Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 8, 2021


Why did glacial cycles intensify a million years ago?

Researchers found that before the weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere began to stick to their bedrock more effectively, causing glaciers to grow thicker and disrupt global heat conveyor belts. This led to stronger ice ages and the observed climate pattern shift.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 8, 2021

Stem cells do not (only) play dice

Researchers found that stem cell specialization is dependent on communication between cells through messenger substances like growth factors. Even manipulating the 'dice' by artificially increasing GATA did not lead to arbitrary increases in fruit bladder precursor cells, indicating a need for more than chance in development.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology·JournalDevelopment·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Swiss Trauma Registry - Survival of severe gunshot and stab injuries

Severely injured patients from gunshot and stab wounds show low survival rates in Switzerland, with only 1.6% of serious injuries caused by firearms and stabbing weapons. Immediate transport to trauma centers is crucial due to prolonged diagnostic procedures and treatment time.

SourceInselspital, Bern University Hospital·JournalEuropean Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 8, 2021

Despite understanding the concept of mindfulness, people are applying it incorrectly, research finds

A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that most people misunderstand the concept of mindfulness, confusing it with passive acceptance rather than engaging with life's challenges. The study suggests that laypeople may understand awareness but struggle to grasp the importance of acceptance in mindfulness practices.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalClinical Psychology Review·DateNov 8, 2021

High cell membrane tension constrains the spread of cancer

Research reveals that cancer cells have softer membranes than normal cells, but stiffening them can prevent abnormal changes in structure and motility. Stiffened breast cancer cells lost the ability to spread to the lungs in mouse experiments, suggesting a potential strategy for cancer treatments.

SourceKobe University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

LSU Health rediscovers anatomy to correct “common knowledge” about hip muscles

Researchers at LSU Health have rediscovered the correct anatomy of the hip muscles, finding that they do not join into a single tendon but instead attach to different regions. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the evolution of human upright gait and bipedal locomotion.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalThe Anatomical Record·TypeObservational study·DateNov 8, 2021

Study finds that PCI guided by FFR did not meet noninferiority for one-year outcomes compared to bypass surgery

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guided by fractional flow reserve (FFR) did not meet noninferiority for one-year outcomes compared to bypass surgery. However, FFR-guided PCI performed favorably in patients with low SYNTAX scores and less complex disease.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 8, 2021

Addressing racism in preventive services

The USPSTF report examines the intersection of racism and health inequity in preventive services, highlighting existing definitional and conceptual issues. The study aims to improve patient care by addressing these disparities, which have significant implications for health outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 8, 2021

Immunotherapy-chemotherapy treatment coupled with in-depth genomic analyses leads to improved survival for patients with mesothelioma

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center found a new treatment option for inoperable pleural mesothelioma using immunotherapy agent durvalumab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with epithelioid tumors experienced higher survival rates, including some who remained tumor-free after completing the trial.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 8, 2021

New study pinpoints likely path of COVID-related plastic waste in the ocean

A new study projects that more than eight million tons of pandemic-associated plastic waste have been generated globally, with over 25,000 tons entering the global ocean. The research highlights the need for improved medical waste management in developing countries and calls for global action to reduce plastic pollution.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 8, 2021

Younger generation eat climate-consciously

The study found that 29% of younger Germans eat a flexitarian diet and 17% follow a meat-free diet, demonstrating high levels of climate awareness. The results highlight the need for effective communication to promote climate-conscious eating habits among the undecided group.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalCleaner and Responsible Consumption·TypeSurvey·DateNov 8, 2021

Exposure to CO2 after a traumatic experience strengthens fearful memories in mice

Research suggests that inhaling carbon dioxide after a traumatic event makes fearful memories more resilient in mice. The study found that CO2 exposure strengthens fearful memories by activating ASIC1A protein in the brain. This discovery might lead to new therapeutic strategies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in humans.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

An inflammation to remember

Researchers find that neurons in the insular cortex can induce inflammation in mice, suggesting a link between the brain and psychosomatic illnesses. The study suggests that 'remembering' an inflammatory response can reactivate it, opening new avenues for treating chronic inflammatory conditions.

Expert comment: How studying fossilized parasites can contribute to knowledge of infectious diseases

Researchers have developed a database of parasite-host interactions among ancient ocean animals, shedding light on the evolution of biodiversity and the impact of parasitism on ecosystems. The study suggests that parasites can positively stabilize coastal ecosystems, making them more stable despite individual harm to hosts.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 8, 2021

Researchers disentangle quantum machine learning

A recent study published in PRX Quantum reveals that quantum machine learning algorithms are hindered by excessive entanglement, leading to a phenomenon known as barren plateaus. By limiting depth and connectivity, researchers propose a solution to avoid these regimes and successfully train quantum neural networks.

