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Science News for October 18, 2022


Needs and challenges for COVID-19 boosters and other vaccines in the U.S.

The US ranks last in vaccination rates among the world's richest countries, with a mortality rate from COVID-19 30 times higher than influenza. Boosters can reduce the risk of dying and hospitalization by over 90%. All US adults and eligible children should receive booster shots to protect against future variants.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 18, 2022

Intermetallic palladium-zinc alloy: a corrosion-resistant, highly active, low-cost electrocatalyst!

Researchers have developed an intermetallic palladium-zinc alloy with high corrosion resistance and improved catalytic activity. The alloy's unique structure creates a protective skeletal shell around the zinc atoms, preventing leaching and increasing its durability as an electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation reactions.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalResearch on Chemical Intermediates·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022

New research tunes theory of sound levitation

Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney have extended the theory of acoustic levitation to account for asymmetrical particles, which is more applicable to real-world experience. This new understanding enables precise control and sorting of tiny objects using ultrasonic waves.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2022

Scientists have grown custom-shaped nanoparticles

Researchers developed a technology to create nonspherical nanoparticles through ion implantation, enabling the growth of custom shapes and controlling their properties. This allows for the creation of metamaterials with improved optical absorption and energy conversion efficiency.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalJournal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids·DateOct 18, 2022

Earth’s warming hole not indication of abrupt climate change event, study finds

Researchers at University of Miami Rosenstiel School used climate model to investigate temperature changes in subpolar North Atlantic region. The study found that human-driven atmospheric changes are the cause of a warming hole, not a slowdown of ocean circulation.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2022

Study suggests support across Europe for COVID-19 vaccine equity

A survey of six European countries found strong public support for transferring COVID-19 vaccines to poorer nations and prioritizing those with the greatest need. Europeans consistently prioritized individuals most vulnerable, employed individuals, or those who lost income during the pandemic over unemployed individuals.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateOct 18, 2022

A new comprehensive assessment of ocean warming highlights future climate risks

A comprehensive review of ocean warming reveals that global ocean heat content has increased by over 90% since the 1950s. The study predicts that if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, ocean warming will continue to accelerate, leading to more intense storms, droughts, and sea-level rise.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·DateOct 18, 2022

Bright colors in the animal kingdom: Why some use them to impress and others to intimidate

Research at the University of Arizona found a strong link between bright color use and ancestral day-night activity patterns. Species that use bright colors for sexual signals were descended from diurnal ancestors, while those using aposematism had nocturnal ancestors. This pattern holds across land vertebrates with over 40,000 species.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalEvolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2022

Black Canada lynx photographed for the first time

A black-coated Canada lynx has been photographed for the first time in Yukon, shedding light on a rare genetic variation. The animal's unique coat color is a result of melanism, a condition where an individual has excess melanin, and its impact on hunting abilities is still unclear.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalMammalia·TypeObservational study·DateOct 18, 2022

Polyester chemistry highlights possible role of microdroplets in the origin of life

A new international collaboration has explored the suitable conditions for polyester microdroplet synthesis and assembly, revealing that they can form in much wider conditions than previously understood. The research suggests that polyester microdroplets could have played a role in chemical evolution on early Earth.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalMacromolecular Chemistry and Physics·DateOct 18, 2022

Patients waiting for urgent surgery in A&E feel calmer and experience less pain if given a music pillow

Researchers found that patients awaiting surgery experienced decreased pain and improved relaxation when given a music pillow to listen to during their wait. The study, which included over 30 participants, demonstrated a positive association between music and reduced anxiety in emergency department patients.

Throwing tomatoes at bacteria

Researchers at ITQB NOVA extract bactericidal mixtures from tomato peels using a fast, simple, and sustainable process. The extracts show effectiveness against pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This breakthrough has the potential to provide antimicrobial properties to biomaterials.

