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Science News for May 25, 2021


Is deference to supernatural beings present in infancy?

Researchers at the University of Oxford discovered that infants aged 12-16 months exhibit a tendency to attribute social dominance to individuals with supernatural powers. In experiments, infants expected characters using counterintuitive methods to win rewards, suggesting they perceive these abilities as superior.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 25, 2021

Geology helps map kidney stone formation from tiny to troublesome

Researchers map kidney stone formation from tiny to troublesome, revealing microspherules merge to form larger crystals, and stones undergo multiple cycles of partial dissolution and growth. The new classification scheme and GeoBioCell device aim to accelerate research, diagnostic testing, and individualized treatment targets.

Made in the shade or fun in the sun

Phytochromes help plants detect light direction, intensity, and duration, as well as temperature, allowing them to adapt to various environments. The study fully characterized the phytochrome family in Arabidopsis thaliana and found surprising differences between isoforms.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2021

Dimensions of invasion success

A recent study assesses the invasiveness of European and native plant species using three dimensions: local abundance, geographic extent, and habitat breadth. High values in these variables characterize successful invaders, with early introduction to Europe and rapid growth contributing to their success.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2021

Building a better LED bulb

A University of Houston research team creates a unique class of luminescent materials called phosphors that absorb violet LED's single-color emission and convert the light to cover the majority of the visible spectrum. The new LED bulb emits less blue light, reducing health concerns associated with overexposure.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 25, 2021

Incentivized product reviews: Positive to a fault?

Researchers found that direct compensation for posting written reviews increases positive emotion, but may lead to overly glowing reviews that don't accurately reflect the experience. In experiments, incentives increased review positivity by 55%, but had unforeseen negative consequences for consumers.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateMay 25, 2021

Engineering matter at the atomic level

Scientists have developed a way to engineer materials at the atomic level using a dry transfer technique. The method uses anthracene as a sacrificial material to precisely position carbon nanotubes, resulting in bright photoluminescence up to 5,000 times brighter than the original molecule.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 25, 2021

Odd angles make for strong spin-spin coupling

Researchers found strong antiresonance in orthoferrite materials when placed at an odd angle under high magnetic fields. This unique state allows for ultrastrong interactions between magnons, which could lead to suppressed fluctuation noise and increased sensitivity in quantum sensing applications.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 25, 2021

New AI technology protects privacy

A new AI algorithm developed by TUM and Imperial College London can detect pneumonia in pediatric x-ray images while maintaining patient privacy. The algorithm uses federated learning, secure aggregation, and differential privacy to keep data onsite and prevent individual identification.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateMay 25, 2021

NSF renews funding for Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium

The National Science Foundation has renewed funding for the Materials Innovation Platform at Penn State's Materials Research Institute, enabling the development of new ultra-thin materials with unique quantum properties. The facility will advance 2D materials research across the US, supporting over 100 scientists nationwide.

Association of circulating sex hormones with COVID-19 severity

A study examining COVID-19 severity found associations between circulating sex hormones and disease outcomes in patients, highlighting the need for further research on hormonal factors. The investigation, published in JAMA Network Open, suggests that hormonal imbalances may contribute to varying levels of disease severity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 25, 2021

Prism adaptation treatment improves rehabilitation outcomes in people with spatial neglect

A study published in Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation found that prism adaptation treatment improves functional and cognitive independence scores for stroke survivors with spatial neglect. The treatment, which involves wearing goggles with optical prisms to shift motor movements, results in higher scores on ...

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalArchives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation·DateMay 25, 2021

Study examines how pandemic-related changes affect college students' motivation

A study of 182 undergraduate students found that pandemic-related changes affected motivation levels variably, with some students becoming more motivated while others remained unchanged or became less motivated. Demographic factors such as socioeconomic status and first-generation student status did not significantly impact the findings.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Microbiology and Biology Education·DateMay 25, 2021

A COVID-fighter's guide to T cells

Researchers from La Jolla Institute for Immunology have found that human T cells can target more than 1,400 sites on the SARS-CoV-2 virus, revealing a broad and diverse immune response. This analysis can help monitor effective responses to COVID-19 vaccines and track variations in T cell responses.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateMay 25, 2021

Parents abused as children may pass on emotional issues

Research suggests that parents with a history of childhood trauma may struggle with emotion regulation, which can harm their children's emotional development. The study found that boys are more vulnerable to emotional regulation difficulties when their parents also struggled with emotion regulation.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment·DateMay 25, 2021

