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Science News for November 29, 2021


Telehealth-delivered diet and exercise programs led to significant improvements in knee osteoarthritis symptoms and quality of life

Researchers found that video-based, telehealth-delivered exercise and weight loss programs improved pain and function in people with knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity. The intervention with dietary component led to substantial weight loss and additional benefits.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 29, 2021

People want a better world after the COVID-19 pandemic but don’t believe it will really happen

A study found that people in the UK and US favour a fairer future with grassroots leadership over returning to normalcy. Nearly half of respondents missed meeting family and friends during the pandemic. The majority expected normality to resume despite their preferences, mistakenly believing they were in the minority.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2021

How T cells recognize infection or disease

Researchers at Monash University have discovered how gamma delta T cells recognize the MHC-like molecule MR1, providing key insights into the immune system's ability to detect infections and diseases. The study sheds light on the unique ways these cells interact with MR1, paving the way for new immunotherapies.

SourceMonash University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateNov 29, 2021

Farmers spread Transeurasian languages – new study

Researchers have identified a common genetic component among speakers of Transeurasian languages, tracing their origin to the beginning of millet cultivation. The 'Farming Hypothesis' suggests that early farmers spread these languages across Northeast Asia, with speakers later admixing with other populations.

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2021

Net zero-emission pathways for reducing the risks for the environment and the economy of climate change

A recent study published in Nature Climate Change explores the benefits of limiting temperature overshoot in mitigation pathways. The research found that avoiding overshoot leads to reduced climate risks, lower economic losses, and lower mitigation costs, ultimately benefiting both the environment and economy.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 29, 2021

Too many people with HIV fail to achieve durable viral suppression

According to a new study funded by NIH, adults with HIV are making progress toward the global target of 95% viral suppression, but children and adolescents are not. The researchers estimated that among adults, 79% were virally suppressed after one year of treatment, while among children and adolescents, only 64% reached this milestone.

New research: As demand for child and adolescent psychiatry rose, promise in “pediatric mental health care access programs” emerged

A new study found that Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) programs increased referrals from primary care providers to these programs, particularly for patients with mood and anxiety symptoms. PMHCA programs provide training, consultation, and resource-referral support to PCPs, increasing children's access to mental health care.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalPsychiatric Services·DateNov 29, 2021

New study sheds light on how fatty liver disease turns into liver cancer

A research team discovered that a metabolic regulation mechanism may play a role in the malignant transformation of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis to liver tumor. Inhibition of LPL/FABP4/CPT1 signaling axis effectively inhibited liver tumor growth and reduced self-renewal capacity of liver cancer stem cells.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of Biological Sciences·DateNov 29, 2021

De-cluttering may not help people with dementia

Researchers found that participants with moderate dementia performed better in cluttered environments, while those with mild and severe dementia showed no significant difference. The study suggests that adapting physical environments to suit individual needs may be more effective than de-cluttering in supporting people with dementia.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAlzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateNov 29, 2021

Study associates regular vigorous physical activity with improved cardiac response to exercise in people with COPD

Research found that individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience cardiac autonomic dysfunction, which is improved by regular vigorous physical activity. The study assessed participants' ability to increase heart rate during exercise and recover afterwards, finding a relationship between vigorous physical act...

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalAnnals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

UCLA research shows why immune checkpoint blockade impedes but does not stop glioblastoma progression

A UCLA research team found that PD-1 blockade initially activates T cells and conventional dendritic cells in glioblastoma, but the immune microenvironment remains dominated by immunosuppressive cells. The study suggests that combining therapies targeting other checkpoint proteins and pathways may improve treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

From the god of sun to immunodeficiency: international research team identifies new rare disease affecting hematopoiesis and immunity

An international research team discovered a new rare disease caused by a disrupted Helios-dependent epigenetic regulation mechanism, leading to T and B cell defects. The study highlights the importance of Helios in immune homeostasis and suggests potential therapeutic targets for immunodeficiency and malignancy.

