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Science News for March 24, 2022


Firing it up

A team at Harvard Medical School identified a mechanism that triggers local dopamine release in the brain when acetylcholine binds to axons, not previously known to initiate firing. This finding reveals more about the interaction between acetylcholine and dopamine systems, suggesting a new strategy for treating diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 24, 2022

Study of skin biopsies offers potential as new diagnostic marker for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Researchers have identified a biomarker, TDP-43, detectable in small skin samples of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), allowing for potentially easier diagnosis and early detection. The presence of this protein in the skin of ALS patients is associated with an increased number of fibroblasts with disease marks.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalCells·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 24, 2022

Life at the top: Scientists find first molecular clues behind high-altitude adaptation in gelada monkeys

Researchers found no evidence that gelada monkeys' hemoglobin provides increased oxygen-carrying capacity, but discovered other physiological adaptations that enable them to thrive at high altitudes. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind human adaptation and potential treatments for diseases associated with high altitude.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Scientists solve solar secret

Researchers have solved a key part of the coronal heating problem by merging two previous theories into one. The study used six-dimensional supercomputer simulations to show how turbulence creates magnetic waves that heat the gas in the Sun's atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 24, 2022

Tropical peatland, sea level rise and climate change

Researchers analyzed two peat cores to discover that higher concentrations of charcoal occurred between 9,000 to 4,000 years ago due to larger forest fires. Mangrove pollen found in the earlier period indicates rising sea levels and increased salt, contributing to dry conditions suitable for massive forest fires.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

The proton's innate charm may trouble astronomers

Physicists from Cracow-based Institute of Nuclear Physics found that the proton's charm structure might affect our understanding of cosmic neutrinos. Recent LHCb detector measurements support a model with a higher charm quark contribution, which could mislead astronomers about high-energy neutrino origins.

Spinal fluid sampling used to track treatment response in pediatric glioma

Researchers collected hundreds of cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with Diffuse Midline Glioma, tracking changes in cell-free tumor DNA over time. The findings suggest that this method could provide data about tumors sooner than MRIs alone, allowing clinicians to address aggressive brain cancer more effectively.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNeuro-Oncology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Peer-reviewed study: Without tropical forests, global temperatures would be 1°c warmer

A recent peer-reviewed study reveals that tropical forests play a vital role in maintaining global climate stability by reducing extreme temperatures and promoting local climate stability. The study finds that the entire world benefits from the band of tropical rainforests, which keep the planet cooler by up to 1 degree Celsius.

SourceUniversity of Virginia·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 24, 2022

Artificial intelligence to bring museum specimens to the masses

Scientists from Cardiff University have developed a new artificial intelligence method to automate the extraction of information from large collections of museum specimens. The 'image segmentation' method can accurately locate and bound different visual regions on images, allowing for faster and more efficient digitization processes.

SourceCardiff University·JournalMachine Vision and Applications·DateMar 24, 2022

Breakthrough in cell research: Jacobs University scientists discover new method for drug delivery

Researchers at Jacobs University have developed a novel method for drug delivery using boron clusters, enabling efficient transport of bioactive substances into cells. The breakthrough has potential applications in overcoming antibiotic resistance and delivering innovative therapeutics, such as peptides and protein-based drugs.

SourceJacobs University Bremen gGmbH·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

IgA antibodies seem to protect unvaccinated against COVID-19

A University of Gothenburg study found that IgA antibodies present in the respiratory tract protected healthcare workers from contracting COVID-19. The research, published in the European Journal of Immunology, suggests that these antibodies may play a crucial role in preventing severe illness and hospitalization.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Probing the orbital angular momentum of intense vortex pulses with strong-field ionization

Researchers developed an approach to measure the orbital angular momentum of intense vortex pulses using photoelectron momentum imaging via strong-field photoionization. They successfully characterized three different OAM modes and proposed a universal scheme for higher OAM detection, with minimal influence on the OAM states.

Brazilian dataset of whole-genome sequences brings more diversity in international databases, study says

A new Brazilian database of whole-genome sequences brings diverse genetic information to international databases, shedding light on the genetics of aging and disease in Brazil's elderly population. The study identified over 2 million novel genetic variants, providing insights into the health and well-being of older adults.