Mental illness among US coal miners

Rates of depression and anxiety were found to be higher among US coal miners compared to the general population. The study also identified a significant risk of posttraumatic stress disorder among current and former coal miners in the United States.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 25, 2021

Physician-patient gender concordance may not matter in interventional practice

A study by Michigan Medicine found that female interventional cardiologists have comparable outcomes to their male counterparts in coronary angioplasties. Despite being significantly under-represented, they demonstrate excellent practitioner skills. The findings suggest benefits for female trainees considering the field.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMay 25, 2021

Algorithm to compare cells across species

Researchers developed an algorithm to compare cell types in different species, revealing conserved genes and cell type families across evolutionary distances. The mapping method accounts for changes over millions of years, enabling biologists to trace the trajectory of cell types in organisms along the tree of life.

HPV vaccine shows success in gay, bisexual men

A study by Monash University found a significant reduction in all four HPV genotypes in gay/bisexual men after implementing the school-based HPV vaccination program. The results suggest that male vaccination may lead to a potential reduction in anal cancer among gay and bisexual men in Australia.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateMay 25, 2021

Conserving and monitoring genetic diversity will benefit nature and society

The loss of genetic diversity is a pressing crisis that can have devastating consequences for ecosystems and human societies. Monitoring genetic diversity using DNA analysis can help detect vulnerabilities, but technology must be made available globally and data must be accessible to inform conservation efforts.

For men, low testosterone means high risk of severe COVID-19

A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that low testosterone levels in men are linked to more severe disease. Men with low testosterone had a higher risk of requiring intensive care or dying from COVID-19, while those with higher testosterone levels were less likely to experience severe symptoms.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 25, 2021

ED visits for appendicitis, miscarriage fell sharply in first wave of COVID-19 pandemic

Emergency department visits for common conditions like appendicitis and miscarriage dropped significantly during the first wave of COVID-19, but there was no increase in adverse patient outcomes. Researchers found that management strategies remained unchanged, suggesting that patients who required emergency care continued to seek help ...

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 25, 2021

Wearable devices show that physical activity may lower atrial fibrillation and stroke risk

A study of nearly 100,000 individuals found that wearing accelerometers showed a significant association between moderate physical activity and reduced risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke. The researchers suggest that wearable devices could be used to promote public health by tracking and encouraging physical activity.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateMay 25, 2021

Vitamin B6 deficiency enhances the noradrenergic system, leading to behavioral deficits

A study found that Vitamin B6 deficiency is associated with social deficits, cognitive impairment, and hyperactivated noradrenergic systems in mice. Supplementing the brain with Vitamin B6 improved these abnormalities, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for schizophrenia patients with Vitamin B6 deficiency.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateMay 25, 2021

UBCO researchers examine how pandemics impact the homeless

A team of UBC Okanagan researchers investigated the impact of pandemics on homeless populations, revealing a mortality rate five to 10 times higher compared to the general population. The study identified six key themes that affect the homeless, including education and outreach, screening and contact tracing, and treatment adherence.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalHealth & Social Care in the Community·DateMay 25, 2021

Study shows how fungi and bacteria can activate genes associated with head and neck cancer

Researchers discovered that metabolites from fungi and bacteria biofilms can modulate gene expression associated with tumor growth and survival. The study found that these microorganisms can endanger homeostasis in normal and neoplastic oral epithelial cells, impairing cell viability and survival.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateMay 25, 2021

New international research provides tips for entrepreneurs to beat the grind

A new study suggests that engaging in recovery can help entrepreneurs reduce the negative impact of stress and improve well-being outcomes. The study proposes three recovery-intervention categories: Respite, Reappraisal, and Regimen, which recommend taking breaks, reframing thoughts on stress, and adding structure to recovery.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalEntrepreneurship Theory and Practice·DateMay 25, 2021

Tuning the intermediate reaction barriers by a CuPd catalyst for CO2 electroreduction to C2 products

Researchers designed a Cu-Pd bimetallic electrocatalyst that lowers the energy barrier of C2 product generation, resulting in a 50.3% C2 Faradaic efficiency. The catalyst exploits the benefits of both Cu (low energy barrier) and Pd (ultrafast kinetics), addressing CO2 conversion limitations.

Whale carcasses help answer mysteries of elusive species

Researchers analyzed stable isotope analysis of skin, muscle, and bone tissue to study Sowerby's beaked whale spatial ecology. The results show that the species exhibits both short- and long-term habitat fidelity, with at least two subpopulations in the eastern and western Atlantic.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Conservation Science·DateMay 25, 2021