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Science News Archive December 2020 - Page 12


Page 12 of 39

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine: COVID-19 causes more severe disease than seasonal influenza, comparison of data from over 130,000 hospitalised patients confirms

A comparison of data from over 130,000 hospitalised patients found that COVID-19 is associated with a higher death rate and severity of illness compared to seasonal influenza. The study also revealed that COVID-19 patients were more likely to require invasive mechanical ventilation and intensive care.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateDec 17, 2020

Change in global precipitation patterns as a result of climate change

A study by Dr. Michael Deininger found that changes in regional precipitation over the past 10,000 years are connected and mainly caused by alterations to solar radiation and associated temperature differences between tropics and polar regions. This could lead to shifts in regional rainfall patterns, potentially causing droughts in som...

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 17, 2020

Multi-messenger astronomy offers new estimates of neutron star size and universe expansion

A new study using multi-messenger astronomy has estimated the radius of a typical neutron star to be around 11.75 kilometers and provided a novel calculation of the Hubble constant, which indicates the rate of universe expansion. The researchers' analysis combined gravitational-wave signals and electromagnetic emissions from neutron st...

Stevens creates entangled photons 100 times more efficiently than previously possible

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a chip-based photon source that's 100 times more efficient than any previous device, allowing the creation of tens of millions of entangled photon pairs per second. The new source uses nanoscale microcavities to create entangled photons with virtually no waste energy.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 17, 2020

Study highlights stark inequality in survival after cardiac surgery between paying and NHS patients

A new study found that paying patients undergoing cardiac surgery in England have a 20% lower risk of death or complications compared to NHS patients. The researchers controlled for socioeconomic factors and concluded that a complex interaction between socioeconomic and health system-related factors exists for these patients.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·DateDec 16, 2020

Ensuring a proper body plan

The discovery sheds light on how a subtle deviation in the development process can be detrimental to individual survival and reproductive success. The study reveals that Kdm7a regulates Hox gene expression, which is crucial for embryonal morphogenesis and vertebrate body plan development.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCommunications Biology·DateDec 16, 2020

Flexible and powerful electronics

Researchers at University of Tsukuba develop a new carbon-based electrical device, π-ion gel transistors (PIGTs), with improved conductivity. The innovative technology may lead to the creation of flexible electronics and efficient photovoltaics.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 16, 2020

Some neurons target tiny cerebral blood vessel dilation

A team of Penn State engineers found a connection between nitric oxide-expressing neurons and changes in arterial diameters in mice, shedding light on brain function and aging. The researchers discovered that approximately half of the dynamic range in blood vessel diameter is controlled by a small group of neurons.

Suicide mortality in Maryland during COVID-19 pandemic

A recent study analyzed differences in suicide deaths by race/ethnicity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland. The results showed a significant increase in suicide mortality among certain racial and ethnic groups, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateDec 16, 2020

Aroma diffuser and plastic bag offer inexpensive method to test fit of face masks at home

A team from the University of Cambridge has created an affordable solution for assessing the proper fit of N95 and similar sealing masks, utilizing a simple home aroma diffuser and large plastic bag. This setup can perform similarly to commercial qualitative fit-testing solutions without the high costs associated with them.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·DateDec 16, 2020

Extracting precious zinc from waste ash

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have created a unique method to extract valuable metals like zinc from fly ash produced by incinerating solid waste. This innovative approach can help reduce environmental pollution and increase the profitability of waste incineration, while also promoting a more circular economy.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalWaste Management·DateDec 16, 2020

Characterising cold fusion in 2D models

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding cold fusion through a new 2D modelling approach. By directly calculating the probabilities of fusion reactions involving muonic pairs of tritium atoms, the team found that these processes are 1 billion times more likely to occur than in 3D systems.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateDec 16, 2020