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Science News for January 25, 2021


Impact of patient-reported symptom information on lumbar spine MRI Interpretation

Research suggests that radiologists' diagnoses of lumbar spine pain generators are highly accurate when using patient-reported symptom information from brief questionnaires. The study found almost perfect agreement between radiologists' diagnoses using symptom information and those without it, improving diagnostic certainty levels.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJan 25, 2021

Doctoral student leads paleoclimate study of precipitation and sea ice in Arctic Alaska

A recent study led by a doctoral candidate in Arctic Alaska reveals the interconnectedness of the Arctic and North Pacific on multimillennial timescales, with implications for future climate change. The research demonstrates that reduced sea ice results in isotopically heavier precipitation derived from proximal Arctic moisture sources.

SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2021

Adding or subtracting single quanta of sound

Researchers perform an experiment that adds or subtracts a single phonon to a high-frequency sound field using laser light interactions. The team's findings show that subtracting a single phonon increases the average number of quanta, defying intuition. This result opens a new path for quantum science and technology with sound waves.

SourceImperial College London·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 25, 2021

Nanomedicine's 'crown' is ready for its close up

Researchers have developed a unique combination of microscopy techniques to study the biological effects of nanoparticles and their interaction with human plasma. This approach allows for an unprecedented view of the nanoparticle's 'corona', also known as its biological 'crown', which contains clues about how nanoparticles interact wit...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 25, 2021

Better bundled: new principle for generating X-rays

Researchers at the University of Göttingen have created a novel approach for generating X-rays by utilizing a thin layer structure with varying electron densities. This 'sandwich structure' enables focused X-ray beams to be directed in a specific direction, overcoming the challenges of traditional X-ray tube methods.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 25, 2021

What's in a name? A new class of superconductors

Physicists Qimiao Si and Emilian Nica propose a new theory that explains how electrons form pairs in unconventional superconductors. Their work reveals a general phenomenon called multiorbital singlet pairing, which is crucial for understanding the behavior of iron-based and heavy-fermion materials.

SourceRice University·Journalnpj Quantum Materials·DateJan 25, 2021

Dairy calves benefit from higher-protein starter feed, Illinois study says

A new University of Illinois study found that dairy calves fed with high-protein starter feed had less fat in their body weight gain and more protein devoted to the development of the gastrointestinal system. Producers can improve calf health and productivity by feeding higher-protein starters.

Charged up: revolutionizing rechargeable sodium-ion batteries with 'doped' carbon anodes

Researchers at Korea Maritime and Ocean University developed a new anode material for sodium-ion batteries by doping carbon with different atoms, improving electrochemical performance and reversible capacity. The findings have significant implications for the engineering of sustainable, inexpensive, high-performance batteries.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalJournal of Power Sources·DateJan 25, 2021

Special Issue, Volume 10 ofInter Faculty- Resonance

This special issue of Inter Faculty journal examines how the pandemic has reshaped society, highlighting key findings on resilience, solidarity, and care. Researchers from diverse fields discuss how the Anthropocene era is transforming human relations and society's relationship with nature.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalInternational Academic Journal Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management·DateJan 25, 2021

Older minority cancer patients have worse surgery outcomes than similar white patients

A new study reveals that older minority cancer patients with poor social determinants experience negative surgical outcomes, including higher complication rates and mortality. Researchers suggest integrating vulnerability assessments into national standard of care models to improve outcomes.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 25, 2021

Association of smoking with COVID-19 outcomes

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that smoking is an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes. The results suggest that cumulative exposure to cigarette smoke increases the risk of hospital admission and death from COVID-19.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 25, 2021

Photocatalytic reaction in the shadow

Researchers developed an illumination-reaction decoupled n-Si MIS photocathode that surmounts challenges impeding p-Si MIS photocathode development. The new design utilizes majority carriers to drive the surface reduction reaction, avoiding light-shielding problems and enabling higher efficiency.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 25, 2021

Anti-freeze for cell membranes

Researchers have identified a new protein that regulates fluidity in moss cell membranes, allowing them to withstand cold temperatures. This discovery shows convergence in plant evolution, with mosses and flowering plants using similar mechanisms to protect themselves from cold and pathogens.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Plants·DateJan 25, 2021

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The American College of Physicians and Annals of Internal Medicine hosted a third virtual COVID-19 vaccine forum, discussing the allocation and distribution of available vaccines. Researchers also published an observational study finding that early therapeutic anticoagulation in critically ill patients with COVID-19 did not affect surv...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 25, 2021

