Add BrightSurf on Google Email

PNAS Nexus


Predicting COVID-19 variant waves with AI

A machine-learning enabled risk assessment model detects 72.8% of variants causing over 1,000 cases per million people within a week, increasing to 80.1% after two weeks. The model identifies key factors such as variant spike mutations and early infection trajectories.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 2, 2024

Cadmium and particulate matter toxicity

Exposure to different types of particulate matter induces varying levels of gene expression and cell morphology changes in lung epithelial cells. Cadmium is found to be at least partially responsible for the differences in toxicity between mixes.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 28, 2023

War and fire on the eastern Silk Road

Researchers found that intense fires in the region were more likely caused by human activities like war than climate change. The study used sediment cores to analyze black carbon and soot deposits from Tianchi Lake, dating back 6,000 years.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 19, 2023

A blueprint for equitable, ethical AI research

The scientific community must create a flexible governance framework to ensure equity, prevent unintended consequences, and maximize positive impact. To achieve this, the authors suggest advancing AI infrastructure, democratizing access to research and outcomes.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 19, 2023

Civilian attacks and Ukrainian resistance

A recent survey of Ukrainian civilians found that those who have been more victimized by Russian violence are more willing to resist, particularly in military combat. The study suggests that the Russian strategy of targeting civilians is unlikely to deter Ukrainian resistance and may even strengthen it.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 12, 2023

Equity in cannabis research

The article proposes a way forward for cannabis research by acknowledging the history of discrimination and proposing actions to increase diversity and inclusion. The authors suggest passing equity-focused legislation, supporting scientists of color, and implementing inclusive recruitment practices.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 12, 2023

Drought and the rapid rise of skateboarding

A severe drought led to a surge in professional vertical skateboarding in Los Angeles, influenced by cultural, commercial, and environmental changes. The development of polyurethane wheels and sport-specific media contributed to the growth of the sport.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 12, 2023

Stability in physical and political science

Researchers Kenneth J. Breslauer and George W. Breslauer investigate the concept of stability in both physical and political science, finding parallels between kinetic trapping and social metastability. They propose applying thermodynamic principles to analyze socio-political systems, revealing a continuity between nature and society.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 12, 2023

Languages are louder in the tropics

Researchers analyzed a large database of languages to verify the relationship between climate and language sound. They found that languages around the equator tend to have higher sonority indexes, but some exceptions exist, such as Mesoamerica and Mainland Southeast Asia.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 5, 2023

Blue light exposure and aging

Daily low-intensity blue light exposure affects processes related to aging and circadian rhythms in fruit flies. The study found that blue light induced reprogramming of RNA and m6A modifications, which may damage neuronal function, particularly in eye and brain tissues.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 5, 2023

Toxicity at Wikipedia

A study by Ivan Smirnov and colleagues found that toxic comments on user talk pages lead to a reduction in editor activity, with newcomers being 1.8 times less likely to continue contributing. Toxicity may also contribute to the site's lack of diversity among Wikipedians.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 5, 2023

Glyphosphate: a silver-bullet weed killer no more

Decades of relying on glyphosate for weed control has led to the development of resistance in multiple weed species, compromising its efficacy. However, combining post-emergence and pre-emergence herbicides can provide consistent weed control, highlighting the need for diverse management programs.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 5, 2023

Smartphone use differs between urban and rural areas

Smartphone usage patterns differ substantially between urban and rural populations, with urban users favoring social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. In contrast, rural users tend to use Facebook and Snapchat, suggesting that environment influences smartphone behavior.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 28, 2023

Syngas photocatalysis made easy

Researchers have developed a novel photocatalyst system that enables the production of syngas from methane steam reforming under atmospheric pressure. The system harnesses sunlight to split methane and water into hydrogen and carbon monoxide, forming syngas.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 21, 2023

Gender stereotypes embedded in natural language

Research by Clotilde Napp found that gender biases in language are stronger in more economically developed and individualistic countries. The study used natural language processing to analyze text corpora from over 70 countries, revealing a phenomenon known as the gender equality paradox.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 21, 2023

Long-term heat tolerance in plants

Research identifies a genetic locus LHT1/MAC7 controlling long-term heat tolerance in Arabidopsis, involving precise mRNA splicing. The study found that mutations affecting MOS4-associated complex contribute to variation in heat tolerance and increased ER stress under long-term heat.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 14, 2023

Mountain goats seek snow to shake off insects

Researchers studied mountain goats' behavior in Glacier National Park, finding that ear flicks showed a strong correlation with the presence of snow. The lack of summer snow patches may increase their risk of local extirpation due to increased tick infestations.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 7, 2023

The molecular basis of ventilator-induced diaphragm weakness

Mitochondrial fragmentation is a key mechanism underlying ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD), leading to excessive reactive oxygen species production and calcium homeostasis impairment. Blocking mitochondrial fission at the initiation of mechanical ventilation with a molecule like P110 could potentially prevent VIDD.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 7, 2023

Assessing the sustainability of trade in wild-harvested plants

A method for assessing sustainability of wild-harvested plants is demonstrated on Nardostachys jatamansi, a critically endangered Himalayan perennial herb. The proposed process integrates ecological and trade data to estimate sustainability levels, suggesting cultivating-while-harvesting as an effective approach.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 7, 2023

