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Science News for August 3, 2023


Researchers discuss the ethical challenges of studying DNA from a 18th–19th century African American community

A population genetics team identified genetic relationship between 23andMe users and enslaved Africans in Catoctin Furnace, Maryland. The researchers consider ethics of sharing results with descendants and other relatives, highlighting importance of proper consent and minimizing harm.

SourceCell Press·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 3, 2023

IU-led intervention leveraging technology reduces depression in Indianapolis-area patients

A recent study by Indiana University researchers found that an e-health and telehealth-based collaborative care intervention had a significant impact on patients with depression. The intervention resulted in a 43% reduction in depressive symptoms among participants, compared to only 17% in the usual primary care group.

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 3, 2023

NUS study: A patchwork of Wnt signalling ligands and receptors pattern the colours on the wings of butterflies

A NUS study reveals how Wnt signalling regulates colour patterns in butterfly wings, with different ligands and receptors controlling specific areas. The researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to test the function of pathway members, showing that they interact and regulate each other.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023

Winter storms over Labrador Sea influence Gulf Stream system

A recent study by GEOMAR researchers found that fluctuations in the Labrador Sea can significantly influence the strength of sinking processes east of Greenland. This phenomenon affects the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a crucial climate system that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 3, 2023

Current takes a surprising path in quantum material

Researchers discovered that electrons flow through the bulk of a special type of insulator, rather than at the edges, using magnetic imaging. This finding provides new insights into electron behavior in quantum Hall insulators and informs the development of topological materials for next-generation quantum devices.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 3, 2023

The Access to Advanced Health Institute receives $18 million award to develop a temperature stable, single-dose chikungunya RNA vaccine through a phase 1 clinical trial

The Access to Advanced Health Institute has received an $18 million award from the NIH to develop a temperature-stable, single-dose chikungunya RNA vaccine candidate. The vaccine uses innovative RNA platform technology to protect against the virus, which causes debilitating joint and muscle pain in endemic areas.

Displaying the design of DNA

Researchers at Arizona State University successfully demonstrated the use of MicroED to analyze a DNA crystal, overcoming limitations of X-ray crystallography. The technique, combined with cryo-FIB milling, enables work with smaller crystals, opening opportunities for understanding RNA structure and developing novel nanotechnologies.

SourceArizona State University·JournalStructure·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023

CAR-T immune therapy attacks ovarian cancer in mice with a single dose

Researchers successfully deployed CAR-T therapy in a mouse model of ovarian cancer, demonstrating strong anti-tumor effects even at late stages. The treatment was highly effective, shrinking or eliminating tumors after just one dose and continuing to work for months without major side effects.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023

University of Minnesota-led study links long-term artificial sweetener intake to increased body fat adipose tissue volume

A University of Minnesota-led study found that long-term consumption of aspartame and saccharin is associated with increased volumes of visceral, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue. The researchers recommend considering alternative approaches to artificial sweeteners due to potential health consequences.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·TypeObservational study·DateAug 3, 2023

GABA receptors in brain could be targets to treat depression and its cognitive symptoms

Researchers propose GABA-modulating treatments as potential therapeutic targets for depression's cognitive and affective symptoms. The study highlights the importance of GABA-A receptors in regulating balance and signals between neurons, and suggests compounds that promote or inhibit these receptors may alleviate depressive symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalTrends in Pharmacological Sciences·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 3, 2023

Social media algorithms exploit how humans learn from their peers

Researchers found that social media algorithms prioritize 'Prestigious, Ingroup, Moral, and Emotional' (PRIME) information, which can lead to extreme political content being amplified. To address this, the study proposes increasing user awareness of algorithmic biases and introducing more diverse content in feeds.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 3, 2023

Better coaching to promote a person’s growth

A study by Case Western Reserve University researchers found that traditional coaching approaches can hinder growth by focusing on immediate problems. Instead, they recommend helping individuals develop a clear vision of their ideal self, leading to increased positive emotion, openness to new ideas, and sustained intrinsic motivation.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalFrontiers·TypeObservational study·DateAug 3, 2023

Compensation for damages can and should address social and cultural impacts

A mixed-method approach can help overcome challenges in determining compensation awards for Indigenous communities affected by resource developments, expropriation, and environmental accidents. The methodological approaches focus on quantifying social and cultural losses, addressing the neglect of these impacts in formal assessments.

Geomagnetic field protects Earth from electron showers

Researchers at Tohoku University found that the geomagnetic field plays a crucial role in protecting the Earth's lower atmosphere from harmful effects of electron precipitation. The study reveals that the mirror force caused by the magnetic field deflects relativistic electrons upwards, reducing their impact on the ionosphere.

SourceTohoku University·JournalEarth Planets and Space·DateAug 3, 2023

On-off switch for enzymes

A protein found in bacteria activates its enzymatic activity by up to 10,000 times when exposed to blue light, acting like an on-off switch. This discovery could lead to enhanced and optimized optogenetic tools and medical treatments.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 3, 2023

Three out of every ten meals ordered from the main food delivery app in Brazil come from dark kitchens

A study in Brazil found that 35.4% of restaurants on a popular food delivery app are 'dark kitchens' with no direct contact with consumers, serving mainly Brazilian food at lower costs. The research highlights health and safety issues, consumer perceptions, and the need for legal viability to ensure sanitary inspection.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFood Research International·DateAug 3, 2023

How the gut signals to the brain

Scientists have identified five distinct subtypes of sensory neurons in the colon that carry signals to the brain, with different subtypes responding to gentle and intense forces. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of gastrointestinal conditions and inform the development of more effective therapies.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateAug 3, 2023

Rural environment supports children’s immune systems

A new study has found that children raised in rural areas with plenty of outdoor time and animal exposure develop better-regulated immune systems than urban counterparts. Early life immune development is highly dependent on living environment and lifestyle factors, and researchers say this can have long-term consequences for disease risk.

