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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 11


Page 11 of 510

A quantum view of ‘combs’ of light

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a miniaturized frequency comb that can generate non-classical light, enabling the study of quantum entanglement and opening up new pathways for quantum computing. The microcomb's precise spacing allows for detailed measurement of its finer features.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 16, 2021

Color-sorting metalenses boost imaging sensitivity

Researchers have developed a new metalenses technology that enables filter-free color image sensors with enhanced signal levels. This innovation could improve low-light and fast imaging capabilities for smartphones and autonomous vehicles, leading to better night view capture and high-speed object detection.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2021

Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System receive federal grant to expand addiction medicine education and training

The grant will fund a new curriculum focused on diagnosing and treating people with opioid use disorder (OUD), including guidance on medications for addiction treatment (MAT). The program aims to train hundreds of medical students and residents to diagnose, treat, and care for individuals with substance use disorders.

Over 1kg of plastic waste is produced per patient anaesthetised, Spanish study finds

A Spanish study has found that each patient undergoing anaesthesia generates up to 1kg of plastic waste, with plastic wrappers being the most common item. The study suggests that up to 60% of this waste could be recycled and highlights the need for improved waste management strategies.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·JournalEuropean Journal of Anaesthesiology·DateDec 16, 2021

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine found to be safe and effective in trial conducted by UM School of Medicine researchers

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be highly efficacious and safe, with a 90% efficacy rate in preventing COVID-19 illness. The vaccine was also found to be 100% effective in preventing moderate and severe disease requiring hospitalization.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 16, 2021

Impact of COVID-19 on breastfeeding

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in breastfeeding rates among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Southern California. Breastfeeding education and support services were disrupted due to the pandemic, which may have contributed to the decline.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBreastfeeding Medicine·TypeCase study·DateDec 16, 2021

Snow drought research finds predictability in uncertainty

A Dartmouth team compiled a global-scale dataset to show how uncertainties over determining snow depth can actually improve predictions of water availability. The approach leverages observational and definitional uncertainties to make better assessments of snow droughts and their impacts.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateDec 16, 2021

Building a better bat box: Temperature variation in rocket box designs

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new bat box design that provides more thermally appropriate roosting spaces for bats. The 'rocket box' style, with modifications to length and insulation, helps reduce the risk of overheating and provides space for bats to move and avoid extreme temperatures.

Robots use fear to fight invasive fish

A team of biologists and engineers created a robotic fish that scares mosquitofish away, altering its behavior and physiology. The study found that the mosquitofish showed fearful behaviors, weight loss, and reduced fertility when confronted with the robot.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2021

The origin of neuronal diversity

Researchers developed a new technique to analyze brain cell development, finding that cells of similar types are often unrelated and can converge from different progenitors. Conversely, different cell types can diverge from the same progenitor, determining their fate during differentiation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateDec 16, 2021

Poor women in rural India still denied safe hospital births, with maternal deaths at “alarmingly high” levels, study finds

A new study reveals that poor women in rural India are more likely to die during childbirth due to lack of access to safe hospital births. The research found that only 26% of women in low-performing states deliver in hospitals, compared to 87% of those exposed to mass media.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalGlobal Health Action·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2021

Greater exposure to nitrogen dioxide linked to higher levels of biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in the brain

Exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particles is associated with increased beta-amyloid protein deposition and neurofilament light in cerebrospinal fluid, indicating a potential risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The study highlights the importance of reducing exposure to air pollution to mitigate this risk.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·DateDec 16, 2021

How to successfully implement digital strategies

Research highlights the importance of individual entrepreneurial orientation, including proactiveness, risk-taking, and innovativeness, in digital strategy implementation. Employees' relational capital also plays a role, particularly when innovative-oriented employees score high in networking.

SourceCopenhagen Business School·JournalTechnological Forecasting and Social Change·TypeSurvey·DateDec 16, 2021

Ambulance call-outs for heart attacks rise when air pollution is high, German study finds

A German study finds that ambulance call-outs for heart attacks increase when air pollution is high, but decrease with warmer weather. The research highlights the need for better planning and resource allocation by hospitals to address climate change-related changes in weather conditions.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·JournalEuropean Journal of Anaesthesiology·DateDec 16, 2021

Proton translocation pathways in a molecular machine of cellular energy metabolism

Researchers at Goethe University and the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics have gained new insights into how mitochondrial complex I facilitates proton transfer through water molecules. The study's high-resolution structure data enabled computer simulations that shed light on the protein's dynamics during its catalytic cycle.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2021

Study in Biosphere 2 facility in Arizona reveals how tropical forests will respond to drought

A study in Biosphere 2's Arizona facility sheds light on tropical forest responses to drought, revealing diverse drought strategies among plant species. The research, which tracked carbon, water, and VOC fluxes during a 9.5-week drought, may help improve predictions of climate change impacts on these ecosystems.

Oropharyngeal cancer incidence and mortality rising in nearly all 50 states, reports new national study

A new national study found that oropharyngeal cancer incidence is increasing rapidly across the US, particularly among men and in the Midwest and Southeast. The study also reported a significant increase in large tumor diagnoses and mortality rates over the last decade.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateDec 16, 2021

Stem cells organize themselves into embryoid

Scientists at the University of Bonn have developed a method to generate embryo-like cell complexes from mouse stem cells. The resulting embryoids exhibit coordinated development similar to natural embryos, offering a promising alternative to animal testing for toxicology studies.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2021

Comparison of intimate partner violence injuries among sexes uncovers higher level of severity for male victims

Researchers compared injury patterns among men and women presenting to emergency departments with intimate partner violence (IPV) injuries. The study found that male victims were more likely to have severe injuries, such as lacerations and gunshot wounds. In contrast, female victims were more likely to have facial bruises.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAggressive Behavior·DateDec 16, 2021

Muscles seem to grow, rather than shrink, in some critically ill Covid patients

Contrary to previous research, some Covid patients exhibit increased muscle mass, particularly those with a strong immune response, while others experience significant muscle wastage. This study suggests that immune response to Covid may exacerbate muscle damage, potentially impacting recovery and quality of life.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·JournalEuropean Journal of Anaesthesiology·DateDec 16, 2021

Study questions widely used race-based formula to define lung disease

A long-term epidemiologic study found that a race-based formula for diagnosing lung disease is no better than a race-neutral equation, which could lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatments. The study used data from thousands of patients and compared the two formulas, finding that the race-neutral equation yielded better predictions.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2021

RNA molecules with no apparent function represent a new therapeutic approach against fungal infection by Candida

Researchers have identified fragments of genetic material in Candida fungus that do not encode proteins but are specifically expressed during distinct stages of the infection process. These long non-coding RNA molecules show high specificity and differ between species, making them a potential target for new treatments.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2021

Delving into the pressures around penalty kicks

Professional footballers took penalty kicks under low and high-pressure conditions, revealing the impact of cognitive and somatic anxiety on performance. The study aimed to create a pressure protocol for penalty taking, assessing its effect on psychological and psychophysical responses.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalJournal of Sports Science·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2021

Lack of access to affordable, nutritious food puts those with chronic liver disease at a higher risk of death

A new study by Keck Medicine of USC found that food insecurity increases the risk of death among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and advanced liver disease. The study, which analyzed data from over 34,000 individuals, suggests that eradicating food insecurity could eliminate up to 7% of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease d...

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 16, 2021