Aircraft could cut emissions by better surfing the wind

Researchers found that commercial flights between New York and London last winter could have used up to 16% less fuel by harnessing favorable winds. The study, published in Environmental Research Letters, analyzed 35,000 flights and suggests that simple tweaks to flight paths can offer benefits immediately.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 25, 2021

Afternoon napping linked to better mental agility

Research suggests that regular afternoon napping may be associated with better mental agility, including improved locational awareness, verbal fluency, and working memory. The study found significant differences in cognitive performance scores among nap-takers compared to non-nappers.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGeneral Psychiatry·DateJan 25, 2021

Energetic costs of human-induced risk in pumas

Pumas in California experienced significant energetic costs when navigating physically difficult terrain or high-risk human disturbance areas, resulting in reduced space use. This study found that male pumas were particularly affected, with a 68% decrease in daily distance traveled and total area traversed over two months.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2021

A microscopic look at aneurysm repair

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a new, primary phase of blood vessel restructuring that begins immediately after an aneurysm forms. This immediate adaptation enables the vessel to better handle new loads and reduces the risk of rupture.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalExperimental Mechanics·DateJan 25, 2021

Cholesterol starvation kills lymphoma cells

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel therapy that uses synthetic nanoparticles to trigger the destruction of lymphoma cells by depriving them of cholesterol. This approach has potential for targeting other cancers with an appetite for cholesterol, such as kidney and ovarian cancer.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 25, 2021

Wetter weather affects composition, numbers of tiny estuarial phytoplankton

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and increased precipitation, affect the amount and composition of tiny phytoplankton in the Neuse River Estuary. The study reveals a shift in concentration and population of picophytoplankton after storms, which could have long-term eff...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 25, 2021

Increasing political tolerance

Researchers found that issue-relevant personal experiences are more effective at fostering mutual respect than facts in bridging moral and political divides. The study's findings also suggest that vulnerability-based experiences have a greater impact on building respect for opponents' stances.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2021

How fast could SARS-CoV-2 be detected?

A new electrical detector has been developed for the fast and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies, allowing for rapid point-of-care testing with a turn-around time of around 10 minutes. The device uses graphene field-effect transistors to detect RNA and offers an ultra-low limit of detection of 0.1 fg/mL.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Materials·DateJan 25, 2021

Fighting cancer from a chair

Researchers discovered that triplatinNC changes the geometry of heparan sulfate, blocking its splitting and preventing tumor cell migration. This finding opens possibilities for designing anti-metastatic platinum complexes.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 25, 2021

When galaxies collide

Researchers found that certain head-on galaxy collisions can clear matter from the galactic nucleus, reducing the activity of central black holes. This discovery could help us understand the evolution of our Milky Way and its interactions with smaller galaxies.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 25, 2021

ISIS and the Taliban use different strategies to appeal to women in English-language magazines

A recent study by researchers from the University of Exeter analyzed 68 English language jihadi magazines produced between 2013 and 2020. The Taliban's magazines promote traditional roles for women, while ISIS and Al Qaeda encourage violence and leave husbandless wives. Experts hope highlighting these varying recruitment strategies wil...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalSmall Wars and Insurgencies·DateJan 25, 2021

The surprises of color evolution

A biologist's review articles on insect color vision and plant-pollinator interactions highlight the complexity of these relationships, which involve deception, chemical warfare, and biomechanical trickery. Plants have evolved fine-tuned pigments to attract pollinators, but insects have also co-evolved with them.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 25, 2021

Simulating 800,000 years of California earthquake history to pinpoint risks

A new framework predicts likelihood and impact of earthquakes over an entire region by simulating hundreds of thousands of years of seismic history in California. The results compare well with historical earthquakes and display a realistic distribution of earthquake probabilities.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateJan 25, 2021

Dietary adherence and the fight against obesity

A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing analyzed various dietary approaches and clinical trials to better understand how to optimize adherence and subsequent weight reduction. The findings suggest that there is not convincing evidence that one diet is universally easier to adhere to than another, highlighti...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 25, 2021

Borderline personality disorder: Don't ignore it

Researchers found that adolescent borderline pathology can improve with treatment, challenging previous assumptions about its intractability. The study of 500 adolescent patients over 18 months showed a significant downward trend of BPD features despite not undergoing specialized treatment.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Abnormal Child Psychology·DateJan 25, 2021