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Science News for March 19, 2021


Important advance in research on future drugs

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have determined the 3D structure and mechanism of MGST2, an enzyme involved in oxidative stress and DNA damage. The study's findings reveal three functional units controlled by sophisticated movements, regulating vital functions and offering insights into future drug development.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2021

How do humpback whales rest?

Researchers attached an omnidirectional camera to a humpback whale to study its resting behavior. The whale was found to be inactive for half the recorded period, with active behavior in the latter half, suggesting it may have been recovering from foraging.

SourceKobe University·JournalBehavioural Processes·DateMar 19, 2021

A new dye shakes up solar cells

Researchers have developed a new dye called MS5 that significantly enhances the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), which are already being manufactured on a large scale. The new dye produces an open-circuit voltage of 1.24 Volts and achieves a power conversion efficiency of 13.5%, surpassing previous records in the field.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2021

For good health, trust your gut

University of Cincinnati assistant professor Ashley Ross is developing tools to detect and study chemical signals between the brain and immune system using a federal grant. Her research aims to understand how neurons regulate inflammation and develop new therapies.

Turns out altruism is for the fish

A research group at Osaka City University has shown that convict cichlid fish display prosocial choice tasks, choosing to share food with a partner rather than an unknown or rival fish. This behavior suggests that these small fish have an altruistic nature and can distinguish between paired females, unknown females, and rival males.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2021

Happiness can be learned

A nine-month program combining theoretical studies and meditation practices improved life satisfaction, perceived well-being, and emotional regulation. The study suggests that happiness is linked to inner equilibrium and offers a secular approach to develop authentic happiness.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMar 19, 2021

In pandemic, potentially avoidable hospitalizations for non-COVID conditions fell more among whites

During the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially avoidable hospitalizations for non-COVID conditions dropped more among white patients than Black patients. This UCLA study suggests that existing racial healthcare disparities worsened, with African Americans facing worse access to outpatient care.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMar 19, 2021

80% of Spanish health professionals were willing to be vaccinated during the second COVID-19 wave

A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that 80% of Spanish health professionals are willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The main reasons for not wanting vaccination were concerns about safety and side effects. The low acceptance rate among nursing staff is particularly worrying, as they are closely involved with patients.

The eukaryotic cell nucleus resembles the layout of a superstore

The eukaryotic cell nucleus has an organized layout, similar to a superstore, with DNA-packed into compact structures and molecules moving efficiently through channels. The chromatin fibers work like shelves, holding genetic information, while proteins move randomly within the channels according to Brownian motion rules.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMar 19, 2021

Reactive boride infusion stabilizes ni-rich cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

A new coating technology has been developed to stabilize Ni-rich cathodes in lithium-ion batteries, improving cycling stability and capacity retention. The technique involves infusing a cobalt boride metallic glass into the grain boundaries of the cathode material, resulting in improved electrochemical performance and safety.

More is better, when it comes to case volume for complex gastrointestinal cancer surgery

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that patients undergoing elective esophagectomy, gastrectomy, or pancreatectomy for malignancies at top-ranked hospitals had significantly lower in-hospital death rates compared to those at unranked hospitals. The average annual case volume for these high-ri...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMar 19, 2021

Starving tumors by blocking glutamine uptake

Researchers have identified a small molecule drug candidate that targets the uptake of glutamine in cancer cells, slowing the growth of melanoma and other cancers. The study, published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, offers an exciting new therapeutic approach for treating tumors addicted to glutamine.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·DateMar 19, 2021

Adults in Canada report adverse childhood experiences

Nearly two-thirds of Canadian adults aged 45-85 reported adverse childhood experiences, including physical abuse, intimate partner violence, and emotional abuse. The research found that exposure to these experiences varied by demographic factors, such as age, sex, education, and socioeconomic status.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMar 19, 2021

Technique based on artificial intelligence permits automation of crop seed analysis

Researchers developed a non-invasive methodology using artificial intelligence to analyze crop seed quality. The technique uses light-based technology and machine learning to identify immature or poor-quality seeds, avoiding the need for destructive germination tests and providing more accurate results in less time.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateMar 19, 2021

Vaccination by inhalation

MIT researchers develop a vaccination strategy that creates an army of T cells ready at the respiratory tract's mucosal surfaces, boosting immune responses. The approach uses albumin proteins to ferry vaccines across mucosal barriers, offering a quicker response to viral invaders and potential treatment for lung cancer.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Immunology·DateMar 19, 2021