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Science News for July 11, 2022


Sperm are masters of Tetris packing

Researchers discovered that the process of hypercondensation, where DNA is compressed, relies on a second type of protamine, PRM2, which may be crucial for fertility. The study sheds light on the complex mechanism behind sperm development and could lead to new treatments for male infertility.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJul 11, 2022

Sources of transmission of monkeypox in Madrid and in Berlin: from private encounters to larger gatherings

A study in Madrid found that private encounters and parties contributed to the outbreak, while a German study showed a shift from travel-associated to local transmission with Berlin as the epicenter. Both studies highlight the importance of targeted information for populations at risk, especially MSM.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeCase study·DateJul 11, 2022

The 4 bases of anti-science beliefs – and what to do about them

Researchers identify four bases of anti-science beliefs: distrust in scientific sources, group identity, conflicting messages, and cognitive style. Politicization and social media amplify these factors, making it harder for people to accept scientific evidence. Strategies like acknowledging valid concerns and finding common ground can ...

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 11, 2022

Addressing global disparities in Parkinson disease

The article discusses global disparities in Parkinson disease, identifying six key areas for improvement: disease burden, advocacy and awareness, prevention and risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment, and care, caregiver support, and research. These findings aim to inform policy decisions and drive action towards reducing health inequities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateJul 11, 2022

Collaborative effort led by UMass Chan Medical School spotlights worms as model for personalized medicine

A team of researchers developed a model system to study individual differences in metabolism using C. elegans worms. They identified a novel metabolic condition linked to variation in the hphd-1 gene, which has implications for personalized medicine and tailoring dietary advice and disease treatment to an individual's genome sequence.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2022

Scientists map networks of disease-associated immune genes

Researchers created a detailed map of how immune genes function together, shedding light on the basic drivers of immune cell function and immune diseases. The study found interconnected regulatory networks that can help explain why mutations in different genes lead to the same disease or how drugs impact multiple immune proteins.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 11, 2022

Prenatal exposure to certain phthalates associated with slightly earlier onset of puberty

A study published in Environmental Research found that prenatal exposure to specific phthalates is associated with a slightly elevated risk of children starting puberty between 7 and 10 years old. Higher prenatal exposure to certain phthalates, such as DEHP, was linked to an increased risk of puberty onset, particularly in normal-weigh...

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Research·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2022

Flashing creates hard-to-get 2D boron nitride

Rice chemists adapt flashing process to synthesize pure boron nitride and boron carbon nitride flakes with varying degrees of carbon. The flakes show promise as an effective anticorrosive coating, protecting copper surfaces up to 92% better than traditional compounds.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Stress testing can help determine which patients are likely to benefit from heart procedures to improve survival

The study found that patients with severe stress-induced myocardial ischemia are likely to benefit from heart bypass surgery or angioplasty, while those with mild or no ischemia are not. Early revascularization was associated with a more than 30 percent reduction in mortality compared to patients treated with medication.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 11, 2022

Entombed together: Rare fossil flower and parasitic wasp make for amber artwork

A rare fossil flower of the Euphorbiaceae family has been discovered in 30-million-year-old amber, along with a parasitic wasp. The flower, named Plukenetia minima, is notable for its small size and lengthy stalk. The wasp, Hambletonia dominicana, was found to have an egg that hatches into a fly larva within the flower's seed pods.

SourceOregon State University·JournalHistorical Biology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 11, 2022

Hidden genes may be tapped for new antibiotics

Rice University bioscientists have developed a novel approach to control the expression of 'silent' genes in bacteria using CRISPR technology. This strategy could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics and has potential applications in antifungal and anticancer agents, as well as agriculture.

SourceRice University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Support for traffic cameras increases if used as a tool to limit interactions with police

A Rutgers study suggests that using automated traffic safety cameras as a tool to limit racially divisive interactions with the police can increase public support. The research found that emphasizing the technology's role in reducing racial profiling and minimizing police-driver interactions can broaden support for the cameras, particu...

SourceRutgers University·JournalTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives·DateJul 11, 2022

Do wolves sleep like dogs?