Intense press coverage prompts new expeditions to Dyatlov Pass

Researchers at EPFL and ETH Zurich propose a rational explanation for the deaths of nine hikers in 1959, attributing their injuries to a small slab avalanche. The team's work was met with intense media attention and criticism from conspiracy theorists before being accepted by the Russian scientific community.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Getting warmer: Improving heat flux modeling

Scientists at Osaka University developed a new numerical technique to visualize heat flux at the atomic scale for the first time. The team found that sub-atomic stresses in solid and liquid structures determine the direction of heat flux, enabling more efficient nanoscale manufacturing.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review E·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 24, 2022

Researchers document prevalence of patients’ social risks and their desire for health system assistance

A new study found that 48% of patients with subsidized health care insurance reported one or more social risks, with housing instability being the most prevalent. Patients with social risks were twice as likely to report having poor health, despite being demographically similar to those without social risks.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 24, 2022

Deforestation impacts go far beyond carbon

A new study reveals that deforestation has significant biophysical effects on climate, including changes in heat distribution and water cycles. Forests play a crucial role in dispersing heat and transferring water from the surface to the atmosphere, which affects regional hydrological cycles.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

TGen-Temple review suggests even normal weight individuals are susceptible to severe fatty liver disease

Even normal weight individuals are susceptible to severe fatty liver disease due to various risk factors including diet, genetics, and ethnicity. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis if left undiagnosed or untreated.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·JournalDiabetology & Metabolic Syndrome·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 24, 2022

Study supports shortened quarantine period among asymptomatic health care professionals exposed to SARS-CoV-2

A new study suggests that asymptomatic healthcare professionals can safely return to work after seven days of quarantine if they receive a negative COVID-19 test. The findings, from the first reported study evaluating reduced quarantine duration in a healthcare setting, offer a potential new strategy for mitigating staffing shortages.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Astronomers reveal remarkable simulations of the early universe, from the Dark Ages through First Light

Researchers at the Center for Astrophysics created a suite of simulations named Thesan, resolving interactions in the early universe with unprecedented detail. The simulations capture properties of early galaxies and how light impacts gas, spanning over 300 million light years across.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 24, 2022

Mom’s protective behaviors run deep

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that the brain region responsible for social behavior, the locus coeruleus, is activated precisely when a mother retrieves her pup. This finding could help reveal causes of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and autism, leading to potential new treatments.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalJNeurosci·DateMar 24, 2022

Penn-Developed CAR T Cells Suppress GI Solid Tumor Cells, Without Toxicity to Healthy Tissue, in Preclinical Research

Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered a new approach to treat solid cancers using CDH17CAR T cells, which selectively target and eliminate gastrointestinal (GI) solid tumors like gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers in preclinical models. Unlike other immunotherapies, CDH17CAR T cells do not show toxicity to healthy tissues.

Stanford-led study: Methane leaks are far worse than estimates, at least in New Mexico, but there’s hope

A Stanford-led study found that methane leaks in the Permian Basin of New Mexico are several times greater than federal estimates, with over 9% of production being leaked. The researchers used airborne sensors to detect leaks and identified super-emitters responsible for the majority of emissions.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Mayo Clinic researchers develop new antibody test to diagnose MS

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a new antibody test to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS), a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. The validated test measures kappa immunoglobulin free light chains in cerebrospinal fluid, offering a faster and more cost-effective alternative to existing tests.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateMar 24, 2022

Set back on the way to meet SDG targets: Progress in tackling tuberculosis reversed by the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a setback in global efforts to meet SDG targets for tackling tuberculosis. TB mortality plateaued in Europe between 2019 and 2020, likely due to disruptions in essential TB services. Researchers highlight the need for continued commitment and investments to prevent further progress being reversed.

