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Science News for October 13, 2021


Freezing fruit flies for future function

Scientists from the University of Tsukuba have developed a new technique to preserve Drosophila primordial germ cells, which can be used to produce new offspring. The cryopreserved PGCs were found to be effective after up to 400 days of long-term storage.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCommunications Biology·DateOct 13, 2021

Welcoming composite inks into the fold

A new composite ink composed of ceramic particles in polymer acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) has been developed to make foldable electronics easier and cheaper to manufacture. The ink enables the creation of flexible, large-area dielectric substrates suitable for millimeter-wave devices, including 5G antennas.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

OSU study: After two hours, sunscreen that includes zinc oxide loses effectiveness, becomes toxic

A new OSU study reveals that sunscreen containing zinc oxide loses its effectiveness and becomes toxic after just two hours of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The research used zebrafish to test the toxicity of photodegradation products, finding significant increases in defects in the fish.

SourceOregon State University·JournalPhotochemical & Photobiological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

Increases in extreme humid-heat disproportionately affect populated regions

A new study by Washington State University scientists finds that people living in areas with humid-heat extremes are bearing the brunt of the impact. The researchers identify a greater increase in population exposure to humid-heat as compared to dry-heat, emphasizing the importance of understanding humidity changes in a warming world.

SourceWashington State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 70% percent of surveyed healthcare workers in Ghana and Kenya met criteria for stress and burnout, which are associated with low job satisfaction

A study found that nearly 70% of surveyed healthcare workers in Ghana and Kenya experienced stress and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers suggest that perceived preparedness plays a crucial role in mitigating these negative effects on job satisfaction.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateOct 13, 2021

Smoke from nuclear war would devastate ozone layer, alter climate

A new study finds that massive columns of smoke from a nuclear war would destroy much of the ozone layer over a 15-year period, with peak ozone loss averaging about 75% worldwide. This would lead to devastating effects on human health and food supplies, as well as terrestrial ecosystems.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 13, 2021

'Broken heart' syndrome is on the rise in women

A recent study by the Smidt Heart Institute found that middle-aged and older women are being diagnosed with 'broken heart' syndrome more frequently—up to 10 times more often—than younger women or men of any age. The incidence has been rising steadily since before the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting a possible link between stressors, brai...

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

Telehealth addiction treatment rose rapidly during pandemic; but potential benefits still unclear

New research highlights the potential of telehealth to increase patient engagement through improved access and convenience. However, studies found limited evidence that telehealth results in better retention or outcomes compared to in-person treatment. Researchers emphasize the need for more empirical work to confirm its benefits.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalPsychiatric Services·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 13, 2021

World-first clinical trial demonstrates focused ultrasound can deliver antibody therapy to breast cancer metastases in the brain

Researchers at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre have successfully delivered antibody therapy to breast cancer metastases in the brain using focused ultrasound. The treatment, which temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier, has shown promising results with tumor size reductions of up to 21% in patients.

SourceFocused Ultrasound Foundation·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 13, 2021

Did Venus ever have oceans?

A team of astrophysicists led by Martin Turbet from UNIGE and NCCR PlanetS found that Venus's climate conditions prevented the formation of oceans. The study suggests that the Earth could have suffered a similar fate if it had been closer to the Sun or had weaker radiation in its youth.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateOct 13, 2021

Formula milk trials are not reliable, warn experts

A comprehensive review of formula milk trials found that only 17% were conducted independently of formula companies, and most had a high risk of bias due to selective reporting. The researchers call for substantial changes in the conduct and reporting of formula trials to protect participants from harm.

SourceBMJ Group·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 13, 2021

Penn researchers to study the impact of environmental and economic interventions on reducing health disparities in Black Philadelphia neighborhoods with nearly $10 million grant

The study will assess the impact of environmental and economic interventions on health and well-being in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Researchers will enroll 720 adults, half receiving the proposed interventions, and evaluate their overall health and wellbeing, as well as violent crime rates.

Crafting a “sponge” for adsorbing and desorbing gas molecules

A team of scientists has created a novel material composed of catenane molecules, which can adsorb and desorb gas molecules like carbon dioxide. The soft crystal exhibits unique properties, including porosity and deformability, making it suitable for applications such as capturing CO2 molecules.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

How long does a neutron live?

