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Science News Archive November 2020 - Page 15


Page 15 of 43

NYUAD study finds opposite-gender mentorships may be more beneficial to female researchers

A new NYUAD study found that opposite-gender mentorships increase the impact of female scientists' research, while same-gender mentorships can reduce it. The study examined thousands of mentor-protégé relationships and found a significant association between increasing female mentors and reducing their protégés' post-mentorship impact.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 18, 2020

Machine learning innovation to develop chemical library

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a machine learning model that can predict reaction outcomes and test new reactions in a blind prospective manner. The model uses statistical robust machine learning models trained on a small number of reactions to provide interpretable chemical reactivity flowcharts.

SourcePurdue University·JournalOrganic Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

Are high-protein total diet replacements the key to maintaining healthy weight?

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high-protein total diet replacements led to higher energy expenditure, increased fat oxidation, and negative fat balance compared to a typical North American diet. This suggests that these diets may be a promising nutritional strategy for weight management.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 18, 2020

Racial attitudes in a community affect COVID-19 numbers

Researchers found a positive association between the percent of Black residents and COVID-19 cases and deaths, as well as explicit and implicit racial attitudes. The study suggests that implicit racial attitudes in communities can help explain racial disparities in COVID-19 rates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 18, 2020

Surprises in 'active' aging

Physicists from the University of Göttingen used computer simulations to investigate aging in living glassy systems, finding that persistent particle activity drives aging. This discovery has potential consequences for biological processes such as wound-healing and cancer metastasis.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

Does air pollution affect mental health later in life?

A study of women aged 80 found a significant association between air pollution exposure and increased depressive symptoms. Long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide or fine particulate air pollution was linked to small but notable effects on depressive symptoms.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 18, 2020

Vertebrate biodiversity- a glimmer of hope

A McGill University-led team found that extreme population declines among a small number of vertebrate species drive the apparent global decline. Removing these outliers reveals a more hopeful picture of global biodiversity. The study provides reason for hope in conservation efforts.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature·DateNov 18, 2020

Accounting for 'research fatigue' in human studies

Research fatigue in marginalized communities is a systemic issue that requires systematic responses, as noted by Florence Ashley. The article emphasizes the need for researchers to ensure studies are responsive to the community's needs and tailored to minimize fatigue.

SourceWiley·JournalBioethics·DateNov 18, 2020

Can memory manipulation help treat alcohol addiction?

Researchers at Boston University used optogenetics to study the effects of alcohol on brain function and behavior. They found that artificially dampening fear responses in mice could mitigate addiction-related behaviors. This suggests that memory manipulation may be a promising approach to treating alcohol addiction.

SourceBoston University·JournalHippocampus·DateNov 18, 2020

Prehistoric shark hid its largest teeth

Researchers used CT scanning and 3D printing to study a 370-million-year-old chondrichthyan from Morocco. They discovered that the ancient shark's lower jaw was not fused in the middle, allowing it to rotate outwards when opening its mouth, bringing larger teeth into an upright position.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCommunications Biology·DateNov 18, 2020

Media registration open for ENDO 2021

The Endocrine Society's virtual annual meeting, ENDO 2021, offers journalists the opportunity to discuss groundbreaking research with world-renowned experts in diverse fields. The event features over 70 live sessions, 20 oral sessions, and six plenaries, covering topics such as diabetes, obesity, reproductive health, and more.

Technology lets clinicians objectively detect tinnitus for first time

A new study published in PLOS ONE describes the use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to objectively detect tinnitus. The technology revealed differences in brain connectivity between people with and without tinnitus, and accurately differentiated patients with mild from moderate/severe cases using machine learning.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 18, 2020