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Science News for October 6, 2022


Intercultural romantic relationships aid personal growth, York U researcher says

A study by Social Psychologist Amy Muise found that intercultural romantic relationships facilitate personal growth through shared perspectives and knowledge. The research also showed that actively sharing cultures and discussing differences is linked to greater cultural awareness and relationship quality.

SourceYork University·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2022

Synthetic routes to pharmaceuticals greatly expanded leading to new and more effective treatments

A search of the Cambridge Structural Database found nearly 1,800 conglomerate crystal structures with spontaneous enriched chirality, augmenting synthetic building blocks for medicinal chemists. This discovery introduces a new pool of chiral molecules outside of natural sources, potentially leading to more effective treatments.

SourceCCDC - Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre·JournalJACS Au·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2022

COVID-19 vaccine developed by Brazilian scientists is ready for clinical trials

A novel COVID-19 vaccine developed by Brazilian scientists combines two SARS-CoV-2 proteins to trigger a cellular immune response. The vaccine, called SpiN, showed promise in animal trials, protecting against three strains of the virus and reducing viral load by up to 50 times.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 6, 2022

What drives ecosystems to instability?

Researchers have developed a phase diagram that predicts ecosystem stability based on the number of species and interaction strength. The study shows three states of ecological communities, with conditions for moving between them, allowing for the prediction of instability and fluctuations in populations. This work builds on previous f...

ProDERM study results of Octagam® 10% treatment in patients with dermatomyositis published in the New England Journal of Medicine

A large randomized clinical trial demonstrated Octagam 10% as an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment option for adult dermatomyositis patients. The study showed improved outcomes in patients with this rare disease, providing a much-needed treatment alternative.

SourceYankee Public Relations·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 6, 2022

Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis should focus on the telomeres of the cells that regenerate the lungs, according to a new study by CNIO researchers

Researchers at CNIO have identified alveolar type II pneumocytes as the primary cell type responsible for developing pulmonary fibrosis. The study reveals that targeting these cells through telomere-based therapy may lead to a breakthrough in treating this debilitating disease.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2022

80-year-old mystery in static electricity finally solved

A team of researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has finally solved the long-standing mystery of contact electrification, a phenomenon that was once humanity's only source of electricity. The study reveals that charge mosaics on contact-electrified dielectrics result from polarity-inverting discharges.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNature Physics·TypeNews article·DateOct 6, 2022

Small test group shows ALS patients’ own cells may provide a safe pathway to slow or halt progression of the deadly degenerative disease

A small test group has shown that using a patient's own cells in combination with regulatory T-lymphocyte and IL-2 treatment can safely and effectively slow or halt the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This treatment approach was found to be tolerable and biologically active over a period of one year.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalNeurology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2022

Low-income charter school graduates had lower rates of problematic substance use as young adults, UCLA research suggests

A new study from UCLA found that students who attended high-performing charter schools had a 50% lower rate of alcohol use disorder compared to waitlisted students. Males in the intervention group also reported better physical health and lower obesity rates, while females did not show similar benefits.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 6, 2022

A one-stop-shop for brain imaging

A team from McGill University has created a database called neuromaps, which combines over 40 existing brain maps to help scientists find correlations between patterns across different brain regions. The tool provides standardized space to view and compare each map, improving reproducibility of results.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Methods·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2022

Discovery of a new function of the cerebellum

Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered a new function of the cerebellum in storing emotional experiences, which is crucial for our survival. The study shows that increased activity in the cerebellum facilitates the storage of information in various areas of the cerebrum, leading to improved memory for emotional events.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 6, 2022

Shrine discovered with rituals never seen to take place before in an Egyptian temple

A recently discovered shrine at the Berenike site in Egypt's Eastern desert has provided unprecedented discoveries linked to the presence of the Blemmyes, a nomadic people. The Falcon Shrine contains offerings such as harpoons and cube-shaped statues, as well as a stele with indications related to religious activities.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalAmerican Journal of Archaeology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 6, 2022

World’s first stem cell treatment for spina bifida delivered during fetal surgery

A groundbreaking trial at UC Davis Health has successfully treated three babies with spina bifida using a stem cell treatment combined with fetal surgery. The procedure shows promise in improving mobility and reducing the severity of the birth defect, which affects 1,500 to 2,000 children in the US every year.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 6, 2022

Human cocaine and heroin addiction is found tied to impairments in specific brain circuit initially implicated in animals

A study found impairments in the prefrontal cortex-habenula circuit, critical for regulating executive functions and reward, in people with cocaine or heroin addiction. The circuit's microstructural features were analyzed using diffusion MRI tractography, revealing reduced coherence in white matter fibers.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNeuron·TypeObservational study·DateOct 6, 2022

Opening the eye of the storm

A team of researchers has developed a novel technique using high-energy muon particles to track and visualize tropical cyclones. This technique, called muography, creates X-ray-like images of large objects, including atmospheric weather systems. The resulting images reveal density variations essential to understanding how cyclones work.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2022

Study: Lagoons from the Arctic’s “forgotten coast” teem with fish and birds, vulnerable to climate change and human development

The study highlights the unique characteristics of coastal lagoon ecosystems in the Arctic Beringia Region, including the importance of seasonal channels connecting to the Chukchi Sea. Climate change and human development affecting these channels could have disproportionate negative impacts on lagoon ecosystems.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalARCTIC·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 6, 2022

The farming community approves the crops and sustainable management practices chosen for diversifying European fields

The European farming community supports multiple cropping systems and sustainable management practices to reduce environmental impact. Key strengths include minimal tillage, plant cover, and rotations, while barriers include limited training in intercropping and profitability concerns.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 6, 2022

