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Science News for May 3, 2021


Scientists find small molecule cocktail to improve stem cell use in research, medicine

Researchers at NIH have devised a four-part small-molecule cocktail, CEPT, that protects induced pluripotent stem cells from stress and maintains normal stem cell structure and function. The cocktail enhances the potential therapeutic uses of stem cells in treating diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury.

Volunteer firefighters have higher levels of 'forever chemicals'

A Rutgers University study found that volunteer firefighters have higher levels of 'forever chemicals' in their bodies than the general public. The chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are linked to numerous health conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer.

SourceRutgers University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateMay 3, 2021

At the heart of globalization

The new Käte Hamburger International Research Center will study globalization from the dynamics of 'dis:connectivity', considering opposing forces, diversions, and loss of connectivity. Researchers hope to develop a practice-based understanding of globalization combining scholarly approaches with aesthetic points of view.

Blockchain as 'TechQuity': How tech solutions have the power to help the homeless

Researchers from Dell Medical School propose using blockchain to manage identities of people experiencing homelessness, providing secure access to critical services. The technology has shown promise in establishing an identity system for those in need, improving their ability to navigate complex bureaucracies.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved·DateMay 3, 2021

Strong and flexible cofactors

Scientists have created a cube-shaped iron-sulfur cluster that can support a multiple bond between iron and nitrogen, a structural motif involved in biological nitrogen fixation. The discovery shows the cluster's ability to accommodate an unusual bond without distorting its structure.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 3, 2021

Lead found in rural drinking water supplies in West Africa

A study by researchers from the University of Leeds and colleagues found that 80% of community water supply systems in Ghana, Mali, and Niger had at least one lead-containing component. Sixty percent of tested water samples contained lead, with nine percent exceeding World Health Organisation guidelines.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateMay 3, 2021

Increased use of minimally invasive non-endoscopic tests for Barrett's esophagus screening

A new commentary suggests that more extensive use of minimally invasive non-endoscopic tests for Barrett's esophagus (BE) screening could lead to better early detection and prevention of esophageal adenocarcinoma, a deadly form of cancer. BE is often asymptomatic, but endoscopic treatment can reduce the risk of progression to cancer.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 3, 2021

Speeding new treatments

Researchers at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center have created a powerful computational tool called REDIAL-2020. This online suite of models enables scientists to quickly identify small molecules capable of disarming COVID-19, narrowing the field for future experiments and accelerating the discovery process.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico Health Sciences Center·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateMay 3, 2021

A new way to make AR/VR glasses

University of Rochester researchers developed a novel technology using freeform optics and metasurfaces to deliver high-quality images with socially acceptable optics. The metaform component gathers visible light rays from all directions and redirects them directly into the human eye, achieving a significant improvement in image quality.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 3, 2021

Mating with relatives? Not a big deal in nature

Researchers at Stockholm University found little evidence that animals avoid mating with relatives, contradicting long-held assumptions. This study synthesizes 139 experimental studies across 88 species and has implications for conservation breeding programs aimed at maintaining genetic diversity.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMay 3, 2021

Revealing the secret cocoa pollinators

An international research team found that ants and flies play a vital role in pollination for cocoa, while leaf-litter management enhances tiny cocoa pollinators. The study emphasizes the need to prioritize biodiversity-friendly habitats for pollinator conservation in cocoa agroforests.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalBiological Conservation·DateMay 3, 2021

Using social values for profit cheapens them, a new study cautions

A new study from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management finds that using social values primarily for self-interested purposes like profit or reputation can diminish their special status. The research cautions that even subtle normalization of such uses can lead to erosion of people's commitment to these values.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMay 3, 2021

A physics perspective on wound healing

Scientists from UNIGE and UZH used a statistical physics approach to study wound healing, identifying the scales of dominant cell interactions that govern tissue growth. The results allow for better analysis of cell front behavior in both healthy tissue and tumour development.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 3, 2021

Local impacts from fracking the Eagle Ford

Researchers at Stanford University simulated the risk of fracking-triggered earthquakes on the Eagle Ford shale formation, finding that densely populated areas face the greatest risk of damage. The study aims to provide a shared frame of reference for discussing risks and evaluating tools for managing earthquake hazards.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateMay 3, 2021

New understanding of ovarian follicle development may lead to novel reproductive therapies

Researchers have discovered the mechanism of follicle development by MIS, a key reproductive hormone that suppresses follicle growth and prevents ovulation. This understanding may lead to novel approaches to contraception, preserving eggs lost to aging or chemotherapy, and improving fertility treatment success.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2021

Personalised medications possible with 3D printing

University of East Anglia researchers develop a new method for 3D printing medicine in highly porous structures, allowing for tailored drug release rates and improved patient outcomes. The technology has the potential to produce customized pills with accurate doses and reduced side effects.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·DateMay 3, 2021