SourceSt. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

HKU biologists reveal how obesity damages the skeletal muscle metabolism, a naturally occurring flavone is identified as a potential drug for obesity treatment

Researchers at HKU have identified a naturally occurring flavone as a potential drug for obesity treatment. The study found that obesity damages skeletal muscle metabolism by reducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, leading to impaired mitochondrial function and insulin resistance.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalAutophagy·DateNov 29, 2021

First in-human investigator-initiated clinical trial started for refractory thyroid cancer patients: Novel targeted alpha therapy using astatine

A team at Osaka University has initiated the world's first in-human investigator-initiated clinical trial of sodium astatine ([ <sup> 211 </sup> At]NaAt) injection for refractory differentiated thyroid cancer patients. The phase I trial evaluates safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of astatine for use in alpha therapy.

SourceOsaka University·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 29, 2021

Directional management of interface defects achieved in perovskite solar cells

A research team at Hefei Institutes of Physical Science achieved high-efficiency perovskite solar cells by passivating interface defects using a new-type low-dimensional perovskite. The modified material showed reduced defect density, lowered nonradiative recombination, and improved long-term stability.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalACS Energy Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

Estimating the impact of ‘eco’ jet fuel: How much could it reduce CO2 emissions by 2050?

A study published in Frontiers in Energy Research found that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could reduce commercial aviation's CO2 emissions by between 4% and 23% by 2050. The researchers used a model-based approach to analyze data and considered five future SAF scenarios and two passenger-demand projections.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Energy Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2021

A rocky fate for greenhouse gases

Researchers used synchrotron X-ray scattering and quantum computer modeling to investigate temperature's impact on amorphous magnesium carbonate. The findings suggest that modifying the precursor material's physical properties can help create more efficient carbon capture technologies.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 29, 2021

First study of its kind to investigate a high priority but little known pathogen found in Irish hospitals: Trinity research

Researchers from Trinity College Dublin investigate the epidemiology and population biology of Enteroccocus faecium, a high-priority pathogen. They found that Irish isolates have evolved independently and are diverse, with a unique genetic transposon element encoding vancomycin resistance.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

3D polarization-sensitive OCT imaging of collagen organization within organ systems

Researchers developed a novel PSOCT method, polarization state tracing (PST), to image depth-resolved collagen organization within living tissues without damaging the sample. This allows for accurate clinical diagnosis and image-guided surgery, targeting precision medicine.

Team builds first living robots that can reproduce

Researchers at the University of Vermont have created the first living robots capable of reproducing, using AI-designed Xenobots. This groundbreaking achievement has significant implications for regenerative medicine, as it demonstrates a new form of biological self-replication.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

Development of an artificial vision device capable of mimicking human optical illusions

The National Institute for Materials Science in Japan has developed an ionic artificial vision device capable of increasing edge contrast between dark and light areas like human vision. This device uses ionic migration and interaction within solids to mimic human optical illusions without software.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalNano Letters·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 29, 2021

Surface science methodology reveals relaxation and failure mechanisms of energy storage devices

A research team from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics discovered the critical surface/interface behaviors governing ESDs' operation and failure. They visualized atmosphere-dependent relaxation and failure processes using in situ Raman, X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 29, 2021

The secret to DNA packing to one-millionth its size

Researchers used X-ray technology to study human chromosomes in their native state, discovering a fractal structure and a packing mechanism that condenses DNA into one-millionth its size. The findings could have significant implications for understanding genetics and uncovering the structures of other materials, such as viruses.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 29, 2021

UT Southwestern launches SPORE-funded national resource to advance precision medicine for kidney cancer

The Kidney Cancer Program (KCP) at UT Southwestern has launched a national resource to advance precision medicine for kidney cancer, featuring the largest and most diverse catalog of kidney cancer tumor models. The platform includes models for over a dozen types of kidney cancer, allowing for more precise and personalized treatment.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 29, 2021

A simpler design for quantum computers

Researchers at Stanford University have proposed a new design for photonic quantum computers that can operate at room temperature and require fewer components. The proposed design uses a laser to manipulate an atom, which then modifies the state of photons via quantum teleportation, enabling the creation of complex calculations.

