Reverse optogenetic tool developed
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new reverse optogenetic tool that can be controlled by light, suitable for studying changes in the brain responsible for epilepsy.
Science News for July 23, 2021
High school student presents on oral-health impact profile 5: analyzing a private practice adult population's distribution
A high school student presented an observational study on the distribution of Oral-Health Impact Profile (OHIP5) scores in a general adult population at a private dental clinic. The study found no significant difference between male and female populations in OHIP5 score distributions.
Researchers uncover fatal flaw in green pigmented concrete
Researchers found that green pigments had impurities that produced porous, poor quality concrete, while red and blue pigments had little effect. The study discovered that the morphology of hydration products and kinetics was related to compressive strength.
SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalCase Studies in Construction Materials·DateJul 23, 2021
Americans with higher net worth at midlife tend to live longer
Researchers found a strong association between higher net worth and lower mortality risk among adults in the US. Even within sibling pairs, those with greater wealth tended to live longer, suggesting that wealth accumulation may have a causal impact on longevity.
New 'atlas' charts how antibodies attack spike protein variants
Researchers have created an 'atlas' charting how antibodies attack the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, identifying broadly responsive neutralizers and regions resistant to attack. The study highlights the importance of studying antibody responses for developing effective COVID-19 booster vaccines.
Shedding light on the dark side of firm lobbying
A new study reveals that increased lobbying spending leads to decreased customer satisfaction, which in turn reduces the effect of lobbying on firm value. Firms can mitigate this loss by adopting marketing-focused efforts, such as having a marketing CEO or spending more on R&D and advertising.
Experiences, perpetration of identity-based bullying among adolescents
Researchers studied how adolescent experiences of racial, ethnic, national origin, and other marginalized identities are associated with negative health, mental health, and violence outcomes. The study found a significant link between these experiences and poorer outcomes among adolescents.
'Feel good' brain messenger can be willfully controlled, new study reveals
Researchers at UC San Diego found that mice can manipulate unpredictable dopamine pulses, which occur approximately once per minute, and learn to anticipate and act upon them. This new understanding opens a dimension in the study of dopamine and brain dynamics.
Strategies for disseminating guidance to dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic
The American Dental Association (ADA) created a centralized hub to disseminate COVID-19 evidence, policy, and guidance to dental professionals. The initial guidance focused on urgent and emergency care, with subsequent tools developed to address patient screening, operatory disinfection, and return-to-work protocols.
A new mathematical model assesses ICU patients' mortality risk
A new machine learning-based model predicts ICU patients' mortality risk based on characteristics such as demographics, comorbidities, and APACHE II score. The model overcomes traditional approaches' weak points, offering a better alternative for personalized medical predictions.
Meeting global climate targets will lead to 8 million more energy jobs worldwide by 2050
A recent study found that meeting the Paris Agreement's 2°C target will increase net energy sector jobs globally by about 8 million by 2050. The majority of these new jobs will be in the solar and wind industries, while fossil fuel extraction jobs are expected to decline rapidly.
Research identifies potential role of 'junk DNA' sequence in aging, cancer
Scientists at Washington State University identified a DNA region known as VNTR2-1 that drives telomerase gene activity, which helps prevent aging in certain cells. The study suggests that this 'junk DNA' sequence contributes to genetic diversity of aging and cancer development.
SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2021
Better healthcare management can reduce the risk of delirium among older adults
A new study finds that delayed hospital floor transfers and ED arrivals on Sundays are associated with a higher short-term risk of delirium in older patients. Delirium is a serious cognitive disorder that can be prevented in up to 40% of cases, and improved processes between the ED and hospital can help reduce its occurrence.
SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalHealth Services Management Research·DateJul 23, 2021
Policing the digital divide: How racial bias can limit Internet access for people of color
A new study found that quality-of-life policing restricts access to free Wi-Fi, especially for Black and other people of color. Wealthier neighborhoods experienced a 5% increase in quality-of-life complaints after internet access was introduced, while other areas did not.
