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Science News for June 9, 2021


Investigators examine brain tests of patients with COVID-19

Researchers analyzed brain scans of 193 COVID-19 patients, finding a link between brain imaging and the virus's presence in cerebrospinal fluid. The study suggests hyperintense lesions and leptomeningeal enhancement are indicative of inflammation rather than infection.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Neuroimaging·DateJun 9, 2021

Innovation projects can reinvent the UN

Researchers at UNIGE found that digital initiatives within country offices have the strongest impact on changing ways of working, embedding new skills, and restructuring teams across the UN. The study highlights the power of bottom-up innovation, where ideas can spread from country to country, achieving scale and changing the organizat...

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalJournal of Management Studies·DateJun 9, 2021

Study suggests unmedicated, untreated brain illness is likely in mass shooters

A new study analyzing medical evidence on domestic mass shooters in the US finds that a majority of perpetrators have psychiatric disorders without treatment, increasing risk of violence. The researchers identified signs and symptoms of brain illness in 32 out of 35 perpetrators, with most having schizophrenia or other diagnoses.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychopharmacology·DateJun 9, 2021

New study presents tip-induced nano-engineering of strain, bandgap, and exciton funneling in 2D semiconductors

Researchers at UNIST have successfully controlled the physical properties of naturally-formed nanoscale wrinkles in 2D semiconductors. The team developed a hyperspectral adaptive tip-enhanced photoluminescence spectroscopy approach to investigate and control the nano-optical and excitonic properties of wrinkles.

Heart transplants: Age is no barrier to successful surgery

A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that heart transplant surgery has a similar mortality rate for adults aged 18-69 and 70+, with only minor differences in stroke risk and donor hearts. Advanced age alone should not prevent people from being considered as candidates for heart transplants.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 9, 2021

Researchers realize unconventional coherent control of solid-state spin qubits

Researchers have developed an unconventional method for controlling solid-state spin qubits using anti-Strokes (AS) excitation, which reduces the energy requirement compared to conventional Strokes excitation. This breakthrough enables improved quantum information processing and high-sensitivity quantum sensing capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 9, 2021

New treatment demonstrated for people with vaccine clots

Scientists at McMaster University have developed a new treatment approach for people suffering from VITT, combining anti-clotting drugs with high doses of intravenous immunoglobulin. The treatment's effectiveness was shown in three Canadian patients who received the AstraZeneca vaccine and developed VITT.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 9, 2021

Language extinction triggers loss of unique medicinal knowledge

Researchers found that 75% of medicinal plant services are linguistically-unique and known to one language, highlighting the critical role of indigenous languages in preserving medicinal knowledge. The study suggests that language loss will be even more critical to medicinal knowledge extinction than biodiversity loss.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 2021

Emergency care for heart attacks and strokes rebounds

A Kaiser Permanente study found that hospitalization rates for heart attacks remained stable during subsequent COVID-19 surges, contrary to initial declines during the pandemic's onset. The research suggests effective public health campaigns encouraged people to seek care, resulting in a rebound of hospitalizations.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA·DateJun 9, 2021

Impact of Pandemic on Chile's Pension System Threatens Viability, Highlights Vulnerability to Political Risk

The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened Chile's defined contribution pension system, undermining its financial foundation and exposing it to political risk. The government's response to the crisis, including emergency withdrawals from pension fund savings accounts, has set a dangerous precedent for using retirement funds for basic needs.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalInternational Social Security Review·DateJun 9, 2021

Assessing feasibility concerns in climate mitigation scenarios

Researchers develop a framework to identify and evaluate feasibility concerns in climate mitigation scenarios, highlighting institutional constraints and socio-cultural limitations. The study applies the framework to IPCC scenarios, revealing that many assume fast decarbonization rates in regions with low mitigation capacity.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJun 9, 2021

Creating a needle-free COVID-19 vaccine

Intranasal COVID-19 vaccines aim to provide both mucosal and systemic immunity, potentially offsetting global vaccination disparities. Despite challenges in studying the mucosal immune system, scientists are working to develop nasal doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJun 9, 2021

Researchers take quantum encryption out of the lab

A field trial demonstrates a stable and efficient quantum key distribution (QKD) system that can generate quantum-secure cryptographic keys at sustained rates over a standard telecommunications infrastructure. The system, developed by researchers in Italy, is designed to be easy-to-operate and integrate into existing optical networks.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateJun 9, 2021

A link between childhood stress and early molars

University of Pennsylvania researchers discovered a correlation between childhood stress and earlier molar eruption, with lower-income children experiencing an earlier onset. The study used a novel rating system to measure tooth development, showing that adverse childhood experiences also predict earlier molar eruption.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 2021

Ceramics provide insights into medieval Islamic cuisine

A study of organic residues on ceramic pottery from rural and urban Sicily during the 9th to 12th century AD reveals a diverse range of vegetables, fruits, beeswax, and animal food products. The findings are consistent with Arabic literature's colorful dishes and highlight regional differences in cuisine preferences and ceramics use.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 9, 2021

Meiosis: Mind the gap

Cells introduce hundreds of DNA DSBs to facilitate genetic recombination, but researchers found that approximately 20% of breaks correspond to closely positioned pairs of DSBs, which can initiate recombination at chromosome gaps

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateJun 9, 2021

Study examines care received by patients with knee osteoarthritis

A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that only a minority of patients with knee osteoarthritis used non-surgical care such as physical therapy and knee injections. The study suggests that surgery may be more commonly substituted for conservative care in regions with high rates of knee replacements.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateJun 9, 2021

Measuring sound diversity of quietness

Researchers develop Composite Urban Quietness Index to measure sound diversity of quietness, aiming to provide a new understanding of comfortable quiet. The study reveals that high-intensity sound and silent acoustic environments can cause stress, highlighting the need for quantifiable characteristics of quietness.