Bisphenol A and asthma in mice

Researchers found that bisphenol A (BPA) inactivates microbial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a key trigger for allergic asthma. This disruption increases susceptibility to asthma in mice, highlighting a potential link between BPA exposure and immune disorders.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 7, 2023

The limits of deplatforming

Michele Starnini and colleagues studied two online communities on Reddit: GreatAwakening and FatPeopleHate. Despite deplatforming, these communities became more resilient due to their engaged members who migrated to Voat, a new platform.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 31, 2023

A ‘thermostat’ for anesthesia

Researchers developed a closed-loop anesthesia delivery system that continuously monitors brain waves and adjusts anesthetic medication dosage to maintain optimal unconsciousness levels. The system was tested in rhesus macaques, achieving stable levels for up to 18 hours.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 31, 2023

The true costs of corn

A model reveals that corn farming in the US Midwest incurs significant health and environmental costs, with air pollution being a major contributor. Implementing alternative management practices can increase profits beyond these costs, but retiring land may be necessary for some counties.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 24, 2023

Banana trees to fight wildfires

Climate change is increasing wildfire risk, with fires in the Western US doubling in frequency between 1984 and 2015. Banana trees, when irrigated by recycled water, can produce high-value crops and act as a multifunctional fire buffer.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 24, 2023

The dark side of the American lawn

Research in Baltimore metropolitan area finds nitrogen-rich fertilizers on lawns contribute to algal blooms and deoxygenated waters. Many homeowners are unaware of the negative impact of their lawn care practices on local ecosystems.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 17, 2023

A single parameter to describe animal locomotion

Researchers develop a phase shift parameter to describe animal locomotion, combining forces of inertia, gravity, elasticity and viscosity into one dimensionless number. This new parameter predicts muscle activation patterns in a wide range of animals during locomotion.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 10, 2023

The ribosome–depression link

Research links ribosomal protein genes to human depression, showing dysregulation under stress and reversibility during remission. The study suggests that ribosome dysfunction alters neural synapse function, leading to mood disorders.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 10, 2023

Microplastic emitted into the atmosphere by sea spray

A study finds that microplastics are transported out of seawater and into the air through small droplets called 'jet drops' ejected by bursting bubbles. The authors estimate that between 0.02 and 7.4 Mt of plastic is emitted by the world's seas each year, affecting global climate dynamics.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 3, 2023

Socioeconomic status and power outages

A study of Atlantic hurricanes found that people with lower socioeconomic status wait significantly longer for power to be restored after outages. The research suggests that investing in energy infrastructure and renewable energy may help mitigate the negative impacts of power outages on vulnerable communities.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 3, 2023

Why faces feel “tight” after being washed

The study reveals that applying cleansers or moisturizers to the skin can alter its state, activating mechanoreceptors and feeding information to the central nervous system. Strong correlations were found between physical stress on the stratum corneum and subjective reports of 'tightness' in surveys of thousands of participants.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 26, 2023

The ethics of accepting tainted donations

A study surveyed over 4,500 laypeople and 700 professional fundraisers about acceptance of tainted donations. Respondents generally agreed that institutions should reject donations from criminals but accept those from morally ambiguous individuals.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 26, 2023

COVID-19 brain fog and the role of Tau proteins

Researchers identified a link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and Alzheimer's disease-like cognitive symptoms, triggered by Tau protein hyperphosphorylation. The study found increased Tau levels in infected cells, indicating pathological alterations to the protein.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 19, 2023

Technological progress and climate change

Researchers developed an environmentally extended general equilibrium model to analyze the impact of technological progress on climate change. The study found that technological progress in some sectors increases global emissions, while others decrease them.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 19, 2023

Calculating disease risk in individuals with previous disease

A new study found that having a previous disease increases an individual's risk of developing another disease, regardless of age and established risk factors. The study analyzed data from the UK Biobank cohort and found roughly double the expected rate of new diseases in certain groups, such as high-BMI men who smoke.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 12, 2023

Perspective: Building megaprojects on time and under-budget

Megaprojects like Boston's 'Big Dig' are plagued by ballooning costs and extended timelines due to a lack of experience among engineers and inadequate design margins. The authors propose several solutions, including modular systems, integrated EPC contracts, and fostering a culture of curiosity and adaptability

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 5, 2023

A solid battery electrolyte with high performance

A new solid-state electrolyte has been designed with a three-dimensional mesh structure, achieving high ionic conductivity and fast lithium ion migration numbers. This material could be a good choice for next-generation all-solid-state lithium-based batteries with high energy density.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 5, 2023

The building industry and forest diversity and resilience

Researchers advocate for a forest-first approach to specifying timber species in forestry and building practices, emphasizing the need for climate-adaptive strategies. By selecting suitable tree species based on ecological and building traits, builders can create resilient forests and support functional diversity.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateAug 29, 2023

Disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on American Indians

A study of COVID-19 patients in New Mexico reveals that Native Americans are more likely to develop severe disease, require mechanical ventilation, and have laboratory values indicative of more severe disease. The disparity is attributed to factors such as social determinants of health and potential immunological responses to the virus.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateAug 29, 2023

Immune cells linked to anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease

A study suggests that immune cells, particularly regulatory T cells, play a role in anxiety and depression, with reduced expression of the transcription factor Foxp3 associated with major depressive disorders. Depletion of these cells leads to increased anxiety-like behaviors in mice, highlighting their potential link to these conditions.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2023