Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 24, 2021


Streptococcus pneumoniae sticks to dying lung cells, worsening secondary infection following flu

Researchers have identified a novel virulence trait of Streptococcus pneumoniae that increases the severity of S. pneumoniae superinfection following flu. The surface protein PspA, previously known to have several other virulence mechanisms, now functions as an adhesin to dying lung epithelial cells. This finding provides further expla...

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 24, 2021

Research team discovers Arctic dinosaur nursery

A research team from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Florida State University has found evidence that nearly all types of Arctic dinosaurs reproduced in the region and likely remained there year-round. The discovery contradicts previous hypotheses that the animals migrated to lower latitudes for the winter, suggesting they were ...

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 24, 2021

Gastrulation research reveals novel details about embryonic development

Researchers from Helmholtz Zentrum München have discovered a novel mechanism driving the formation of the endoderm germ layer during gastrulation. This finding has significant implications for understanding congenital diseases and potential targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer.

Ethane proxies for methane in oil and gas emissions

A recent study using ethane proxies has found that oil and gas wells contribute significantly to greenhouse warming, exceeding EPA estimates by 48-76%. The researchers tracked ethane and methane emissions across the US over three seasons, providing new insights into fossil fuel sources.

When did the first COVID-19 case arise?

A new study suggests that the first COVID-19 case arose in China between early October and mid-November 2019, with November 17 being the most likely date of origin. The analysis reveals a more rapid spread than previously confirmed cases imply, with the disease spreading globally by January 2020.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 24, 2021

Plant Protector: How plants strengthen their light-harvesting membranes against environmental stress

A study by an international consortium reveals the structure and mechanism of a protein that builds and maintains photosynthetic membranes in plants. The research provides new opportunities for engineering plants to be more resistant to extreme environmental conditions, helping to sustain human food supply and combat climate change.

Some good news for those with migraines

A new study from the University of Toronto found that 63% of Canadians with migraines experience almost daily happiness and high levels of social and psychological well-being. Those who had a confidant or used spiritual coping mechanisms were more likely to be in excellent mental health.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAnnals Of Headache Medicine Journal·DateJun 24, 2021

Kiwi disease study finds closely related bacterial strains display different behaviors

A recent study found that genes involved in bacterial signaling play a crucial role in the virulence of Psa3, a highly aggressive biovar of the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the diversity of virulence strategies among closely related bacterial strains.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateJun 24, 2021

Mixed cultures for a greater yield

A study published in Nature Plants found that mixed cultures of crops can produce higher yields than monocultures due to the biodiversity effect. This approach involves sowing multiple species or varieties alongside each other, resulting in increased plant productivity and effective natural pest control without pesticides.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Plants·DateJun 24, 2021

How neurons get past 'no'

A new study reveals that inhibitory neurons increase signal transmission by targeting the weakest-responding neurons in the brain, enabling flexible information transfer. This discovery could help understand and treat disorders such as anxiety and attention deficit disorders.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 24, 2021

COVID-19 origins still a mystery

A recent study using computer modelling found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds more tightly to human cells than any other tested animal species, including bats and pangolins. The results suggest that the virus may have adapted to become an effective human pathogen through convergent evolution or genetic recombination.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 24, 2021

A low Omega-3 index is just as strong a predictor of early death as smoking

A new study found that a low Omega-3 Index is associated with increased risk of early death, comparable to the risk of smoking. The research used data from the Framingham Heart Study and suggested that biomarkers integrating lifestyle choices could help identify individuals at risk and inform treatment approaches.

SourceWright On Marketing & Communications·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJun 24, 2021

Spreading of infections = need for collaboration between biology and physics

The spread of infections requires collaboration between biology and physics to understand superspreaders, who account for 80% of transmission. Researchers develop computer models considering family context, work context, and random contexts, highlighting the importance of time in modeling disease behavior.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2021

Decoding humans' survival from coronaviruses

An international team analysed genomes of over 2,500 humans from 26 populations to understand human adaptation to historical coronavirus outbreaks. They found signs of adaptation in 42 different human genes encoding viral interacting proteins (VIPs), which primarily active in the lungs and interact with coronaviruses.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 24, 2021

Leopard gecko skin tumors traced to cancer gene

A genetic analysis of leopard geckos has identified a cancer gene linked to skin tumors, shedding light on the animals' unique coloration patterns. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, suggests that the geckos' bright colors may be caused by an error in the gene, leading to overproduction of white skin cells and reflective crystals.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJun 24, 2021

Early findings of Alzheimer's study in diverse populations now available to researchers

The research data provides insights into the biology of Alzheimer's disease among Mexican Americans, highlighting lower levels of beta amyloid protein and earlier onset of cognitive loss compared to non-Latino whites. This comprehensive study is a first-of-its-kind examination of health disparities and diagnostic opportunities for unde...

COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy can reduce hospitalizations, healthcare system stress

A study by USF Health and Tampa General Hospital found that early administration of monoclonal antibodies to high-risk patients can significantly reduce COVID-19-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The treatment reduced hospitalization rates by 40.5% compared to controls, with no deaths reported in the treated group.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·DateJun 24, 2021

A new type of Homo unknown to science

A new type of Homo has been identified in Israel, with features that challenge the prevailing hypothesis on Neanderthal origins. The discovery suggests that at least some Neanderthals' ancestors came from the Levant, and that two types of Homo groups lived side by side for over 100,000 years.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalScience·DateJun 24, 2021

Coincidence? I think so: researchers use phylogenetics to untangle convergent adaptation in birds

A team of researchers used phylogenetics to investigate recurrent adaptations in bird mitochondria, finding that most convergence events can be explained by random coincidences rather than adaptation. The study confirms the scientific opinion that distant species choose different ways of similar trait evolution, but challenges the idea...

