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Science News for November 19, 2021


Research examines the role of psychotherapists in treatment effectiveness

A new study at UMass Amherst found that different psychotherapists use common treatment processes to varying benefits for patients. Personalizing clinical training to therapists' unique strengths and weaknesses may enhance training outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 19, 2021

Carbon labelling can potentially encourage eco-friendly E-commerce

Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design found that adding carbon emission labels can influence online shoppers to choose more sustainable shipping options. The study showed that slow shipping options result in lower emissions but longer delivery times, with an 81% reduction in emissions possible.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateNov 19, 2021

Rural ERs, despite threat of closure, save lives at similar rate as urban hospitals

Researchers found no significant difference in mortality rates between rural and urban emergency departments for life-threatening conditions like stroke and heart attack. Despite facing funding challenges, rural ERs have proven lifesaving for patients treated at these facilities.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 19, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Repurposed ALS drug shows promise in mouse model of rare childhood genetic disorder

A study published in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism found that riluzole slows the progression of Niemann-Pick disease type C1 by reducing glutamate toxicity, increasing mouse survival by 12%. Researchers believe similar drugs may help slow disease progression in patients with NPC1.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalMolecular Genetics and Metabolism·DateNov 19, 2021
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Novel artificial genomic DNA can replicate and evolve outside the cell

Scientists successfully induce gene expression from a synthetic DNA and evolution through continuous replication using cell-free materials. They also improve the DNA to increase its replication efficiency by up to 10-fold in just 60 days.

SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021

Breaking down cancer’s defenses

Researchers engineered a probiotic designed to target and break down cancer cell defenses, allowing therapies to kill tumors more effectively. The new probiotic was tested in animal models of breast and colon cancer, showing promising results with improved survival rates.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Smarter prescriptions from doctors could save NHS billions

A new study found that GPs could have saved £2.7 billion for the NHS by prescribing cheaper statin alternatives between 2004 and 2012. If all existing patients on more expensive treatment had been switched, potential savings would increase to nearly half of total costs.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 19, 2021

Unborn babies could contract Covid-19 says study, but it would be uncommon

A new study suggests that unborn babies could contract Covid-19 if their gut is exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, researchers say that this risk is extremely limited due to the placenta's protective shield. Vaccination against Covid-19 during pregnancy is still recommended as a way to protect the unborn baby.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalBJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 19, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Cystic fibrosis faithfully modeled in a human Lung Airway Chip

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a microfluidic Organ Chip device that accurately models cystic fibrosis lung airway pathology. The model replicates key pathological hallmarks, including mucus layer changes and inflammatory responses, providing a comprehensive preclinical human model for investigating new therapies.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalJournal of Cystic Fibrosis·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021

Age, sex and waning COVID-19 antibodies

A study found that individuals under 65 had higher antibody levels than those over 65, with women outperforming men. However, by six months post-vaccination, antibody levels dropped significantly for everyone in the study group.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·JournalJournal of Medical Biochemistry·DateNov 19, 2021

New study offers broader understanding on plankton life in Gulf of Mexico

A groundbreaking study has documented the simultaneous position, size, and density of 36 different types of planktonic organisms in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers found that smallest organisms formed the largest patches, with greater patchiness in shallow waters closer to shore than deeper ocean waters.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 19, 2021

New link between diet, intestinal stem cells and disease discovered

A new study reveals that a high-sugar and high-fat diet can disrupt the natural adaptation of the digestive system by accelerating the division and differentiation of intestinal stem cells. This can lead to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and gastrointestinal cancer.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Metabolism·DateNov 19, 2021

Can defects turn inert materials into useful, active ones?

By introducing defects, researchers created chemically active hBN that can hold precious metal atoms, enabling cost-effective catalysts and potential applications in energy storage and sensors. This breakthrough challenges the long-held assumption that inert materials cannot be activated.

SourcePenn State·JournalMaterials Today·DateNov 19, 2021
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Scientists key in on brain’s mechanism for singing, learning

Researchers at OHSU have discovered a unique neural cell assembly that enables complex learning in songbirds, similar to those found in the human primary motor cortex. This finding has implications for understanding fine motor control and may lead to new avenues for treating disorders such as ALS.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 19, 2021

Ternary ruthenium complex hydrides can catalyze ammonia synthesis under mild condition

Researchers have developed efficient catalysts for ammonia synthesis under mild conditions using ternary ruthenium complex hydrides. The unique configuration and function mechanism of these complexes enables non-dissociative activation of nitrogen, leading to superior kinetics and favored ammonia production.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 19, 2021

Plant-derived antiviral drug is effective in blocking highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, say scientists

