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Science News for May 11, 2021


UQ research finds new way to reduce scarring

Researchers at University of Queensland develop gene therapy to block scar formation by targeting SOX9 gene, promising benefits for burn patients and others with significant scarring. The study uses siRNA technology to reduce scarring in animal models, paving the way for potential human treatment.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 11, 2021

Novel circuitry solves a myriad of computationally intensive problems with minimum energy

Researchers created a design for an electronic hardware system that directly replicates network architectures, solving complex puzzles rapidly and with minimal power consumption. This new approach uses race logic to encode and process information as time signals, reducing the need for bit flips and thus energy expenditure.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalACM Journal on Emerging Technologies in Computing Systems·DateMay 11, 2021

Better treatment for miscarriage patients is more cost effective than standard NHS treatment

A new study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that a combined drug treatment for missed miscarriage is more effective and cheaper than current standard medication. The treatment, combining mifepristone and misoprostol, was on average £182 cheaper per successfully managed miscarriage.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateMay 11, 2021

History of giants in the gene: Scientists use DNA to trace the origins of giant viruses

A recent study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution reveals that the DNA replication machinery of Mimivirus, a giant virus, is ancient and evolved over time. The research suggests that Mimiviral genes related to DNA replication are subject to purifying selection, indicating their essential role in the organism's survival.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateMay 11, 2021

Extreme weather affecting UK agriculture -- But adapting to changing climate a challenge for many farmers, study shows

A new study reveals that many UK farmers are not prioritizing adapting to the effects of climate change due to uncertainty and focus on short-term profitability. However, innovative practices such as improving soil health and adopting risk-spreading strategies can help build resilience within farming businesses.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalClimate Risk Management·DateMay 11, 2021

Zoo YouTube videos prioritize entertainment over education

A new study found that zoo YouTube videos focus disproportionately on mammals, with only 3% of content dedicated to conservation. However, the study also notes an increase in conservation-focused videos in recent years, highlighting the potential for social media to support global conservation education.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens·DateMay 11, 2021

Study of 1.5 million British people shows BMI cut offs for obesity and diabetes risk do not work for non-white populations

A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that BMI cut-offs used by the World Health Organization and UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are not suitable for adults from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. The research, which included over 1.5 million people, shows that these groups...

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateMay 11, 2021

Researchers develop magnetic thin film for spin-thermoelectric energy conversion

A new class of magnetic materials has been introduced for spin caloritronics, paving the way for versatile recycling of ubiquitous waste heat. The developed molecule-based magnet exhibits low thermal conductivity and efficient magnon excitations, making it an attractive alternative for energy harvesting from waste heat.

How to thermally cloak an object

Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a theoretical method to thermally cloak objects, making them invisible to thermal cameras. Using heat pumps, they can fine-tune heat transfer and mimic heat signatures of different objects.

Using phage to discover new antifreeze proteins

A team of scientists from the University of Warwick used phage display to discover a small peptide that can bind to ice, which has potential applications in preserving frozen cells and foods. The discovery highlights the power of biotechnology tools in discovering new materials with unique properties.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 11, 2021

Study: Students with disabilities show resilience that could guide post-pandemic education

A new study from the University of Kansas highlights the strengths and resilience of students with disabilities during the pandemic. Researchers found that these students used their self-determination skills to navigate challenges and build relationships with teachers, leading to improved educational outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Education for Students Placed at Risk (JESPAR)·DateMay 11, 2021

Scientists observe rapid ozone fluctuations over the Antarctic polar vortex edge area

A recent study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that the polar vortex plays a key role in Antarctic stratospheric ozone depletion. The research used ZSL-DOAS techniques to measure ozone depletion near the edge of the polar vortex, revealing a positive correlation between PV and total ozone columns.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMay 11, 2021

New study suggests pregnant women hospitalized for COVID-19 do not face increased risk of death

A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that pregnant women hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia have a lower mortality rate compared to non-pregnant women. The study analyzed medical records from over 1,100 pregnant patients and more than 9,800 non-pregnant women, revealing less than 1% of pregnant patients died...

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 11, 2021

Heme is not just for Impossible Burgers

Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis discovered variations in how animals and bacteria use heme, a crucial molecule in supplying cells with energy. The study found that human and bacterial cytochrome c synthases rely on different parts of the cytochrome c to orient themselves, leading to potential targets for new antibiotics.

Nature draws out a happy place for children

A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that young children in deprived areas associate nature with happy places, with elements like trees and outdoor spaces often featured in their drawings. The research suggests that nature underpins children's consideration of wellbeing.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalChild Indicators Research·DateMay 11, 2021

CIA's misleading inoculation drive led to vaccine decline in Pakistan

A 2011 CIA-led vaccination campaign in Pakistan led to a significant decline in vaccination rates due to distrust and misinformation. The campaign's misleading tactics created doubt about the integrity of health workers and vaccines, resulting in lower vaccination rates among girls, particularly in districts with high levels of elector...