Scientists discover mechanism that can cause collapse of great Atlantic circulation system

Researchers found that subsurface warming in the North Atlantic precedes the release of massive icebergs from Canada and the US, leading to a reduction in surface salinity and AMOC collapse. This finding sheds light on the sequence of events responsible for the collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation system.

New cancer drug candidate targets immune system “brakes”

Researchers have designed a potential therapeutic that dampens the activity of regulatory T cells, which can prevent the immune system from unleashing its full potential against tumor cells. The molecule, known as FOX3P, acts as a transcription factor for many Treg genes but isn't vital for other types of T cells.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2022

Development of high-time-resolution measurement of electron temperature and density in a magnetically confined plasma

Researchers have developed a high-performance laser system capable of measuring electron temperature and density in plasma at a world record speed of 20,000 times per second. This breakthrough enables detailed measurements of transient phenomena in plasmas, crucial for understanding and controlling fusion power generation.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022

Millions of people are missing out on their fair share of the $424 billion aquatic food industry

A new study found that social, economic and political barriers hinder the global distribution of the $424 billion aquatic food industry's benefits. The study calls for policies to ensure equitable access to this sector, which supports both welfare-based benefits like jobs and affordable nutrition, as well as wealth-based benefits.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature Food·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2022

Chord of second fiddle: Disinfection processes with higher removal efficiencies of natural and synthetic progesterones in hospital wastewater

The study investigated the removal efficiencies of natural and synthetic progesterones in hospital wastewater treated by different disinfection processes. The results showed that secondary biological treatment significantly reduced progesterone content, while UV/Cl2 had the highest removal efficiency due to ultraviolet photolysis.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022

Study finds caregiver-child relationships improved after seven-session intervention

A new randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE), a seven-session intervention program, for children with challenging behaviors and their parents or caregivers. The study found that PC-CARE improves communication and reduces challenging behaviors in just seven weeks, with an 81% retention rate.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalChild Psychiatry & Human Development·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 18, 2022

After cardiac arrest, does sedation improve the chance of surviving and regaining normal brain function?

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that sedating patients after cardiac arrest can improve their chances of survival and regaining normal brain function. The study, conducted in mice, showed that sedatives like propofol and dexmedetomidine improved survival rates compared to those who received no sedation.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAnesthesiology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022

Scientists find novel way to optimize thermoelectric properties of bismuth telluride alloys

Researchers found that introducing Ag9AlSe6 nanoparticles into N-type Bi2Te3.7Se0.3 improves thermoelectric performance by enhancing phonon scattering and reducing thermal conductivity. The composite sample exhibits a maximum ZT value of 1.2 at 423K, outperforming the original BTS alloy.

New Figures reveal importance of Science to world economies with UK's synchrotron (Diamond) contributing over £2.6 billion to UK Science and economy

The UK Synchrotron facility, Diamond, has contributed £2.6 billion to the UK science and economy through its delivery of 12,000 published journal papers. This impact is demonstrated by the significant benefits achieved in various scientific disciplines, addressing global challenges such as disease, clean energy, and food security.

Reliably estimating proportion of vaccinated populations in wildlife

Researchers developed a groundbreaking model to estimate bait vaccination effectiveness in wild animals by analyzing the proportion of immunized animals and vaccine applications. The study successfully tested the model using real data from Japan's CSF outbreak, demonstrating a measurable increase in immunized wild boars.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2022

Researchers 3D bioprint breast cancer tumors, treat them in groundbreaking study

A team of researchers has successfully 3D bioprinted breast cancer tumors, treated them with chemotherapy and CAR-T cells, and found promising results. The bioprinted tumor model enabled the testing of experimental therapies without animal experimentation, laying the foundation for precision fabrication of tumor models.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022

Introducing FathomNet: New open-source image database unlocks the power of AI for ocean exploration

FathomNet aggregates images from multiple sources to create a publicly available, expertly curated underwater image training database. The database uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to alleviate the bottleneck for analyzing underwater imagery, accelerating important research around ocean health.

SourceMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 18, 2022

Prescription drug spending in fee-for-service Medicare

Spending on prescription drugs was a significant portion of healthcare spending among Medicare beneficiaries, accounting for approximately 27%, even after post-sale rebates. The study highlights the need to address rising medication costs and explores ways to mitigate this burden on individuals and the healthcare system.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 18, 2022

Researchers explore gene interactions in influenza to help improve accuracy of flu vaccines

Researchers found that reduced NA activity enables HA mutations to become more neutral, and that this process is crucial for predicting future flu strains. The study aims to improve flu vaccine accuracy by understanding the interactions between HA and NA genes.

Association for molecular pathology offers recommendations for in silico approaches for validating next-generation sequencing analysis pipelines

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) has published consensus recommendations for using in silico approaches to validate Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data analysis pipelines. The guidelines provide expert opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of different types of in silico data and offer general recommendations for s...

SourceAssociation for Molecular Pathology·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateOct 18, 2022

Just part of a larger picture

Researchers found a moderate increase in anxiety and depression among the general population during the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact on mental health varied significantly by population after that period.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 18, 2022

Substantial proportion of ethnically diverse children from low-resource backgrounds report long-term COVID-19 complications

A substantial proportion of ethnically diverse children from low-resource backgrounds with severe COVID-19 illness are reporting long-term complications. The study found that pediatric patients with private health insurance were 66% less likely to report long COVID symptoms versus those with government insurance.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateOct 18, 2022

THE LANCET JOURNALS: Over 250 health journals urge world leaders to deliver climate justice for Africa

Over 250 health journals globally publish an editorial urging wealthy nations to provide climate justice for Africa, citing severe flooding, increased infectious diseases, and economic devastation. The authors argue that achieving the $100bn climate finance target is now 'globally critical' to forestall systemic risks.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 18, 2022

New insights into lithium’s effectiveness for bipolar disorder

A recent study identifies a specific gene, GNL3, that regulates neural proliferation in response to lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disorder. This gene plays an important role in brain function and has been implicated in risk for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and inter-individual variations in intelligence.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022

Individualized Fingerprints from Sleep Brainwaves Provide a Powerful New Tool for Understanding Disease

Researchers developed a new computational tool that creates a picture of brain activity during sleep, providing an enhanced way to characterize the activity of the brain. The approach identified new potential biomarkers in people with schizophrenia, suggesting new ways to understand the disorder and develop targeted treatments.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalSLEEP·TypeObservational study·DateOct 18, 2022

Effective calculation method suggested for large-caliber magnetic field immunity testing system of ITER

Physicists from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science successfully developed an effective calculation method for the ITER large-caliber magnetic field immunity testing system. The study revealed a novel formula to determine the allowable deviation of equipment coil, providing a theoretical basis for actual installation.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalIEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics·DateOct 18, 2022

New motorcycle lighting design could save lives

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new motorcycle lighting design that could help prevent accidents by improving visibility for other drivers. The six-light configuration, which illuminates the full height and width of the bike, was found to reduce response times by up to 0.8 seconds.

SourceRice University·JournalTransportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2022

Optimized differential helmholtz photoacoustic cell ensures higher sensitivity detection

Researchers developed a high-sensitivity differential Helmholtz photoacoustic cell, achieving a minimum detection limit of 177 ppb in methane gas detection. The optimized cell structure and signal processing techniques improved performance by suppressing noise and enhancing photoacoustic signals.

Recognition for that extra mile leads to improved job performance, Rotman School study finds

A study by the Rotman School of Management found that pay bonuses based on managers' assessments of employee work led to improved performance, while losing pay had a demotivating effect. The research highlights the importance of cautious use of subjective penalties in incentive systems.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalManagement Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 18, 2022

Collaborative team at IGB discovers new natural products at unprecedented speed

A collaborative team at IGB discovered 30 new compounds, including three with antibacterial properties, using the Illinois Biological Foundry for Advanced Biomanufacturing. The platform allowed for rapid screening of hundreds of genes and pathways, enabling the researchers to identify potential anti-microbial compounds.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022