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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 154


Page 154 of 510

Predicting climate anomalies: a real challenge

The World Climate Research Programme has made efforts to improve climate prediction, but many problems remain, including predicting extreme weather events. The Center for Climate System Prediction Research (CCSP) aims to tackle these challenges through research on ENSO, extended-range weather forecasting, and interannual-to-decadal cli...

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateAug 31, 2021

Russian physicists mix classical light with half a photon on a qubit

A Russian-U.K. research team has proposed a theoretical description for the new effect of quantum wave mixing involving classical and nonclassical states of microwave radiation. The study builds on earlier experiments on artificial atoms, which serve as qubits for quantum computers and probes fundamental laws of nature.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalPhysical Review A·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 31, 2021

Artificial intelligence used to predict how much water irrigators will use in each rate period

Researchers at the University of Córdoba developed an AI model that predicts how much water irrigators will use during different rate periods, optimizing energy usage. The CANGENFIS model combines AI techniques like fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks to model irrigator behavior and predict water distribution by rate period.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalAgricultural Water Management·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 31, 2021

Researchers from Tel Aviv University prove for the first time that silent mutations can predict the development of cancer cells

Silent mutations, which don't change protein sequences, hold diagnostic value in predicting cancer types and patient survival. The study analyzed over 10,000 cancer genomes and found that combining information from silent and non-silent mutations improved classification and prognostication up to 17% and 5%, respectively.

SourceTel-Aviv University·Journalnpj Genomic Medicine·DateAug 31, 2021

Paint the town

A team of scientists from Osaka University developed a machine learning method for classifying the type of building and its primary façade color using deep learning models applied to street-level images. This work may assist in fostering neighborhood cohesion and support urban renewal by providing tailored street-view datasets.

SourceOsaka University·JournalISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information·DateAug 31, 2021

Anchoring single atoms

Researchers from Vienna University of Technology have developed a new method to anchor single atoms on surfaces, paving the way for single-atom catalysis. The technique uses silicon atoms as anchors for single metal atoms, which can be used to accelerate chemical reactions.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

Cancer cells on the wrong path

Researchers from Charité and the German Cancer Consortium studied colorectal cancer cells using single cell sequencing to identify adaptations that render treatment ineffective. The study provides insights into the development process of cancer and suggests ways to improve current treatment approaches.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateAug 31, 2021

A new approach creates an exceptional single-atom catalyst for water splitting

Scientists created a new approach to anchoring individual iridium atoms on the surface of a catalytic particle, increasing its efficiency in splitting water molecules to record levels. This breakthrough could ease the bottleneck for sustainable energy production by enabling more efficient electrolysis.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

How to produce proteins at the right speed

Researchers at UNIGE deciphered the genetic mechanisms controlling protein synthesis speed, revealing a dynamic observation technique called ribosome profiling. This method showed that regulatory factors modulate translation rate, affecting protein structure and aggregation.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCell Reports·TypeNews article·DateAug 31, 2021

Older people with abdominal fat and weak muscles are more likely to develop mobility problems

A Brazilian-UK study found that older individuals with both abdominal fat and muscle weakness experience a significant loss of gait speed over eight years. This decline can lead to difficulty walking and increased risk of falls, impacting independence. Researchers urge health workers to measure abdominal fat and muscle strength to pred...

Innovative, faster and more cost-effective technology identifies drug that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 growth in lab setting

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed a new drug discovery technology to screen billions of compounds for potential treatments against viruses. They identified an inhibitor of the viral protein Mpro, which is needed for virus propagation, and demonstrated its potential in preventing SARS-CoV-2 replication.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

Highlighting new innovations in early cancer detection

PLOS Medicine features five studies outlining novel strategies for detecting cancer and identifying minimal residual disease. Researchers discuss innovative approaches, including plasma cell-free DNA sequencing and urine tumor DNA detection, to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 31, 2021

Bacteria may hold key for energy storage, biofuels

Researchers have identified a mechanism in Shewanella oneidensis that allows the microbe to take energy into its system for use in its metabolism. The study reveals a pathway for electron uptake that could be used to create efficient, scalable, and cheap methods for storing renewable energy and producing biofuels.

SourceCornell University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 31, 2021

SLAS Discovery’s September special collection “Applications of biophysics in early drug discovery” now available

This special collection highlights the use of biophysical methods in identifying and characterizing molecules in early drug discovery, including graphene bioelectronic sensing technology and mass spectrometry. It also showcases a fully automated acoustic ejection mass spectrometry technology for high-throughput screening.

Extreme sea levels to become much more common worldwide as Earth warms

A new study predicts extreme sea levels will become 100 times more frequent worldwide, with an annual occurrence by the end of the century. The research, led by Claudia Tebaldi, suggests rising temperatures will have a significant impact on coastal regions, particularly in the tropics and lower latitudes.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 31, 2021

Revealing the hidden structure of quantum entangled states

Researchers at the University of Witwatersrand have developed a new approach to probing high-dimensional quantum states, reducing measurement time from decades to minutes. The method enables faster quantum computing and communication by determining key parameters such as dimensionality and purity of the quantum state.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 31, 2021

Breathing humid and salt-enriched air reduces respiratory droplet generation; may contribute to the effectiveness of cotton masks and reduce incidence of and death by COVID-19 near seacoasts

Researchers found that breathing humid air and delivering salt droplets reduced respiratory droplet generation by 50% within 10 minutes. A correlation between elevated airborne salt concentration and reduced COVID-19 incidence and deaths was also observed along US coastlines.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalMolecular Frontiers Journal·DateAug 31, 2021

Report: Autistic individuals have increased risk of COVID-19

Research from Drexel University's Autism Institute identifies higher odds of living in residential facilities, receiving outside caregiver services, and having high-risk health conditions among autistic adults, as well as those with intellectual disability and mental health diagnoses. These groups are more likely to contract COVID-19 a...

SourceDrexel University·JournalAutism·DateAug 30, 2021