Physicists have made the most precise measurement yet of a neutron's lifetime, revealing that it lives 14.629 minutes with an uncertainty of 0.005 minutes. This result brings scientists closer to understanding why two previous methods disagree and could provide evidence for new physics.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 13, 2021

Lack of power grids sealed fate for early electric cars

A recent study from Lund University reveals that inadequate infrastructure hindered the adoption of electric cars in the early 20th century. Electric cars were cheaper to drive and emitted less CO2 than gasoline cars, but access to local electrical infrastructure was a major factor in their popularity.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Energy·DateOct 13, 2021

The calculated costs of setting up labs to monitor antimicrobial resistance in resource-limited settings may be prohibitive without financial support

The cost of establishing laboratories to track antimicrobial resistance in Southeast Asian hospitals is substantial, making it challenging for many countries to implement such programs. Financial support is crucial to overcome these costs and provide effective antimicrobial resistance monitoring.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateOct 13, 2021

Cognitive study shows lack of bilingual education adversely affects English language learners' writing skills

A University of Kansas study examined three key cognitive functions in teaching writing to Hispanic English learners, revealing word retrieval skills, verbal language skills, and working memory are crucial for success. The research highlights the negative effects of a lack of bilingual education on these students' writing abilities.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

Artificial intelligence-based technology quickly identifies genetic causes of serious disease

A new AI-powered algorithm, GEM, has been developed to quickly identify genetic causes of serious disease in newborns. The technology leverages machine learning and natural language processing to analyze vast amounts of genomic data and clinical records, achieving an accuracy rate of 92% compared to existing tools.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalGenomic Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

Pain relief without side effects with promising technique

Researchers at Lund University have developed a promising new pain relief method using ultra-thin microelectrodes, providing effective and personalized pain relief without common side effects. The study showed that this technique can block pain signals in the brain without affecting other sensory systems or motor skills.

SourceLund University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 13, 2021

Free food provided to US households at school and work is relatively unhealthy, though food for families in the supplemental nutrition assistance program appears to be of better nutritional quality

A study published in PLOS ONE found that free food provided to US households at school and work is of poor nutritional quality. In contrast, food for families receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) appears to be of better nutritional value.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 13, 2021

Solving mystery of rare cancers directly caused by HIV

A team of scientists from the University of Pittsburgh and National Cancer Institute discovered why HIV is rarely the direct cause of cancer. The research found that it requires a specific series of events involving changes in HIV and additional mutations in human genes, resulting in T cell lymphomas. However, the occurrence is rare, a...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 13, 2021

International team of astronomers report on largest-ever observed set of mysterious fast radio bursts

An international team of astronomers observed over 1,650 fast radio bursts from one source in deep space, shedding new light on the engine that powers these phenomena. The bursts were measured using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) and represent more FRBs in one event than all previous reported occurrences com...

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateOct 13, 2021

Troubling birth findings show importance of timely flu vaccination

New research from an international team of scientists found that poor timing of influenza vaccination campaigns in Brazil led to increased premature births, lower birth-weight babies, and the need for more cesarean sections. The study suggests that earlier flu vaccination campaigns could better protect pregnant women and their babies.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateOct 13, 2021

Genes and collective behaviour

Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technique to edit genes in zebrafish larvae, altering individual behavioral responses and group behavior. The study suggests two simple visuomotor reflexes explain the collective behavior of zebrafish.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 13, 2021

Ancient poop shows people in present-day Austria drank beer and ate blue cheese up to 2,700 years ago

Researchers found evidence of two fungal species used in blue cheese and beer production in ancient feces from Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut. The findings suggest that people consumed blue cheese and beer during the Iron Age, nearly 2,700 years ago, and retained a non-Westernized gut microbiome structure until the Baroque period.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 13, 2021

Center for Innovation in Mental Health at CUNY SPH awarded NIH grant for Harlem Strong Collaborative

The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy has received a nearly $2 million NIH grant to develop a multisectoral coalition to implement a community-wide collaborative care model to address mental health and socio-economic risks in Harlem. The initiative aims to close the mental health treatment gap for ethnic minoritie...

Study finds correlation between rural geography and access to handguns, suicidality among Colorado teenagers

A cross-sectional study found a correlation between rural geography and easy access to handguns, leading to higher risks of suicidality among Colorado teenagers. The findings can inform the allocation of educational firearm safety and suicide prevention resources in the state.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

LLU study identifies uptick in mammogram cancellations from early pandemic

A Loma Linda University Health research study found that mammogram cancellations increased during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic before decreasing to pre-pandemic levels. The study's findings could help breast cancer surgeons prepare for a potential surge of patients presenting with more advanced stages of breast cancer.

SourceLoma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center·JournalThe American Surgeon·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

Harvard researchers use dyes to store data

A Harvard research team has created a new method of storing digital information using mixtures of fluorescent dyes, which can potentially store data for thousands of years or more. The technique uses inkjet printing and fluorescence microscopy to encode and decode binary messages in the dye molecules.

