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Science News for March 29, 2021


Direct oral anticoagulants show better safety and effectiveness versus warfarin in patients with val

A study of over 56,000 patients found that new users of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) had lower risks for ischemic stroke or systemic embolism and major bleeding events compared to warfarin. DOACs were associated with greater effectiveness and fewer major bleeding events in adults with valvular atrial fibrillation.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 29, 2021

Inflammation-fighting protein could improve treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers at Washington State University have discovered that GBP5 protein suppresses inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis by reducing the effects of interleukin-1 beta and supporting interferon gamma's anti-inflammatory function. This finding could lead to new treatments for the disease, affecting an estimated 1.5 million Americans.

SourceWashington State University·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateMar 29, 2021

Researchers discover how animals grow their pointy body parts

An interdisciplinary team at Monash University discovered a new universal rule of biological growth that explains surprising similarities in the shapes of sharp structures across the tree of life. The 'power cascade' rule applies to various animals, including teeth, horns, claws, and even plant thorns, following a power law pattern.

SourceMonash University·JournalBMC Biology·DateMar 29, 2021

High risk of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing treatment for infected total knee replacement

A study found that nearly 20% of patients with antibiotic-loaded spacers and IV antibiotics developed acute kidney injury, with those with preexisting chronic kidney disease at highest risk. The study identified several risk factors for AKI, including high doses of antibiotics and certain heart rhythm disorders.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateMar 29, 2021

Younger age of first drug use associated with faster development of substance use disorder

A study by NIH/NIDA found that adolescents who started using cannabis or misusing prescription drugs earlier are more likely to develop substance use disorders. The prevalence of substance use disorders was higher among adolescents than young adults at various time frames since first drug use, highlighting the vulnerability of young pe...

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMar 29, 2021

Viewing medical evidence through a new PRISMA

The new PRISMA 2020 guideline provides a 27-item reporting checklist to ensure transparent, complete, and accurate accounts of systematic reviews. This updated version aims to combat incompletely reported reviews that lead to low-value healthcare.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 29, 2021

Science snapshots from Berkeley Lab

India aims to quintuple wind and solar energy capacity by 2030, which could hold greenhouse gas emissions at 2018 levels while nearly doubling electricity supply. Researchers also discover a hidden charge-generating pathway in copper-phthalocyanine:fullerene material for more efficient sunlight conversion.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021

Why the brain enjoys music

A study using non-invasive brain stimulation found that exciting the brain's reward circuit before listening to music increased pleasure, while inhibiting it decreased it. The researchers also discovered that synchronized activity between auditory and reward regions was linked to the pleasure experienced.

New nondestructive optical technique reveals the structure of mother-of-pearl

A new technique, hyperspectral interference tomography, has been developed to study the structure of nacre, a biomineral found in mother-of-pearl. This nondestructive method allows for the assessment of nacre layer thickness, which records temperature and can be used to analyze fossil mollusk shells and learn about past climates.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021

Skoltech scientists use machine learning to help doctors find veins for no-fuss blood draws

Researchers have created an early prototype of a medical imaging system using neural networks to analyze near-infrared images of veins and project a venous pattern onto a patient's body. The system can detect vein contours accurately, fully automatically, and independently, reducing discomfort for patients with difficult access to veins.

Brazilian researchers obtain more efficient red bioluminescence

Researchers at UFSCar in Brazil have developed a novel luciferin-luciferase system that produces far red light at 650 nanometers, three times brighter than natural luciferin and luciferase. This system has better thermal stability, cell membrane penetrability, and more lasting continuous bioluminescence.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021

Discovery of a mechanism for making superconductors more resistant to magnetic fields

Researchers at NIMS and Osaka University have found a way to preserve superconductivity in thin films of atomic-scale thickness when exposed to strong magnetic fields. This discovery could lead to the development of superconducting materials resistant to magnetic fields, enabling topological superconductors for quantum computing applic...

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 29, 2021

Apes show dramatically different early immune responses compared to monkeys

A new study found that apes, including humans and chimpanzees, mount a stronger early response to viral and bacterial stimulation compared to African and Asian monkeys. This robust response may be due to differences in life history, with apes living longer and being larger, increasing their lifetime risk of pathogen exposure.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021

Factors that may predict next pandemic

A new study by the University of Sydney suggests that climate change and environmental pressure are key factors in predicting the emergence of pandemics. The researchers found a link between higher human population density, forest coverage, and disease diversity, particularly in countries with larger land areas and more dense populations.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalTransboundary and Emerging Diseases·DateMar 29, 2021

A mouse's bite holds venomous potential, finds new study

Researchers found that the genetic foundation required for oral venom to evolve is present in both reptiles and mammals. Salivary gland tissues in mammals display a similar pattern of gene activity as snake venom glands, suggesting an ancient functional core shared since the two lineages split hundreds of millions of years ago.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021

NIST develops privacy-preserving 'encounter metrics' that could slow down future pandemics

Researchers at NIST developed a method using encounter metrics to measure interactions between individuals, promoting user anonymity. The system uses encrypted encounter IDs and ultrasonic ranging for accurate distance measurement, potentially slowing the spread of future pandemics.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology·DateMar 29, 2021

Percutaneous image guided thermal ablation safe, effective therapy for metastatic gynecologic cancers

A new study found percutaneous image guided needle based thermal ablation to be a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for local control of metastatic gynecologic cancers. Nearly 96% of patients achieved complete tumor response over 10 months, with low side effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology·DateMar 29, 2021

