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Science News for June 1, 2021


Why moms take risks to protect their infants

A new study led by Kumi Kuroda at RIKEN Center for Brain Science identified the calcitonin receptor as a crucial brain protein driving nurturing behaviors in mice. The research found that this protein motivates mothers to care for their infants, suppressing self-interest and risk-taking behaviors.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 1, 2021

An academic role model

Kristin Morell, a UC Santa Barbara Assistant Professor, has received the National Science Foundation's prestigious CAREER award. The award will fund her research on plate tectonics and provide opportunities for underrepresented students to get involved in geoscience through internships and workshops.

New method to improve durability of nano-electronic components, further semiconductor manufacturing

Researchers developed a novel approach to mitigate electromigration in nanoscale electronic interconnects by coating copper metal interconnects with hexagonal boron nitride. This innovation enables further scaling of device density and progression of Moore's Law, leading to improved device efficiency and decreased energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·DateJun 1, 2021

COVID-19 simulation shows importance of safety efforts during vaccine distribution

A mathematical simulation by researchers at UNC Health Care shows that non-pharmaceutical interventions like mask-wearing and physical distancing can help prevent COVID-19 spikes as vaccines are distributed. The study found that widespread vaccine adherence and adherence to precautions can lead to a sustained decline in new cases.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 1, 2021

Malaria parasite's partiality for the spleen

A study found that malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax accumulates in the spleen to a greater extent than its relative P. falciparum after infection. Imaging techniques revealed increased glucose metabolism in the spleen of participants infected with P. vivax.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 1, 2021

Scientists demonstrate a better, more eco-friendly method to produce hydrogen peroxide

Researchers have developed a more efficient and environmentally friendly method to produce hydrogen peroxide by using palladium-gold nanoparticles as a catalyst. The new process produces almost 100% hydrogen peroxide with minimal water formation, making it a promising alternative to traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Liberal Arts & Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 1, 2021

How news coverage affects public trust in science

A study found that exposure to negative news stories about science without context can damage public perceptions of trust and confidence in scientific work. The researchers tested the effects of different narratives on a large group of U.S. adults and found that those who read problem-focused stories were less likely to believe that sc...

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalPublic Understanding of Science·DateJun 1, 2021

Hi-CO unravels the complex packing of nucleosomes

The Hi-CO technology provides high-resolution genome structural analyses combined with large-scale simulations, showing the arrangements of the genome's spool-like structures affect gene expression. Nucleosome folding influences the inner workings of genes, impacting accessibility of molecules to DNA.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Protocols·DateJun 1, 2021

Researchers Fine-Tune Control Over AI Image Generation

A new state-of-the-art method for controlling AI image generation has been developed by researchers at North Carolina State University. The approach allows users to retain certain characteristics across a series of images and manipulate specific elements while maintaining their identifiability. This technique has applications in fields...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·DateJun 1, 2021

Foster care, homelessness are higher education hurdles

New research from the University of Georgia shows that foster care and homelessness create significant barriers to higher education success. Stable housing and financial support are top concerns for these students. Institutions like UGA are implementing programs to address this issue, but more needs to be done at the federal level.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Adolescent Research·DateJun 1, 2021

Direct action of SARS-CoV-2 on organs may cause exacerbated immune response in children

Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 infected various organs in children, leading to a wide range of clinical manifestations, including abdominal pain, heart failure, and seizures. The study suggests that the virus's direct action on tissues is associated with an exacerbated inflammatory response in children.

Trust among corvids

Researchers found that Siberian jays exclusively trust warning calls from members of their own group, ignoring those from neighboring territories. This social knowledge mechanism may have played a role in the diversification of human languages and dialects.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 1, 2021

How do plants hedge their bets?

Researchers found that genetically identical seeds can have varying germination times due to the ABA-GA network, which allows for a 'bistable switch' behavior. This variability in germination time can be beneficial for plants growing in unpredictable environments, such as agriculture and natural areas.