Lower and safer doses of laughing gas relieve treatment-resistant depression in phase 2 trial

A phase 2 trial found that a single one-hour treatment with nitrous oxide can relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression for several weeks. The study showed significant improvements in depression symptoms, with a four-fold lower risk of adverse effects at lower concentrations.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 9, 2021

How catalysts age

Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute have developed a new experimental method to investigate the ageing process of vanadium phosphorus oxides (VPO) catalysts. The method allows for precise measurement of chemical properties in three dimensions, revealing changes in the material's structure and chemistry over time.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 9, 2021

Immune responses after COVID-19 vaccination in kidney transplant and dialysis patients

A new study reveals that COVID-19 vaccination leads to strong T cell responses against the virus in all patients on dialysis, and nearly 58% of kidney transplant recipients. However, low antibody responses were observed in kidney transplant recipients, raising concerns about their protection from COVID-19.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJun 9, 2021

Major study of diabetes trends shows Americans' blood sugar control is getting worse

A nationwide study found that blood sugar control among US adults with diabetes declined significantly between 2007-2010 and 2015-2018. The proportion of adults achieving glycemic control dropped from 57.4% to 50.5%, while blood pressure control decreased, but cholesterol control levels remained stable.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 9, 2021

Māori connections to Antarctica may go as far back as 7th century, new study shows

A new study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand suggests that indigenous Māori people may have set eyes on Antarctic waters and possibly the continent as early as the 7th century. The research uncovers a deep-rooted connection between Māori people and Antarctica, which continues to this day.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of New Zealand·DateJun 9, 2021

The impact of double-cropping

Double-cropping in Brazil's Centre-West region contributed significantly to the country's grain boom, increasing from 19% to 33% between 2003 and 2016. The practice allowed for increased corn production without expanding cropland, offsetting around 76.7 million hectares of arable land.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Food·DateJun 9, 2021

'Transportation is a form of freedom': How to make it more equitable

A new study by University of Michigan researchers highlights common barriers to improving equitable access to transportation, including data collection and information on needs. Practitioners cited need for better communication between disciplines and structures in place to advocate for equity-minded funding allocations.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJun 9, 2021

How the amphibians got their vertebrae

A study found that ancient amphibians' spine stiffness varied with habitat, with more aquatic species having more rigid backbones. The researchers collected measurements on over 40 species of temnospondyls, providing valuable information on early vertebrate adaptations to water-to-land transitions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 9, 2021

Birth weight is associated with osteoporosis risk later in life

Research from the UK Biobank and the Genetic Factors for Osteoporosis consortium found that heavier birth weight is associated with a higher risk of bone fracture and osteoporosis. The study suggests that genes affecting birth weight may also influence an individual's risk of developing osteoporosis as they age.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateJun 9, 2021

More 'fairness' needed in conservation

Researchers found that local stakeholders consider fairness in distribution of money from marine protected areas according to who holds rights over the area, rather than equality or costs incurred. This challenges common assumptions in conservation literature and practice, emphasizing the importance of explicit identification of local ...

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalEnvironmental Science & Policy·DateJun 9, 2021

Predisposition to addiction may be genetic

A Rutgers study suggests that individuals with high sensation-seeking traits may be more susceptible to drug addiction due to a genetic predisposition. High-sensation-seeking rats showed stronger motivation for cocaine, making them more prone to developing addictive behavior.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNeuropharmacology·DateJun 9, 2021

Low doses of "laughing gas" could be fast, effective treatment for severe depression

A new study found that a one-hour inhalation session with 25% nitrous oxide gas improved depression symptoms for over two weeks, with fewer adverse side effects compared to higher concentrations. The effects were nearly as effective as 50% nitrous oxide at rapidly relieving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 9, 2021

Artificial light harming clownfish

A recent study by the University of Melbourne revealed that young clownfish living closest to shore are dying faster due to exposure to artificial lighting. The research team found that nearshore juvenile clownfish grew 44% more slowly under artificial light than those in natural conditions.

Targeted therapy pralsetinib safely effectively treats lung and thyroid cancers with RET alterations

Researchers found that pralsetinib achieved an overall response rate of 70% and complete response rate of 11% in patients with no prior systemic treatment for advanced RET fusion-positive NSCLC. In the thyroid arm, the ORR was 71% in patients with treatment-naïve RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJun 9, 2021

Speech droplets drive transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers found that intermediate-sized respiratory droplets emitted while speaking can carry significant amounts of virus and remain suspended in air for minutes. These 'speech droplets' pose a considerable risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, particularly in enclosed spaces without proper ventilation.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateJun 9, 2021

Food for thought: Eating soft foods may alter the brain's control of chewing

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that a diet of soft or regular food affects muscle control and electrical activity of the jaw when stimulated, influencing the regulation of chewing. This study suggests that increasing chewing difficulty may alter brain control, with potential benefits for monitoring and improvi...

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 9, 2021

Not just a phase for RNAS

Researchers uncover how an RNA named NORAD drives a protein to form liquid droplets that tightly regulate its activity. This phenomenon, known as phase separation, protects against disease by preventing chromosomal abnormalities and promoting cellular homeostasis.

New defense against superbugs

Researchers at Flinders University have discovered that fish oil fatty acids can render bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics. This discovery is vital in combating the rise of superbugs with unprecedented levels of antibiotic resistance.

SourceFlinders University·JournalmBio·DateJun 9, 2021