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Science News for June 21, 2021


Statin therapy not associated with cognitive decline, dementia in older adults, study says

A new study found that statin therapy is not associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly trial and found no significant difference in the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment between statin users and non-...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 21, 2021

COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults: rare but possible

A case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in an adult who recovered from COVID-19 is reported, highlighting the importance of considering this rare but possible complication. Prompt treatment helped recover the patient. The authors suggest encouraging reporting of cases to facilitate research and improve outcomes.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJun 21, 2021

Indigenous people travel long distances to give birth compared with non-Indigenous people

A new study published in CMAJ found that Indigenous mothers are 23% more likely to travel 200 km or more to give birth compared to non-Indigenous women. The disparity is attributed to a lack of birthing facilities and providers near rural Indigenous communities, reflecting colonial policies prioritizing non-Indigenous settlements.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJun 21, 2021

Solar energy collectors grown from seeds

Rice University engineers have developed a method to grow remarkably uniform 2D perovskite crystals using microscopic seeds. This breakthrough addresses production issues and enables the creation of highly efficient photovoltaic devices with stable performance.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 21, 2021

'Flashed' nanodiamonds are just a phase

Researchers develop method to control flash Joule heating process to produce valuable allotropes, including fluorinated nanodiamonds and graphene. The process uses organic fluorine compounds and fluoride precursors to create the desired structures.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 21, 2021

There's no cheating old age

A recent study found that life expectancy and lifespan equality in humans and non-human primates are not driven by aging rate, but by early life mortality rates. The researchers analyzed data from nine human populations and 30 non-human primate groups, revealing a strong relationship between early-life deaths and population aging.

Summer catch-up programs need to focus on teens' wellbeing, not just academic progress

Researchers found that social connections with friends and family, as well as emotional closeness with parents, significantly impacted young people's mental health during lockdown. The study highlights the need for summer holiday programs to prioritize wellbeing support and increase funding for child and adolescent mental health services.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateJun 21, 2021

Creating cooler cities

Cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, caused by urban infrastructure absorbing heat. Researchers propose applying cooler surfaces to strategic locations to decrease cost and increase usage, offering an effective solution for resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 21, 2021

Landmark field trials show potential of gene-editing

Researchers have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to manipulate glucosinolate levels in broccoli, reducing their accumulation in the leaves and florets. This study highlights the potential of gene editing to improve crop health and adaptability in challenging environments.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalThe CRISPR Journal·DateJun 21, 2021

Microscopy deep learning predicts viral infections

A machine-learning algorithm can recognize virus-infected cells based on fluorescence of the cell nucleus, reliably identifying viruses and predicting severe acute infections. The algorithm has been trained with a large set of microscopy images and demonstrates 95% accuracy in detecting virulent infections up to 24 hours in advance.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournaliScience·DateJun 21, 2021

Changes in farming practices could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2036

A new study published in PNAS predicts that changes in farming practices could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from grain production by up to 70% within the next 15 years. The study identifies a combination of technological innovations, including digital agriculture, crop genetics, and electrification, as key drivers of this reduction.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 21, 2021

Air quality monitoring during volcanic eruption

Researchers deployed a network of low-cost sensors to measure sulfur dioxide and particulate matter concentrations in volcanic smog during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. The system enabled fine-scale measurements and monitoring of plume chemical evolution over time, providing valuable insights into extreme air quality events.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 21, 2021

Exposure to homophobic attitudes linked to higher stress levels among sexual minorities

Research reveals that lesbian, gay and bisexual people who encounter homophobic attitudes experience significant increases in heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones. The study found that perceived homophobia had a direct impact on physiological stress among sexual minorities, increasing systolic blood pressure during interviews.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalHealth Psychology·DateJun 21, 2021

Study: Electronic monitoring failed to reduce recidivism for girls in juvenile justice system

A new study by researchers at UC and Michigan State University found that electronic monitoring tethers failed to reduce reoffending among girls involved in the juvenile justice system. The study suggests that tethering may be harmful because it limits girls' access to treatment programs, leading to higher recidivism rates.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Evaluation Journal·DateJun 21, 2021

Resolving the red sky paradox

A study proposes three resolutions to explain the red sky paradox, where FGK dwarfs are not apparent in the sky despite being five times more common than Sun-like stars. Red dwarfs have a lower probability of emerging intelligent life, a shorter available time window for complex life evolution, and a lower occurrence of habitable worlds.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 21, 2021

Ben-Gurion U. scientists invent an artificial nose for continuous bacterial monitoring

A team of Ben-Gurion University researchers has developed an artificial nose capable of detecting bacteria through volatile metabolites. The technology uses carbon nanoparticles to sense gas molecules and has the potential to identify 'good' vs. pathogenic bacteria in the microbiome, detect food spoilage, and identify poisonous gases.

