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Science News for June 23, 2021


Theoretical proof that a strong force can create light-weight subatomic particles

A theoretical physicist has proved a decades-old claim that Quantum Chromo Dynamics (QCD) leads to light-weight pions, resolving the mystery of confinement. By using supersymmetry and anomaly mediation, Principal Investigator Hitoshi Murayama showed QCD indeed creates pions with extremely small mass.

Melatonin in mice: there's more to this hormone than sleep

The study revealed that natural melatonin is linked to a pre-hibernation state that allows mice to slow down their metabolism and survive when food is scarce. Melatonin-producing female mice also enter a state called daily torpor, a low-power mode similar to hibernation that conserves energy.

SourceRIKEN·JournalJournal of Pineal Research·DateJun 23, 2021

Do hormonal contraceptives impact glaucoma risk?

Women using hormonal contraceptives face a 2-fold higher risk of developing glaucoma compared to non-users. Women with more than four prescriptions for hormonal contraceptives in the past two years had an even higher risk.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateJun 23, 2021

Junk food relief in lockdown

During COVID-19 lockdowns, high-energy density foods like sweets and salty treats saw increased intake among some adults, with a heightened risk of weight gain. Researchers warn that those struggling to control food cravings are most at risk, highlighting the need for strategies to manage snacking.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAppetite·DateJun 23, 2021

US children pay high price for gun violence

A study by Stanford University found that pediatric firearm injuries in the US result in a median cost of $12,984 per patient under 18 years old. The authors analyzed data from the national Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database to identify factors contributing to variation in hospital costs.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 23, 2021

Anglo-Saxon ancestry was 'mixed and mutable'

The study found that early Anglo-Saxons had a mix of local and continental ancestry, with the ratio changing over time due to varying immigration patterns. The results suggest that being Anglo-Saxon was tied to language and culture rather than genetics.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 23, 2021

Addressing inequity in air quality

Researchers are using satellite and ground-based tools to measure air quality, revealing significant differences in nitrogen dioxide levels between majority white and minority communities. This study aims to inform policymakers about the need to mitigate inequity in air pollution, which disproportionately affects communities of color.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJun 23, 2021

Single dose of Pfizer or Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine offers substantial protection to

A single dose of either the Pfizer or Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine offers around 60% protection against infection from SARS-CoV-2 in residents of long-term care facilities aged 65 and over. Vaccination also reduces the risk of transmission and infectivity, with a protective effect evident from 4 weeks after vaccination.

Recycling of the eye's light sensors is faulty in progressive blindness of older adults

A study published in Nature Communications found that the process removing old light sensors is disrupted in progressive blindness, leading to age-related macular degeneration. The researchers identified mTORC1 as a key component involved in photoreceptor recycling and suggest potential treatments using drugs against mTORC1.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 23, 2021

Combining three techniques boosts brain-imaging precision

Researchers developed a trimodal approach combining functional MRI, electroencephalography, and EROS to capture timing and location of brain responses with higher precision. The method provides a clearer picture of how different parts of the brain activate and communicate when an individual is distracted or engaged in a cognitive task.

Predicting tooth loss

Researchers developed machine-learning tools to predict tooth loss based on medical characteristics and socioeconomic factors, outperforming traditional clinical indicators. The approach could be used globally to screen people and improve early interventions, potentially delaying or preventing tooth loss.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 23, 2021

COVID-19 disruptions in sub-Saharan Africa will have substantial health consequences

The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious consequences for education, nutrition, and food security in sub-Saharan Africa, with widespread disruptions to healthcare services and increased prices for staple foods. Policymakers must address these indirect risks to mitigate the health impacts of future disease outbreaks.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateJun 23, 2021

Cancer survivors' tongues less sensitive to tastes than those of healthy peers

Researchers at the University of Illinois found that cancer survivors' tongues are significantly less sensitive to bitter, salty, or sweet tastes due to damage caused by radiation therapy. The team discovered that taste dysfunction persists for years after treatment ends, affecting the quality of life for these individuals.

Wild bees need deadwood in the forest

A recent study published in Forest Ecology and Management found that creating deadwood in coniferous forests can promote the abundance of aboveground nesting bees. The researchers created artificial structures with standing timber in six sample plots in the Black Forest National Park, leading to an increase in wild bee populations.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateJun 23, 2021

Mongooses solve inequality problem

A new study on banded mongooses found that providing extra food to mothers created initial size disparities among pups. However, the well-fed mothers then provided more care to smaller pups, reducing these differences and promoting fairness in pup survival.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 23, 2021

Increased organizational support for employees' adoption efforts yields positive benefits

A Baylor University study found that organizational support for adoption positively affects employees, their families, and the organization itself. The research showed that commitment to the organization is greater when employees receive financial reimbursement or leave policies supporting their adoption of a child.

