Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 1, 2022


Complete photonic bandgap comes to silicon nitride slabs

A research group at South-Central MinZu University has achieved the largest complete photonic bandgap (CPBG) of 5.62% in a silicon nitride slab, significantly enhancing nonlinearity and enabling polarization multiplexing. The breakthrough could lead to the development of high-performance CPBG devices in SiN slabs.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

Study reveals nature of five-coordinated aluminum on γ-Al2O3 surface

Researchers used ultrahigh-field NMR spectroscopy to study the structure of Al(V) on γ-Al2O3. They found flexible structural features and hydroxyl groups that can be removed under high-temperature dehydration, leading to surface reconstruction. Most Al(V) species aggregate into domains rather than forming tetragonal pyramids.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalACS Central Science·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 1, 2022

Metal mayhem: New research finds toxic metals absorbed by Great Salt Lake plants and insects

Great Salt Lake wetland plants can accumulate hazardous metal pollution, which can be passed up the food chain to herbivorous insects. This study found high concentrations of lead, mercury, and other metals in plant tissues, threatening terrestrial ecosystems.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalEcotoxicology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

Widespread futile care could contribute to veterinary burnout

A new Cornell-led study reveals that more than 99% of veterinarians have encountered useless or non-beneficial veterinary care, leading to moral distress and difficulties in advocating for euthanasia. The study found that 89% of veterinarians administer futile care, with 42% experiencing frequent instances.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateJun 1, 2022

Time-reversal asymmetry surpasses conversion efficiency limit for solar cells

Researchers have developed a single-cell PV design integrated with nonreciprocal optical components to provide 100-percent reuse of emitted radiation, breaking the Shockley–Queisser limit. This breakthrough enables a quasimonochromatic radiation converter to reach the theoretically maximum Carnot efficiency.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateJun 1, 2022

How electric fish were able to evolve electric organs

Researchers discovered how electric fish evolved electric organs by modifying a sodium channel gene. The finding highlights the potential for this genetic mechanism to contribute to human diseases. By studying electric fish, scientists can gain a better understanding of evolutionary processes and their applications in human health.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

Racial and ethnic disparities in stroke outcomes

A new study reveals racial and ethnic disparities in stroke survival, with Black and Hispanic patients facing higher mortality rates for specific types of strokes. The research found that these disparities vary by stroke type and may be attributed to factors such as access to healthcare, high blood pressure, and structural racism.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalNeurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2022

Novel solar cell architecture performs well under real-world constraints

Researchers developed a hot-carrier multijunction solar cell that maintains high conversion efficiency with nonoptimal materials, expanding the scope of candidate designs. The novel architecture showed superior resilience to design imperfections, widening the range of suitable materials and operating conditions.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateJun 1, 2022

Research paves the way for stronger alloys

Scientists have discovered how microscopic crystals grow and change shape in molten metals as they cool, leading to a better understanding of the tensile strength of alloys. The research, published in Acta Materialia, used high-speed synchrotron X-ray tomography to study the changing crystal structures in molten alloys.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalActa Materialia·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2022

Wind turbines operating without curtailment claim many victims among protected bat species in Germany

A study estimates that old wind turbines can be deadly for protected bat species, with some turbines claiming up to 70 bat victims per year. The researchers recommend adjusting the operation of old turbines to current regulations, or even dismantling them if they are located in unfavorable sites.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2022

A stem cell model from Mount Sinai could help unravel the complex biology behind some psychiatric disorders

Researchers developed an in vitro stem cell model to map disease risk variants in human neurons, which could provide insights into the biological mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders. The study focuses on mapping cis-regulatory elements linked to psychiatric disease heritability.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalCell Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 1, 2022

UCI-led astronomy team finds evidence of galactic metal shrouded in dust

An international team analyzed five ultraluminous galaxies with dim visible wavelengths, finding no significant metal deficiency when observed in infrared wavelengths. The study reveals that these galaxies have a metallicity consistent with the fundamental metallicity relation determined by stellar mass and star formation rate.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2022

Study evaluates how to eliminate telemedicine’s virtual waiting room

A study by UC San Diego Health found that sending patients a text message when their doctor is ready can reduce wait times and improve patient satisfaction. The 'telemedicine untethered' option showed a 55-minute time savings in clinic operations, with zero late appointments and increased flexibility for both patients and providers.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalQuality Management in Health Care·DateJun 1, 2022

Gratitude expressions between co-workers improve cardiovascular responses to stress

A study from the University of California San Diego found that expressing gratitude between teammates improved their cardiovascular responses to stress, allowing for increased concentration and confidence. This can have long-term health impacts, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

June issues of American Psychiatric Association Journals cover mental health disparities and structural racism and collaborative response to behavioral health emergencies

The June issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services address mental health disparities and structural racism. These journals provide a platform for collaborative responses to behavioral health emergencies, shedding light on important topics in the field.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJun 1, 2022

Scientists call for decision-making to be transformed to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises together

A new article in BioScience argues that incremental changes are insufficient to address planetary emergencies, and calls for broader system-wide changes to governing interactions between climate, biodiversity, and society. The authors hope their work will inform the setting of biodiversity objectives and targets.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalBioScience·DateJun 1, 2022

The mindful way to manage stress among elite athletes

A new study from the University of South Australia found that dispositional mindfulness can significantly reduce and protect elite athletes from stress. Athletes who demonstrated greater mindfulness had lower levels of stress, both immediately after a COVID-19-related shutdown and at the end of their competitive season.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalPerceptual and Motor Skills·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