Unprecedented data sharing driving new rare disease diagnoses in Europe

A collaborative effort has led to the diagnosis of 255 new rare disease cases in Europe through unprecedented data sharing. The Solve-RD project utilizes a genomic and phenotypic analysis platform to reanalyze data from 8,393 individuals, identifying previously unknown genetic variants that can tailor treatment for affected patients.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalEuropean Journal of Human Genetics·DateJun 1, 2021

Time-dependent viral interference between influenza virus and coronavirus in the infection of differ

A study in pig cells shows that prior infection with swine influenza virus (SIV) can protect against the development of porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCoV), with optimal protection observed when infections occur three days apart. The findings may have implications for human coronavirus and seasonal influenza virus co-infections.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalVirulence·DateJun 1, 2021

Air quality improved during India lockdown, study shows

Research by University of Southampton and Central University of Jharkhand found a significant environmental improvement in major urban areas across India during the 2020 March to May lockdown. The study revealed a 12% decrease in Nitrogen Dioxide and a 40% reduction over New Delhi, with land surface temperature decreasing by up to 1°C.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateJun 1, 2021

Mumpreneur success still requires conventional masculine behaviour

Research reveals that women entrepreneurs who identify as mumpreneurs prioritize traditional masculine behaviors over feminine traits, sacrificing personal time for business growth. This hybrid approach perpetuates existing power structures in the business world, devaluing those who choose to spend time with their families.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalInternational Small Business Journal Researching Entrepreneurship·DateJun 1, 2021

Diet plays critical role in NASH progressing to liver cancer in mouse model

Researchers discovered that a Western diet high in fat and cholesterol can lead to obesity, diabetes, and Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which progresses to liver cancer, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Switching to a normal chow diet improves NASH and liver fibrosis, prevents cancer progression and mortality.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateJun 1, 2021

Best of both worlds: High entropy meets low dimensions, opens up infinite possibilities

Scientists from Japan and China create new materials by combining high entropy alloys with van der Waals materials, exhibiting superconductivity, magnetic ordering, and strong corrosion resistance. The discovery opens up a wide range of practical applications, including the design of heterogeneous catalysts.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 1, 2021

The role of computer voice in the future of speech-based human-computer interaction

A team of researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology and RIKEN, Japan, conducted a meta-synthesis to understand human perception and interaction with computer voices. They found that users prefer human-like voices, particularly those with high pitches and empathetic tones, and that the inclusion of vocal fillers improves interactions.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACM Computing Surveys·DateJun 1, 2021

Junk food game helps people eat less and lose weight

A new study suggests that using a brain-training app can help people reduce their junk food consumption and lose weight. The app trains users to associate healthy foods with stopping and unhealthy snacks with avoiding, resulting in an average weight loss of half a kilogram and a small increase in healthy food eaten.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAppetite·DateJun 1, 2021

Corruption in healthcare worsens the health of patients and the quality of nutrition

A study published in the Journal of Comparative Economics found that bribery in public healthcare not only fails to improve services but also exacerbates health problems and reduces nutrition quality. Post-communist countries, including Russia, reported high rates of corruption, with many patients experiencing bribes for medical services.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalJournal of Comparative Economics·DateJun 1, 2021

It's never too early to begin healthy eating habits

Researchers found that training health workers to promote healthy feeding practices in pregnant women resulted in children consuming less fat and carbohydrates at 3 years of age and having lower measures of body fat at 6 years. The study suggests that early intervention can have a significant impact on childhood obesity risk.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics·DateJun 1, 2021

The evolutionary fates of supergenes unmasked

A recent review in Genome Biology and Evolution discusses the evolutionary fates of supergenes, revealing new findings that challenge classical models. The genomic architecture of a supergene is inextricably tied to its evolutionary fate, with empirical studies yielding surprises about their origin and genetic architecture.

Solar energy-driven sustainable process for synthesis of ethylene glycol from methanol

Researchers developed a novel solar energy-driven method to produce ethylene glycol (EG) from methanol, offering a sustainable and clean alternative. The catalyst, nitrogen-doped tantalum oxide, demonstrated high activity and stability for EG production, making it an environmentally friendly candidate for industrial applications.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateJun 1, 2021

Story tips: Un-Earthly ice, buildings in the loop, batteries unbound and 3D printing for geothermal

Researchers successfully created amorphous ice similar to interstellar space and on Jupiter's moon Europa, which could help interpret data from future NASA missions. They also developed an envelope system that diverts heat away from buildings and stores it for future use, reducing energy consumption by over 50%. Additionally, scientist...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateJun 1, 2021

UB researchers look to improve the WIC shopping experience

Researchers at University at Buffalo are working on ways to improve the WIC shopping experience, making it easier for customers to find eligible products and navigate checkout processes. The team has identified several key barriers, including restrictions on foods, identifying product sizes and types, and poor staff training.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition·DateJun 1, 2021