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Science News for May 17, 2022


Loops for micro-organisms

A UFZ research team has developed a new method called 'mass transfer with a loop' to stabilize microbial communities in bioreactors. This approach prevents the loss of crucial microorganisms, which are essential for various biotechnological processes, by synchronizing their composition and functions.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Clinical study shows postbiotic urolithin a improves muscle strength and exercise performance in middle aged adults

A new clinical study published in Cell Reports Medicine found that daily intake of postbiotic Urolithin A improved muscle strength by 12% in middle-aged adults. The supplement supported the cells' ability to renew their powerplants, the mitochondria, during the aging process.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 17, 2022

How social media posts could affect credit scores

Alternative credit scoring systems present challenges not covered by existing regulations, leaving many Americans unable to access the credit system. These systems can be opaque and ripe for abusive lending practices, making it difficult for consumers to contest erroneous information.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalAmerican Business Law Journal·DateMay 17, 2022

Reliable diagnostics at the tip of your finger

Researchers developed a biosensor using nanostructured and nanoporous surfaces to detect biomarkers in clinical samples, overcoming technical challenges of small sample amounts. The new technology can provide quick and accurate diagnoses for diseases like prostate cancer without needing dilution or preprocessing steps.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

New tool developed by WVU researchers makes it easier to identify pregnant patients with eating disorders

A new screening tool has been developed to identify pregnant women at risk of eating disorders, allowing for early intervention and treatment. The Prenatal Eating Behaviors Screening (PEBS) tool, created by WVU researchers, uses a 12-question screener to assess symptoms and emotions associated with eating disorders.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalArchives of Women s Mental Health·DateMay 17, 2022

Student expenditures decrease at some colleges that receive promise scholarship funds

A recent study found that two-year colleges receiving promise scholarship funds decreased their spending on instruction by 3.3% and student services by up to 15%. However, four-year colleges received no significant change in spending on student-related expenditures, while experiencing a 14.5% increase in non-student-related public serv...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEducational Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2022

The war in Ukraine impacts patients with mental disorders

A new study from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital – Psychiatry has found that Danish patients with mental disorders experienced a worsening of symptoms in connection with the invasion of Ukraine. The study analyzed over 500,000 clinical notes from psychiatric hospitals in Denmark and identified a sharp increase in clini...

SourceAarhus University·JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 17, 2022

New ALS ‘drug’ is more effective than existing ones

Research on experimental drug NU-9 invents by Northwestern University scientists reveals it is more effective than existing FDA-approved drugs for ALS treatment. NU-9 also repairs the axons of diseased upper motor neurons in ALS mouse model, offering a potential new approach to treating the devastating disease.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Scientists use machine learning models to help identify long COVID patients

Researchers developed XGBoost machine learning models using de-identified EHR data from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative to identify potential long-COVID patients. The models achieved high accuracy, identifying key features such as post-COVID respiratory symptoms and pre-existing risk factors for acute COVID severity.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2022

3D-printed acoustic holograms against Alzheimer's or Parkinson's

Researchers at Universitat Politècnica de València have developed 3D-printed acoustic holograms that can open the blood-brain barrier, allowing for precise administration of therapeutic drugs to treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The technology enables controlled focusing of ultrasonic beams on specific brain structures.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Photoluminescence, a simple and ubiquitous technique, is far more capable than one might have thought

Researchers develop an all-optical approach using photoluminescence to analyze radiative and nonradiative recombination processes in semiconductors. By combining Raman spectroscopy with PL data, they can extract quantitative information on carrier recombination dynamics, including defect density and capture cross-sections.

Dwarf planet Ceres was formed in coldest zone of Solar System and thrust into Asteroid Belt

Researchers propose that Ceres was formed outside the Frost Line, where ammonia ice is abundant, and then pulled into the Asteroid Belt by gravitational instability. Computer simulations support this hypothesis, showing that giant planet formation led to a turbulent environment that scattered objects into stable orbits.

