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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 178


Page 178 of 510

Alginic acid improves artificial bones, study shows

A study published in the Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine found that alginic acid improves artificial bones by increasing porosity, compressive strength, and setting time. The addition of alginic acid to calcium phosphate cement enhances its mechanical properties, allowing for more effective bone replacement.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalJournal of Materials Science Materials in Medicine·TypeNews article·DateAug 11, 2021

A COVID-19 vaccine strategy to give the body ‘border protection’

A new research strategy enhances COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness by providing 'border protection' immunity in the nose, mouth and blood. The approach involves suppressing an enzyme that breaks down both pathogens and immune cells, resulting in a robust antibody response and improved protection against infections.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

World-first COVID vaccine booster randomized clinical trial in transplant patients proves third shot is very effective

A randomized clinical trial of third dose COVID-19 vaccine booster for transplant patients shows improved antibody levels and neutralizing antibodies, as well as a robust T-cell response. The study found that the third dose was safe and well-tolerated, with minimal side effects.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 11, 2021

Study: Domestic control of COVID-19 takes priority over international travel bans

A new study suggests that taming domestic transmission of COVID-19 should be prioritized over international travel bans. Researchers found that domestic transmission mechanisms have a limited effect on total confirmed cases in China, but can exponentially magnify the effects of importation if not controlled.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 11, 2021

Characteristics of patients With sunburn

Researchers analyzed claims data to identify key demographic characteristics of patients receiving a sunburn diagnosis. The study found that patients with sunburn tend to be older, female, and have a history of previous sunburns or skin cancers.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateAug 11, 2021

World-first COVID vaccine booster randomized clinical trial in transplant patients proves third shot is very effective

A world-first clinical trial has shown that a third dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster is highly effective in protecting transplant patients. The study found that 55% of participants developed antibodies against the virus after receiving the third dose, compared to just 18% in those who received a placebo.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 11, 2021

Pusan National University scientists report single-step synthesis of solid-state sensors for detecting explosives

Researchers have successfully synthesized AIE-active nanoparticles in a single step, producing fluorescent sensors that can detect nitroaromatic compounds with high sensitivity. The novel solid-state sensors show quenching of fluorescence emission on contact with PA, enabling fast and accurate detection of explosives.

SourcePusan National University·JournalDyes and Pigments·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

Study of coral reefs of Pacific Gilbert Islands could provide sneak preview into effects of climate change-induced heat stress globally

Researchers studied Pacific Gilbert Islands coral reefs, a natural laboratory for climate change-induced heat stress. The study found that coral reefs in the region exhibit resistance and resilience to multiple stressors, but are still recovering after over a decade of environmental pressures.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 11, 2021

Human Lyme Borreliosis and Puumala hantavirus infection incidence follow rodent abundance variations in Northern Europe

A study found associations between bank vole abundance variations and Lyme Borreliosis and Puumala hantavirus infections in Northern Europe. The abundance of rodents influences the incidence of these diseases, with Puumala hantavirus infection following rodent abundance fluctuations with a couple of months time lag.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 11, 2021

Southwest National Primate Research Center and Texas Biomed receive continued full accreditation from lab animal care association

The Southwest National Primate Research Center and Texas Biomedical Research Institute have received continued full accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) for their exceptional animal care. The institution houses over 2,500 nonhuman primates, including pathogen-free rhesus...

Enabling the next generation of organic solar cells

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a new way for energy to move in organic materials, allowing for faster conversion of sunlight into electrical power. This fundamental mechanism, called transient exciton delocalization, enables efficient energy transport in organic semiconductors.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

Engineers uncover the secrets of fish fins

A team of engineers discovered that the unique design of fish fins, with layered structures made up of stiff and soft materials, enables them to achieve remarkable dexterity and flexibility. This finding could lead to new materials and technologies for robotic applications and aircraft design.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

Tuning gold nanoclusters for targeted gastric cancer therapy

Gold nanoclusters have emerged as a promising material for cancer nanomedicine due to their excellent biocompatibility and efficient renal clearance. The researchers designed multifunctional AuNCs with a therapeutic component and targeting action, demonstrating the potential for targeted gastric cancer therapy.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalACS Nanoscience Au·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 11, 2021

A robotic fish tail and an elegant math ratio could inform the design of next- generation underwater drones

University of Virginia researchers design a simple way to implement a tunable stiffness strategy in robots, enabling efficient swimming at varying speeds. The approach, inspired by the natural adaptability of fish, uses a programmable artificial tendon to adjust tail stiffness in real-time.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

Anatomy of an earthquake series

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that seismicity at the Castor gas reservoir was triggered by pore pressure diffusion and the failure of loaded asperities on a shallow fault. The research identified three phases of the crisis, including a fast backward migration of earthquakes that resulted in the largest tremors.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateAug 11, 2021

The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology study examines thin film surface symmetries

Researchers at GIST develop a non-contact, nondestructive approach to characterize crystal structures in thin films, shedding light on surface symmetries in SrRuO3. The technique offers a platform for structural characterization of surfaces and interfaces using optical techniques.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalApplied Surface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

AI DBT impact on mammography post-breast therapy

A single-center retrospective study found that AI-CAD reduced recall rates and improved accuracy compared to digital mammography (DM) and DBT. The study showed lower recall rates and higher accuracy for DM with AI-CAD, indicating a practical addition to lowering false-positive findings.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 11, 2021

Machine learning analysis identifies 50 conserved genes in both Drosophila fruit flies and humans strongly associated with neurological aging, suggesting potential for further aging-related studies using fruit flies as a model organism

A machine learning analysis has identified 50 genes strongly associated with neurological aging in both Drosophila fruit flies and humans. The study suggests that fruit flies could be used as a model organism to further investigate aging-related processes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

How Hypoxia Influences Spatial Gene Expression Variations in Pancreatic Cancer

Researchers discovered that hypoxia induces regional variations in gene-expression patterns in pancreatic cancer, with specific subpopulations of cancer cells surviving under hypoxic conditions. These findings suggest a link between hypoxia and aggressive tumor behavior, highlighting the need for targeted treatments.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalCancer Biology and Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

17-year study of children associates poverty with smaller, slower-growing subcortical regions

A 17-year study found that children who experienced poverty in preschool had smaller volumes of certain subcortical brain regions, including the hippocampus and thalamus. The researchers also found that these children showed slower growth in these regions over time, leading to poorer cognitive and behavioral outcomes in adulthood.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·TypeObservational study·DateAug 11, 2021

Brain gene expression patterns altered by chronic opioid use

A new study has found that chronic opioid use changes gene expression in the brains of people with opioid use disorder (OUD), suggesting proinflammatory signaling and synaptic remodeling. The affected genes involved in immune response and neuronal connections were also identified, offering new targets for treatment.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 10, 2021

Rising seas force dune and beach movement

Researchers measure increased vertical translation of dune toe along Holland coast, finding it outpaces sea level rise. The study's findings suggest other locations may experience similar changes due to global warming, highlighting the need for climate change adaptation measures.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 10, 2021