SourceBaylor University·JournalJournal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology·DateJun 23, 2021

Drug doubles down on bone cancer, metastasis

Researchers have developed an antibody conjugate called BonTarg that delivers drugs to bone tumors and inhibits metastasis. The combination of a breast cancer drug with a bone-targeting antibody was found to significantly enhance the concentration of the antibody at tumor sites, and inhibit secondary metastasis from infected organs.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 23, 2021

A detailed atlas of the developing brain

Researchers at Harvard University have created a comprehensive molecular atlas of the developing somatosensory cortex, providing insights into how gene activity and regulation change over time. The study sheds light on the complex process of cortical development, including when different neuron populations are established.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateJun 23, 2021

Cold weather cost New England electric customers nearly $1.8 billion in one month; A new study suggests ways to mitigate fuel shortages

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers suggests that storing both oil and gas on-site at power plants can reduce dependence on gas grids and mitigate fuel shortages. This could reduce costs for electric customers in New England, where gas supply constraints have led to frequent power plant outages.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalThe Electricity Journal·DateJun 23, 2021

Rare genetic defect replicated in fish model

Researchers at Heidelberg University successfully introduced a rare genetic mutation into a fish model to study the causes of complex metabolic diseases. The study found that supplying fully functional ALG2 mRNA could reverse the genetic defect, allowing analysis of individual function areas of the enzyme.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalDevelopment·DateJun 23, 2021

Differences in countries' COVID-19 guidelines created confusion for healthcare professionals

The study analyzed 114 COVID-19 guidelines from leading organizations in the UK, France, Germany, and the US, finding significant variations in respiratory protection recommendations. The variations were attributed to differences in national and international guidelines, as well as shortages of equipment.

10 keys to integrating health into urban and transport planning

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health has identified 10 key principles for integrating health components into urban design, aiming to reduce premature mortality. The study provides a checklist for urban planners to incorporate public health into their work, promoting active and public transport, green spaces, and mixed land use.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalInternational Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·DateJun 23, 2021

The origins of farming insects

Researchers found that the symbiotic relationship between ambrosia fungi and beetles originated more than 100 million years ago, during the early Cretaceous period. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of insect farming, a strategy similar to human agriculture.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalBiological Reviews·DateJun 23, 2021

Mapping methane sources in Paris

A study conducted by researchers in Paris identified the natural gas distribution network as a major source of methane emissions, accounting for 63% of total emissions. The study also found that sewage networks were another significant source of methane, with 33% of total emissions attributed to these systems.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 23, 2021

Cellular signatures of kidney tumours discovered

The study confirms that childhood cancers originate from specific developmental cells and exhibit unique 'cellular signals' that can be used to classify them. This method holds promise as a tool for diagnosing patients with rare cancers, including one patient's cryptic kidney cancer identified through cellular signal analysis.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 23, 2021

Providing clean, safe and private toilet, menstrual hygiene management for the homeless: An audit

A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that public toilets in Manhattan do not meet the needs of women experiencing homelessness, with limited access to resources and safety issues. The research highlights the need for improved menstrual hygiene management and accessibility in public facilities.

Immune cells in the human biliary system mapped

The study reveals a dominant network of neutrophils and tissue-resident T cells in the bile ducts of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a severe inflammatory disease. This discovery may pave the way for new treatment strategies against PSC and other biliary disorders.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 23, 2021

The mysterious Chinese mountain cat probably was not involved in feline domestication

A genomic study of 51 high-quality samples reveals the Chinese mountain cat is a wildcat subspecies (Felis silvestris bieti) and was not directly involved in feline domestication in China. This finding supports the theory that housecats originated solely from African wildcat domestication, but raises conservation concerns for the species.

Schools should strive to improve students' food literacy

K-12 schools should focus on improving students' food literacy to bridge health gaps between lower-income and higher-income families. A conceptual model offers guidance for schools to enhance health and food literacy through practice opportunities, research, policy, or interventions.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of School Health·DateJun 23, 2021

Critical cell process shown to be missing in humans

A group of patients with neurological disease have been found to lack a critical cell process called autophagy. This discovery challenges the understanding that humans cannot survive if their cells completely fail to carry out autophagy, and may have important implications for research and therapies in neurodegeneration and cancer.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 23, 2021

Quantum birds

Researchers discover that cryptochrome 4, found in birds' retinas, is sensitive to magnetic fields and could be the long-sought magnetic sensor. The team deciphered the mechanism behind this sensitivity, which arises from electrons moving within the molecule after blue-light activation.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalNature·DateJun 23, 2021

Study on fiscal policy advocates for making hay while the sun shines

A study published in Economic Inquiry examined data from 133 countries from 1950-2014, finding that reduced fiscal space in high-income countries after the 2007-2009 global financial crisis led to procyclical policy actions. This resulted in prolonged economic downturns and aggravated business cycle fluctuations.

SourceWiley·JournalEconomic Inquiry·DateJun 23, 2021

Study explores how readers at partisan news sites respond to challenging news events

Researchers from Bentley University analyzed reader comments on two partisan news sites after a challenging news event, revealing obstacles to sense-making and breakdowns in deliberation. The study adds to the understanding of political discourse and polarization, highlighting the need for solutions to combat misinformation.

SourceBentley University·JournalACM Transactions on Social Computing·DateJun 23, 2021

MicroRNAs may play a role in COVID-19

Researchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2 produces microRNAs affecting individuals' respiratory systems and immune responses. Understanding these impacts may provide new insights into COVID-19 pathogenesis and treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine·DateJun 23, 2021

'Lady luck' - Does anthropomorphized luck drive risky financial behavior?

A new study published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research posits that increased accessibility to anthropomorphized luck can lead consumers to pursue higher-risk financial behavior. The authors suggest that preferences for riskier options are driven by shared risk perceptions that may engender feelings of security.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateJun 23, 2021