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Science News for December 20, 2022


IU School of Medicine researchers publish findings which could help prevent side effects for breast cancer patients

Researchers at IU School of Medicine discovered a genetic variant that may increase the risk of heart damage from anthracycline-based chemotherapy. The study found that this variant can be predicted using human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, and potential strategies to prevent cardiotoxicity are being explored.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 20, 2022

Paying farmers to create woodland and wetland is the most cost-effective way to hit UK environment targets, study suggests

A new UK study published in the British Ecological Society journal People and Nature suggests that paying farmers to create woodland and wetland habitats is the most cost-effective way to deliver environmental targets. This approach, known as 'land sparing,' would cost just 48% of the funds required for 'land sharing' approaches, which...

SourceBritish Ecological Society·JournalPeople and Nature·TypeSurvey·DateDec 20, 2022

Everybody needs somebody

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology have developed a method to measure the congruence between contributor networks and library dependencies in open-source software ecosystems. By analyzing over 5.3 million change commits across 107,242 libraries, they found that libraries with high levels of matching contributions a...

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Software Engineering·DateDec 20, 2022

Strong and biodegradable

Scientists have created a new polyester material that combines mechanical stability with high biodegradability, making it an attractive alternative to traditional plastics. The innovative material, called polyester-2,18, was shown to degrade in lab experiments and pass industrial composting standards.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateDec 20, 2022

Should we tax robots?

A study by MIT economists suggests that a modest tax on robots and foreign trade could help address income inequality in the US. The optimal policy includes taxes ranging from 1% to 3.7% of robot value, with smaller trade taxes, aiming to reduce wage gaps without stifling economic growth.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Review of Economic Studies·DateDec 20, 2022

Polymer chains unlinked

A new recycling process has been developed to convert Nylon-6 into ε-Caprolactam with over 95% selectivity and 90% yield, eliminating the need for solvents or toxic chemicals. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for managing plastic waste.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022

Dementia was associated with COVID-19 mortality, but the association was weaker than in previously published studies

A retrospective cohort study of 28,311 COVID-19 patients in Germany found a significant association between dementia and increased risk of death. The association was weaker than previously reported studies, suggesting potential changes in the impact of dementia on COVID-19 mortality over time.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 20, 2022

Hispanic and Latino young males with higher education, greater acculturation are more likely to use e-cigarettes

A Rutgers study found that Hispanic and Latino young men with higher education who were born in the US and speak mostly English at home are more likely to use e-cigarettes. The study analyzed data from 11,275 adult participants and found a high use of e-cigarettes among those under 45 years of age.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Medicine Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 20, 2022

Technique for tracking resistant cancer cells could lead to new treatments for relapsing breast cancer patients

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have identified a method to track and kill resistant cancer cells in mice. By tagging different types of breast cancer cells with unique genetic barcodes, they were able to identify which cells are evading chemotherapy and target them specifically with a new treatment approach.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022

Elucidating the mechanism of high proton conduction to develop clean energy materials

Scientists discover a new mechanism of high proton conduction in hexagonal perovskite-related oxides, utilizing oxygen-deficient layers and water uptake to produce superior proton conductors. These materials can be used for renewable energy production and storage devices, promising a more efficient transition to clean power.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022

Chinese Communist Party zero-covid “volunteers” have suffered from stress and anxiety, study shows

A new study reveals that Chinese Communist Party zero-covid volunteers have suffered from stress and anxiety due to the pressure of enforcing policies. The researchers found an increasingly pressurized grassroots infrastructure, with volunteers facing high workloads and hierarchical chains of command.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Chinese Political Science·TypeObservational study·DateDec 20, 2022

Promising antimalarial drug proves ineffective at saving children’s lives

A new study finds that rectal artesunate (RAS) does not improve survival rates for young children with severe malaria, highlighting the need for improved healthcare systems. The observational study, conducted in DR Congo, Nigeria, and Uganda, found that RAS was more likely to cause deaths than no treatment in some cases.

SourceSwiss Tropical and Public Health Institute·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 20, 2022

​​​​​​​Two yardsticks published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology – third on the way

Two new yardsticks have been published by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology to guide practitioners on treating eosinophilic esophagitis and managing cough in adults and adolescents. The yardsticks provide practical, evidence-based recommendations for clinical decision-making.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·JournalAnnals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology·DateDec 20, 2022

Lonely heart-failure patients face worse outcomes than sociable peers

A new study found that older heart failure patients who feel they have lost their social role amongst friends and family are more likely to suffer poor clinical outcomes. The study highlights the need for a management program that includes a social approach to care, as social frailty is linked to worse outcomes.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 20, 2022

Without guidance, Inflation Reduction Act tax credit may do more harm than good

The article discusses how the Inflation Reduction Act's hydrogen production tax credit could backfire by increasing carbon pollution without proper implementation. To mitigate this, researchers suggest enforcing additional guidelines for clean energy procurement alongside the tax credit.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 20, 2022

The science of supermoms

Researchers found that dopamine-releasing neurons in the ventral tegmental area of the brain drive maternal instincts through reinforcement learning. This process creates an expectation of future rewards, influencing mothers to pick up their crying children again.

