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Science News for March 15, 2023


New study from Japan shows SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 variant is highly transmissible and infectious

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 variant has been characterized for its high transmissibility and infectivity, with a novel mutation in the spike protein facilitating invasion of human cells. Experimental results show that the variant binds to the human ACE2 receptor with high affinity and exhibits strong immune evasion properties.

SourceThe Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Short night-time sleep linked with nearly doubled risk of clogged leg arteries

A new study published in European Heart Journal Open found that sleeping less than five hours a night is associated with a 74% raised likelihood of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD). The study also suggests that lifestyle changes such as being physically active and optimising pain management could lower the risk of PAD.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 15, 2023

Characterizing abnormal neural networks in dogs with anxiety

Researchers found that dogs with anxiety have altered brain connectivity, particularly between the amygdala and hippocampus. The study used fMRI to characterize abnormal neural networks in anxious dogs, providing insight into anxiety disorders in both animals and humans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 15, 2023

Filling a niche: Neural stem cells help maintain their microenvironment

A new study from Tokyo Medical and Dental University sheds light on the neural stem cell niche's composition during development. Researchers found that vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) plays a crucial role in maintaining NSPCs under hypoxic conditions, promoting lower rates of cell death and increased cell proliferation.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalInflammation and Regeneration·DateMar 15, 2023

Test for spiking to reduce psychological distress – new study

A new study highlights the need for testing patients who arrive at hospital intoxicated by drink or drunks to understand how they become intoxicated and reduce feelings of self-blame. The review authors argue that this lack of clarity can exacerbate psychological distress, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and fear.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 15, 2023

Study compares NGO communication around migration

A recent study by Iowa State University researchers highlights the varying approaches of NGOs in Turkey and Bulgaria when communicating with the public about migration. Turkish NGOs tend to use a one-way communication mode, while those in Bulgaria are more innovative and engaging, emphasizing personal stories. The findings suggest that...

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Borderlands Studies·TypeSurvey·DateMar 15, 2023

Honey bees receive flight instruction and vector source by following dance

Researchers found that honeybee foragers use waggle dance to provide both polar flight instructions (bearing and distance) and Cartesian-location vectors to approach the source. This new understanding reveals the complexity of symbolic communication in honeybees, adding new insights to the study of their navigational abilities.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Participation in Johns Hopkins program for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 increases likelihood of home discharge

The Johns Hopkins ARISE program, developed in 2020, may increase the chances of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 getting discharged to their home rather than to a rehabilitation facility. The program's care model promotes early and individualized intensive rehabilitation to help patients regain functionality.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateMar 15, 2023

Tak W. Mak, PhD, FAACR, selected for 2023 Pezcoller Foundation-AACR International Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Cancer Research

Dr. Tak W. Mak is being recognized for his groundbreaking work on cancer immunology, including the cloning of the human T-cell receptor beta chain and development of CAR T-cell technology. His research has led to significant advances in understanding immune responses and has paved the way for the development of new cancer therapies.

Visually navigating on foot uses unique brain region

A small study funded by the National Eye Institute found that a unique brain region called the occipital place area (OPA) supports visually guided navigation when walking, but fails to activate during crawling. This finding may help explain how children learn to navigate their surroundings and develop motor skills.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalCerebral Cortex·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Entangled pairs get sensitive very fast

Researchers develop new way to generate squeezing that overcomes fundamental quantum imprecision, enabling more precise atomic clocks and improved quantum sensors. The new approach leverages bosonic pair creation and enables entangled states with minimal fuss, reducing experimental challenges.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Protected areas may not serve as ‘stepping stones’ under climate change

A study found that protected areas are unlikely to provide connectivity for species shifting ranges due to climate change, with two-thirds of the world's 30,000 protected areas expected to fail. Conservation strategies must prioritize effective use of protected areas to help species adapt to a warming planet.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Research Station·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 15, 2023

