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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Supplemental Microalgal DHA and Astaxanthin Affect Astaxanthin Metabolism and Redox Status of Juvenile Rainbow Trout

Microalgal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and astaxanthin (AST) may substitute for fish oil and synthetic AST in aquafeeds. This study explored the effects and mechanisms of those substitutions on AST metabolism and redox status of rainbow trout fed plant protein meal (PM)- or fishmeal (FM)-based diets. Two parallel experiments (PM vs. FM) were performed with 612 juvenile rainbow trout for 16 weeks as a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with two AST sources (synthetic (SA) vs. microalgal (AA), at 80 mg/kg) and three levels (0, 50, and 100%) of fish oil substitutions with DHA-rich microalgae. The fish oil substitutions exhibit main effects (p < 0.05) and/or interactive effects (p < 0.05) with the source of AST on AST deposition, malondialdehyde and glutathione concentrations, and mRNA levels and activities of major redox enzymes (glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in the muscle and liver of trout fed both diet series. The AST source produced only differences in tissue AST deposition (p < 0.05) and number of metabolites. In conclusion, the substitutions of fish oil by the DHA-rich microalgae exerted more impacts than those of SA by AA on redox status and functional expression of antioxidant enzymes in the tissues of rainbow trout.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Impact of Selenium and Vitamin E Deficiency on Zika Virus Pathogenesis and Immune Response in Mice

Micronutrient status is recognized to influence host susceptibility to viral infections, yet its impact on Zika virus (ZIKV) pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. We investigated the effects of dietary selenium and combined selenium plus vitamin E deficiency on ZIKV infection outcomes in a type I interferon α/β receptor knockout (Ifnar1 −/− ) murine model. Mice maintained on deficient diets exhibited significantly lower neutralizing antibody titers and reduced levels of key antiviral cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-12p70, CCL5) compared to controls. Correspondingly, higher viral RNA loads were detected in the brains of double-deficient mice, which also experienced greater weight loss and increased mortality. Deep sequencing revealed no major differences in overall viral genome diversity across diet groups; however, specific mutations, including V330L and D67E in the E gene, and V360I in the NS3 gene, were enriched or detected in nutritionally deficient animals. These findings suggest that antioxidant micronutrient deficiency impairs both humoral and cellular immune responses to ZIKV, potentially facilitating enhanced neuroinvasion. While the functional consequences of the identified mutations warrant further investigation, our results underscore the importance of adequate micronutrient intake for optimal antiviral defense. Further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiological significance of these observations.

Biological and medical sciences↗
DOE OSTI2022

DOE new players Carbon cycle (2016-2021)

The overarching scientific goals of our multidisciplinary grant was to further expand understanding about the key microorganisms (players), metabolic strategies (processes), and interspecies relationships (interactions) involved in the formation and oxidation of methane in the environment. This research applied novel environmental metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomic techniques, state-of-the-art analytical imaging, stable isotope geochemistry, and reaction-transport modeling to address these goals and develop an ‘ecosystems level’ understanding of the factors which regulate microbial methane cycling in anoxic sedimentary ecosystems. For decades, it was believed that the obligate step in methanogenesis catalyzed by methyl coenzyme M reductase (Mcr) was limited to a specific branch of the archaeal Domain, formerly known as the Euryarchaeota. Less than a decade ago co-I Tyson’s team published a surprising metagenomic-based discovery of divergent Mcr genes in a novel uncultured phylum (Bathyarchaeota), catalyzing a major shift in thinking about the diversity of microorganisms that encode the potential for methane (or higher alkane) metabolism in anoxic environments (Evans et al., 2015). In our work here, we further expand on the groups of archaea harboring the genomic potential for methane or hydrocarbon metabolism using environmental metagenomics and new gene targeted bioinformatics techniques. We additionally advanced understanding about the terminal electron acceptors and metabolic potential supporting the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in terrestrial ecosystems, specifically focused on new lineages of ANME archaea capable of respiring manganese oxides with methane presumably using large extracellular multi-heme cytochrome complexes. New details about specific syntrophic mechanisms underlying the exchange of electrons during sulfate-coupled methane oxidation between ANME-2 archaea and their sulfate-reducing bacterial partners were also elucidated as part of this funded project. Through a series of experimental ‘omics and single cell stable isotope probing studies with incubated environmental sediment samples and a cultured model electrogenic microorganism combined with model-based predictions. Combined, this work provides strong support for the hypothesis of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) is the dominant syntrophic mechanism controlling the anaerobic oxidation of methane with sulfate over other proposed mechanisms and additionally illustrates important spatial constraints and the underlying physico-chemical factors influencing AOM syntrophic consortia structure for DIET and extracellular metal respiration. This collaborative multi-institutional project successfully advanced several of our milestone goals including the identification of new microbial players containing methyl coenzyme M reductases hypothesized to be central to methane or hydrocarbon cycling in anoxic environments and enhancing fundamental knowledge about the role extracellular electron transfer plays in the ecophysiology of methanotrophic archaea respiring metal oxides and in the physical and metabolic structuring of syntrophic interactions in methane-rich sedimentary ecosystems.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Dietary uptake of geosmin in rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss )

Geosmin is a primary source of muddy/earthy ‘off-flavors’ in farmed fish, which may render their organoleptic quality unacceptable to consumers. Model systems of geosmin uptake typically comprise exposure to waterborne geosmin that is absorbed via the gills. The present research demonstrates dietary exposure as an alternative route of geosmin uptake in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets. Trout (average initial weight of 355 g) were stocked in quadruplicate compartmentalized raceways (N = 4 compartments per treatment, n = 50 fish per compartment) supplied with first-use, flow-through water (4.5 complete turnovers per hour). Fish were fed diets containing 0 (control dose), 0.005 (low dose), 0.05 (medium dose), or 0.5 (high dose) mg geosmin/kg feed at 1% body weight/day for four weeks. Fillets (12 fillets/diet/week plus 12 pre-trial fillet samples) and weekly feed and water samples were analyzed via GC–MS to determine geosmin concentrations. Feeding behavior was documented daily according to a four-point scale. ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey tests and polynomial contrast, regression, correlation, and chi-squared statistical analyses were applied to data (α = 0.05 significance level). Palatability of feed did not hinder consumption of the geosmin-spiked feeds: although fish responded positively to all feeds, the most aggressive feeding behavior was observed among those fed medium and high dose feed. Geosmin was effectively imparted into fillets after one week, and no significant temporal effect was found after four weeks. Mean geosmin concentrations significantly increased in fillets from low (mean of 26 ng/kg geosmin) to medium (202 ng/kg) to high (441 ng/kg) dose feed groups during the trial. Polynomial contrasts and regression modeling validated this significant positive effect of dose on geosmin uptake, with an estimated 166 ng/kg rise in fillet-geosmin for every log 10 increase in feed concentration. Waterborne geosmin levels immediately post-feeding were conditionally independent of concentrations in feed and fillets, therefore dietary uptake was affirmed as the predominant mechanism of absorption in the present experimental system. Finally, based on these findings, geosmin-spiked feeds may be used to induce predictable, repeatable levels of this off-flavor compound in fillets and serve as a model system for further investigation of sensory quality and off-flavor mitigation strategies for farm-raised fish.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nutraceuticals and their role in tumor angiogenesis

Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in cancer initiation, maintenance, and progression. Diet may inhibit, retard or reverse these processes affecting angiogenesis (angioprevention). Nutraceuticals, such as omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibers, and phenolic compounds, improve health benefits as they are a source of bioactive compounds that, among other effects, can regulate angiogenesis. The literature concerning the pro-angiogenic and/or anti-angiogenic nutraceuticals and the possible activated pathways in cancer and other non-neoplastic diseases by in vivo and in vitro experiments are reviewed.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Protein intake is more stable than carbohydrate or fat intake across various US demographic groups and international populations

The optimal macronutrient composition of the diet is controversial and many adults attempt to regulate the intake of specific macronutrients for various health-related reasons. The objective was to compare stability and ranges of intakes of different macronutrients across diverse adult populations in the USA and globally. US dietary intake data from NHANES 2009–2014 were used to determine macronutrient intake as a percentage of total energy intake. Variability in macronutrient intake was estimated by calculating the difference between 75th and 25th percentile (Q3–Q1) IQRs of macronutrient intake distributions. In addition, intake data from 13 other countries with per capita gross domestic product (GDP) over $10,000 US dollars (USD) were used to assess variability of intake internationally since there are large differences in types of foods consumed in different countries. Protein, carbohydrate, and fat intake (NHANES 2009–2014) was 15.7 ± 0.1, 48.1 ± 0.1, and 32.9 ± 0.1% kcal, respectively, in US adults. The IQR of protein intake distribution (3.73 ± 0.11% kcal) was 41% of carbohydrate intake distribution (9.18 ± 0.20% kcal) and 58% of fat intake distribution (6.40 ± 0.14% kcal). The IQRs of carbohydrate and fat intake distributions were significantly (P <0.01) influenced by age and race; however, the IQR of protein intake was not associated with demographic and lifestyle factors including sex, race, income, physical activity, and body weight. International mean protein intake was 16.3 ± 0.2% kcal, similar to US intake, and there was less variation in protein than carbohydrate or fat intake. Protein intake of the US population and multiple international populations, regardless of demographic and lifestyle factors, was consistently ~16% of total energy, suggesting biological control mechanism(s) tightly regulate protein intake and, consequently, influence intake of other macronutrients and food constituents. Substantial differences in intake of the other macronutrients observed in US and international populations had little influence on protein intake. This trial was registered at the ISRCTN registry as ISRCTN46157745