SourceStanford University·JournalOptica·DateNov 29, 2021

Efficient organic solar cells processed from green solvents

Researchers at Linköping University and Soochow University have developed a method to produce energy-efficient organic solar cells using green solvents, achieving a record efficiency of over 17%. The breakthrough enables the manufacture of larger areas of solar cells with high efficiency, paving the way for commercial-scale outdoor use.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

New lung cancer screening guidelines increases the eligibility for African American women by 50 percent

The updated guidelines lower the age eligibility from 55 to 50 years and reduce pack-years of smoking from 30 to 20. This shift increases the proportion of Black women eligible for screening, from 22.7 percent under previous guidelines to 33.9 percent, with some former smokers now also eligible.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 29, 2021

Study outlines challenges to ongoing clean-up of burnt and unburnt nurdles along Sri Lanka’s coastline

A new study published in ACS Environmental Au highlights the complexities of cleaning up burnt and unburnt nurdles spilled along Sri Lanka's coastline. The research proposes recommendations for the ongoing clean-up, including educating citizen scientists and revising response efforts to account for variability in spilled nurdles.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalACS Environmental Au·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2021

Smart wound dressing

A new smart wound dressing has been developed that can bind wounds together, ward off infection, and monitor the wound's condition directly to doctors' computers. The dressing is made of a biocompatible polymer that heals itself in under three seconds.

SourceTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

Spicy breast milk?

A study by the Technical University of Munich discovered that pungent substances from chili, ginger, and pepper are transferred to breast milk after consumption. These substances can be detectable in breast milk for several hours, with maximum concentrations being 70- to 350-fold below the taste perception threshold of an adult.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·DateNov 29, 2021

Spanish scientists determine the mode of action of essential proteins involved in cancer and Alzheimer´s disease

Researchers have discovered that specific regions of HAT family proteins determine which amino acids they bind to, leading to unique functions in cell growth and diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. This knowledge will enable efforts to develop compounds targeting these proteins for therapy.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 29, 2021

New discovery opens the way for brain-like computers

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have successfully combined a memory function with a calculation function in the same component, enabling more efficient technologies like mobile phones and self-driving cars. The discovery opens the way for brain-like computers that can perform tasks effectively and energy efficiently.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Materials·TypeSurvey·DateNov 29, 2021

‘Transformational’ approach to machine learning could accelerate search for new disease treatments

Researchers developed transformational machine learning (TML) to learn from multiple problems and improve performance while learning. TML out-performs current machine learning methods for drug design, accelerating the identification and production of new drugs.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 29, 2021

Steam disinfection of baby bottle nipples exposes babies and the environment to micro- and nanoplastic particles

A new study uses a microspectroscopic technique to measure micro- and nano-sized plastics in steam-disinfected silicone-rubber baby bottle nipples. The research found that these fine particles can be released into the environment and ingested by babies, posing health risks.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 29, 2021

Smoking whilst pregnant linked to smaller babies in future pregnancies

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of having a small for gestational age (SGA) baby in subsequent pregnancies. The research analyzed data from nearly 17,000 mothers who received antenatal care for their first two pregnancies and found that women who smoked at the start of eith...

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2021

Nibbling prehistoric herbivore sheds new light on Triassic diversity

A groundbreaking analysis of the fossilized remains of Effigia, a 205-million-year-old herbivore, has cast doubt on the prevailing notion that it fed by pecking at plant material. Instead, researchers suggest that its unique beak and jaw structure would have allowed it to nibble at soft, vulnerable tissues like young shoots or ferns.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Anatomical Record·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

Giving shoppers a nudge to forgo plastic bags

A new study by Ohio State University found that a token donation program reduced plastic bag use by about 30% at two convenience stores on a college campus. The program, which offered customers a 5-cent token in exchange for declining a disposable bag, was effective in nudgeing shoppers away from single-use plastics.