Tuberculosis infection protects mice from developing COVID-19

Researchers discovered that mice infected with tuberculosis are resistant to developing COVID-19, suggesting a potential protective effect against the virus. The findings may explain why double infections of both diseases are rare in humans and contribute to the high rates of infection for each disease individually.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Enhancing the electromechanical behavior of a flexible polymer

A Penn State-led team of researchers developed a flexible polymer with enhanced electromechanical behavior, resulting in a 60% increase in electricity generation efficiency. The material's properties were improved by deliberately introducing chemical impurities through doping and stretching the polymer to align molecular chains.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateMar 24, 2022

A better way to separate gases

Researchers have developed a new type of membrane material that can significantly improve the efficiency of gas separation processes. The membranes, based on hydrocarbon ladder polymers, offer both high permeability and selectivity, making them outperform other polymer materials in many gas separations.

Popular male dolphins produce more offspring

A recent study led by the University of Zurich found that well-integrated male dolphins with strong social bonds to many alliance partners produce the most offspring. The researchers analyzed 30 years of behavioral data from 85 male dolphins and used genetic data to conduct paternity analyses for more than 400 dolphins.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Can supermarkets coax people into buying healthier food?

Researchers found that increasing availability of healthier options, such as low-fat chips and lower-calorie biscuits, led to significant changes in purchasing behaviors. Removing seasonal chocolates from prominent locations also attenuated the usual increase in confectionery sales.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Cheap, eco-friendly catalyst opens new possibilities for organic molecules built from pyruvate

Researchers develop an eco-friendly organic catalyst system that improves the production of organic molecules from pyruvate, a key biomolecule in metabolic pathways. The catalyst promotes reactions where pyruvate donates electrons to produce molecules like amino acids.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalOrganic Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Taking context seriously

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on smallholder farmers in the developing world, with up to 80% reporting reduced food purchases and 50% suffering income loss. The study highlights the need for policymakers to balance disease containment measures with the food security needs of rural populations.

SourceInternational Livestock Research Institute·JournalAgricultural Systems·TypeSurvey·DateMar 24, 2022

Simply printing high-performance perovskite-based transistors

A research team from POSTECH has developed a method to print high-performance p-type semiconductor transistors using inorganic metal halide perovskite, exhibiting high hole mobility and current ratio. This technology enables solution-processed perovskite transistors to be simply printed as semiconductor-like circuits, paving the way fo...

Rapid spin-flip in colloidal nanocrystals to generate molecular triplets

A team of scientists developed a method to generate molecular triplets in colloidal nanocrystals through rapid spin-flip, which can be used for photochemical applications such as photon upconversion and singlet oxygen generation. The study demonstrates the potential of solution-processed semiconductor materials for new fields.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChem·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 24, 2022

Illinois researchers find exotic sources of resistance to tar spot in corn

Illinois researchers identified two tropical corn germplasm lines showing promising levels of tar spot resistance, regardless of location. The study developed a new method for scoring tar spot incidence and severity, which will aid breeding programs. The findings suggest resistant hybrids are key to managing the disease long-term.

Evidence of defendants’ adverse childhood experiences can elicit jurors’ leniency in capital trials

A new study found that defense testimony about defendants' adverse childhood experiences can elicit leniency in jurors' sentencing decisions in capital trials. The study suggests that investigating and presenting ACE evidence is critical in eliciting leniency, with sympathy being a key factor in jurors' decisions.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateMar 24, 2022

ASMR fans are hypersensitive to the world

Research reveals that ASMR enthusiasts are hypersensitive to their environment, easily overstimulated by noise and movement. They also possess heightened bodily awareness, noticing physical changes when experiencing emotions.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·TypeSurvey·DateMar 24, 2022

Carbon budget and balance critical processes of the regional land-water-air interface: Indicating the earth system’s carbon neutrality

The study analyzes global land-water-gas carbon transport and budget changes, focusing on inland water carbon budget and cycle in land-sea-gas budget. Climate change drives riverine-based carbon transport processes, while anthropogenic activities affect carbon sources, cycling, and budgets.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateMar 24, 2022

Artificial sweeteners may not be safe sugar alternatives

A study published in PLOS Medicine found associations between consuming artificial sweeteners and increased cancer risk. The researchers analyzed data from 102,865 French adults and discovered higher risks for overall cancer, breast cancer, and obesity-related cancers.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Breaking down plastic into its constituent parts

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to break down certain polymers into their basic building blocks, enabling full recycling. The breakthrough involves creating 'radicals' at the end of a polymer chain, triggering depolymerisation and recovering up to 92% of the monomers.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022