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Science News for March 3, 2021


Prehistoric killing machine exposed

A new study reveals that the Anteosaurus, a 260-million-year-old predator, was capable of outrunning and tracking down its prey effectively due to its specialized nervous system and fine-tuned sensory organs. The research found that the animal's brain and balance organs were optimized for hunting swiftly and striking fast.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalActa Palaeontologica Polonica·DateMar 3, 2021

University students with special educational needs highlight the benefits of e-assessment

A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that students with disabilities accept e-authentication systems but express concerns about technical issues. Key factors influencing acceptance include student familiarity with technology, additional effort required, and perceived intrusiveness.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalInternational Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education·DateMar 3, 2021

When should patients with dementia receive palliative care?

A recent analysis found a lack of consensus regarding palliative care referral in dementia patients, highlighting the need for standardized criteria. Specialist palliative care can optimize quality of life and provide relief from symptoms, but its application varies widely.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateMar 3, 2021

Immunotherapy drug delays onset of Type 1 diabetes in at-risk group

A new trial shows that immunotherapy drug teplizumab can delay the onset of Type 1 diabetes in people at high risk by an average of five years compared to a placebo. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, found reduced T-cell damage and improved insulin-producing beta cells in those who received the treatment.

SourceYale University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 3, 2021

Common dolphin populations at risk

A genomic study of over 500 common dolphins across 1,500 sq km reveals complex population structure and connectivity across state and international jurisdictions. The research emphasizes the importance of inter-jurisdictional collaboration to mitigate fisheries interactions and protect dolphin populations.

SourceFlinders University·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateMar 3, 2021

Chemists boost boron's utility

Researchers have created a boron-containing chemical group that is 10,000 times more stable than its predecessors. This new group, called benzoxaboralone, can be added to compounds to provide desirable attributes such as improved protein-binding strength.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2021

'Best case' goals for climate warming which could still result in massive wildfire risk

Researchers found that a half-degree of additional warming would likely create a notably greater danger of fire on continents like the Amazon and African savanna, and around the Mediterranean. Suppressing extra warming could reduce climate-driven extreme fire activities in many places, potentially saving lives and billions of dollars.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 3, 2021

Climate change 'winners' may owe financial compensation to polluters

A study by Princeton University researchers suggests that climate change can have both positive and negative effects on different groups. Those harmed by climate change should be compensated first, while those benefiting from it may receive payment afterwards. The approach aims to correct incentives and promote fairness in climate policy.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalEconomics and Philosophy·DateMar 3, 2021

Study links kidney stones with bone problems

Researchers analyzed nationwide data to find a strong correlation between kidney stones and osteoporosis or bone fracture diagnoses. The study suggests that bone density screening may be necessary for individuals with kidney stones, particularly middle-aged and older men at risk of osteoporosis or fracture.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateMar 3, 2021

Neuroimaging reveals how ideology affects race perception

Research using neuroimaging found that white conservatives exhibit higher sensitivity to racial ambiguity in the anterior insula, leading them to overcategorize mixed-race faces as Black. This effect is linked to an affective reaction to racial mixing rather than a sensitivity to Blackness.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMar 3, 2021

An ultra-degree-of-freedom structured vector beam

Scientists have successfully created a vector beam with an unprecedented 5 degrees of freedom, exceeding the previously reported 2 DoFs. This breakthrough exploits ray-wave duality in a frequency-degenerate laser to generate a non-separable output that combines periodic number, transverse index, oscillating phase, and astigmatic degree.

Mental health treatment rate rose early in pandemic

A study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found a significant increase in mental health treatment visits, particularly for substance use and anxiety, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This rise is attributed to the challenges posed by shelter-in-place orders and the shift to virtual care.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateMar 3, 2021

Nature: new compound for male contraceptive pill

Researchers at The Lundquist Institute have discovered a new compound called triptonide, which exhibits ideal male contraceptive effects in pre-clinical studies. Triptonide can be purified from a Chinese herb or produced through chemical synthesis and induces altered sperm with minimal motility, leading to male infertility in 3-4 weeks.

