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Science News for January 19, 2023


What makes brown rice healthy? Decoding the chemistry of its nutritional wealth

Researchers at Okayama University have identified cycloartenyl ferulate as the main contributor to brown rice's health-promoting effects. The compound's antioxidant properties help protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to benefits such as weight reduction and improved cholesterol levels.

SourceOkayama University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

Towards highly conducting molecular materials with a partially oxidized organic neutral molecule

A team of researchers from Japan has developed a single purely organic neutral molecule with an incomplete oxidation state for the first time. The new molecule exhibits multi-step phase transitions and crossover caused by intra- and intermolecular electronic interactions, leading to unique strongly correlated electron properties.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

Why Asia-Pacific tropical seas flourish with marine life

A new study reveals that transient wind events trigger significant phytoplankton blooms near tropical reef islands, creating a large network of marine ecosystems. This process, driven by coastal winds, fuels the production of phytoplankton and supports critical feeding habitats for migratory marine species.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Oceanography·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 19, 2023

Relationship between superconductivity and strange-metal state in FeSe revealed by ionic-liquid gating

Scientists have discovered a quadratic relationship between the coefficient of T-linear resistivity and transition temperature in FeSe, indicating that spin fluctuations may play a common role in unconventional superconductors. This finding provides insight into high-temperature superconductivity.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Physics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 19, 2023

DNA from domesticated chickens is tainting genomes of wild red junglefowl

A recent study found that DNA from domesticated chickens has been introgressing into the genomes of wild red junglefowl, leading to a loss of genetic diversity. The researchers estimate that wild birds have inherited 20-50% of their genomes from domestic chickens, which could make them less resilient to environmental changes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2023

Mother’s health and lifestyle during pregnancy shape neurodevelopment of 2-year-old children

A new study conducted at the University of Turku found that maternal gestational diabetes mellitus may have unfavourable effects on the neurodevelopment of 2-year-old children. A healthy diet during pregnancy supports child's neurodevelopment, while higher maternal body fat percentage is associated with weaker cognitive and motor skills.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalPediatric Research·DateJan 19, 2023

CABBI team achieves first precision gene editing in miscanthus

The CABBI team successfully demonstrated precision gene editing in miscanthus, a promising perennial crop for sustainable bioenergy production. The results will accelerate efforts to tap the huge potential of this highly productive but genetically complex grass as a source for biofuels, renewable bioproducts, and carbon sequestration.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalBiotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

Paper: California's proposal to manufacture insulin could curb prices, improve public health

A new paper by a University of Illinois legal scholar suggests that California's CalRx Biosimilar Insulin Initiative could lower insulin prices, saving uninsured patients up to $4,000 per year. The proposal faces regulatory and logistical challenges, including FDA approval and state budgeting issues.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJAMA·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 19, 2023

An innovative approach reveals a novel strategy for engineering root nodule symbiosis into important crops for more sustainable agri-food systems

Researchers developed a novel strategy to engineer root nodule symbiosis in legumes and cereals using nanobodies. This approach, tested in barley and Lotus plants, initiates nodulation by bringing receptors together, revealing the core complex involved in symbiotic signaling.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

Reducing water flow model uncertainty

Researchers connected global climate modeling with local hydrological data to improve water flow models. They found that using smaller tree samples and younger trees yielded better model validation results.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 19, 2023

THE LANCET: Experts call for greater cooperation between human, animal and environmental health organisations to protect against future public health crises

A new Lancet Series argues that a 'One Health' approach is needed to prevent, monitor, and respond to public health emergencies globally. The series calls for greater investment in preventive and preparedness interventions, as well as greater representation of environmental organisations.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 19, 2023

Moffitt researchers develop tool to measure patient health and well-being after radionuclide therapy

Researchers developed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Radionuclide Therapy (FACT-RNT) questionnaire to identify key symptoms and side effects associated with radionuclide therapy. The tool aims to improve patient-centered care and guide treatment decisions for prostate cancer patients.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2023

All in the mind – decoding brainwaves to identify the music we are listening to

Researchers at the University of Essex have developed a new technique that uses non-invasive brain wave monitoring to accurately identify the music someone is listening to. The method has been successfully tested on a dataset of simple piano music and shows promise for decoding language signals from the brain in the future.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 19, 2023

Scientists advise a major shift in chemicals management in the U.S. and Canada

Scientists propose an 'essential use approach' to eliminate harmful chemicals from daily use and exposure, benefiting public health and the environment. This approach advocates for restricting the use of chemicals only where necessary for health or societal functioning, with feasible alternatives available.

SourceGreen Science Policy Institute·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 19, 2023

Active matter theory explains fire-ant group behavior

Fire ants exhibit activity cycles and waves that propagate upwards in high-density conditions, driven by social attraction and collective motion. The study reveals the importance of density in determining these behaviors, which are similar to those observed in flocks of birds and schools of fish.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

Dartmouth-led study finds that team-based coaching reduces risks of acute kidney injury after heart procedures

A Dartmouth-led study found that team-based coaching significantly improves the risk of acquiring post-procedural acute kidney injury (AKI) when compared to other interventions. The Collaborative with Surveillance intervention reduced the odds of AKI by 46 percent, making it a promising approach to address this prevalent adverse event.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 19, 2023

How habanero peppers respond to stress

Researchers found that metabolite changes were most evident in ripe fruit, with nitrogen deficiency increasing some compounds and phosphorus deficiency decreasing diversity. Salinity threshold above which metabolites change was identified, which could impact harvested pepper resistance to pathogens.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Agricultural Science & Technology·DateJan 19, 2023

Identifying individuals with debilitating fear of COVID-19 for therapeutic intervention

A study from the University of Tsukuba has established a reliable way to assess the impact of COVID-19 on daily life and mental health. The analysis revealed that approximately one-third of participants experienced moderate or severe psychological distress, while seven out of ten individuals faced problems due to fear of COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJan 19, 2023

Korea Maritime and Ocean University researchers lay out strategies for up-scaling of bioelectrochemical systems

Researchers have identified the need for standardization of performance indices and a single frame for normalization methods to address concerns with bioelectrochemical systems. The study proposes strategies for up-scaling BES technologies, enabling resource recovery through on-site treatment of wastewater at an efficiency comparable t...

