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Science News for March 2, 2021


In equilibrium

Researchers have found a complex equilibrium between bimetallic species in the Br-Mg exchange, with lithium magnesiates playing a key role. Detailed NMR spectroscopic studies revealed that an alkyl-rich lithium magnesiate is the active species of the reaction.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 2, 2021

SHEA names first editor for Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) has launched a new open-access journal, Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology, with Dr. Gonzalo Bearman at the helm. The journal will focus on original research, reviews, and commentaries on infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateMar 2, 2021

Researchers find effective combination of therapies for managing mitochondrial disease

A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers has identified a combination therapy that provides measurable benefits to patients with mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders. The treatment, which includes glucose, nicotinic acid, and N-acetylcysteine, showed improved lifespan, mitochondrial membrane potential, and preven...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateMar 2, 2021

Intriguing particles emerge when two photons couple

Scientists at University of Bath found a way to bind two photons together, creating photon-photon polaritons with predicted masses 1,000+ times lighter than electrons. This discovery has potential applications in terabit and quantum optical communication schemes and precision measurements.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateMar 2, 2021

Deepwater Horizon's long-lasting legacy for dolphins

A long-term study found that bottlenose dolphins in Louisiana's Barataria Bay, exposed to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, show abnormal immune responses and are more susceptible to pathogens. The researchers observed dysfunctional T-reg cells, which may be irreversible, raising concerns for the long-term recovery of these dolphins.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateMar 2, 2021

Sequential treatment with immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors prolongs anti-tumor activity

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found that sequential treatment with immunotherapy followed by BRAF and MEK inhibitors promotes anti-tumor immunity and suppresses signaling that leads to drug resistance. The study suggests that this approach may be a potential treatment option for patients with melanoma.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCancer Immunology Research·DateMar 2, 2021

TPU scientists develop efficient method to create high-strength materials for flexible electronics

Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a method to create high-strength, electrically conductive composites using laser-driven integration of metals into polymers. The new method offers improved mechanical stability and potential applications in flexible electronics, photocatalysis, sensors, and biomedical products.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 2, 2021

Polymerization process of hydrogel microspheres on video

The study used direct visualization to clarify the formation mechanism of microgels during precipitation polymerization. The research revealed that the aggregation of polymer chains in the nucleation process is crucial for determining the nanostructures of microgels, leading to improved understanding of their formation.

SourceShinshu University·JournalLangmuir·DateMar 2, 2021

Model describes interactions between light and mechanical vibration in microcavities

A study by researchers at the University of Campinas investigated optomechanical coupling, creating a theoretical model that was validated by simulations and comparisons with experimental results. The researchers found that both dispersive and dissipative interactions occur in microcavities, which can contribute to advances in fields s...

Protein Science Best Papers for 2020

Yu-Ting Huang's unexpected finding that ATP can alter human protein folding through destabilization may be relevant in studying cancer cells. Samuel Junod and Joseph Kelich were recognized for their studies of intrinsically disordered proteins' transport routes through nuclear pore complexes.

Creamy or gritty?

Scientists at UC Santa Barbara found that fruit flies use a mechanosensory channel called TMEM63 to detect the gritty texture of their food. This discovery sheds light on how animals perceive food and may have implications for human taste perception.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 2, 2021

Rice plant resists arsenic

A Chinese-German research team has identified a rice plant variant that can neutralize arsenic toxins, with grains containing less than half the amount of arsenic as conventional rice. The astol1 rice variant also exhibits an elevated content of essential trace element selenium.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 2, 2021

Ultra-fast electron measurement provides important findings for the solar industry

The study provides important findings for the solar industry by analyzing solar cell processes at an ultra-fast scale. The researchers used time-resolved X-ray photoemission spectroscopy to identify a previously unobserved channel for charge separation, revealing new insights into quantum efficiency and optimization possibilities.

SourceUniversity of Freiberg / TU Bergakademie Freiberg·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 2, 2021

Unusual earthquakes highlight central Utah volcanoes

Researchers have detected unusual earthquake sequences in central Utah's Black Rock Desert, highlighting the region's active volcanic system. The quakes were shallower and produced lower-frequency seismic energy than usual, suggesting a different origin than other Utah earthquakes.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 2, 2021

'Fish DJ' tackles fish hearing

PhD candidate Rebecca Poulsen designed a speaker system to study brain networks and hearing in baby fish, finding they can hear high-frequency sounds. Whole-brain imaging revealed how larvae process different types of sounds, raising questions about their brain's interpretation.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 2, 2021

Discovery of potential cosmic-ray accelerator in the galaxy opens window for PeV cosmic rays origin

The Tibet ASgamma experiment has discovered gamma rays beyond 100 TeV from a supernova remnant, suggesting that cosmic-ray nuclei are accelerated up to PeV energy and collide with a nearby molecular cloud. This discovery identifies the first candidate object in the Milky Way that can accelerate cosmic rays up to 1 PeV.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 2, 2021

Hassles with child car seats linked to unsafe child passenger behaviors

A study published in Academic Pediatrics found that parents who reported more child car seat hassles were less likely to follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on child passenger safety. Parents who identified more hassles were more likely to have their children travel unrestrained or not use a car seat consistently.

Willpower is the key to enhancing learning and memory: researchers uncover the mechanism

A study published in PNAS found that theta oscillations in the human brain, generated by the hippocampus, play a crucial role in active learning and memory formation. Active navigation improves learning efficiency, while two consecutive phenomena, encoding and retrieval, are facilitated by theta phase code.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 2, 2021

Chemistry goes under cover

Scientists have discovered that covering metal catalyst surfaces with thin two-dimensional oxide materials can significantly enhance chemical reactions. The new method uses partially covered palladium surfaces with silica films to boost carbon dioxide production by 20%. This approach allows for more efficient and effective catalytic co...

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 2, 2021

Lack of diversity in science

A study of 1051 top-authors found women and the Global South are starkly underrepresented, with only 11% female authors and 25% from the Global South. The research highlights a need to promote scientific diversity and inclusion in leadership recruitment and career development.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalConservation Letters·DateMar 2, 2021

A quantum internet is closer to reality, thanks to this switch

Researchers at Purdue University have addressed an issue that was barring the development of quantum networks. By deploying a programmable switch, they can adjust how much data goes to each user by selecting and redirecting wavelengths of light carrying different data channels. This allows for the increase in users without adding to ph...

SourcePurdue University·JournalOptica·DateMar 2, 2021

Bitter receptor involved in anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol?

A recent collaborative study has shown that resveratrol's anti-inflammatory properties are mediated by the bitter receptor TAS2R50. The researchers found that this receptor type plays a role in reducing inflammatory markers released by gum cells when treated with surface antigens from bacteria.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMar 2, 2021