Association of wealth with longevity at midlife
Researchers investigated the association between net worth at midlife and subsequent longevity. The study found a significant positive correlation between wealth and longevity among individuals, as well as their siblings and twins.
Early antiviral response in the nose may determine the course of COVID-19
Researchers found that patients who developed severe COVID-19 had a muted antiviral response in cells collected from nasal swabs at the time of diagnosis. This early response may determine the course of disease, opening up new avenues for interventions to prevent severe disease.
Novel imaging agent identifies biomarker for iron-targeted cancer therapies
A new radiotracer, 18F-TRX, has been developed to measure iron concentration in tumors, predicting treatment response. The agent successfully distinguished between tumor types and identified those likely to respond to iron-targeted therapies.
SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJul 23, 2021
Child mental health services lacking in high-income countries: SFU study finds
A new study from Simon Fraser University found that only 44.2% of children with mental health disorders receive services, highlighting unacceptable service shortfalls in high-income countries. The study's authors call for increased investment and protection of children's mental health budgets to address growing needs.
Phase two CD19-antibody-drug conjugate trial demonstrates promise for aggressive lymphoma
A phase 2 trial of Loncastuximab tesirine demonstrates efficacy in treating relapsed or refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), with a response rate of 48% among patients. The drug, an antibody-drug complex targeting CD19, provides a novel mechanism of action for this patient population.
UTA researcher explores 3D printing of multilayered materials for smart helmets
Ashfaq Adnan's team uses 3D printing to create multilayered materials for smart helmets, absorbing impact energy and deflecting directed energy attacks. The resulting helmets will be lightweight and resistant to blast impacts, alerting soldiers to potential dangers.
Dalian Coherent Light Source reveals strong isotope effects in photodissociation of water isotopolog
The research found dramatically different quantum state population distributions of OH and OD fragments from HOD photodissociation. The branching ratios display large wavelength-dependent isotopic fractionation, influencing D/H isotope heterogeneity in the solar system.
SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 23, 2021
Oncotarget: Fgr and Numb in retinoic differentiation and G0 arrest of non-APL AML cells
Researchers found that Fgr binds to Numb, activating the signalosome and promoting cell differentiation and G1/0 arrest. The study provides insights into RA resistance and suggests potential therapeutic targets.
Four themes identified as contributors to diseases of despair in Pennsylvania
Researchers identified four key themes contributing to diseases of despair in Pennsylvania: financial instability driving self-harming behavior, lack of infrastructure exacerbating distress, deteriorating sense of community leading to loneliness and isolation, and family fragmentation. These findings have significant implications for u...
New understanding of cell stability with potential to improve immune cell therapies
Researchers identified molecular markers to purify unstable regulatory T cells, which can switch from protective to damaging function. Exposing these cells to a destabilizing environment also removes the unstable cells, leaving behind stable regulatory T cells for therapeutic use.
AZ heroes study awarded $15M to continue, expand evaluation of COVID-19 immunity
The AZ HEROES study, led by the University of Arizona Health Sciences, has received a $15 million award from the CDC to continue its research on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. The study will expand to include children aged 4 months to 17 years and focus on underserved populations.
Southeastern US herbaria digitize three million specimens, now freely available online
The project digitized over three million specimens collected by botanists and naturalists across the southeastern US over 200 years. The resulting database is now freely accessible online, providing valuable insights into ecosystems, species distribution, and the effects of climate change.
Water resources: Defusing conflict, promoting cooperation
A strategic toolkit has been developed to help manage the nexus between water, energy, food and ecosystems, reducing disputes in catchment areas. The DAFNE methodology uses state-of-the-art modeling techniques to enable participatory planning and engage stakeholders, finding compromises and synergies that benefit everyone.