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJournal of the European Economic Association·DateMay 11, 2021

Ultrasensitive antigen test detects SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz developed a novel chip-based antigen test that can detect individual viral antigens one by one in nasal swab samples, enabling simultaneous testing for multiple viruses from one sample. The test's ultrasensitive technique could eventually be developed as a molecular diagnostic tool for point-of-care use.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 11, 2021

Lichens slow to return after wildfire

Frequent fires may narrow the recovery window for lichens in chaparral ecosystems, threatening biodiversity. The study found that most chaparral lichen taxa could be lost if fire intervals shorten to less than 20 years, emphasizing the importance of old-growth chaparral and sustainable land management practices.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateMay 11, 2021

Gout treatment success doubled by combining two drugs, study finds

A recent study found that combining two medications can double the effectiveness of gout treatment. Researchers at Michigan Medicine discovered that adding immunomodulation drug mycophenolate mofetil to Pegloticase infusions significantly increased the success rate, reducing urate levels below the therapeutic target in 86% of patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateMay 11, 2021

Tanzanian farmers boost diets with sustainable methods

A three-year study in Tanzania found that farmers who learned about sustainable crop-growing methods, gender equity, and nutrition improved the diversity of their children's diets and increased food security. The approach combined agroecology with peer mentoring and attention to nutrition and gender equity.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateMay 11, 2021

Low-temperature crystallization of phase-pure α-formamidinium lead iodide enabled by study

A combined molecular dynamics and experimental study reveals a two-step process that enables the formation of phase-pure α-FAPbI3 at lower temperatures. The researchers used metadynamics to simulate the transformation from PbI2 to perovskite, which was confirmed by in situ x-ray and thin-film experiments.

Inhibition of proteins activated by nitric oxide reverses aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome

Scientists have discovered that the nitric oxide pathway is overactivated in Marfan Syndrome and causes aortic aneurysms. Inhibiting this pathway completely reverses the disease in a mouse model. The study identifies new therapeutic targets and markers for monitoring disease status.

Strong quake, small tsunami

A recent study by GEOMAR scientists has provided a comprehensive understanding of the northern Chilean subduction zone, shedding light on the relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis. The data set, obtained through a unique deployment of ocean-bottom seismometers, revealed that aftershocks were located both beneath and above the p...

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 11, 2021

Study shows how our brains sync hearing with vision

Researchers at McGill University found that brain signals constantly adapt to synchronize visual and auditory inputs, using temporal recalibration to adjust our sense of time. This dynamic process enables us to perceive sounds and images as simultaneous, despite the different physical velocities and neural processing speeds.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateMay 11, 2021

Gene therapy offers potential cure to children born without an immune system

A new form of gene therapy has successfully treated 48 out of 50 children born with a rare and deadly inherited disorder. The treatment, developed by an international team, involves delivering a corrected copy of the ADA gene into stem cells, which are then returned to the child's body to produce healthy immune cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 11, 2021

Gene therapy restores immune function in children with rare immunodeficiency

Infants and children with ADA-SCID, a life-threatening inherited immunodeficiency disorder, have regained immune system function after receiving gene therapy. The treatment involves inserting a normal copy of the ADA gene into blood-forming stem cells, offering a one-time procedure with long-term benefits.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 11, 2021

Social isolation has a profound and increasingly negative impact on physical functioning in older adults

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that social isolation has a profound impact on physical functioning in older adults. Socially integrated older adults are more likely to engage in physical activity and experience improvements in their physical functioning. The study highlights the importance of inc...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMay 11, 2021

Lighting up biology from within

A portable, non-invasive bioluminescence imaging device has been developed to monitor biological processes in animals and humans. The technology uses a biochemical reaction between an enzyme and oxygen to produce light, allowing for minimally invasive diagnostics and potentially reducing the need for expensive tests.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 11, 2021

New ancient shark discovered

A new ancient shark species, Durnonovariaodus maiseyi, has been identified from a 150 million-year-old fossil found in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation of England. The discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of hybodontiform sharks, which were closely related to modern sharks.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPeerJ·DateMay 11, 2021

COVID-19 risk and restrictions both motivated and supported participants in online weight loss program, but had a negative impact on mood and behaviors

The COVID-19 pandemic's restrictions both spurred motivation and supported participation in an online weight management program, yet had a negative impact on mood and behaviors. Participants attributed lockdowns to weight gain and found the pandemic motivated them to lose weight, but also reported decreased social support.

Rooting the bacterial tree of life

Researchers have shed light on early bacterial evolution by integrating vertical and horizontal gene transmission, revealing that a tree is still an apt representation of bacterial evolution. On average, genes travel vertically two-thirds of the time, suggesting a tree-like structure.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·DateMay 11, 2021

Study finds consumption of free sugars by secondary school children in the UK lower during snacking periods than at main mealtimes

Research by Abigail Stewart and colleagues found that secondary school children in the UK consumed more free sugars outside of school hours, with a lower intake during snacking periods. The study suggests that environmental or physical factors at home may increase sugar consumption, contrary to expectations.

Study examines connection between oral and general health in patients with diabetes

A cluster-randomized controlled trial found that individuals with type 2 diabetes who received primary care-based oral health support experienced a significant increase in self-reported oral health quality of life. The study's authors conclude that patients with diabetes can benefit from extra attention to oral health, highlighting the...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 11, 2021