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Science News for July 25, 2022


Are drones the optimal way to distribute COVID-19 tests?

A new study from Texas A&M University uses drone delivery to quickly distribute at-home diagnostic tests, minimizing exposure to others and reducing transmission rates. The approach can reduce transmission by a factor of 7.5 and has potential applications in other infectious diseases like influenza.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems·TypeNews article·DateJul 25, 2022

To cell surface and beyond: Tracing subcellular glycoprotein transport using modified cholera toxin

Scientists at Okayama University designed and tested a modified cholera toxin to study glycosylation in eukaryotic cells. They tracked the toxin's movement through organelles using bioluminescence, gaining insights into protein modification. This method may lead to new treatments for diseases caused by enzyme deficiencies.

SourceOkayama University·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Adolescent arterial stiffness – a novel risk factor for hypertension and insulin resistance in young adulthood and for type 2 diabetes mellitus in mid-adulthood

Arterial stiffness in adolescence is a novel risk factor for hypertension, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes in young adulthood and mid-adulthood. Risk factors include maternal smoking habits, early life smoking patterns, high salt intake, genetic inheritance, obesity, and elevated blood pressure from childhood.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Hypertension·DateJul 25, 2022

Rice engineers get a grip with ‘necrobotic’ spiders

Researchers at Rice University have created a system that uses the physiology of deceased spiders to create small-scale grippers. The spiders' unique hydraulic system allows them to lift and manipulate objects, making them a promising technology for pick-and-place tasks and capturing smaller insects in nature.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Religious leaders reduce intimate partner violence in Uganda

A randomized controlled trial in Uganda found that Christian leaders' counseling courses reduced intimate partner violence by 5 percentage points. The 'Becoming One' program, led by religious leaders, shifted traditional gender norms and promoted egalitarian relationships, benefiting couples and ultimately reducing abuse.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 25, 2022

For dairy farmers, where does the time go?

A new study in the Journal of Dairy Science explores labor time-use on Irish pasture-based dairy farms during the busy spring and summer seasons. The research team found that milking was the most time-consuming task, accounting for 31% of farm labor input.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 25, 2022

BU researchers identify protein connected to aging and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Boston University researchers have discovered a key protein, ERG, connected to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a disease characterized by progressive lung scarring. The study found that ERG plays a crucial role in the development of IPF, an aging-associated disease that causes respiratory failure and death.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Machines can learn from fables

Researchers at USC's Information Sciences Institute developed a method to train AI to understand analogies in Aesop's fables, enabling it to make creative connections between familiar and novel situations. The study found that humans approach analogical reasoning subjectively and interpretively, influencing the outcome.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·TypeContent analysis·DateJul 25, 2022

New study by researchers from Pusan National University explores the prevalence of heatwaves in East Asia

A new study by Pusan National University researchers finds that dry heatwaves mainly occur in northwestern East Asia, while moist heatwaves prevail over southern East Asia. The study predicts more frequent dry heatwaves and longer-lasting moist heatwaves under climate change scenarios.

SourcePusan National University·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 25, 2022

Financial and sleeping difficulties are key mental health risk indicators in university students

A study by University of Warwick found that worsened financial situation and sleep difficulties are key indicators of individuals at higher risk of developing mental health issues. The research, based on a survey of 895 university students, revealed a reduction in mental health symptoms over time as financial difficulties and sleep irr...

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalBJPsych Open·DateJul 25, 2022

Do fish suffer from oxygen starvation?

Researchers at Radboud University found that larger fish and those with large cells are more sensitive to oxygen stress in warm water. Freshwater fish appear to be more tolerant of oxygen-depleted water than marine fish, likely due to different selection pressures during their evolutionary history.

SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJul 25, 2022

Effects of lead poisoning may be reversible with early-childhood enrichment

New research from Thomas Jefferson University shows that early childhood enrichment can reverse the effects of lead poisoning on brain development. Over 3,500 genes in the hippocampus are affected by lead exposure, but approximately 80% of gene expression changes are reversed in animals living in stimulating environments.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Heeding the heat: Desert regions may better inform the future of global temperate zones driven by climate change

Research suggests that climate change is causing dryland mechanisms to affect temperate regions, leading to changes in vegetation distribution and ecosystem processes. The study predicts that by the end of the century, an estimated 17 million km2 of non-dryland areas will experience average topsoil temperatures above 40°C.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 25, 2022

Towards High-Quality Manganese Oxide Catalysts with Large Surface Areas

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel synthesis procedure to produce high-quality manganese oxide nanoparticles with large surface areas. The new approach enables the creation of ultra-small nanoparticles with excellent catalytic performance, outperforming previously reported methods.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Human activity increases likelihood of more extreme heatwaves

Researchers found that greenhouse gases are the primary reason for increased temperatures and will likely continue to be the main cause of hotter temperatures in the future. The study suggests that extreme heatwave events will increase by more than 30 percentage points in coming years, with almost two-thirds caused by greenhouse gases.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJul 25, 2022

A new Reichman University study warns: If someone’s flirting with you online, beware – it could ruin your relationship

A new study by Prof. Gurit Birnbaum reveals that online interactions, such as flirting, can be destructive to a relationship. The research found that participants who engaged in flirty chats perceived their current partner in a more negative light, both consciously and unconsciously.

