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Science News for May 12, 2023


Resistant fungal species spreads

A significant increase in Candida auris infections has been observed worldwide, including in the USA and Europe, with resistance development and potential for hospital outbreaks. The fungus can be efficiently transmitted from patient to patient via direct contact, making control difficult.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalDeutsches Ärzteblatt Online·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2023

Internal electrical field modulation in photocatalytic water splitting

Researchers developed a novel method for photocatalytic water splitting by regulating the built-in electric field of nitrogen-deficient polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) on polyhedral SrTiO3. This synergistic approach improves charge transfer and light absorption, leading to enhanced overall water splitting efficiency.

MSU, Audubon fight to conserve a disappearing bird species

Research from Michigan State University and National Audubon Society reveals new insights for conserving the declining black tern population in Michigan and nationwide. The team developed an integrated population model that combines sparse data on black terns with new land management practices, potentially improving their outlook.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalBiological Conservation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 12, 2023

Breakthrough technology: Carbon nanotube membranes with Pd-Cu modification successfully reduce nitrate levels via electrocatalysis

Researchers develop novel membrane for efficient nitrate removal, achieving 99% reduction efficiency at optimal conditions. The Pd-Cu modified carbon nanotube membrane exhibits high nitrate removal efficiency and N2 selectivity, showing great potential for effective nitrate reduction technology.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2023

Bio-inspired device captures images by mimicking human eye

Researchers developed a new sensor array that mimics the red, green and blue photoreceptors in human eyes, producing high-quality images through a neural network-based algorithm. The device has the potential to revolutionize camera technology by increasing spatial resolution and reducing power consumption.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2023

Compression of surface texture acceleration signal based on spectrum characteristics

The study proposes a spectral feature-based compression method for vibrotactile acceleration signals, which achieves high time-frequency similarity and a 10% compression ratio. The method is suitable for long-term data compression and can further reduce the compression ratio for multi-interaction points.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalVirtual Reality & Intelligent Hardware·DateMay 12, 2023

Oxford University Fellow and Diamond User recognized for his innovative, sustainable Na-ion battery materials research by Forbes Magazine

Robert House, a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University, has been selected as one of Forbes Magazine's prestigious 30 people to watch under 30 in Europe Science and Healthcare. He is working on developing innovative, sustainable Na-ion battery materials that promise to be significantly lower cost than conventional Li-ion batteries.

Is it too late to change your mind? Study reveals ‘developmental window’ for thinking styles

A recent study found that a person's epistemic thinking style can be shaped by their social, political and economic environment during the first 25 years of life. The research suggests that those who experienced a transition to democracy in middle age tend to exhibit absolutist thinking, while younger generations with higher education ...

University of Kentucky physicians push for standard-of-care opioid treatment for incarcerated patients

Physicians at the University of Kentucky call for standard-of-care opioid treatment for incarcerated patients to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and lower mortality risk. The article highlights the need for physician advocacy to address the moral distress experienced by doctors when patients are denied these treatments.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalJAMA·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 12, 2023

Carbon-based cathodes impact biofilm composition and performance in soil microbial fuel cells

Researchers found that Fe-doped carbon nanofibers and Pt-doped carbon cloth cathodes yielded stable performances, with peak power densities of 25.5 mW m−2 and 30.4 mW m−2, respectively. Graphite felt cathodes demonstrated the best electrochemical performance but exhibited lower reproducibility and higher mass transport losses.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateMay 12, 2023

Researchers identify a brain marker indicating future suicide risk

A recent study has identified a brain marker that indicates an individual's likelihood of attempting suicide in the future. Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that changes in brain connectivity between cognitive control and self-referential thought processing networks were present in individuals with a history of...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 12, 2023

Researchers track antimicrobial resistance in E. coli isolated from swine

Researchers tracked antimicrobial resistance in E. coli isolated from swine between 2013 and 2019, finding an increasing trend of resistance to ceftriaxone. The study highlights the need for surveillance systems to monitor microbes and develop mitigation strategies to address this growing concern.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalMicroorganisms·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2023

Intestinal bacteria influence the growth of fungi

Researchers discovered that certain bacterial species, including lactic acid bacteria, correlate with high levels of Candida yeasts in the gut microbiome. This suggests a complex interaction between these microorganisms, where lactic acid bacteria may favor Candida proliferation while making the fungus less virulent.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute -·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 12, 2023

Meeting more UK Government dietary guidelines during childhood could improve future cardiometabolic health, new research suggests.

A recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that children who met more UK Government dietary guidelines during childhood had better cardiometabolic health when they became young adults. The study, which analyzed data from the Children of the 90s cohort, found that almost a third of children only met one out of ni...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateMay 12, 2023

A new review directs attention to the cerebellum and its direct implication in diseases like autism and schizophrenia

A recent review suggests that neurotrophins play a significant role in the development of the cerebellum and its connection to higher-order cognitive functions. The study reveals potential links between cerebellar dysfunction and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia.

SourceAarhus University·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 12, 2023