Drug coupons and vouchers cover only a sliver of prescription drugs

A study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed tens of millions of pharmacy transactions to understand the use of vouchers and coupons. The researchers found that these offsets are concentrated among a small number of drugs, covering about half of their costs, with manufacturer-provided offsets fully covering pat...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMar 29, 2021

New drug to regenerate lost teeth

A new study by Kyoto University scientists has shown an antibody for USAG-1 to stimulate tooth growth in mice with congenital tooth agenesis. The antibody, which targets the factor that antagonizes BMP and Wnt signaling, is promising for a potential therapeutic framework for regenerating teeth.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 29, 2021

Optogenetics: Light regulates an enzyme

Researchers have developed a novel light sensor from two algae's rhodopsins that can produce the signaling molecule cGMP in response to UV or violet light, and inhibit its production with blue or green light. This breakthrough advances optogenetics by providing new tools for studying nerve cell function and other physiological processes.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalBMC Biology·DateMar 29, 2021

Activity is good. Varied activity is better

A study by researchers at the University of Basel reveals that varied physical activity is associated with improved mental health and well-being. The study found that individuals who engaged in more varied movement patterns reported better subjective well-being, but no significant impact on symptoms of mental illness.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalBMC Psychiatry·DateMar 29, 2021

More exercise, fewer screens: New Australian guidelines for kids in OSHC

The new guidelines aim to address growing concerns of children's sedentary behaviour and promote energetic play while limiting screen use. The guidelines recommend a 3:1 ratio of exercise to sedentary time and suggest that OSHC centres should schedule at least 2-3 hours of physical activities per day.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateMar 29, 2021

Political beliefs shape whether we notice social inequality

A new study from Northwestern University found that individuals' ideological beliefs about equality significantly impact their perception of social inequality. Egalitarians are more likely to notice disparities affecting disadvantaged groups, while anti-egalitarians are more tolerant of inequality between groups.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021

Getting on top of rural Asia's blood pressure

A low-cost hypertension management intervention was shown to be cost-effective and scalable for rural communities in low- and middle-income countries. The study found that scaling up the program could save governments $10.70 per participant treated, with costs decreasing over time.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateMar 29, 2021

Astronomy and Landscape in the city of Caral, the oldest city in the Americas

A study published in Latin American Antiquity reveals that the Supe Culture's pyramidal buildings in Caral, Peru, were aligned with lunar cycles and topographic features, indicating a sophisticated understanding of astronomy and landscape by ancient inhabitants. The researchers found that the buildings' orientations coincide with the m...

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalLatin American Antiquity·DateMar 29, 2021

Another Martini for better simulations

The Martini forcefield offers fast but accurate coarse-grained simulations for soft matter systems, such as lipid membranes and proteins. The new version has been recalibrated with more reference data, enhancing its accuracy and usability in materials science and biophysics research.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 29, 2021

String theory solves mystery about how particles behave outside a black hole photon sphere

Researchers have solved a long-standing mystery about how particles behave outside a black hole's photon sphere using string theory. The study finds that string theory resolves singularities caused by tidal effects on nearby strings, supporting the idea of extended objects like strings as degrees of freedom in quantum gravity.

New computational models to understand colon cancer

The study identified several cellular pathways that change when a tumor becomes aggressive, and developed a simple system to model their effect. The model integrated different types of experimental data, including transcription factors, to predict which targets are important for colorectal cancer aggressiveness.

Depression affects visual perception

Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that depression alters the way the brain processes visual information, with depressed individuals perceiving contrast as stronger. The study used two visual tests to compare brain function in patients with depression to those without.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience·DateMar 29, 2021

Akane Sano wins NSF CAREER Award

Akane Sano, a Rice University electrical and computer engineer, has developed software to detect and predict emotional stress in people through data from wearable and mobile technologies. Her $550,000 NSF CAREER Award will support the development of algorithms to interpret data on personal health.

Black hole seeds key to galaxies behemoths

A newly discovered 'Goldilocks' black hole, approximately 55,000 times the sun's mass, provides insight into how supermassive black holes form and grow. The finding may indicate that these behemoths have ancient relics as seeds, potentially leading to a greater understanding of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 29, 2021

Decoding smell

Scientists have discovered that the brain perceives odor mixtures as a new identity, rather than a combination of individual odors. This finding supports the pattern theory of sensory encoding, which suggests that multiple neurons are activated simultaneously to create a population code for each smell.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 29, 2021

How AI beats spreadsheets in modelling future volumes for city waste management

A recent study by researchers at the University of Johannesburg shows how AI can forecast municipal solid waste in a large African city. By using machine learning algorithms and combining data from various sources, including census data and landfill site records, the team was able to predict the city's waste management needs until 2050...

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateMar 29, 2021

Researchers first to link silicon atoms on surfaces

A team of researchers from the University of Münster has developed a highly efficient method to produce silicon polymers using surface chemistry. The breakthrough allows for the creation of long polymers with mild reaction conditions, paving the way for new material properties and potential applications as organic semi-conductors.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMar 29, 2021

Glaucoma linked to increased risk of dementia

Researchers at Flinders University in Australia have found a link between normal-tension glaucoma and cognitive impairment, with patients having this type of glaucoma being more than twice as likely to develop dementia. The study suggests that normal-tension glaucoma may share similar neurodegenerative pathways with dementia.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology·DateMar 29, 2021

Laser lights the way

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new way to observe laser interactions, enabling accurate control over laser-based manufacturing processes. The discovery could lead to significant improvements in precision and efficiency in industries such as laboratory, commercial, and industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCommunications Materials·DateMar 29, 2021