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Science News for May 27, 2021


Jebel Sahaba: A succession of violence rather than a prehistoric war

The Jebel Sahaba cemetery, 13 millennia old, was initially thought to be a testament to prehistoric warfare. However, recent analysis reveals a succession of violent episodes, likely exacerbated by climate change. The study found that individuals bore injuries from projectiles and repeated episodes of violence over their lifetimes.

SourceCNRS·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 27, 2021

New microscopy method reaches deeper into the living brain

Researchers have developed a new technique called diffuse optical localization imaging (DOLI) that enables noninvasive imaging of the brain's microvasculature and neural activity at depths of up to 4 millimeters. This method uses the NIR-II window and is poised to bring new insight into how the brain works in health and disease.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateMay 27, 2021

Magnetized threads weave spectacular galactic tapestry

A new panorama of the Galactic Center builds on previous surveys, expanding Chandra's high-energy view. The image features X-ray and radio emission intertwined threads, bound by magnetic fields that may have formed through magnetic reconnection. This process drives galactic-scale outflows and affects cosmic rays and interstellar medium.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 27, 2021

NTU Singapore scientists turn aquaculture waste into new biomaterial for tissue repair

The researchers developed a biomaterial made from discarded bullfrog skin and fish scales that acts as a scaffold for bone-forming cells to multiply, leading to the formation of new bone. The biomaterial has shown low risk of triggering an inflammatory response and could be used to assist with bone growth around surgical implants.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalMaterials Science and Engineering C·DateMay 27, 2021

Soft drink ads target 'vulnerable'

A Flinders University study found participants with an automatic bias towards soft drinks were more responsive to TV ads than those without these tendencies. The researchers suggest targeting people who show cognitive vulnerabilities to reduce consumption of sugary drinks.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAppetite·DateMay 27, 2021

Starting local

A new study suggests that managing local environmental conditions can help coral reefs persevere in the face of climate change. Local factors like macroalgae presence and nutrient pollution exacerbate coral loss, but also offer opportunities for management to boost reef resilience.

High-capacity electrodes by valence engineering developed for desalination

Researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science created three manganese oxides with different Mn valences for high-capacity capacitive desalination. The results showed that these electrodes displayed high salt adsorption capacity and corresponding high salt adsorption rates surpassing other carbon materials.

Icebergs push back

Researchers at CU Boulder discovered that a sudden change in slushy iceberg aggregates can trigger calving events up to an hour before they occur. The findings may help scientists predict future sea-level rise scenarios and understand the forces determining how much ice discharges into the ocean.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 27, 2021

Sleep warning for older men

A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that disrupted slumber can be associated with cognitive dysfunction in middle-aged and older men. The research suggests that optimal attention and cognitive speed may be affected by poor sleep, particularly in day-to-day activities such as driving and physical activities.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateMay 27, 2021

Poor sleep may impact academic achievement for children in disinvested neighborhoods

A new longitudinal study found that sleep health is related to observed classroom behavior and predicts future academic achievement among primarily Black children growing up in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Higher teacher-reported child sleepiness was associated with lower adaptive behaviors and higher behavior problems.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 27, 2021

It takes some heat to form ice!

Researchers track water molecule movement using Helium Spin-Echo technique, revealing repulsion between water molecules on graphene surface is crucial for ice formation. This discovery challenges previous understanding of ice nucleation and provides new insights into controlling ice formation.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 27, 2021

Dark energy survey releases most precise look at the universe's evolution

The Dark Energy Survey has released its most precise look at the universe's evolution, using data from 226 million galaxies observed over nearly one-eighth of the sky. The results confirm the current best model of the Universe, but hint that the Universe today is a few percent less clumpy than predicted.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 27, 2021

Mathematical model developed to prevent botulism

A new mathematical model predicts Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin production in chilled food products, reducing the need for costly laboratory experiments. The model's comprehensive approach considers multiple factors, including storage temperature, pH, salt, and preservatives, to ensure food safety.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalInternational Journal of Food Microbiology·DateMay 27, 2021

