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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 141


Page 141 of 510

Brain molecule helps ‘wake up’ cells that could help tackle MS and similar diseases, study shows

Researchers have identified a molecule called fractalkine that can boost the production of brain cells producing myelin, a key factor in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The study's findings suggest that fractalkine could be used to treat certain neurodegenerative disorders by restoring lost myelin.

Science Journals' new site enlivens communication of leading research and elevates scientist voices

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has launched a revamped website, integrating its six journals and elevating scientist voices through improved navigation and visuals. The new platform offers readers a more immersive experience, with features such as interactive study images and customizable reading modes.

An insulator made of two conductors

A team of scientists at ETH Zurich has discovered a new correlated state in twisted double layers of graphene, where negatively charged electrons and positively charged holes pair up to form an electrically neutral state. This state can transmit information or conduct heat without conducting electric current.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2021

EU, US regulators apply similar mindset when advising live biotherapeutic product developer

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have applied a similar mindset when advising live biotherapeutic product developer YSOPIA Bioscience. This collaboration has provided valuable regulatory feedback for the company's clinical development efforts. The review highlights the need for harmonize...

SourcePharmabiotic Research Institute (PRI)·JournalFrontiers in Medicine·TypeCase study·DateSep 9, 2021

BU study explores the effect of consumer advertising of cosmetic procedures on patients

A new Boston University School of Medicine study explores the impact of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising on patients seeking cosmetic procedures. The research found that DTC ads often exaggerate benefits while minimizing risks, suggesting that patients may believe that trained medical professionals are not necessary for these proce...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalDermatologic Surgery·TypeCase study·DateSep 9, 2021

A new method to understand protein dynamics 
and the regulation of cellular processes’

Researchers developed a new computational procedure to discover functional protein shapes, revealing molecular details of cellular processes. The approach focused on allosteric regulation and applied to adenylate cyclase, a key enzyme in energy metabolism and hormone signaling.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 9, 2021

Report says mental health distress continued to increase during COVID-19 pandemic

A new report reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in psychological distress, depression, and anxiety among US men and women. The study found that individuals with pre-existing health conditions, financial stressors, and caregiving responsibilities were more likely to experience psychological distress.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·TypeObservational study·DateSep 9, 2021

Smoking during pregnancy may impact fetal growth through changes in placental gene expression

A new study found that maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with changes in placental DNA methylation and poor birth outcomes. The research suggests that these epigenetic changes may affect fetal growth by altering the expression of genes involved in environmental responses, growth, and inflammation.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 9, 2021

Eyeglasses for school kids boosts academic performance

A three-year clinical study found that students who received eyeglasses through a school-based program scored higher on reading and math tests. The students who struggled the most academically showed the greatest improvement, with gains equivalent to two to four months of additional education.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 9, 2021

Health insurance coverage declined during the pandemic

A study led by Duke University researchers found that nearly 2.7 million people in the US lost employer-based health insurance during the spring and summer of 2020, but gained coverage through government programs like Medicaid. The study suggests that recent policy changes created a safety net to support those affected by job loss.

SourceDuke University·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2021

Study shows decreased mortality for patients with complex aortic aneurysms treated by fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair

A recent study found that fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair significantly reduced mortality rates for patients with complex aortic aneurysms, with a 1% risk of mortality at 30 days compared to 21% in open surgical repair. The procedure also showed better outcomes regarding major adverse events, including spinal cord injury.

Groundbreaking technique yields important new details on silicon, subatomic particles and possible ‘fifth force’

NIST scientists use a novel technique to measure the properties of silicon crystals, revealing new insights into subatomic particles and the strength of a possible fifth force. The results provide improved precision and complementary information for both X-ray and neutron scattering.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2021

Is the nature of academic research changing?

The proportion of journal articles using questionnaires tripled between 1996 and 2019, indicating a focus on human opinions and perspectives. However, this trend is linked to declining citation impact, sparking debate about the value and validity of questionnaire-based research.

SourceWiley·JournalLearned Publishing·DateSep 9, 2021

Calculated risk – A new tool to predict mortality in patients with liver failure

A novel mortality risk prediction method helps tailor treatment decisions and transplant needs for patients based on individual symptoms. The new tool uses a random survival forest algorithm to predict individual mortality risk curves, calculate mortality at any given time, and provide a 95% confidence interval.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 9, 2021

Reconfigurable metasurfaces provide nanoscale light control

Researchers designed electromechanically reconfigurable ultrathin optical elements that can be controlled on a pixel-by-pixel level. These versatile metasurfaces could offer a new chip-based way to achieve nanoscale control of light, leading to better optical displays and information encoding.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateSep 9, 2021

COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing hospitalizations, emergency visits

A New England Journal of Medicine study found that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and intensive care admissions due to the virus. The vaccines provide significant protections for older adults and minorities, who have been disproportionately affected by the virus.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2021

CVIA Volume 6, Issue 1 just publsihed

The journal Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications (CVIA) has published its first issue of new Volume 6, featuring important research on the cardiovascular implications of COVID-19. The issue includes several articles on the topic, including a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateSep 9, 2021

University of Maryland researchers uncover critical barriers to improve sustainability and green infrastructure adoption across two Chesapeake Bay watersheds

Researchers found socio-cultural barriers, lack of maintenance and funding, economic challenges, institutional barriers, technological and environmental barriers hinder GI adoption. Community-based approach identified the need for increased transparency and communication from government, as well as resident participation and engagement.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalSustainable Cities and Society·DateSep 9, 2021

Transforming marine biodiversity discovery and monitoring

A new system for sampling fragments of DNA from marine organisms drifting in the ocean has been developed, enabling researchers to monitor biodiversity and conservation efforts on a global scale. The innovative approach uses water collected from engine cooling systems on commercial vessels, allowing for large-scale surveys of marine ec...

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeObservational study·DateSep 9, 2021

A recent reversal in the response of western Greenland’s ice caps to climate change

Research reveals that Greenland's coastal ice caps experienced growth rather than shrinkage during past periods of warming. This study provides a new perspective on climate change, highlighting the complex relationship between climate conditions and ice cap changes across different regions of the Arctic.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeObservational study·DateSep 9, 2021

Increased frequency of heavy rainstorms and flood disasters in the Three Gorges Region during summer 2020

The Three Gorges Region experienced its second-highest average precipitation on record, with heavy rainstorms and floods dominating the summer of 2020. The region's ecological environment improved, with a significant weakening trend in acid rain over the past decade.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateSep 9, 2021