SourceReichman University·JournalPersonal Relationships·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Particle phase chemistry enables soot to better seed clouds New study challenges current understanding of the formation mechanism

Researchers found that photochemical aging of soot on particles can increase their hydrophilicity, making them better cloud condensation nuclei. This transformation affects the fate and effects of soot aerosols in the atmosphere, influencing wet deposition processes.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemistry·JournalChem·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 25, 2022

Study on time restricted eating reveals limiting food intake to daytime shows promising beneficial metabolic effects in adults with type 2 diabetes

A new study published in Diabetologia finds that limiting food intake to a 10-hour window during the day improves metabolic health in adults with type 2 diabetes. The research, conducted by Prof Patrick Schrauwen and colleagues, shows a decrease in 24-hour glucose levels and an increase in time spent with normal blood glucose levels.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateJul 25, 2022

COVID-19 may have increased UK doctors’ willingness to not resuscitate the very sick/frail

A survey of UK doctors found that the pandemic has led to an increase in willingness to forgo life-saving treatments for very sick patients, while views on euthanasia and assisted dying have remained unchanged. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed end-of-life care, prompting a reevaluation of clinicians' decision-making processes.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Medical Ethics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 25, 2022

SARS-CoV-2 variants have developed resistance to human interferons

Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus investigated SARS-CoV-2 variant interactions with diverse interferons, finding the virus has adapted to evade this key front-line defense. The study suggests COVID-19 clinical trials on interferons may need to be reinterpreted based on circulating variants.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 25, 2022

Rates of solitary confinement of incarcerated people with mental illness three times higher than those without mental illness

A study found that incarcerated people with serious mental illness experience frequent and lengthy periods of solitary confinement, spending an average of three times longer than those without mental health problems. The study highlights the importance of correcting officers' discretion and policy change to reduce disparities.

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology·DateJul 25, 2022

Mass mortality events linked to marine heatwaves could become the new norm in the Mediterranean Sea

A study led by ICM-CSIC finds that mass mortality events caused by marine heatwaves affected all Mediterranean regions between 2015 and 2019, resulting in recurrent mass mortalities throughout the period. The research highlights the significant positive relationship between the duration of heat waves and the incidence of mortality events.

SourceInstitut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC)·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

New study finds lowest risk of death was among adults who exercised 150-600 minutes/week

A new study published in the American Heart Association's Circulation Journal found that adults who perform two to four times the currently recommended amount of moderate or vigorous physical activity per week have a significantly reduced risk of mortality. The analysis found that this range of activity resulted in a 21-23% reduction f...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateJul 25, 2022

Revealing how different parts of mixed convective-stratiform clouds distinctly respond to cloud seeding

Researchers analyzed data from Ka-band radar and satellite observations to study the effects of cloud seeding on mixed convective-stratiform clouds. The study found that the convective region responds with larger precipitation particles, while the stratiform region experiences icing seeding tracks due to faster ice crystal formation.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJul 25, 2022

KIST Developed a core technology for Aqueous Zinc Batteries

Researchers at KIST have developed a core technology for commercializing aqueous zinc batteries, which use water as the electrolyte and can prevent battery ignition. The new manufacturing process creates high-density zinc metal anodes with improved energy density and lifespan, making them competitive with lithium-ion batteries.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJul 25, 2022

Smaller, stronger magnets could improve devices that harness the fusion power of the sun and stars

Researchers at PPPL developed smaller, stronger high-temperature superconducting magnets for spherical tokamaks, enabling more efficient fusion power plants. The new magnets reduce construction costs and increase performance by shrinking the size of tokamaks.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalIEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

To tax or not to tax, is that even a question?