“Masked” cancer drug sneaks through body to deliver anti-tumor treatment with fewer side effects

Researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have developed a version of interleukin-12 that is activated only when it reaches a tumor, reducing side effects. The new 'masked' molecule has shown promising results in eliminating cancer cells and outperforming existing immune therapies.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJun 1, 2022

Over 70% of mass shootings in developed countries happen in the US, international analysis shows

A study published in the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice found that mass shootings in the US account for 73% of all incidents in developed countries, resulting in 816 deaths. The research identified distinct characteristics of US mass shootings, including ideological motives and relationship problems.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInternational Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2022

Team sports linked to fewer mental health difficulties for kids

A large-scale study found that team sport participation is associated with lower mental health difficulties in children and adolescents. In contrast, exclusive individual sport participation may lead to greater mental health issues. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 US kids and adolescents.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateJun 1, 2022

High fat diet, unregulated athletic exercise endurance enhancers linked to risk of pancreatic cancer

A study found that high fat diets and synthetic substances in unregulated athletic performance enhancers can activate a receptor accelerating the progression of pre-cancerous lesions to pancreatic cancer in mice. Limiting exposure to these substances may help prevent pancreatic cancer development.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

A ‘Goldilocks amount’ of time spent online could be good for teenagers’ wellbeing

A new study from Trinity College Dublin suggests that teenagers who spend a 'goldilocks amount' of time online may have better mental wellbeing. The research found that low engagement with digital media is also associated with poor mental health outcomes for adolescents, while high engagement predicts worse mental health outcomes.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateJun 1, 2022

New ultrasound tool measures blood flow, images microvasculature in the brain

Researchers developed a new ultrasound localization microscopy technique to image blood vessels and measure blood flow in the brain. The method uses microscopic bubbles as a contrast agent and accelerates post-processing to 10-30 seconds, enabling rapid imaging of whole-brain microvasculature.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

New genomic tools shed light on the evolutionary history of chimpanzees and contribute to their conservation

An international research team has created the largest and most detailed genomic diversity atlas of wild chimpanzees, revealing their evolutionary history and genetic diversity. The study sheds light on demographic past, genetic differentiation, and exchanges between subspecies, providing valuable insights for conservation.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalCell Genomics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

The space between us

A study from Washington University in St. Louis highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy forest functioning. The research shows that tree beta diversity, a measure of site-to-site variation in species composition, is stronger than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalEcology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2022

Study examines why the memory of fear is seared into our brains

Researchers discovered that stress neurotransmitter norepinephrine stimulates a specific population of inhibitory neurons in the amygdala to generate a repetitive bursting pattern of electrical discharges. This leads to the formation of fear memories, which can be difficult to forget due to their association with traumatic experiences.

SourceTulane University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

In bias we trust?

Researchers at MIT found that explanation methods used to aid human decision-makers in high-stakes situations often have lower accuracy for minoritized subgroups. The fidelity of these explanations varies dramatically between subgroups, with the quality often significantly lower for women and Black people.

At least 2,000 species of reptiles are threatened

The first international study of its kind assesses the status of all reptile species, revealing that at least 2,000 species are threatened with extinction. The study found that 50% of turtle and crocodile species face extinction threats, while 30% of forest-dwelling reptiles and 14% of arid area reptiles are in danger.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2022

NTU Singapore scientists develop a ‘fabric’ that turns body movement into electricity

Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a flexible and durable fabric that harnesses energy from human movements, providing a potential solution for wearable power sources. The fabric generates enough electricity to light up LEDs and charge capacitors, demonstrating its potential for use in smart textiles and wearable electronics.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 1, 2022

Bacteria-killing drills get an upgrade

Researchers at Rice University have developed molecular machines that can kill bacteria using visible light, targeting gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The breakthrough study uses rotors spinning at millions of times per second to break up biofilms and persister cells, making these infections more treatable.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

Community-engagement preventive intervention promotes mental health of Bhutanese families in Western Massachusetts

A peer-led, family-centered preventive intervention is being tested to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among Bhutanese immigrants. The program, developed by Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar, uses problem management plus (PMP) and addresses multiple stressors, resulting in improved coping skills and social networking.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalBMJ Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 1, 2022

A new duality solves a physics mystery

Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a new method to create curved spaces without physical distortions, utilizing non-Hermiticity. This breakthrough solves a long-standing physics mystery and opens up new avenues for exploring non-Hermitian quantum phenomena in curved spaces.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 1, 2022

Malnutrition links kidney disease, weaker muscles

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that malnutrition contributes to sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients, characterized by muscle mass, strength, and function losses. The Nutrition Risk Index (NRI) is a simple and convenient metric developed in Japan, which shows significant relationships between NRI score and sarcopenia,...

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2022

New type of triterpenes discovered

Researchers have discovered a new type of triterpenes in fungi that don't require squalene, overturning current knowledge and offering a new approach to pharmaceutical science. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for creating more valuable compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and other properties.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

Compared to COVID-19 PCR testing, dogs can detect infections with high sensitivity (97%), though lower specificity (91%) - even when patients are asymptomatic

A study published in PLOS ONE found that dogs can detect SARS-CoV-2 infections with high sensitivity (97%) and lower specificity (91%), even when patients are asymptomatic. The diagnostic accuracy of canine olfaction for non-invasive detection of COVID-19 was demonstrated in a clinical trial conducted in France and the UAE.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 1, 2022