SourceHarvard University·JournalACS Central Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

How many people get 'long COVID?' More than half, researchers find

According to a study by Penn State researchers, more than half of the 236 million people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 worldwide since December 2019 will experience post-COVID symptoms, also known as 'long COVID', up to six months after recovery. The research team found that adults and children can experience various adverse he...

SourcePenn State·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 13, 2021

Climate model shows that Venus could never have had oceans

A new climate model challenges the idea that Venus ever had oceans, suggesting high surface temperatures and limited solar radiation prevented ocean formation. The research team found that clouds on night-side Venus would actually maintain high temperatures through a greenhouse effect, further supporting this conclusion.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateOct 13, 2021

Making data visualizations more accessible

A new study by MIT researchers has found that blind and sighted readers have sharply different takes on what content is most useful to include in a chart caption. The study created a four-level framework for evaluating charts, which could help develop more effective tools for automatically generating captions and alternative text.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·DateOct 13, 2021

Catching malaria evolution in the act

Scientists have developed a technique to sequence individual malaria parasites' genomes, allowing for the detection of new mutations. These mutations are often targeting a gene family controlling transcription in malaria, suggesting potential avenues for developing more effective treatments and vaccines.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateOct 13, 2021

I’m not a little kid anymore! 10-year-old children act like adults, giving more credit to the opinion of adults who have previously endorsed their ideas.

A study published in Royal Society Open Science found that 10-year-old children follow social norms and reciprocate consideration from adults. Children of this age tend to behave more like adults, giving weight to adults' opinions if they are credited, whereas younger children trust their own decisions independently of adult behavior.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

Children repeatedly exposed to malaria from birth are more likely to be anemic by the age of two

A Brazilian study found that children exposed to malaria from birth are more likely to develop anemia by age two. The researchers, led by Dr. Marly Augusto Cardoso, followed 1,539 children and discovered that 12.6% were anemic, with a higher prevalence in rural areas not covered by the study.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 13, 2021

Leprosy confirmed in wild chimpanzees

Researchers have confirmed cases of leprosy in two unconnected West African populations of chimpanzees, in Guinea-Bissau and Ivory Coast. The strains identified are different and rare among humans. Long-term health monitoring is needed to establish the scale and possible effects of leprosy on critically endangered western chimpanzees.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

Soybean study designs and implements a more effective and less toxic bio-fungicide

Researchers have successfully used double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules as a bio-fungicide to suppress the production of a toxin in soybean plants. The study found that dsRNAs produced in bacterial cells can effectively manage fungal diseases, reducing the need for toxic chemicals and potentially mitigating fungicide resistance.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPhytopathology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

Higher fasting ‘hunger hormone’ levels from healthy diet may improve heart health and metabolism

A clinical trial found that a green Mediterranean diet rich in leafy greens like Mankai and green tea can elevate fasting ghrelin levels, reducing belly fat and improving insulin sensitivity. This approach may also have additional cardiometabolic benefits.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 13, 2021

Surface chemistry reveals corrosive secrets

A new technique reveals the role of cations in surface chemistry, shedding light on environmental issues like rust and pollution. The study uses surface analysis to understand the initial stages of iron corrosion, which can help monitor carbon dioxide capture, water quality, and infrastructure management.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

Estimated pulse wave velocity predicts severe Covid

Researchers have discovered that estimated pulse wave velocity is an effective tool to refine risk stratification of hospitalized patients with Covid-19. The study found that the addition of ePWV to clinical predictive markers improved prognostic value for in-hospital mortality.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 13, 2021

Salk scientists reveal most commonly mutated gene in all cancers

Researchers at the Salk Institute combined genomic and epidemiological data to reveal that some widespread beliefs about cancer-causing genes are incorrect. For example, KRAS is found to be involved in only about 11% of all cancers, not 25% as previously thought. This study could help guide genetic research for more effective treatments.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 13, 2021

Fewer patients sought treatment for kidney failure in early months of COVID-19 pandemic

A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a 30% decline in patients seeking treatment for kidney failure, with Black patients experiencing significantly worse kidney function. The decline was attributed to changes in healthcare delivery and may reflect delays in treatment due to fear of infection or logistical barriers.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateOct 13, 2021

First evidence of microtubules’ mechanosensitive behavior

A research team led by Associate Professor Akira Kakugo of Hokkaido University has provided direct evidence that microtubules function as mechanosensors, slowing down kinesin movement when bent. This phenomenon is attributed to enhanced interaction energy between kinesin and deformed microtubule structural units.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

New cell treatment could combat ageing

Researchers have identified a new method for clearing senescent cells using an antibody treatment, which could transform treatments for ageing and related conditions. The treatment targets specific membrane markers on senescent cells, effectively eliminating them and slowing age-related degeneration.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021