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Science News for July 27, 2021


Study shows why beer mats do not fly in a straight line

Physicists investigated why beer mats behave strangely when thrown. The study found that the mat tips backwards due to gravity, creating an angle of attack that generates lift in the airflow. When rotated like a frisbee, the lifting force causes the mat to drift off to the side, rather than flying straight.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

How to make up your mind when the glass seems half empty?

Neuroscientists at Kyoto University have discovered brain networks that connect anxiety to pessimistic decision-making. The pregenual ACC, a middle layer of the brain, plays a key role in integrating feelings with rational thinking and is linked to avoidance and pessimistic decision-making.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

Want to reduce cockroach sex? Block an enzyme

A new study published in PLOS Biology elucidates a female sex pheromone pathway in cockroaches, revealing that blocking an enzyme reduces pheromone production and female attractiveness. The study provides valuable insights into insect sexual behavior regulation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

Researchers demonstrate technique for recycling nanowires in electronics

Researchers at North Carolina State University demonstrated a low-cost technique for recycling nanowires from electronic devices. The method involves dissolving the polymer matrix containing the nanowire network and separating the nanowires using ultrasound, allowing for their reuse in new devices. After four life cycles, the nanowires...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

‘Double decoration’ enhances industrial catalyst

Researchers at Hokkaido University have designed a highly stable platinum-gallium catalyst that can support propylene production at very high temperatures, making it suitable for a month. The 'doubly decorated' catalyst is alloyed with lead and calcium, which blocks side reactions and improves stability.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

Measuring creativity, one word at a time

Researchers from McGill University and Harvard University developed a simple test to measure creative potential, using the Divergent Association Task (DAT). The study found that naming unrelated words can predict creativity levels, with greater distances between words indicating higher creative abilities.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2021

Mixing precision for model acceleration

A KAUST-led research team has developed an approach to mix high-precision calculations with lower precision for large geospatial datasets, significantly speeding up modeling without overall precision loss. The technique, implemented on high-performance computing systems, will enable larger datasets to be analyzed in shorter timeframes.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 27, 2021

Vaccination against hereditary colorectal cancer successful in mice

Researchers at German Cancer Research Center successfully tested a protective vaccination against hereditary colorectal cancer in mice, achieving a significant delay in tumor development. Combining the vaccine with an anti-inflammatory drug further increased its effectiveness, showing promise for future clinical applications.

Climate adaptation at the department of defense and beyond

New research from the University of Arizona identifies climate-related threats to US Department of Defense facilities in the southwestern United States. The study recommends emphasizing risks to DOD missions, finding champions at individual bases, and integrating climate considerations into existing plans to mitigate these challenges.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalClimate Services·DateJul 27, 2021

Study: Pediatric neurosurgeons develop strong emotional bonds with patients, bringing them joy but also great pain

A study led by York University found that pediatric neurosurgeons develop meaningful long-term relationships with their patients and families, caring deeply about them. However, these relational bonds also bring challenging emotions, particularly when communicating bad news or witnessing patients' suffering or death.

SourceYork University·JournalBritish Journal of Neurosurgery·DateJul 27, 2021

Research reveals advantage of 2D metal-organic framework nanosheets in sensing applications

Two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets show improved detection performance in sensing applications compared to their three-dimensional counterparts. The research reveals excellent fluorescence stability, high selectivity towards fluoride ions, and faster response times.

Are laundry and dish pods biodegradable? Not exactly, ASU study shows

A recent ASU study reveals that up to 75% of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) used in laundry and dish pods goes untreated in US wastewater treatment plants, amounting to around 8,000 tons released annually. This raises concerns about the environmental impact of these products, as PVA can sequester heavy metals and alter gas exchanges.

