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Science News Archive December 2020 - Page 29


Page 29 of 39

Development of high-speed nanoPCR technology for point-of-care diagnosis of COVID-19

Developed by a team of researchers, the nanoPCR technology uses hybrid nanomaterials to detect viral RNA in under 11 minutes while maintaining high accuracy. The technique has been tested with 150 patients, showing zero false negatives and positives, and demonstrates its potential for rapid, decentralized point-of-care diagnosis.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateDec 8, 2020

Keep taking the blood pressure medicine during the pandemic

A large-scale study from Aarhus University in Denmark shows that users of popular blood pressure medications had the same probability of a positive coronavirus test and no increased risk of hospitalisation or death. The study confirms previous smaller studies and reiterates the current recommendation to continue taking these medicines.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThorax·DateDec 8, 2020

Current treatment period may be too short to remove competitive advantage of transgender athletes

A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that transgender women may still retain a competitive advantage in athletic performance even after more than 12 months of hormone therapy. The study, which reviewed fitness test results and medical records of 29 trans men and 46 trans women, suggests that governin...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateDec 7, 2020

Dynamic plants

Researchers identify NAD+ capping as a key regulator of RNA stability in plants, allowing them to dynamically respond to environmental cues and stress. This process is similar to what has been found in mammalian cells, with implications for understanding plant development and response to hormone signals.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateDec 7, 2020

A recipe for protein footprinting

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a protein footprinting method called Fast Photochemical Oxidation of Proteins (FPOP) to investigate protein structure and interactions. FPOP offers advantages such as fast labeling time, irreversible nature, high sensitivity, and broad amino acid residue coverage.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Protocols·DateDec 7, 2020

The Lancet Public Health: Travel restrictions must be used in a targeted way to be effective at controlling local COVID-19 transmission, modelling study suggests

A modelling study published in The Lancet Public Health found that targeted travel restrictions are effective in controlling local COVID-19 transmission in countries with low numbers of cases or strong travel links to infected countries. Travel restrictions are unlikely to be effective when the virus is spreading rapidly within a country.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateDec 7, 2020

Observing the ultrafast motion of atoms and electrons

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the ultrafast motion of atoms and electrons, with implications for controlling materials through light. By observing the distortion of molecular structures and electron transfer, researchers can now distinguish between atomic motion and electronic dynamics.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Chemistry·DateDec 7, 2020

Nursing researcher's experience in COVID-19 vaccine trial

A nursing researcher reflects on her experience participating in a COVID-19 vaccine trial, discussing the importance of informing patients about possible side effects. The article emphasizes the need for clinicians to prepare their patients for vaccination, ensuring informed consent and minimizing adverse reactions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateDec 7, 2020

Study shows that active surveillance holds promise as a treatment option for low-risk thyroid cancer

A study by researchers at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine found that active surveillance can be successfully implemented in patients with low-risk thyroid cancer. The study shows that 91% of patients adhered to the prescribed ultrasonography schedule and retention rates were high, with only 4.5% choosing surgery after two years.

A study predicts smooth interaction between humans and robots

A study by Tampere University found that making eye contact with a humanoid robot evokes strong physiological reactions, including arousal and positive emotional responses. The results suggest that interaction between humans and social robots may be surprisingly seamless, as people treat robots instinctively as if they could see them.

SourceTampere University·JournalBiological Psychology·DateDec 7, 2020

Mental health themes in popular rap music

Recent studies found a significant rise in mental health themes in popular rap songs over the past two decades. Lyrics from top hits analyzed for evidence of anxiety, depression, suicide, and related mental health issues are reported to be more common now than they were two decades ago.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateDec 7, 2020

New fundamental knowledge of the 'abdominal brain'

The study describes how the different neurons form during fetal development, a process that follows different principles to brain neurons. The researchers identified twelve different kinds of ENS neuron, including subgroups of sensory neurons activated by substances in the intestines and affecting the immune system.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateDec 7, 2020

Maternal anxiety affects the fetal brain

A study by Children's National Hospital researchers found that maternal anxiety during pregnancy can alter neural connectivity in the womb. Fetuses of anxious mothers showed stronger connections between the brainstem and sensorimotor areas, while those with lower anxiety had weaker connections between executive cognitive functions.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 7, 2020