Caribbean coral reefs need our help

Global warming is expected to destabilize Caribbean coral populations, leading to bleaching and extinction. Coral reefs support the seafood industry, coastal communities, and tourism, with a net economic value estimated in tens of billions of dollars.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalCoral Reefs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2022

Changes in COVID-19 mortality rates by age, race, ethnicity

A recent study found that COVID-19 mortality rates in the United States were significantly higher among younger adults and minority groups compared to older adults and white populations. The research also revealed disparities in mortality rates by sex, with women experiencing lower mortality rates than men.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 17, 2022

Alternative to open heart surgery just as effective for patients with common heart condition

A new study has shown that Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is just as effective as conventional open-heart surgery in treating severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. The procedure offers a safer and faster recovery for patients, with improved symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life at 6 weeks.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 17, 2022

Steps should be taken now to protect future supplies of infant and pediatric formula

A new perspective published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recommends strategies to prevent future shortages and regain public trust. Strategies include a thorough, public process to instill confidence in safe production, assessment of supply system factors, and evaluation of business practices.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 17, 2022

Protein linked to intellectual disability has complex role

The study found that the fragile X protein regulates the opening and closing of the GABA-A receptor in neurons from the brain's memory center, influencing how such neurons process information. This nuanced understanding may hold the key to developing effective therapies for fragile X syndrome.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Dynamics of adaptive immunity in tuberculosis uncovered

Researchers discovered that adaptive immune response against TB matures over time, with key players in immunity becoming activated by three months after infection. The emergence of these activated T cells is inversely correlated with the number of granuloma-contained live bacteria, suggesting they play critical roles in bacterial control.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 17, 2022

The numbers don’t lie: Australia is failing at maths and we need to find a new formula to arrest the decline

Australian secondary students' math rankings have dropped to 29th place globally, with a new study suggesting hand gestures are crucial for understanding mathematical concepts. Online learning has exacerbated the issue, making it harder for students to grasp math concepts without human motor and sensory skills.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalIntegrative Psychological and Behavioral Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2022

“Gold veins mined in the city” A technology to realize ‘urban mining’

A Korean research team has developed a gold recovery process with the world's highest recovery efficiency of 99.9%. The technology uses a capsule-type material that traps gold ions and prevents clogging, allowing for repeated recycling. This innovation can lead to significant cost savings and environmental benefits.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateMay 17, 2022

If you take several medications, ‘polypharmacy’ is a word to know

A recent study found that 70% of adults with stage 3 or 4 cancer were at risk of drug-drug interactions, highlighting the importance of deprescribing medications to avoid harm. The study's results emphasize the need for education and problem-solving to address polypharmacy in older adults with cancer.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalThe Oncologist·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 17, 2022

Meteorological mechanisms behind severe drought in southwestern China during spring 2021 differ from similar historical events

A study found that climatic conditions during the extreme 2021 spring drought in SWC were distinct from similar historical events. Researchers identified atmospheric internal variability and a warming trend as key drivers of the drought, with high temperatures contributing significantly to its severity.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMay 17, 2022

A CNIC team creates a dynamic 3D atlas of the formation of the embryonic heart

A CNIC team has created a dynamic 3D atlas of the formation of the heart during embryonic and fetal development, allowing for the identification of the first appearance of left–right asymmetry in the heart. This study provides important information on the development of congenital heart malformations.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Rice chemists skew the odds to prevent cancer

Researchers at Rice University have developed a theoretical framework to explain how cancers caused by multiple genetic mutations can be identified and potentially stopped. By analyzing energy landscapes of cellular transformation pathways, they found that the most dominant pathways are favored by chance.

SourceRice University·JournalBiophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 17, 2022

Vine removal technique foils devastating grape disease

A new vine removal technique called spatial roguing can significantly reduce the incidence of leafroll disease in commercial vineyards. Removing two vines on either side of a diseased grapevine creates a barrier that eliminates the mealybugs' means of transporting the virus, leading to a rapid decline in disease incidence.

