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Science News for March 15, 2021


Of mice and men and their different tolerance to pathogens

Researchers developed a mouse Intestine-on-Chip platform to study host-microbiome interactions, confirming that Enterococcus faecium promotes tolerance to S. typhimurium infection in mice. The technology mimics human Intestine Chips, enabling real-time analysis of normal and pathological processes.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateMar 15, 2021

Is there an association between a pregnant mother's diet and her child's weight?

Research suggests a mother's diet during pregnancy influences her child's BMI trajectory from birth to adolescence. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help prevent childhood obesity. Mothers' dietary habits during pregnancy are likely to shape their child's eating behaviors and food preferences.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 15, 2021

Study finds high tumor mutation burden predicts immunotherapy response in some, but not all, cancers

A new study found that a high rate of genetic mutations within a tumor (high tumor mutation burden) can predict clinical responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in certain cancer types, such as melanoma, lung and bladder cancer. However, this was not the case for other cancers, including breast, prostate and brain cancers.

Lessons learned in Burkina Faso can contribute to a new decade of forest restoration

A study in Burkina Faso found that assisted natural regeneration, combined with tree planting and participatory approaches, is effective in restoring degraded landscapes. However, local communities, particularly women, face limited land-access rights, hindering their involvement in decision-making.

What happens in your brain when you 'lose yourself' in fiction

A study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that highly identified fans of 'Game of Thrones' characters activate the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) when thinking about the characters, similar to how they think about themselves. The vMPFC is a brain area involved in self-referential processing.

SourceOhio State University·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateMar 15, 2021

Weed invaders are getting faster

A study by James Cook University found that invasive plants rapidly adapt to new regions, growing and reproducing faster in tropical environments. This trend suggests that global warming will increase invasive impacts in these areas.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateMar 15, 2021

Race influences flood risk behaviors

A study by researchers at the University of Connecticut and others found that race and stream flow are significant indicators of flood risk behavior in US cities. The models showed two diverging patterns among metro areas, with 'risk-enduring' communities taking less action against flooding after a disaster.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2021

A novel recipe for air-stable and highly-crystalline radical-based coordination polymer

Scientists from Japan's Institute for Molecular Science have created a new recipe for stable radical-based coordination polymers, which have potential applications in electronics and spintronics. The materials exhibit photoluminescence properties and can be produced using different metal ions or complexes.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 15, 2021

Telemedicine versus office-based follow-up after meniscal surgery: Trial shows 'equivalent' patient satisfaction scores

A randomized trial of telemedicine versus office-based follow-up after arthroscopic meniscal surgery found equivalent patient satisfaction scores between the two groups. Patients using telemedicine for postoperative follow-up had similar pain scores and complication rates as those making in-person visits.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateMar 15, 2021

Switching from TDF- to TAF-containing ART associated with the development of obesity in people living with HIV

A cohort study found that switching from TDF to TAF-containing ART was associated with significant weight increases, obesity, and rising blood lipid levels in people living with HIV. The study suggests individualized preference for TAF over TDF should be accompanied by repeated assessment of cardiometabolic risk factors.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 15, 2021

Mitochondria found to be protected by ketogenesis

Researchers at Kumamoto University found that ketogenesis maintains mitochondrial function, preventing excessive acetylation and fatty liver development. This discovery may lead to future therapies for protecting mitochondria and organs in newborns and individuals with nutritional deficiencies.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalNature Metabolism·DateMar 15, 2021

Demonstration of the universal quantum error correcting code with superconducting qubits

Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China and Tsinghua University successfully implement a five-qubit quantum error correcting code using superconducting qubits. They achieve high fidelity logical state preparation with an average value of 98.6%, verifying the viability of experimental realization of quantum erro...

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMar 15, 2021

How do good metals go bad?

Researchers found that exotic metallic materials exhibit poor electrical conductivity due to tiny amounts of impurities or defects. These defects cause electrons to remain localized, hindering current flow at low frequencies, but allowing it at high frequencies.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 15, 2021

Ancient light illuminates matter that fuels galaxy formation

Researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries about the formation of galaxies and stars using data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope. By analyzing microwave observations, they found that only a small percentage of gas in galaxies (about 10%) is turned into stars, shedding light on why galaxy formation remains inefficient.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review D·DateMar 15, 2021

Center-right MEPs less cohesive on votes about EU fundamental values during Fidesz era, study shows

Researchers found that Center-right MEPs became less cohesive in voting for resolutions protecting EU fundamental values between 2009 and 2019. The analysis shows a sharp increase in the tendency of EPP MEPs to support these resolutions over time, but during 2011-2019, they had below-average cohesion compared to others.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEuropean Political Science Review·DateMar 15, 2021