Scientists at the University of Nottingham found a plant-based antiviral treatment to be effective in blocking the highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. The novel natural antiviral drug, thapsigargin, was shown to trigger a broad-spectrum host-centred antiviral innate immune response against all variants of the virus.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalVirulence·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021

Reading the mind of a worm

Researchers used a machine-learning algorithm to identify differences in how the brain responds to various chemicals, including salt and benzaldehyde. The study provides insight into how brains process information and may help understand sensory processing disorders.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 19, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Breeding plants with genes from one parent

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have discovered a mechanism to eliminate half the genome in plants, making it easier to breed crops with desirable traits like disease resistance. This breakthrough could shorten breeding times by several generations.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021

Urbanization not always bad for food and land use diversity

Researchers developed a framework to evaluate urbanization's impact on food and land use biodiversity. Urban areas can provide a range of approaches to increasing food diversity, including peri-urban agriculture and small farms. Strengthening food biodiversity among the urban poor can improve nutrition and security.

SourcePenn State·JournalOne Earth·DateNov 19, 2021

Understanding how pathogenic fungi build their carbohydrate armor

Researchers from Louisiana State University discovered the molecular architecture of fungal cell walls and how they respond to stresses, paving the way for new antifungal compounds. The study's findings reveal the structural role of each major carbohydrate in the cell wall and provide a revised model of fungal cell wall organization.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 19, 2021
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Two is better than one: Single-atom dimer electrocatalyst for green hydrogen production

Researchers developed a nickel-cobalt metal dimer on nitrogen-doped carbon that can catalyze electrolysis under both acidic and basic conditions. The new system exhibits comparable overvoltage to commercial Pt-based catalysts and shows significant activity enhancements compared to individual single-atom catalysts.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021

Using PET scans to better treat cancer patients

Researchers found that higher lymphoma volume at diagnosis was associated with increased risk of recurrence. This could lead to improved patient outcomes by selecting the most appropriate treatment. The study also explored PET-based measures of initial disease burden, which may help predict patients' risk of recurrence.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalPediatric Blood & Cancer·DateNov 19, 2021

Study: COVID tech took a toll on work-from-home moms

A new UNLV research study found that remote work technology exacerbated stress and mental health issues among working mothers with children. The study suggests that asynchronous communication methods like email may be more effective in alleviating stress, while synchronous forms like video chats and texting can hinder multitasking.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalCommunication Reports·TypeSurvey·DateNov 19, 2021

A stealthy way to combat tumors

Researchers identified a subset of dendritic cells that can cloak themselves in tumor proteins and trigger a strong T cell response. Stimulating these dendritic cells may enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy by slowing the growth of melanoma and colon tumors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalImmunity·DateNov 19, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

A genetic change for achieving a long and healthy life​

Researchers at KAIST discovered a single amino acid change in the PTEN protein that improves health status while retaining longevity. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights the potential for targeting this protein to develop therapies for promoting healthy longevity.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 19, 2021

COVID-19 research released at ASTMH Annual Meeting

Researchers found high rates of SARS-COV-2 infections in Mali but low evidence of severe disease, hospitalization, or deaths. In contrast, COVID-19 patients with high levels of previous malaria infections showed lower risks of severe outcomes in Uganda.

SourceAmerican Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene·DateNov 19, 2021

Climate uncertainty colors flood risk assessment

A new framework assesses flood risk by integrating climate model outputs and hydrologic models to predict uncertainty. The study found that climate uncertainty dominates overall uncertainty, and areas prone to flooding in the future will be mostly the same as current ones.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Hydrometeorology·DateNov 19, 2021

Suffering from psoriasis? Blame this trio of proteins

A recent study by La Jolla Institute for Immunology has identified a trio of proteins - TWEAK, TNF, and IL-17 - that control inflammation in psoriasis patients. Targeting this protein complex may lead to more effective treatments for the disease.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Researchers use model of hypothalamus to implicate genes associated with sleep, BMI, puberty, and more

A study led by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers used stem cells to implicate several genes involved in bodily functions associated with the hypothalamus. The findings could help clinicians identify potential causes of dysfunction for traits regulated by the hypothalamus, such as sleep and stress.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021

Delta-like SARS-CoV-2 variants are most likely to increase pandemic severity

A mathematical model suggests that SARS-CoV-2 Delta-like variants, which combine enhanced transmissibility and partial immune escape, will cause more severe pandemics than variants with either trait alone. Vaccination is predicted to be highly beneficial in these cases, preventing more infections and breakthroughs.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalCell·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 19, 2021

Wearable tech confirms wear-and-tear of work commute

A Dartmouth study uses mobile sensing to predict individual job performance based on commute data, revealing the link between work commute and job quality. The research also shows how data from personal tech devices can help improve employee productivity and satisfaction.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalIEEE Pervasive Computing·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 19, 2021