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Science News for September 29, 2021


Psychological treatment shown to yield strong, lasting pain relief, alter brain networks

A new study shows that a four-week psychological treatment called Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) can provide potent and durable relief for chronic back pain in two-thirds of patients. The treatment alters brain networks associated with pain processing, reducing symptoms that last for up to one year.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 29, 2021

An algorithm to predict psychotic illnesses

Researchers developed an AI tool using longitudinal network analysis to identify predictive symptoms of psychotic illnesses in children with a microdeletion of chromosome 22. The study found that anxiety and feelings of guilt were significant warning signals, enabling early treatment and prevention.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournaleLife·TypeNews article·DateSep 29, 2021

How mercury gets into the sea

An analysis by the University of Basel has revealed that mercury enters seawater primarily through gas exchange, not rainfall. The study found that approximately half of the mercury in the ocean originates from gaseous emissions, rather than precipitation.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature·DateSep 29, 2021

How sepsis need not be fatal

A team of scientists has identified molecular biomarkers associated with sepsis, which could be used to predict patient outcomes and guide treatment. The study found that changes in CD52 expression were linked to good outcomes, while S100A9 acted as a driver of fatal sepsis.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

Entire genome of common forest pest now revealed

The mapping of the entire genome of the Eurasian spruce bark beetle has provided new insights into its biology and behavior. The analysis reveals that the species has an unusually large number of genes involved in breaking down plant cell walls, but lacks genes to remove toxic substances.

SourceLund University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateSep 29, 2021

Newly approved PET imaging agent solves clinical dilemmas in breast cancer patients

A new PET imaging agent has been shown to solve 87% of diagnostic dilemmas in breast cancer patients, providing valuable information for personalized treatment decision-making. The agent's ability to visualize estrogen receptor expression across the body may improve patient outcomes and support broader implementation in clinical practice.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

Scientists discover a host of reasons for the evolution of social parasites in ants

A team of researchers led by Christian Rabeling has discovered the origins and evolution of social parasitism in ants. The study reveals that social parasites evolved from an ancestor that lost the ability to establish new colonies independently, and that highly specialized parasites can evolve from less complex social parasite syndromes.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

When to break from the herd to make a better decision

Researchers found that people are twice as likely to break from the group and make a different choice when they see others hesitating. This hesitation can reveal conflicting information within the group, leading to better outcomes. The study's findings have implications for various situations with herd behavior.

SourceOhio State University·JournalManagement Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

On the trail of ocean mercury

A new study published in Nature suggests that rainwater is not the primary deposition vector of oceanic mercury, but rather the ocean itself absorbs mercury through gas exchange. The research also indicates that the ocean receives less atmospheric mercury than previously estimated.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateSep 29, 2021

Stigmatization prevents lessons from the HIV pandemic

Researchers at Bielefeld University argue that stigmatization prevented lessons from the HIV pandemic from being adopted by broader parts of society. This has consequences for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. The study highlights the importance of including marginalized groups' perspectives in research to learn from their experiences.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalScience·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 29, 2021

Fathers’ type of debt matters for teenagers’ mental health

A Rutgers University study found that teenagers whose fathers are behind on paying child support suffer from more behavioral problems than those with other types of parental debt. Child support debt can lead to negative consequences for adolescent outcomes, including increased conflict and reduced physical and mental health.

SourceRutgers University·JournalRSF The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences·DateSep 29, 2021

Human behavior sabotages CO2-reducing strategies

A new study by University of Utah researchers found that energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy investments had limited impact on reducing CO2 emissions. However, policies aimed at improving energy efficiency had no effect, while investment in renewable energy sources led to increased levels of CO2 emissions in the residen...

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

SLAS Technology’s October issue featuring “Establishment of a robust platform for induced pluripotent stem cell research using maholo labdroid” now available

A new platform was established for induced pluripotent stem cell research using Maholo LabDroid, demonstrating superior reproducibility and flexibility. The system enabled the cultivation of undifferentiated iPSCs for 63 days and achieved high differentiation rates with minimal variability.

