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Science News for July 15, 2021


Glaucoma test 'best yet'

A new genetic test for glaucoma has been found to identify high-risk patients 15 times more effectively than an existing test. The test, which can be performed on a blood or saliva sample, has the potential to detect irreversible vision loss before it occurs.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateJul 15, 2021

Diversity of US health care workers

The study found that racial and ethnic minority groups have increased their representation among US healthcare workers, from 1999 to 2018. The authors suggest this shift may be due to efforts to increase diversity in the medical workforce.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 15, 2021

Animals are better sprinters

A new model calculates maximum running speeds for animals of any size, revealing that medium-sized animals achieve top speed due to their body shape and leg structure. Larger or heavier animals are limited by the weight and stiffness of their bones, resulting in lower top speeds.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalJournal of Theoretical Biology·DateJul 15, 2021

University of Minnesota develops new tool to help farmers make crop input decisions

The University of Minnesota has developed a new tool to help farmers make informed crop input decisions, balancing economic and environmental costs. The tool uses machine-learning-based metamodels to predict nitrogen reduction scenarios and identify hotspots for mitigation, while also considering regenerative practices like cover cropp...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 15, 2021

Professional development opportunities do not delay doctorate training or publications

A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that graduate students participating in professional development opportunities unrelated to their lab work did not delay their time to graduation or manuscript publication rates. The research suggests that these activities can be beneficial for career exploration and skill-building without...

Sociodemographic characteristics, inequities associated with access to in-person, remote elementary schooling during pandemic in New York State

A New York State study found that predominantly white students and rural/suburban students had better access to in-person and remote elementary schooling during the pandemic. The study highlights inequities in education access, particularly for disadvantaged children who were not from low-income families or have disabilities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 15, 2021

Geneticists outline plan to boost diversity, inclusion in their field

A group of geneticists have outlined a plan to increase diversity and inclusion in their community, including boosting representation at academic conferences and addressing obstacles for underrepresented groups in research labs. The action plan aims to improve equity and fairness in the field of genetics and beyond.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJul 15, 2021

Staying on schedule

Researchers developed an optimized schedule for automated biology lab robots, maximizing experiments within time and resource constraints. The S-LAB framework accounts for time constraints and resource conflicts, improving efficiencies in life science experiments.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalSLAS TECHNOLOGY·DateJul 15, 2021

High daily screen time linked to cognitive, behavioral problems in children born extremely preterm

A recent study funded by NIH found that excessive daily screen time is associated with cognitive and behavioral issues in extremely preterm children. Children who spent more than two hours on screens per day had lower IQ scores and poorer problem-solving skills compared to their peers.

Data privacy -- are you sure you want a cookie?

A study from Copenhagen Business School reveals that website owners can influence users' data privacy decisions by manipulating the choice architecture and outcome. The researchers argue that this approach is problematic as it exploits psychological mechanisms to benefit the website owner, rather than benefiting the user. The findings ...

SourceCopenhagen Business School·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateJul 15, 2021

Taking the brain out for a walk

A recent study by the Max Planck Institute for Human Development found that spending time outdoors positively affects brain structure and gray matter in the right dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex. This area is involved in planning, regulation of actions, and cognitive control. The results persist even when other factors are kept constant.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Development·JournalThe World Journal of Biological Psychiatry·DateJul 15, 2021

Life-saving snake venom

A novel body tissue adhesive incorporating snake venom has been developed to stop life-threatening bleeding in seconds. The 'super glue' works with visible light and offers 10 times the strength of existing fibrin glue, cutting blood clotting time in half.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 15, 2021

National survey IDs gaps and opportunities for regenerative medicine workforce

A national survey reveals a pronounced lack of needed skills in the regenerative medicine biomanufacturing workforce, highlighting key findings and recommendations to address this gap. The study suggests five strategies for developing the workforce ecosystem, including faculty development opportunities, work-based learning, and policy ...

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateJul 15, 2021

Co-locating contraceptive services and opioid treatment programs may help prevent unintended pregnancy

A multi-year trial found that co-locating contraceptive services in opioid treatment programs with financial incentives significantly increased the use of effective contraception among women with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), leading to a reduction in unintended pregnancies. The intervention also showed cost-beneficial results, with each ...

Financial hardship and voter turnout

Financial hardship significantly affects voter turnout among the poor in Germany, resulting in a 5 percentage point drop in voting intentions and actual turnout. The study analyzed over 1,000 elections and found that short-term financial difficulties lead to increased stress and alienation from politics.

SourceWZB Berlin Social Science Center·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateJul 15, 2021

Study: Incarcerated people placed in solitary confinement differ significantly from others in prison population

A new study by researchers at Florida State University and the University of Cincinnati found significant disparities among individuals placed in extended solitary confinement compared to the rest of the prison population. The study identified notable differences in mental health, education, language, race/ethnicity, and age.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateJul 15, 2021

Among spotted hyenas, social ties are inherited

A massive study of spotted hyena data over 27 years reveals that social inheritance plays a crucial role in forming and maintaining social networks. Offspring inherit social bonds from their mothers, influencing survival and reproductive success, with higher-ranked mothers having more accurate copying of social associations.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalScience·DateJul 15, 2021

What does the sleeping brain think about?