SourceCentre for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology·JournalPRX Quantum·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 8, 2021

Adding herbs and spices to meals may help lower blood pressure

A study found that consuming high amounts of herbs and spices daily can lead to significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The researchers discovered that adding just 1.3 teaspoons of herbs and spices a day to an average American diet resulted in lower blood pressure after four weeks.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 8, 2021

A new tool for studying COVID’s impact on gut health

Researchers developed a human Intestine Chip to study coronavirus infection and test potential treatments. The chip showed that nafamostat reduced virus presence while remdesivir damaged intestinal tissue, offering insights into underlying causes of GI symptoms and improving understanding of treatment efficacy and toxicity.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalFrontiers in Pharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Self-assembled fibrillar networks arranged as a simple model of cytoskeletons induce complex functional responses

Scientists at CiQUS develop a self-assembled fibrillar network that mimics the structure of a possible cytoskeleton inside water droplets or protocells. The resulting system can induce complex responses such as nutrient uptake, membrane fusion, and molecular exchange.

SourceCenter for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Blood plasma protein fibrinogen interacts directly with nerve cells to cause brain inflammation

A USF Health study reveals that fibrinogen can directly interact with neurons, leading to inflammation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury. The researchers found that blocking the binding of fibrinogen to its receptors may alleviate short-term memory problems associated with these diseases.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalBiomolecules·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

American Pediatric Society names Dr. Megan A. Moreno as the recipient of the 2022 Norman J. Siegel Outstanding Science Award

The American Pediatric Society (APS) has named Dr. Megan A. Moreno the recipient of the 2022 Norman J. Siegel Outstanding Science Award, recognizing her significant contributions to pediatric science and adolescent health. The award acknowledges her pioneering work on social media research and its impact on adolescent wellbeing.

Returning genomic research findings reveals unrecognized disease risks

A new study published in The American Journal of Human Genetics found that 76.3% of participants who received actionable genomic results were unaware they carried increased risk variants, even though half met clinical criteria for genetic testing. Comprehensive sequencing revealed previously missed variants, emphasizing the need for mo...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalThe American Journal of Human Genetics·DateNov 8, 2021

Ludwig Cancer Research study identifies cell interactions essential to antitumor immunity

A recent Ludwig Cancer Research study has identified a crucial cellular interaction that enhances the immune system's ability to destroy cancer cells. The interaction involves antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T lymphocytes (TILs), which work together to boost and sustain T cell functionality. This discovery opens new avenues for tre...

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Cell·DateNov 8, 2021

Genetic analysis uncovers shared evolutionary history of fish fins and vertebrate limbs

Researchers used CRISPR gene-editing tools to show that a gene controlling bone growth in fish fins plays the same role in forming fingers and toes in four-legged creatures. The study suggests that the last common ancestor between ray- and lobe-finned fish already had the genetic toolkit to shape their appendages.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 8, 2021

Climate benefits from modest dips in oil demand likely underestimated, Stanford-led study finds

A new Stanford-led study suggests that decreasing oil demand leads to larger-than-expected carbon reductions, as the impact varies depending on market factors. The research takes into account the global oil market's structure, including perfect competition, oligopoly, and cartel scenarios, to estimate climate benefits.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 8, 2021

Converting methane to methanol -- with and without water

A team at Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified a common industrial catalyst that can efficiently convert methane to methanol with or without water. The findings suggest strategies for improving the water-free conversion, achieving 30% selectivity in the absence of water, and 80% selectivity with water.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Diet restricted size of hunter-gatherer societies

A recent study by McGill University researchers found that hunter-gatherer societies were limited by the seasonal availability of food, with groups in short-growing seasons requiring a high percentage of meat in their diets. This finding is supported by ethnographic observations and simulations using a mathematical model.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateNov 8, 2021

Innovative hub to combine environmental, economic, health and social data to improve outcomes for communities and the environment

A new Digital Solutions Hub will provide a gateway to interconnected toolkits and resources, integrating existing data sources on pollution, flooding, biodiversity, geology, carbon capture, and environmental health. The hub aims to improve decision-making by providing cross-sectional data for informed decisions in various sectors.

Discrimination increases risk for mental health issues in young adults

A UCLA study found that young adults experiencing discrimination are at a higher risk for short- and long-term behavioral and mental health problems. The study suggests that the effects of discrimination are connected to disparities in care and institutional discrimination, leading to inequities in diagnoses, treatment, and outcomes.

New study finds genes and air pollution multiply healthy people’s risk of depression

A new study reveals that genetic predisposition for depression combined with exposure to high-particulate-matter air pollution greatly elevates the risk of depression. The study found that the combination of genes and air pollution has a multiplier effect on the risk of depression, suggesting potentially widespread brain effects.

SourceLieber Institute for Brain Development·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 8, 2021

Human history and migration of disease: Study tracks spread of young-onset heart arrhythmia across continents

A new study tracked the spread of a genetic mutation that causes young-onset heart arrhythmia across continents over centuries. The research found that the mutation was passed down from Northern Europe to other parts of the world through migration, and identified a specific gene, KCNQ1, as the cause of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 8, 2021

CU epidemiology researchers receive first NIH grant to study inflammatory biomarkers of intermediate age-related macular degeneration

Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have been awarded a four-year grant to study systemic biomarkers of inflammation that signal the progression of age-related macular degeneration. The team aims to develop risk profiles for patients with intermediate AMD to predict rapid vision deterioration.