dietary preferences↗
DOE OSTI2025

UDP-glucuronic acid decarboxylase in alfalfa: a target to improve ruminal digestibility of stems

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has a high nutritional value, but poor digestibility of the stems limits its value as an energy source in ruminant diets. Xylan and lignin negatively affect cell wall digestibility, whereas pectins have high digestibility in the rumen. In plants, UDP-xylose synthase (UXS) catalyses the decarboxylation of UDP-glucuronic acid to form UDP-xylose in an irreversible step that is key for xylan synthesis. Here, we functionally characterized two UXS genes in alfalfa, namely MsaUXS2 and MsaUXS4, and investigated their impact on ruminal digestibility. Both genes are more highly expressed in stems than leaves, and the enzymes have UDP-glucuronic acid decarboxylase activity in vitro. Silencing of MsaUXS2 and MsaUXS4 via RNAi altered plant growth and resulted in a 40% decrease in xylose, a 115% increase in arabinose, and a 60% increase in galacturonic acid in the polysaccharide matrix as well as a 20% decrease in lignin in the cell wall. Together, our results show a major role for UXS2 and UXS4 in xylan synthesis and secondary cell wall deposition in alfalfa. Additionally, in vitro rumen digestibility assays for the silenced lines had on average 30% increased gas production at 24 h, demonstrating the potential of targeting UXS genes to increase stem digestibility.

UDP-xylose synthase↗
DOE OSTI2020

The gut mycobiota of rural and urban individuals is shaped by geography

Understanding the structure and drivers of gut microbiota remains a major ecological endeavour. Recent studies have shown that several factors including diet, lifestyle and geography may substantially shape the human gut microbiota. However, most of these studies have focused on the more abundant bacterial component and comparatively less is known regarding fungi in the human gut. This knowledge deficit is especially true for rural and urban African populations. Therefore, we assessed the structure and drivers of rural and urban gut mycobiota. Results Our participants (n=100) were balanced by geography and sex. The mycobiota of these geographically separated cohorts was characterized using amplicon analysis of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene. We further assessed biomarker species specific to rural and urban cohorts. In addition to phyla which have been shown to be ubiquitous constituents of gut microbiota, Pichia were key constituents of the mycobiota. We found that several factors including geographic location and lifestyle factors such as the smoking status were major drivers of gut mycobiota. Linear discriminant and the linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis revealed several distinct urban and rural biomarkers. Conclusions Together, our analysis reveals distinct community structure in urban and rural South African individuals. Geography and lifestyle related factors were shown to be key drivers of rural and urban gut microbiota.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Simplified Model of Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease Using SKH1 Mice

Commonly used adenine-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) murine models often employ C57BL/6 mice; however, this strain has inherent limitations due to its natural resistance to developing key pathological features of CKD, such as tubulointerstitial fibrosis and inflammation. There have been attempts to overcome these barriers by using multiple concentrations of adenine-supplemented diets or by performing prolonged experiments up to 20 weeks. Here, we demonstrate that SKH1 Elite mice develop clinically relevant CKD phenotypes (e.g., polyuria, proteinuria, inflammation, and renal fibrosis) over the course of only 6 weeks of low-dose (0.15%) adenine supplementation. As a docile, immunocompetent, and hairless strain, SKH1 Elite mice offer several logistical advantages over C57BL/6 mice, including ease of handling and the ability to study dermal conditions, which are often secondary to CKD.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