Researchers used AI to analyze brain activity during deep sleep, finding that the brain relives memories of rewarding experiences and consolidates them through an internal dialogue. This process enhances memory performance, particularly for emotionally charged events.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 15, 2021

On the front lines: Correctional nurses and the COVID-19 pandemic

Correctional nurses have faced unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including limited access to personal protective equipment and high patient-to-staff ratios. A special issue of the Journal of Correctional Health Care provides firsthand accounts and evidence-based guidelines for pandemic response in correctional nursing.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Correctional Health Care·DateJul 15, 2021

Report outlines how public transit agencies can advance equity

A new paper in the Transportation Research Record identifies six broad categories of equity-advancing practices that public transit agencies nationwide can widely employ. These practices focus on creating fairer and more just public transit systems, rather than just assessing how service is distributed.

SourceSAGE·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJul 15, 2021

A new spidey sense

Jumping spiders can recognize biological motion, a visual cue that refers to the movements of living organisms. The ability is critical for survival and has been found in vertebrates, but this study demonstrates its presence in an invertebrate, challenging our understanding of evolutionary history.

SourceHarvard University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 15, 2021

A watershed moment for post-Covid UK social policy

The article highlights a new book that advocates for a human rights framework to be central to the planning of post-COVID UK social policy. The authors argue that this approach prioritizes medical care, food, housing, and digital technology, which are essential for addressing inequality and ensuring equity, justice, and sustainability.

The virus trap

An interdisciplinary research team at TUM has developed nano-capsules tailored from genetic material using the DNA origami method to engulf and neutralize viruses. The strategy has been tested against hepatitis and adeno-associated viruses in cell cultures and may prove successful against corona viruses.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 15, 2021

New research at ESMT Berlin shows potential variance in academic research

Researchers found that subjective decisions play a critical role in shaping empirical results, emphasizing the need for open data, systematic robustness checks, and transparency in academic research. This study highlights the benefits of diverse analytical approaches and the importance of humility when communicating findings.

SourceESMT Berlin·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateJul 15, 2021

Association of remdesivir treatment with survival, length of hospital stay among US veterans hospitalized with COVID-19

An observational study of 2,344 US veterans hospitalized with COVID-19 found remdesivir treatment associated with prolonged hospitalization but no improved survival rates. The study suggests that while remdesivir may help reduce the length of hospital stays, it does not significantly impact patient outcomes in terms of survival.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 15, 2021

Extraordinary carbon emissions from El Nino-induced biomass burning estimated using Japanese aircraft and shipboard observations in Equatorial Asia

A study estimated the amount of carbon emitted from biomass burning in Equatorial Asia during 2015, using high-precision observations from a commercial passenger aircraft and a cargo ship. The estimated emissions were around 273 Tg C, comparable to Japan's annual CO2 emissions.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateJul 15, 2021

Stakeholders' sentiment can make or break a new CEO

A recent study by Bocconi University researchers found that stakeholders' sentiment toward a new CEO has a stronger effect on post-succession performance than the CEO's previous experience and fit. Negative sentiment can undermine a CEO's effectiveness, especially for outside CEOs.

SourceBocconi University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateJul 15, 2021

Pandemic layoffs pushed hospitality workers to leave industry

A Washington State University study found that pandemic-induced layoffs caused financial strain, depression, and social isolation among young hotel and restaurant workers. The study suggests that the younger generation may be less likely to return to the industry due to perceived instability and lack of personal control.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management·DateJul 15, 2021

Sperm migration in the genital tract: computer simulations identify factors for success

A computer simulation model of the mammalian female genital tract identifies essential physical characteristics and abilities for successful sperm migration. The study's findings have potential to improve assisted reproduction techniques in endangered species, livestock, and humans without animal experiments.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 15, 2021

For people with kidney disease, there is no safe amount of lead in drinking water

A new study found that lead contamination in drinking water can have detrimental effects on individuals with advanced kidney disease, affecting hemoglobin levels and requiring higher doses of medications. The study also revealed concerning inequities, with higher water lead levels observed for Black patients compared to white patients.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 15, 2021

Guiding principles for work shift duration published by AASM and SRS

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Sleep Research Society (SRS) have published guiding principles for determining optimal work shift durations. The principles consider factors such as physical and mental fatigue, job requirements, safety risks, lifestyle factors, and health to find a balance between competing goals.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateJul 15, 2021

Chemical reactions break free from energy barriers using flyby trajectories

Researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign discover that applying mechanical force can deliberately alter chemical reactions, allowing for increased chemical selectivity. By manipulating atomic motions, chemists can overcome energy barriers and achieve desired outcomes, opening up new possibilities for chemical production.

Wildfire smoke exposure linked to increased risk of contracting COVID-19

A new study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology found a significant association between wildfire smoke exposure and an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 in Reno, Nev. During a prolonged 2020 wildfire smoke event, PM2.5 levels were associated with a 17.7% rise in COVID-19 cases.

SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateJul 15, 2021

Study finds promising therapeutic target for colitis

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identifies Neuraminidase 3 (Neu3) as a key enzyme responsible for colitis, a chronic digestive disease. Inhibiting Neu3 with Relenza breaks the chain of inflammation, and augmenting intestinal alkaline phosphatase appears to be equally beneficial.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 15, 2021

Study shows strong association between perceived risk, availability and past-year cannabis use

A recent study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that combined perceptions of the risk and availability of cannabis influence the risk of cannabis use more than perceived risk and perceived availability alone. Individuals who perceived cannabis as both low-risk and available were 22 times more likely to have ...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJul 15, 2021