SourceUniversity College Cork·JournalAllergy·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 3, 2023

Adult tropical trees of the same species grow farther apart than factors like seed dispersal limits can explain

New study reveals pervasive within-species spatial repulsion in adult tropical trees, challenging conventional understanding of species coexistence. The results suggest that competition among conspecifics drives this phenomenon, enabling the exceptionally high diversity of tropical forests.

Turns out lowly thymus may be saving your life

A new Harvard-led research suggests that the thymus, often considered expendable in adults, actually plays a crucial role in maintaining adult immune health and preventing cancer. The study found that patients who had their thymus removed had a nearly threefold higher risk of death from various causes, including cancer.

SourceHarvard University Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 3, 2023

Losing a founding member of your new venture doesn’t have to be a bad thing

The study found that team composition changes significantly affect a new venture's ability to innovate. After adjusting for lost and gained experiences, the findings suggest that turnover has a net positive effect on innovation. Reflective episodes during membership transitions can stimulate creativity and spur innovation.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Entrepreneurship Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 3, 2023

Research reveals Hawai‘i’s undersea volcano, Kama‘ehu, erupted five times in past 150 years

Research reveals Kama'ehu volcano in Hawaii has erupted five times in the past 150 years. The new study uses mass spectrometry to measure radium-226 in lava samples, revealing a frequency of eruptions around 30 years. This slower rate is linked to sluggish mantle upwelling on the margin of the Hawaiian plume.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalGeology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 3, 2023

Unleashing a new era of color tunable nano-devices - smallest ever light source with switchable colors formed

Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem developed an innovative system of 'artificial molecules' made from two coupled semiconductor nanocrystals, achieving fast and instantaneous color switching. This breakthrough enables new possibilities in displays, lighting, and nanoscale optoelectronic devices with adjustable colors.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023

Fastest neuromorphic, electric double layer transistor

Developed by NIMS and Tokyo University of Science, the new electric double layer transistor operates 8.5 times faster than existing transistors, enabling faster AI processing and potential applications in event prediction, image recognition, and more. The innovation sets a new world record for neuromorphic computing performance.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalMaterials Today Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023

Novel proton-conductive membranes for automobile fuel cells

Scientists have synthesized proton-conductive membranes based on partially fluorinated aromatic ionomers, which exhibit high durability and ion conductivity. These membranes outperform existing ones in fuel-cell operation, chemical stability, and mechanical properties, paving the way for more powerful and affordable electric vehicles.

SourceWaseda University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023

Dopamine controls movement, not just rewards

Researchers have identified a diverse range of dopamine neurons that control movement, contradicting the long-held assumption that they only respond to rewards. The study sheds new light on Parkinson's disease, which affects motor skills despite the loss of dopamine neurons.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023

Deep learning for new protein design

Deep learning methods significantly improved protein design success rates by 10-fold using AI-augmented pipelines and machine learning software tools AlphaFold 2 and RoseTTA fold. The study successfully generated accurate models of protein structures, paving the way for new discoveries in fields like cancer and COVID-19 research.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 3, 2023

Scientists warn about decoupling warming trend when detecting marine heat waves

A new study reveals that analyzing surface temperature anomalies without correcting for long-term warming trends can lead to biased detection and characterization of marine heat waves. By removing the trend from data, researchers can distinguish between transient changes and actual shifts in heat wave properties.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 3, 2023

New study shows drug manufacturers actually increased opioid marketing after Kentucky’s Purdue pharma lawsuit

A new study found that drug manufacturers, particularly competitors of Purdue Pharma, increased their opioid marketing efforts after the company's 2007 lawsuit. The study analyzed data from over 670,000 physicians and found a 160% increase in promotional spending on competing opioids.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 3, 2023

Ovarian cancer: New biological markers found that may predict which patients won't respond to chemotherapy

Researchers have discovered a 64-protein signature that can predict which ovarian cancer patients are unlikely to respond to chemotherapy, paving the way for personalized treatment options. The study also identifies five new subtypes of high-grade serous ovarian cancer, suggesting different treatment strategies may be needed.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalCell·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 3, 2023

Study reveals significant difference in cardiomyopathy genes between Black and White patients

Researchers found that African ancestry patients with dilated cardiomyopathy have fewer clinically actionable variants in DCM genes compared to European ancestry patients. The study enrolled 1,198 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, revealing a racial imbalance in genetic trials for heart failure.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateAug 3, 2023

New photocatalytic system converts carbon dioxide to valuable fuel more efficiently than natural photosynthesis

A joint research team from City University of Hong Kong and collaborators developed a stable artificial photocatalytic system that mimics natural chloroplasts to convert carbon dioxide into methane, a valuable fuel, very efficiently using light. The new system achieved a highly efficient solar-to-fuel efficiency rate of 15%, surpassing...

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023