchers have made predictions for the spontaneous formation of linear and helical ramps, shedding light on swarm intelligence.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2021

Fatty acid may help combat multiple sclerosis

A new Yale University study finds that a lack of oleic acid in fat tissue can trigger an abnormal immune response in multiple sclerosis. Introducing oleic acids into fatty tissue increased regulatory T cells, which can help combat the disease.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 19, 2021

ALS study reveals a unique population

Researchers have discovered that Maltese patients with ALS do not have flaws in the C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP, and FUS genes, which are common in European ALS cases. Instead, a higher percentage of Maltese patients without a family history of ALS have harmful DNA mutations in rarely damaged genes.

SourceUniversity of Malta·JournalEuropean Journal of Human Genetics·DateJan 19, 2021

Butterfly anti-aphrodisiac and floral scent

A novel family of enzymes in butterflies produces (E)-beta-ocimene as an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone, similar to a floral attractant found in many flower scents. This independent evolutionary process highlights the convergent evolution of chemical signals across kingdoms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 19, 2021

Rush researchers demonstrate success with new therapy for COVID-19

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have successfully tested a new peptide therapy that reduces fever, protects the lungs, improves heart function, and reverses cytokine storm in mouse models with COVID-19. The treatment also prevents disease progression and has potential as a post-vaccine measure to manage severe symptoms.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology·DateJan 19, 2021

Counting elephants from space

Researchers successfully counted African elephants using satellite images and deep learning algorithms, achieving accuracy comparable to human observers. This new surveying technique offers an efficient alternative to manual counting from low-flying airplanes, enabling vast areas of land to be scanned rapidly.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalRemote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation·DateJan 19, 2021

Land deals meant to improve food security may have hurt

A recent study by researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that large-scale land acquisitions intended to boost food security had little to no benefit, instead threatening local food security in some areas. The study analyzed satellite imagery, agricultural surveys, and household dietary datasets across four continents between...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2021

Worker safety goes beyond human error

Researchers at Texas A&M University found that worker attitudes towards procedure utility and quality are crucial in preventing incidents. The study suggests that procedures must be both effective and useful for workers to use them correctly, contradicting the traditional 'control paradigm' approach.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalSafety Science·DateJan 19, 2021

Solar activity reconstructed over a millennium

A team of scientists has reconstructed solar activity from 969 to 1933 using measurements of radioactive carbon in tree rings. The study used modern detection techniques to achieve high precision, confirming the regularity of the eleven-year cycle and revealing potential solar energetic proton events.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 19, 2021

Inflamed environment is C. diff paradise

Researchers found C. diff produces toxins causing inflammation and damage to the gut lining, allowing it to thrive in an environment with less competition for nutrients. This process enables the pathogen to utilize amino acids from collagen for growth, further promoting its survival and persistence.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 19, 2021

Individual and organizational capacity to change can reduce health care workforce burnout

A new study by George Mason University found that healthcare professionals with a greater ability to respond to change experienced lower rates of burnout when their work environments offered strong communication, teamwork, and leadership support. The study also found that practices with higher organizational capacity for change had low...

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 19, 2021

Researchers discover mechanism behind most severe cases of a common blood disorder

Researchers have uncovered the mechanism behind severe cases of G6PD deficiency, identifying a chain of amino acids that warps the shape of the condition's namesake protein. This breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments and therapeutics for Class I patients, who currently rely on blood transfusions.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2021

Canadian researchers create new form of cultivated meat

Researchers at McMaster University have developed a new form of cultivated meat by stacking thin sheets of muscle and fat cells grown in a lab setting. The technique allows for the creation of slabs of meat with customizable fat content and marbling, making it a promising alternative to traditional meat production.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalCells Tissues Organs·DateJan 19, 2021

Experimental evidence of an intermediate state of matter between a crystal and a liquid

Scientists have experimentally confirmed the presence of an intermediate hexatic phase in a monolayer dusty plasma system, resolving a long-standing question in theoretical physics. The research uses an unconventional approach to form a monolayer dusty system and precisely controls temperature to identify the phase transition points.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 19, 2021

Routine thoracic surgery safe during COVID-19 pandemic

A study in Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that routine thoracic surgery and invasive examinations were performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed data from a single Chinese hospital and showed that careful screening, patient protection, and effective medical staff precautions enabled safe operations.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJan 19, 2021

Specific genes increase the risk of bedwetting

A large-scale study has found specific genetic variants that increase the risk of nocturnal enuresis, commonly known as bedwetting. The study provides new insights into the processes causing this widespread phenomenon and highlights the importance of genetic factors in its development.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateJan 19, 2021

Using ancient fossils and gravitational-wave science to predict earth's future

A team of scientists used ancient marine fossils and gravitational wave astronomy to develop a more accurate palaeo-thermometer for predicting climate change. The improved thermometer uses machine-learning tools to extract temperature from GDGT concentrations with an accuracy of just 3.6 degrees, nearly twice that of previous models.

As oceans warm, large fish struggle

A new model developed by researchers at McGill University predicts that warming waters will reduce the ability of large fish to extract oxygen from their environment, impairing their physiological performance. The study's findings suggest that global warming could limit the aerobic capacity of fish worldwide.

Mystery of Martian glaciers revealed

A new analysis reveals Mars underwent 6-20 separate ice ages during the past 300-800 million years, with rocks trapped in glaciers providing a natural experiment. The findings hold implications for planetary geology and space exploration, including the potential for life on Mars.

SourceColgate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2021