An omnivorous mesopredator modifies predation of omnivore-dispersed seeds

Post-dispersal seed predation is an important determinant of plant recruitment. Although many plant species are dispersed following consumption by omnivorous vertebrates, the potential for these dispersal agents to indirectly affect seed fate by modifying seed predator behavior is poorly understood. We evaluated the hypothesis that the scat of an omnivorous vertebrate (coyote, Canis latrans), which is also a rodent predator, would reduce seed predation by rodent granivores. We also hypothesized that scat would lead to increased removal by arthropod seed predators by providing a resource that attracts ants and other arthropods. We examined the role of omnivore deposition on seed predation of two animal-dispersed species that differed in size: Larger Prunus serotina seeds are attacked only by rodents, whereas smaller Rubus allegheniensis seeds are attacked by arthropods and rodents. Using an experiment that manipulated the presence of coyote scat and access by different granivore guilds, we found that scat reduced the total number of seeds removed from full-access depots by 12%, but it increased the total number of seeds removed from arthropod-only depots by 43%. Rodent removal of P. serotina seeds was 21% lower in the presence of scat. Scat composition was also important in affecting rodent seed predation, with seed predation 50% lower in the presence of meat-rich scat compared with mixed or fruit-rich scat. Arthropod removal of R. allegheniensis seeds was 43% higher in the presence of scat. Prunus serotina seeds were generally removed at greater rates than R. allegheniensis seeds in full-access trays; however, scat reduced this difference in removal rates from 37% more P. serotina seeds removed to 18% more P. serotina seeds removed. These findings illuminate a new pathway through which omnivores may influence plant populations by modifying post-dispersal seed predation by arthropods and rodents. Moreover, our results indicate that the ultimate effect of vertebrate omnivores on seed survival in a given region may depend upon omnivore diet, dominant seed predator guilds, and differences in granivore seed preference.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Osteoporosis Treatments Affect Bone Matrix Maturation in a Rat Model of Induced Cortical Remodeling

ABSTRACT To test how osteoporosis drugs affect bone matrix maturation during cortical bone remodeling, 72 pregnant rats were switched from a 0.4% to a 0.01% calcium diet at parturition for a 23‐day lactation period. At weaning, eight dams were sacrificed to establish baseline values, while the remaining dams were returned to 0.4% calcium and treated with vehicle (saline), sodium fluoride (NaF), zoledronic acid (ZA), or sclerostin antibody (Scl‐Ab) for either 7 or 28 days (eight animals per group per time point). Femora were examined by μCT, dynamic histomorphometry, Fourier transform infrared imaging, and three‐point bending of notched specimens. Cortical porosity decreased in all groups from baseline to day 28. Intracortical mineralizing surface (MS/BS) and mineral apposition rate (MAR), as well as the mineral‐to‐matrix ratio were unaffected by treatment, but intracortical crystallinity was increased in the ZA group at day 10 compared with vehicle. Cortical area increased in all groups over 28 days mainly because of an addition of bone at the endocortical surface. Endocortical MS/BS did not vary among the groups, but endocortical MAR was suppressed in the NaF group at day 2 and elevated in the Scl‐Ab group at day 4 compared with vehicle. Endocortical mineral‐to‐matrix ratio was increased at days 5 and 10 following NaF treatment and endocortical crystallinity was increased at day 5 following ZA treatment compared with vehicle. Fracture toughness did not differ among the groups. Thus, the treatments affected matrix maturation more strongly at the endocortical then intracortical envelope. In this model of induced remodeling, the bone formation phase is synchronized at multiple sites, facilitating study of the effects of drugs or other bone‐targeting agents on matrix maturation independent of their effects on the initiation of remodeling. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

D 3 -creatine dilution for skeletal muscle mass measurement: historical development and current status

