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Science News for September 21, 2021


River research reveals scale of macroplastic pollution

New research from the University of Leicester shows that macroplastics travel much slower through river systems than previously believed, remaining in place for significant periods. The study suggests existing estimates of riverine plastic flux to the ocean may have been overestimated, highlighting the need for further research.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalFrontiers in Water·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

Wistar scientists identify new therapeutic target in ovarian cancer subtype with poor prognosis

Scientists at The Wistar Institute discovered that loss of ARID1A function enhances a cellular stress response pathway that promotes survival of cancer cells, making them sensitive to pharmacological inhibition. This finding points to a new therapeutic opportunity for ovarian clear cell carcinomas with ARID1A mutations.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalCancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

Repeated injury to airway stem cells could be major factor in chronic lung disease

Researchers link repeated injury to airway stem cells with chronic lung disease, suggesting that biological aging of these cells may contribute to the development of this condition. The study found that injury caused activation of a subset of stem cells, leading to their premature aging and loss of functional capacity.

SourceAlphaMed Press·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

Rates of infectious disease linked to authoritarian attitudes and governance – study

A new study reveals a strong connection between infection rates and strains of authoritarianism in public attitudes and politics. The research found that the more infectious US cities and states had more authoritarian-leaning citizens, with correlations between higher disease rates and conservative voting patterns.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Social and Political Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

Discovery of a universal system for transporting nucleic acids into cells

A team of researchers from IOCB Prague has discovered a new type of nanoparticles capable of safely transporting various types of nucleic acids used for therapeutic purposes into cells. The universal nature of their system sets it apart from existing solutions, allowing for efficient transport of mRNA and other RNA molecules into cells.

Sensitivity to painful external stimuli preserved in all phases of Alzheimer’s disease in mice

Researchers studied mice with Alzheimer's disease and found that pain sensitivity is maintained throughout the disease progression. Females are more sensitive to pain, while males experience greater emotional distress, highlighting age- and sex-specific responses to pain in Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

“Beach ball” representations calculated for US underground nuclear tests can aid monitoring

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory calculated moment tensors for 130 underground nuclear and 10 chemical tests to aid explosion monitoring. The study's database of carefully documented explosions will be useful for researchers, allowing them to distinguish explosions from earthquakes and estimate yield.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

From amateur to expert

Researchers used mice to demonstrate that acquired knowledge is stored in early visual areas of the brain, highlighting the widespread storage of semantic memories. The study showed that part of category knowledge is already present in the visual cortex.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateSep 21, 2021

Hoverflies navigate using sun and body clock

Research reveals hoverflies use a time-compensated sun compass to orientate during autumn migration, adjusting course based on sun's position and time of day. This navigation technique helps the insects maintain an efficient southern route despite flying on sunny days.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateSep 21, 2021

Princeton researchers discover new way to encourage vaccinations and masking

Researchers found that advocating for a public health position while also encouraging mindfulness helped participants comply with guidelines and sought out vaccination appointments. The study aimed to address the issue of inconsistent behavior among those who already agree with vaccines being good, but find excuses to not get vaccinated.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalBasic and Applied Social Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateSep 21, 2021

Distinct immune response identified in the early phase of SARS CoV-2 infection

Researchers identified four immune markers that are elevated in SARS-CoV-2 patients in the early phase of infection but not in other viral infections. These findings could provide starting points for future therapeutic approaches and serve as comparative parameters for further studies on chronic COVID-19 forms.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateSep 21, 2021

Our eyes and brain work together to create a ‘pipeline’ of meaning – new study

Researchers at the University of Birmingham discovered that humans process written words rapidly, using pre-processing judgments within 100ms, and that this activity is linked to the complexity of the word. This study has significant implications for diagnosing and training individuals with dyslexia where pre-processing is impaired.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 21, 2021

High burden of liver, stomach and cervical cancers among the Hispanic/Latino population highlights access to care challenges

The report reveals a high risk of preventable cancers among Hispanic/Latino population, with 2-fold higher rates of liver and stomach cancers. Access to quality prevention, early detection, and treatment services is crucial for reducing the cancer burden in this population.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalCA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 21, 2021

Study reveals how saline solution can inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at the University of São Paulo found that a hypertonic saline solution can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by up to 88% in human epithelial lung cells. The study suggests that the use of such a solution could contribute to the development of novel prophylactic interventions or treatments for COVID-19.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalACS Pharmacology & Translational Science·DateSep 21, 2021

As diversity increases in workplaces, so do discrimination complaints; A new study finds ethical leaders mitigate those issues

A new study by Brigham Young University and Inha University found that diverse organizations with ethical leaders reduce conflict and racial discrimination. Ethical leaders model integrity, honesty, and respect, which employees emulate to treat others fairly.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Public Administration Research and Theory·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 21, 2021

Sticking to low-fat dairy may not be the only heart healthy option, study shows

A new study has found that consuming more dairy fat may actually be beneficial for heart health, challenging traditional dietary guidelines. The research analyzed data from over 43,000 people and found that those with higher intakes of dairy fat had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those with low intakes.

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 21, 2021

Pioneering software can grow and treat virtual tumors using AI designed nanoparticles

Researchers have developed an AI-powered platform that allows scientists to grow virtual tumors and optimize nanoparticle designs using artificial intelligence. The new EVONANO platform has the potential to improve targeted cancer treatments, enabling personalized therapies for individual patients.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 21, 2021

Inhibiting targets of SARS-CoV-2 proteases can block infection, study shows

A study published in Nature Communications reveals the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 proteolysis and identifies key cellular substrates with therapeutic potential. The research provides a powerful resource for developing targeted strategies to inhibit the virus, which has caused over 227 million infections and 4.6 million deaths worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

Tuning flexible circuits with light

A team of researchers has developed a method to precisely modify electronic properties using ultraviolet light, enabling the creation of flexible circuits that can be used in real-time healthcare monitoring and data processing. This breakthrough technology may lead to the development of ultra-lightweight wearable healthcare devices and...

SourceOsaka University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

Darwin’s short-beak enigma solved

A study by University of Utah biologists discovered a mutation in the ROR2 gene is linked to short beak length in domestic pigeons. This mutation also underlies the human disorder Robinow syndrome, which shares striking facial features with the pigeon phenotype.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

First lockdown brought better air

Researchers found a decline in pollutant concentrations worldwide during the 2020 lockdown, particularly in Central Europe. The study attributed these reductions to the lockdown's impact on sectors like road and air transport, but noted that weather conditions also played a significant role.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 21, 2021

Poorly circulated room air raises potential exposure to contaminants by up to 6 times

New experiments found that poorly mixed room air can lead to increased exposure to airborne contaminants, with occupants at risk of respiratory aerosols from others up to 5-6 times higher. Portable air cleaners using air pull-down can provide a simple solution to improve ventilation and reduce the risk.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalIndoor Air·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

How proteins help yeast adapt to changing conditions

A recent study published in eLife has discovered that prions, proteins known for their involvement in disease, may play a role in helping yeast cells cope with rapidly changing environmental conditions. The research found that prions can transform cell growth and survival, suggesting a new form of epigenetic control.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateSep 21, 2021

Records from Lake Magadi, Kenya, suggest environmental variability driven by changes in Earth’s orbit

A new study from Lake Magadi, Kenya, suggests that environmental fluctuations in the lake are driven by changes in Earth's orbit. The geochemical analysis of the lake sediments found high concentrations of elements like molybdenum and arsenic, which were associated with euxinic conditions during periods of intense droughts.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateSep 21, 2021