Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 30, 2021


Sussex scientists develop ultra-thin terahertz source

Researchers at the University of Sussex have developed an extremely thin, large-area semiconductor surface source of terahertz radiation, opening up opportunities for anti-counterfeiting and 'the internet of things'. The new development is 10 times thinner than previously achieved, with comparable or even better performances.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2021

Land-based learning reconnects Indigenous youth to their cultures, says Elizabeth Fast

A series of land-based learning retreats is helping Indigenous youth reconnect with their cultures, emphasizing knowledge-sharing, survival skills, and ceremonies. The retreats provide a safe space for young people to learn about their heritage, including cultural workshops, arts-based activities, and storytelling sessions.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInternational Journal of Indigenous Health·DateMar 30, 2021

Big data tells story of diversity, migration of math's elite

A recent study analyzing nearly 250,000 mathematicians found that the Fields Medal has elevated marginalized nationalities, but also perpetuates self-reinforcing behavior through mentoring relationships. The research highlights the need for the prize to return to its roots and achieve its original goal of promoting inclusivity in math.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·DateMar 30, 2021

Algorithm-based music recommendations: Low accuracy for lovers of non-mainstream music

A study found that algorithm-generated music recommendations are less accurate for listeners of non-mainstream music compared to those who listen to mainstream music. The researchers identified four groups of non-mainstream music listeners based on their listening habits and found that users who listened to high-energy music received t...

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateMar 30, 2021

Researchers discover new type of ancient crater lake on Mars

Researchers from Brown University have discovered a previously unknown type of ancient crater lake on Mars that differs from other Martian crater lakes. The crater was likely fed by runoff from a long-lost Martian glacier, which suggests the planet's early climate may have been warmer and wetter than previously thought.

SourceBrown University·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·DateMar 30, 2021

Urban squirrels, how much are we disturbing you?

Research finds that urban squirrels' success rates increase with repeated solving of a novel food-extraction task, suggesting adaptability to urban stressors. The study also reveals that direct human disturbance is a major stressor, while green coverage and squirrel population size have less impact on problem-solving performance.

High-fiber diet may play a role in controlling the inflammation associated with COVID-19

Researchers found that high-fiber compounds reduced the expression of a gene and cytokine receptor involved in viral cell entry and inflammation. The findings suggest that high-fiber diets may help control inflammation caused by COVID-19, which can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and changes in gut microbiota.

Unique AI method for generating proteins will speed up drug development

Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology have developed an AI-based approach called ProteinGAN, which uses generative deep learning to create highly diverse protein variants with naturalistic-like physical properties. This method accelerates the rate of protein engineering, driving down development costs and enabling environm...

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateMar 30, 2021

Architecture of Eolian successions under icehouse and greenhouse conditions

A new study analyzes thousands of geological features to quantify the response of ancient eolian systems to global climatic shifts. The results demonstrate that preserved sedimentary architectures developed under icehouse and greenhouse conditions are fundamentally different due to contrasting environmental conditions. This research ca...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeological Society of America Bulletin·DateMar 30, 2021

Social media addiction linked to cyberbullying

A new study by the University of Georgia suggests that social media addiction is associated with an increased risk of cyberbullying behaviors among adolescents. Higher scores on social media addiction tests, more time spent online, and identifying as male were linked to a greater likelihood of perpetrating cyberbullying.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Counseling·DateMar 30, 2021

Salt substitution -- an effective way to reduce blood pressure in rural India

A new study by The George Institute for Global Health found that replacing regular salt with a reduced-sodium, added-potassium salt substitute significantly lowered systolic blood pressure in rural Indian hypertensive patients. The intervention was shown to be an effective and low-cost way to control blood pressure in these communities.

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 30, 2021

Turning back the clock on a severe vision disorder

A new gene therapy approach has been successful in restoring both normal structure and function to the retina's cone photoreceptor cells in dogs with a severe form of Leber congenital amaurosis. The treatment, which delivered a normal copy of the NPHP5 gene, was tested in nine five-week-old dogs and showed promising results.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateMar 30, 2021

Water splitting for solar energy conversion

Researchers have developed a highly-efficient water decomposition reaction using BaTaO2N photocatalyst, achieving nearly 100 times the efficiency of conventional methods. The new method involves sequential cocatalyst decoration on the surface of BaTaO2N particles, resulting in high dispersion and improved hydrogen production.

SourceShinshu University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 30, 2021

New tool assesses patients' home dialysis experience

Researchers developed a new tool to capture patients' opinions on home dialysis care, highlighting the importance of communication and care coordination. The Home Dialysis Care Experience instrument will be valuable for future research, clinical care, and quality improvement initiatives among home dialysis facilities.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 30, 2021

Viewing the virus close up

The 'Compact Cell-Imaging Device' project aims to advance research into viral diseases by developing a miniaturized soft X-ray approach. This method allows for three-dimensional imaging of intact cells and can reveal changes induced by viral infections, making it an attractive tool for studying SARS-CoV-2.

Modern analysis of rock art

A machine learning study of rock art in Arnhem Land, Australia, has reconstructed the chronology of artistic styles using over 14 million images. The analysis revealed a link between style similarity and time, showing that styles closer in age were also more similar in appearance.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAustralian Archaeology·DateMar 30, 2021

Researchers observe new isotope of fluorine

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have observed a new form of fluorine, the isotope 13F, which has four fewer neutrons than the naturally occurring stable isotope 19F. This discovery was made using a charge-exchange reaction mechanism, allowing scientists to create a previously inaccessible isotope with exotic properties.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2021

Cardiorespiratory fitness improves grades at school

Researchers found an indirect link between cardiorespiratory fitness and higher marks in mathematics and French 2. Better executive functions, specifically cognitive flexibility, were also associated with improved academic performance. The study emphasizes the importance of physical education classes in schools.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateMar 30, 2021

A second look at sunlight

A team of researchers re-examines the effectiveness of sunlight in deactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, finding that results contradict previous theories and suggest an alternative mechanism involving UV-A light. This discovery could lead to new management strategies using widely available UV-A radiation.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateMar 30, 2021

Synthetic mucus can mimic the real thing

Researchers at MIT have created synthetic mucins with a polymer backbone that mimic the structure and function of naturally occurring mucins, effectively neutralizing the bacterial toxin that causes cholera. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for infectious diseases and potentially less resistance to antibiotics.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Central Science·DateMar 30, 2021