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Science News for January 5, 2022


Addressing jointly air pollution and climate change to reduce health-economic impacts

A new modelling framework internalizes air pollution's economic impacts on human mortality, considering climate constraints and aerosol feedback. The study finds that optimized air pollution interventions generate considerable health benefits, avoiding 1.62 million premature deaths by mid-century.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateJan 5, 2022

High levels of PFAS found in anti-fogging sprays and cloths

Researchers found high levels of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in anti-fogging sprays and cloths sold on Amazon. The products contained fluorotelomer alcohols and fluorotelomer ethoxylates, which are associated with impaired immune function, cancer, and other health disorders. The study highlights the need for more r...

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

Viruses and game theory

Phages weigh all options and make an informed decision whether to exit the dormant state and attack their bacterial host. The study found that some phage families have developed a complex decision-making strategy, receiving information from neighboring bacteria and controlling communication via arbitrium.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJan 5, 2022

Scientists develop a novel strategy for sustainable post-lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed high-performance sodium and potassium ion batteries using sustainably sourced cellulose. The new battery technology outperforms comparable systems and uses a sustainable material, offering great potential for large-scale applications in electric vehicles and energy storage grids.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

Taking high-dose vitamin D supplements for five years did not affect the incidence of cardiovascular disease or cancer

A large-scale Finnish trial found that taking high doses of vitamin D (1600-3200 IU/day) for five years did not decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease or cancer. The study's findings support the recommendation of 10 micrograms (400 IU) per day for adult Finns, but do not suggest using large doses as a preventive measure.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJan 5, 2022

California mice eat monarch butterflies

Researchers discovered that California mice consume monarch butterflies, which could disrupt ecosystems due to declining western monarch populations. The study highlights the interconnectedness of species and the importance of conservation efforts to protect native animals.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalEcology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

Findings open the way to more precise diagnoses and treatments of Alzheimer’s disease

A research team led by Case Western Reserve University has discovered a link between misshapen tau protein and accelerated cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease, potentially leading to more accurate prognoses. The study found distinct populations of highly potent TAU seed conformers in rapidly progressing cases.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 5, 2022

Chemical reactions enhance efficiency of key energy storage method, OSU research shows

A study by Oregon State University has discovered a method to enhance the round-trip efficiency of compressed air energy storage, which could be crucial for renewable energy. The researchers developed a thermochemical energy storage scheme that captures heat in chemical bonds, resulting in a higher energy density and improved performance.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEnergy Conversion and Management·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 5, 2022

The Lancet Planetary Health: 1.8 million excess deaths attributable to urban air pollution in 2019, modelling study suggests

A recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide lived in areas exceeding the WHO guideline for annual average PM2.5 exposure, resulting in an excess of 1.8 million deaths. Additionally, nearly 2 million asthma cases among children were attributable to NO2 pollution in 2019.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 5, 2022

The 2021 year in chemistry

In 2021, researchers made notable discoveries, such as the identification of pain-causing proteins in snake venom and the development of bite-sized protein structures that can be felt with the tongue. The year also saw significant progress in plastics recycling and molecular editing, which holds promise for medicinal chemists.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJan 5, 2022

Evolution follows climate: Oaks adapted rapidly to climate change in the Anthropocene

A retrospective analysis of oak tree genomes reveals an identical evolutionary pattern across three French forests, differing according to climatic periods. Oaks can evolve rapidly and redirect their evolutionary trajectories in response to changes in climate, highlighting the need for adapting forest management practices.

Virtual Reality could help make therapy easier

A study by Edith Cowan University found that 30% of people prefer discussing negative experiences with a virtual reality avatar, rather than a person. Researchers used full face and body motion capture technology to create realistic avatars, analyzing interactions between participants and avatars.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalFrontiers in Virtual Reality·TypeSurvey·DateJan 5, 2022

Researchers call for global telehealth guidelines

A new study calls for global telehealth guidelines to address disparities in guidance for remote consultations between professions. The guidelines aim to ensure good patient satisfaction, accessibility, and reduced travel times while minimizing risks and errors associated with remote consultations.

SourceStaffordshire University·JournalBMJ Open·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 5, 2022

RNA sequencing from single blood draw can predict pregnancy health and preeclampsia prediction

Researchers have developed a technique that analyzes cell-free RNA in a mother's blood to predict healthy pregnancy outcomes and detect potential complications like preeclampsia. The approach showed promise in identifying patterns of gene expression associated with a healthy pregnancy and predicting preeclampsia risk with high accuracy.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

COVID-19 has been an 'amplifier' of intimate partner violence: Study explores pandemic impacts on survivors, providers and services

A qualitative study explores the intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and brain injury during COVID-19, highlighting increased risks, severity, and gaps in research and services. The study reveals that survivors face ongoing violence and increased risk to their mental and physical health.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation·DateJan 5, 2022

EBMT trial demonstrates improvements in immunosuppressive treatment of patients with Severe Aplastic Anemia

A phase III trial demonstrated that combining Eltrombopag with standard immunosuppression increases response rates and reduces time to first response in patients with Severe Aplastic Anemia. The treatment was found to be safe and well-tolerated, with improved event-free survival.