SourceOhio State University·JournalLand Economics·DateNov 29, 2021

Climate change is making one of the world’s strongest currents flow faster

Scientists have detected a significant acceleration of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the only ocean current that circumnavigates the planet. The study found that climate change is causing the ACC to speed up, with prevailing westerly winds energizing ocean eddies and facilitating property exchange between ocean basins.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2021

A new approach to close the gap in lung cancer care

Researchers found offering surgery to current smokers can lead to more equitable care, reducing disparities in lung cancer outcomes. A new study published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery shows that risk of complications and death following surgery is similar between current and former smokers.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2021

Schools may respond to student health and developmental needs with discipline, contributing to school-to-prison pipeline

A new study finds that schools with high levels of student substance use and depressed feelings have a higher prevalence of discipline, out-of-school suspensions, and police contact. Schools with lower levels of safety and support also experience higher discipline rates.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateNov 29, 2021

Newly improved quantum algorithm performs full configuration interaction calculations without controlled time evolutions

Researchers at Osaka City University developed a new quantum algorithm that calculates potential energy curves of molecules without controlled time evolutions. This addresses issues with conventional quantum phase estimation algorithms, enabling parallel processing and efficient full-CI calculations.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 29, 2021

Heart repair and regeneration after a heart attack — a review

Recent clinical trials showed promising results with cardiosphere-derived cells, improving heart parameters in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Researchers investigate using cell-derived products like exosomes to boost endogenous repair pathways, while aiming to reverse cardiomyocytes' proliferation limitations.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 29, 2021

Researchers presented the best ways to reduce of tool wear in the machining of superalloys

Researchers from South Ural State University and international universities reviewed over 200 sources to identify parameters that extend tool life in superalloys. The study suggests various methods, including tool tip texturing, flood cooling, and hybrid machining, to reduce wear and improve surface integrity.

SourceSouth Ural State University·JournalCIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology·DateNov 29, 2021

Cells’ replication of DNA is more ‘error-prone’ in microgravity

Researchers found that DNA polymerases derived from E. coli are more prone to errors under microgravity, increasing the mutation rate and potentially leading to cancer. The study's results highlight the importance of designing rotating spaceships with artificial gravity to prevent negative effects on astronauts' health.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

Well-known drug could help the most severely affected Covid-19 patients in intensive-care departments

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that prostacyclin treatment reduced damage to vital organs and halved mortality rates among critically ill Covid-19 patients. The research team hopes to investigate larger patient populations in future studies.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 29, 2021

Polymers with helical blocks

A team of researchers has developed a polymer that can form folded (ordered) and unfolded (disordered) domains using UV irradiation. The polymer's structure is controlled by non-bonding interactions between monomers, allowing it to be manipulated after formation.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

A star in subtropical Japan: a new species of parasitoid wasp constructs unique cocoon masses hanging on 1-meter-long strings

Researchers discovered a new species of parasitoid wasp that forms star-shaped cocoon masses suspended by threads up to 1 meter long, providing protection against natural enemies. The structure can accommodate over 100 cocoons and is believed to help the wasps survive during critical periods.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalJournal of Hymenoptera Research·DateNov 29, 2021

Programmable interaction between quantum magnets

A team at Heidelberg University has successfully demonstrated a programmable control of spin interactions in isolated quantum systems. By adopting methods from nuclear magnetic resonance, the researchers used microwave pulses to modify the atomic spin and stall its reorientation. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for Quantum...

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalScience·DateNov 29, 2021

Rhythms of the krill

Researchers found that Arctic krill respond to visual changes during the Arctic polar night by swimming up or down in search of food and avoiding predators. The study revealed that even small changes in light intensity can entrain the biological rhythms of krill, helping them navigate their environment.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 29, 2021