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Science News for June 27, 2022


The heat is on: Weizmann Institute scientists uncover traces of fire dating back at least 800,000 years

Researchers detected nonvisual traces of fire in ancient stone tools and fossil remains from Evron Quarry site, pushing the timeline of controlled fire use back to 800,000 years. The discovery suggests that early humans were experimentalists and could have played a crucial role in human evolution.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2022

Study finds chaos is more common in ecological systems than previously thought

Scientists analyzed over 30% of populations in an ecological database and found evidence of chaotic dynamics, contradicting previous findings. The research suggests that intrinsic limits exist to ecological forecasting and caution against equilibrium-based approaches for conservation and management, particularly for short-lived species.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Patients treated with monoclonal antibodies during COVID-19 delta surge had low rates of severe disease, Mayo Clinic study finds

A Mayo Clinic study of 10,775 high-risk adult patients during the COVID-19 delta surge found that treatment with anti-spike neutralizing monoclonal antibodies led to low rates of severe disease, hospitalization, and mortality. The rates were lowest for patients treated with sotrovimab, with only 1.2% developing severe disease.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJun 27, 2022

Boot camp for the immune system

A new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School identifies a novel mechanism underlying the selective ability of immune cells to differentiate between self and non-self. The discovery sheds light on how T cells learn to recognize proteins made by thymus cells that mimic various tissues throughout the body.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Discovery of a molecular switch in pancreatic cancer cells that triggers metastatic disease

A study published in Molecular Cell has identified a protein, MSRA, whose level of expression acts as a molecular switch between primary cancer growth and metastasis in PDA cells. The researchers found that high levels of MSRA expression keep the growing cells as part of the primary tumor, while low levels trigger metastasis.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Tunable liquid crystal grating based holographic 3D display system with wide viewing angle and large size

Researchers have created a tunable liquid crystal grating based holographic 3D display system that achieves a wide viewing angle of 57.4°, seven times greater than conventional systems. The system can also enlarge the size of holographic images by up to 4.2 times and is simple to operate.

New fluorophores could help fight cancer

Scientists have created new fluorescent chemical compounds for photodynamic therapy of cancerous tumors, which can stain affected tissues and destroy tumor cells without harm to healthy ones. The compound containing pyrene shows the highest fluorescent and anticancer activity.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalDyes and Pigments·DateJun 27, 2022

Fixed vial sizes for controversial Alzheimer's drug could waste $605 million in Medicare spending each year

A new UCLA study found that fixed vial sizes for the controversial Alzheimer's drug aducanumab could result in significant wasteful spending of up to $605 million per year on Medicare. The researchers suggest reducing vial sizes to contain costs and improve the value of future Medicare spending.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Amazon landscape change study highlights ecological harms and opportunities for action

A major Amazon study reveals ecological threats, including deforestation, but also opportunities for sustainability through actions like halting deforestation and protecting secondary forests. Researchers found biodiversity and carbon storage gains from allowing mature secondary forests to regrow.

SourceLancaster University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJun 27, 2022

Making dark semiconductors shine

Researchers successfully manipulated energy levels in tungsten diselenide to induce luminescence, a breakthrough for controlling matter through light fields. The discovery could enhance optical properties of organic semiconductors, leading to innovative LED and solar cell applications.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Cold temps may help to combat obesity and related metabolic diseases by reducing inflammation, researchers find

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center and Brigham and Women's Hospital found that cold exposure can resolve obesity-induced inflammation while improving insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese mice. Brown adipose tissue is activated to produce anti-inflammatory molecules, including Maresin 2.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

New therapy significantly reduces headache disability, post-traumatic stress following brain injury, study finds

A new therapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Headache (CBTH) significantly reduced related disability in veterans following a traumatic brain injury. It also showed comparable reductions in co-occurring symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with low drop-out rates and ease of use for therapists.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 27, 2022

Interrupting the treatment of vulnerable people on immune-suppressing medicines, doubles their antibody response to COVID-19 booster vaccination

A clinical trial found that interrupting treatment with methotrexate, a common immune-suppressing drug, doubles the antibody response to COVID-19 booster vaccinations in vulnerable individuals. This improvement is maintained over a 3-month period and has no adverse impact on quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Complexity of crystallization amazes physicists

Researchers discovered that certain liquid crystals form multiple chiral smectic phases and exhibit complex crystallization processes. Slow cooling can lead to crystallization, while fast cooling promotes vitrification. Cold crystallization occurs when the sample is heated, and its kinetics are controlled by diffusion rates.