New software based on Artificial Intelligence helps to interpret complex data

Researchers have developed a new software based on artificial intelligence that can help interpret complex data. The software, called disentangled variational autoencoder network (β-VAE), uses two neural networks to compress and reconstruct data, allowing humans to understand the underlying core principle without prior knowledge.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 20, 2022

Loon stratospheric balloons confirm wind data from Aeolus

Researchers from Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research and European Space Agency use Loon project data to validate Aeolus satellite wind measurements, finding almost bias-free results. They recommend increasing vertical resolution for future wind satellites to improve accuracy.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalQuarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 20, 2022

Large-scale study led by Fred Hutch finds new genetic risk factors for colorectal cancer, paving the way for better screening, prevention

A comprehensive analysis of over 100,000 colorectal cancer cases identified 100 new genetic risk factors strongly linked with the disease. These findings could help clinicians determine who's at highest risk for early detection and potentially identify candidates for preventive treatments.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalNature Genetics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 20, 2022

Researchers analyze performance of bacterium in combating coffee rust

A study analyzed the potential of a bacterium to combat coffee rust, a major challenge for Brazilian coffee growers. The researchers found that the bacterium produces antibacterial and antifungal compounds, as well as proteins associated with protection against water stress, making it a promising candidate for biological control.

Not all mushrooms are alike

A team of scientists from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf investigated how four different fungal species interact with europium, a rare earth element. They found that fungi like the Split-Gill can bind up to four times more europium compared to other species, and that the binding site and transport mechanisms differ among them.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022

Heat and cold as health hazards

Recent studies investigate heat waves and cold exposure on the cardiovascular system, revealing physiological responses that can lead to cardiovascular problems. Mild heat waves cause an increase in core temperature, skin blood flow, and vascular resistance, while mild cold exposure causes a similar rise in blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 20, 2022

Artificial DNA kills cancer

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed artificial DNA that can target and kill cancer cells by binding to microRNA molecules. The DNA triggers an immune response that not only kills cancer cells but also prevents further growth of cancerous tissue.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022

3D-patient tumor avatars: Maximizing their potential for next-generation precision oncology

The use of 3D-patient tumor avatars (3D-PTAs) is crucial for guiding treatment decisions in precision oncology. These avatars, including patient-derived organoids, 3D bioprinting, and microscale models, can accurately depict a tumor with its microenvironment, enabling the testing and prediction of therapeutic drug efficacy.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalCancer Cell·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 20, 2022

For long-term care facilities, prioritizing part-time employees can boost consistency of care

A new study found that prioritizing part-time employees can significantly improve the consistency of care in long-term care facilities. By consistently assigning part-time workers and having flexible full-time workers, facilities can reduce the average number of different nursing assistants a resident interacts with by 20-30% each month.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManufacturing and Service Operations Management·DateDec 20, 2022

New biomarker strategy devised to screen for, diagnose deadly heart complication from cancer treatment

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a new biomarker-based strategy to screen for immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis, which can cause muscle damage and liver injury. Early detection of these biomarkers can lead to earlier treatment and improved survival rates.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJACC CardioOncology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 20, 2022

FRIB researchers develop new identification device for heavy-ion particles

The Energy Loss Optical Scintillation System (ELOSS) represents a significant advancement in experimental nuclear physics instrumentation. Researchers can now study isotopes at high beam rates and performance, with the new detector offering nearly three times better resolution and counting rates compared to conventional charge readout ...

SourceMichigan State University Facility for Rare Isotope Beams·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateDec 20, 2022

Carbon dioxide removal should receive additional financial support

A study suggests that subsidies for carbon dioxide removal should be higher than the price on carbon emissions due to economic leakage. This is because ambitious countries reducing emissions can lead to other countries increasing their emissions, reducing overall emissions reduction. In contrast, carbon dioxide removal does not affect ...

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 20, 2022

Study: Network neuroscience theory best predictor of intelligence

A new analysis offers the clearest picture yet of how various brain regions and neural networks contribute to a person's problem-solving ability. The network neuroscience theory, which posits that intelligence emerges from the global architecture of the brain, outperformed other theories in predicting general intelligence.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·TypeObservational study·DateDec 20, 2022

The Three-dimensional structure of the mammalian genome, more diverse than ever seen before

A study by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona reveals the three-dimensional structure of mammalian genomes is more diverse than previously seen, with different patterns of chromosome folding identified in various species. The research provides new interpretative hypotheses about the plasticity of the genome and its role in evolution.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalCell Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 20, 2022

A small structural change but a large biochemical effect – Structure of a bacteriophytochrome in two states revealed

Researchers have successfully uncovered the structure of a model bacterial phytochrome, revealing symmetrical and asymmetrical states in response to light. The study found that almost non-existent structural changes in regulatory domains can amplify biochemical effects elsewhere.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022

New study shows scientists improve communication, education skills after working with teachers

A new case study shows that scientists who worked with K-12 teachers improved their communication skills, gained a better understanding of teaching, and wanted to continue K-12 outreach. The study also found that these partnerships had a positive impact on the quality of lesson plans and classroom management.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalEvolution Education and Outreach·DateDec 20, 2022

See no evil: People find good in villains

A University of Michigan study found that both children and adults believe villains are more likely to have a true self that differs from their outward behavior than heroes. Despite committing bad actions, characters like Ursula are seen as having some inner goodness, according to the research.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalCognition·DateDec 20, 2022