Cancer immunotherapy approach targets common genetic alteration

Researchers developed a new cancer immunotherapy that uses engineered T cells to target a genetic alteration common among all cancers. The approach stimulates an immune response against cells with the loss of one gene copy, called loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and has shown promising results in laboratory studies and mouse models.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2021

Open door to treatment of renal fibrosis by showing that it is caused by telomere shortening

Renal fibrosis, a leading cause of kidney failure, has been linked to telomere shortening. Researchers found that short telomeres exacerbate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, promoting pathological scarring of kidney tissue. They propose treating renal fibrosis by lengthening telomeres and restoring normal gene expression.

Scientists stunned to discover plants beneath mile-deep Greenland ice

Researchers find fossilized plant structures at the bottom of a 4560-foot-deep ice core, indicating that most of Greenland was ice-free within the last million years. The discovery highlights the vulnerability of the Greenland ice sheet to climate warming and sea-level rise, posing a significant threat to coastal cities worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2021

Women veterinarians earn $100K less than men annually

A new study by Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine has found that women veterinarians earn an average of $100,000 less than their male counterparts annually. The disparity affects recent graduates and the top half of earners, with partnerships proving more beneficial for women's income earning potential.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateMar 15, 2021

Researchers present spontaneous sparse learning for PCM-based memristor neural networks

A team of researchers from UNIST developed a new learning method for PCM-based memristor neural networks, improving their learning ability by about 3% in handwriting classification tasks. The approach leverages the 'resistance drift' property of phase-change memory to update synapses and associate patterns with data.

When English and French mix in literature

A new study published in Language and Literacy explores the value of bilingual children's books in French immersion classrooms. Bilingual books are seen as an effective tool for second language learning, with students noting benefits such as learning French vocabulary and developing English knowledge. The study suggests that incorporat...

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalLanguage and Literacy·DateMar 15, 2021

Skoltech and MIT researchers identify optimal human landing system architectures to land on the Moon

The study analyzed 39 variants of lunar human landers, considering key architectural decisions such as number of stages and propellant type. The analysis showed that expendable systems with 2-stage architecture are advantageous, but reusable vehicles with 1-stage or 3-stage systems offer comparable advantages.

Blight may increase public health risk from mosquito-borne diseases

Researchers found significantly higher Asian tiger mosquito populations and habitat availability in a low-income neighborhood with high levels of environmental blight. The study highlights the need for blight reduction efforts to mitigate public health risks from mosquito-borne diseases in vulnerable communities.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateMar 15, 2021

Simple iodine will speed up drug discovery

Researchers from Osaka University have developed a sustainable method for synthesizing vicinal diamines, crucial in medications for influenza and colorectal cancer. The process uses molecular iodine as a catalyst, reducing the need for rare and toxic metals.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 15, 2021

Smart quantum technologies for secure communication

Researchers from Louisiana State University have developed a smart quantum technology to correct distorted spatial modes of light at the single-photon level using artificial neural networks. This technique boosts channel capacity in optical communication protocols, enabling secure communication and enhancing sensing capabilities.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalAdvanced Quantum Technologies·DateMar 15, 2021

There might be many planets with water-rich atmospheres

Researchers at University of Chicago and Stanford University propose mechanism for formation and retention of water-dominated atmospheres on hot, rocky exoplanets. The model suggests these planets could have a water-rich atmosphere for long stretches, with some potentially keeping it for billions of years.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 15, 2021

Calls to poison centers about high-powered magnets increased by 444% after ban lifted

A recent study found a significant increase in high-powered magnet-related injuries in children after the ban was lifted, with cases increasing by 355% and hospitalizations rising by 39%. The study calls for stricter regulations on these products to protect children and emphasizes the importance of keeping them out of reach of young ones

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateMar 15, 2021

Double trouble for drug-resistant cancers

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School and A*STAR discovered that inhibiting the Wnt signalling pathway with ETC-159 can reverse PARP inhibitor resistance in several cancer cell lines. This breakthrough could lead to novel anti-cancer treatments for cancers with overactive Wnt signalling, such as colorectal cancer.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateMar 15, 2021

Fear of COVID-19 :

A study published in PLOS ONE found that individual psychological variables, such as germ aversion and attachment security, are better predictors of fear and perceived health during lockdowns than environmental factors. The researchers investigated 533 participants across Europe and found that younger age, physical activity, and higher...

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 15, 2021