A team at Kyoto University has developed a formula to express the marginal cost of public funds, measuring the impact of taxation on social welfare. The framework focuses on imperfect competition and provides insights into the behavioral constraints imposed by taxation on producers and consumers.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Public Economics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 25, 2022

Next generation atomic clocks are a step closer to real world applications

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a transportable optical clock system that addresses key barriers to deploying quantum clocks in real-world settings. The new design can capture nearly 160,000 ultra-cold atoms within an ultra-high vacuum chamber and survive long-distance transportation, paving the way for wides...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalQuantum Science and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Trilobites’ growth may have resembled that of modern marine crustaceans

A new study published in Paleobiology suggests that trilobites' growth rates were similar to those of modern marine crustaceans. Researchers analyzed length-frequency data from exceptionally-preserved trilobite fossils and compared them with published data on the growth of extant crustaceans, finding a well-matched growth curve.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPaleobiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 25, 2022

Black patients found six times more likely to have advanced vision loss after glaucoma diagnosis than white patients

A new study found that Black patients are six times more likely to have advanced vision loss after a glaucoma diagnosis, highlighting the need for early eye screening in this population. The research analyzed nearly 210,000 participants and used artificial intelligence to identify visual field loss patterns.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalTranslational Vision Science & Technology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 25, 2022

Implicit bias and concern about appearing racist predict teachers’ reluctance to discuss race and racism in the classroom

A new study by Linda Tropp found that teachers' implicit racial biases and concerns about being perceived as racist independently contribute to their lower intentions to discuss race with students. Recent teacher training programs have focused on addressing implicit biases, but not conscious concerns about being seen as racist.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalSocial Psychology of Education·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 25, 2022

Study refutes claim that T. rex was three separate species

A new study published in Evolutionary Biology refutes a claim that Tyrannosaurus rex should be reclassified into three separate species based on variations in leg bones and teeth. The researchers found that the earlier proposal lacked sufficient evidence and was based on limited comparative samples, non-comparable measurements, and imp...

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalEvolutionary Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 25, 2022

In fine print: Study sheds light on mechanisms driving 1,2-dichloropropane-induced cancer in the printing industry

A new study led by Tokyo University of Science researchers identifies altered gene expression and cell function changes that drive DNA damage and neoplasia in cholangiocytes exposed to 1,2-dichloropropane. The findings highlight the importance of macrophage involvement in carcinogenesis.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Researchers look to find why the Dutch are still holding to the traditional image of Black Pete despite the criticism

A recent study by Leiden University researchers explores the cultural significance of Black Pete in the Netherlands. The findings indicate that acceptance of minority groups' unequal treatment is linked to resistance against changing Black Pete's appearance, highlighting a complex social hierarchy.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateJul 25, 2022

When the invasive fish are native

A new study by the University of Barcelona highlights the negative effects of translocated native species on native fish, finding that habitat quality is essential for conservation. The study suggests that these species can have similar impacts to exotic invasive species.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeObservational study·DateJul 25, 2022

Researchers use MRI to show brain changes, differences in children with ADHD

Researchers used MRI to study neural flexibility in children with ADHD, finding significant decreases in cognitive flexibility across the entire brain and sub-networks. Children who received medication showed increased neural flexibility compared to those not taking medication, suggesting its potential clinical utility for diagnosing a...

Extreme heat exposure worsens child malnutrition

A study of over 32,000 West African children found that extreme heat exposure increases the prevalence of stunted growth from chronic malnutrition by 12% and of low weight from acute malnutrition by 29%. The researchers estimate that rising temperatures could nearly double the effect of heat exposure on stunting.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateJul 25, 2022

Gut microbe peptide implicated in triggering type 1 diabetes

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center identified a human gut bacterium that makes a protein mimicking the insulin peptide targeted by the immune system in type 1 diabetes. The presence of this bacterium accelerates the onset of diabetes in a mouse model and is linked to its development in children at genetic risk.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 25, 2022

Tetrahedrons assemble! Three-sided pyramids form 2D structures

Researchers at Rice University have created 2D chiral superstructures using three-sided pyramids, which could lead to breakthroughs in metamaterials. The structures, composed of ultrathin assemblies of particles, incorporate left-handed and right-handed domains and exhibit unique optical properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

People with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma face a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than from cancer

A recent study published in CANCER highlights the growing concern among Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. The analysis found that individuals with early-stage HL are now at a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to cancer after approximately 60 and 120 months of follow-up. This indicates that more effective measures are ...

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJul 25, 2022

Supervolcano study finds CO2 emissions key to avoiding climate disasters

A new study reveals that the volume and rate of carbon dioxide emitted from supervolcanoes controlled the severity of past environmental crises. The research found that enormous super volcanic eruptions made a comparatively small dent in our environmental and biological cycle, whereas rapid releases of massive amounts of CO2 led to sev...

SourceCurtin University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 25, 2022

ACP offers guidance on the ethical use of genetic testing and precision medicine

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued a position paper on the ethical use of genetic testing and precision medicine in internal medicine. The guidelines address key issues such as incidental findings, education for physicians and patients, and counseling needs. ACP emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and anticoag...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 25, 2022