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Science News for January 7, 2021


How to mitigate the impact of a lockdown on mental health

A new study by the University of Basel found that lockdowns affect mental health variably across countries, with factors like social support and financial stability playing a crucial role. The research suggests that public health initiatives should target those without social support and those whose finances worsen during lockdowns.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 7, 2021

Heading outdoors keeps lockdown blues at bay

A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that spending time outdoors is associated with higher levels of happiness during COVID-19 restrictions. The research also showed that daily screen time and loneliness are linked to lower happiness levels, but outdoor activities can mitigate these effects.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateJan 7, 2021

Mount Sinai researchers identify and characterize 3 molecular subtypes of Alzheimer's

Researchers at Mount Sinai identified three major molecular subtypes of Alzheimer's disease using RNA sequencing data from over 1,500 brain samples. These subtypes were independent of age and disease stage and corresponded to different combinations of dysregulated biological pathways leading to brain degeneration.

Paper: Emotionally appealing ads may not always help consumer memory

A new study by Hayden Noel found that emotionally arousing advertisements can have a negative effect on immediate memory but a positive effect on delayed memory if the level of emotional arousal is congruent with the ad's claims. The research has practical implications for advertisers seeking to develop effective message strategies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalInternational Journal of Advertising·DateJan 7, 2021

Seafood strategies

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara offer approaches for sustainable expansion of the US seafood industry, citing challenges from trade wars and COVID-19. They recommend 'precise and strategic fisheries reforms' to address complexities and promote growth.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalMarine Policy·DateJan 7, 2021

Keeping sperm cells on track

Researchers found that glycylation, a rare modification of tubulin protein, is essential for maintaining straight swimming motion in sperm cells. Without this modification, sperm swim in circles due to uncoordinated activity of molecular motors.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJan 7, 2021

Perception of palliative care in South Asian populations

A recent study found that seventy percent of participants lacked understanding of palliative care, while forty-four percent believed it conflicted with their values. Despite this, many agreed that better quality of life was crucial when dealing with a serious illness. The study highlights the need for culturally competent palliative ca...

SourceMcMaster University·JournalBMC Palliative Care·DateJan 7, 2021

Patterns in primordial germ cell migration

A team of biologists and mathematicians developed a new software tool to analyze cell migration processes in zebrafish embryos. The study identified physical barriers that influence cell migration and found a tissue-specific expression of green fluorescent protein, which serves as a reference structure for image registration.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateJan 7, 2021

Fatal health threat to young African children reduced by innovative artistic intervention

A new study reveals that traditional performing arts can drastically reduce the fatal threat of diarrhoea and pneumonia in young children. The intervention, led by the University of Birmingham, improved mothers' food safety and hygiene behaviours, resulting in a 60% reduction in hospital admissions for diarrhoea and a 30% reduction in ...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 7, 2021

Simple bioreactor makes 'gut check' more practical

Researchers at Rice University have created a lab tool that simplifies simulations of the human intestine, allowing for more practical studies on diseases like infectious diarrhea. The device enables the real-time growth of bacterial infections and provides a mechanical model for studying how invading bacteria cause disease.

SourceRice University·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateJan 7, 2021

Harbor porpoises on the decline in the German North Sea

The harbor porpoise population is declining in the German North Sea, with a decline of 1.79% per year reported over two decades. Conservation efforts are needed to protect the species, which has been affected by human activities at sea, including shipping routes and wind farms.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateJan 7, 2021

Insights into the Yellowstone hotspot

A new study published in GSA Today suggests that the Yellowstone hotspot is derived from a deep mantle plume, with magmatism extending to at least 56 million years ago. The study's findings indicate a long-lived and robust hotspot that has migrated across northeastern California, northern Nevada, and into Yellowstone National Park.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateJan 7, 2021

Nanodroplets and ultrasound 'drills' prove effective at tackling tough blood clots

Engineers developed a new technique to eliminate particularly tough blood clots by using engineered nanodroplets and an ultrasound drill to break up the clots from the inside out. In vitro testing showed promising results, with the use of nanodroplets, ultrasound, and drug treatment reducing clot mass by 40%, plus or minus 9%.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·DateJan 7, 2021

Intelligence deficit: Conclusion from the mouse to the human being

A new mouse model created by researchers at the University of Bonn reveals that GPI anchor deficiencies, a group of rare diseases, are caused by impaired transmission of stimuli at brain synapses. The mice exhibited cognitive deficits, altered social behavior, and increased susceptibility to epilepsy, mirroring human symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2021

IU research findings could reduce treatment-related complication for blood cancer patients

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have discovered a promising treatment approach for preventing acute graft-versus-host disease, a common complication of blood stem cell transplantation. The study found that using the oral drug sitagliptin reduces the risk of GVHD by inhibiting immune T cell activation.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 7, 2021

New challenges for wolf conservation

The growing wolf population in Germany threatens legally binding nature conservation goals due to increased attacks on livestock. The researchers propose simplifying regulatory measures, actively managing the wolf population, and providing financial support for farmers to implement conservation efforts.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNaturschutz und Landschaftsplanung (NuL)·DateJan 7, 2021

Researchers synthesize bio-based Methylcyclopentadiene with 3-Methylcyclopent-2-enone

Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics successfully synthesized bio-based Methylcyclopentadiene through direct hydrodeoxygenation of 3-methylcyclopent-2-enone derived from cellulose. The process achieved a high carbon yield of 70% and opens up a new horizon for the production of valuable products.

Cutting COVID-19 infectious period could prevent millions of cases

A new study suggests that shortening the COVID-19 infectious period by half a day could avert up to 1.4 million cases and over 99,000 hospitalizations, saving $209.5 billion in direct medical costs. Expanding treatment to 75% of infected individuals could avert 29.7 million cases and save $856 billion.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJan 7, 2021

Study reveals structure of protein and permits search for drugs against neglected diseases

Researchers have deciphered the structure of a protein found in parasites that cause elephantiasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis, enabling the search for more potent molecules capable of directly destroying pathogens. The study aims to reduce or avoid adverse side effects of current treatments.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 7, 2021

Social transmission of pain, fear has different targets in mouse brain

Researchers discover pain and fear are transmitted through different brain regions in mice, with pain mediated by the anterior cingulate cortex to the nucleus accumbens and fear mediated by the ACC to the basolateral amygdala. This study provides insights into empathy and may offer a model for socially-induced pain relief among humans.