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Science News for September 9, 2022


Is climate change disrupting maritime boundaries?

Researchers warn that climate change will increase uncertainty in international law governing maritime zones, affecting small island states. Technologies like GPS and satellite bathmetry may help solidify claims, but more data is needed to accurately delineate existing boundaries.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 9, 2022

Could more of Earth’s surface host life?

A new study suggests that Earth's habitability could increase if Jupiter's orbit becomes more eccentric, leading to parts of the surface warming up and becoming habitable for multiple life forms. The researchers also found that this change in Jupiter's orbit could have implications for the search for habitable planets around other stars.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 9, 2022

Why plants worldwide became woody

Researchers discovered a link between increased drought and increased wood formation in plant stems on islands. The study found over three times as many insular woody species as previously known, with over 175 independent transitions. This research offers promising avenues for agriculture to increase drought tolerance and food production.

SourceNaturalis Biodiversity Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 9, 2022

Not just a backup – the dual specificity of UBA6

The research team at the University of Würzburg has reported the first structures of UBA6 in complex with either ATP or FAT10, shedding light on its dual recognition capability. The study also identified UBA6 variants that selectively abolish the activation of either ubiquitin or FAT10.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2022

UCLA Health researchers analyze LA’s ‘stunningly diverse’ genetic ancestry to bring ethnic equity to precision medicine

Researchers analyzed genomic data from 30,000 patients and found a highly diverse patient population with ancestries from virtually all continents. This study aims to leverage genetic diversity for discovery in personalized healthcare, especially for underrepresented populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalGenome Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateSep 9, 2022

Duke-NUS study highlights blind spot in SARS-CoV-2 immunity research, suggests breakthrough infection may confer extra protection to vaccinees

Researchers found virus-specific T cells in the noses of people who received vaccines and later became infected with SARS-CoV-2, providing an additional layer of protection. These cells persisted for at least 20 weeks and could recognize various viral proteins, including those from the Omicron variant.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2022

Breaking down proteins: How starving cancer cells switch food sources

Researchers discovered a protein LYSET that enables cancer cells to digest extracellular proteins as an alternative food source under nutrient starvation conditions. This finding provides insight into the molecular pathways underlying cancer cell adaptation and could lead to new therapeutic strategies.

Significant risk of sensory loss in long COVID - study

A new study published in Frontiers in Medicine found that around 30% of people with long COVID experience a decreased sense of smell, with 29.9% reporting persistent anosmia after 12 weeks. Researchers also discovered an elevated prevalence of blurred vision and hearing-related symptoms after three months.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 9, 2022

Alliance Foundation trials study finds combination hormonal therapy delivered in finite period improves PSA levels in patients with prostate cancer

A randomized phase III trial found that combination hormonal therapy, delivered for a finite treatment interval of 12 months, more durably suppresses PSA levels compared to hormone injections alone. The treatment approach improved disease progression in patients with high-risk biochemically relapsed prostate cancer.

New study on financial management in higher ed shows that budgeting flexibility is the key to security

A new study from the Strategic Management Journal found that budgeting flexibility is crucial for financial security in higher education. Universities that can reallocate resources more regularly are more likely to run larger budget surpluses, with high governance arrangements actually weakening resource allocation flexibility.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeCase study·DateSep 9, 2022

$11.3 million NIH Superfund award to address environmental health issues caused by VOCs

The Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) will investigate toxic mechanisms, exposure pathways, biomarkers, and strategies to prevent exposures. It aims to reduce toxic exposures and improve health outcomes through innovative methods such as phytoscreening and Internet of Things technology.

Longer, hotter and more frequent heat waves in cities

Researchers at the University of Zurich found that compound concurrent hot day and night extremes are projected to increase by up to 7.8-fold in frequency and 5.3-fold in duration in all cities in Switzerland by the end of the century. Lugano and Geneva will be most affected.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalWeather and Climate Extremes·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2022

Analysis of gestational weight gain during pandemic

The study found that pregnant individuals younger than 25 years, non-Hispanic Black individuals, unmarried individuals, and those with obesity before pregnancy experienced higher gestational weight gain. The pandemic also led to a higher risk of excessive gestational weight gain among these groups.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 9, 2022

How more female executives in the C-suite can spur improved customer orientation and financial performance

A new study by St. Edward’s University, University of Mississippi, and University of Texas at Austin finds that female executives focus on customer relationships to a greater degree than their male counterparts, leading to more customer-oriented discussions in the C-suite. The researchers examine 389 Fortune 500 firms over six years an...

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateSep 9, 2022

Unique ferroelectric microstructure revealed for first time

The study reveals a new pathway to develop lead-free ferroelectric materials with strong piezoelectric properties. The novel hybrid improper ferroelectric material combines rotation and tilting of oxygen octahedra to produce polarization, enabling the creation of powerful piezoelectric systems.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2022

Artificial ocean cooling to weaken hurricanes is futile, study finds

A new study led by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that artificially cooling oceans to weaken hurricanes is a futile solution due to its high energy requirements and minimal benefits. The research suggests focusing on adaptation strategies such as reinforcing infrastructure and improving evacuation procedures instead.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateSep 9, 2022

The origins of donkey domestication

The study reveals that donkeys were first domesticated in Africa 5,000 years ago, with a previously unknown genetic lineage discovered in the Levant. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the history of trade between Europe and North Africa.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2022

A breakthrough discovery in carbon capture conversion for ethylene production

Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago developed a method to convert 100% of captured carbon dioxide into ethylene, producing hydrocarbons with high purity. The process uses electrolysis and can recycle almost all carbon dioxide captured, making it carbon negative when powered by renewable energy.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2022

Gender-balanced teams produce more innovative, impactful scientific work, according to new research from MSU, Northwestern, Notre Dame and NYU

A study by researchers at MSU, Northwestern, Notre Dame and NYU found that gender-balanced teams produced significantly more novel and impactful scientific work compared to unbalanced teams. Teams with an equal number of men and women had the highest likelihood of novel and impactful results.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2022

Clever birds have cheap neurons

Researchers found avian neurons consume three times less glucose than mammalian neurons due to smaller size and efficient energy usage. This surprising finding sheds light on the evolution of intelligent bird brains.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2022

Pandemic federal programs helped kids in need get access to 1.5 billion meals every month

The study found that pandemic federal programs, including grab-and-go school meals and the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program, reached over 30 million children and provided nearly 1.5 billion meals in 2020. The programs helped low-income families access nutritious food during a critical time when schools were closed due to COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2022