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Science News for May 22, 2023


Clarity with tiny drug crystals

A team of researchers used 3D-electron diffraction/micro-crystal diffraction to determine the structure of Levocetirizine dihydrochloride, an over-the-counter oral antihistamine. This breakthrough allows for a better understanding of its properties and potential applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Study points out errors in illustrations of one of the most famous scientific experiments

A study by researcher Breno Arsioli Moura investigated the depictions of Benjamin Franklin's famous kite experiment in illustrations published in the 19th century. The study found several inaccuracies, including the incorrect location where the experiment was performed and the method used to harness electricity from the clouds.

Stretching metals at the atomic level allows researchers to create important materials for quantum, electronic, and spintronic applications

A University of Minnesota team creates high-quality metal oxide thin films from historically difficult-to-synthesize metals using a breakthrough method that stretches the metals at the atomic level. This innovation paves the way for scientists to develop better materials for various next-generation applications.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Psychology: Unidentified aerial phenomena observations reported by almost one fifth of academic survey respondents

A recent survey of 1,460 US academics found that 19% report witnessing unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and 37% are interested in conducting research into the topic. Academics across various disciplines consider UAP research to be important, with many expressing interest or willingness to engage in such studies.

SourceSpringer·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·DateMay 22, 2023

Eu3+-Bi3+ codoping double perovskites for single-component white-light-emitting diodes

Researchers developed double perovskites with Cs2AgInCl6 composition, doped with Eu3+ and Bi3+, to achieve high photoluminescence efficiency (PLQY) of up to 80.1% in white light emission. The optimal doping concentrations for Bi3+ and Eu3+ ions were found to be 0.5% and 6%, respectively.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalEnergy Material Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Sexing chicken eggs by scent

A new method for sexing chicken eggs by scent has been developed by researchers at UC Davis, allowing for early identification of male embryos. The technology relies on detecting volatile organic compounds emitted by the developing embryo, which can be analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

“Hightech” materials from nature

A research team at Göttingen University has discovered that mobile and stationary cells have different mechanical properties due to their cytoskeleton. The study found that intermediate filaments, which are crucial for cell stability, exhibit metal-like plasticity when stretched, similar to non-biological materials.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalMatter·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 2023

Research favors testing and voluntary isolation over closures in disease outbreaks

A new study by University of Wyoming researchers found that regular diagnostic testing and self-isolation can deliver higher net benefits than physical distancing strategies in combating infectious diseases. The study took into account the concept of superspreading, which made the testing-isolation approach even more effective.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Study may explain why high-sugar diets can worsen IBD

A new study suggests that high-sugar diets can exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms by disrupting the colon's lining renewal process. The research found that a high-sugar diet led to impaired cell division and altered metabolic pathways in mice, resulting in faster gut damage.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

ToCoTronics extended

Physicists from Würzburg's ToCoTronics CRC have made groundbreaking discoveries in topological materials, including indene and bismuthene. The renewed funding will focus on shaping these materials into nanostructures using lithographic methods.

Team led by NCKU researcher performs cosmological modeling to shed light on the nature of dark energy

A research group led by NCKU professor I-Non Chiu conducted the first cosmological study on galaxy clusters identified by eROSITA, analyzing 550 galaxy clusters. The results suggest that Dark Energy occupies up to 76% of the total energy density in the Universe.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 22, 2023

Earlier snowpack melt in the West could bring summer water scarcity

A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder documents more than 60 years of change in snowpack water storage across Western North America. The researchers found that snowpack water storage has significantly declined in over 25% of the Mountain West, leading to earlier water scarcity and impacts on agriculture and wildfire risk.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Researchers call for systemic changes to improve career prospects of young people with disabilities

A special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation presents strategies to challenge the status quo that young people with disabilities face in employment. Research highlights the need for verification of evidence-based practices, competitive integrated employment, and increased utilization of vocational rehabilitation services.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Vocational Rehabilitation·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 2023

A commonly used tool is suboptimal in predicting osteoporosis fracture risk in younger post-menopausal women

A study of nearly 67,200 postmenopausal women found that the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) was inadequate for identifying osteoporotic fracture risk across racial/ethnic categories. However, the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST) was excellent for detecting osteoporosis within each category.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Study highlights long-term benefits of family-based care following institutional care

New research highlights the benefits of family-based care for children exposed to early psychosocial deprivation, improving cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social development. The study found that high-quality foster care had a lasting impact on children's brain development and risk of psychopathology.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 22, 2023

Identifying the bee’s knees of bumble bee diets

A new study has identified the preferred flower species of Midwest bumble bees, revealing that these social bees have more discerning dietary preferences than expected. The research found that common flower species like milkweed and thistles are favored by bumble bees, while others, such as alsike clover and black-eyed Susan, are ignored.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEcosphere·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 2023

Laboratory fishing expedition reels in a big catch: hidden pathogenic role of a housekeeping enzyme in Listeria

Researchers have discovered that a previously unknown strategy is used by the foodborne bacterium Listeria monocytogenes to invade and infect humans and animals. A housekeeping enzyme called LAP plays a crucial role in this process, and its attachment to the bacterial surface is essential for pathogenesis.

SourcePurdue University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Allowing financial trading in California’s wholesale electricity market significantly reduced volatility of prices, electricity production costs, carbon emissions

Researchers found that introducing financial trading in California's wholesale electricity market led to reduced volatility in prices, production costs, and carbon emissions. The study also showed improved physical market outcomes, including lower fuel costs and reduced complexity in real-time markets.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalAmerican Economic Journal Economic Policy·DateMay 22, 2023

Humans are unique but not exceptional species of mammal

A recent study by UC Davis researchers found that humans exhibit reproductive inequality similar to other mammals, challenging the notion of human exceptionalism. The study also revealed greater reproductive egalitarianism in societies allowing polygynous marriages, where women have equal access to resources and parenting help.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Poor self-esteem and body image drive weight gain and worse mental health in teenage years

A study of over 12,000 UK children found that low self-esteem and body image were strong predictors of poor mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety. Increasing children's satisfaction with their appearance and self-esteem from early adolescence may help protect against these negative impacts.