SourceArizona State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 27, 2021

Street-based sex workers perform emotional labor to build customer loyalty

A study by UC Riverside researchers found that street-based sex workers invest considerable emotional effort into maintaining loyal customers. They use relational work activities such as friendly service, flexible payments, and scheduling to retain clients. This approach helps them avoid potentially violent or abusive clients and provi...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalWork Employment and Society·TypeSurvey·DateJul 27, 2021

Political discussions focused on consensus more comfortable, less divisive for students

A new study found that US high school students felt more respected and their views moved closer to agreement in consensus-based political discussions than in group debates. The study, published in the Peabody Journal of Education, suggests that deliberation can promote openness to changing one's mind and being persuaded.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPeabody Journal of Education·TypeSurvey·DateJul 27, 2021

Study finds poor households in India bear brunt of pollution effects

A new study by Yale School of the Environment Associate Professor Narasimha Rao found that poorer households in India are disproportionately affected by air pollution caused by other sources. The study highlights that wealthier households contribute less to pollution but reap fewer benefits from cleaner alternatives.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 27, 2021

Bushfires, not pandemic lockdowns, had biggest impact on global climate in 2020

A study found that the Australian bushfires had a more significant impact on global climate than pandemic lockdowns, cooling the planet by about .06 degrees Celsius. The fires injected sulfates and other particles into the atmosphere, disrupting the climate system and influencing storm tracks.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 27, 2021

Genomic test could help predict aggressive disease in men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer

A new genomic test may help identify patients at high risk of prostate cancer progression. The Decipher Biopsy test showed that men with high scores needed active treatment sooner, and those who underwent surgery had shorter time until PSA levels increased or they were put on anti-androgen therapy.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProstate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases·DateJul 27, 2021

Machine learning and lidar: New tools for the tackle box

Researchers applied supervised machine learning to lidar data from fishery surveys, automating the identification process in regions with a strong possibility of harboring fish. The technique decreased manual inspection in datasets from Yellowstone Lake and Gulf of Mexico studies by 61.14% and 26.8%, respectively.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Applied Remote Sensing·TypeContent analysis·DateJul 27, 2021

Eating for hunger or pleasure? Regulating these feeding behaviors involves different brain circuits

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered two distinct brain circuits that regulate hunger-driven and non-hunger driven feeding behaviors. The study identified serotonin receptors and ion channels as potential molecular targets to suppress overeating and improve treatment options for obesity.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

International collaboration helps refine treatment for childhood leukemia

A large phase 3 noninferiority clinical trial showed that omitting pulse therapy in patients with low-risk disease improves quality of life without affecting survival. This finding is significant as it reduces neuropsychological side effects and late effects associated with long-term treatment.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 27, 2021

New type of wireless charger can charge multiple devices simultaneously

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new type of wireless charger that can transfer energy to multiple devices simultaneously, achieving 90% efficiency within a 20-centimeter charging range. The technology bypasses traditional detection functions, allowing for self-tuning and motion-free device charging.

SourceAalto University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

Mayo Clinic: Return to play is manageable for athletes with most heart diseases

A 20-year Mayo Clinic study suggests that allowing athletes with genetic heart diseases to return to play can be managed through a shared decision-making process. The study found no deaths related to sports and only minor cardiac events, showing that the risks can be minimized with proper testing, treatment, and safety measures.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJul 27, 2021

Improving soil health starts with farmer-researcher collaboration

A new study from the University of Illinois and The Ohio State University reveals that farmers care more about soil health than scientists and conservation professionals think. Farmers prioritize soil health at a higher level (8.5 out of 10) than academics and NRCS professionals expected (4.9 and 5.7, respectively).