SourceCornell University·JournalAmerican Journal of Enology and Viticulture·DateMay 17, 2022

China's Tianwen-1 Solar Wind Observation: The beginning of a multi-spacecraft exploration in Martian space by China, the U.S., and Europe

The Tianwen-1 mission has successfully observed solar wind plasma upstream of Mars, revealing several large-scale solar wind disturbances and consistent tendencies with other Mars missions. The joint observation will bring new opportunities for studying the evolution of the Martian atmosphere and paleoclimate.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateMay 17, 2022

‘Untapped’ potential: Mineral water derived from deep-sea water may have health benefits

Scientists discovered that mineral water derived from deep-sea water can improve cognitive and coordinative functions in obese mice. The researchers found that treatment with DSW extract-added water significantly increased hippocampal NGF secretion and decreased serum parameters, indicating a positive impact on renal function.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalNutrients·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Magnetic nanoparticles in biological vehicles individually characterized for the first time

A multidisciplinary research group uses magnetotactic bacteria to create nanomagnetic structures, which can be steered through the human body via external magnetic fields. They have developed a new method to measure the magnetic properties of individual nanomagnets in biological entities, enabling precise control over these structures.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

CABBI team develops automated platform for plasmid production

Researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed PlasmidMaker, an automated platform for designing and constructing plasmids. The platform uses Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute-based artificial restriction enzymes to assemble DNA fragments with greater flexibility and precision.

New light on organic solar cells

Researchers at Linköping University have identified the key to minimizing energy losses in organic solar cells. By studying the energy level alignment at donor/acceptor interfaces, they discovered a systematic mapping that points to new ways forward for developing more efficient and sustainable solar cell materials.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2022

First animals developed complex ecosystems before the Cambrian explosion

The study reveals that early animal communities exhibited complex ecological structures more than 550 million years ago, setting the stage for the Cambrian explosion. The analysis of metacommunity structure suggests competitive exclusion as the cause of the diversity drop in the late Ediacaran period.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 17, 2022

Scent dogs detect coronavirus reliably from skin swabs

A recent study by the University of Helsinki found that scent detection dogs can accurately identify individuals with a coronavirus infection from skin swabs. The dogs' sensitivity and specificity were 92%, with only small differences in accuracy observed between individual dogs.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 17, 2022

Statins may provide protection against depression

A new study found that statin users were less likely to recognize fearful faces and more likely to report them as positive, indicating reduced negative emotional bias. Statins may provide protection against depression through their effect on emotion processing, possibly due to anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Development of an innovative hydrogen liquefaction technology

Researchers have developed a magnetic refrigeration system capable of operating at extremely low temperatures to liquefy hydrogen, achieving higher efficiency than current vapor-compression refrigerators. The technology has the potential to dramatically reduce hydrogen supply costs, making it feasible for widespread adoption.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalApplied Physics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Energy-efficient AI hardware technology via a brain-inspired stashing system​

Scientists at KAIST have proposed a novel 'stashing system' inspired by the human brain's neural activity, which efficiently handles mathematical operations for artificial intelligence. This technology reduces power consumption by 37% while maintaining accuracy, paving the way for next-generation semiconductor chips.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 17, 2022

Tooth unlocks mystery of Denisovans in Asia

The discovery of a 164,000- to 131,000-year-old Denisovan tooth in Laos provides significant insights into the species' geographic range. The ancient tooth's shape and similarity to teeth found on the Tibetan Plateau suggest that Denisovans inhabited Southeast Asia, particularly northern Laos.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNature Communications·TypeCase study·DateMay 17, 2022

Predictable home environment protects against development of heart disease risk factors after child abuse

A new study published in the Journal of American Heart Association found that well-organized households can help mitigate cardiovascular risk factors in children who have experienced abuse. The study's results suggest that stable home environments may play a crucial role in reducing racial disparities in cardiac disease.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 17, 2022

Teaching physics to AI makes the student a master

Researchers at Duke University have developed a machine learning algorithm that incorporates known physics into neural networks, allowing for new insights into material properties and more efficient predictions. The approach helps the algorithm attain transparency and accuracy, even with limited training data.

SourceDuke University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Deep ocean warming as climate changes

New research suggests that 62% of warming in the subtropical North Atlantic is stored in the deep ocean below 700m. The study estimates a further 0.2°C warming in the next 50 years due to climate change.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeObservational study·DateMay 17, 2022