New measure of tropical forest vulnerability to help avoid 'tipping point'
Researchers developed a new index to track tropical forest vulnerability using satellite data, revealing regions at risk due to climate change and land use pressures. The Tropical Forest Vulnerability Index (TFVI) provides early warnings for conservation efforts.
Topology in biology
Biochemical processes exhibit topological protection, ensuring robustness to changes in system shape or disorder. Edge currents emerge from futile cycles, driven by energy consumption, and are linked to out-of-equilibrium nature.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJul 23, 2021
American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology discusses updated American Cancer Society guidelines on cervical cancer screening
The ASCCP Task Force supports the ACS's 2020 cervical cancer screening guidelines, which recommend primary HPV testing. During the transition to primary HPV screening, the Task Force endorses any cervical cancer screening approach, including co-testing and cervical cytology alone.
Advantages of intranasal vaccination against SARS-CoV-2
The article highlights the advantages of intranasal vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, including needle-free administration and elicitation of mucosal immunity in the respiratory tract. Researchers argue that this approach may be more effective than traditional intramuscular vaccinations, offering a broader range of protection.
The impact of climate change on Kenya's Tana river basin
A new study published in PLOS ONE warns that Kenya's Tana River Basin species will be unable to survive if global temperatures continue to rise. However, remaining within the goals of the Paris Agreement could save many species by protecting refugia from climate change.
Bio-based coating for wood outperforms traditional synthetic options
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a bio-based coating for wood using lignin, a natural polymer abundant in wood and other plant sources. The coating retains the natural structure of wood, making it more water repellent and resistant to stains and sunlight.
Mount Sinai researchers develop novel therapy that could be effective in many cancers
A novel therapeutic agent, MS21, has been developed to disrupt a biological pathway that helps cancer survive. The therapy shows high effectiveness in vitro by causing the degradation of AKT, an enzyme overly active in many cancers.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalCancer Discovery·DateJul 23, 2021
Device cracks milk protein
Flinders University researchers have successfully manipulated Beta-lactoglobulin, a major whey protein in cow's, sheep's, and other mammal's milk, using an Australian-made thin film microfluidic device. The device combines with a new form of biosensor to control and monitor protein denaturation and renaturation.
Blushing plants reveal when fungi are growing in their roots
Researchers used beetroot pigments to visually track soil fungi colonizing plant roots in real-time. The technique enables selection of fungi that provide the biggest benefits in agricultural scenarios, enhancing crop production while reducing artificial fertiliser needs.
Research 'final nail in the coffin' of Paranthropus as hard object feeders
Researchers from the University of Otago debunked a long-held belief about Paranthropus' eating habits, finding no evidence to support regular consumption of hard foods. Instead, they found similar tooth fracture patterns in fossil humans and living primates that eat soft fruits or leaves.
US clinics slower to provide opioid treatment than Canadian clinics
A Yale study found that US methadone clinics were slower to accept new patients and longer in providing treatment compared to Canadian clinics during the pandemic. Clinics with open access models provided timelier treatment access, but only a fraction of US clinics offered this option.
Bacteria navigate on surfaces using a 'sense of touch'
Researchers found that Pseudomonas bacteria use a network of proteins to regulate twitching and respond to mechanical forces, allowing them to navigate based on what they feel in front of them. This 'sense of touch' helps the microbes move forward in the same direction when moving as a group.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2021
How the brain paints the beauty of a landscape
A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that brain activity associated with aesthetically appealing natural landscapes is not limited to the reward system, but also involves early visual areas. This suggests an early form of beauty perception that can be triggered by surprise and unexpected stimuli
New organ-on-a-chip finds crucial interaction between blood, ovarian cancer tumors
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed an organ-on-a-chip that models the interaction between platelets and ovarian cancer tumors, revealing a crucial genetic signaling pathway. This breakthrough technology has potential applications in observing how cancer cells interact with blood vessels and testing novel treatments.