The French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul discovered creatine in meat two centuries ago. Extensive biochemical and physiological studies of this organic molecule followed with confirmation that creatine is found within the cytoplasm and mitochondria of human skeletal muscles. Two groups of investigators exploited these relationships five decades ago by first estimating the creatine pool size in vivo with 14 C and 15 N labelled isotopes. Skeletal muscle mass (kg) was then calculated by dividing the creatine pool size (g) by muscle creatine concentration (g/kg) measured on a single muscle biopsy or estimated from the literature. This approach for quantifying skeletal muscle mass is generating renewed interest with the recent introduction of a practical stable isotope (creatine-(methyl-d 3 )) dilution method for estimating the creatine pool size across the full human lifespan. The need for a muscle biopsy has been eliminated by assuming a constant value for whole-body skeletal muscle creatine concentration of 4.3 g/kg wet weight. The current single compartment model of estimating creatine pool size and skeletal muscle mass rests on four main assumptions: tracer absorption is complete; tracer is all retained; tracer is distributed solely in skeletal muscle; and skeletal muscle creatine concentration is known and constant. Three of these assumptions are false to varying degrees. Not all tracer is retained with urinary isotope losses ranging from 0% to 9%; an empirical equation requiring further validation is used to correct for spillage. Not all tracer is distributed in skeletal muscle with non-muscle creatine sources ranging from 2% to 10% with a definitive value lacking. Lastly, skeletal muscle creatine concentration is not constant and varies between muscles (e.g. 3.89–4.62 g/kg), with diets (e.g. vegetarian and omnivore), across age groups (e.g. middle-age, ~4.5 g/kg; old-age, 4.0 g/kg), activity levels (e.g. athletes, ~5 g/kg) and in disease states (e.g. muscular dystrophies, <3 g/kg). Some of the variability in skeletal muscle creatine concentrations can be attributed to heterogeneity in the proportions of wet skeletal muscle as myofibres, connective tissues, and fat. These observations raise serious concerns regarding the accuracy of the deuterated-creatine dilution method for estimating total body skeletal muscle mass as now defined by cadaver analyses of whole wet tissues and in vivo approaches such as magnetic resonance imaging. A new framework is needed in thinking about how this potentially valuable method for measuring the creatine pool size in vivo can be used in the future to study skeletal muscle biology in health and disease.

body composition↗
DOE OSTI2023

Mitigating the allergenicity of peanut allergen Ara h 1 by cold atmospheric pressure argon plasma jet

Abstract BACKGROUND Peanut allergy is recognized as a major food allergy that triggers severe and even fatal symptoms. Avoidance of peanuts in the diet is the main option for current safety management. Processing techniques reducing peanut allergenicity are required to develop other options. Cold plasma is currently considered as a novel non‐thermal approach to alter protein structure and has the potential to alleviate immunoreactivity of protein allergen. RESULTS The application of a cold argon plasma jet to peanut protein extract could reduce the amount of a 64 kDa protein band corresponding to a major peanut allergen Ara h 1 using sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but the overall protein size distribution did not change significantly. A decrease in peanut protein solubility was a possible cause that led to the loss of protein content in the soluble fraction. Immunoblotting and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay elucidated that the immunoreactivity of Ara h 1 was significantly decreased with the time treated with plasma. Ara h 1 antigenicity reduced by 38% after five scans (approximately 3 min) of cold argon plasma jet treatment, and the reduction was up to 66% after approximately 15 min of treatment. CONCLUSION The results indicate that cold argon plasma jet treatment could be a suitable platform for alleviating the immunoreactivity of peanut protein. This work demonstrates an efficient, compact, and rapid platform for mitigating the allergenicity of peanuts, and shows great potential for the plasma platform as a non‐thermal technique in the food industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Hsu, Fu‐Chiun↗
DOE OSTI2021

The use and abuse of cinnabar in Late Neolithic and Copper Age Iberia

Abstract In this study, total mercury (THg) was analyzed in archaeological human bone from 23 sites dating to between the Middle Neolithic and the Antiquity. A total of 370 individuals from individual or collective burials was sampled, mostly using cortical bone from the humerus. These individuals were recovered from over 50 different funerary structures ranging from tholoi, pits, caves, and hypogea. Although cinnabar (HgS) is a likely cause of mercury poisoning and toxicity for people exposed to this mineral from mining or use as a paint or pigment, not all sites investigated here had cinnabar associated with the burials or other excavated areas. We found unusual levels of THg in many of the sampled individuals that we assume were caused by exposure to cinnabar in life, and not by diagenetic processes or other exposures to mercury such as through diet, which would only cause negligible accumulation of THg in bone. Our data, based on the largest sampling ever undertaken on contamination of human bone through archaeological evidence, provide a baseline for additional research on cinnabar and its use in Prehistory. Moderate to high levels of THg in human bone are mainly associated with societies dating from the second half of the 4th to late 3rd millennia B.C. (Late Neolithic to Middle Chalcolithic) in southern Iberia. By the Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, the use of cinnabar decreased significantly and became minimal or absent. The use and abuse of cinnabar appears to have been pervasive throughout the above‐mentioned period and particularly between c. 2900–2300 B.C. This occurred in connection with the high symbolic and probably sacred value of the substance, which was sought after, traded, and extensively used in a variety of rituals and social practices.

