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Science News for May 6, 2021


Not so wicked after all?

A new study challenges the long-held notion that stepparents are responsible for negative outcomes in stepchildren. The research found that parental mortality has a negative impact on children under 18, especially for infants losing a mother, but does not affect stepchild mortality rates.

SourceEast Carolina University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMay 6, 2021

Greater effectiveness in the treatment of arrhythmia with radio frequency energy and catheterization

Researchers have developed a new, high-power short-duration (HPSD) protocol for treating cardiac arrhythmias using radiofrequency energy and catheterization. The study shows this protocol is more effective than conventional ones in achieving shallower but extensive lesions, minimizing clinical complications.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalInternational Journal of Hyperthermia·DateMay 6, 2021

Researchers find the secret behind maintaining a healthy weight loss

A new study by University of Copenhagen researchers reveals the key to maintaining long-term weight loss in people with obesity. Combining moderate-intensity exercise with appetite-inhibiting medication yields significant health benefits, including reduced blood sugar levels, improved fitness ratings, and muscle mass preservation.

Ice core data show why, despite lower sulfur emissions in US and Western Europe, air pollution is dropping more slowly

Researchers analyzed ice core data from Greenland to understand the relationship between sulfur dioxide emissions and sulfate aerosols. They found that sulfate levels have declined more slowly than sulfur dioxide emissions, especially in wintertime, due to a reaction that partially mitigates reductions.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 6, 2021

New boost in quantum technologies

Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have successfully identified promising quantum bits in two-dimensional materials. The discovery enables robust generation, reading out, and control of quantum bits, paving the way for a new boost in quantum technologies.

SourceUniversitaet Stuttgart·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 6, 2021

To be or not to be: An organoid

Researchers from Utrecht University publish a consensus on what constitutes an organoid, highlighting the importance of using primary cells for personalized therapies. The new system categorizes organoids into three types based on defining characteristics, providing clarity for future research and clinical applications.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMay 6, 2021

Hollings researchers study SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in asymptomatic & symptomatic individuals

Researchers screened over 60,000 blood samples from asymptomatic individuals for IgG antibody to the viral spike protein, finding strong correlations between high anti-S IgG levels and neutralizing activity. The study also showed age-related differences in antibody responses and a higher prevalence of COVID-19 among African Americans.

How we created the 'perfect storm' for pandemics

The world's vast population of people, pets, and livestock has created an ideal environment for the evolution and transmission of zoonotic infectious diseases. To mitigate this threat, experts recommend using vaccination passports, maximizing genetic variation in livestock, and reducing animal protein consumption.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalVirulence·DateMay 6, 2021

The effects of eliminating race-based adjustments in estimates of kidney function

Eliminating race-based adjustments in equations to estimate kidney function may lead to significant changes in medication prescribing practices for Black adults, according to a new study. The findings suggest that this change could result in lower eGFR values and potentially impact treatment outcomes for diabetic patients.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 6, 2021

UChicago Medicine's ED maintains HIV screening despite pandemic interruptions

The University of Chicago Medicine's emergency department continued routine HIV screening alongside COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. The number of HIV tests remained at pre-pandemic levels, while the rate of acute HIV diagnoses rose. This successful implementation is attributed to targeted efforts and a strong partnership between ...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 6, 2021

Obesity may be a more significant risk factor for death from COVID-19 for men than women

A recent study found that obesity, particularly class II and III, is associated with a higher risk of death, severe pneumonia, and intubation in both men and women with COVID-19. However, the association was stronger in men than women, suggesting that obesity may be a more significant risk factor for death from COVID-19 in men.

SourceSpringer·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases·DateMay 6, 2021

AI is not perfect -- Domain knowledge is a key in engineering

A research team at KICT has developed a fully-automated peak-picking method for extracting modal frequencies in stay-cables without prior setting or human manipulation. The method utilizes domain knowledge based on the physical characteristics of stay-cables, outperforming state-of-the-art methods in terms of accuracy and robustness.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAutomation in Construction·DateMay 6, 2021

Health care use after COVID-19 diagnosis, home monitoring

Researchers found that COVID-19 patients enrolled in home monitoring programs had significantly lower healthcare use compared to those not enrolled. This suggests that home monitoring can help reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateMay 6, 2021

Towards 2D memory technology by magnetic graphene

Researchers have experimentally confirmed that magnetic graphene can generate large spin signals and transfer spin information over long distances. This discovery paves the way for the development of ultra-compact 2D spin-logic devices with strong spin-polarization, promising high-speed and energy-saving electronics.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 6, 2021

PCB contamination in Icelandic orcas: a matter of diet

A new study found significant variation in PCB concentrations among Icelandic orcas, with those eating mixed diets having up to 9 times higher levels. This contradicts earlier research and highlights the need for individualized assessments of health risks in killer whale populations.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 6, 2021

Story tip from Johns Hopkins experts on COVID-19

Researchers developed the COVID Control app, which predicts COVID-19 outbreaks using user-reported symptoms and correlates with increased coronavirus prevalence in Baltimore City. The study showed that new loss of taste or smell was a strong predictor of confirmed cases, averaging five days before an outbreak.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 6, 2021

Diversity and universality of jamming

The study reveals that random close packing of spheres exhibits common universal critical properties, despite the diversity of its details. The researchers showed that jammed states are marginally stable and can be described under a unified framework.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2021