Social inclusion of women by male colleagues in STEM fields can improve their workplace experience

Research suggests that fostering positive workplace social relationships between men and women can improve gender equity and inclusion in STEM. Even small gestures of social inclusion, such as chatting with female teammates during breaks, can reduce stereotypes and increase feelings of engagement.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2021

Melting glasses from unmeltable compounds

Researchers at Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena have created a way to melt normally unmeltable metal-organic framework compounds, or MOFs, into glasses. This process enables the production of glass components for various industrial applications, including energy and environmental technology.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

New study suggests that aquaporin could be key to repairing corneal defects

A new study provides evidence supporting the involvement of aquaporins in corneal cell proliferation and nerve regeneration, suggesting AQP5 induction as a potential therapy to accelerate corneal defect resurfacing. The study found that AQP5 deficiency can slow down corneal epithelial repair, but its specific mechanism remained unclear.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

With new NIH Small Business Innovation Research Award, scientists at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University set to test novel cannabis analog in preclinical studies

Scientists at Temple University will explore the therapeutic potential of KLS-13019, a CBD analog that shows promise as an opioid alternative. The Phase 2 SBIR grant aims to test the compound's effects on rat models of neuropathic pain, shedding light on its safety and efficacy.

COVID-19 lockdowns have major impact on diabetes control, international study finds

A comprehensive analysis of 33 studies reveals that COVID-19 lockdowns lead to improved blood sugar control in individuals with type 1 diabetes, while glycaemic control deteriorates and weight gain increases among those with type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that lockdown measures may have allowed people with type 1 diabetes to bette...

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetology & Metabolic Syndrome·DateSep 29, 2021

Robust gene networks from the depths of our evolutionary history

Researchers have identified a series of genetic switches, called enhancers, that ensure the correct amount and distribution of Gremlin1 protein during embryonic development. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of human limb development and highlights the importance of robust gene networks in shaping our body's form.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

Quantum dots enable infrared lasing at room temperature for silicon photonics

Colloidal quantum dot technology enables infrared lasing at room temperature, paving the way for low-cost solution-processed and CMOS integrated lasing sources. The breakthrough discovery may facilitate fully integrated silicon photonics, enabling lower power consumption, higher data rates, and multi-spectral 3D imaging capabilities.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

Staying on long-term antidepressants reduces risk of relapse

A new study by UCL researchers has found that staying on long-term antidepressants reduces the risk of relapse by 39% compared to those who stop taking them. The study involved 478 primary care patients and found that 56% experienced a relapse within a year if they discontinued their medication, while only 26% did so after a full year.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 29, 2021

Extending LIGO's reach into the cosmos

A new study by LIGO reveals a new type of mirror coating made of titanium oxide and germanium oxide reduces background noise in mirrors by a factor of two. This allows for an eight-fold increase in the volume of space that can be probed, enabling more frequent detection of gravitational waves.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

ECMO life support offers sickest COVID-19 patients a chance to survive, but a slimmer one than once thought

A new study found that the survival rate of COVID-19 patients on ECMO has decreased over time, with those treated later in the pandemic having lower chances of survival. Careful patient selection and resource management are essential for hospitals offering ECMO to maximize survival rates.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Lancet·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

Researchers overcome translational gap by developing novel in vivo model for the labeling of insulin secretory granule pools

A transgenic pig model has been developed allowing for the first time the in vivo fluorescent labeling of age-distinct insulin secretory granule pools. This model enables researchers to study insulin turnover in normoglycemic conditions, closing the translational gap between humans and rodents.

