Science News for April 23, 2022

Researchers reveal mechanism of oxygen activation on Barium-containing perovskite materials

A research team revealed the mechanism of oxygen activation on Barium-containing perovskite materials. The study discovered that BaO/BaO2 nanoparticles precipitated on the surface of Ba-containing materials under high-temperature oxygen-rich conditions had ultra-high activity for oxygen activation.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 23, 2022

Population-wide study of COVID-19 vaccination shows that mix-and-match approach to booster vaccination offers the best protection

A population-wide study in Chile shows that a mix-and-match approach to booster vaccination provides the best protection against COVID-19. The study found that heterologous booster vaccines, such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Astra Zeneca, were more effective than using the same vaccine for all three doses.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateApr 23, 2022

Lack of glove changes at COVID-19 testing centres in Belgium led to major cross-contamination of samples and a high rate of false positive results

Inadequate PPE management in Belgian testing centres caused major cross-contamination of samples, resulting in a high rate of false positive results. Scientists found that lack of glove changes between patients was the primary source of contamination.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·DateApr 23, 2022

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Big molecules, boundless possibilities

University of Virginia professor Rachel Letteri's lab designs polymers for healthcare applications, using peptide fragments to create hydrogels with tunable stiffness and lifespan. The team aims to develop materials that can support cell growth and guide tissue regeneration, with potential applications in regenerative medicine.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateApr 23, 2022

Danish study finds superbug C. difficile can jump between pigs and humans, providing evidence of zoonotic spread

A Danish study found that the superbug C. difficile can be transmitted from pigs to humans, suggesting a link between animal agriculture and human infections. The study identified multiple antibiotic-resistant genes shared between pig and human isolates, highlighting the potential for zoonotic spread of antimicrobial resistance.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·DateApr 23, 2022

UK study of more than 2,000 patients after hospitalization with COVID-19 shows only around 1 in 4 feel fully recovered after one year

A UK study of over 2,000 COVID-19 patients found that only around 25% feel fully recovered after one year. Women and obese individuals are more likely to experience lower recovery rates. The study highlights the need for effective interventions to address long-term symptoms and improve patient care.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateApr 23, 2022

Predicting the optical read-out of a qubit from first principles

The study uses many-body perturbation theory to predict the optical properties of negatively charged boron vacancies in hBN, showing that phonons are largely responsible for luminescence. The results suggest that this defect can be used as a nanoscale thermometer with high temperature sensitivity.

SourceNational Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) MARVEL·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 23, 2022

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