Researchers measured wolf sleep using non-invasive EEG, finding similarities with dog sleep but less REM time. The study offers a unique opportunity to understand the effects of domestication and cohabitation on wolf sleep phenotypes.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 11, 2022

Access to hep C treatment reducing morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs

A longitudinal cohort study found significant reductions in liver disease and mortality among people with HCV infection who received treatment. The study's findings suggest that continued testing, treatment, and community-based interventions could lead to the elimination of HCV infection within the next decade.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2022

Johns Hopkins researchers call for closing gap in collecting racial and ethnic data in studies of rare genetic condition

A systematic review of US-based studies on Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) reveals a lack of racial and ethnic data, potentially impacting treatment and diagnosis. The study highlights the need for inclusive research designs to address growing concerns about racial disparities in HHT care.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalOrphanet Journal of Rare Diseases·DateJul 11, 2022

Face masks unsafe in MRI machines, study shows

New research by Cardiff University scientists has found that certain types of face masks are unsafe for wearing in and around MRI machines due to the presence of magnetic components. The study recommends a colour-coded system to distinguish between 'MRI safe' and 'MRI unsafe' masks to prevent complications during scans.

SourceCardiff University·JournalClinical Radiology·DateJul 11, 2022

Electrons in alcohol – concerted molecule and charge motions at terahertz frequencies

Researchers observed a novel type of excitation, called a polaron, where collective oscillations of the electron and its screening cloud arise at terahertz frequencies. These oscillations persist for tens of picoseconds and are impulsively triggered by ultrafast electron localization.

Multi-bubble math

Scientists at the University of Tsukuba have developed a theoretical model to describe the motion of ultrasound waves in liquids containing multiple bubbles, which may enable advances in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of ultrasound technology. The new equations can also be used to enhance microbubble-enhanced medical applicati...

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalUltrasonics Sonochemistry·DateJul 11, 2022

Facial similarity influences perceptions of trustworthiness for same-sex interactions

Researchers from Osaka University found that facial similarity plays a crucial role in ratings of trustworthiness for observers of the same sex, but not for observers of opposite sex. The study suggests that facial similarity is an important factor affecting social judgments for same-sex interactions.

SourceOsaka University·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Reverse engineering the heart: University of Toronto Engineering team creates bioartificial left ventricle

University of Toronto researchers develop a lab-grown model of the human left heart ventricle made with living heart cells. The bioartificial tissue construct beats strongly enough to pump fluid inside a bioreactor and offers new possibilities for studying heart diseases and testing potential therapies. Future work aims to increase the...

Changes in child, adolescent physical activity during pandemic

Pooled estimates from 22 international studies indicate a 20% reduction in total daily physical activity among children and adolescents during the pandemic. The findings highlight the need for bolstered access to support and resources related to physical activity to ensure good health and social functioning during pandemic recovery.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJul 11, 2022

HKUST & HKUMed joint study reports broadly neutralizing antibody that protects Syrian hamsters against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants

A joint study by HKUST and HKUMed researchers has identified a broadly neutralizing antibody, ZCB11, that protects Syrian hamsters against all SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants. The antibody demonstrates potent antiviral activities and can protect lung infection under both prophylactic and therapeutic conditions.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Racial disparities in care tied to differences in pulse oximeter performance

Researchers found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients treated in the ICU had greater discrepancies between SpO2 levels detected using pulse oximeters versus levels detected in blood samples. These discrepancies led to lower rates of supplemental oxygen being administered to these groups compared to white patients.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 11, 2022

Blacks found twice as likely to have atherosclerosis as Hispanics in young adult populations in underserved communities

A new Mount Sinai study reveals that young Black adults are twice as likely to have atherosclerosis as their Hispanic counterparts. Researchers used comprehensive questionnaires and 3D vascular ultrasounds to determine cardiovascular risk scores, finding significant discrepancies between the groups.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Activating STING could make brain tumors more susceptible to treatment

Researchers found that activating the STING pathway in glioblastoma tumors attracted immune cells and produced a robust anti-tumor effect, laying the foundation for immunotherapy treatment. Human GBM explants responded to STING agonists by secreting cytokines, demonstrating the pathway's activity in human tumors.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Programmed cell death in cancer cells: Overcoming resistance through paraptosis-inducing compounds

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed novel complex-peptide hybrids that induce programmed cell death in apoptosis-resistant cancer cells through paraptosis. The compounds, syn-6 and anti-6, inhibit cell death by uncoupling mitochondrial calcium uptake and inducing cytoplasmic vacuolization, leading to cell death.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalBioconjugate Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Demonstration of a highly efficient modulator using the organic electro-optic polymer for visible light

Researchers at NICT developed an organic electro-optic polymer for visible light, significantly improving efficiency and miniaturization. The new modulator has lower absorption loss and higher electro-optic coefficient in visible light compared to conventional optical modulators.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Could a phytochemical derived from vegetables like broccoli be the answer to antibiotic resistant pathogens?