China's carbon-monitoring satellite reports global carbon net of six gigatons
A Chinese satellite has reported a global carbon net of six gigatons, indicating an increase in carbon emissions that contributes to climate change. The TanSat satellite's data will be used to independently verify national emission inventories and help ensure transparency across the globe.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJul 23, 2021
Comprehensive clinical sequencing opens door to the promise of precision medicine
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital demonstrates the power of comprehensive whole genome, whole exome and RNA sequencing to better understand and treat each patient's unique cancer. The research found that 86% of patients had at least one clinically significant variation in tumor or germline DNA.
Cascaded metasurfaces for dynamic control of THz wavefronts
Researchers developed a general framework for dynamic control of THz wavefronts using cascaded metasurfaces. By varying the polarization of a light beam with rotating multilayer metasurfaces, they demonstrated efficient redirection and manipulation of THz beams, overcoming limitations in local tuning.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 23, 2021
New tracking system monitors danger to rainforests
Scientists have developed a novel indicator to monitor danger to the world's rainforests, which are losing their capacity to cycle carbon and water. The unique tropical rainforest index (TFVI) provides a snapshot of long-term observations, revealing that rainforests are more vulnerable than previously predicted.
Why do some people get severe COVID-19? The nose may know
Researchers found that severe COVID-19 patients have muted interferon responses, leading to a failed early immune response. The study suggests that building on type I interferon may be key to developing treatments for severe COVID-19.
Brain-repair discovery could lead to new epilepsy treatments
University of Virginia researchers identified a potential avenue for treating seizure-related brain injuries by harnessing the brain's natural immune response. Microglia cells were found to form pouches that tend to swollen dendrites, suggesting a 'healing' process.
Studies examine different understandings, varieties of diversity
Studies investigate how ideological differences impact attitudes towards diverse community features and what 'diversity' means to conservatives and liberals. Researchers find that demographics, viewpoints, and consumer features are perceived as relevant aspects of diversity.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 23, 2021
New insights into immune responses to malaria
Researchers used mass cytometry and machine learning to discover 'immune signatures' that differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax malaria infections. The study found a previously unrecognised role for immune CD4 T cells in preventing serious disease and controlling asymptomatic infection.
Study shows environmental link to herbicide-resistant horseweed
A study by Michigan State University found that horseweed's growth type is influenced by environmental cues, with rosette plants emerging in response to temperature and photoperiod variations. Upright plants, resistant to glyphosate, are three- to four-fold less sensitive than their rosette siblings, making them harder to control.
Chemotherapy can induce mutations that lead to pediatric leukemia relapse
Researchers found thiopurine-induced mutations in leukemia cells, inactivating a DNA repair process and making the cancer resistant to multiple chemotherapy drugs. This study provides direct genomic evidence of chemotherapy-induced drug resistance mutations in pediatric cancer.
What's riskier for young soccer players, practice or game time?
A new study found that young soccer players experience more frequent head impacts during practice, while game time may result in greater magnitude impacts. Technical training activities like heading the ball were associated with an average impact rate of 13.7 head impacts per player hour.
Neuroscientists posit that brain region is a key locus of learning
The locus coeruleus region plays a crucial role in regulating learning from reward and punishment, optimizing behavior and mental health. The region integrates sensory inputs and internal cognitive states to precisely exert its influence.
Using silicone wristbands to measure air quality
A study by Texas A&M researchers found that silicone wristbands can be used as passive samplers to measure exposure to harmful chemicals during pregnancy. The wristbands yielded similar results to traditional testing methods, suggesting they could be a useful tool in studies of semi-volatile pollutants.
SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateJul 23, 2021
Scientists identify five new plant species in Bolivia
Researchers have identified five new plant species in Bolivia's Bolivian Andes, expanding the genus Jacquemontia. The study highlights the importance of classifying and conserving these species, which are highly vulnerable to threats like invasive species and habitat destruction.