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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 102


Page 102 of 510

New study sheds light on molecular motion

Scientists have developed a synthetic fibre that guides molecular movement fueled by light over long distances, paving the way for new sustainable energy sources and applications in medicine and chemical tasks. The system emulates cellular fibres, allowing for controlled transport of molecules using light as energy.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2021

Teaching ancient brains new tricks

A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University has discovered how the brains of advanced physicists organize highly abstract scientific concepts. They found that physicists' brains group concepts into measureable versus immeasurable size, and that these patterns are organized separately in their brains. This study provides insight...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·Journalnpj Science of Learning·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2021

New gene could help improve tomato flavor and shelf-life

Researchers have identified a gene that regulates fruit softening independent of fruit ripening, allowing tomatoes to stay firm until consumption while maintaining flavor. The discovery could lead to increased shelf-life without sacrificing flavor, benefiting commercial producers and consumers alike.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2021

Adverse complications for covid positive pregnant women and their newborns adds further weight to vaccination calls

A new study found a significant increase in adverse outcomes for COVID-19 positive pregnant women, including gestational diabetes, low white blood cell counts, and heavier bleeding during delivery. Respiratory complications were also witnessed in their babies, highlighting the importance of vaccinating all pregnant women against COVID-19.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalThe Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine·DateOct 10, 2021

Most Americans resumed travel or leisure before COVID-19 vaccines became available

A Texas A&M study found that over half of American adults resumed risky social and travel activities before vaccines were widely available. The survey also revealed that younger individuals, those with lower socioeconomic status, and fiscally conservative respondents were more likely to engage in such behaviors.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalINQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing·TypeNews article·DateOct 8, 2021

Sharp flu rebound expected after lifting of COVID distancing measures

Researchers at Columbia University predict a large-scale influenza outbreak in the US after lifting public health measures, followed by worsened seasonal flu outbreaks. The study suggests that greater population-wide immune susceptibility to influenza could lead to more severe outbreaks.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 8, 2021

Engineers 3D-print personalized, wireless wearables that never need a charge

Researchers at the University of Arizona have created custom-fitted wearable devices that can monitor physiological parameters without needing recharging. The biosymbiotic devices use wireless power transfer and compact energy storage to enable continuous operation, providing accurate data on body temperature, strain, and muscle deform...

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 8, 2021

Team discovers invasive-native crayfish hybrids in Missouri

A study of crayfish in the Current River watershed found that virile crayfish were interbreeding with native spothanded crayfish, potentially altering their genetics and ecology. The discovery highlights the challenges of detecting invasive species' impacts, which can lead to substantial harm to unique ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAquatic Invasions·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2021

Recurrent lockdowns are not necessary for pandemic control

A stable regime can be achieved at low case numbers through non-pharmaceutical interventions, but a fast and efficient 'test-trace-and-isolate' system is crucial for maintaining freedom without lockdowns. This approach has been proven effective in containing disease spread during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 8, 2021

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia-led study finds that biggest share of US obstetric hospitals deliver fewer than 500 babies per year

A Children's Hospital of Philadelphia-led study found that most US obstetric hospitals deliver fewer than 500 babies per year, with approximately 2.5 million infants born at low-volume hospitals between 2010 and 2018. Nearly a fifth of these low-volume hospitals are isolated from other obstetric hospitals, with over half located in rur...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 8, 2021

Researchers find more severely COVID-19 infected mothers more likely to have preterm birth

A study by researchers at Wayne State University found a dose-response relationship between SARS-CoV-2 severity and the risk of preterm birth, with severely infected mothers more likely to experience early birth. The study also linked severe COVID-19 infection to an increased risk of preeclampsia.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 8, 2021

Artificial intelligence suggests a new narrative for the Out of Africa process

Researchers used a new AI method to refine the Out of Africa scenario, suggesting a population turnover event in East-West Africa that homogenized West and East Africans. This event may account for up to 90% of contemporary West African gene pool, explaining lower separation times between Africans and non-Africans.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 8, 2021

Molecules for building stronger antibodies

Researchers at Kyoto University have identified Tox2 as a crucial regulator of T follicular helper cells (TFH), which produce high-affinity antibodies. The study found that Tox2 promotes the long-term survival and functional maintenance of TFH cells, enabling potent and durable antibody responses in vaccines.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2021

What makes us human? The answer may be found in overlooked DNA

Researchers at Lund University discovered a previously overlooked part of our DNA that appears to contribute to the development of human and chimpanzee brains. The study found that humans and chimpanzees use a structural variant of DNA in different ways, which plays a significant role in brain evolution.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2021

Physics meets democracy in this modeling study

A new study models election dynamics using physics, accounting for conformist, contrarian, and inflexible voters. The model finds that short-term campaigns are effective in electorates with only conformist agents, while long-term campaigns are more effective in electorates with strong local dominance.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPhysica A Statistical Mechanics and its Applications·DateOct 8, 2021

Biblical burning

A Middle Bronze Age city in the Jordan Valley was destroyed by a high-temperature fire, likely caused by a meteorite impact. The site contains evidence of shocked quartz, melted pottery, and diamond-like carbon, supporting a cosmic airburst hypothesis.

SourceEast Carolina University·JournalNature·DateOct 8, 2021

Strike-slip faulting may be active deformation mechanism on Saturn’s largest moon, Titan

A recent study suggests that strike-slip faulting is an active deformation mechanism on Titan's surface, driven by diurnal tidal stresses and pore fluid pressures. The researchers found that shallow faults near the equator are optimally oriented for potential failure, which could facilitate material transport and affect habitability.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalIcarus·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 8, 2021

To flee or not to flee

The study found that lack of knowledge about debris flows contributed to a false sense of security among residents. Public awareness programs can help keep residents and emergency management offices informed about rare but potentially lethal natural events in their area.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·DateOct 8, 2021