BU researchers examine the infectious periods in vaccinated individuals with SARS-CoV-2, omicron and delta variants

A study by Boston University researchers found that in the majority of young, healthy and vaccinated adults, the infectious period for SARS-CoV-2 is limited to five days. The findings suggest that rapid antigen testing can provide reassurance on lack of infectiousness, but masking for a full 10 days is still necessary to prevent transm...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Association between children conceived via infertility treatments and education and mental health outcomes

A new study found that children conceived through medically assisted reproduction fare better academically, but are at a slightly increased risk of developing mental health disorders. The researchers attributed this difference to socioeconomic factors and family characteristics rather than the treatment itself.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalEuropean Journal of Population / Revue européenne de Démographie·DateJun 27, 2022

95% nanoplastic removal with apples?!

Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a new method to remove nanoplastics from water using apples and pectin. The study found that the method was able to remove 95% of nanoplastics in just 24 hours.

SourceShinshu University·JournalJournal of Environmental Chemical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Study shows link between cyberbullying and suicidality in early adolescence

A study found that young adolescents who were targets of cyberbullying were more likely to report suicidal thoughts and attempts, distinct from traditional offline bullying. Cyberbullying was associated with an independent risk factor for youth suicidality, highlighting the need for online screening and interventions.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

ACP says food insecurity a threat to public health in the United States

The American College of Physicians (ACP) says inadequate access to nutritious food negatively impacts the health of many Americans, exacerbating social factors and leading to various health issues. The ACP recommends strengthening the nation's food insecurity response and empowering physicians to address social drivers of health.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeContent analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Photosynthesis, no sunshine needed

A hybrid inorganic–biological artificial photosynthesis system enables energy-efficient food production, eliminating the need for sunlight. This breakthrough technology has significant implications for sustainable agriculture and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Food·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

What sea cucumbers can teach us about self-defense

Researchers have discovered how sea cucumbers produce defensive chemicals using genome mining techniques. The animals' unique ability to biosynthesize toxins has been found to be linked to the diversion of a sterol-producing enzyme, resulting in the production of valuable medicinal compounds.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Research finds that Google searches may be a predictor of domestic violence

A new study by Bocconi University researchers found that Google searches are an effective tool to track and predict domestic violence, especially in crisis situations. The study analyzed keywords related to domestic violence and found a positive correlation with calls to the Italian helpline and emergency number.

SourceBocconi University·JournalEuropean Journal of Population / Revue européenne de Démographie·DateJun 27, 2022

Discovered epigenetic alterations associated with the COVID-19 related severe inflammatory syndrome in childhood

Researchers identified an epigenetic signature, EPIMISC, associated with the development of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) after SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. The study found deregulation of epigenetic cellular programming leading to hyperinflammation in tissues.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Microbial link between Western-style diet and incidence of colorectal cancer uncovered

Researchers analyzed data from over 134,000 participants and found a strong association between Western diets and colorectal tumors containing the pks+ E. coli bacteria. The study suggests that specific components of Western-style diets may increase the risk of colorectal cancer by promoting the growth of these pathogenic bacteria.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalGastroenterology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 27, 2022

Tiny lab on a chip

Researchers at Osaka University have created a microfluidic system that can detect minute changes in the concentration of trace amounts of ethanol, glucose, or minerals in water using terahertz radiation. The device achieved sensitivity levels an order of magnitude better than existing microfluidic chips.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Physics Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Oil and gas activity linked to most recent earthquakes in West Texas

A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that 68% of earthquakes above magnitude 1.5 are associated with oil and gas production activities such as hydraulic fracturing or wastewater disposal. The study used statistical analysis and physics-based modeling to identify the causal factors of induced seismicity in the Dela...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalSeismological Research Letters·DateJun 27, 2022

DOE backs Rice physicists’ collaboration

Rice University physicists Frank Geurts and Wei Li have received a $1.8 million grant from the Department of Energy to conduct research on relativistic heavy-ion physics at both Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Their work focuses on creating quark-gluon plasmas, a

New approach reduces EV battery testing time by 75%

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new approach to optimize electric vehicle battery design, reducing testing time by 75%. The system uses machine learning to generate multiple configurations to be tested simultaneously, cutting off tests that lack promise and accelerating the development of better batteries.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPatterns·DateJun 27, 2022

Who’s really in control?