SourceImperial College London·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

A guide through the genome

A research team has developed a method to identify genetic variations responsible for differences in plant traits. The study found thousands of variations associated with traits like yield and pest resistance in maize. These regions can be targeted for plant breeding, leading to improved crop varieties.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalGenome Biology·DateMay 22, 2023

Modular builds may help construction industry weather a perfect storm

A new study suggests that modular production techniques can minimize construction delays caused by weather, resulting in cost savings for builders. The research estimates that using modular construction can reduce costs by approximately AUD$40,000 on a $6.4 million project.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Effective capital markets are needed to protect the climate

A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Mercator Research Institute finds that the current difference between savings and lending rates results in additional global heating of 0.2 degrees Celsius. Governments can effectively counteract high interest rates on loans by subsidising investment, leading to more foss...

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·DateMay 22, 2023

Researchers analyze THC in breath of cannabis smokers

A study by NIST and University of Colorado Boulder collected breath samples from participants before and after smoking high-THC cannabis, revealing that distinguishing between recent use and past use remains challenging. The research aimed to develop a reproducible protocol for breath measurements, which will help answer key questions ...

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Breath Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Leadless pacemakers soon available for all patients

An international consortium led by Amsterdam UMC has developed an improved version of the wireless pacemaker, enabling placement in both the atrium and ventricle of the heart. This innovation expands treatment options for patients with slow heart rhythms, improving contraction and reducing the need for multiple mini pacemakers.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 22, 2023

How the military could speed helicopter operations on the battlefield

Researchers developed a mathematical model that accounts for variables such as helicopter resources and operational range to optimize air movement tasks. The model can perform planning functions in under an hour, saving commanders three to five hours compared to traditional methods.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Defense Analytics and Logistics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 22, 2023

Scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine discover metabolic sensor may play role in Alzheimer’s disease

A new study reveals that increased sugar intake and elevated blood glucose levels can cause amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers identified a metabolic sensor on neurons linked to this process, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for diabetic patients.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalJCI Insight·DateMay 22, 2023

ASCO: Targeted therapy for early breast cancer, progress treating recurrent glioma, PSMA PET scan advances and more

Researchers from the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are presenting findings on combination therapies for breast cancer and a potential new treatment for patients with recurrent glioma. A phase 3 study evaluating vorasidenib versus placebo in patients with residual or recurrent grade 2 glioma with an IDH1/2 mutation is also be...

Can charismatic robots help teams be more creative?

Researchers discovered that students working with a social robot featuring a charismatic voice produced more original and elaborate ideas compared to those who interacted with an identical robot using a flat voice. The study found that the charismatic robot's engaging tone increased team positivity, perceived effectiveness, and creativ...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Communication·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Are you prone to feeling guilty? You may be less likely to take a bribe

New research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that guilt-prone people are less likely to accept bribes, especially when the act would cause obvious harm to other people. The study highlights the importance of assessing candidates' guilt proneness in personnel selection, particularly for leadership positions.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

How plants use sugar to produce roots

Researchers at Heidelberg University have identified a molecular mechanism controlling root branching in plants, which involves the activity of the target of rapamycin (TOR) protein. The study found that glucose plays a crucial role in forming lateral roots, and TOR acts as a gatekeeper to regulate this process.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateMay 22, 2023

Developing novel tools for applications of argumentation to behavioral economics

The researchers developed a Revealed Preference Argumentation framework and an Integrated Preference Argumentation framework, which unify two main approaches to RPT. They also created comprehensive algorithms for IPA frameworks and tested the tool on RPT-based consumer behavior analysis.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Approximate Reasoning·DateMay 22, 2023

A multiomics approach provides insights into flu severity

Researchers used a multiomics approach to analyze changes in transposable elements after influenza A virus infection, identifying transcription factors contributing to individual responses. The study provides insights into the variable severity of illness among individuals infected with the same virus.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Genomics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Brain signatures for chronic pain identified in a small group of individuals

Researchers have recorded pain-related data from inside the brains of individuals with chronic pain disorders, identifying an area associated with chronic pain and objective biomarkers. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, represent a step towards developing novel methods for tracking and treating chronic pain.

What marsupials can teach us about brain development

Researchers discovered that marsupial brains exhibit region-specific patterns of cortical activity during early development. This finding provides valuable information about human brain development and may inform strategies for improving cognitive function in humans.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Researchers modify drug to enter cells and treat pain

A team of researchers at NYU College of Dentistry has successfully modified an existing anti-nausea drug to target the endosomes within cells, thereby providing a more prolonged analgesic effect. The modified netupitant showed improved pain-relieving properties compared to its original form and other drugs targeting similar receptors.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2023

Communal exercise intervention helped to prevent falls and fall-related injuries among older women

A large population-based randomized controlled trial found that providing better opportunities for exercise and group training can prevent falls and fall-related injuries among older women. The study showed a significant reduction in recurrent falls, fall-related injuries, and fractures caused by falls.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalAge and Ageing·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 22, 2023

Married people who cheat don’t regret it

A recent study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior found that married individuals who cheat report high levels of sexual and emotional satisfaction, but low levels of regret. The survey of over 2,000 Ashley Madison users revealed that fundamental problems with the relationship are often less cited as motivations for infidelity.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateMay 22, 2023