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateJun 24, 2021

Water vole genome will help boost conservation of one of UK's most endangered mammals

The release of the European water vole genome provides a comprehensive set of genetic tools to support conservation efforts, helping to understand genetic diversity and structure of water vole populations. The reference genome will aid in reintroduction efforts and inform management strategies for sustainable species survival.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalWellcome Open Research·DateJun 24, 2021

Study shows potential dangers of sweeteners

Research from Anglia Ruskin University found that common artificial sweeteners like saccharin and sucralose can make previously healthy gut bacteria pathogenic. The study discovered that these pathogenic bacteria can invade intestinal cells and cause damage.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateJun 24, 2021

Physicist Jean Dalibard awarded the 2021 CNRS gold medal

Physicist Jean Dalibard is recognized for his exceptional contributions to the dynamism and influence of French research, particularly in quantum technologies. He has made major contributions to the emergence of quantum technologies by developing sources for atoms cooled and trapped by light,.

SourceCNRS·DateJun 24, 2021

Novel risk score for predicting blood cancer relapse

Researchers in China have created a novel risk score to predict relapse of leukemia, allowing for better medical intervention and stratification of patients with different risks. The study analyzed factors such as engraftment of white blood cells, residual cancer cells, and chronic graft-versus-host disease to determine outcomes like 5...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·DateJun 24, 2021

Water meters help scientists quantify river runoff at third pole

Researchers from ITP of Chinese Academy of Sciences use water meters to estimate annual total river runoff for 13 major rivers in the region. The study reveals significant regional variations in river runoff, with higher values found in Indian monsoon domain, and shows climate change impacts on snow and glacial melting.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJun 24, 2021

Primary lung cancers detected by LDCT are at lower risk of brain metastases

A study published in Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for primary lung cancer is associated with a lower risk of developing brain metastases. Researchers identified 1502 participants diagnosed with lung cancer between 2002 and 2009, where LDCT screening was detected versus other meth...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJun 24, 2021

Genetic study of liver cancer reveals new drug target

A recent genetic study published in PLOS Genetics has identified MAGEA3, a gene associated with poor prognosis in liver cancer, as a potential target for new treatments. The study found that blocking the expression of MAGEA3 in liver cancer cells can prevent their growth and death, offering hope for developing new therapies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJun 24, 2021

Mount Sinai study finds that rotator cuff injuries account for nearly half of shoulder injuries among collegiate baseball players, identifies other risks

A Mount Sinai study reveals rotator cuff injuries are the most common type, accounting for nearly half of all shoulder injuries. The research also identifies other risk factors, including pitching and throwing, and highlights the need for improved injury prevention strategies.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Physician and Sportsmedicine·DateJun 24, 2021

Light-harvesting nanoparticle catalysts show promise in quest for renewable carbon-based fuels

A study by University of Illinois researchers has shown that small quantities of hydrocarbons can be produced when CO2 and water react in the presence of light and a silver nanoparticle catalyst. The findings demonstrate a viable technology for renewable energy generation and chemical manufacturing.

Non-invasive potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Queensland have found that low-intensity ultrasound can effectively restore cognition without crossing the blood-brain barrier in mice models. The findings provide a potential new avenue for non-invasive treatment and will help clinicians tailor medical treatments to individual disease progressions.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJun 24, 2021

Stopping the onset and progression of intractable immune diseases

A research team from POSTECH and ImmunoBiome Inc. discovered a yeast-derived polysaccharide mixture that selectively suppresses inflammatory T-cells and induces regulatory T-cells with anti-inflammatory function. The study found that MGCP, the novel polysaccharide, effectively inhibits inflammatory diseases without major side effects.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 24, 2021

Quantum dots keep atoms spaced to boost catalysis

Rice University engineers developed a strategy to increase the number of transition-metal single atoms that can be loaded onto a carbon carrier using graphene quantum dots. The new technique showed significant improvement in electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide compared to lower metal loading catalysts.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJun 24, 2021

The job you want vs. the job you get

A University of Houston researcher found significant discrepancies between teenagers' dream careers and job availability in the US labor market. Most adolescents aspired to low-automation careers, but these jobs account for only 8% of available positions.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Career Assessment·DateJun 24, 2021

Race, ethnicity not a factor in recent weapon-carrying behaviors at US schools

A recent study by the University of Minnesota Medical School found that schools' social climates play a stronger role in weapon-carrying behaviors among US high school students than their racial or ethnic backgrounds. The study also discovered that males who experienced violence or felt unsafe at school were more likely to carry weapons.

Parents of children with complex medical conditions more likely to have mental health issues

A recent study published in Pediatrics found that parents of children with the most complex medical conditions are more likely to report poor or fair mental health and struggle to find community help. The study recommends that healthcare systems provide support resources and prioritize mental health for these families.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJun 24, 2021

Protocells spring into action

A team of researchers has developed micro-actuators that use internal changes as a trigger for signal-based movement, paving the way for new applications in soft robotics, microscale sensing, and bioengineering. The devices, powered by chemical reactions, can be programmed to perform different modes of mechanical work.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJun 24, 2021

Antidepressants safe during pregnancy

A recent study found that mothers with psychiatric disorders had a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delay in their children. In contrast, antidepressant use was not associated with an increased risk of ASD. The research provides reassurance for pregnant women taking SSRIs.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJun 24, 2021