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have found a phytochemical derived from broccoli that breaks down biofilms protecting antibiotic-resistant pathogens, enabling eradication rates of up to 94% when combined with antibiotics. The compound also accelerates wound healing and is being further developed for commercialization.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalPharmaceutics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

How preschoolers’ brains develop self-control

Research finds that preschoolers' brain maturation improves inhibitory control abilities, with 4-year-olds outperforming 3-year-olds in tasks requiring stopping actions. The cognitive control network's distinct regions and white matter connections are associated with different aspects of self-control development.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2022

UBC Okanagan study determines psychedelic mushroom microdoses can improve mood, mental-health

A UBC Okanagan study published in Nature-Scientific Reports found that regular small amounts of psilocybin improved mood, mental health, and psychomotor ability in participants. Microdosing was associated with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly among those over 55.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 11, 2022

Ukraine war and refugee health

The article highlights key health considerations for Ukrainian refugees in Canada, including timely access to care and trauma-informed approaches. Key gaps in the Canadian healthcare system include lack of universal access to interpreters and coordinated care across services.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJul 11, 2022

Can you outrun a poor diet?

A large study found that high levels of physical activity do not offset a poor diet's impact on mortality risk. Those with both high-quality diets and regular exercise had lower mortality rates compared to those with the worst diets.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2022

SLAS Discovery July issue features a new method of detecting metal impurities in high-throughput screening – available now

Researchers have developed a new method to detect metal impurities in high-throughput screening, reducing false positive hits and saving time and resources. The technique uses acoustic mist ionization mass spectrometry to identify eight different metal contaminants, outperforming previous methods.

New model shows Earth’s deep mantle was drier from the start

A new study suggests that Earth's deep mantle was drier than initially thought, with a water concentration 4-250 times lower than the upper mantle. This finding challenges the assumption that the mantle was uniform from its formation and may have prevented mixing within the mantle.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 11, 2022

Molecular pathway by which stress affects lupus discovered

Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered a molecular pathway by which stress affects lupus, revealing a potential target for treatment. The study found that sleep deprivation caused the activation of microglial cells in the brain, leading to increased levels of IL12 and IL23, a diagnostic marker for neuropsychiatric SLE.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

How race, gun ownership, and Black Lives Matter shape Americans’ views of the January 6 Capitol attack

A new survey found that views on the January 6 Capitol attack can be predicted by support for Black Lives Matter and gun ownership, with BLM supporters more likely to label the rioters as extremists. White gun owners were significantly less likely to do so compared to non-gun owners.

SourceHarvard University·JournalSocius Sociological Research for a Dynamic World·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 11, 2022

Deep economic divide found even among employed people during COVID-19

Researchers examined precarity in employed adults and found that most fell into two categories: those doing well financially and those struggling. The study highlights the need for organizations to consider the long-term consequences of using precarious work arrangements, which can lead to a less healthy and less productive workforce.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 11, 2022

Video game players show enhanced brain activity, decision-making skill study: Video game players show enhanced brain activity, decision-making skill

A study by Georgia State University researchers found that frequent video game players exhibit superior sensorimotor decision-making skills and increased brain activity compared to non-players. The study suggests that video games can be used for training in perceptual decision-making, with no trade-off between speed and accuracy.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalNeuroImage·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

University of Limerick, Ireland research could reduce time required to bring new medicines to market

Researchers at University of Limerick develop a new modelling approach to pharmaceutical manufacturing, combining process engineering, modelling, and data science to optimize processes at a molecular scale. This study aims to reduce time required to bring medicines to market for the benefit of patients and society.

SourceUniversity of Limerick·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 11, 2022

Drinking alone foreshadows future alcohol problems

A new study from Carnegie Mellon University found that drinking alone during adolescence and young adulthood increases the risk of alcohol use disorder later in life, especially for women. Solitary drinking is a unique and robust risk factor for future alcohol problems, according to lead author Kasey Creswell.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJul 11, 2022

The best offense is a great defense for some carnivorous plants

Researchers discovered that plant carnivory evolved from calcium molecules' dynamic movement within cells in response to touch from live prey. This finding broadens our understanding of how plants interact with their environments and may lead to the development of crops that can survive in challenging conditions.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 11, 2022