Insecure livelihoods hindering efforts to combat anti-microbial resistance globally

Patients living in precarious circumstances are less likely to use antibiotics appropriately according to a new study from the University of Warwick, suggesting that efforts to improve conditions for those with little security in their livelihoods could have an unexpected benefit in helping to tackle antimicrobial resistance globally.

Conflicts of interest among the UK government's COVID-19 advisers are not transparent

Little is known about the interests of the doctors, scientists, and academics on whose advice the UK government relies to manage the pandemic. But attempts by The BMJ to discover more have been thwarted, according to a special report published today.

Colorado mountains bouncing back from 'acid rain' impacts

A long-term trend of ecological improvement is appearing in the mountains west of Boulder. Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder have found that Niwot Ridge—a high alpine area of the Rocky Mountains, east of the Continental Divide—is slowly recovering from increased acidity caused by vehicle emissions in Colorado's Front Range.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-colorado-mountains-acid-impacts.html

Team discovers light-driven catalyst forms olefins for drug, agrochemical manufacturing

Inspired by light-sensing bacteria that thrive near hot oceanic vents, synthetic chemists at Rice University have found a mild method to make valuable hydrocarbons known as olefins, or alkenes.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-team-light-driven-catalyst-olefins-drug.html

Algorithms and automation: Making new technology faster and cheaper

Additive manufacturing (AM) machinery has advanced over time, however, the necessary software for new machines often lags behind. To help mitigate this issue, Penn State researchers designed an automated process planning software to save money, time and design resources.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-12-algorithms-automation-technology-faster-cheaper.html

Microbes and plants: A dynamic duo

Drought stress has been a major roadblock in crop success, and this obstacle will not disappear anytime soon. Luckily, a dynamic duo like Batman and Robin, certain root-associated microbes and the plants they inhabit, are here to help.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-microbes-dynamic-duo.html

Several US populations and regions exposed to high arsenic concentrations in drinking water

A new national study of public water systems found that arsenic levels were not uniform across the U.S., even after implementation of the latest national regulatory standard. In the first study to assess differences in public drinking water arsenic exposures by geographic subgroups, researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health confirmed there are inequalities in drinking water arsenic exposure across certain sociodemographic subgroups and over time. Community water systems reliant on groundwater, serving smaller populations located in the Southwest, and Hispanic communities were more likely to continue exceeding the national maximum containment level, raising environmental justice concerns. The findings are published online in Environmental Health Perspectives.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-populations-regions-exposed-high-arsenic.html

The use of wild mammals in traditional medicine

In an analysis of published research, investigators identified 565 mammalian species that have been used to source products used in traditional medicine around the world, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The analysis, which is published in Mammal Review, also found that 155 of these mammalian species are considered threatened (vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered), and a further 46 are near threatened.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-wild-mammals-traditional-medicine.html

Understanding COVID-19 infection and possible mutations

The binding of a SARS-CoV-2 virus surface protein spike—a projection from the spherical virus particle—to the human cell surface protein ACE2 is the first step to infection that may lead to COVID-19 disease. Penn State researchers computationally assessed how changes to the virus spike makeup can affect binding with ACE2 and compared results to those of the original SARS-CoV virus (SARS).

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-covid-infection-mutations.html

Nearly 72% of Black patients with gynecologic cancer and COVID-19 were hospitalized, compared with 46% of non-Blacks

Among patients in New York City with gynecologic cancer and COVID-19, Black patients younger than 65 years of age were five times more likely to require hospitalization than non-Blacks in the same age group. Even though Black patients with gynecologic cancer represented only one-third of patients in this study, they accounted for 41 percent of deaths due to COVID-19 when compared with non-Black patients. These findings are published in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

Uniquely human gene may drive numerous cancers

Humans are more prone to develop carcinomas compared with our closest evolutionary cousins, the great apes. These cancers begin in the epithelial cells of the skin or the tissue that covers the surface of internal organs and glands, and they include prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers. A new study published in FASEB BioAdvances reveals a human-specific connection between advanced carcinomas and a gene called SIGLEC12.

Life expectancy and healthcare costs for patients with rheumatoid arthritis

A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology suggests that recent advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis have prolonged patients' lives but also increased healthcare costs.

Researchers call for clarity on the definition of medicine misuse

Medicine misuse is a public health issue, but the term has different meanings to people in different settings. A recent analysis of published studies provides a comprehensive overview of the terms and definitions used to characterize medicine misuse. The findings are published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Exercise may protect bone health after weight loss surgery

Although weight loss surgery is a highly effective treatment for obesity, it can be detrimental to bone health. A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research suggests that exercise may help address this shortcoming.

Program reduces social isolation among middle-aged and older adults

An existing service in the North West of England called Community Connectors, which enables adults to access social activities within their community, can help reduce loneliness and social isolation, according to an analysis published in Health & Social Care in the Community.

The use of wild mammals in traditional medicine

In an analysis of published research, investigators identified 565 mammalian species that have been used to source products used in traditional medicine around the world, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The analysis, which is published in Mammal Review, also found that 155 of these mammalian species are considered threatened (vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered), and a further 46 are near threatened.

Understanding COVID-19 infection and possible mutations

The binding of a SARS-CoV-2 virus surface protein spike—a projection from the spherical virus particle—to the human cell surface protein ACE2 is the first step to infection that may lead to COVID-19 disease. Penn State researchers computationally assessed how changes to the virus spike makeup can affect binding with ACE2 and compared results to those of the original SARS-CoV virus (SARS).