SourceThe Lundquist Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 3, 2021

How to track the variants of the pandemic faster

Scientists highlight the need for sustainable collaboration frameworks and harmonization of health data practices to tackle the pandemic. Improved sequencing could enable better tracking of transmission and mutations, leading to more accurate estimates of R-number and improved understanding of mutational impacts.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature·DateMar 3, 2021

Tracking data reveals shared political responsibility for the conservation of albatrosses and petrel

Researchers analyzed tracking data of 5,775 birds across 39 species to estimate global political responsibility for their protection. The study found that many countries lack agreements with each other's breeding grounds, highlighting the need for international agreements to conserve these threatened seabirds.

Color blindness-correcting contact lenses

Researchers developed infusing contact lenses with gold nanoparticles to create a safer way to see colors for people with color blindness. The gold nanocomposite lenses improved red-green color perception in clinical trials without leaching dye, offering a potential solution for those struggling with the condition.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateMar 3, 2021

Tackling tumors with two types of virus

A Swiss research group has developed a novel cancer vaccine strategy utilizing two different viruses to stimulate the immune system against tumor cells. In animal experiments, this approach led to the elimination or slowing down of tumors in 20-40% of cases.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateMar 3, 2021

Influenza vaccine produces protective antibodies against diverse flu strains in animals

A nanoparticle-based vaccine has been shown to produce protective antibodies against multiple H1 and H3 influenza A viruses in nonhuman primates. The vaccine's broad immunity suggests it may provide long-term protection, offering a promising solution to the challenge of creating a universal flu vaccine.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 3, 2021

Study: Bahamas were settled earlier than believed

Researchers at Texas A&M University discovered evidence of human settlement in the Bahamas around 1200-1300 A.D. using charcoal deposits from human fires thousands of years ago. The new settlers dramatically changed the landscape, leading to increased deforestation and loss of native species.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2021

Opioid overdose reduced in patients taking buprenorphine

Patients taking buprenorphine for opioid use disorder who also take benzodiazepines experience a 40% lower risk of overdose, according to research published in The American Journal of Psychiatry. This finding suggests that buprenorphine can protect patients from overdose even when taking benzodiazepines.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMar 3, 2021

Researchers discover SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors

A research team has discovered two families of active substances that can block the replication of SARS-CoV-2 by targeting its main protease enzyme. The drug candidates show promise for therapeutic development, but extensive clinical trials are still required.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 3, 2021

Conquering the timing jitters

A team of scientists from Argonne National Laboratory developed a method to dramatically improve ultrafast time resolution achievable with X-ray free-electron lasers. This breakthrough enables new insights into the behavior of materials and chemical processes, allowing for more efficient designs and discoveries.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 3, 2021

Bioinspired materials from dandelions

Researchers at the University of Trento have discovered that dandelion clocks can trap air when submerged in water, leading to the development of new materials that could be used in underwater operations. The discovery was made by students and professors who were inspired by a observation made by a high school student.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalMaterials Today Bio·DateMar 3, 2021

Researchers reveal process behind harmful glial cell change in motor neurone disease

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified the key cellular change that leads to harmful astrocytes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The discovery could lead to new therapies to slow disease progression and is also relevant to other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Understanding this c...

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateMar 3, 2021

Report: The Impact of the COIVD-19 pandemic on CUNY students

A recent survey found that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health and financial stability of approximately 274,000 City University of New York (CUNY) students. Over half reported experiencing depression and/or anxiety, with food insecurity and housing worries being strong predictors of anxiety/depression.

SourceCUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateMar 3, 2021

Study examines motives for dropping out of higher education

A new study analyzed reasons for university dropout, finding lack of interest in field of study and academic performance issues as key motivators. The research suggests implementing early warning systems and personalized counseling services to support students at risk.

SourceWiley·JournalEuropean Journal of Education·DateMar 3, 2021

Vaping marijuana associated with more symptoms of lung damage than vaping or smoking nicotine

A new University of Michigan study suggests that adolescents who vape cannabis are at greater risk for respiratory symptoms indicative of lung injury than those who smoke cigarettes or vape nicotine. The study found that vaping marijuana was associated with a stronger relationship between respiratory symptoms and asthma diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMar 3, 2021