A crystal – but not as we know it

The study reveals hydrated salts can lose their facets and become soft when slowly dissolved in humid air, exhibiting liquid-like molecular mobility at their surfaces. This finding challenges the conventional understanding of crystal formation and behavior.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 15, 2023

Maintaining heart function in donors declared ‘dead by circulatory criteria’ could improve access to heart transplantation

Researchers found that restoring function to donor hearts through taNRP can significantly increase the donor pool, leading to more transplantations. The study showed comparable survival rates between DCD and DBD heart transplants, with 97% of patients surviving for over 30 days.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 15, 2023

Debunking pain myths could help teens recover faster

A world-first study from the University of South Australia is providing valuable insights into how young people understand chronic pain, potentially helping thousands of sufferers to better manage their symptoms and long-term wellbeing. Researchers found that young people tend to make sense of chronic pain by explaining it as a softwar...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalEuropean Journal of Pain·TypeCase study·DateMar 15, 2023

Vitamin A may reduce pancreatitis risk during ALL treatment

Researchers found that consuming vitamin A or its analogs can help prevent painful pancreas inflammation in children and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during chemotherapy treatment. The study revealed that only 1.4% of patients developed pancreatitis when taking vitamin A, compared to 3.4% without it.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 15, 2023

News coverage highlights some threats to deer conservation but may mislead or omit key information

A study analyzed news reports on Brazilian deer species between 2011 and 2021, finding that news coverage gave different weights to threats compared to the IUCN Red List. News items properly identified main threats like poaching and habitat loss but underestimated livestock diseases and overestimated road kill.

Could AI-powered object recognition technology help solve wheat disease?

A University of Illinois project uses AI-powered object recognition to quantify kernel damage in wheat, enabling faster disease analysis and improved resistance. The technology has shown promising results, with potential for an online portal to automate scoring and support breeders in their efforts to eliminate fusarium head blight.

Researchers develop priorities for interventions to address health disparities in lung nodule management

Health disparities in lung nodule follow-up and treatment are a major concern, with Black and Latino patients at higher risk of delayed follow-up. Researchers have identified prioritized research questions to mitigate these disparities, focusing on patient-clinician communication and culturally trained multidisciplinary teams.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeContent analysis·DateMar 15, 2023

Chemical crossover accelerates degradation of lithium electrode in high energy density rechargeable lithium–oxygen batteries

Researchers at NIMS found that a lithium negative electrode degrades rapidly during charge/discharge cycles, causing overpotential and short cycle life. Using a lightweight protective layer, they extended the battery's cycle life without compromising its high energy density.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Associations between teacher and student mathematics, science, and literacy anxiety in fourth grade

Research found associations between teachers' and students' anxiety in math, science, and literacy. The study highlights the importance of considering affective elements of teaching and learning, particularly in STEM content areas, which can impact students from underserved socioeconomic backgrounds.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 15, 2023

Hearing aids donated to Ukrainian refugees in response to article published in The Hearing Journal

A donation of nearly 120 rechargeable hearing aids has been made to address the hearing health care crisis among Ukrainian refugees in Poland. The Heart of Hearing team, led by King Chung, PhD, conducted a successful otoscopy exam and fitting session for approximately 66 individuals who needed hearing aids for the first time.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalThe Hearing Journal·DateMar 15, 2023

Researchers uncover the first bubble in an intergalactic stew

A team of researchers found the earliest evidence of heated gas in a galaxy protocluster, indicating temperatures characteristic of the present-day 'Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium'. This discovery provides insight into the mechanisms that caused the intergalactic gas to boil up and offers a unique window into the early universe.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 15, 2023

Where the sidewalk ends

A new open-source tool called TILE2NET uses aerial imagery and image-recognition to create complete maps of sidewalks and crosswalks. The tool has been trained on 20,000 aerial images from Boston, Cambridge, New York City, and Washington, recognizing 90% or more of all sidewalks and crosswalks in these cities.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalComputers Environment and Urban Systems·DateMar 15, 2023

Not enough new antibiotics in the pipeline, concludes WHO review – especially those targeting deadly drug-resistant microbes

A recent WHO review reveals a significant shortage of new antibiotics in the pipeline, with only 12 approved drugs introduced between 2017 and 2021. The majority of these drugs target non-critical pathogens, leaving critical ones like Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa underrepresented.