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Soil and Water Conservation·TypeSurvey·DateJul 27, 2021

Political nostalgia predicts political outcomes

A study by Adam Fetterman found that nostalgia for Obama predicts negative attitudes towards Trump, stronger political engagement intentions, and actual voting behavior. The research also suggests that nostalgic appeals to Obama may have been effective in swing voters during the 2020 campaign.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateJul 27, 2021

Director retention does not necessarily facilitate post-acquisition firm performance, study shows

A new study from the University of Notre Dame challenges the common practice of retaining a director from the target company after an acquisition. Contrary to expectations, the research found that director retention tends to undermine post-acquisition performance. The study analyzed over 550 acquisitions between 2004 and 2014 and disco...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateJul 27, 2021

Researchers: Emphasize personal health benefits of COVID-19 vaccination

A recent study by University of Wyoming economists suggests that public health messages focusing on the personal health benefits of COVID-19 vaccines are most effective in increasing vaccination intentions. The researchers found that such messages increased intended vaccinations by 16 percentage points, significantly more than other ty...

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateJul 27, 2021

Model can predict how drug interactions influence antibiotic resistance

A new model using simple changes in microbe growth curves can predict how antibiotic resistance evolves in response to different treatment combinations, doses and sequences. The model helps explain counterintuitive behavior observed in past experiments, such as slowed evolution when combining two antibiotics.

SourceeLife·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 27, 2021

Genetic variant linked to hearing loss in children treated with common chemotherapy drug

A genetic variant in the TCERG1L gene has been identified as a risk factor for cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children with cancer, increasing the risk by three times. The finding could lead to predictive tests to inform treatment decisions and advance pediatric cancer care.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·Journalnpj Precision Oncology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

Views on school assignment, diversity are similar – even in cities with segregated schools

A new study reveals that adults in five Southern cities hold similar views on school assignments and the importance of diversity in K-12 schools, despite varying policies. Participants were concerned about uncertainty and disruption to children's learning and friendships due to school reassignments.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAmerican Behavioral Scientist·TypeSurvey·DateJul 27, 2021

Body size, digestive systems shape ungulate foraging

Research reveals that smaller-bodied ruminants prioritize high-energy intake by foraging at optimal vegetation maturity, while equids focus on areas near surface water. This study challenges the 'forage maturation hypothesis,' suggesting ungulate species adapt to their body size and digestive systems to optimize resource utilization.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalEcology Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 27, 2021

New study reveals key factors for estimating costs to plug abandoned oil and gas wells

A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology estimates the median cost of plugging abandoned oil and gas wells at $76,000, with costs varying widely based on location, age, and other factors. The analysis of over 19,500 orphaned wells across the US provides valuable insights for regulators to adjust bonding requirements ...

SourceResources for the Future (RFF)·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 27, 2021

New strategy for drug design: Keeping copper atoms closer to keep bacteria away

Scientists at Tokyo University of Science developed a copper-containing polymer that greatly enhances the antibacterial activity of hydrogen peroxide. The use of these tailored polymers resulted in higher catalytic activity and more effective killing of bacteria, opening up new design avenues for antimicrobial drugs.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalMacromolecular Rapid Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

Fruit fly offers lessons in good taste

Researchers discovered that individual taste neurons in fruit flies can detect compounds from multiple taste categories, influencing feeding decisions. The team found that single-taste neurons are capable of responding to more than one tastant category, and that a single tastant category can activate multiple classes of taste neurons.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

On the hunt for ‘hierarchical’ black holes

Recent theoretical findings and astrophysical modeling suggest that scientists can accurately interpret gravitational wave signals from these events, hinting at the existence of so-called 'hierarchical' black holes. The detection of GW190521 in 2019 is thought to be the most promising candidate for such an event.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 27, 2021

Magnetic ‘balding’ of black holes saves general relativity prediction

A team of researchers from the Flatiron Institute and Princeton University has found that the magnetic field around a black hole quickly decays when surrounded by plasma. This process, known as 'magnetic reconnection,' rapidly drains the magnetic field and could explain flares seen near supermassive black holes.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 27, 2021

Controlling asymmetry for drug synthesis

A team of scientists has developed an iridium-catalyzed hydrogen addition method to control asymmetry in drug synthesis. This approach reduces wasteful by-products and enables targeted synthesis with high precision.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021