Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for July 6, 2021


Acid sensor discovered in plants

Scientists from Würzburg, Germany, have identified a protein in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana that detects and translates acidic conditions into an electrical signal. This discovery could lead to more tolerant crops for waterlogging conditions.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 6, 2021

The brain's wiring technicians

A new study reveals that microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, play a crucial role in regulating brain wiring by sculpting inhibitory neurons. The research showed that microglia interact with GABA-emitting inhibitory synapses through direct physical contact, a process enabled by advanced imaging techniques.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateJul 6, 2021

Behavioral ecology: Environmental heterogeneity maintains personality in wild bird

Researchers found that certain personality types excel in specific countries and years due to environmental factors like predator presence and beechmast availability. This suggests that spatial and temporal variation in selection promotes the maintenance of behavioral differences within species.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2021

Inherited memories of a chromosomal site

Researchers at UNIGE found that chromosomal site location is transmitted through an epigenetic process, allowing offspring to inherit correct positions even without gene information. This epigenetic memory only lasts for one generation and affects the survival of mutant worms.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 6, 2021

A new look at color displays

Researchers at Linköping University developed a method to create structural colours for use in reflective colour displays, enabling manufacturing of thin and lightweight displays with high energy-efficiency. The new method uses electrically conducting plastics and can produce all colours in the visible spectrum.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 6, 2021

Do heart medications affect COVID-19 outcomes?

Researchers analyzed all relevant COVID-19 studies to determine if cardiovascular drugs affect disease severity, hospitalizations, and deaths. The study found that patients with COVID-19 should continue taking their prescribed cardiovascular medications.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateJul 6, 2021

Why does Mercury have a big iron core?

Scientists found that Mercury's large iron core is linked to the early sun's strong magnetic field, which pulled metal grains inward. This discovery sheds light on the formation of rocky planets' cores and their elemental distribution.

SourceTohoku University·JournalProgress in Earth and Planetary Science·DateJul 6, 2021

Non-stop signal achieved in high-power Er3+-doped mid-infrared lasers

Researchers at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science have developed high-power Er3+-doped mid-infrared lasers with peak powers over 0.33 MW and repetition rates up to 150 Hz. The lasers achieved quasi-continuous signals, making them promising candidates for dental ablation surgery and optical parametric oscillator applications.

Story tips: Powered by nature, get on the bus, accelerating methane and more

Scientists at ORNL developed a modular design for 3D printing power poles from bioderived materials, enabling quick restoration of electricity after natural disasters. Additionally, they demonstrated wireless charging technology on an autonomous electric vehicle, advancing the transportation industry towards a decarbonized future.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2021

Castration delays DNA aging

Researchers found that castration of male sheep leads to delayed DNA aging compared to intact males, with epigenetic clocks and DNA methylation patterns differing between the two groups. The study's findings also suggest a link between castration, male hormones, and sex-specific differences in DNA aging.

The bitumen puzzle

Researchers used AFM-IR, ToF-SIMS, and fluorescence microscopy to study bitumen surface composition and structure. The study found that the surface is heterogeneous, with individual molecular assemblies distributed in a specific pattern.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 6, 2021

Perceptions of counterfeits among luxury goods differ across cultures

A study found that counterfeit dominance negatively impacts Anglo-American consumers' perceptions of authentic luxury fashion brands, while having little effect on Asian consumers. This is due to cultural differences in social-adjustive attitudes, with Anglo-Americans relying more on outgroups and Asians on ingroups.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Business Research·DateJul 6, 2021

Fighting COVID with COVID

Researchers at Penn State designed a synthetic defective SARS-CoV-2 virus that interferes with the real virus's growth, potentially causing its extinction. The therapeutic may be used as a self-promoting antiviral treatment for COVID-19.

SourcePenn State·JournalPeerJ·DateJul 6, 2021

Dignity support at end of life

Researchers interviewed people receiving palliative care about losing independence with intimate hygiene, revealing the importance of two-way communication and empowering individuals to influence their care. The study aims to raise awareness among health professionals about providing dignified support.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPalliative Medicine·DateJul 6, 2021

Loss of biodiversity in streams threatens vital biological process

The study found that streams with high detritivore diversity have higher rates of decomposition, but also discovered that the loss of these organisms can slow down this process. The researchers concluded that if detritivores continue to decline, ecosystems will struggle to sustain life due to reduced nutrient recycling.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2021

An 'instruction' to the crocodylian skull

Scientists from St Petersburg University describe the detailed structure of crocodylian braincases, revealing evolutionary features that enabled powerful jaws. The study resolves long-standing contradictions in the genealogical tree of reptiles and sheds light on developmental mechanisms behind the akinetic skull structure.

SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalJournal of Anatomy·DateJul 6, 2021

Still waiting at an intersection? Banning certain left turns helps traffic flow

A new method developed by Gayah and Aalto University researcher Murat Bayrak suggests eliminating left turns at busy intersections to reduce congestion. The hybrid approach uses heuristic algorithms to identify the most efficient configurations, banning left turns in city centers while allowing them on periphery roads.