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

The best way to evaluate ESL texts for reading effort

Researchers found that newer formulas considering lexical sophistication, syntactic complexity, and cohesion predict ESL reading effort more accurately than traditional formulas. Eye-tracking data revealed that longer fixations, shorter movements, skipped words, and regressions indicate higher reading difficulty.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalLanguage Learning·DateSep 29, 2021

EMS ketamine use on agitated patients on cocaine increases intubation 5.75-fold

A new study published in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine found that prehospital ketamine administration for excited delirium with concomitant cocaine intoxication significantly increases the risk of subsequent emergency department intubation. The study's findings suggest that cocaine may deplete excitatory neurotransmitters, leading ...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPrehospital and Disaster Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateSep 29, 2021

Exoskeleton research demonstrates the importance of training

Researchers at Stanford University found that exoskeletons work best when users are given time to learn how to use the device, with customized control improving performance by around half. Participants who received optimized training saw significant reductions in energy expenditure, with benefits persisting even after they became experts.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Robotics·DateSep 29, 2021

Visible passion wins investors over more than pitch content

A study published in Academy of Management Discoveries found that visual information, including body language and facial expressions, plays a crucial role in investor decision-making. Researchers played silent videos of entrepreneurial pitches to expert investors and novices, who correctly identified the original winners. The study sug...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalAcademy of Management Discoveries·TypeObservational study·DateSep 29, 2021

Expanding the genetic code with quadruplet codons

Researchers have developed a quadruplet codon system that could encode 256 distinct amino acids, allowing for the creation of proteins with tailored characteristics. The system uses tRNAs to translate information from DNA and RNA into amino acid building blocks, with promising results in translating segments of a protein.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

Clover growth in Mars-like soils boosted by bacterial symbiosis

Researchers found that clover grown with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Martian regolith experienced significant 75% more root and shoot growth compared to uninoculated plants. However, the regolith showed no excess production of nitrogen compounds, suggesting a potential role for these microbes in terraforming Mars soils.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

Dramatic liana increases in old-growth tropical forests associated to natural disturbance and climate change

A 10-year study in Panama's Barro Colorado Island found that liana density increased dramatically due to natural canopy disturbance, with most of the growth attributed to gaps in the canopy. The study suggests that environmental factors like climate change may also be contributing to this phenomenon, but to a lesser extent.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalEcology Letters·DateSep 29, 2021

Photonic chip is key to nurturing quantum computers

A team of researchers at Bristol's Quantum Engineering and Technology Labs has developed a silicon photonic chip that can protect quantum bits from errors using photons. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of more powerful quantum computers by reducing the fragility of qubits.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 29, 2021

50 years of failure in UK drug policy must end

Lord Simon Woolley argues that UK drug laws are designed to be a tool of systemic racism and fail black communities. He calls for a root-and-branch review of the law to consider alternative approaches, including decriminalization and legal regulation of non-medical drug supplies.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 29, 2021

Sibling bullying associated with poor mental health outcomes years later, new study finds

A new study of over 17,000 participants found that sibling bullying in early adolescence is associated with poorer mental health outcomes in late adolescence. The research suggests that prevention and clinical interventions aimed at reducing sibling bullying can benefit from improving positive mental health during late adolescence.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

PCORI approves $94 million to fund Phase 3 of PCORnet and new colorectal cancer study in older adults

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved funding for a large-scale comparative clinical effectiveness research study to compare colonoscopy versus stool-based testing for monitoring patients ages 70 and older at low risk of developing colorectal cancer. The study will also implement an online weight managem...

Science backs nature as key to children’s health

A massive review of nearly 300 studies found strong associations between greenspaces near homes and schools and improved physical activity and mental health outcomes in kids. Exposure to nature, particularly for disadvantaged populations, offers greater health benefits by counteracting poverty's toxic effects.

SourceWashington State University·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 29, 2021

Mount Sinai scientists show that a novel therapy could be effective against pediatric leukemia

Researchers at Mount Sinai have developed a novel therapy called MS67 that effectively fights acute myeloid leukemia with mixed lineage leukemia rearrangement. The therapy degrades the WDR5 protein, which drives the proliferation of this type of leukemia and other cancers such as pancreatic cancer.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 29, 2021

SLAS Discovery’s October special collection “2nd annual SBI2 high-content imaging and informatics: Joint special collection with SBI2 & SLAS” just released

The article presents a new plate-based image cytometry method to measure endothelial barrier function, which can be adapted for high-throughput and high-content screening. This approach shows promise in addressing the need for efficient pharmacological therapies for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).