Emslie, Steven D.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Impact of the built, social, and food environment on long‐term weight loss within a behavioral weight loss intervention

Abstract Background Behavioral weight loss interventions can lead to an average weight loss of 5%–10% of initial body weight, however there is wide individual variability in treatment response. Although built, social, and community food environments can have potential direct and indirect influences on body weight (through their influence on physical activity and energy intake), these environmental factors are rarely considered as predictors of variation in weight loss. Objective Evaluate the association between built, social, and community food environments and changes in weight, moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and dietary intake among adults who completed an 18‐month behavioral weight loss intervention. Methods Participants included 93 adults (mean ± SD; 41.5 ± 8.3 years, 34.4 ± 4.2 kg/m 2 , 82% female, 75% white). Environmental variables included urbanicity, walkability, crime, Neighborhood Deprivation Index (includes 13 social economic status factors), and density of convenience stores, grocery stores, and limited‐service restaurants at the tract level. Linear regressions examined associations between environment and changes in body weight, waist circumference (WC), MVPA (SenseWear device), and dietary intake (3‐day diet records) from baseline to 18 months. Results Grocery store density was inversely associated with change in weight ( β = −0.95; p = 0.02; R 2 = 0.062) and WC ( β = −1.23; p < 0.01; R 2 = 0.109). Participants living in tracts with lower walkability demonstrated lower baseline MVPA and greater increases in MVPA versus participants with higher walkability (interaction p = 0.03). Participants living in tracts with the most deprivation demonstrated greater increases in average daily steps ( β = 2048.27; p = 0.02; R 2 = 0.039) versus participants with the least deprivation. Limited‐service restaurant density was associated with change in % protein intake ( β = 0.39; p = 0.046; R 2 = 0.051). Conclusion Environmental factors accounted for some of the variability (<11%) in response to a behavioral weight loss intervention. Grocery store density was positively associated with weight loss at 18 months. Additional studies and/or pooled analyses, encompassing greater environmental variation, are required to further evaluate whether environment contributes to weight loss variability.

Tewahade, Selam↗
DOE OSTI2024

Single-atom materials boosting wearable orthogonal uric acid detection

Abstract Uric acid (UA) is a vital biomarker for the diagnosis and management of various health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, gout, kidney disorders, metabolic syndrome, and wound healing. Despite significant advances in wearable sensor technology, challenges persist in developing wearable sensors that are capable of maintaining high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability. In this study, we present an epidermal sensing platform enhanced with single-atom materials (SAMs) designed for flexible and orthogonal electrochemical detection of UA. We designed and synthesized an SAM with Fe-N 5 active sites to boost the electrochemical sensing signals, integrating it with laser-engraved graphene (LEG) to fabricate a wearable SAM-based UA patch sensor. This design provides superior UA detection performance compared to sensors based on conventional nanomaterials. In addition, we enhanced the detection accuracy and range by using an orthogonal approach that combines direct oxidation through differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) along with parallel biocatalytic amperometric detection. The resulting SAM-based UA orthogonal sensor patch demonstrated exceptional performance in wearable applications through tests measuring sweat UA levels in subjects before and after consuming a purine-rich diet. Graphical Abstract

Ding, Shichao↗
DOE OSTI2026

Paleotribological models using preserved fossil tissue properties reveal functional significance of Eurasian mammoth dental evolution

Eurasian mammoths (Mammuthus) underwent substantial modifications in molar morphology as later-diverging species evolved progressively thinner enamel and increased enamel crest complexity. These features have been hypothesized to reduce whole-tooth wear and extend dental longevity as increasingly graze-dominated diets evolved within the lineage. This hypothesis has yet to be directly tested. Here, in this study, we developed an in-silico wear model using experimentally derived wear rates from fossil and extant proboscidean dental tissues. The models revealed that shifts in tissue topology do not affect whole-tooth wear rate, as inverse trends in lamellar frequency and enamel thickness preserve a consistent surface enamel area fraction; the determining factor of wear. Rather, topological shifts produce a wear-emergent secondary occlusal surface with greater numbers of triturating crests that create a regular, low-relief, file-like shearing pavement. These changes in occlusal architecture likely directly impacted the mastication capacity of Mammuthus dentitions, facilitating their dietary expansion to incorporate fibrous, lower-nutrient graze.

Dental wear↗