Dinosaurs that hunted in the dark

A new study found that the tiny desert-living dinosaur Shuvuuia had extraordinary vision and owl-like hearing for nocturnal life in the Mongolian desert. The team measured the size of the eyes and inner ears of over 100 bird and dinosaur species, revealing that Shuvuuia's lagena was almost identical in relative size to today's barn owl.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScience·DateMay 6, 2021

Protected by nanobrushes

Researchers developed nanosized cargo packages that can deliver water-soluble proteins into cancer cells while keeping them intact. The 'nanobrushes' use polymer strands with antibodies on the outside and protected proteins within.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 6, 2021

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trial results show efficacy against the B.1.351 variant in SA study

The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine demonstrated an overall efficacy of 49% in the initial analysis and 60% among healthy adults without HIV, providing protection against mild disease caused by the B.1.351 variant prevalent in South Africa. The updated analysis showed 100% protection against severe Covid-19 due to the B.1.351 variant.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 6, 2021

Scrap for cash before coins

Researchers found evidence of bronze scrap being used as cash in Europe during the late Bronze Age (1350-800 BC), challenging traditional notions of money's emergence. This practice spread across Western Eurasia, paving the way for a global market.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateMay 6, 2021

In the Alps, climate change affects biodiversity

A recent review analyzed over 2,000 species in the Alps, finding that many have shifted their life cycles earlier and are moving higher up the elevational gradient as climate change intensifies. This shift is often lagging behind the rate of climate change, with some species experiencing little or no elevation change.

SourceCNRS·JournalBiological Reviews·DateMay 6, 2021

Swiping, swabbing elevates processing plant food safety

Researchers developed a rapid-testing method to check cleaning protocols in commercial food processing plants. The ATP swab test detected microorganisms on surfaces, improving environmental hygiene and product quality. The study showed that targeted cleaning can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

SourceCornell University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMay 6, 2021

New method boosts syngas generation from biopolyols

Researchers developed a new method to generate syngas from biopolyols using photocatalytic biomass conversion at room temperature, exhibiting high efficiency and selectivity. The catalyst featuring surface sulfate ions increased electron-proton transfer, promoting syngas production with 9-fold higher CO generation rate.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 6, 2021

In graphene process, resistance is useful

Researchers adapted their laser-induced graphene technique to create fine patterns of graphene in photoresist polymers for use in consumer electronics and other applications. The new process allows for the production of high-resolution, micron-scale lines of conductive graphene, comparable to those achieved by more cumbersome processes.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 6, 2021

Surprising sand fly find yields new species of bacteria

Researchers discovered a new species of bacteria, Sphingobacterium phlebotomi, in sand fly rearing substrates that attracts pregnant females, offering a potential tool for reducing sand fly populations and preventing diseases like Leishmaniasis. The bacterium's volatile chemicals can be used to create ecologically safe baits or traps.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY·DateMay 6, 2021

The origin of reproductive organs

A new study led by Kotaro Sasaki elucidates the early biological processes involved in the development of ovaries and testes in human embryos. Researchers analyzed single-cell transcriptome data to understand gene expression at each developmental stage, providing insights into typical and atypical gonadal development.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 6, 2021

India's polio vaccination provides valuable insights for mass vaccination campaigns

A study on India's successful polio vaccination program reveals that managerial strategies, including bundling healthcare services, engaging stakeholders, and implementing accountability mechanisms, were crucial to its success. The findings highlight the importance of addressing social trust and political vulnerability in mass vaccinat...

Slender-snouted Besanosaurus was an 8 m long marine snapper

Researchers have identified five additional specimens of a 240-million-year-old ichthyosaur, named Besanosaurus leptorhynchus, providing new information on its anatomy, diet, and exceptionally large adult size. The species is the earliest large-sized marine diapsid with a long and narrow snout.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateMay 6, 2021

Space weather and solar blobs

Researchers at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory receive $2 million in funding to investigate magnetic reconnection and plasma blobs that can disrupt communications satellites. They aim to recreate conditions in the magnetosphere using a device resembling an enormous silvery barrel tipped on its side.

Feeling younger buffers older adults from stress, protects against health decline

A study by the American Psychological Association found that people who feel younger have better cognitive functioning, lower inflammation, and a lower risk of hospitalization compared to those who feel older. The researchers suggest that feeling younger could help buffer middle-aged and older adults against stress's negative effects.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology and Aging·DateMay 6, 2021

Exercise aids the cognitive development of children born preterm

A study by the University of Basel found that exercise training helps improve motor skills in children born prematurely, leading to better impulse control and reduced behavioral problems. This targeted training may also reduce cognitive limitations, providing essential support for these children as they grow into teenagers.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalDevelopmental Cognitive Neuroscience·DateMay 6, 2021

JAMA Health Forum now peer-reviewed journal

The JAMA Health Forum has transitioned from an online health policy channel to a peer-reviewed, open-access online journal. The journal is focused on health policy, health care systems, and global and public health, with an editorial team led by John Z. Ayanian and Melinda B. Buntin.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateMay 6, 2021

Physicists describe new type of aurora

Researchers have found a new feature in the diffuse aurora, where sections of the background-like glow disappear and then reappear after a short period. This phenomenon, dubbed 'diffuse auroral erasers,' has never been mentioned in scientific literature and raises questions about its frequency and potential impact on Earth's climate.

Researchers speed identification of DNA regions that regulate gene expression

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have developed an integrated system to better understand and possibly manipulate gene expression for treatment of disorders like sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. The new method identified dozens of DNA regulatory elements that orchestrate fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switch, offeri...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 6, 2021