SourceEuropean Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 5, 2022

Suiting up with Al-Mg-Si: New protective coating for steel to resist corrosion in ships and marine and coastal facilities and structures

Scientists have created a new protective coating using Al-Mg-Si alloy to resist corrosion in ships and marine facilities. The coating demonstrates improved corrosion resistance through a 'shielding effect', increasing the economic life of steel machinery.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalCorrosion Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

Urban gardens are a dependable food source for pollinators through the year, study suggests

A recent study by the University of Bristol found that urban gardens in cities offer a long and continuous supply of energy-rich nectar from March to October. Despite variation between individual gardens, multiple garden visits provide pollinators with a reliable food source, contrasting with farmland's boom-and-bust cycles.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 5, 2022

New analysis approach could increase the number of usable donor kidneys

Researchers developed a new SERS-based multiplexing technique to detect kidney injury biomarkers SLPI and IL-18, achieving high sensitivity and reliability. The approach shows promise for objectively assessing donor kidney quality, potentially reducing discard rates and recipient complications in clinical practice.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

Discovery of the least 'metallic' stellar structure in the Milky Way

A unique stellar structure in the Milky Way, C-19, has been found to consist of stars with extremely low metallicity, challenging current understanding of star formation models. This discovery provides a direct window into the earliest ages of star formation and the development of stellar structures in the distant past.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 2022

Dual-ligand strategy to regulate metal-organic framework nanocrystals for stable electrochemical cycling performance

Researchers have designed and synthesized stable size/morphology-controlled MOF nanocrystals using a synergetic dual-ligand and hard-soft-acid-base strategy. The resulting 3D pillared-layer structure exhibits excellent cycling performance, with the Ni-Tdc network providing good stability during charging and discharging processes.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 5, 2022

Earth isn’t ‘super’ because the sun had rings before planets

A new study by Rice University astrophysicist André Izidoro suggests that the sun had rings before planets formed, explaining many solar system features. The model simulates the solar system's formation hundreds of times and reproduces several features missed by previous models, including pressure bumps and rings.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 5, 2022

A donation that could help cure blood cancer

A study published in Leukemia found that cord blood transplantation (CBT) was more effective than matched related donor transplantation (MRDT) for patients with refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML). The study compared the survival rates of 1,738 CBT-treated patients with those of 713 MRDT-treated patients, revealing...

SourceOsaka University·JournalLeukemia·TypeObservational study·DateJan 5, 2022

World’s fastest blade runner gets no competitive advantage from prostheses, study shows

A new study published in Royal Society Open Science found that amputee sprinters using prostheses have no clear competitive advantage at the 400-meter distance compared to non-amputees. In fact, they appear to have a significant disadvantage at the start, with athletes using prosthetic legs being 40% slower out of the starting blocks a...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJan 5, 2022

Timing of brain injury in pregnancy, birth may impact motor and language outcomes, UCSF study finds

A new UCSF study found that the neural connections of newborns with two different kinds of brain injuries were linked to significantly different developmental outcomes years later. CHD newborns had worse language function at 12-18 months and worse cognitive, language, and motor function at 30 months compared to HIE infants.

New method reveals how businesses can run better experiments

Researchers have designed a new method to illuminate the effects of interference in experimental data, enabling social and behavioral researchers to account for it across various applications. This approach can test directly for interference effects, such as spillovers and peer effects in social networks.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal Of The Royal Statistical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 5, 2022

How LPS prevents or promotes development of asthma and allergic disease by airborne allergens

A study published in Cell Reports reveals that LPS protects against developing asthma when combined with allergens containing cysteine protease enzymatic activity, but promotes development when paired with allergens lacking this enzyme. This protective effect relies on the production of GM-CSF by non-classical monocytes.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

Louisville researchers reveal how oral bacteria suppress protection against viral growth

Researchers at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry found that oral bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis can suppress the production and effectiveness of proteins that protect humans from viral infection. This suppression increases vulnerability to infection, allowing viruses to enter the body more easily.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

Matter and antimatter seem to respond equally to gravity

Scientists at RIKEN have found that matter and antimatter respond to gravity in the same way, within an accuracy of four times more precise than previous measures. This suggests that causality and locality hold in relativistic quantum field theories, potentially leading to new physics.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

Dairy farmers can adapt to climate change

A recent study suggests that dairy farmers in the Northeast can reduce environmental impacts and maximize revenues by implementing double cropping and subsurface injection of manure into the soil. These strategies reduced total nitrogen losses by 12-18% and total phosphorus losses by 16-19%.

SourcePenn State·JournalAgricultural Systems·DateJan 5, 2022