HSE researchers examine wellbeing of Russian social media users and rank public holidays by popularity

A machine-learning model was trained on 10 million tweets to infer users' subjective wellbeing. The study found that New Year's Day is the most popular holiday, followed by Defender of the Fatherland Day and International Women's Day. The researchers also discovered gender differences in attitudes towards certain holidays.

New targeting opportunities discovered against canine distemper virus

Researchers at the University of Bern have determined the structure of the canine distemper virus docking protein, enabling the development of tailor-made active substances to prevent virus entry into host cells. This breakthrough paves the way for novel therapies and antiviral drugs against this highly contagious viral disease.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2023

Breakthrough drug combination remains safe and effective in patients with cystic fibrosis after four years

A multicenter study found that patients with cystic fibrosis can safely take a dual combination of CF modulator drugs for four years while maintaining previously achieved clinical improvement. This breakthrough therapy has improved the quality and length of patients' lives, with some even seeing a 15% increase in lung function.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Cystic Fibrosis·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 15, 2023

3D-printed insoles measure sole pressure directly in the shoe

A new invention by ETH Zurich researchers uses 3D printing to create customized insoles with integrated pressure sensors that can measure foot pressure during various activities. This allows for more accurate and efficient creation of custom insoles, potentially improving athletic performance and treating musculoskeletal pain.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 15, 2023

Bird flu associated with hundreds of seal deaths in New England in 2022, Tufts researchers find

A new study from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University found that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was associated with the deaths of over 330 New England harbor and gray seals. The virus was detected in birds and seals on the same beach, highlighting a potential route of transmission.

SourceTufts University·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateMar 15, 2023

Digital tools make physical exercise programmes more effective and easier to stick with

A metastudy found digital-based physical exercise interventions are at least as effective as face-to-face ones, but generic designs often fail to provide quality information. The researcher aims to improve the digital-health-based prescription of physical exercise to take account of patients' individual requirements.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalApunts Educación Física y Deportes·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 15, 2023

Uncovering the ritual past of an ancient stone monument in Saudi Arabia

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of ritualistic belief and economic factors intertwined for Neolithic people in northwest Arabia. Excavations at a mustatil east of AlUla revealed animal offerings, human interment, and suggest repeated pilgrimages, challenging previous understandings of the region's culture.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 15, 2023

Nara Sobreira, MD, PhD is the recipient of the 2023 Dr. Michael S. Watson Genetic and Genomic Medicine Innovation Award from the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine

Dr. Nara Sobreira has developed innovative tools like GeneMatcher and VariantMatcher to aid in rare disease diagnosis, earning her the 2023 Watson Genetic Medicine Innovation Award. She continues to work on expanding genome analysis accessibility through education and research initiatives.

World’s strongest MRI investigates COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue impacts on the brain

The study found that ME/CFS patients have a significantly larger brainstem compared to those without the condition. Smaller midbrain volumes were associated with more severe breathing difficulties in ME/CFS patients. The research suggests that brainstem dysfunction may contribute to neurological and cardiorespiratory symptoms.

SourceGriffith University·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateMar 15, 2023

Rapid surge in highly contagious killer fungus poses new threat to amphibians across Africa

A recent study found that the highly contagious chytridiomycosis fungus has become more prevalent and widespread in Africa since 2000, posing a new threat to amphibian populations. The disease, which can cause skin sloughing, lethargy, weight loss, and cardiac arrest, may be linked to climate change-induced stress.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Conservation Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Largest study to date of lebrikizumab supports its use for treatment of atopic dermatitis

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that lebrikizumab was effective in treating moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, improving skin clarity and reducing itching. The study involved two phase 3 trials with over 700 participants and showed promising results for the treatment.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 15, 2023

Alexander M. Holtz, MD, PhD receives the 2023 Richard King Award for Best Publication by a Trainee in Genetics in Medicine

Dr. Alexander M. Holtz received the award for his published article on heterozygous variants in MYH10 associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and congenital anomalies. The study highlights primary cilia-dependent defects in Hedgehog signaling, shedding light on a previously unknown autosomal dominant condition.