Bedtime linked with heart health

A large study found that sleeping between 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm is associated with a lower risk of developing heart disease compared to earlier or later bedtimes. The study also showed that the riskiest time for cardiovascular disease is after midnight, potentially due to reduced morning light exposure.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Digital Health·DateNov 8, 2021

Study finds QFR-guided lesion selection leads to better PCI outcomes compared with conventional angiography

A study published in The Lancet found that using physiologic measurement quantitative flow ratio (QFR) for lesion selection during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) leads to better clinical outcomes compared to standard angiography-guided strategies. This is due to fewer procedural complications and superior long-term results.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 8, 2021

Off-world colony simulation reveals changes in human communication over time with Earth

Researchers studied the effects of isolation on human psychology, physiology, and team dynamics in a simulated off-world colony. The study found that crews' communication with mission control diminished over time, causing initial friction but eventually leading to increased cohesion despite cultural and personal differences.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 8, 2021

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger: Illinois research shows crops have drought ‘memory’ to help reduce yield loss

Crops that survive early-season drought conditions are better able to deal with those same conditions later in their growth cycle, a phenomenon known as 'drought memory'. This adaptation allows crops to mitigate losses from late-season droughts up to seven percent.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalFood and Energy Security·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Storing energy in plants with electronic roots

Scientists have successfully stored energy in bean plant roots using conjugated oligomers, creating a new biohybrid system for sustainable energy storage. The research demonstrates that the roots of intact plants can function as networks of conductors, storing up to 100 times more energy than previous experiments.

SourceLinköping University·JournalMaterials Horizons·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Nature Medicine publishes phase 2 trial data showing durvalumab immunotherapy with standard chemotherapy improved survival in malignant pleural mesothelioma

A phase 2 clinical trial shows durvalumab immunotherapy combined with standard chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival for patients with previously untreated malignant pleural mesothlioma. The study's findings provide insights into patient selection methods for this novel chemo-immunotherapy regimen.

SourcePrECOG, LLC·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 8, 2021

Harvard scientists take the study of regeneration to the next level by making three-banded panther worms transgenic

Researchers have successfully created transgenic three-banded panther worms to study regeneration, revealing detailed insights into the cellular anatomy of these animals. By manipulating specific genes, scientists can now investigate the role of muscle cells in holding the worm's body together and storing information for regeneration.

Scientists discover how antibiotics penetrate Gram-negative bacterial cell walls

Researchers developed a method to determine how antibiotics interact with Gram-negative bacterial membranes, revealing that positively charged groups can facilitate passage through pores. The technique, called molecular dynamics simulation, will help design new drugs to target resistant microbes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChemical Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 8, 2021

How prolonged radiation exposure damages nuclear reactors

The study reveals that radiation condition, reactor design, and temperature are crucial factors in predicting instability in materials due to radiation. Nanomaterials with fine grain sizes suppress instabilities, making them more radiation-tolerant. The research provides insight into designing safer, more efficient nuclear reactors.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalFrontiers in Materials·DateNov 8, 2021

Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening associated with long-term reduction in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality

Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening significantly reduces colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, with a substantial protective effect maintained up to 19 years. The study's findings confirm the safety and effectiveness of flexible sigmoidoscopy as a preventive measure.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 8, 2021

Wang receives NSF CAREER grant

Cong Wang, Assistant Professor at George Mason University, has received a $181,584 NSF CAREER grant for his research on memory-efficient and robust architecture for federated intelligence on edge devices. The project aims to address the limitations of current federated learning approaches and provide solutions for computation/memory/en...

Why the world needs a better LED light bulb

Researchers have developed a new light-emitting material that doubles the intensity of existing LEDs while also being more energy-efficient. The material, cerium-doped zinc oxide, has the potential to be used in commercial LED lighting applications and could make lighting more affordable for households and businesses worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalJournal of Luminescence·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Change in vaccination strategy averted outbreak of urban yellow fever in São Paulo State, scientists say

An updated vaccination strategy is credited with averting an outbreak of urban yellow fever in São Paulo State, according to research published in Scientific Reports. The study found that the virus spread rapidly, reaching cities never affected before, and that a high number of cases were reported in areas with low vaccination coverage.

Multiculturalism in itself is not a resource

A new study from Copenhagen Business School suggests that transforming multicultural employees' capacities into strategic human capital resources is key to a company's competitive advantage. The researchers highlight the importance of deliberate actions, emerging-enabling factors, and differentiated HR architecture to create sustainabl...

SourceCopenhagen Business School·JournalJournal of International Business Studies·TypeObservational study·DateNov 8, 2021

New symptoms identified that could help doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer

Researchers have identified two new symptoms – thirst and dark urine – associated with pancreatic cancer, which could help doctors diagnose the disease earlier. The study found 23 symptoms linked to pancreatic cancer, with patients often experiencing non-specific symptoms up to a year before diagnosis.

SourceNational Cancer Research Institute·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 8, 2021