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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 164


Page 164 of 510

Researchers developing new cancer treatments with high-intensity focused ultrasound

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology is being explored for its potential to destroy cancerous tumours while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Researchers at the University of Waterloo have made significant progress in understanding how HIFU works on a cellular level, paving the way for future clinical trials.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalBulletin of Mathematical Biology·DateAug 24, 2021

Study could lead to new treatments for neuroblastoma

Researchers have identified a new potential treatment for neuroblastoma by targeting the ALT mechanism, which is responsible for chemotherapy resistance. The study found that activating ATM kinase at telomeres promotes chemotherapy resistance in ALT neuroblastoma and suggests a cancer-specific approach to treating this disease.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

World First: Smaller than a speck of dust, voltage like a AAA battery - Smallest biosupercapacitor provides energy for biomedical applications

Researchers have created the smallest microsupercapacitors to date, which can function in artificial blood vessels and provide an energy source for tiny sensor systems. The biosupercapacitor has a volume of 0.001 mm3 and delivers up to 1.6 V supply voltage.

SourceChemnitz University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Eight predictors of upper gastrointestinal bleeding after heart attack

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified eight primary factors that increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding after heart attack. The study, published in European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, found that smoking, blood pressure, and blood glucose are among the new predictors.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 2021

No swimming? Molecule regulating sperm motility discovered

Researchers from Osaka University identified SPATA33 as a key regulator of sperm motility, which will aid in developing fast-acting male contraceptives. The study also clarified the mechanism by which SPATA33 controls sperm motility, shedding light on the cause of male infertility.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Watch this slow but deadly tortoise hunt a baby bird

Researchers captured footage of a tortoise attacking and killing a tern chick on Frégate Island. The tortoise approached the chick with its jaws open, suggesting it was an experienced hunter. This unusual behavior challenges previous assumptions about tortoises' diets and hunting habits.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 2021

Wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy increases preterm birth risk

A Stanford University study suggests that wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, with as many as 7,000 extra births attributed to this factor between 2007 and 2012. The research highlights the need for investment in prescribed burns, mechanical thinning, or other efforts to reduce extreme wildfires.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 23, 2021

Tree rings from old growth Douglas-firs on the Oregon Coast show evidence of 1700 tsunami

A study published in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences analyzed tree rings from old-growth Douglas-firs on the Oregon Coast, revealing reduced growth following the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 1700. The findings confirm modeling of the quake's reach and provide insight into the impact of tsunamis on trees.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences·DateAug 23, 2021

New study in regenerative medicine identifies RNA released from damaged cells act as the signal to initiate repair after injury

A new study from Monash University has identified RNA released from damaged cells as a signal to initiate repair in the nervous system. The research found that blocking or enhancing this recruitment of immature neurons halted or sped up neural circuit recovery, demonstrating their power in boosting neural repair.

SourceMonash University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Overcoming false optical activity

Researchers discovered false optical activity in Raman spectroscopic analysis of vitamin B12 and its derivatives, leading to misinterpretations of data. The phenomenon was attributed to circular dichroism and can be computationally modeled or adapted to measurement methods.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Turning the tables into touchscreens

Scientists at Nara Institute of Science and Technology create a projected touchscreen system using just one camera and projector, eliminating the need for additional detectors. The system uses slope disparity gating to capture touch data with high efficiency, enabling portable projection systems for large interactive displays.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Access·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 23, 2021

T. rex’s jaw had sensors to make it an even more fearsome predator, new digital study finds

A new digital study has found that Tyrannosaurus rex's jaw had nerve sensors enabling it to better detect and eat its prey. The researchers used computed tomography to analyze the distribution of neurovascular canals in a fossil mandible, revealing complex branching patterns similar to those of modern-day crocodiles and birds.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalHistorical Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 23, 2021

A “helping hand”: Intervention for early cancer screening in patients with mental illness

Researchers from Okayama University conducted a randomized trial to assess the benefits of interventions for early cancer screening in patients with schizophrenia. The study found that 47.1% of counseled patients underwent colorectal cancer screening, compared to 11.8% of those receiving only usual treatment.

SourceOkayama University·JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 23, 2021

Making patient care easier: Self-powered diaper sensors that monitor urine sugar levels

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a self-powered diaper sensor that monitors urine sugar levels, providing an alternative biomarker for blood sugar monitoring. The sensor uses a biofuel cell powered by glucose in the urine, detecting sugar levels within 1 second and simplifying caretaking tasks.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalACS Sensors·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Cutting “edge”: A tunable neural network framework towards compact and efficient models

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a tunable neural network framework that achieves high accuracy and efficiency for sparse CNNs. The new architecture employs a Cartesian-product MAC array and pipelined activation aligners to enable dense computing of sparse convolution, resulting in better resource utilization.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

New discovery pinpoints the ‘golden window’ for IVF success

Researchers at RMIT University have discovered a Teflon-like molecule on the womb's surface that decreases at a certain point in the menstrual cycle, opening the 'golden window' for pregnancy success. This finding could lead to improved IVF success rates and potentially treat underlying causes of infertility.

SourceRMIT University·JournalFertility and Sterility·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Rise and fall of water blisters offers glimpse beneath Greenland’s thick ice sheet

A Princeton University-led research team discovered that water blisters on the surface of Greenland's high-elevation ice sheet can estimate transmissivity, a property characterizing the efficiency of water networks between ice and bedrock. The study found that transmissivity can increase by two orders of magnitude during the summer mel...

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Understanding how elephants use their trunk

A multidisciplinary team of scientists studied the elephant trunk's kinematic versatility, revealing a toolkit of 20 basic movements that combine to produce complex behaviors. The researchers identified a mathematical law governing the trunk's velocity, similar to human hand-drawing movements.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Pusan National University researchers shed light on the early development of rice seeds

A team of scientists led by Assistant Professor Lae-Hyeon Cho identified a single mutation in the gene that codes for cytidine triphosphate synthase (CTPS), an enzyme crucial for early endosperm development. The study showed that overexpressing CTPS in genetically modified rice plants results in a larger endosperm, opening up opportuni...

SourcePusan National University·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021