Study finds expanding voting rights can reduce violence

A new study by Jean Lacroix found that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 halved instances of actual political violence and reduced the likelihood of new waves of violence. In counties covered by the act, citizens voted to voice their views, leading to a change in political strategies rather than policy changes.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJournal of the European Economic Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2022

Why is there a genetic risk for brain disorders? Neandertal DNA may provide some answers

A recent study analyzed Neandertal DNA associations with various brain disorders and traits, including sleep patterns, smoking habits, and alcohol use. The research found that certain archaic genetic variants may have conferred benefits in the past, but their impact on human behavior is complex and influenced by modern environments.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateOct 6, 2022

COVID-19: Boosting with an mRNA vaccine offers better protection in people who received two doses of CoronaVac

A large observational study in Brazil found that mRNA boosting offers considerably better protection against COVID-19 than inactivated CoronaVac boosting, particularly among elderly individuals. The findings have immediate implications for guiding boosting strategies in countries where most of the population received inactivated vaccines.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 6, 2022

Detecting Alzheimer’s disease in the blood

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a biosensing technology to detect amyloid β build-up in the brain from biomarkers in blood samples. The Digital ICA TM technology can detect Aβ-binding exosomes in mice, increasing with age and disease progression.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAlzheimer s Research & Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2022

Moffitt receives $3.7 million grant to increase minority accrual to cancer treatment trials

The National Cancer Institute grants Moffitt Cancer Center a five-year, $3.7 million grant to develop digital tools and community outreach strategies to increase education on clinical trials and enrollment among Black and Hispanic patients and physicians in the Tampa Bay area. The goal is to improve health equity by ensuring trial demo...

Disposable electronics on a simple sheet of paper

Scientists have developed a prototype circuit board made of a sheet of paper with fully integrated electrical components, making it easy to dispose of responsibly. The new design uses wax and ink to print channels, conductive inks, and metal components onto the paper, creating a flexible and thin device that can be burned or degraded.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 6, 2022

Veterans in the workplace face unwelcome hero worship

A study by the University of Cincinnati found that veterans face a paradox of simultaneous stigma and social aggrandizement in organizations. They experience negative stereotypes, but also receive unwanted praise for their service. This can lead to conflicts over how to navigate their new civilian culture.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalThe International Journal of Human Resource Management·TypeCase study·DateOct 6, 2022

Story tips: Reducing molten salt’s corrosive effect. VERIFI-ing and tracking carbon’s big footprint. Moss genome study identifies two new species. Ultrasound for battery health

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed low-temperature methods to purify molten chloride salts for energy storage, potentially making them suitable for storing solar thermal energy. They also created an online tool called VERIFI to track industrial carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNew Phytologist·DateOct 6, 2022

Re-spun silkworm silk is 70% stronger than spider silk

Scientists at Tianjin University have discovered a way to make silkworm silk 70% stronger than spider silk by removing its sticky outer layer and manually spinning it. This breakthrough could lead to the production of profitable high-performance artificial silks, revolutionizing industries such as biomedicine and tissue regeneration.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2022

Human-carnivore coexistence is possible: daytime pastoralist activities do not negatively affect spotted hyenas in Tanzania

A new study found that daytime pastoralist activities do not negatively affect spotted hyenas in Tanzania, contrary to previous research. The study analyzed 24 years of data from eight hyena clans and found that the hyenas' reproductive performance and physiological stress levels remained similar to those of unexposed clans.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2022

C-path to lead pre-consortium aimed at transforming, accelerating medical product development in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

The Critical Path Institute has launched a pre-consortium collaboration with the FDA's CBER and CDER to accelerate medical product development in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The collaboration aims to define unmet needs in drug development and lay the groundwork for specific solutions.

SourceCritical Path Institute (C-Path)·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2022

How money brings hunter-gatherers new choices

A decades-long study found that cash changed the Ju/’hoansi economy, allowing individuals to keep their earnings and fill their own needs. The study also revealed a decline in the traditional system of gifting and sharing, which had previously distributed possessions throughout communities.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateOct 6, 2022

Discovery broadens scope of use of CRISPR gene editing

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new CRISPR-based therapy platform that can deliver cargo to a broader range of tissue and cell types, increasing its potential for treating various diseases. The platform achieves this by transforming the Cas-9 protein into a spherical nucleic acid and loading it with critical components.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 6, 2022

Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’ and spread on teeth

Researchers discovered that cross-kingdom assemblages of bacteria and fungi can form superorganisms that colonize teeth, causing extensive tooth decay. These superorganisms exhibit enhanced surface adhesion, increased mechanical and antimicrobial tolerance, and unique mobility, moving at speeds similar to fibroblasts.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2022

Scientists shed light on COVID-19 booster dose effectiveness among the elderly in Japan

Researchers found that elderly Japanese individuals show a low immune response to the third mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccine. The study revealed that nearly 10% of participants had negligible antibody production despite receiving an additional dose. The findings suggest that elderly people may require specialized serological testing proto...

SourceOkayama University·JournalJournal of Infection·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2022

How cattle ranchers in Brazil cope with weather shocks

A new study from the University of Illinois reveals how cattle ranchers in Brazil cope with weather shocks. The research found that ranchers make decisions based on rainfall patterns and anticipate extreme dry seasons by selling animals for slaughter or to confinement operations, which can decouple food sources from current weather.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2022

Hackensack Meridian health doctor, bioethicist publishes surgery decision-making piece in New England Journal of Medicine

A Hackensack Meridian health doctor and bioethicist argues that surgeons' subjective assessments can lead to 'ableist' biases in patient treatment. The author proposes using algorithms to aid doctors in making more data-driven decisions, reducing assumptions about patients' quality of life.

SourceHackensack Meridian Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 6, 2022