DNA vaccines for COVID-19 effective in mice, hamsters

Researchers developed a DNA vaccine encoding SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which induced long-lasting antibodies in mice and hamsters. The vaccine showed protective efficacy against COVID-19 infection in hamsters, with no loss of body weight or viral RNA in their lungs.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateMay 27, 2021

A deep dive into the brain

Researchers have developed a new fluorescence microscopy technique that allows for high-resolution images of microcirculation in the brain without invasive surgical methods. This breakthrough has the potential to reveal new insights into neurological disorders and facilitate early detection and treatment.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalOptica·DateMay 27, 2021

Visits to 'crisis pregnancy centers' common in Ohio

A new study found that nearly one in seven Ohio women of reproductive age has visited a crisis pregnancy center, which are often funded by state dollars but not regulated by the medical board. This can lead to concerns about access to proper medical care and potential misinformation about reproductive health.

SourceOhio State University·JournalContraception·DateMay 27, 2021

Resilience of fisheries following Tohoku tsunami

A small Japanese fishing community recovered from the 2011 Tohoku tsunami through cooperative activity, including joint operations and fixed-net fishing. This phenomenon challenges the 'disaster utopia' concept, which suggests temporary collaborative behavior after emergencies.

SourceTohoku University·JournalDisaster Prevention and Management An International Journal·DateMay 27, 2021

UMass Amherst astronomer reveals never-before-seen detail of the center of our galaxy

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery at the center of our galaxy, revealing an X-ray thread and hinting at a previously unknown interstellar energy source. The findings provide the clearest picture yet of a pair of X-ray-emitting plumes emerging from the region near the massive black hole.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 27, 2021

Parents modify the home literacy environment according to their children's progress in learning to read

A longitudinal study found that parents modify their home literacy environment according to their children's progress in learning to read. Access to literacy resources was a consistent predictor of emergent literacy over time. Parents also adjusted their reading comprehension activities with their children as they encountered reading d...

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 27, 2021

Reaping the benefits of noise

Researchers at AMOLF discovered that introducing slow non-linearity can increase the efficiency of mechanical oscillators harvesting energy from noise. This phenomenon, known as stochastic resonance, becomes robust to variations in signal frequency when systems have memory.

SourceAMOLF·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 27, 2021

Lead levels in urban soil are declining but hotspots persist

A Duke University study found that while lead levels have generally decreased since the 1970s, they remain above safety guidelines near residential foundations and in areas with high traffic density. Regular soil testing is essential to mitigate these risks and encourage cities to act on this issue.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 27, 2021

New framework to enhance national climate action and achieve global goals

IIASA researchers have proposed a novel systematic scenario framework to help policymakers assess and compare climate policies across countries. The framework allows for exploration of multiple systematic scenarios associated with emissions reductions in 2050, providing a flexible approach to assessing national long-term pathways.

Immunity boost in the gut

A comprehensive review suggests that gut microbiota play a crucial role in immune responses to vaccinations. The study aims to improve vaccine effectiveness by understanding the microbiota's impact on B and T cell immune responses.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNature Reviews Immunology·DateMay 27, 2021

Prenatal exposure to paracetamol associated with ADHD and autism symptoms in childhood

A study of over 70,000 European children found that prenatal exposure to paracetamol was associated with a 19% increased risk of developing autism spectrum symptoms and a 21% increased risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms. The researchers also found no association between postnatal paracetamol exposure and the de...

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEuropean Journal of Epidemiology·DateMay 27, 2021

Myocarditis in big ten athletes with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection

A study of 1,597 Big Ten athletes revealed a notable increase in the detection of myocarditis following COVID-19 infection, highlighting the importance of cardiac screening. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging proved to be an effective tool for identifying this condition, a leading cause of sudden death in competitive athletes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateMay 27, 2021