Pusan National University researchers develop novel stackable hole injection layer material for solution-processed OLEDs

Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a novel solvent-resistant hole injection layer material, enabling the creation of efficient solution-processed OLED devices. The material exhibits high mobility and excellent film-forming properties, leading to improved efficiency and lifetime compared to existing materials.

SourcePusan National University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

New research establishes how and why western diets high in sugar and fat cause liver disease

New research from the University of Missouri establishes a link between western diets high in fat and sugar and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study found that a specific bacteria called Blautia producta and a lipid caused liver inflammation and fibrosis, leading to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

NTU Singapore study shows new way to spur brain immune cells to clear toxic waste linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at NTU Singapore have found a way to spur brain immune cells to clear toxic waste linked to Alzheimer’s disease by targeting their metabolism. The study reveals a ‘metabolic switch’ in the brain’s immune cells that can be manipulated to improve their function.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Physical exercise helps to improve symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

A systematic review of 156 trials found that physical exercise improved motor symptoms and quality of life in people with Parkinson's Disease. Most types of structured exercise, including dance, water-based exercise, and endurance training, showed clinically meaningful benefits.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 15, 2023

Estrogen possible risk factor in disturbed heart rhythm

Researchers from Linköping University found that estrogen impairs the function of a specific ion channel, Kv7.1/KCNE1, which is associated with long QT syndrome and arrhythmia. This suggests that estrogen may be a risk factor for certain types of heart rhythm disturbances in women with hereditary mutations.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

New study suggests a strong link between social entrepreneurship and language

A recent study published in the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal suggests that individuals speaking languages with strong future time references are more likely to engage in social entrepreneurship due to their mindset placing a strong value on immediate results. The researchers found that countries with weak rule of law and corrupti...

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Entrepreneurship Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 15, 2023

Designing more useful bacteria

Scientists create modified E. coli bacteria that cannot be infected by viruses while minimizing gene escape into the wild. This breakthrough technology has implications for reducing viral contamination in biotechnology production, such as insulin production and biofuel manufacturing.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

PCR panels reduce costs, hospitalizations and antibiotic use for acute GI infections

A new study published in Journal of Clinical Microbiology shows that using multiple PCR panels can identify more pathogens, notably diarrhea-causing E. coli and enteric viruses, and do so more rapidly than a conventional workup. This results in lower healthcare costs, reduced hospitalizations, and decreased antibiotic use.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateMar 15, 2023

A new idea for the design of single-atom catalysts: self-assembly precipitation method to prepare heteropolyacid-supported rhodium single-atom catalysts with tunable pore size

Researchers have developed a novel method to create single-atom catalysts with controlled pore size, using a self-assembly precipitation technique. The resulting Rhodium-based catalysts show improved catalytic activity and stereoselectivity in hydroformylation reactions.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Open·DateMar 15, 2023

How moms and dads view each other as co-parents affects kids

A new study suggests that children's well-adjustment depends on their parents' views on co-parenting. Children of low-income couples with positive co-parenting relationships tend to have better outcomes, while those with poor or moderately good relationships may experience poorer adjustment, especially when fathers are less positive ab...

SourceOhio State University·JournalChild Development·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 15, 2023

Magnificent wiring

Researchers at Columbia University discovered how neurons connect into functional brains in fruit flies, revealing crucial axon-axon interactions that enable sensory differentiation. These interactions determine the correct wiring of neurons, which is essential for the fly's ability to discern and respond to different types of stimuli.

SourceColumbia University·JournalDevelopment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023