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalBioresource Technology·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 19, 2023

Nature Medicine publishes breakthrough Owkin research on the first ever use of federated learning to train deep learning models on multiple hospitals’ histopathology data

The study, published in Nature Medicine, demonstrates the first-ever use of federated learning to train deep learning models on histopathology data from multiple hospitals without compromising data privacy. This breakthrough has the potential to unlock precision medicine through secure and AI-powered medical research.

SourceOwkin, Inc.·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2023

An unprecedented look at colorectal cancer

A team at Harvard Medical School has created large-scale 2D and 3D spatial maps of colorectal cancer, layering molecular information on top of histological features. The maps reveal the interconnectedness of traditional isolated structures in colorectal cancer, allowing researchers to explore differences within individual tumors.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateJan 19, 2023

New data clarifies safe and effective treatment for patients with mitral valve disease

Recent national data analyzed by leading cardiology and cardiothoracic surgical researchers found that the rate of successful repair has reached over 90% in the US, with an extremely low risk of mortality across nearly all age ranges. A novel risk model was developed to predict 30-day outcomes based on patient health conditions.

SourceThe Society of Thoracic Surgeons·JournalThe Annals of Thoracic Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2023

Researchers create a new 3D extra-large pore zeolite that opens a new path to the decontamination of water and gas

Researchers have developed a new pure silica zeolite with extra-large pores in all three dimensions, enabling efficient removal and recovery of volatile organic compounds from gas streams. The discovery has potential applications in catalysis and drug delivery, and could be used to decontaminate sites where harmful chemicals are produced.

Novel method for assigning workplaces in synthetic populations unveiled

Researchers in Japan have developed a novel method to assign workplace locations to individuals in synthetic populations, addressing a significant limitation of previous models. This breakthrough enables more accurate social simulations, which can be used to assess various social issues and inform policy decisions.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 19, 2023

Honey bee metabolic pathway discovered with strong connections to winter colony losses

A study by US Department of Agriculture scientists has identified a specific metabolic pathway controlling energy and immune response in honey bees under cold stress. This pathway is strongly connected to large overwintering colony losses, making it a promising avenue for new therapeutic strategies to mitigate these losses.

SourceUS Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service·JournalJournal of Advanced Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

Violence was widespread in early farming society, study says

New research suggests that violence and warfare were prevalent in many Neolithic communities across Northwest Europe during the period of farming adoption. Over 10% of skeletal remains from 180 sites dating back to 8000-4000 years ago showed evidence of weapon injuries, including blunt force trauma and penetrative injuries.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateJan 19, 2023

Approaching the terahertz regime

Scientists have created a new class of nonvolatile memory devices using antiferromagnets that can store stable memory states and read them incredibly quickly. This breakthrough could lead to faster memory devices with performance beyond the terahertz regime.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

Turning a poison into food

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology reveal how a specific enzyme, Fsr, converts sulfite into sulfide, allowing methanogens to grow safely on toxic substances. This discovery opens opportunities for biotechnological applications and provides insights into the evolution of these microorganisms.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJan 19, 2023

Older adults with asthma at high risk for depression during the COVID-19 pandemic

A recent study published in Respiratory Medicine found that older adults with asthma are at high risk of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately half of those with a pre-pandemic history of depression experienced a recurrence, while one in seven without a history of depression developed depression for the first time.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalRespiratory Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2023

Geographic access to pediatric cancer care in US

Most children in the continental US have adequate access to pediatric cancer care, but disparities exist among racial and ethnic groups and in rural areas. Reducing these disparities requires innovative approaches such as expanding local facilities and partnerships with adult oncology centers.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 19, 2023

Older adults benefit when health care providers and affordable housing sites partner

Research finds that seniors living in R3 program sites have lower hospitalization rates, days, payments, and readmissions compared to control sites. The R3 initiative embeds wellness teams in senior housing, providing assessments, proactive check-in calls, risk stratification, and care coordination.

Discrimination cost Asian restaurants in US an additional $7.4 billion during the pandemic's first year, new study finds

A new study found that anti-Asian discrimination during the pandemic led to a nearly 20-percent drop in business at Chinese restaurants, resulting in an additional $7.4 billion in lost revenue. The researchers also found a strong link between political rhetoric blaming China for COVID-19 and the decline in business.

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2023

Dollar stores are growing as food retailers in the US

A new study from Tufts University finds that dollar stores have doubled their share in rural areas, with households headed by people of color and lower-income households relying heavily on them. The growth of dollar stores raises concerns about the nutritional value of their food offerings and potential displacement of local grocers.

SourceTufts University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 19, 2023

Product images could boost food pantry use

A recent study from Cornell University found that visual depictions of food pantry offerings, including brand names, have an ameliorative effect on negative product perceptions. The research also revealed that participants' pantry use history plays a role in their assessment of the quality of the food pantry products.

SourceCornell University·JournalAgricultural Economics·DateJan 19, 2023

Omicron caused fewer cases of MIS-C in children than delta and they were milder, says new study based on 2021-22 data

A new University at Buffalo study found that omicron caused fewer cases of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) compared to the delta wave, with milder symptoms. During the omicron wave, MIS-C comprised just 6% of hospital admissions, a 32% decrease from the 12% during the delta wave.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalViruses·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2023