SourcePenn State·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJul 6, 2021

New warning on teen sleep

A recent study published in SLEEP found that teenagers who slept only five hours per night experienced significant depression, anger, and confusion. In contrast, those who slept ten hours reported increased happiness. The study highlights the importance of sufficient sleep for adolescents to mitigate mood deficits.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSLEEP·DateJul 6, 2021

UT Southwestern scientists closing in on map of the mammalian immune system

Researchers used a machine-learning algorithm to identify novel gene candidates associated with immune traits in mice, including 101 new genes with over 95% chance of being required for immunity. The study's software, Candidate Explorer, helps predict causation of mutations and has already verified hundreds of genes with novel functions.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2021

Setting COVID-19 drug trials up for success

A new modeling study suggests that randomization and early recruitment in COVID-19 clinical trials can help identify effective antiviral drugs. The researchers found that timing of treatment initiation also plays a crucial role, with treatments administered within the first day of symptom onset showing improved outcomes.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 6, 2021

New risk model may improve the prediction of preterm birth

A new risk prediction model may improve the prediction of impending spontaneous preterm birth, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and treatment costs. The model combines clinical risk factors with vaginal fluid fetal fibronectin concentration analysis, showing promising performance in predicting preterm birth within seven days.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 6, 2021

Developing new techniques to build biomaterials

Scientists at the University of Leeds have developed an approach to control the structure and mechanics of synthetic biomaterials made from proteins. By removing specific chemical bonds, known as 'protein staples,' they altered the structure of a protein network, resulting in different mechanical properties.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 6, 2021

Satellite galaxies can carry on forming stars when they pass close to their parent galaxies

Using numerical simulations, researchers showed that satellite galaxies can retain gas and experience new episodes of star formation after passing close to their parent galaxy. This process is driven by the satellite's reserve of cold gas and minimum distance from its parent galaxy.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 6, 2021

Safe nurse staffing standards in hospitals saves lives and lowers costs

A new study found that establishing safe nurse staffing standards in hospitals in Chile could significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. The research revealed that private hospitals had better nurse-to-patient ratios than public hospitals, resulting in lower avoidable deaths and hospital readmissions.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJul 6, 2021

Bacterial survival kit to endure in soil

Acidobacteria use low-affinity terminal oxidases to 'breathe' oxygen at nanomolar concentrations, challenging traditional assumptions. These microbes also scavenge atmospheric hydrogen to survive nutrient-poor periods, playing a central role in soil microbial communities and ecological balance.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateJul 6, 2021

Engineered cells successfully treat cardiovascular and pulmonary disease

Scientists at UCSF have shown that gene-edited cellular therapeutics can effectively treat major diseases such as peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart failure. The study used specially engineered induced pluripotent stem cells called HIP cells to evade the immune system.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2021

Keeping bacteria under lock and key

Scientists at the University of Delaware have made progress on a biological containment strategy using synthetic auxotrophy, keeping a strain of E. coli stable for 100 days. The research also shows promise for treating diseases and cleaning up the environment safely.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 6, 2021

"All the lonely people": The impact of loneliness in old age on life and health expectancy

A study by Duke-NUS Medical School finds that lonely older adults can expect to live a shorter life than their peers, forfeiting potential years of good health. In Singapore, where collectivistic culture and rapidly ageing population make loneliness more detrimental, loneliness among seniors has become a social and public health concern.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 6, 2021

Diabetes care, glycemic control during pandemic in US

The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial effect on diabetes care in the US, with a decrease in health services received by patients with type 2 diabetes. This decrease was particularly pronounced among low-income individuals, highlighting the need for targeted support and resources.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJul 6, 2021

High risk of divorce after TBI? Not necessarily, study suggests

A recent study published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation found that two-thirds of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) remain married to their spouse 10 years after the injury. The study analyzed data from 1,423 patients and found that marital stability was higher for those who were older, female, and had no problema...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation·DateJul 6, 2021

From eyebrow beans to 'lost' rice: community seedbanks are protecting China's crops

China's community seedbanks are conserving agricultural biodiversity by protecting crop varieties, improving farmer livelihoods, and increasing food security. These seedbanks also promote climate resilience through their focus on local environmental conditions.

Sexual reproduction without mating

Scientists identify edible wild mushroom with complex reproductive structure, challenging traditional understanding of fungal reproduction. The study reveals a new type of reproduction that recombines genetic information without a mate, potentially increasing ecological fitness and adapting to previously unsuitable habitats.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Fungi·DateJul 6, 2021

Muscles retain positional memory from fetal life

Researchers at Kumamoto University discovered that muscles and satellite cells retain positional memory from fetal life, based on the expression pattern of the homeobox (Hox) gene cluster. This finding is expected to provide insights into the pathogenesis of muscle diseases and develop regenerative medicine.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 6, 2021

Context in science reporting affects beliefs about, and support for, science

A new study led by a University at Buffalo researcher shows that the way news media talk about science focuses too much attention on individuals, leading to inaccurate perceptions of scientific accuracy and reliability. The study suggests that contextualizing failure stories within the scientific process can help ameliorate harm to sci...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPublic Understanding of Science·DateJul 6, 2021

New study uncovers how a series of sleep loss impacts mental and physical wellbeing

A new study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that just three nights of sleep loss can cause significant deterioration in mental and physical health. After a day or two, symptoms peak, and the body becomes relatively adapted to repeated sleep loss, but this changes on the sixth night when physical symptoms reach their wo...

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateJul 6, 2021

Counting sheep and still awake? Mindfulness therapy may help bring on the zzz's

A study published in Psychological Medicine found that mindfulness-based therapy (MBTI) was more effective than a sleep hygiene program in reducing insomnia symptoms and improving sleep quality. MBTI participants took less time to fall asleep and spent less time awake during the night compared to those in the sleep hygiene program.

Researchers discover way to improve immune response

A team of researchers has identified a mechanism explaining how Tpex cells can maintain their function for long periods, potentially improving the success rate of immunotherapy. The discovery was made by identifying increased amounts of an immunosuppressive molecule, which reduces activity of mTOR and dampens the immune response.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalImmunity·DateJul 6, 2021