"Colorblindness" complicates race-related conversations between white parents and children

A new study finds that white American parents often unintentionally communicate contradictory messages about race to their children. More than a third of parents send mixed signals, while others explicitly promote color-conscious ideologies. The study highlights the importance of understanding how parents talk about race with their kids.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalCultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology·DateMay 3, 2021

As wildfires increase in severity, experts call for coordinated federal response

The American Thoracic Society releases a report highlighting the need for research on wildfire smoke's effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health, as well as communication strategies to protect public health. The report emphasizes the importance of coordinated federal response and dedicated funding to mitigate health risks.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateMay 3, 2021

The level of satisfaction with life in Spain is marked by household financial capacity

A recent study by Jordi Gumà and Bruno Arpino explores the association between subjective life satisfaction and gender roles in providing financial resources and performing domestic chores among partnered Spanish adults. The researchers found that households with financial difficulties experience a significant impact on individual well...

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalRevista Internacional de Sociología·DateMay 3, 2021

How plants find their symbiotic partners

A team of scientists has identified a protein called SYFO1, which plays a crucial role in the initial contact between legume roots and symbiotic bacteria. The protein causes root hairs to change direction, allowing them to wrap around bacteria and form beneficial relationships.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 3, 2021

How to manage osteoporosis in hematologic stem cell transplant recipients

The International Osteoporosis Foundation has published a new Executive Summary outlining key guidance for managing osteoporosis in hematologic stem cell transplant recipients. The summary provides expert recommendations for monitoring, evaluation, and treatment of bone loss in HSCT patients, including a helpful management algorithm.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalJournal of Bone Oncology·DateMay 3, 2021

White matter structural hubs and cognitive impairment

Damage to densely-packed white matter regions is strongly associated with cognitive impairment compared to gray matter regions; this suggests that white matter hubs are crucial for cognition. The study's findings provide insights into how brain damage affects cognitive abilities and may help explain differences in cognitive decline.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2021

Flatfish got weird fast due to evolutionary cascade

A study by Rice University biologist Kory Evans found that flatfish evolved rapid skull asymmetry due to trait co-evolution. This process led to the development of unique traits across the skull, resulting in increased integration and adaptability for these fish.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2021

Contrary to previous belief, strike-slip faults can generate large tsunamis

A new study explains that strike-slip faults, which were previously believed to trigger only small tsunamis, can generate unusually large waves like the devastating Palu tsunami in 2018. Researchers discovered a mechanism for these massive tsunamis to form, suggesting other coastal cities may need to reevaluate their risk level.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2021

Health anxiety in childhood and adolescence can become chronic

A new study from Aarhus University finds that symptoms of health anxiety are common in childhood and adolescence, often resulting in persistent and significant problems. Children who experience these symptoms may require specialized psychological treatment, and parents play a crucial role in supporting their mental health.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateMay 3, 2021

Planned cesarean births safe for low-risk pregnancies

New research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that planned cesarean deliveries on maternal request are safe for low-risk pregnancies. The study analyzed data from over 422,000 pregnancies and found that mothers who requested cesarean delivery were more likely to have certain characteristics. Planned cesarean ...

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 3, 2021

Short-term exposure to air pollution may impede cognition; Aspirin could help

A new study found that short-term air pollution exposure can impair cognitive performance, but taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin can reduce these effects. The study used data from the Normative Aging Study and found that elevated PM2.5 exposure over 28 days was associated with declines in global cognitiv...

Will your future clothes be made of algae?

A team of researchers from the University of Rochester and Delft University of Technology has developed a novel, environmentally-friendly material made of algae that can be used in various applications. The material is tough, resilient, eco-friendly, biodegradable, and scalable to produce.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 3, 2021

Story tips: Stealthy air leak detection, carbon to chemicals and recycling goes large

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a non-invasive air leak detection method that uses imaging technique to visualize air leaks and calculate volumetric flow. The lab also engineered a microbe to efficiently turn waste into itaconic acid, an industrial chemical used in plastics and paints. Additionally, researchers demonstrated...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 3, 2021

Resurrecting Judean date palms

Researchers successfully germinated seven ancient Judean date palm seeds from archaeological sites, gaining genetic insights into the evolution of crops. The study suggests that hybridization between date palms and wild Cretan palms occurred over 2,200 years ago, influencing agricultural practices.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2021

Brain wave recordings reveal potential for individualized Parkinson's treatments

Researchers at UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences developed novel neurostimulation devices that monitor brain activity for months, pairing brain recordings with wearable monitors of movement. They identified patterns of brain activity corresponding to specific movement abnormalities associated with Parkinson's disease and demonstra...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMay 3, 2021