A Japanese research team investigated the psychological impact of remotely operating semi-autonomous robots on humans. They found that when a person controls only a part of the robot's body, their attitude aligns with that expressed by the semi-autonomous robot, influencing subsequent decisions.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 27, 2022

New approach to treatment of deadly kidney cancer

A new study from Karolinska Institutet has identified a key mechanism behind treatment resistance in a deadly form of kidney cancer. By increasing mitochondrial content in cancer cells, researchers found that these cells became susceptible to the cancer drug sorafenib. This breakthrough offers hope for more targeted cancer treatments.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Metabolism·DateJun 27, 2022

Fossils in the ‘Cradle of Humankind’ may be more than a million years older than previously thought

Fossils found in the 'Cradle of Humankind' in South Africa are estimated to be between 3.4 and 3.7 million years old, making them older than previously thought. This new age range places these fossils at the beginning of the Australopithecus era, challenging previous theories that they were near the end.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2022

Top predators could ‘trap’ themselves trying to adapt to climate change, study shows

Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that African wild dogs, a highly endangered species, shifted their breeding dates later in response to changing temperatures, leading to reduced pup survival rates. The study highlights how large predators can be vulnerable to climate change and its impact on life history events.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Major expansion of open-source neuroimaging data set to boost stroke recovery research

A newly expanded data set of brain scans from stroke patients called ATLAS now includes 1,271 MRI images with manually segmented lesions, facilitating large-scale stroke recovery research. Researchers hope to develop algorithms to automate lesion segmentation, enabling clinicians to predict patient responses to therapies.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScientific Data·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Canada's COVID-19 response in first 2 years of pandemic compares well with other countries' measures

A comparison analysis found that Canada handled the pandemic well by most measures, thanks to strict policies and high vaccination rates. The analysis showed that if US vaccination and death rates occurred in Canada, about 5.9 million fewer Canadians would have been vaccinated and 68,800 more would have died from COVID-19.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJun 27, 2022

Mediterranean diet may reduce chance of frailty according to new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming a Mediterranean-style diet may prevent frailty in older adults. Higher intake of carotenoids was associated with reduced likelihood of frailty development.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeSurvey·DateJun 27, 2022

New study finds doctors prescribe fewer painkillers during nightshifts than during the day

A new study published in PNAS found that physicians prescribe less pain medication during night shifts than during the day. Researchers attribute this discrepancy to reduced empathy among doctors on night shifts. The study analyzed data from 13,482 discharge letters and found a significant bias towards prescribing fewer painkillers at ...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Structural racism drives higher COVID-19 death rates in Louisiana, study finds

Researchers found that Black communities with high population densities and moderate levels of aggregate stress experience higher COVID-19 mortality rates. The study highlights the disproportionate burden on Black communities due to decades of institutional and societal bias, leading to increased risks of chronic illness and stroke.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Oxytocin spreads cooperation in social networks

Administering oxytocin to central social network members spreads cooperation via increased punishment of uncooperative behavior, Li et al. found in a new study published in JNeurosci. Cooperation can conflict with individual goals, but oxytocin may have evolved humans' need for group living.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Dual-color terahertz spatial light modulator for single-pixel imaging

A joint team of scientists developed a terahertz spatial light modulator based on metasurface absorber and dual-frequency liquid crystal, enabling dual-color THz CS imaging. The auto-calibrated CS algorithm improves image fidelity, while frequency-switching enables Hadamard masks with negative element values.

Reaction insights help make sustainable liquid fuels

Researchers from ETH Zürich and Paul Scherrer Institute gained unprecedented insight into the complex mechanism of converting CO2 to carbon neutral fuels. Using sophisticated analytical techniques, they identified two distinct reaction pathways, one driven by methyl radicals and another by oxygenated species, which shed light on how me...

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Rich people from humble origins are less sensitive to the challenges of poverty than those born rich, research finds

New research suggests that people who become wealthy from humble origins are less likely to support social welfare and have reduced sympathy for the poor compared to those who were born into wealth. The study of 736 participants found a positive view of upwardly mobile individuals, but also discovered that they perceived improving thei...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Computer models mimic brain’s ease in telling faces apart

Researchers found that two types of computer models, deep neural networks and the Basel Face Model, are surprisingly accurate at replicating human facial similarity judgments. These models were tested on a dataset of realistic computer-generated faces and ranked by students in terms of similarity.

SourceColumbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 27, 2022

Tiny limbs and long bodies: Coordinating lizard locomotion

A multidisciplinary approach reveals a continuum of locomotion dynamics in lizards, with short-limbed species exhibiting snakelike waves and long-bodied species bending like lizards. The findings deepen understanding of evolution's implications for locomotion and have applications for advanced robotics designs.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022