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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 124


Page 124 of 510

Cloud-spotting on a distant exoplanet

Clouds have been detected on the distant exoplanet WASP-127b, and their altitude has been measured for the first time. The observations reveal that water vapor is present at lower levels but screened by clouds opaque to visible light, while sodium is found in an unexpected place.

Infection hinders blood vessel repair following traumatic brain or cerebrovascular injuries

Researchers found that viral, fungal, or bacterial infections impact blood vessel repair in the brain after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and cerebrovascular injury. Infected animals took longer to repair damaged blood vessels, leading to permanent cognitive dysfunction and brain damage.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2021

European Green Deal: carbon border adjustment mechanism could hit some trade partners hard

The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism could significantly impact countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Morocco, and Mozambique due to their high exposure and vulnerability to the mechanism. To mitigate this, the EU should provide financial and technical support to these countries to aid in decarbonisation efforts.

Skoltech scientists use supercomputer to probe limits of Google’s quantum processor

Researchers used a supercomputer to emulate Google's quantum processor and discovered a reachability deficit, a performance limitation induced by a problem's constraint-to-variable ratio. The study showed that future experiments will require significantly more quantum resources to overcome this limit.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalQuantum·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2021

Artificial intelligence brings better hurricane predictions

A new machine learning approach has been developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to improve hurricane intensity predictions. The model uses artificial intelligence techniques and can run on a commercial laptop, offering more accurate forecasts than existing models. It also enables th...

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalWeather and Forecasting·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2021

Buck researchers provide a framework to study precision nutrigeroscience

Researchers at Buck Institute for Research on Aging provide a framework for precision nutrigeroscience to study the need for individualized dietary interventions. Studies in fruit flies show that lifestyle and genetics impact lifespan and healthspan, leading researchers to challenge the field to adopt a more nuanced approach.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 22, 2021

Contact-tracing apps could improve vaccination strategies

Mathematical modeling suggests that contact-tracing apps can help achieve herd immunity by identifying individuals with greater exposure to others and targeting them for vaccination. The approach, known as 'hot-spotting,' could reduce the number of vaccine doses needed by up to half.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2021

SARS-CoV-2 screening in an urban public school district

Weekly saliva polymerase chain reaction testing in asymptomatic staff and students in an urban public school district significantly increased SARS-CoV-2 case detection, surpassing county-level infection rates. This study highlights the effectiveness of targeted screening strategies in reducing COVID-19 transmission.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 22, 2021

Wind energy can deliver vital slash to global warming

New research from Cornell University suggests that accelerating wind-energy technology deployment can achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, with potential to reduce global warming atmospheric average temperatures of 0.3 to 0.8 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. The study confirms that advancing wind energy...

SourceCornell University·JournalClimate·DateSep 22, 2021

Dr. Sofia Sheikh awarded National Science Foundation Fellowship for Research & Education at the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array

Dr. Sofia Sheikh has been awarded a Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to focus on fast radio bursts and develop improved technosignature detection methods. She will also mentor underrepresented students in physics and astronomy, leveraging the Allen Telescope Array's unique qualities.

Over 120 scientific experts’ global ocean report shows unprecedented climate change impact, as Arctic registers record low ice levels

The Copernicus Ocean State Report reveals record low Arctic ice levels, with a 90% reduction in average sea ice thickness in the Barents Sea. The report also highlights extreme variability in ocean temperatures and oxygen levels, posing significant challenges for marine ecosystems.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Operational Oceanography·DateSep 22, 2021

Metals supercharge promising method to bury harmful carbon dioxide under the sea

Researchers from University of Texas at Austin have discovered a way to accelerate the formation of CO2 hydrate structures that can store billions of tons of carbon for centuries. By adding magnesium, these structures form 3,000 times faster than current methods, offering a promising alternative to reduce climate change.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateSep 22, 2021

Methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths nearly tripled between 2015 to 2019, NIH study finds

Overdose deaths involving methamphetamine rose 180% from 2015 to 2019, outpacing increases in methamphetamine use. Riskier patterns of use, including frequent use and co-use with other substances, contributed to the surge. Diverse populations, particularly American Indians/Alaska Natives and young adults, are disproportionately affected.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateSep 22, 2021

COVID-19 infection increases risk for preeclampsia reported by WSU and PRB investigators

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing preeclampsia. Women with SARS-CoV-2 infection had a 62% higher odds of developing preeclampsia than those without the infection.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 22, 2021

Phyllotaxis-inspired nanosieves with multiplexed orbital angular momentum

Researchers developed phyllotaxis-alike vortex nanosieves that can generate multiple optical vortices within a single nano-device, enabling compact and efficient multiplexing of orbital angular momentum. The design uses judiciously arranged nanoholes on metal films to create multiple spiral patterns, each contributing to a specific OAM...

Phase 3 trial results: mRNA-1273 vaccine continued to be safe and efficacious more than five months after second dose

The mRNA-1273 vaccine has demonstrated sustained efficacy in preventing COVID-19 and severe disease, with consistent high levels of protection observed across various subgroups. Researchers have also found a marginal improvement in reduced cases among those vaccinated more recently during the Delta variant surge.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 22, 2021

Wide heads help sperm swim together

Researchers used machine learning to discover that sperm with a wide head relative to length are more likely to clump together and swim collectively, a rare behavior that sometimes helps them reach an egg faster. The study provides a new method for understanding how form and function are related in cells with complex behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2021

Pregnant women who receive COVID-19 vaccination pass protection from the virus to their newborns

A new study found that COVID-19 vaccinated pregnant women pass high levels of antibodies to their babies, providing protection against infection. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines trigger the production of protective antibodies in mothers, which are then transferred to newborns.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM·DateSep 22, 2021

Adults with neurologic conditions more likely to have experienced childhood trauma

A study published in Neurology Clinical Practice found that adults with neurologic conditions are more likely to have had adverse childhood experiences such as abuse or neglect. The study suggests that early recognition of these high adverse childhood experiences may improve health outcomes for individuals with neurologic conditions.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology Clinical Practice·DateSep 22, 2021