New study on climate change impacts on plants could lead to better conservation strategies

A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that plant species vulnerable to climate change may lead to bigger problems than previously thought. The research, led by Amelia Wolf and Erika Zavaleta, suggests that losing biodiversity can have significant impacts on ecosystems, particularly during droughts.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 21, 2021

Study examines how breast implant surfaces affect immune response

Researchers found that textured-surface breast implants stimulate pro-inflammatory T cell responses, which may lead to chronic inflammation and cancer. Smooth-surface implants showed less immune cell activity, suggesting a potential link between rougher surfaces and breast implant-associated large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

SourceRice University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJun 21, 2021

Novel smart cement can be used to build more durable roads and cities

Northwestern University researchers have developed a smarter, more durable and highly functional cement by introducing nanoparticles into ordinary cement. The new material shows improved water transport properties, including pore structure and water penetration resistance, with reported relative decreases of 76% and 78%, respectively.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateJun 21, 2021

Capturing the huge impacts of tiny organisms

Researchers are developing a new technique to study microbes in conditions that mimic their native environment, facilitating the growth of difficult microbial species. This technology has potential applications in medicine, biotechnology, and bioremediation, including the controlled delivery of healthy gut bacteria into the body.

Poaching affects behavior of endangered capuchin monkeys in Brazilian biological reserve

A study reveals that hunting pressure affects the behavior of endangered Yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys, causing them to avoid areas with abundant food sources due to increased risk of predation. The research suggests that poachers pose a significant threat, and the risk of predation outweighs the availability of food in their habitat.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalAmerican Journal of Primatology·DateJun 21, 2021

New high-speed method for spectroscopic measurements

The new method uses polarization analysis to track changes in the spectrum of light on a nanosecond time scale over the entire color spectrum. By correlating polarization with laser color, researchers can measure spectral changes at high speeds, opening up new possibilities for material studies and astronomical observations.

SourceTampere University·JournalOptica·DateJun 21, 2021

Climate change may lead to more landfalling tropical cyclones in China

A study suggests that China will experience an increase in landfalling tropical cyclones by the end of the 21st century, with a projected 16% rise in annual mean frequency and a 10% increase in occurrence frequency. The study used regional climate models to simulate future changes in temperature and precipitation patterns.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJun 21, 2021

Vegetation of planet Earth: Researchers publish unique database as Open Access

A global geodatabase of vegetation plots has been published as open access, containing data from 114 countries and all climate zones on Earth. The sPlotOpen database provides a balanced representation of the Earth's vegetation, enabling researchers to study biodiversity and climate change across different regions.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateJun 21, 2021

Inkjet printing 'impossible materials'

Researchers created metamaterials using low-cost inkjet printing with potential implications for telecommunications, GPS, and medical devices. The materials can be electrically tuned to adjust their properties, enabling the design of unconventional mirrors, lenses, and filters.

SourceTufts University·JournalNature Electronics·DateJun 21, 2021

Genetic cause of neurodevelopmental disorder discovered

A team of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has identified a new gene, AP1G1, that is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities. The gene plays a crucial role in transporting essential materials within brain cells, and its disruption can lead to significant developmental delays.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateJun 21, 2021

Birthdays and COVID-19

A new analysis reveals that households with recent birthdays are 30% more likely to have a COVID-19 diagnosis in counties with high infection rates. The study suggests that social gatherings like birthday parties may have contributed to infections during the pandemic.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJun 21, 2021

Ramanome Database can help mining microalgal cell factories for reducing carbon emissions

Researchers have developed a Ramanome Database to rapidly identify and characterize microalgae, which can convert carbon dioxide into valuable compounds. The database achieves 97% accuracy in identifying species and their metabolic functions, accelerating the mining of microalgal cell factories for carbon-neutral production.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateJun 21, 2021

Study: Removing 'bad apples' from police forces unlikely to significantly reduce use-of-force complaints

A new study suggests that replacing high-risk police officers with less likely to generate use-of-force complaints would reduce complaints by just 6 percent over a 10-year period. Researchers found that early warning systems and broader accountability measures are more effective in reducing misconduct.

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateJun 21, 2021